⚖ High Council of Nobles — Capital, Imperial Throne Hall
The sky outside bled red as the setting sun filtered through stained glass, casting crimson light across the vaulted chamber.
The air was sharp with tension. The Empire's most powerful houses—mages, generals, and aristocrats—sat coiled like snakes ready to strike.
At the center of it all stood Achilles Verentis, the boy they couldn't tame, the variable they couldn't predict.
His expression was unreadable. His eyes distant, calculating.
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🗣 The Debate: Kill, Cage, or Cast Out
Lord Fenrick's voice thundered across the hall, his knuckles white as they gripped his cane:
> "We should have executed him the moment he rewrote a Tier-Five spell without a chant!"
"He whispered with the Demonic Host—who's to say he's not already compromised?"
The chamber buzzed with agreement from some, wary glances from others.
Duchess Mirela, cool as winter, smirked behind her silk fan:
> "And waste such raw power?"
"The Eastern Border collapses with every moon—commanders fall like wheat before scythes."
"Why not let him bleed for the Empire?"
Another noble spat:
> "He's dangerous!"
"We can't leash him, but we can end him!"
The King—silent until now—spoke with finality, his voice carrying like iron across marble:
> "Execution risks martyrdom."
"Imprisonment invites rebellion."
"But exile to the front… there, only the strong survive."
"Let him prove his worth where the Empire truly bleeds."
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🗳 The Vote That Seals His Fate
Twelve tokens clattered into the ancient urn of judgment:
Execution: 2 votes
Confinement and control: 3 votes
Banishment to the Eastern Warfront—the frontline against the Demon Empire: 7 votes
It was decided.
The King stood, gaze hard as mountain stone:
> "Achilles Verentis, by order of this council and crown…"
"You are hereby sentenced to twenty years of service on the Eastern Warfront."
"You will take command of the 3rd Legion stationed along the border."
"Survive, and your crimes are erased."
"Die, and your name dies with you."
Hearing these words, Achilles stand cold in front of the councils. And.... Started laughing
menacingly.
"HAHAHAHAHA, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" He sighed, "You nobles aren't different from them." He was referring to politicians in his world.
"This is what you want? Fine! But remember this day. If I will ever come back alive, I will kill you all one by one!"
The nobles couldn't take his threats,
"How dare you threaten us!"
"You made a wrong statement boy! You just made your situation worst!"
"You will regret ever saying that!"
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💔 The Verentis Family's Final Stand
The chamber doors boomed open—Lord Darius Verentis, tall, broad-shouldered, a storm of fury in noble form, marched forward.
At his side, Lady Selene Verentis, radiant yet sharp-eyed, her expression a storm of grief and wrath.
Selene's voice cracked as she stepped toward Achilles:
> "You send my son to die beneath banners soaked in blood!"
"You cover cowardice with false duty!"
"The Eastern Border isn't exile—it's execution by attrition!"
Darius' voice rumbled like distant thunder:
> "You fear what you cannot control, so you offer him as fodder?"
"You will regret this short-sighted arrogance."
The King met his gaze without flinching:
> "Your house forgets itself."
"He survives, or he perishes. Either serves the Empire."
Darius' lips curled into a dangerous smile:
> "He will survive."
"And when he returns, you'll see the flaw in your design."
"Mark my words! All of you nobles, your arrogance and cowardice will lead to your downfall!"
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⚔ The Verentis Knights: Blood Never Marches Alone
Outside, as twilight consumed the capital, Achilles approached the waiting transport—a black, armored carriage reinforced with mana-forged steel.
Captain Kael Verentis, First Blade of House Verentis, bowed low, silver-plated armor gleaming in the dim light:
> "Young Lord, by your father's command, we ride with you."
"The Eastern Border is no place for lone lions."
"Twelve Verentis knights ride at your back. Elite. Loyal. Bound to you."
Achilles' eyes, cool and distant, softened for a breath:
> "If they ride for me, they ride for change."
Kael grinned, a wolf's expression beneath polished helm:
> "The border won't know what broke it."
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🌫 Departure to War
As wheels rolled over stone, Selene's tear-streaked face pressed to Achilles' chest for a final embrace:
> "Stay alive, my son."
"Outwit them. Rewrite their arrogance."
"Come home… We'll be waiting for you."
Darius clasped Achilles' shoulder, voice low and ironclad:
> "The border devours men. But it won't devour you."
"Break them. Rewrite them. Survive them."
The System pulsed in Achilles' mind:
>>> Border Deployment Confirmed
>>> Enemy Density: Critical
>>> Command Override Potential: High
>>> Directive: Rewrite the Warfront
Achilles exhaled softly, the faintest ghost of a smile.
> "The front won't devour me."
"Let them try."
The carriage vanished into the fog, twelve knights flanking him, the echo of his parents' love burning behind.
The Eastern Border awaited.
The war with the Demon Empire raged.
And Achilles Verentis rode not to survive…
…but to rewrite the battlefield itself.
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