Boom! Boom! Boom!
The resounding drumbeats echoed endlessly, marking the beginning of the succession ceremony.

Despite the lengthy preparations, the ceremony itself was relatively simple. Theo would ride from the patriarch’s manor to the central square in a triumphant procession.

Once there, he would ascend the stage and receive Caliburn, the sword symbolizing the lordship of Ragnar, from Black Dragon—the eldest among the family.

As a result, Caliburn had temporarily been entrusted to Black Dragon’s safekeeping.

However, the journey from the manor to the square was not without its risks.

The Final Trial

The journey carried a symbolic challenge: …