Within the Phoenix Empire, House Silver stood among the twelve great noble houses, its influence rooted deeply within the Imperial City itself. Alongside it, equally ancient and equally proud, stood House Mist, another of the six major houses entrusted with governing the Empire's inner ministries.
House Silver oversaw the Ministry of Public Works, controlling infrastructure, granaries, waterways, and construction across the realm.
House Mist, in contrast, commanded the Ministry of Revenue, where coin flowed like blood through the arteries of governance.
In theory, the Minister of Revenue should have enjoyed the Emperor's closest favor. Control of taxation meant control of the Empire's pulse. Yet politics was rarely shaped by theory alone.
Wester Silver's maternal cousin served as Commander of the Imperial Army, and steel often outweighed coin when the balance of power was measured quietly behind closed doors.
Because of this connection, officials found it convenient to align themselves with Wester Silver's proposals during court assemblies, nodding approval before the Emperor even finished reading memorials.
House Mist did not forget such slights.
Theron Mist, current head of House Mist and Minister of Revenue, had long endured the subtle pressure exerted by House Silver. Disputes over tax allocation, provincial levies, and infrastructure funding frequently escalated into open friction between the two houses. Each proposal from Wester Silver was met with calculated resistance from House Mist.
As though rivalry were not enough, a new complication had emerged one year prior.
Francis Vale, Minister of Law and Justice and head of House Vale, had arranged the engagement of his eldest daughter, Sienna Vale, to Arceus Silver.
The alliance between House Silver and House Vale strengthened both houses considerably, tightening their hold over public works and legal authority simultaneously. The implications unsettled not only rival houses but also the Imperial Princes, who watched the shifting balance with cautious eyes.
None wished the Third Prince to gather excessive support.
*
Crown Prince Manor, Imperial City
The banquet hall glowed with lanternlight and gold leaf, wine cups reflecting amber hues as laughter and calculated conversation intertwined.
Theron Mist sat among the invited guests, joined by elders from House Stag and House Reed, along with several generals and high officials. The feast had been arranged personally by Crown Prince Darius Phoenix, whose measured smile rarely revealed his full intent.
The Emperor's health had begun its quiet decline, and Darius wasted no opportunity to fortify his political foundation. Support secured now would determine survival later.
Discussion drifted toward strategies aimed at undermining House Vale's expanding influence when a servant approached discreetly, bowing low as he handed the Crown Prince a folded note.
Darius read it once.
His expression shifted subtly.
"Your Highness," Theron Mist inquired carefully, "has something occurred?"
The Crown Prince folded the note and allowed a slow smile to surface.
"Everything proceeds well," he replied smoothly. "Lord Theron, remain after the others depart. There is a matter requiring discretion."
Theron observed the quality of that smile.
It was not casual satisfaction.
It was an opportunity.
One by one, the guests excused themselves until only the Crown Prince and the Minister of Revenue remained within the hall's lingering warmth.
Darius leaned forward slightly.
"My third brother intends to depart on a private hunting excursion," he began. "He will be accompanied by Sienna Vale, Arceus Silver, and Lord Storm's heir (Lucian)."
Theron's gaze sharpened.
"That idiot," Darius continued with quiet disdain. "He seeks House Storm's favor. If he secures their support, his standing will improve significantly."
House Storm governed appointments within the Ministry of Personnel. Control over civil posts meant influence over nearly every administrative position across the Empire.
Theron bowed his head.
"Your Highness, House Mist stands ready to act. Please issue your command."
Darius's voice lowered. "I require only minor assistance. The Nyx Guild will handle the remainder."
He outlined the plan in deliberate detail.
By the time he finished, Theron's fingers had curled into his sleeve to hide their tightening grip. For a year, he had searched for a weakness within the alliance forming around House Silver and House Vale.
Now fate presented him with a blade already drawn.
If the Third Prince were to fall within the forest, suspicion would scatter in countless directions.
Theron bowed deeply.
"It shall be done."
*
One Week Later;
A group entered the vast expanse of Bloodhill Forest.
This tropical wilderness stretched across more than fifteen million square kilometers along the northern boundary of the Phoenix Empire, serving as a natural barrier between the southern realms and the formidable Empire of Leon that dominated the continent's center.
Bloodhill divided north from south as decisively as any mountain range.
The forest teemed with dangers. Eight star beasts roamed its deeper sectors. Werewolves stalked beneath thick canopies. Wild boars charged in herds. Giant bears guarded their territory with violent ferocity. Carnivorous trees rooted themselves like patient executioners.
No northern kingdom dared march an army through Bloodhill.
Only the sky offered passage, and even that route demanded courage few possessed.
Yet adventurers flocked here regardless. Ether crystals lay hidden beneath roots and soil, their power capable of accelerating cultivation. Monster corpses provided materials for graded weapons, elixirs, and refined pills.
Profit and danger walked side by side.
On this day, a party of ten advanced cautiously along a narrow path.
Four soldiers clad in standard gold-grade armor led the formation, each at least a four-star warrior. Their expressions remained vigilant as they escorted a group whose purpose was far removed from resource gathering.
Arceus Silver rode near the center, his two maids following closely behind. Sienna Vale walked beside him, posture composed and observant.
Lucian Storm, heir of House Storm, maintained a measured distance, his expression unreadable. At the forefront strode Prince Kaelan Phoenix, the Third Prince himself.
They had not come for crystals.
They had not come for profit either.
They had come for sport.
Kaelan also harbored a quieter motive.
Lucian Storm held the key to House Storm's loyalty. The Third Prince hoped that shared adventure might bring them closer together to form a brotherhood so that he can pull him into his faction. He intended to use this opportunity to impress the Storm's heir with his wits and strength.
However, Lucian did not share his optimism.
The forest was divided into sectors ranging from nine to zero. The outer three layers were relatively safe, frequented by lower-star adventurers.
The party currently traversed Sector Nine, where monster activity was sparse due to constant exploration.
Hours passed.
Eventually, they crossed into Sector Eight, where vegetation thickened, and distant roars occasionally echoed through layered foliage.
After several more hours of travel, Kaelan raised a hand.
"We rest here."
The soldiers moved efficiently, clearing space and erecting a temporary shelter. Kaelan unrolled a map across a flat stone.
"If calculations are correct," he said, tracing a path with his finger, "we will soon reach this region."
Lucian leaned closer, scanning the marked area.
"Festhorn," he read aloud, brows knitting slightly. "That territory is dominated by wild boars. I believed we were heading toward Nurwhir to hunt goblins."
The faint rustle of leaves carried through the air as the forest seemed to listen.
Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze lingering on Prince Kaelan with undisguised suspicion.
If not for the silent reassurance that a five-star assassin from House Storm followed at a distance under Daniel Storm's direct order, Lucian would never have agreed to this excursion. His trust in the Third Prince was thin, stretched by court politics and whispered ambitions.
Instead of concealing his doubt, he addressed it plainly.
"Why Festhorn?" Lucian asked, voice cool as shaded steel. "We planned to hunt in Nurwhir."
Kaelan let out a low chuckle, as though the question amused him more than it challenged him.
"We will reach Nurwhir," he replied casually. "After I finish a small matter here."
"Business?" Sienna Vale's brows lifted slightly as she exchanged a glance with Arceus Silver. Even the two maids behind Arceus tilted their heads subtly, their curiosity difficult to suppress.