The challenge did not come from the Ottomans.
It never did.
It came from inside.
The bells of Krujë rang before sunrise, sharp and uneven. Blendi was already awake when the system chimed again, its tone colder than before.
[Internal Instability Detected]
Source: High Nobility
Severity: Rising
Location: Upper Council Hall
Primary Instigator Identified
Name: Lord Pal Gjonari
Title: Duke of Dibër
Influence: High
Military Assets: 1,200 retainers
Loyalty: Questionable
Blendi's fingers tightened slightly.
So history was repeating.
Just earlier this time.
"Summon the council," he said calmly. "And bring Captain Arben."
Key Characters Introduced
Before the hall even filled, the system expanded a new panel.
[Core Figures Registered]
Captain Arben Kelmendi
Title: Commander of the Eagle Guard
Traits: Absolute Loyalty, Mountain Veteran, Silent Discipline
Combat Rating: A
Leadership Rating: B+
Lord Pal Gjonari
Title: Duke of Dibër
Traits: Ambitious, Traditionalist, Power Consolidator
Political Rating: A
Hidden Trait: Coalition Builder
Lady Mira Kastrioti
Title: Keeper of the Seal
Relation: Distant Kin
Traits: Sharp Mind, Administrative Genius
Governance Bonus: High
Blendi's gaze lingered briefly on Lady Mira's name.
"So you are here too," he thought.
History never mentioned her.
That meant potential.
The Council Confrontation
The hall filled with voices before silence was enforced.
Lord Pal Gjonari stepped forward without invitation.
"My Sovereign," he said with a shallow bow, "your reforms disturb ancient balances."
Blendi did not sit.
He stood at the head of the chamber, posture relaxed, gaze steady.
"Which balance," Blendi asked, "starvation or defeat?"
A murmur spread.
Lord Pal smiled thinly.
"You centralize grain. You tax trade. You conscript labor. Albania is not a state. It is a brotherhood."
Blendi nodded slowly.
"And brotherhoods die," he replied.
The system flickered.
[Authority Check]
Outcome depends on Sovereign response.
Blendi raised his hand.
"Captain Arben."
Boots struck stone as Arben stepped forward.
"Speak," Blendi ordered.
Arben's voice was firm and emotionless.
"In the last three months, Duke Dibër's lands withheld grain shipments. Weapons were stockpiled privately. Messengers were sent beyond our borders."
The hall froze.
Lord Pal's smile vanished.
Blendi turned his gaze back to him.
"You prepared for civil war," he said calmly.
"For insurance," Lord Pal snapped. "Against tyranny."
Blendi nodded once.
"Then you misunderstand tyranny."
Decision Event Triggered
[Choice Required]
Public Execution
Effect: Fear increased, unity damaged
Confiscation and Exile
Effect: Stability maintained, future resentment
Conditional Submission
Effect: Power absorbed, loyalty enforced, risk managed
Golden text appeared.
(Option 3 unlocks hidden consolidation reward)
Blendi chose without pause.
The Verdict
"Lord Pal Gjonari," Blendi announced, voice echoing, "you will keep your title."
Gasps erupted.
"But your troops now serve Albania."
Lord Pal's eyes widened.
"Your lands remain yours."
Confusion spread.
"But your heirs will be educated here."
Silence.
"And you will kneel."
Lord Pal hesitated.
The Eagle Guard shifted as one.
Steel whispered.
Lord Pal knelt.
[Conditional Submission Enforced]
Duke Dibër Authority Reduced
Retainers Absorbed into National Army
Heir Hostage Mechanic Activated
Rewards Unlocked
[Achievement: Power Without Blood]
You subdued a major noble without civil war.
Rewards
Permanent Noble Control Increase
Political Manipulation Efficiency +15 percent
Future internal threats reduced
The system pulsed again.
[Hidden Reward Unlocked]
Title Acquired: High Sovereign of Albania
Effects
Authority checks strengthened
Council dissent reduced
Foreign intimidation value increased
Lady Mira stepped forward, eyes sharp with calculation.
"My Sovereign," she said quietly, "with this authority, succession must be formalized."
Blendi nodded.
"Proceed."
Succession System Unlocked
[Dynasty Framework Available]
House: Kastrioti
Succession Law: To Be Chosen
Options
Primogeniture
Meritocratic Selection
Hybrid Sovereign Council
Golden hint appeared.
(Hybrid allows system continuity beyond individual rulers)
Blendi selected Hybrid.
[Succession Framework Established]
Nation stability after ruler death increased
System continuity preserved
Internal conflict chance reduced
First Deployment of the Eagle Guard
A new alert flashed red.
[Border Incident Detected]
Location: Northern Pass of Prizren
Enemy: Ottoman Scout Detachment
Size: 200
Blendi turned toward Captain Arben.
"Take fifty," he said calmly.
"Make sure they return home with a story."
Arben bowed.
"They will."
Combat Resolution Summary
Engagement: Mountain Skirmish
Outcome: Overwhelming Victory
Enemy Casualties: 173
Prisoners: 27
Albanian Casualties: 2
Special Effect Triggered
Fear Spread Among Ottoman Scouts
Additional Reward
[Achievement: The Eagle's First Strike]
Elite Unit Combat Debut Successful
Rewards
Elite Unit Effectiveness Increased
Enemy Recon Accuracy Reduced
Foreign Fear Index Increased
Nation Status Update
Unity: Very High
Noble Compliance: Stabilized
Elite Units: 650
Standing Army: 9,400
Fear Index: Rising
Eternal State Route Progress
9 percent
Blendi stood alone again on the castle walls as dusk painted the mountains red.
Albania had not fractured.
It had condensed.
Power now flowed upward.
And beyond the mountains, someone would soon realize that the rebels they remembered were gone.
In their place stood a state.