The grand meeting hall of Clover Kingdom echoed with the low murmurs of nobles, but as the king raised his hand, silence fell like a curtain. Sion stood tall among the sea of influential figures—noble blood, centuries of lineage, and political power surrounding him—yet none dared meet his eyes for long. His presence was no longer just feared; it was beginning to become revered.
The official meeting resumed with a focus on the newly annexed Leaf Dukedom. A series of reforms were proposed and quickly passed under the King's authority. The first and foremost was the integration of the Leaf Dukedom's crest into the royal archives and seals, signifying its rightful inclusion into the Clover Kingdom. Secondly, the strategic trade routes between the Sidom Kingdom and Clover were finalized—routes that would run directly through Leaf, giving it the power to control a new lifeline of commerce and political leverage.
However, tension loomed. The Leaf Dukedom shared a volatile border with the Spade Kingdom and brushed the territories of the Bethel Empire. This geographic exposure raised alarms within the kingdom's border forces, and the urgency of fortification and governance became apparent.
A vote was conducted—formal but tense. Some nobles voiced hesitation in entrusting Sion with complete administrative and military command over Leaf's sensitive border. Yet their resistance crumbled beneath the weight of reality. The King himself backed Sion, and the nobility, wary of inviting conflict or appearing disloyal, gave their assent. Reluctantly or not, Sion was granted full control over the Leaf Dukedom—military, economic, and diplomatic. A powerful move sealed under royal decree.
As the general noble meeting concluded, the King quietly motioned for a select few to remain behind.
The chamber emptied, save for six individuals—Sion, Duke John, Duke Jonathan, Duke Albert of Mania Dukedom, Duke Jacob of Serin Dukedom, and Count Abraham of Savio County. The air shifted, growing heavier as the guards sealed the hall behind them. This was no longer a political session; this was a war council in disguise.
The King's expression turned cold. "We are not fools. The traitors within the Avalon Merchant Guild were merely one head of a hydra. Many still walk among us, hidden in plain sight."
Eyes turned to Sion. The young Duke stood unflinching. "Name them," he said simply. "I'm ready."
King Nathan nodded. "We will begin the next phase. No more waiting. No more mercy."
A storm was brewing—not from outside kingdoms—but from within. And the silent gears of power had begun to turn under Sion's steady hand.