The air in the throne room was tense.
At the center, King Orpheus sat stiffly on his throne, his small hands gripping the armrests as he tried to maintain an air of authority. Beside him, Kairos leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
Across from them, dressed in black and gold imperial robes, stood the Draconian Envoy—a towering man with piercing crimson eyes and an aura so thick with mana that the air crackled around him.
"Lysvein is no longer an independent kingdom." His voice boomed through the chamber, laced with contempt. "His Majesty, the Dragon Emperor, has decreed that your lands must be annexed into our glorious empire."
The nobles in the room shifted uncomfortably. A few whispered, their cowardice barely concealed.
Orpheus swallowed, his young voice trying to remain steady. "Lysvein stands as its own kingdom. We do not accept—"
The envoy slammed his foot down, shaking the room. "This is not a request, boy."
Silence.
Kairos sighed.
Then, before anyone could react—
He moved.
In an instant, he was beside the envoy, his hand resting casually on the man's shoulder.
The entire room froze.
The envoy flinched, but only slightly.
Kairos smirked.
"You talk too much."
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION NEW TITLE UNLOCKED: KINGDOM'S SHIELD
You have openly opposed an empire. The world will take notice.
Diplomatic standing with the Draconian Empire has dropped to HOSTILE.
The envoy's gaze darkened. "You dare to—"
Kairos tightened his grip ever so slightly. The air around them compressed, the sheer pressure forcing the man's knees to buckle for a split second.
It was subtle. But everyone saw it.
Gasps echoed through the room.
Kairos leaned in, voice low and deadly calm.
"Tell your Emperor that if he wants Lysvein, he'll have to pry it from my hands."
The envoy tore himself away, seething, but he didn't attack.
Instead, he straightened his robes, cold fury in his eyes. "Very well."
He turned on his heel, striding toward the exit. But just before he left, he glanced over his shoulder—
And his gaze landed on Seraphina.
His lips curled.
"Seraphina." His voice was softer, but no less commanding. "You are Draconian. You know where your loyalty should lie."
A pause.
The room waited.
Seraphina's fingers twitched against the hilt of her sword.
Her answer was measured, but firm. "I am here under orders. That is all."
The envoy hmphed.
Then he was gone.
The moment the doors slammed shut, the throne room erupted into frantic discussion. Nobles panicked, advisors shouted.
"The Empire will march on us!"
"We need to surrender before it's too late!"
"No—Lysvein stands strong under Kairos!"
Kairos rubbed his temples. "Shut up."
Instant silence.
His golden eyes gleamed as he surveyed the room.
"Let me make something clear." He lifted a single finger. "Lysvein isn't just some backwater kingdom anymore."
He lifted a second. "We have defenses they don't understand."
A third. "We have a military that's growing stronger every day."
And then, with a slow grin—
"And most importantly, we have me."
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION WORLD EVENT TRIGGERED: THE DRACONIAN CONFLICT
The Empire will not stand for this humiliation. Prepare for war.