The duke's office fell into silence for a long moment after Selena's words. Jacob sat frozen, his hands trembling slightly over the pile of reports. Then, with a sudden roar of emotion, he slammed his fist against the heavy oak desk.
The sound thundered through the chamber.
"Are you in your right mind, Roman?!" Jacob's voice was deep, carrying both rage and disbelief. "Do you even know what you're saying? You're talking about Noah Rockson—the strongest duke in this kingdom. Strong, cunning, and with more ties in the royal circle than any of us could ever dream of. Do you think you can challenge him without consequences?"
His eyes burned with intensity as he continued, "It is an unwritten rule of our kingdom: anyone who dares to move against Ephor Dukedom is challenging the royal family itself. Do not forget that!"
Selena nodded, her expression grim. She leaned forward, voice sharp yet worried.
"Roman, you may have managed to corner him once before during our compensation talks, but this is different. Overpowering him in words or in a duel is one thing—but threatening his very position is another. It shakes the very foundation of the kingdom. We cannot force his hand directly. We cannot risk it."
Roman sat quietly, letting their anger wash over him. His calmness only seemed to irritate Jacob further.
Finally, he spoke. "Allen stays. Everyone else, leave us."
The officers and heads of staff exchanged uncertain looks but obeyed, filing out one by one until only Jacob, Selena, Roman, and Captain Allen remained in the office.
Roman looked at his father and sister. "Is it over? Or do you still want to say more?"
Jacob's eyes narrowed. "Do you think this is some sort of joke? Speak carefully, boy."
Roman raised a hand gently. "Relax, Father. You take too much tension. Sit back, and I will explain everything. If, after that, you still think I am reckless, I will drop my plans here and now. But I want silence until I finish."
Jacob exhaled sharply, forcing his rage down. "Fine. Explain yourself thoroughly. Convince me, if you can."
Roman leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. His gaze was steady, and when he spoke, his voice carried no hesitation.
"Do you know which dukedom is at its weakest right now? Not Presia. Not the smaller counties. It is the so-called strongest—Ephor Dukedom."
Jacob and Selena both stiffened at his words.
Roman continued, "Without anyone's knowledge, I sent a small group of trusted knights disguised as refugees into Ephor. For the past three nights, I've been receiving their reports."
He lowered his tone, each word deliberate.
"One-third of Ephor's knighthood has been lost to the dungeon breakout. Brave men fought, sacrificed themselves… but it was all for nothing. And where was their great duke, Noah Rockson, during the chaos? Hiding. He locked himself in the palace's safe chamber, issuing orders from within those walls—ordering his men to save only the wealthy merchants and their shops. Ordinary people were abandoned. Entire families died screaming, while the rich were escorted to safety."
Selena's hands tightened into fists. Even Allen's jaw clenched, his knuckles white against the hilt of his sword.
Roman's eyes hardened. "The only reason Ephor was saved at all was because of Ezra Violet, the holy paladin sent by the Empire of Arcania. She destroyed the monsters where Noah refused to act. But the cost? Thousands dead. Families broken. The Empire is furious, demanding answers for Ephor's corruption and cruelty. And when King Augustus Nova returns, this matter will not be brushed aside."
He let that hang in the air before pressing forward.
"As it stands, Ephor is hell on earth. Shops hoard food. Merchants charge impossible prices. Families who cannot pay are thrown into the streets. Riots have already begun—merchants' homes are being burned, and in response, Noah has ordered his knights to butcher civilians, torture leaders, burn families alive, and hang severed heads as warnings in the main streets."
Selena's face paled. "That… that monster…"
Roman's tone sharpened. "And that is precisely why we must act."
Jacob's glare cut into him. "And your plan? To wage open war? To drag Presia into ruin?"
Roman shook his head. "No. We don't need war. We need revolution."
Allen's eyes gleamed at the word. Roman continued.
"We will send twenty to thirty of our knights, disguised as commoners, to mingle among Ephor's suffering people. They will not fight—they will listen. They will guide. They will fan the flames of rebellion already brewing. When the riots grow strong enough, our assassins and mages will strike. Key officials, court allies, and Noah's strongest supporters will be eliminated overnight. By morning, the network of power that shields Noah will be nothing but ash."
He leaned forward, voice lowering to a deadly whisper.
"And then, with Captain Allen at my side, I will lead a battalion in the name of justice and stability. We will march not as conquerors, but as liberators. Noah Rockson will be declared a criminal against the people, and Ephor will be brought under our rule. Not through open war—but through the will of the very people he abandoned."
Silence followed.
Jacob's fists clenched, his face hard to read. At last, he spoke through gritted teeth.
"Your planning is… impressive. But dangerous. Far too dangerous."
Selena slammed her hand against the desk, eyes flashing with tears.
"Roman! Do you even hear yourself? You speak of assassination, of riots, of blood in the streets—do you realize how far this strays from the values Mother wanted for you? From her last wish?"
Roman lowered his eyes for a moment, but his voice did not falter.
"I do. But sometimes peace must be forged in fire. If this path fails, I swear I will never interfere in the dukedom's affairs again."
Allen stepped forward, striking his chest with his fist. "My lord, give the word, and I will see it done. Noah's time is over."
Jacob looked between his son, his daughter, and his knight. His heart warred within him—between his duty as duke, his fear as a father, and the strange, unsettling pride at the man Roman was becoming.
Finally, he exhaled.
"…I will not stop you. But hear me, Roman—you will bear the full responsibility. If you fail, Presia will not bleed for your mistakes. You alone will answer for them."
Roman nodded firmly. "That is enough, Father."
Far beneath the castle, where no mortal ear could reach, a low voice chuckled in the darkness.
"So… the Warherald shows his cunning. How delightful. I cannot wait to see how far you'll go, child of Presia…"
The sound faded into silence, leaving only the ominous weight of fate pressing ever tighter on the dukedom.