"Of course it is, brat."
Sylvia's smile widened just a little.
"I want to show everyone how much I adore you."
Liam sighed quietly.
Already exhausted.
"…Fine."
A pause.
"Let's just head inside."
—
The interior of the palace—
Was even more breathtaking than the outside.
Massive halls stretched endlessly, lined with polished marble that reflected the golden chandeliers above.
Intricate carvings covered the walls—ancient battles, forgotten kings, legends etched into stone.
Every step echoed.
Soft.
Yet heavy.
As if even sound carried weight here.
The deeper they walked—
The quieter it became.
Until—
They reached it.
The King's Chamber.
The doors opened.
And the moment Liam stepped inside—
He felt it.
Pressure.
Overwhelming.
Invisible—
Yet crushing.
His breath hitched slightly.
'…What is this…'
Every single person in the room—
Was powerful.
Monsters.
The Council of Humanity had gathered.
At the front stood the Head Judge—Berus Nova.
Silent.
Unreadable.
Watching everything.
And behind—
The four ducal houses.
Ardent.
Veridian.
Emberheart.
Desmund.
Liam's fingers curled slightly.
'Everyone here…'
S+ rank.
At minimum.
And a few—
Even SS+.
Beings who could destroy cities.
Standing in one room.
The air felt heavy.
Hard to breathe.
Hard to think.
Then—
A shift.
Subtle.
Warm.
The pressure around him eased.
Liam blinked.
Sylvia.
Her aura expanded slightly—
Shielding him.
Protecting him.
Like a barrier against the storm.
"…Relax."
She spoke softly.
Without looking at him.
"I've got you."
Liam exhaled quietly.
"…Thanks."
—
The room fell into silence.
Absolute.
Everyone waiting.
For one person.
The King.
Then—
A voice broke the stillness.
Smooth.
Sharp.
Mocking.
"Oh my… William, is that you?"
All eyes shifted slightly.
The matriarch of the Emberheart family.
Fiona Emberheart.
A faint smile rested on her lips.
Dangerous.
Amused.
"You seem to have gone weaker~"
The words landed lightly—
But the meaning behind them—
Was anything but.
The atmosphere tightened instantly.
Like a blade had just been drawn.
"Shut the hell up, witch."
William's voice cut through the chamber—
Cold.
Sharp.
Final.
"Today is not the day for this."
A pause.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"We have bigger things to deal with."
Fiona smiled.
Unbothered.
Amused.
"Oh?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"But I'm feeling a bit bored, William."
A step forward.
Heat began to gather around her—
Subtle.
Dangerous.
"How about we fight?"
A pause.
Her smile widened.
"…You and me."
The air shifted.
Then—
With a soft, almost playful tone—
"To the death."
—
Silence.
Then—
Killing intent exploded.
William's eyes gleamed.
Cold.
Merciless.
His hand moved—
And a sword appeared.
Ciphrus.
The blade hummed faintly.
Powerful.
Refined.
Deadly.
Across from him—
Fiona didn't hesitate.
Flames ignited in her palm.
Crimson.
Violent.
The temperature in the room spiked instantly.
The two of them—
SS+ ranked monsters—
Ready to clash.
Right there.
Right then.
The pressure became unbearable.
Even the others—
Watched carefully.
Because if those two fought—
This room…
Wouldn't survive it.
Then—
A voice.
Calm.
Absolute.
"Discard your weapons."
"…Emberheart. Ardent."
—
Everything stopped.
Both of them turned.
At the same time.
Berus Nova stood there.
Unmoving.
Silent.
In his hand—
The Staff of Judgement.
Its presence alone—
Was enough.
To suppress the room.
To command obedience.
To enforce order.
A pause.
Then—
"Tch."
Fiona clicked her tongue.
The flames in her hand vanished.
"Boring…"
Her smile faded slightly.
Disappointed.
William's gaze lingered for a moment longer
Before he lowered his sword.
Slowly.
The killing intent faded.
But the tension—
Didn't.
Not completely.
Because even now—
Everyone in that room knew one thing.
If Berus hadn't spoken—
Blood would've been spilled.
The tension lingered—
Thick.
Unbroken.
Then—
The doors to the chamber opened.
Everything stopped.
—
He entered first.
Xenovar Von Astrael.
The King.
Golden hair shimmered under the light—
Like it carried its own radiance.
Crimson eyes glowed faintly.
Not just in color—
But in presence.
Authority.
Power.
The moment he stepped into the room—
Every voice died.
Every movement ceased.
Even the air itself felt… still.
Behind him—
Another figure followed.
Emma Von Astrael.
The Crown Princess.
Golden hair.
Crimson eyes.
A mirror of the King—
Yet softer.
Refined.
Elegant.
Her beauty was undeniable.
But it wasn't just that—
There was weight behind her presence too.
A quiet strength.
—
Across the chamber—
Three figures reacted.
Subtly.
But noticeably.
Berus Nova.
William Ardent.
Fiona Emberheart.
Their eyes narrowed.
Not in hostility—
But recognition.
Respect.
Because Xenovar wasn't just a king—
He was power.
A ruler forged through strength, intellect, and control.
A man who stood above them—
Not by title alone.
He walked forward.
Each step steady.
Measured.
The room remained silent.
Unquestioning.
Until—
He reached the throne.
And sat.
Emma took her place beside him.
Still.
Composed.
Watching.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
But then—
Those crimson eyes shifted.
Scanning the room.
Sharp.
Heavy.
And beneath that calm—
There was something else.
Anger.
Contained.
Barely.
Then—
He spoke.
His voice filled the chamber.
Strong.
Unyielding.
"Let's begin."