The dawn of the royal hearing arrived beneath a sky painted gold and crimson. The banners of every noble house flapped in the wind like restless spirits. The roads to the capital, Ardentis, were filled with travelers, merchants, and curious citizens drawn by rumor — the rumor that a city built by outcasts dared to challenge the nobles of the continent.
Inside the manor of REF, Kael stood before a grand table surrounded by his closest allies.
"Today decides REF's fate," he said, his tone calm but heavy. "We'll stand before the king, the council, and the eight noble families. They'll try to destroy what we've built — politically, verbally, and with gold."
Luminor adjusted his coat. "Then we must strike first. Words are weapons too."
Vex nodded. "Agreed. But nobles never play fair."
Kael's gaze shifted to the far corner of the room, where Brown stood with his arms crossed, the faint aura of shadow still flickering around him.
"Brown," Kael said, "you and your legion know the nobles' estates better than anyone. I want you to move ahead — quietly. Find everything they've done in secret. Corruption, smuggling, slave trading, illegal contracts… anything."
Brown's expression sharpened, all humor gone. "You want me to dig up the bones they buried."
Kael nodded. "Exactly. The hearing isn't about truth — it's about proof. We need evidence they can't deny."
Brown smirked. "Then consider it done. The Shadow Legion lives for this."
He turned, summoning the shadows that followed him like ghosts. The temperature of the hall dropped slightly as one hundred undead warriors materialized, their forms cloaked in spectral black and silver mist.
"Go," Brown commanded, his voice echoing like thunder in a storm.
"Find their sins. Let no shadow hide what they've done."
The undead bowed silently before vanishing — splitting across the continent like phantoms, each one bound to his will.
As Brown's army dispersed, Kael placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful. We can't afford to lose you."
Brown grinned. "Lose? I don't lose. I win — that's what I do. You said it yourself, boss."
Kael smiled faintly. "I think Luminor said that."
"Details," Brown said with a shrug before walking away, his voice echoing with quiet resolve. "I'll be back before the hearing begins. And I'll bring the truth with me."
---
Hours passed.
The palace gates opened to welcome lords, councilors, and envoys from every region. The Royal Council Hall — vast and glittering with stained glass and banners — felt suffocating under the weight of nobility.
Kael entered with Ember, Luminor, Lyra, Amara, and Pallas at his side. Malina and Stephene followed, dressed in elegant diplomatic attire, representing REF's commercial and guild influence.
The nobles whispered as Kael passed.
"There he is — the boy who thinks he's a king."
"A city of peasants pretending at power."
"A refugee made lord? The kingdom is losing its mind."
Kael ignored them all. His focus was only on the throne, where King Theron III sat — regal, unreadable, but watching Kael with interest.
At the king's right stood Lord Cadrin Spiro, the Patriarch himself, his eyes sharp and venomous.
As the hearing began, accusations filled the hall.
Lord Cadrin stood first. "Your Majesty, this boy and his so-called lord — this 'Ember' — have stolen land and resources, manipulating trade through alchemy and deceit! REF defies the noble order of our kingdom!"
Kael stayed silent.
The nobles followed, each adding claims of rebellion, illegal enchantment, or defiance of noble law.
Finally, the king raised his hand. "Enough. Kael Eldrath — what do you have to say in defense of REF?"
Kael stepped forward slowly, his cloak brushing the marble floor. "That everything said here is built on greed and fear. REF threatens no one — but it refuses to kneel."
Gasps filled the room. The nobles shouted in outrage — but then, the doors of the court burst open.
Brown entered, cloaked in black, with ten undead knights carrying sealed scrolls and crystal orbs. The hall fell silent.
"Sorry I'm late," Brown said, grinning. "Had to gather some truth."
Kael's eyes widened slightly, then softened. He had returned — just in time.
Brown snapped his fingers, and the undead placed the scrolls before the king. "Evidence," Brown announced, his voice ringing clear. "Signed contracts, forbidden trades, smuggling ledgers, and witness testimonies. Proof that all eight noble families here violated royal law — some even sold prisoners to foreign guilds. I've marked the sigils of each guilty family."
The court erupted into chaos. Nobles shouted in denial, others turned pale.
King Theron signaled the royal guards, who began verifying the seals. Within minutes, gasps and murmurs filled the air as the truth unfolded.
"These are authentic," said the royal inspector. "Every seal is genuine."
Kael stepped forward again. "You accused REF of corruption. But it seems your rot runs deeper."
Lord Cadrin's face turned crimson. "You dare—!"
Brown cut him off, his tone cold and sharp. "You dared first. We just cleaned your mess."
The king's voice thundered through the hall. "Silence!"
He turned his gaze to Kael and Ember. "REF has shown courage and honor. The accusations against you are nullified. By royal decree, REF shall remain autonomous, and Ember shall keep her title as Lord."
Gasps of disbelief echoed across the chamber.
Ember bowed gracefully. "Your Majesty, we will serve the realm in peace."
Kael lowered his head respectfully, though his eyes met Cadrin's with quiet warning. "And REF will remember who tried to destroy it."
As the nobles were escorted away in shame, Brown leaned toward Kael, whispering, "See? Told you. Never bet against the undead."
Kael chuckled softly. "I didn't. I bet on you."
Brown grinned, his eyes gleaming. "Then you'll keep winning, boss."
---
That night, as REF's banners fluttered in victory, the group gathered once more under the moonlit courtyard.
Luminor studied the stars. "We've won a battle, not the war. They'll return, with new tricks."
Kael nodded. "Let them come. As long as we stand together, we'll always have the upper hand."
Brown smirked. "And I'll always have the receipts."
The laughter that followed was light, real, and warm — the kind that only came after surviving a storm together.
For now, REF stood unshaken.
And under that silver moon, Kael knew — this was only the beginning of something far greater.