Chapter 292

Hanabi, Ranke, Gardner, Kople, Bacchus, and Narsio.

The Six Star Clans.

Official summons had been sent to each of these renowned families.

Not mere carrier pigeons delivering impersonal messages, but personal envoys dispatched directly from the Gaju himself, bearing a formal agenda.

Each family’s leader received their letter in their respective domains.

They already knew that Kyle’s successor had been decided, and each had formed their own opinions about Theo.

Thus, the reactions from the Six Star Clans varied widely.

Ranke, Gardner, and Bacchus accepted the news with joy, their expressions filled with awe.

Kople received the letter with a subtle, unreadable expression.

Hanabi accepted the message through gritted teeth, barely concealing their rage.

Narsio, on the other hand, wore faces etched with tension.

Though their emotions differed, all six clan leaders opened their letters.

“So, the inevitable has come.”

The content detailed the upcoming succession ceremony, marking the end of Kyle’s era and the beginning of a new generation under Theo.

The letter also included a personal, handwritten message from Theo himself.

Unlike Kyle’s direct and commanding tone, Theo’s words carried a warmth that even felt gentle.

Yet, this warmth only served to deepen the furrow on Hanabi’s brow as they deliberated over the letter.

For Narsio, the message felt like a dagger to the heart, filling them with humiliation.

“Hah...”

Tammus let out a deep, heavy sigh.

“Bow your head, huh...”

The order from the Taesang Gaju had already been given, and Tammus had ultimately approved it.

With the Gaju's final authorization, the members of the Narsio family were bound to comply.

Yet, the humiliation gnawed at his pride.

“...Is everything ready?”

“Yes, Gaju. But... are you truly planning to offer this to Ragnar? I believe the tribute alone should suffice.”

Tammus’s only brother and the Narsio family’s vice head, Timothy Narsio, stepped forward, representing the concerns of the elders.

He, too, detested the thought of presenting such an offering to Ragnar.

“I’ve already given my approval. Ensure the other elders understand as well.”

Within the chest lay a family heirloom passed down through generations of Narsio leaders.

To offer it to Ragnar was an act of absolute submission, a declaration of loyalty so complete that it symbolized total surrender.

It was a silent admission that the Narsio family would forfeit all rights to resist, reduced to mere subservience.

“Do you think I want to give this away?”

Tammus’s icy tone filled the study.

Crack—

His clenched fist struck the desk, splitting the wood as his body trembled with rage.

The tension in the room thickened like a suffocating fog until Tammus finally managed to regain his composure.

“Hah... I understand your anger, but please, try to understand mine as well.”

“I apologize... Gaju.”

“No need. Just remember this humiliation. Carve it into your hearts and sheathe it in your swords.”

Bang!

Tammus slammed his hand against the desk as he rose to his feet.

Blood pooled on the cracked surface of the desk, dripping from his wounded hand.

Seeing this, Timothy bit down hard on his lip, his frustration evident.

“...We will follow the Gaju’s noble will.”

***

The table was laden with meat and liquor.

Golden and jeweled furnishings glittered in the soft light, giving the room a festive yet gaudy air.

The atmosphere was that of a banquet hall, devoid of solemnity or gravity.

The attendees, draped in excessively ornate attire, devoured their meals with little decorum, their movements gluttonous and crude.

One of them, having wiped his mouth casually after finishing his meal, broke the silence.

“Ah, it seems the Narsio family has sent a request for support.”

The sound of smacking lips echoed unpleasantly through the room.

It was hardly a suitable topic for lighthearted conversation during a feast—or perhaps it was entirely fitting.

After all, this wasn’t a banquet hall but a roundtable conference room within the Imperial Palace.

“Narsio? Oh, you mean that dreary old man? Hmm.”

Four of the men wiped their mouths with their napkins and set down their utensils.

Even they seemed to recognize that the topic at hand was too heavy to discuss over a meal.

It was not something that could be dismissed lightly.

“Do they really believe this is the moment to finally take down Ragnar?”

A dry chuckle escaped one of the men as he stroked his bearded chin.

The man next to him, whose face bore the sly, narrow-eyed look of a weasel, spoke up.

“Do you still think Kyle is alive in your mind? His son has ascended to the position of Gaju, which is why the Narsio family brought this proposal.”

“And you seem to think you’ve grasped the situation. That boy is said to be a talent comparable to Kyle himself.”

Pfft.

The sound of a scoff filled the room.

A portly man sitting across the table let out a derisive snort, his expression one of disbelief.

“Do you think Kyle is just some common dog’s name? This is nothing but a show from Ragnar to maintain their dominance over the North.”

His words carried weight.

Kyle Ragnar’s abilities had left an indelible mark across the continent, a legacy that bordered on inhuman.

Now that Kyle was gone, it was natural for Ragnar to appear vulnerable.

This added to the plausibility of the portly man’s assessment.

“So, will we support Narsio?”

It seemed like a gamble.

But the Taesang Gaju of Narsio was a man who had lived through Kyle’s era, witnessing Ragnar’s reign firsthand.

Such experience made the proposal tempting.

“It’s true that this might be our only chance to crush them. As a pawn, Narsio has value. Supporting them could be worth the risk.”

“Indeed. Even during Kyle’s time, they begged for aid, claiming they could surpass Ragnar. If they succeed this time with just a small investment, it’s a major win.”

“Hmm, now that I think about it, it could be entertaining. Barbarians slaughtering one another? Watching it in real-time through a crystal ball could be amusing. Hehe.”

“Oh! Then it’s worth supporting them!”

“You’re surprisingly clever for someone who seems dull.”

“Of course! We enjoy the spectacle, and if it works out, we seize control of the North. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?”

Laughter erupted around the table, filling the room with a pungent sense of satisfaction.

Beyond entertainment, if the Narsio family succeeded in toppling Ragnar, the North—an enduring thorn in their side—would finally be within their grasp.

“Then, how should we proceed? If we’re to offer support, perhaps the Iron Lion Knights would suffice?”

The Iron Lion Knights—a military unit responsible for the defense of the capital and its surrounding regions.

Renowned for their strength and experience in handling dangerous missions, they were known for their aggressive temperament, making them a fitting choice for dealing with so-called barbarians.

“This could be an opportunity to show the difference between aggression and barbarity.”

“Indeed. The Iron Lion Knight Commander is well-suited for the task.”

Just as the decision seemed finalized, a sharp knocking sound interrupted them.

Tap, tap.

The head of the table, a man who had been silently listening until now, tapped the table with his fingers.

This was the Court Duke, the de facto leader of the group and a key figure in the Imperial Court.

At his gesture, the other attendees fell silent, their attention focused on him.

“Considering the orders to strengthen vigilance against Ragnar, we should send a more capable force.”

The Iron Lion Knights were a powerful unit, but the Court Duke preferred higher stakes for better odds.

After a moment of thought, he spoke.

“The Golden Lion Knights would be ideal.”

“The Central Defense Knights?”

The Golden Lion Knights, second only to the Emperor’s personal guard, were the most elite force within the Imperial Palace.

“Now, we just need His Majesty’s approval.”

Though even the highest-ranking generals couldn’t move the Golden Lion Knights without imperial consent, the Court Duke seemed unconcerned.

“It’s fine. His Majesty will grant approval.”

The Duke’s confidence in gaining the Emperor’s sanction revealed the extent of his influence within the Imperial Court.

“As expected of the Court Duke. No wonder His Majesty keeps you close.”

“Indeed! Where would His Majesty find another advisor as loyal and wise as you?”

Tap.

The Duke slammed his hand against the table, louder than expected.

The flattery ceased immediately as the others nervously glanced at him.

But there was no displeasure on the Duke’s face.

“Enough idle talk. It seems there are no objections. Let’s proceed with submitting our advice to His Majesty.”

Wearing a sly smile, the Duke rose from his seat.

Even after he left, the room remained filled with malicious laughter.

* * *

Theo stood outside the quarters where Harald and Ash resided.

He was here both to check on Ash’s condition and to invite them to dinner.

“The Black Dragon’s generosity is impressive.”

Theo couldn’t help but marvel at the spacious residence the Black Dragon had arranged for Harald and his daughter.

As Theo surveyed the surroundings, Harald emerged from the room, carrying a basin of water and a towel.

“Surely he has attendants for this.”

Theo glanced aside and noticed an uneasy attendant lingering nearby.

It seemed Harald had insisted on handling matters related to his daughter himself.

When Harald noticed Theo, he greeted him with a warm smile.

“Ah, you’ve come.”

The gentle smile and vibrant expression seemed unfamiliar.

“It reminds me of when we first met.”

Back in the Beastlands, Harald had been sharp and haggard, almost unrecognizable compared to the man before him now.

“How is Ash?”

“She just fell asleep. She’s improving by the day, thanks to you.”

Handing the towel and basin to the attendant, Harald descended the stairs to join Theo.

“That’s a relief. Shall we sit?”

“Let’s.”

They seated themselves in the living room.

For a moment, an awkward silence hung in the air, but the once-tense atmosphere had softened.

Seeing Harald so at ease brought a smile to Theo’s face.

“What’s so amusing?”

“You seem happy.”

“Ha! I’m worried I might appear foolish. So, how are the preparations for the succession ceremony?”

Harald’s hearty laughter carried a hint of nervousness.

“Everything is proceeding smoothly. You won’t have to wait long.”

“Haha, I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

Though Theo knew Harald’s question came from genuine concern, his own awareness of his duties as Gaju gave him clarity.

“He must be thinking about his own family.”

Theo understood that Harald had an obligation to restore order within his clan after neglecting it to care for Ash.

The two continued their conversation, the bond between them deepening in mutual understanding.