"......"

"......"

"......"

"......"

A deep silence hung in the air for a moment.

But each person's reaction differed.

The Plum Blossom Lord quietly observed Theo,

Yulius let out a scoffing sound,

Ed had a strange smile on his face.

And then—

Bang!

Wolfgang slammed the table and stood up angrily.

"The voice of the sword speaks the truth? Ha! Do you really think you can handle all those forces alone, you little brat?!"

The fierce intensity in the room was enough to make even seasoned swordmasters feel small.

Yet Theo, either unaffected or unfeeling, remained impassive.

"Isn’t that something for me to handle myself?"

"What?"

"And, as I understand, when there's a significant power difference in appeals, the review is conducted as a proxy duel, isn't it?"

"......!"

Wolfgang’s face froze as he grasped Theo's intention.

If a proxy duel were indeed called, they’d have to regard Theo as a "faction" of his own.

Meaning someone could fight on Theo's behalf.

And if that someone were Evelyn, who had assisted Theo?

Even with one arm lost, she was still a top-grade swordmaster.

If she joined the fray, the outcome could be unpredictable.

'Or maybe even the Black Dragon himself would step in…!'

Wolfgang glanced at Yulius.

Yulius was now observing Theo with a look of unfathomable depth.

He knew how much Yulius cared for Evelyn.

And he knew Yulius held a deep interest in Theo.

After all, the only reason he’d accepted Ed’s request in the first place was to trouble Yulius, wasn’t it?

But if Yulius chose to back Theo here…

That would be a worst-case scenario.

No faction would want to oppose the Black Dragon.

And even if Yulius didn’t get involved, it was still a problem.

By law, the appeal trial must be held publicly.

This meant it would attract significant attention.

Now, imagine—fifteen factions mobilizing representatives to capture one mere bastard?

How would they withstand the ridicule and scorn that would ensue?

Swordmasters were supposed to live with honor and pride.

Dragging that honor and pride through the mud like this…

It was bound to spark resentment among the fifteen factions toward Wolfgang, who orchestrated it.

And word would spread quickly that the Senate's leader was behind this fiasco.

'He's trapped me!'

Unknowingly, Wolfgang clenched his fists.

Desperately trying to flip the situation, he turned to Ed—

'This kid is a snake.'

Ed also seemed displeased, even unsettled, by the turn of events.

He had, after all, spotted a secondary trap that Wolfgang hadn’t.

'He’s framing the perception that the Camellia Palace is oppressing him? And he wants to be seen as a hero to the common folk?'

After the appeal, two images would stick to Theo.

—A bastard who fought righteously against oppression.

And…

—A proud heir of Ragnar, unyielding to his lineage.

The lower ranks, usually voiceless under the thumb of major powers, would love this image, wouldn’t they?

Even if Theo lost the appeal, he wouldn't actually lose.

The sympathy would still tilt toward him.

Theo intended to use this opportunity to boost his name, gather followers, and build his base.

Meanwhile, Ed and Wolfgang had only losses to suffer.

‘How does he know the appeal rules so intricately?’

Conflicts in Winter usually followed the allegiance of factions or cliques, so he hadn’t expected this.

But Theo had struck precisely where the flaw was hidden.

Straight at the weak point.

"......"

Despite Wolfgang’s persistent nudges, Ed remained silent, deep in thought.

His mind was a whirlwind.

But he knew what decision he had to make.

'...This kid has to die. At any cost.'

This audacity, this cunning.

The ability to weave a trap they couldn’t escape.

Left alive, this brat would be a thorn in his side forever.

Even if it meant a temporary storm of public backlash, he had to crush this potential threat.

'I'll send Axion after him.'

It was time to teach him the fear of death.

As Ed’s eyes darkened with cold resolve—

Theo glanced in his direction and let out a light chuckle.

As if to say he already knew what Ed was thinking.

And—

—As if to imply, "You really think this is the end?"

‘Could it be…?’

Ed's eyes widened as he realized something.

Just then—

A booming voice echoed from above.

“I always thought you were a quiet child. Who would’ve thought you’d pull off something so sly?”

The words resounded like thunder through the chamber ceiling.

"......!"

"......!"

"......!"

"......!"

All four Dragons instinctively straightened.

A force so powerful it even overwhelmed them came crashing down on Theo's position!

Bang!

Rumble—

The whole council chamber shook from the impact.

Dust billowed, enveloping Theo completely as the marble floor sank beneath him.

"We greet the Patriarch!"

"We pay respects to the Heir of the Dragon!"

"We revere the Master of the Sword!"

"We honor the Lord of the North!"

The four Dragons knelt, each on one knee, their heads bowed in deep reverence.

Their display of loyalty and respect was absolute.

However…

Their master seemed uninterested in his loyal servants' greeting, fixated on one spot.

Where the dust had cleared.

A man, towering around 190 centimeters, with a robust frame and a fierce gaze, looked down at Theo.

"Not a trace of tension in you even when faced with me. My, how much you’ve changed, my son."

The man, Kyle Ragnar, chuckled in amusement.

Watching this scene—

Ed felt a chill run down his spine.

‘Could it be… did he anticipate even this…?’

Theo’s expression was utterly calm as he gazed at the Patriarch.

Almost as if he expected this.

* * *

‘So he really showed up… as I thought he might.’

Contrary to his calm exterior—

Theo was inwardly smiling bitterly as he met Kyle’s interested gaze.

‘I wanted to see him so much in my past life, but he was so hard to reach.’

—Father.

To Theo, Kyle had always been a difficult figure.

Someone he wanted to grow closer to but could never reach, like a distant star in the night sky.

Sometimes he admired him,

other times he resented him,

and sometimes, he missed him.

Now that man stood right before him with an expression Theo had never seen in his past life.

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

Theo steadied himself quickly.

This was the first battle in a life destined for countless wars.

He had to win.

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

[You gain a small amount of experience.]

Even with just enduring Kyle’s pressure, Theo earned a slight gain in experience.

And a new strategy came to mind.

“Apprentice swordsman Theo Ragnar greets the manifestation of the great Dragon God.”

Theo purposely knelt a beat later than the other Nine Dragons.

To make his presence more distinct in Kyle’s mind.

And to show the Nine Dragons that this place was his.

‘Father will understand this too.’

Sure enough—

Kyle gave a faint smile, placing his hand on Theo’s shoulder, pulling him up immediately.

“What’s with the formality? Get up, my son.”

A soft-spoken tone.

But Theo wasn’t fooled.

‘Father is more serious about the competition between his children than anyone else. He’s here because he’s somehow caught wind of my story. I have to keep showing him my strength.’

To Kyle, only one thing mattered.

—The prosperity of the clan.

Having sired nearly a hundred children with countless women,

leading the clan to its golden age,

and even pursuing the pinnacle of swordsmanship, aiming to become a demi-god.

All for spreading Ragnar’s glory across the continent and the world.

So Kyle was always searching for an heir who could continue this legacy.

Especially fond of assessing the character of his young, unbloomed children.

Just as he was now.

“I happened to be out on a walk nearby and, by coincidence, heard about your situation.”

No.

He must have been watching from the start.

“Your current circumstances seem quite complicated. May I ask who you intended to nominate for the proxy duel?”

Theo noted Kyle’s eyes narrowing, like a predator sizing up prey.

He knew what his father wanted to hear.

So he cocked his head as if puzzled.

“Forgive me, but I don’t understand, Patriarch.”

“I asked who you would have represent you in the appeal.”

“Someone to represent me? Is there such a person in this world?”

“What?”

Caught off guard, Kyle blinked.

“My voice belongs to me alone. Who in this world could stand in my place? My justice, my will, my convictions—each one is mine.”

“What does that mean?”

“Yes, so naturally, I intend to appear in the appeal myself.”

“Then you will lose.”

“How can you know without trying?”

“They’ve all at least opened their mana flow.”

“I’d rather be broken than bend.”

“What? Hahaha! Hahahahaha!”

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

Then he turned to the Nine Dragons and grinned.

“Did you hear that? My son said he’d rather be broken than bend! What could be more fitting for a Ragnar!”

The Nine Dragons, their heads bowed, remained silent.

Only Yulius had a slight smile.

In contrast, Ed and Wolfgang’s expressions hardened.

“Your resolve pleases me greatly.”

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

Gripping tightly

.

It hurt.

But Kyle’s vivid crimson eyes sparkled with intense satisfaction.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“However, I still believe it unfair for you to face this appeal without a Blooming Ceremony. As it is, you can’t be considered a proper swordsman.”

Theo’s eyes glimmered.

He understood what his father was implying.

“Therefore, I, Kyle Ragnar, master of Ragnar, will test you with a single strike, representing all of them.”

At that moment, the Nine Dragons, startled, raised their heads in shock.

All were in disbelief.

“Withstand this blow. If you do, I will absolve you of all accusations.”

"......!"

"......!"

"......!"

For the Nine Dragons, it had been a long time since they’d seen Kyle protect someone, especially a young one, like this.

This left the Plum Blossom Lord and Wolfgang visibly shaken, and Yulius let out a soft chuckle.

“Patriarch! This cannot happen!”

Ed stepped forward urgently.

‘At all costs, I must stop this brat from gaining favor in the Patriarch's eyes!’

His mind was ringing alarm bells.

If Kyle began to take notice of Theo, his entire scheme to seize the Camellia Palace would crumble.

“Angry Dragon.”

“Yes, Patriarch.”

“Who allowed you to speak?”

Ed quickly bowed his head.

“I apologize, but I feared for the honor and bonds between a master and his soldiers…”

“Do you take me, Kyle Ragnar, as a man swayed by mere bonds?”

Ha!

Kyle snorted.

“If there are such distrustful men among you, what can I do? I’ll simply discard them.”

“Discard, you say?”

“Isn’t that term clear in Ragnar?”

Kyle’s crimson eyes gleamed, tinged with bloodlust.

“I’ll kill them.”

"......!"

"......!"

"......!"

The other Nine Dragons and Ed instinctively stiffened.

“A personal evaluation, perhaps? In truth, I believe the boy is right.”

A heavy silence settled over the room.

The tense air seemed to squeeze the lungs of the Nine Dragons and Ed alike.

This was Kyle’s domain now.

“Aren't they soldiers bound to follow Ragnar, their lord and master? Yet they seek to tarnish the master’s authority? Then, I’ll crush them. So they never attempt it again. Am I wrong?”

“Absolutely right, Patriarch.”

“…You are the supreme leader of Ragnar. As you wish.”

The Plum Blossom Lord bowed her head, and Wolfgang, never daring to challenge Kyle, conceded.

Only Yulius looked at Kyle with a subtle smile.

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

“No, only that you seem quite spirited, Patriarch.”

“Nonsense.”

Kyle chuckled slightly, turning back to Theo.

“Well? Will you?”

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

“How could I compare your single strike with those of vassals or soldiers? It is far too heavy for me.”

Kyle’s expression cooled instantly.

“You’re not saying you can’t handle it, are you?”

“Of course not. How could an apprentice swordsman refuse his lord’s command?”

“Then?”

“I simply meant that it is unbalanced.”

“Unbalanced, you say…?”

What could he mean?

Kyle’s expression shifted curiously.

Theo raised one corner of his mouth in a faint smirk.

“The stakes have risen, so the reward on the other side should also increase, should it not?”

“Oh?”

Theo’s gaze turned toward Ed.

“The Camellia Palace, for example.”