He was trapped by a lack of proof. He feared the worst, that she might face a punishment far more severe than death. But without concrete evidence, his words would be hollow, potentially condemning the innocent. With a heavy heart, he decided to wait, to gather the truth before speaking. He would only act when his conviction was backed by irrefutable evidence.
That night, Beatrice, seeing the turmoil on everyone's faces, commanded them to seek rest in the south wing of the castle. Her word was law. Her family, filled with a mix of unease and trust, followed her command and sought refuge there.
The next morning, news of a palace intruder had swept through the kingdom. A formidable foe had entered and left unscathed, a feat that sent whispers of fear rippling through the land. Yet, none knew the true nature of the intruder—that it was a dragon, an ancient beast of legend, a harbinger of a danger far greater than any mortal could comprehend. The danger was not merely approaching; it was already here.
When the royal family heard the full truth, their faces twisted with a mixture of anger and profound dread. Dragons were creatures from myth, a species so powerful that their existence was said to be a threat to the gods themselves. Their immense, near-limitless magical power, their unique cores, and their hides—as thick and impenetrable as adamantine—could withstand the impact of a falling star without so much as a scratch. The very thought of such a creature roaming their lands was enough to chill them to the bone.
In her private chambers, Beatrice, a vision in a flowing white gown, settled onto her grand, high-backed throne-like chair. Her family stood at the foot of the stairs leading to her seat, a silent, anxious crowd.
She spoke, her voice calm and authoritative, cutting through their fear. "Dismiss your worries. This matter is not yours to bear. I will handle this in counsel with the other Kings. Your duty is to remain peaceful. Continue your daily affairs as if nothing has changed. And those attending the upcoming ceremony, compose yourselves. Do not allow this to break your spirit or your resolve. You have my word."
With a final, regal glance, Beatrice rose and exited the room. A simple white carriage awaited her, pulled by a lone horse. It carried her to a desolate plain where a single, ancient shack stood, its timbers weathered and splintered. She entered the humble building, and inside, a portal of swirling arcane energy pulsed with a soft, ethereal light.
From her palm, a white glow emanated, revealing a dark mark in the shape of a man wielding a sword. She pressed her hand to the portal's surface. In an instant, she was gone.
She reappeared in a massive, breathtaking palace of otherworldly splendor. Pillars of pure gold held up ceilings adorned with glittering crystals. The air itself hummed with a powerful, refined spiritual energy. At the entrance to a great hall stood two guards, their black suits accentuating their formidable auras. They were Tier 4 Ascendants, cultivators of immense power, and they bowed deeply to Beatrice.
"Rise," she commanded, her voice echoing softly. She walked past them and entered a great chamber. Seven grand chairs of black crystal were arranged in a semicircle, with an eighth, truly terrifying seat of power at the top of a short staircase.
The seats were occupied by powerful rulers:
Raphael Vennis, the Elf Queen, a graceful figure in a resplendent red gown, her pointed ears a sign of her ancient lineage.
King Borin Stonehand, the Dwarf King, who seemed no bigger than a child yet radiated an aura of unyielding strength.
Basalt Adamantus, the Golem King, his body a living mass of hardened rock.
King Solus and Queen Rhyolite, the rulers of the Elemental Spirits, whose forms flickered between solid human shapes and shimmering, intangible energies.
King Nullus, the Void Render King, a master of the darkest arts, who wore a violet suit and moved like a shadow.
King Nullus rose from his seat as soon as Beatrice entered. "You've not changed at all since our last meeting, have you?" she said, a hint of a smile on her face.
"Thirty years is but a moment for us," he replied.
Beatrice took her seat in the seventh chair, her eyes falling on the empty, terrifying throne at the front of the room. "Is the King not joining us today?" she asked.
"He is not," King Nullus answered. "We shall begin without him. Now, tell us what happened at your castle yesterday."
Beatrice recounted the tale. When she finished, King Borin's voice rumbled with speculation. "So, you believe the 'Minlin Yue' was merely a Tier 2 magic user, controlling the beast?"
Beatrice nodded. "It is my assessment."
Just then, the chamber's doors swung open. A figure cloaked in black robes entered. The air grew heavy, and a suffocating pressure filled the room. Every king and queen, regardless of their immense power, immediately rose and knelt, bowing their heads in reverence.
The figure, a man of striking handsomeness, simply smiled as he ascended the steps to the great black chair. A wave of crushing spiritual pressure radiated from him, forcing even the most powerful of them to the ground. This was the true ruler, the legendary Tier 1 Vein Sovereign.
This was King Rexus, the Enlightened King.