Within the verdant heart of the Valley Castle, King Alistair the Verdant reigned supreme, seated upon his majestic throne woven from intertwining vines and blossoms. This living seat of power, a testament to the kingdom's mastery over flora, was the centerpiece of a palace teeming with life. Vibrant flowers in myriad hues carpeted the halls, while lush greenery climbed the stone walls, infusing the air with a heady mix of earth and bloom. The king's renown for summoning and wielding the forces of nature was evident in every corner, from the whispering leaves that seemed to communicate ancient wisdom to the blossoms that swayed gently as if in acknowledgment of their king's authority.
Isolde and Ewan knelt before the throne, their heads bowed in reverence. Seems to be inflected by her essential conduit, Isolde's long, flowing hair, the color of midnight, cascaded down her back, woven with delicate wildflowers that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. Her eyes, when she dared to lift her gaze, were a striking emerald green, mirroring the verdant splendor of the palace gardens.
Their attire blended seamlessly with the botanical wonder that surrounded them, adorned with floral motifs and leaves that whispered of their close ties to the natural world. Around them, the air was alive with the subtle movements of the palace's living essence, reinforcing the bond between the kingdom and its unique dominion over the plant kingdom.
King Alistair, with his regal bearing and a crown of intertwined greenery that seemed to grow from his very brow, regarded them with a gaze as penetrating as the deepest roots. His beard, peppered with grey, was like moss upon ancient stone, symbolizing wisdom and the passage of time. His hands, resting on the arms of his verdant throne, bore the calluses of a ruler who had not only commanded but also communed with the essence of his realm.
In this moment, within the botanical grandeur of the Valley Castle's throne room, the legacy of a kingdom that flourished through its harmony with nature was evident, embodied by its ruler and his subjects, all intertwined in the perpetual dance of life and power.
The king asked, "You are all aware of the situation with 'Aidan,' right?"
Isolde and Ewan exchanged a silent glance, then replied in unison, "Yes."
Ewan stepped forward eagerly and said, "Godfather, I truly did not expect my brother to be so cruel and malicious, daring to commit murder in broad daylight. Although he has committed such heinous crimes, I plead with you, Your Majesty, to forgive him this once!"
He then knelt down. Although Ewan seemed to be pleading for Aidan, in reality, he was simultaneously demonstrating his loyalty to the king while subtly condemning Aidan's wrongdoing.
The king remained non-committal and turned to Isolde, saying, "What is your perspective, Isolde?"
Isolde bowed and replied, "According to castle law, killing a servant warrants compensation of thirty essence gems to the master. However, I believe that to the Grand Duke, those thirty essence gems are inconsequential. Moreover, I've heard that Elara was the instigator, forcing Aidan into a situation where he had no choice but to retaliate."
"Force him into it???" Ewan exclaimed sharply, "The guards reported seeing him with a dagger, chasing after that servant. And after killing the man, he even attempted to drag the body back for dismemberment!!! How can that be considered forced???"
Isolde glanced at Ewan and continued, "Aidan's defense was indeed excessive, but it can be argued that it was a choice made for self-preservation."
"What...." Ewan was about to retort...
"Isolde, continue," the king interrupted.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Isolde nodded and continued, "Garrick was not an Ascendant, merely a mortal servant who dared to challenge an Ascendant, solely relying on the immense power of the Duke's family. Aidan, with his ordinary aptitude, required more essence gems for cultivation, thus leading to enmity with Tristan. Elara first broke the rules by targeting a junior, and Aidan, facing the formidable power of the Duke's family alone, had no choice but to resort to desperate measures. If I were Aidan..."
Isolde paused for a moment before continuing, "If I were Aidan, I would have also killed Garrick. Not only that, I would have written a letter to the Grand Duke, telling him that if he refuses to desist, I would lay the body in front of the Duke's mansion and make a spectacle of it!"
This seemingly gentle and kind princess actually harbored such a ruthless heart! However, in the world of Ascendants, those without a ruthless streak would not survive long.
The king looked at Isolde with admiration, "Well said. Your ability to understand this is truly remarkable. You truly live up to your reputation, Isolde. Do you know how Aidan handled it?"
The king paused for a moment, creating suspense, then continued, "He was more direct than you. According to my informants, he placed a small box at the Duke's back door, which was oozing blood. It presumably contained the remains of the servant. In the end, Elara ended up on the losing side and suffered greatly. For such a young age, Aidan's cunning is truly remarkable."
Having said this, he looked at his adopted son, Ewan. Ewan, still looking clueless, watched the exchange between the two, completely unaware of the situation. All he could think about was why everyone seemed to think his brother did the right thing.
The king wasn't disappointed; youths like Ewan, without cunning, were easier to control. With Ewan's extraordinary talent and his own guidance in the future, Ewan would undoubtedly become the greatest support for the royal family in terms of military strength.
The king continued to inquire, "So, if you were the Grand Duke, how would you handle it?"
Isolde pondered for a moment before replying, "The Grand Duke has been burdened by his foolish daughter, Elara, not only for breaking the rules first but also for giving Aidan leverage. If I were the Grand Duke, considering the preservation of the family's honor and status, I would go with the flow, labeling Garrick's actions as personal impulsiveness. I would state that the conflicts were solely Garrick's own volition and unrelated to the Duke's family. I would demonstrate magnanimity by encouraging and thanking Aidan for his interactions with Tristan at school. Additionally, I would compensate Aidan with a sum of essence gems to express regret for the trouble caused by Garrick's actions."
"At the same time, I would offer a condolence payment to Garrick's family and send them out of the castle, allowing them to settle and farm in the forest. This would provide an explanation to the other servants as well."
"Of course, once they are outside the castle, if they fall prey to wild beasts, any ensuing events would not be considered unexpected."
Isolde spoke softly with a smile on her face, her expression showing only gentle warmth, devoid of any sense of guilt regarding loss of life.
...
Meanwhile, at the Grand Duke's residence, the Grand Duke was giving orders:
"Garrick's actions were purely individual, unrelated to the family. Simultaneously, send someone to encourage and thank Aidan for his interactions with Tristan at school. Compensate Aidan with a sum of essence gems to express regret for the trouble caused by Garrick's actions. Offer a condolence payment to Garrick's family and send them out of the castle, allowing them to settle and farm in the forest. This would provide an explanation to the other servants as well. Two months later, send someone to kill them all."
...
Meanwhile, Aidan was in the dormitory at school, where the scent of blood still lingered heavily. However, he remained unfazed, practicing cultivation while pondering:
This world is like a grand chessboard, where all living beings are pieces, moving according to their respective rules. Seasons have their rules, following a cyclical pattern of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Water flows with rules, always descending to lower levels. Heat rises with rules, ascending to higher levels. Humans also have their rules.
Everyone has their own stance, desires, and principles. In this world, mortal servants are expendable while Ascendants are valued; such is the rule. Therefore, Garrick did everything he could to please his master, relying on sycophancy.
Each person has their own rules, every profession has its rules, and every social group has its own rules. By understanding these rules, one can see clearly from the sidelines. Navigate through darkness to find light, maneuvering effortlessly within.
For the Grand Duke, it's about safeguarding the prosperity and interests of his lineage. Elara's troublemaking has already violated the rules. To uphold the family's reputation, he surely won't lay a hand on me. He might even compensate me willingly.
In truth, the Duke's power is formidable. If he were determined to punish me regardless of reputation damage, I would have no means to resist. But what the Grand Duke fears is not breaking the rules himself but the possibility of others following suit. If conflicts among juniors escalate and involve seniors, it poses a significant threat to the entire castle. His fear lies in the prospect of others targeting his son in future conflicts. He has only one son, and what if something were to happen to him? Perhaps even he is unaware of this fear, acting instinctively to uphold the rules."
"It's unlikely the Duke will investigate Garrick's death. Of course, if my talents were higher, the Duke might perceive a greater threat, even if it meant tarnishing his reputation, he might act against me.
Strength can be wielded, and weakness can be exploited.
Though Aidan is currently a pawn in this game, his understanding of the rules has elevated him to the level of a chess player. He comprehends the rules intricately, a culmination of experiences accumulated over five hundred years in his past life.
Since his rebirth, he's confident in forging a brilliant future. Not just because of the reappearance of the time hourglass artifact, not because he's aware of many secret treasures, nor because he knows the general direction of the future.
It's the life experiences of five hundred years, guiding his actions.
Aidan's mastery of the rules allows him to observe from a high vantage point, seeing through the complexities of the world. He can unravel complexities or strike directly to the point. I stand aloof from the masses, laughing at them like chess pieces, each following their rules, progressing step by step.
Darkness is the darkness of the rules, and light is the light of the rules.
And the reborn demon lord walks amidst the light.