The chamber roared.
Nobles shouted over one another, voices echoing off marble walls. Some called for his purge. Others whispered miracle. All eyes were knives, aimed at Red where he stood beneath the banners of the Sunantler.
[Quest Objective: Convince the Council]Failure = Execution by Purge.
Spy's Mind pulsed alive.
Fragments of thought flooded in, louder than the shouting.
"He reeks of corruption.""If he is truly Alzein, then Lady Corna is right. He could stabilize us.""This witch beside him—burn her first.""Cerana would make a fine queen if he survives long enough to wed her."
[Spy's Mind: Level 1 → Progress 4/10]
Every thought was a weakness. Every whisper was leverage.
Red catalogued them like positions on a battlefield. The noble who spat "corruption" clutched his armrest hard enough to whiten his knuckles — fragile spine, easy to crack. The woman whispering to her husband leaned forward, ambition sharper than fear — an opportunist. Another stared with trembling devotion, the kind that could be swayed with one promise of hope.
The tide was against Lumiaris. Every glance in her direction brimmed with hate.
"The stars themselves marked his return," she had said — and the nobles had turned on her instantly.
"You dare speak, witch?" one snarled. "Dark blood, void magic, Maguina filth. Remove her before she corrupts the chamber!"
Shouts rose. "Remove her!" "Corruption!" "Outsider!"
Spy's Mind flickered red.
"If we purge them both now, Arleina will be safe."
[Spy's Mind: Progress 5/10]
Red's gaze lingered on the speaker — a lord with trembling hands hiding his fear behind anger. Weak spine. Easily swayed.
The doors slammed open.
"Enough."
Glade strode in, axe and shield on his back, armor catching the golden light. His gray eyes locked on the council like iron.
"You would interrogate him the moment he wakes?" His voice carried like a command. "You would drag a man from the edge of death and question him like a criminal? He fought in Sylph's Valley. He bled there for you. Show him the respect he is owed."
Gasps broke the shouts. Some nobles bristled, but others faltered.
[Spy's Mind: Intent Shift Detected]Council Hesitation +6%Progress 6/10
Another figure stepped forward.
Brayl.
Her aquamarine eyes cut through the noise as she bowed low. "It was I. I dragged Prince Alzein's body from the valley. I carried him to Lumiaris. I begged her to bring him back."
The chamber erupted again.
"You admit to consorting with void magic?""Agualeen loyalty means nothing here!""Dark allies, tainted blood!"
Brayl's jaw trembled, but her voice did not break. "I would rather consort with darkness than watch the Light's heir rot in the mud. He lives because of her. Because of us."
Lumiaris flinched at the word "us," but Brayl pressed on. "If you condemn him, then condemn me as well. For it was my choice. My plea. My sin."
Red's eyes narrowed.
Spy's Mind flared.
"The Agualeen girl is reckless but brave.""If she falls, the prince loses his shield.""Better to keep her alive. A pawn can be useful."
[Spy's Mind: Level 1 → Progress 8/10]
The council wavered. Some nobles looked furious while others softened, unwilling to strike down one of their own.
Lady Corna rose, perfume drifting like smoke. Cerana stood beside her, gaze fixed on Red with dangerous poise.
"My lords, my ladies," Lady Corna said smoothly, "enough of this chaos. If the prince has indeed returned, let him prove it. A man is measured not by survival, but by what he does after."
Spy's Mind pulsed.
"If I tie my daughter to him, my house inherits his crown."
Red studied her carefully. A viper with honeyed words. The kind that slipped a dagger between your ribs while kissing your hand. He had encountered plenty like her in his old world.
[Spy's Mind: Level 1 → Progress 9/10]
The herald lifted his staff, pounding the marble. "The council will now cast its vote. Shall Prince Alzein be restored to grace, or purged as corruption?"
Hands lifted. Voices clashed. Factions leaned together, whispering, bargaining even as they shouted. Half the chamber saw a savior. Half saw a threat. The rest saw opportunity.
The system pulsed again.
[Quest Updated: Survive Arleina Council Vote]Timer: 00:12:00
Twelve minutes?
Red's crimson eyes narrowed. It's now or never.
He stepped forward, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"I'm tired of this farce. Who wants proof?"
The chamber stilled, attention snapping back to him.
Spy's Mind surged again.
"He's bluffing.""If he falters, strike him down.""Listen. His eyes… they burn like Alzein's did."
[Spy's Mind: Level Up! → Level 2 Unlocked]New Effect: Surface thoughts clearer. Ability to target individuals.
Red let silence stretch just long enough before he spoke again.
"You saw me fall at Sylph's Valley. And yet, I stand. Does that frighten you? Or does it anger you that death could not claim me?"
Murmurs rippled. Doubt cracked into curiosity.
A noble sneered. "Empty words. You could be a Hollowbeast in Alzein's skin."
Red's smile sharpened. "Then strike me. If you believe me hollowbeast or whatever then put a blade in my chest and see what bleeds."
Shock. Murmurs. Even those who hated him hesitated.
[Charisma Check: Success]Council Hesitation +18%Progress 2/20
Spy's Mind whispered, clearer now.
"He speaks boldly… perhaps too boldly.""Could he truly be Alzein?""If he survives one trial, I will yield."
Red caught the threads and pulled.
"You waste breath shouting. If you want a corpse, bury me now. But if you want a blade, then let me fight for you. While you argue, our borders are burning. Soldiers are dying while you sit here weighing if I breathe or not. Tell me—what serves this kingdom more? My death, or my spear?"
The system chimed.
[Critical Success: Argument Accepted by Faction Heads]Council Hesitation +40%Progress 7/20
The nobles wavered. Rage gave way to unease. Some leaned forward, seeing usefulness. Others leaned back, sensing danger. And in between, hunger gleamed — for power, for alliance, for the crown that might shift if this prince proved real.
Lady Corna's smile deepened. Cerana tilted her head, studying him like a toy that had changed its functions.
The herald pounded his staff again. "The vote will proceed—"
The system timer flashed.
[Quest Timer: 00:10:00]
Red's crimson eyes glinted. His smile lingered as he met Cerana's gaze across the chamber.
If they wanted a spectacle, he would give them one.