The judge moved, rearranged his papers, then continued in a steady voice as though nothing had fractured moments earlier:

  "The court now proceeds to the section of rewards, in recognition of the efforts that contributed to uncovering the truth and safeguarding the security of the kingdom."

  He lifted his gaze first.

  "The Fourth Prince, Ken."

  The name stepped forward with its full weight.

  "He is awarded a Royal Medal of Honor,and a financial reward of five thousand gold coins,equivalent to five hundred thousand 'Orv'. "

  Ken's expression did not change.

  The judge continued:

  "Marvin."

  "A Medal of Distinction,and a financial reward of one thousand five hundred gold coins,equivalent to one hundred fifty thousand 'Orv' ."

  And finally:

  "Gray."

  "A Medal of Distinction,and a financial reward of one thousand gold coins,equivalent to one hundred thousand 'Orv'."

  The judge closed the file.

  "The rewards shall be delivered within one month from this date,following the completion of confiscation procedures and the conclusion of the related campaigns."

  He sat down.

  The First Royal Advisor remained beside him, both men observing the hall without comment.

  The King… looked at no one.

  His gaze was fixed on Darius.

  Darius did not turn.

  He gave his back to the throne, his hands bound, the royal guards dragging him out of the hall.He offered no resistance.He spoke no word.

  Behind him, the royal guards began pulling the bound nobles away.Some attempted protest, some shouted,but the chains were stronger,and the official silence harsher.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  The rows dispersed.The hall began to empty.

  When the doors finally closed,the King lowered his shoulders and released a long, heavy breath…as though he alone had carried the weight of this day.

  Ken's carriage departed from the palace.

  Inside sat Ken, Marvin, and Gray.

  Ken stared out the window in silence,the capital passing before him without truly being seen.

  Marvin sat with his shoulders tight.He looked down at the floor, then murmured to himself in a voice barely audible:

  "I'll be punished because of me…I pushed him into that confrontation…"

  As for Gray…he did not understand silence.

  "It's a fine amount…True, it's less than Marvin's…but it still sounds wonderful.One hundred thousand 'Orv' !That's more than my entire village gathered in a lifetime.It equals my annual salary many times over…So if I achieve something like this again and again, I could easily, in a short time, become one of the wealthy, right?And if I become wealthy, I could live in luxury, correct?I could buy a mansion here…get married…bring my mother to live with me."

  No one answered him.

  But he did not need an answer.

  At the border, a messenger arrived at the Supreme Commander's tent.He read the letter once, quickly.

  Leander had succeeded.The northern border camps had fallen.They were secured.

  In the mountains, Morgan's reports were clear:The collapses were being prepared,and the positions were being fortified.

  The orders were singular:

  No revealing intentions.Not yet.

  As of now…the neighboring cities knew nothing of what was unfolding along their eastern border.

  On a distant dirt road,the White Knives unit finally moved.

  The wagons rolled without banners.The faces were calm.Weapons concealed, not drawn.

  At the front, Hiry watched the road in silence.His eyes steady,as though he awaited more than a single war.

  On that same day,the royal guard moved within the capital according to sealed lists.

  They did not storm homes recklessly, nor raise their voices.Doors were knocked upon, seals broken, records confiscated, warehouses closed with royal wax.

  In some mansions, nobles stood silently as they watched their possessions being counted.In others, servants attempted negotiation… and failed.

  There was no debate.

  The orders had been issued.Execution had begun.

  In one of the palace's inner corridors, Ken walked with steady steps, Marvin and Gray following behind.

  Gray broke the silence suddenly, in a tone closer to jest:

  "Your Highness… after all this, I think I deserve a vacation, don't you?"

  Ken cast him a brief sideways glance.

  "A vacation?"

  Then added calmly:

  "You haven't even completed a month with me."

  Gray opened his mouth to protest, then laughed lightly.

  "Only one month… and I nearly died three times."

  Ken did not comment.

  Marvin walked in silence.His features were calmer than they should have been, his eyes lowered.

  Ken noticed after a few steps.

  "Marvin."

  The latter stopped immediately.

  "Yes, Your Highness."

  Ken spoke without harshness:

  "What happened… has happened."

  Marvin hesitated, then said in a low voice:

  "Your Highness, if I hadn't hesitated… you wouldn't have broken protocol. It's my fault."

  Ken looked at him directly.

  "It's fine."

  Marvin raised his head, surprised.

  Ken continued:

  "In the end, it's only a three-month penalty…and a return to the Royal Academy."