The throne room stood silent because of the heavy and tense atmosphere.
Every noble, every official, every commander present could feel it that something was about to break.
Kael sat on the throne leaning slightly forward, his gaze sharp and unyielding as it moved slowly across the gathered court. Behind him stood Veyron who was standing still and silent.
But his presence had grown darker and heavier like a shadow that refused to leave.
To Kael's left stood Rodric who was steady as always. And if anything happens in the court room he would always be alert and ready.
Shen Yao leaned against a pillar his eyes scanning the room with quiet amusement but beneath that calm expression his mind was racing.
Because this moment he knew and Kael knew that this situation was not normal and all the problems they faced was staged and someone in the room had orchestrated it.
Kael's voice broke the silence.
"…In recent days, this kingdom has faced constant instability, problems, obstacles."
Kael's tone was calm and controlled. But it carried weight and no one dared to interrupt.
"…There were conflicts between noble houses which was not there in the first place. There were delays in taxation. Disobedience from officials."
"…None of this was all random."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"…All of this are interconnected to each other."
A faint ripple moved through the court which was subtle and clearly visible which showed the fear, unease and awareness among all persons in the court room.
Kael leaned back slightly.
"…So, I will ask this only once."
The room held its breath.
"…Who is responsible for all of these incidents?"
There was silence in the room where no one moved and no one spoke, all mouths were shut and some people were genuinely shocked about someone is behind these all incidents
But Kael wasn't looking for words. He was watching reactions because the instant reactions say everything until they mastered in not exposing their reactions.
And then he saw it a man. He was be seated in third row at the left side.
Kael used his appraisal talent to know who that was and he came to know that he was the very guild which came to him at the start where they followed him and created a ruckus at outside the tower and the very guild where that person is included.
That guild was none other than Obsidian Guild.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly because that man did not react loudly but because the way he reacted was too carefully which was controllable but other reactions was just the shock and fear.
But the viewers who are reading this novel wondered why I can't just use the appraisal talent at the start and scan everyone in seconds and find the culprit, I could have done that it would be lot easier and clear the mission.
But what I wanted is that I need everyone to know that what they are doing behind my backs by creating the scenario where I ask question about who is doing this, by this I already got to know who's helping the culprit and at the same time find the culprit.
Veyron's voice echoed softly behind him.
"…His heartbeat changed my majesty."
Shen Yao's lips curved.
"…And his breathing is irregular."
Rodric stepped forward slightly.
"…That's him, should I catch him my majesty?"
"No need".
Kael stood. The shift was immediate. The entire room felt it.
"…Step forward." Kael was looking was directly at him.
The man froze 'How did he find out that it was me, damm what a monster, but still, he does not have evidence, yet I won't come out now, I must fulfil the mission and return back
Just for a second but that was enough.
"…I said step forward."
This time the command carried authority and weight. The kind that couldn't be ignored.
Because of it the mans body reacted on his own and slowly walked forward.
'Shit I can't handle this person presence it's too suffocating at this moment, I need to escape somehow and yeah my master will help me out from this situation, yeah let's see what this man can do'
Each step was measured and controlled. He stopped in the center of the court.
"…State your name" Kael said.
The man bowed.
"…Darian, my King. Member of the House of Sterling family."
Kael knew this family, it was family where he first went to stop their territory war and he looked at the Head of the Sterling family and his face was in fear because he knew he was part of these schemes.
"Tell me which guild are you from?"
'Shit he already knows from where I'm from, I've to say the truth'
"…Obsidian Guild… my king"
Rodric muttered he knew that name during the battles in 25th floor and because of that guild where the king made him as the traitor and the anger was started to boil just hearing this name.
"…That name again."
Kael's gaze didn't waver. He pretended to hear it from him even though he already knew it.
"…Oh, Obsidian guild, I know this guild even you know about it too. You've been active recently in the affairs of the kingdom"
Darian didn't deny it.
"Yes, my King."
'Hes not even denying it, is he that confident about it that he can be saved in this situation, something's not right here'
"…And you were present during multiple incidents."
"Yes….my king"
Kael stepped down from the throne.
"…Explain why you did that."
There was silence.
Then Darian smiled because he knew he was doomed and he can only save him.
Darian's smile was a small smile, but very wrong and completely wrong.
"…There is nothing to explain my king, lets execute him right now, I have a feeling something is not right now." Rodric's hand moved to his sword.
"…Careful." Kael reached out his hand and stopped him.
"…You've been influencing the nobles."
"…Encouraging disobedience."
"…Creating instability."
Each word landed heavier.
"…Why?"
Darian didn't respond immediately.
Instead, his body trembled 'Shit what is happening to my body I'm not able to control it'
Then it started to tremble more and more.
His head tilted unnaturally. His shoulders twitched.
Shen Yao's expression changed instantly.
"…That's not normal at all, tell everyone to back off right this moment or kill him this instant."
Veyron stepped forward to kill him "…Energy fluctuation detected."
Kael stopped him and wanted to see what would happen because he was confident in his abilities.
"…What are you?"
Darian's body jerked violently and then he laughed which was not like before. His was started to get distorted.
"…So, you found out, interesting, as expected of the person who I have my eyes on LINE EMPEROR."
The voice Kael heard it before, this was different, layered, deeper and more controlled.
Kael's gaze sharpened.
"…You're not Darian."
All the people present in the court was shocked because what was happening now and this person has transformed and it's not Darian.
Darian's head lifted slowly and then his face changed and not physically but only the face was changed and expressions were changed.
"…Of course I'm not lowly peasant Darain, he was just a pawn in my experiment."
"…But this body will do for now."
Shen Yao's eyes widened slightly "…That's someone possessing this body be careful."
Rodric stepped forward.
"Identify yourself."
The man smiled Coldly.
"…Your king already knows about me, come on introduce about me to everyone, or should I?"
Everyone in the court room started to look at Kael and started to murmur among themselves.
Kael's voice dropped slightly.
"…Valor."
Silence exploded across the room.
The name alone carried weight because everyone in the room knew about this name because even if this trial was created but this people still existed in the tower and they knew who this person was.
Rodricks's aura shifted instantly.
"…Strategist… Valor" he said quietly.
Darian..no….
Valor smiled.
"…I see you remember."
Kael's voice turned cold.
"This is a trial floor and my trial missions and it's impossible to Interfere in someone's trial"
Valor laughed softly.
"…Impossible?"
His eyes gleamed and started laughing.
"…That is only for those who don't understand the system and you just begin your tower conquest, but I have joined this conquest about 20 years ago and I know what I can do this tower which you cannot fathom hahaha."
Kael was shocked because he knew he just joined in the tower climbing and didn't not some of the secrets which veteran players knew about. He has long way to go.
"…How?"
Valor's smile widened.
"…You think this floor is isolated?"
"…That it exists separately from everything else?"
He chuckled.
"…Naïve LINE EMPEROR Naïve."
Kael's voice sharpened.
"…Answer the dam question."
Valor looked at him directly.
"…Because I found a way and of course won't say that to you, find It yourself."
"…And the reason I am here because I wanted to see you."
Kael's gaze hardened.
"…Why?"
Valor didn't hesitate this time.
"…Because you interest me. As you already know I need you and join me"
"…A king placed into a trial."
"…A system bending around you."
"…A path that shouldn't exist."
His eyes gleamed.
"…as I have confirmed about you on the 25th floor but still i wanted to test you."
Rodric stepped forward.
"So, you used people of this kingdom for that?"
Valor didn't even look at him.
"Yes". There were no hesitation and guilt because he was used to this.
Rodric exhaled slowly.
"…You're insane."
Valor smiled faintly.
"…Yes, I know that, many people tell me that."
"…But I'm also curious."
Kael's voice dropped because he couldn't tolerate this man and was ready to draw out his weapon.
"…And now?"
Valor's gaze locked onto him.
"…Now I have my answer."
The air shifted suddenly and violently. Darian's body began to crack. Energy surged uncontrollably.
Veyron's voice sharpened.
"…His body is destabilizing."
Rodric stepped forward.
"What is he doing?"
Valor laughed again.
"…This body has served its purpose."
"…Time to end it."
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"…Self-destruct and Thank you for your time."
Kael's expression changed instantly.
"…Everyone move!"
But it was too late. The energy had already peaked. The space around Darian began to distort. Cracks forming in the air itself.
Veyron moved instantly dark energy surged forward trying to suppress it.
But "…It's not enough"
Kael activated his authority talent where he can erase the concept and performed the barriers where it was layered, dense and reinforced.
"…Hold it!"
But it did not work and Kael could not understand why, is it because of the level difference between him and Valor, yes that's the reason.
The energy pressed against the barriers and shattered them one by one like glass.
Rodric's eyes widened.
"…This is beyond us."
Valor's voice echoed one last time.
"…Let's see how you survive this, King no LINE EMPEROR."
Time slowed just for a moment and Kael stepped forward trying to reinforce the barrier again.
But he knew it wouldn't hold out for long.
Then suddenly Rodric moved, the way he moved was without hesitation, doubt and fear.
"Get back!"
Kael's eyes snapped toward him.
"…Rodric come back at this instant!"
But it was already too late. Rodric had already reached Darian.
He grabbed him and pulled him in and covered him with his own body.
The explosion, the self-destruction came next.
The entire castle shook violently, Walls cracked, Windows shattered. A massive shockwave tore through the throne room.
Soldiers rushed in from outside.
"Protect the King!"
"Secure the hall!"
Dust filled the air which was thick and blinding.
And in the no one could see and no one could breathe properly.
Silence followed everywhere
Slowly the dust began to settle. Shapes became visible. Figures emerged from the dust.
The throne room was destroyed and there were cracked walls, broken pillars, scattered debris.
And at the center were only two figures.
Kael stepped forward slowly.
"…No…"
His voice shook for the first time.
Rodric lay on the ground his armour was completely destroyed.
His body was broken, burned and Kael could not recognize the body because it was completely burned beyond.
And beneath him there was nothing. Darian was gone completely and erased.
Shen Yao stood frozen.
"…He… took it all… explosion for himself"
Veyron didn't move but his aura shifted violently because his comrade was dead and even though his face was cold without any expression even he did not know what he was supposed to do now.
Kael walked closer each step harder than the last.
"…Rodric…"
There was no response.
"…Get up."
Silence.
"…That's an order damm it"
Nothing. Kael's hands clenched.
"…You ignored my orders."
Still nothing. Rodric didn't move. He didn't breathe nor responded because Rodric was dead.
And in that moment Kael understood.
"…No…" The word came out low which was unsteady and uncontrolled.
"…No…" His aura exploded which was dark in nature instead of white light and this aura was very violent right now, the people in the court room became unconsciousness because of the aura released.
The entire room trembled.
Shen Yao stepped back.
"…This is bad…he has uncontrollable, does he not realize Rodric can be summoned back later but losing someone close to him even though he was very strong, I can understand him"
Veyron stepped forward.
"…My majesty"
But Kael didn't hear him.
"…You don't get to die on my watch"
His voice cracked.
The pressure in the room intensified which was crushing and the people present who were already unconscious, blood started to come out from thie eyes, ears, nose.
"…You're my commander."
"…My first commander."
"…The one who taught me everything."
His voice rose.
"…And you die like this?!"
The ground cracked beneath him, The air distorted.
His authority surged beyond control "…I didn't allow this!"
"Valor, I will kill you and destroy your guild, I will definitely kill you Valooooooorrrrrrr"
And then suddenly something happened.
A light a faint soft light from Rodric's body
Kael froze.
"…What…?"
The light grew, stronger, warmer, different from anything before.
But the light emerged felt Divine.
Shen Yao's eyes widened.
"…That's not…"
Veyron stepped forward.
"…Energy detected…"
The light intensified covering Rodric's body.
It looked like healing.
But no, it was something else, something deeper, something seems to be… awakening.
Kael stood still. His aura retracted but still the killing intent was still present.
Kale was unable to move, unable to understand.
The light surged brighter, stronger and then the system message arrived in front of Kael.
[ Hidden Condition Achieved]