Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows of the royal palace.
Golden pillars stood in neat rows.
Silk banners fluttered softly.
From the outside, Eldoria looked majestic.
Inside—
It was rotten.
Arin walked through the corridor in simple noble robes.
Servants bowed half-heartedly.
Some didn't bow at all.
He noticed.
But didn't react.
"Respect is earned," he thought.
Not demanded
At the end of the hall, two guards stood.
Elite Royal Guards.
He focused.
[OBSERVATION – ROYAL GUARD
STR: 42 | MAG: 15 | SPD: 38 | END: 45 | INT: 18 | CHA: 12]
Rank: Elite Knight
Arin's heart tightened.
"So even guards are 40+…"
He was still an ant.
The doors opened.
Royal Council Chamber
A massive round table.
Twelve seats.
Only ten occupied.
At the head—
King Theren Eldoria.
Tired eyes.
Fading authority.
To his right—
Crown Prince Kael.
Cold. Sharp.
To his left—
Third Prince Rowan.
Smiling fox.
And beyond—
The wolves.
Dukes. Counts. Ministers.
Arin sat at the far end.
As always.
Invisible.
Power Scan
He activated Observation.
[ DUKE RAVENHOLT
STR: 85 | MAG: 40 | SPD: 70 | END: 90
INT: 120 | CHA: 150
Talent: Political Domination (Epic) ]
[ LADY MARIS
STR: 35 | MAG: 160 | SPD: 50 | END: 60
INT: 140 | CHA: 90
Talent: Arcane Research (Epic) ]
[ GENERAL VORNE
STR: 170 | MAG: 25 | SPD: 95 | END: 180
INT: 80 | CHA: 70
Talent: Battlefield Commander (Legendary) ]
Arin swallowed.
"These people could crush me like dust."
One word.
One order.
And he'd disappear.
The Debate
"Our eastern border is collapsing!" General Vorne roared.
"We need reinforcements!"
Duke Ravenholt smiled calmly.
"And empty our treasury? Foolish."
Lady Maris adjusted her glasses.
"Without mages, reinforcements are meaningless."
The Crown Prince spoke.
"Father, we must raise taxes."
Murmurs erupted.
Farmers already starved.
This would break them.
King Theren hesitated.
His authority was weak.
Arin watched.
Studied.
Learned.
"This isn't a meeting…"
"It's a battlefield."
Unexpected Voice
Suddenly—
Arin stood.
The room froze.
Everyone stared.
The weakest prince… standing?
"Father," he said calmly.
"I suggest we open military academies in poor regions."
Silence.
Ravenholt frowned.
"A waste."
Arin met his gaze.
"For now."
"But in five years, they'll replace mercenaries."
Murmurs spread.
Lady Maris' eyes glinted.
Interesting.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Political Insight +1]
The king nodded slowly.
"We'll… consider it."
Dismissed.
But seeds were planted.
After the Meeting
Outside, Rowan walked beside Arin.
"You've changed," Rowan said softly.
"Be careful, little brother."
Arin smiled.
"Thank you for worrying."
Rowan laughed.
But his eyes were cold.
Hidden Evaluation
From a balcony, Duke Ravenholt watched.
"Hmm…"
"Not useless after all."
He turned.
"Watch him."
"Yes, my lord."
System Update
That night—
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Exposure to High-Level Politics Detected.]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Intelligence +1]
PLAYER PROFILE –
[ Arin | STR:5 MAG:5 SPD:5 END:5 | INT:8 | CHA:6 | Tactical:+1 ]
Arin lay on his bed.
Thinking.
"The court is full of enemies."
"So I'll build my own power."
Outside—
Storm clouds gathered.