"..."
"..."
"..."
A heavy silence descended. Lady Plum Blossom watched Theo quietly, Julius hmm'd in thought, and Ed chuckled softly.
Then—
Bang!
Wolfgang slammed his hand on the table, leaping to his feet, his face contorted with rage.
"The voice of the sword will be true? You, a mere brat, think you can handle so many factions alone?!"
A ferocious aura erupted, a pressure that would have even the most high-ranking swordsmen.
However, Theo remained impassive, as if he couldn't feel Wolfgang's fury.
"That's a problem for me to figure out, isn't it?" he replied calmly.
"What?!"
"And in appeals with such a power imbalance, I understand the matter is settled by proxy battle, correct?"
Wolfgang froze, his expression hardening as comprehension dawned.
If a proxy battle took place, Theo would be considered a faction of his own, and someone could fight in his stead.
What if that someone was Evelyn, the woman who had aided him? Even missing an arm, a high-rank swordsman was still a high-rank swordsman.
Her presence would throw the outcome into doubt.
'Or perhaps the Demon Dragon himself will participate…!' Wolfgang glanced at Julius.
Julius was observing Theo with an unreadable expression. Wolfgang knew how much Julius valued Evelyn, and that he had a great interest in Theo.
The reason Wolfgang had granted Ed's request was solely to torment Julius. But if Julius stepped up to assist Theo, the results would be disastrous.
What faction would dare oppose the Demon Dragon?
Even without Julius's intervention, a problem remained.
Clan law dictated appeals to occur in public, which would inevitably attract great attention.
Fifteen factions dispatching representatives to deal with a single illegitimate child? The resulting public humiliation would be unbearable.
Swordsmen lived by honor and pride. This would drag their reputations through the mud.
All fifteen factions would resent Wolfgang for how he handled this debacle, and his involvement as Head Councilor would quickly become public knowledge.
'I've been cornered into a dead end!' Wolfgang clenched his fists.
Desperate, he looked to Ed, only to see… his expression was equally troubled.
'…This child. He's a snake,' Ed thought.
He felt a chilly foreboding from Theo. Theo had found a weakness that even Wolfgang hadn't foreseen.
'Is he trying to paint the Camellia Palace as his oppressor? To become a hero to the common people?' Ed questioned.
After the appeal, Theo would likely be perceived in two ways.
One, a falsely accused illegitimate son who righteously fought against injustice. Two, an honorable and prideful succession heir of Ragnar.
It was the perfect underdog narrative, one that would resonate with those oppressed by the powerful.
Even in defeat, Theo wouldn't truly lose, gaining sympathy and support.
He was using this opportunity to bolster his reputation, gather followers, and build a power base.
Meanwhile, Ed and Wolfgang only stood to lose.
'How does he know the rules of the appeal so well?' Ed wondered.
Normally, conflicts within Wintera were resolved quietly between the involved factions, so he hadn't accounted for this. But Theo had exploited this blind spot, striking at their vulnerability.
"..."
Despite Wolfgang's pressured gaze, Ed remained silent, his mind racing.
His course of action, however, was clear. '…I have to kill him. No matter the cost.'
With such unwavering spirit and cunning scheming, Theo would undoubtedly grow into a bigger threat in the future.
Even if it meant facing public backlash for the foreseeable future, he had to crush him while he was still a sapling.
'I'll have to use Axion.'
Ed intended to teach Theo how terrifying the world can be… through death.
Just as Ed's eyes turned cold, Theo glanced directly at him.
Smirk
Theo chuckled softly, as if reading his thoughts. He was signaling Ed, asking if Ed really thought this was all.
'Not that…?' A terrifying thought struck Ed as he looked up sharply.
At that very moment—
"I always thought you were a simple, quiet child. To think you were capable of such audacious schemes," a voice boomed from above, echoing through the tribunal.
"...!"
"...!"
"...!"
All four Dragons, including Ed, straightened up their posture, their bodies tensing.
An overwhelming aura, far surpassing their own, slammed down on Theo like a thunderbolt.
KABOOM!
Rumble rumble—
The tribunal shook violently. Dust and debris rained down as the marble floor cracked, the resulting dust cloud swiftly enveloping Theo.
"Greetings, Clan Head!"
"We greet the Rightful Scion of the Dragon!"
"We present ourselves before the Sovereign of the Sword!"
"We pay our respects to the Master of the North!"
The four Dragons dropped to one knee, heads bowed in a sword salute, displaying their utmost loyalty.
But their master seemed unconcerned by the greetings, his attention fixed on a single point.
As the dust settled, a powerfully built man—at least 190cm tall—with fierce eyes stood over Theo.
"You don't even flinch in my presence. You've changed a lot, my son," Kyle Ragnar said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Watching this, a shiver ran down Ed's spine. 'Did he… anticipate even this…?'
Theo's expression as he faced Kyle was unnervingly calm, as if he had foreseen this all along.
* * *
'I had a hunch, but to think he'd actually appear.'
Despite his outward composure, Theo smiled wryly to himself as he met Kyle's intrigued gaze.
'In my past life, it was nearly impossible to see him, no matter how much I yearned for it.'
His father, Kyle, had always been a distant figure. Even though he wanted to become close to him, like the fathers and sons of other clans, he could never get close.
He was like a distant star, forever out of reach. Theo had felt admiration, resentment, and longing for him.
And now, here he was, right before his eyes, wearing an expression he had never shown him in his past life.
'Snap out of it. I need to focus on the war for now.''
The wavering was only momentary. Theo quickly regained his composure.
This was the first war in a life that promised many more. He had to win.
[You have successfully withstood the opponent's intense pressure.]
[You have gained some experience points.]
Just enduring Kyle's pressure earned him a small amount of experience, which sparked an idea.
"Novice swordsman Theo Ragnar greets the incarnation of the great Dragon God."
Theo deliberately knelt a moment after the Nine Dragons, drawing Kyle's attention once more. He also wanted to make it clear to the others that this was his moment.
'I'm sure Father already knows this,' thought Theo.
As expected, Kyle smiled faintly and pulled Theo to his feet.
"Such formality is unaffectionate between father and son. Rise, my son."
His tone was gentle, but Theo wasn't fooled.
'Father takes the War for the Throne more seriously than anyone. He's here because he heard about my situation. I need to show him my strength.'
Theo knew Kyle cared about only one thing: the prosperity of the Ragnar Clan.
He had sired nearly a hundred children, led the clan to its peak, and even sought to become a demigod by attaining the peak of swordsmanship—all to spread the greatness of Ragnar to not just the continent but the whole world.
Therefore, Kyle was always searching for a worthy successor, one who would take Ragnar to even greater heights.
He particularly enjoyed evaluating the potential of his younger, unawakened children—just like now.
"I happened to be strolling nearby and overheard your predicament," Kyle said.
No, this was a lie. He had likely been watching from the start.
"It seems you're in a complicated situation. Who did you intend to be your proxy?"
Theo noticed Kyle's eyes sharpen, like a predator waiting to jump onto its prey.
He knew the answer Kyle wanted. However, he feigned ignorance, tilting his head slightly.
"Forgive my dullness, but I don't understand the question, Clan Head."
"I'm asking who will represent you in the appeal."
"Represent me? Such a person doesn't exist."
"…What?" Kyle blinked, taken aback.
"My voice is my own. Who in this world could speak for me? My justice, my will, my beliefs—they are all mine."
"Does that mean…?"
"Yes. I intended to participate in the appeal myself."
"But you'll lose."
"How can we know without trying?"
"They will all at least have already awakened their magic power."
"Force may break me, but I will not submit on my own."
"What? Hahaha! Hahahaha!" Kyle covered his face and roared with laughter.
Then, he turned abruptly to the Nine Dragons, a grin spreading across his face. "Did you hear that? The words of my son? He will break before he submits! What could be more fitting for a Ragnar!"
The Nine Dragons remained silent, heads still bowed.
Julius wore a faint smile.
Ed and Wolfgang, however, looked grim.
"I'm quite impressed by your attitude while facing such a fight." Kyle turned back to Theo and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Squeeze.
Theo felt pain, but he saw Kyle's crimson eyes burn intensely towards him.
"Thank you for your kind words, Clan Head."
"However, I still believe it's unfair for you, who hasn't even undergone the Awakening Ceremony, to participate in an appeal like this."
This time, it was Theo whose eyes were glimmering. He knew what his father was planning.
"Therefore, on behalf of all those arrayed against you, I, Kyle Ragnar, Master of the Ragnar Clan, will test you with a single strike."
The Nine Dragons' heads snapped up, shock etched on their faces.
"Endure it. If you do, I will absolve you of all charges."
"...!"
"...!"
"...!"
It had been a long time since Kyle showed such favoritism to such a young child.
Lady Plum Blossom and Wolfgang were stunned, while Julius chuckled softly.
"Clan Head! That is unacceptable!" Ed stepped forward urgently.
'I must prevent him from gaining the Clan Head's favor!' Ed panicked, alarm bells ringing in his head.
The moment Kyle took a genuine interest in Theo, his plans to obtain the Rose Palace would crumble.
"Sky Dragon." Kyle frowned at his bannerman.
He was displeased that someone was interrupting a rare amusement.
"Yes, Clan Head."
"Who gave you permission to speak out of turn?"
Ed hastily bowed his head. "My apologies, my lord. I merely feared that the vassals and bannermen might bring to question your judgment as paternal affection…!"
"Do you take me, Kyle Ragnar, for someone swayed by such simple sentiments?" Kyle scoffed. "But if they have so little faith in me, then I have no choice. I must rid of them all."
"And by rid, you mean…?"
"You know that in Ragnar, that only means one thing," Kyle's crimson eyes flashed with bloodthirst. "Death."
"...!"
"...!"
"...!"
"...!"
The Nine Dragons, including Ed, stiffened.
"Let me offer my personal assessment. I believe what my son has said in regards to this incident is right."
Silence descended. The heavy weight of the air felt like it was squeezing the lungs of the Nine Dragons.
This was Kyle's domain now.
"They are subjects and soldiers who should follow Ragnar. Yet, they dare to besmirch their master's authority? They must be crushed, lest they try such a thing again. Don't you agree?"
"Your words are wise, Clan Head," Lady Plum Blossom bowed her head.
"…You are the supreme authority of Ragnar, Clan Head. Act as you wish," Wolfgang submitted, lacking the courage to defy Kyle.
Only Julius continued to watch Kyle with an enigmatic smile.
"Do you have something to say, Demon Dragon?" Kyle asked.
"Not at all. It's just been a while since I have seen you so enthusiastic, my lord."
"You sprout nonsense," Kyle chuckled and turned back to Theo. "Well? Will you accept?"
Theo calmly shook his head.
"Clan Head, even a single strike of yours is incomparable to that of mere bannermen or vassals. It is far too heavy for me."
Kyle's face darkened, "Are you saying you won't do it?"
"No. How could a novice swordsman like me refuse the Clan Head's command?"
"Then?"
"I simply meant to bring to attention that this is inequitable."
"Inequitable…?" Kyle's expression shifted again, intrigued.
Theo smirked slightly, "Since the stakes have been raised, shouldn't the other party add to the pot?"
"Oho?"
"For example…" Theo's gaze fell upon Ed, "the Camellia Palace."