The council hall of the Aurelius Empire was one of the grandest structures in the capital. White pillars carved with ancient runes towered overhead, supporting a ceiling painted with the deeds of past emperors. The throne—magnificent, golden, and intimidating—stood at the far end.
Today, it was filled with tension.
Knights lined the walls. Ministers whispered nervously. Nobles shifted in their seats like unsettled birds.
Because the emperor's youngest son had not arrived yet.
At the center of the room sat Emperor Valerian Aurelius, a man of towering presence. Broad-shouldered, silver-haired, his deep blue eyes held sharpness that could silence an army. Though he was called the strongest ruler in the world, even he seemed weary this morning.
Beside him sat Queen Amara, gentle and elegant, a serene smile constantly gracing her features. Her kindness was legendary.
In front of them stood seven other figures:
The Seven Swords of Aurelius.
Sohag's elder brothers and sisters.
Each one a prodigy.
Each one a hero.
Each one someone the world knew by name.
---
The First Sword: Helena Aurelius
Tall, armored, and lethal. The strongest knight in the empire.
The Second Sword: Darius Aurelius
A cunning strategist, famed for winning impossible wars.
The Third Sword: Lilianne Aurelius
The empire's greatest mage, with hundreds of spells at her fingertips.
The Fourth Sword: Adrian Aurelius
A charismatic diplomat and genius swordsman.
The Fifth Sword: Reina Aurelius
A battle healer who could resurrect soldiers with near-divine magic.
The Sixth Sword: Serena Aurelius
Commander of the air forces, master of gryphons and sky beasts.
The Seventh Sword: Diana Aurelius
A fierce archer whose arrows were said to never miss.
They stood in neat formation, perfect examples of nobles and warriors.
Except for one glaring absence.
Helena crossed her arms. "He should have been here ten minutes ago."
Adrian smirked. "Come now, Helena. Little Sohag is delicate. He probably needs his royal beauty sleep."
Helena shot him a glare.
Lilianne adjusted her glasses. "Actually, considering the magical fluctuations we felt earlier… he might have just gotten even stronger."
The hall grew silent.
Because it was true.
Every Sword had sensed it—a ripple of power so overwhelming that even legendary mages had trembled. An unnatural shift in mana that seemed to originate from Sohag's wing of the palace.
And he had been… asleep.
Queen Amara coughed lightly to break the tension. "I'm sure Sohag will arrive soon. Let us be patient."
Emperor Valerian, however, was not as calm.
He took a deep breath.
"Bring him in the moment he awakens," he ordered.
As if summoned by fate—
The enormous double doors of the council hall opened slowly, sunlight spilling into the room.
Every head turned.
Sohag walked in.
Slow steps. Calm face. Hair slightly messy. Eyes half-open as if he had just woken up from the deepest sleep in history.
Behind him, Lyra followed with a bright, innocent smile.
The moment Sohag stepped forward, the entire hall felt… lighter. The atmosphere softened. The torches flickered with unnatural brilliance. Even the air carried a quiet warmth.
He wasn't trying to do anything.
It was simply his presence.
"Ah… there you are," Emperor Valerian muttered, rubbing his forehead.
Helena's stern expression melted slightly.
Lilianne's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Adrian's smirk faltered.
Princess Diana nearly dropped her bow.
Even some ministers blushed, shocked by how unreasonably handsome the prince looked with zero effort.
Lyra took a protective step behind Sohag, staring daggers at every woman within sight.
Sohag stood in silence before the throne, saying nothing.
Valerian cleared his throat.
"Sohag. Do you know why we summoned all princes and princesses today?"
Sohag blinked once.
"…No."
Lyra pressed a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. The emperor sighed so heavily that half the nobles flinched.
"We are preparing for a political expedition to the neighboring kingdoms," the emperor explained. "Your siblings will represent the empire's might. You, Sohag, will represent its goodwill."
Sohag nodded once.
The emperor paused.
"…You do not wish to ask questions?"
Sohag shook his head.
Darius whispered to Helena, "Does he ever talk?"
"No," Helena muttered. "But I've never seen him make a mistake either."
The emperor continued, "Each of your siblings has risen to their position through hard work and talent. But you—"
He hesitated.
The room grew silent.
Even the Seven Swords leaned forward slightly.
Because the emperor had never addressed Sohag this formally before.
Valerian's voice softened.
"—you have power that surpasses even my understanding. And yet, you never use it. You do nothing."
Sohag stared blankly.
Valerian cleared his throat again.
"I mean this positively. Somehow."
Dead silence.
Reina giggled behind her hand.
Lilianne wrote notes rapidly.
Lyra's eyes glittered with pride.
Helena rubbed her temples.
The emperor continued, "…Regardless, you will join this expedition. It is time the world saw the youngest prince of Aurelius."
Sohag said nothing.
The queen smiled gently. "Sohag, dear, are you comfortable with that?"
He nodded once.
That was enough.
The queen clapped happily.
The emperor relaxed slightly.
The Seven Swords exchanged glances.
Darius smirked. "Well, the little prince is coming with us. This mission won't be boring after all."
Helena frowned. "We must protect him—"
"No need," Lilianne interrupted, pushing her glasses up. "He's already stronger than all of us combined."
Helena closed her mouth.
Lyra beamed proudly.
The emperor raised an eyebrow. "Sohag, you will depart at dawn tomorrow. For now, you may prepare."
Sohag nodded.
He turned and quietly walked toward the door.
Everyone watched him go.
But just before he left—
A court mage sprinted into the hall, breathless and pale.
"Y-Your Majesty! Emergency mana report!"
The emperor frowned. "Speak."
The mage pointed directly at Sohag.
"The magical measuring crystal in the tower just shattered!
It couldn't handle the surge coming from the prince!
And he was nowhere near it!"
Everyone went silent.
All eyes turned to Sohag—who paused mid-step, blinking slowly as if he had no idea what they were talking about.
Lyra's smile widened.
The emperor's jaw dropped.
The Seven Swords stared in disbelief.
And Sohag…
…continued walking quietly out of the room as if nothing unusual had happened at all.