The capital appeared at sunrise.
At first—
Only a shadow on the horizon.
Dark.
Massive.
Unmoving.
Then the sun climbed higher.
And the city revealed itself.
Towering stone walls stretched endlessly across the landscape, their surfaces scarred with the marks of ancient wars. Massive watchtowers rose into the sky, banners snapping sharply in the morning wind.
Thousands of soldiers stood guard along the battlements.
Disciplined.
Alert.
Unyielding.
Inside the moving carriage, Kael watched silently.
His expression calm.
But his thoughts restless.
He had seen towns.
Villages.
Battlefields.
But this—
This was different.
This was power.
The wheels rolled steadily across the stone road, drawing closer to the enormous gates. Lines of merchants, travelers, and soldiers waited patiently to enter the city.
Conversations buzzed.
Animals snorted.
Metal clinked.
Life moved in every direction.
Then—
A guard spotted the royal escort.
His eyes widened instantly.
"Royal convoy approaching!" he shouted.
The gates began to move.
Slow.
Heavy.
Thunderous.
Stone scraped against stone as the massive doors opened inward, revealing the capital in full.
Crowded streets.
Endless buildings.
Flags of noble houses fluttering overhead.
Markets overflowing with goods.
Armored knights patrolling every corner.
The carriage entered.
And the world changed.
People noticed immediately.
They always noticed royal convoys.
But this time—
Whispers followed.
"That's the one."
"The boy who defeated a general."
"Legion Breaker…"
The words spread quickly.
From merchant to merchant.
From soldier to soldier.
From citizen to citizen.
Kael heard them.
Every whisper.
Every rumor.
Every stare.
He kept his gaze forward.
Calm.
Controlled.
Unmoved.
But inside—
He understood.
This city was watching him.
Judging him.
Measuring him.
The Royal Plaza
The carriage stopped suddenly.
The door opened.
Sunlight flooded inside.
A soldier spoke firmly:
"We have arrived."
Kael stepped out slowly.
Boots touching polished stone.
The air felt heavier here.
Thicker.
Charged with authority.
Before him stretched a massive plaza surrounded by towering government buildings. Soldiers lined the perimeter in perfect formation.
And at the center—
A group of young warriors stood waiting.
Their armor gleamed.
Their posture confident.
Their expressions sharp.
Elite recruits.
One of them stepped forward.
Tall.
Well-built.
Eyes filled with quiet arrogance.
He looked Kael up and down slowly.
Carefully.
Judging.
"So," the young warrior said.
His voice calm.
But edged with challenge.
"You're the famous Legion Breaker."
The plaza grew quiet.
Spectators leaned closer.
Soldiers watched carefully.
Tension thickened in the air.
Kael studied the man silently.
Measuring him.
Reading him.
Confidence.
Strength.
Pride.
Rivalry.
Finally—
Kael answered.
"I fought one battle."
The young warrior smirked.
Not impressed.
Not intimidated.
"I've fought dozens."
A few recruits behind him chuckled softly.
The message was clear.
They didn't fear Kael.
They wanted to test him.
The rival stepped closer.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Provoking.
"My name is Darius."
A pause.
Then—
"Let's see if you deserve your reputation."
Silence fell across the plaza.
Heavy.
Electric.
Dangerous.
Kael felt the pressure immediately.
Not physical.
Not magical.
Social.
Political.
Competitive.
This was a different battlefield.
No monsters.
No generals.
No war.
Only reputation.
Only pride.
Only status.
Kael exhaled slowly.
Calm.
Steady.
Focused.
He met Darius's gaze directly.
Unflinching.
Unmoved.
"Then watch closely."
The tension snapped tight.
Like a drawn bowstring.
High above the plaza—
From a balcony overlooking the scene—
Several powerful figures observed quietly.
Nobles.
Commanders.
Leaders.
Judges.
One of them spoke softly.
"This is his first test."
Another nodded.
Eyes sharp.
Interested.
"Let us see what kind of warrior he truly is."
Below—
In the center of the plaza—
Two young warriors stood facing each other.
Still.
Silent.
Ready.
And the entire capital watched.