The War for the Throne.
Also known as the 'Battle for the Throne' or 'Clan Head Civil War'.
Under the rule where the strong monopolizes, clashes between heirs inevitably led to bloodshed.
Remington suddenly felt as if he'd caught a whiff of blood in the air.
'Axion, you've gone too far…!' thought Remington.
Had Theo predicted that Axion was going to make a move?
The sparring partners snapped out of their drunkenness and glared at the enforcers.
"What in the world…!" one of them stood up in anger.
"I'm all right. Stay back," Theo ordered.
Evelyn tried to block the Swords of Law, but Theo caught her sleeve as he stood, stopping her.
"You have a warrant?"
Theo's lips curved into a faint smirk as he glanced at the warrant. The ink was still wet, a clear sign of its hasty preparation.
"Escort the criminal to the tribunal."
Shackled, Theo was taken by two Swords of Law.
"..."
"..."
"..."
A chilling silence fell over the pub. Everything had happened so quickly.
A moment later—
Bang!
Sybil, the first to have sparred with Theo, slammed his fist on the table.
"This is outrageous! Why is young master Theo being taken to the tribunal? What could someone who spends all day every day training have even done…?"
"You're right! This has to be a false accusation!"
"I agree!"
"Yeah!"
"Maybe someone from the Scaled Dragon Society or whatever is behind it…!"
As the group's anger flared louder, Evelyn stomped her foot.
Stomp…!
The building rumbled, making people wary of a potential collapse.
"Hold your tongues. Or have you forgotten who they are?" Evelyn's icy glare silenced them.
The full weight of Wintera's tribunal finally dawned on the sparring partners.
The tribunal was an institution of absolute power, even capable of fabricating treason charges against innocent civilians.
They were especially known for being brutally unforgiving to any rumors that dared to insult them.
"Let's not act rashly until we have a full, clear assessment of the situation. It's not too late for us to mobilize together once we have all the facts," she ordered.
As the sparring partners nodded grimly, Evelyn became lost in thought.
'That look in his eyes… It looked like he was half expecting this to occur.'
Knowing Theo, he probably already had a plan.
Evelyn's gaze shifted to Remington.
Remington was focused on something—a small, palm-sized note.
'I knew it!' she thought.
She also wondered how Theo managed to slip it to him while being arrested.
Remington studied the note carefully, then crumpled it and swallowed it.
He then met Evelyn's eyes.
"Instructor, may I please request your help? I have somewhere I need to go urgently."
"Where?"
"It's a place called the Seres Merchant Guild."
Evelyn recognized the name. It was a military supplier with a long-standing trading partnership with the Camellia Palace.
The guild master's daughter was one of the people whose arm she had severed earlier.
"What needs to be done?"
Remington mouthed the words, making sure only Evelyn could read his lips.
'Eliminate everyone.'
"...!'
* * *
'This place is still the same.'
Theo gazed at the imposing tribunal building.
As Wintera's central penal institution, it was designed to inspire fear. Swords of Law, radiating a menacing aura, stood guard at the entrance. Every building exuded an oppressive atmosphere.
However, Theo was unmoved. He had been in and out of this place countless times in his past life.
This time would be no different.
They would throw him in solitary for a few days, starve him, and then drag him out at his weakest to confess to whatever crimes they fabricated. Or perhaps they would take his family hostage.
However…
'Where are they taking me?'
The Swords of Law weren't leading him to the detention block. Instead, they were headed towards the central building—the heart of the tribunal.
'Don't tell me…?'
Realizing their intentions, Theo chuckled dryly. No wonder the Swords of Law had been unusually quiet during the escort.
'So, I wasn't the only one with a rambunctious plan.'
He found it amusing, his lips curling upwards.
Whether it was Axion's or Ed's idea, it was not bad.
Clunk!
The Swords of Law stopped before a large iron gate.
"We have arrested the criminal, Theo Ragnar."
"Bring him in."
Creak—
The iron gate swung open, revealing a vast chamber.
At the far end, nine stone seats surrounded a massive semicircular table.
Four of the seats were occupied.
One face was familiar. It was Julius.
The White-Armored Dragon Cavalry Commander offered Theo a wry smile.
The other three were also unmistakable to Theo. It was the Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace, the Head Councilor, and the Director of the Central Intelligence Bureau.
Known as the Sword Dragon, Elder Dragon, and Sky Dragon respectively, they, along with the Demon Dragon Julius, made up part of «The Nine Dragons», the protectors of Ragnar.
Theo wasn't brought here to be tried as a petty criminal. This was meant to question his right as a succession heir.
The Nine Dragons held the sole authority within Ragnar to judge and punish a succession heir.
'They're trying to crush me before I can cause any more trouble.'
Theo chuckled, looking over at the Sky Dragon, Ed Troivan, seated on the far right.
Ed maintained a solemn expression, his eyes fixed on Theo.
"Theo Ragnar."
Theo turned his head back forward upon hearing the voice of the Elder Dragon, Wolfgang Ragnar, seated in the center.
Wolfgang was the current Clan Head's great-uncle, and he was also the oldest living member of the Ragnar clan.
Despite his age, he still radiated the vigor of his prime—a formidable old monster.
"Greetings, Head Councilor. It's been a while. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Enough with the pleasantries. We've received charges regarding your recent transgressions. I trust explaining the charges is unnecessary… What do you intend to do about this?"
Wolfgang was displaying a clear disdain for Theo's presence. As a bloodline purist, he firmly believed that 'lesser blood' should not mix with the great Ragnar lineage.
He cared about status and heritage more than anyone, so it was no surprise he despised Theo for having a commoner as a mother.
"The Byron Clan, the Seres Merchant Guild, the Red & White Mercenary Corps… even the Hanavi Clan! They're all threatening to sever ties with our clan depending on how this matter is handled. Or worse, what will you do if your stupid actions cause these long-time comrades and subordinates to point their swords at us? Do you honestly believe someone as lowly as you can handle such consequences?"
Rumble—
Wolfgang's yelling shook the chamber. It even heated the air.
It was as if he was about to consume Theo.
Most would have cowered, but…
"Is that so?" Theo remained impassive, his expression stoic.
At that moment, Theo noticed a subtle shift in the eyes of the Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace and Julius.
'Julius, goodwill. The Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace, curiosity… Good. I have two people here that I can sway to my side. If I play my cards right, I might be able to stalemate this.'
The Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace was the Clan Head's first wife. She was effectively the matriarch of Ragnar.
Theo remembered she maintained a friendly relationship with Julius. He must have spoken well of him to the Lady.
It was the small saving grace of this situation.
"Head Councilor, you seem to believe the fault in this incident lies entirely with me."
"Of course! Are you suggesting otherwise?"
Theo shook his head. "Not at all. I deeply regret my actions. Your reprimand has given me much to reflect on."
Theo lowered his head slightly.
Julius's expression shifted subtly, and the Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace tilted her head, a flicker of puzzlement in her eyes.
Ed continued to stare intently at Theo.
"Hmph!" Wolfgang crossed his arms and scoffed.
He thought Theo was saving a white flag.
Wolfgang continued, "That doesn't absolve you of your crime—!"
"I should have taken their heads, rather than their arms. It seems I was too lenient."
"…What?!" Wolfgang's aged face contorted in rage.
The Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace chuckled softly, but Wolfgang was too enraged to notice.
"What nonsense are you…!"
"They are vassals. The lord grants land and titles. In return, the vassal offers loyalty and their life. That is the code of chivalry, yet they have shamelessly violated this code, daring to threaten their lord."
"...!"
"If this isn't rectified immediately, what will become of us? The very foundation of the relationship between lord and vassal will crumble, and such incidents will become commonplace. How can we stand by and watch the millennia-old honor of Ragnar… be trampled underfoot?"
Wolfgang could only sputter, speechless.
To refute Theo would be to admit Ragnar's honor had been sullied. To support Theo would obligate him to punish the offenders to uphold Ragnar's reputation.
He had painted himself into a corner.
"You dare mock me with your sophistry…!"
"Head Councilor, that's enough. Continuing will only make you look even more foolish."
Just as Wolfgang's face turned crimson with fury, the Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace intervened.
"Lady Plum Blossom!"
"I will remind you that you are not the only one present, Head Councilor."
Her gaze, gentle yet sharp, forced Wolfgang back into his seat. He still continued to fume, though.
'As expected of the Great Northern Sword. Even the Head Councilor doesn't dare challenge her directly.'
The reason the Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace remained the first wife, despite having no children, was simple. She was the second strongest in Ragnar, with the strongest being the Clan Head.
Her title, the 'Sword' Dragon, was well-merited.
The Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace turned to Theo, her gaze softening.
"I've heard your argument, and while it may hold merit in principle, I hope you understand that reality is far more complex. Ragnar is strong, but not big."
"Lady Plum Blossom, what are you…!" Wolfgang looked aghast.
Theo, however, was surprised that the matriarch of the proud Ragnar would so readily acknowledge their vulnerability.
"To govern the vast Northern Region and defend against the monsters of the Demon Sea, we cannot stand alone. They say that one hand cannot withstand ten hands. Without allies to stand by us, Ragnar will crumble."
Might alone cannot rule this world. That seemed to be what the Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace was trying to relay.
'If you were aware of this, then why…?'
Theo suppressed the memory of his household's brutal death.
Why hadn't the Lady's righteous ideals endured?
"Therefore, we must listen to the voices of our vassals and bannermen, and we cannot ignore their requests. I hope you can understand that."
Theo figured the Nine Dragons had already decided on his punishment.
He glanced over at Julius, who nodded subtly, as if urging him not to resist.
Julius had likely minimized the penalty as much as possible.
"May I ask what my punishment is?"
"Three months of house arrest."
Theo's brow furrowed.
"But the Awakening Ceremony is only two months away."
"In consideration of that, you will be permitted to participate in next year's ceremony. We have also decided that the fifteen children injured by you will also participate next year."
The Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace implied this was the best she could offer. Though Wolfgang still looked displeased.
However…
'No. I can't allow this.'
Theo couldn't accept this verdict.
'This is a trap. Later, one way or another, Ed will try to rob me of even the chance to participate in the Awakening Ceremony.'
Even if that weren't the case, he couldn't allow his newly spread wings to be clipped. Once wings are broken, you can never soar again.
"I've heard you've only just begun your training with the sword. This will be a good opportunity to hone your skills in quiet contemplation—!"
"I appreciate your words, but that will not happen. I request an appeal."
The faces of Julius and Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace hardened. Sneers hung on the lips of Wolfgang and Ed.
"…An appeal removes this matter entirely from our hands."
"It might leave your hands, but the voice of the sword will be true."
In Ragnar, where the Rule of the Strong reigned supreme, an "appeal" only meant one thing.
War.
Only the victor held the truth.