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For a moment, a deep silence filled the room.

However, everyone reacted differently.

The Mistress of Plum Blossom Palace quietly gazed at Theo.

Julius let out a faint sound of discontent.

Ed was smiling strangely.

And then.

Bang!

Wolfgang slammed the table forcefully and stood up, irritated.

“The voice of the sword is true? Ha! Do you really think a mere brat like you can handle all those factions by yourself?”

His fierce energy filled the room.

It was an overwhelming presence that would have intimidated most high-ranking knights.

But Theo, whether he felt it or not, remained expressionless and composed.

“Isn’t that something I should deal with?”

“What did you say?”

“And, if I recall correctly, in cases like this where there’s a significant gap in rank during an appeal, a proxy battle is held, isn’t it?”

“……!”

Only then did Wolfgang’s expression stiffen as he realized Theo’s intention.

If a proxy battle were to occur, as Theo suggested, Theo would be regarded as a single “faction.”

It meant that someone could fight in the proxy battle on Theo’s behalf.

What if that person were Evelyn, who had helped Theo?

Even though she had lost one arm, a high-ranking knight was still a high-ranking knight.

If she stepped forward, the outcome would be unpredictable.

‘Or perhaps the Black Dragon himself might intervene…!’

Wolfgang glanced over at Julius.

Julius, with an unreadable expression, was now observing Theo.

Wolfgang knew how much Julius valued Evelyn.

He also knew Julius had a deep interest in Theo.

After all, the reason Julius had agreed to Ed’s request wasn’t to trouble him, but for his own purposes, wasn’t it?

But if Julius decided to side with Theo here…

That would be the worst possible outcome.

Which faction would dare oppose the Black Dragon?

Even if Julius didn’t get involved directly, it was still a problem.

By law, the appeal hearing had to take place in a public setting.

It would inevitably draw attention.

Now, what if fifteen factions each sent a representative just to take down one lowly illegitimate child?

How would they endure the ridicule and scorn from the public?

Knights, after all, were supposed to carry honor and pride in their hearts.

All of that honor and pride would be trampled into the mud.

All fifteen factions would certainly blame Wolfgang for having forced them into such a humiliating situation.

The rumor that it was the Senate Head who orchestrated this would soon spread among the people.

‘Checkmate!’

Wolfgang unknowingly clenched his fist tightly.

Desperately thinking of how to turn the situation around, he turned to look at Ed—

‘…This guy. He’s a snake.’

Ed also didn’t look entirely comfortable, just like Wolfgang.

In fact, for the first time, he felt a chilling sense of something ominous from Theo.

Because Ed saw another hidden move that Wolfgang had missed.

‘Is he trying to plant the impression that the Camellia Palace is oppressing him? Is his goal to rise as a hero representing the underdogs?’

The impression Theo would leave after the appeal hearing would fall into two major categories.

– An illegitimate child who fought righteously against overwhelming oppression.

And.

– A Ragnar who revealed his pride as a rightful heir in front of everyone.

Wasn’t this the kind of stereotype that the lower classes, usually silenced by the overwhelming power of large factions, would love to rally behind?

Even if Theo lost the appeal hearing, it wouldn’t truly be a loss.

He would surely attract a lot of sympathy.

Theo was using this opportunity to increase his reputation, gather followers, and build his foundation.

On the other hand, Ed and Wolfgang had nothing to gain, only losses.

‘How in the world does he know the rules of the appeal hearing in such intricate detail?’

Conflicts in Winterer usually followed the will of the faction or group one belonged to, so there was rarely any need for concern.

But Theo had precisely targeted the blind spot in this system.

And he hit the vital point.

Despite Wolfgang’s pressing gaze, Ed remained silent for a moment.

His mind was swirling with confusion.

But despite the chaos in his head, the solution to this was simple.

‘…That bastard must die. No matter what it takes, by any means necessary.’

His charisma, his strategic mind.

His ability to design a trap so thoroughly that there was no escape.

If he were left alive, he would surely come back to haunt them later.

Even if it meant enduring public scorn for a while, they had to crush him now, before it was too late.

‘I’ll have to use Axion.’

He intended to teach him the harshness of the world through death.

Just as Ed’s eyes turned cold, sinking deep with resolve.

Smirk!

Theo, as if reading Ed’s thoughts perfectly, glanced his way and gave a small, mocking smile.

As if to say, “You think I don’t know what you’re planning?”

And.

As if asking, “Do you really think this is the end?”

‘No way…?’

A realization struck Ed, and his eyes widened as he snapped his head up.

At that exact moment.

「I always thought you were a quiet child, but who would’ve thought you were capable of such cunning tricks?」

A voice suddenly boomed, echoing across the ceiling.

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

Ed and the other four dragons instantly straightened their backs.

An immense aura, powerful enough to overwhelm all of them, struck the space where Theo stood like a thunderbolt!

Boom!

Rumble—

The entire Judgment Hall shook violently, as if it were about to collapse from the tremendous shockwave.

The solid marble floor caved in, and a cloud of dust quickly engulfed Theo.

“We greet the Head of the House!”

“We pay our respects to the heir of the Great Dragon!”

“We bow before the Lord of the Sword!”

“We honor the Master of the North!”

The four dragons all knelt on one knee, bowing their heads in unison toward the figure.

It was a solemn display of loyalty to their great master.

However.

Their lord, seemingly uninterested in the loyal greetings of his vassals, focused his attention entirely on one thing.

As the dust settled, a towering man—likely over 190 centimeters tall, with a muscular build and fierce eyes—was staring down at Theo.

“You don’t even flinch in my presence. You’ve changed quite a bit, my son.”

The man, Kyle Ragnar, smiled as if he found the situation amusing.

At that sight.

Ed felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

‘No way… Did he anticipate this too…?’

Theo’s expression remained calm, almost as if he had expected this all along.

* * *

‘I had my doubts, but here he is, just like I thought.’

Despite his composed exterior, Theo couldn’t help but smile bitterly inside as he watched Kyle curiously gaze at him.

‘In my past life, I longed to see him, but it was always so difficult.’

– Father.

To Theo, Kyle had always been a difficult figure.

No matter how much he wanted to grow close, like the fathers and sons of other families, the gap between them remained insurmountable.

Like a distant star in the night sky, unreachable.

Sometimes he admired him,

Other times he resented him,

And on occasion, he missed him.

And now, here he was, standing before him with an expression Theo had never seen in his previous life.

‘Focus. Now’s not the time for sentimentality.’

The momentary emotional stir quickly subsided.

Theo steadied his heart.

This was the first battle of many that would define his new life—a life full of wars.

And he had to win.

[You have successfully withstood the opponent’s fierce aura.]

[You have gained a small amount of experience points.]

Even just enduring Kyle’s overwhelming presence had earned Theo a small amount of experience points.

Thanks to this, a clever plan also came to mind.

“I, Theo Ragnar, an apprentice knight, pay my respects to the great incarnation of the Dragon God.”

Theo deliberately bowed a beat later than the other Nine Dragons.

This was to emphasize his presence to Kyle once more.

It also served to subtly assert to the other Nine Dragons that this position was rightfully his.

‘Father must understand what I’m doing.’

And sure enough.

Kyle smiled faintly and grabbed Theo by the shoulder, pulling him up immediately.

“What’s with this cold reaction between father and son? Come now, stand.”

His tone was gentle and smooth.

But Theo wasn’t deceived by it.

‘Father, more than anyone, takes the competition for power among his children seriously. He must’ve come here because he caught wind of my situation. So, I need to keep showing him my strength.’

As Theo knew, Kyle had only one concern.

– The prosperity of the House of Ragnar.

He had formed relationships with countless women, fathering nearly a hundred children.

He had led the family to its greatest golden age.

Even his pursuit of the pinnacle of swordsmanship, striving to become a demigod, was all for the purpose of spreading Ragnar’s greatness across the continent and the world.

Because of this, Kyle was always searching for an heir capable of continuing Ragnar’s legacy and expanding its glory.

He particularly enjoyed evaluating the potential of his younger children, those who hadn’t yet undergone the Blossoming Ceremony.

Just like now.

“I happened to be wandering nearby, and, by chance, I heard about your situation.”

No, he had probably been watching from the start.

“It seems you’re in quite the complicated position. May I ask whom you planned to have as your representative in the proxy battle?”

Theo didn’t miss the sharp gleam in Kyle’s eyes, like a predator eyeing its prey.

He knew exactly what answer Kyle wanted to hear.

So, instead, Theo tilted his head, pretending to be puzzled.

“Perhaps I’m too dull-witted, but I don’t quite understand what you mean, my lord.”

“I’m asking who will stand in for you during the appeal.”

“A representative to stand in for me? Where in the world would I find such a person?”

“…What?”

Kyle blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting that response.

“My voice is solely my own. Who in this world could possibly stand in my place? My sense of justice, my will, and my convictions are all mine.”

“And that means?”

“Yes. So, naturally, I intended to stand in the appeal hearing myself.”

“Then you’ll lose.”

“How can we know without trying?”

“They’ve all at least unlocked their magic power.”

“I may be forced to break, but I will never bend willingly.”

“What? Haha! Hahahaha!”

Kyle covered his face with his hand and burst into loud laughter.

Then, turning sharply toward the Nine Dragons, he smiled broadly.

“Did you all hear that? My son’s words? ‘I may break, but I will not bend!’ Could there be anything more fitting for a Ragnar to say?”

The Nine Dragons, still bowing their heads, remained silent.

Only Julius wore a faint, enigmatic smile.

Meanwhile, Ed and Wolfgang’s expressions had hardened.

“I must say, I like the stance you’re showing before this battle.”

Kyle turned back to Theo, placing his hand firmly on his shoulder.

Clench.

Theo’s shoulder ached from the pressure.

However, Kyle’s crimson eyes, gazing intently at him, shone more intensely than ever.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“However, my belief that it’s unfair for you, who hasn’t even undergone the Blossoming Ceremony and cannot yet be called a proper knight, to face the appeal as is remains unchanged.”

Theo’s eyes gleamed now.

He knew exactly what his father was about to do.

“Therefore, representing all of them, I, Kyle Ragnar, the Lord of Ragnar, shall now test you with a single strike.”

At that moment, the Nine Dragons gasped in shock and all raised their heads.

Each wore a face filled with disbelief.

“If you withstand it, I will clear you of all charges.”

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

It had been a long time since any of the Nine Dragons had seen Kyle show such favor to anyone, especially to his own child.

The expressions of the Mistress of Plum Blossom Palace and Wolfgang were ones of sheer astonishment, while Julius chuckled lightly, saying “Pfft” under his breath.

“Lord! This cannot be allowed!”

Ed stepped forward in a hurry, his voice filled with urgency.

‘I have to stop this at all costs! I can’t let that brat catch the Lord’s eye!’

Alarms were ringing in Ed’s head.

The moment Kyle began to take an interest in Theo, all of Ed’s plans to take over the Rose Palace would be ruined.

“Soaring Dragon.”

But Kyle, annoyed that one of his vassals dared to interrupt his rare moment of enthusiasm, shot Ed a disapproving look.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Who gave you permission to speak?”

Ed hurriedly bowed his head.

“My apologies, but I feared that vassals and subordinates might dare to question the bond between father and son…!”

“You think I, Kyle Ragnar, would be swayed by such trivial emotions?”

Hah!

Kyle let out a hollow laugh.

“If there are people who don’t trust me that much, what do you think I should do? Cast them out, of course.”

“Cast them out…? Do you mean…?”

“In Ragnar, that can only mean one thing, right?”

In that moment, Kyle’s crimson eyes glowed with a bloodthirsty gleam.

“Kill them.”

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

Even the other Nine Dragons, as well as Ed, instinctively straightened their backs in fear.

“Shall I share my personal thoughts? I actually believe that what this child said is correct.”

A heavy silence fell.

The oppressive atmosphere seemed to crush the very lungs of Ed and the other Nine Dragons.

This was already Kyle’s domain.

“Aren’t they all soldiers and vassals sworn to follow Ragnar? And yet they dare to tarnish their lord’s authority? If so, they should be trampled underfoot, so they can never do so again. Don’t you agree?”

“Your words are absolutely correct.”

“…The supreme ruler of Ragnar is you, my lord. We will follow your will.”

The Mistress of Plum Blossom Palace bowed her head, and Wolfgang, having no courage to challenge Kyle in the first place, quickly submitted.

Only Julius looked at Kyle with a faint, ambiguous smile.

“Do you have something to say, Black Dragon?”

“No, my lord. I just noticed that you seem to be in a rare good mood.”

“You’re speaking nonsense.”

Kyle let out a brief laugh and then turned his gaze back to Theo.

“What do you say? Will you do it?”

In response to Kyle’s question, Theo calmly shook his head.

“How could I compare the honor of receiving your blade to that of vassals or subordinates? It would be far too heavy for me.”

In that instant, Kyle’s expression darkened.

“Surely you’re not saying you won’t do it?”

“No, my lord. How could I, an apprentice knight, refuse your command?”

“Then?”

“I just wanted to point out that the terms aren’t fair.”

“Not fair…?”

Kyle’s expression shifted once again, intrigued.

Theo, with a slight smirk, lifted the corner of his mouth and spoke.

“Since the stakes have risen, shouldn’t the reward for the opposing side be just as significant?”

“Oh?”

“For example.”

Theo’s gaze slowly moved toward Ed.

“Like Camellia Palace.”