A blinding flash swallowed everything. It wasn't like the usual transition between floors.
There was no gradual shift. No sensation of being pulled or transferred. Just the light, which was pure, overwhelming, suffocating light.
Kael instinctively shut his eyes his body reacting before his mind could even process what was happening. The brilliance pierced through his eyelids forcing him into momentary blindness.
For a brief second there was nothing like some sound or some presence and there was not even a ground beneath he was floating but standing still.
Then the silence broke a faint rustle. The distant echo of wind and something unnaturally heavy.
Kael slowly opened his eyes the light had faded.
But what replaced it made his mind freeze.
He was actually sitting rather than standing for the next floor and this time he was not on a battlefield like how these floors was supposed to be.
And when he saw where he was sitting and not just anywhere he was sitting on a THRONE.
"What the actual hell, where is this??"
A massive imposing throne carved from dark stone, its surface etched with intricate patterns that radiated authority and age. The armrests were shaped like coiled serpents their eyes embedded with faintly glowing crystals. Behind him rose a towering backrest adorned with a crest he had never seen before yet somehow felt familiar.
Kael didn't move immediately.
His fingers tightened slightly on the armrest which was very cold, solid and it was real, he was not dreaming he was sitting on a throne.
"…Where am I, where are my subordinates and my master?"
His voice came out low almost uncertain. This wasn't a battlefield. This did not look like the entrance to the 26th floor, this was totally different from what it said in the forums and some tutorial videos, it's still supposed to be battlefield but why am I sitting on a throne.
This wasn't anything he had experienced before.
Slowly his gaze shifted to the sides and that's when he noticed them.
To his left was Captain Rodric stood tall, clad in his armour, his posture straight and unwavering as always. His expression remained composed but there was a sharpness in his eyes which showed alert, assessing, cautious.
To his right the figure from the Bone Legion.
But not as Kael had known him, he was in human form where he could not see any skeletal remains on his body.
A tall man with pale skin, dark hair and a face that carried an eerie stillness. His presence still radiated the same cold, death-like aura but it was now contained within a body that appeared… alive.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So, my summons are just beside me, don't they feel strange being here."
The man did not respond immediately.
Captain Rodric and the man simply inclined their head slightly as if acknowledging Kael's observation.
But that wasn't what shocked Kael the most.
It was the positioning. Rodric and the Bone Legion commander were standing.
And he was seated at the center above them on a throne.
A subtle uncomfortable realization crept into his mind.
"…But where is my master?"
Before anyone could answer a voice cut through the air.
"…You're finally awake and come to your senses."
Kael turned his head sharply.
Shen Yao stood a few steps ahead his usual calm demeanour replaced with something different.
For the first he sees his master being surprised even he looked unsettled.
His eyes moved across the surroundings taking in the vast hall they were in.
High ceilings supported by towering pillars. Banners hanging along the walls, each marked with the same crest behind Kael's throne.
There were Guards. Rows of armoured soldiers standing in formation on either side completely still. The Guards were waiting for the orders and just watching the spectacle happening in the throne room.
"…This doesn't feel like the usual battlefield which we were in" Shen Yao muttered.
Kael exhaled slowly
"Yes, master this does not look a battlefield we are in, this place looks completely different than expected."
Like in the battlefield there was no hostility in the air, there was no immediate threat from incoming army and not even monsters or traps around.
Instead, there was throne room having full of order and some expectations.
Shen Yao took a few steps forward, his gaze sharpening as his mind began to piece things together.
"This seems completely different, I think I understand what's going on here, I think you are going to play a role here."
Kael's eyes shifted toward him.
"I don't understand Master, can you explain a bit more so that I can understand what's going on here."
Shen Yao stopped then looked directly at Kael.
"You're not here as a challenger or a player this time, technically you are still a player but something different this time."
A pause.
"But here as a role, you're here as a ruler or a king."
Silence followed. The words settled heavily in the air.
Kael frowned slightly.
"A ruler as a role to play here but why? How did it come to this situation?"
Shen Yao nodded slowly.
"Yes. Look around."
Kael's gaze swept across the hall again. There was this throne which he was sitting and the guards guarding the castle and the kingdom and all the unfamiliar faces which were nobles present in the throne room.
Rodric and the Bone Legion commander standing like subordinates.
Everything pointed to a single conclusion.
He wasn't being tested in combat. He was being placed in control.
Shen Yao continued his tone calm but firm.
"To become a king… or an emperor… doesn't mean you win every battle."
Kael remained silent, listening.
"There are other aspects" Shen Yao added. "Leadership. Judgment. Responsibility. Decision-making."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And consequences."
Kael leaned back slightly against the throne.
"…So, this floor isn't about fighting."
Shen Yao shook his head.
"Not entirely directly but something similar but different way."
And right on cue a familiar sound echoed.
A translucent screen appeared before Kael.
[26th Floor – Kingdom Trial Initiated]
[Objective: Because of the exceptional performance you have achieved in floor 25th , the tower decided to play the role as a King and resolve the problems within your kingdom]
[Completion Condition: Stabilize the kingdom and restore order]
[Failure Condition: Collapse of authority or loss of control]
Kael's eyes scanned the message.
Then another notification appeared.
[This is completely new trial given to you]
[Special Condition Applied]
[You will not proceed to the next floor upon completion]
[Subsequent challenges will escalate within this domain]
[Clear consecutive crises to advance floors 27–29]
[Floor 30: Final Boss Encounter]
A faint smirk formed on Kael's lips.
"Hmmm so this was the work of the tower to do anything it wants and it wants to test me in this way"
"…So the looks of it, it's a chain trial."
Shen Yao nodded.
"Yes, each problem will likely increase in difficulty."
Rodric stepped forward slightly.
"My lord…. sorry My majesty we pledge our loyalty to you and only you."
Kael glanced at him.
Rodric continued.
"We assist you in maintaining control of the kingdom."
The Bone Legion commander finally spoke his voice calm almost emotionless.
"I will pledge my loyalty to you my majesty."
Kael's gaze lingered on him for a moment.
Then he looked back at the system screen.
"Resolve the problems within the kingdom…"
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
"…First, I need to know what I'm working with."
His eyes shifted toward the Sovereign Bone Legion commander.
"You."
The man stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, my Majesty."
Kael paused briefly at the title.
"…When I think about what do I call you? You don't have a name yet right."
The man remained silent.
Kael tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest.
"…Then I'll give you one."
Rodric glanced at him slightly surprised.
Shen Yao simply watched.
Kael studied the man for a moment.
He had Cold presence, which was unyielding, silent and looks destructive from inside
"…Veyron."
The man's eyes flickered slightly.
"…From now on that's your name."
A brief pause.
Then he bowed his head.
"…Thank you my majesty for bestowing the name to this mere summon and I will always pledge my loyalty to you no matter what."
Kael could the feel the emotions filling up in Veyron even though he was undead.
A notification appeared.
[Name Assigned: Veyron]
[Identity created, Intelligence is increased in the entity called Veyron]
Kael nodded slightly.
"Good that's a good sign."
Then his focus shifted again.
"Status."
A screen appeared before him.
[Name: Veyron]
[Class: Death Knight – Ascended Form]
[Level: 250]
[Strength: High]
[Intelligence: Moderate]
[Loyalty: Absolute]
[Skills: Death Command, Soul Reinforcement, Undying Presence, Sovereign Legion Authority]
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…He is much stronger than before and now he's level 250, much higher than me."
Shen Yao crossed his arms.
"That's expected. This floor likely enhanced your army to match your role."
Kael then turned to Rodric.
"Your turn."
Rodric stepped forward without hesitation.
A new screen appeared.
[Name: Captain Rodric]
[Class: Royal Knight Commander]
[Level: 250]
[Strength: High]
[Defense: Very High]
[Leadership: Exceptional]
[Skills: Command Aura, Defensive Formation, Battlefield Control, Oath of Protection
Kael let out a slow breath.
"Even Captain Rodric is same level as the death knight and also higher level than me."
"…So, I have a knight commander and a death knight."
Shen Yao smirked slightly.
"A king's army is forming."
Kael leaned back again.
"…Then let's see what kind of kingdom I've been given."
As if responding to his words a loud echo resounded through the hall.
The massive doors at the far end opened a man rushed in dressed in official robes his expression filled with urgency.
He dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty!"
Kael didn't react to the title this time.
Instead, his gaze sharpened and he had to play the role of a king.
"…Report."
The man hesitated briefly then spoke quickly.
"The eastern region is in chaos my majesty villages are refusing to pay taxes and local leaders are inciting rebellion."
A pause.
"And…"
His voice lowered.
"…there are reports of disappearances."
The hall fell silent. Shen Yao's eyes narrowed.
"There are an Internal rebellion and an unknown threat and disappearances."
The Knight commander Captain Rodric stepped forward.
"This could escalate quickly if not handled."
Veyron spoke calmly.
"Fear spreads faster than control my majesty, so we must solve it as soon as possible before it goes out of control."
Kael remained still for a moment he was processing and weighing on the situation he is in.
Then he stood up. The sound of movement echoed across the hall.
Every guard straightened instantly. Kael descended one step from the throne.
"…So, this is the first problem which I am facing in the 26th floor, interesting and curious"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"A rebellion."
A faint smile formed.
Shen Yao glanced at him.
"You seem interested in this matters you battle maniac"
Kael looked toward the open doors.
"…Once in a while this is simpler than a battlefield."
A pause.
"Here…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…I don't just defeat enemies."
"I decide what happens to them."
The air grew heavier.
Rodric placed a hand over his chest.
"Awaiting your command."
Veyron stood silently and ready.
Shen Yao watched closely.
Kael took a step forward.
"…We start with information."
His voice was calm and controlled.
"But if it turns out to be more than just rebellion…"
A faint killing intent flickered in his eyes.
"…Then we crush it completely."
The kingdom had its king.
And the trial had begun.