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"But, what's the point?"
Clack!
His words had just fallen, and what answered him was only the heavy sound of a piece being placed.
Allen didn't even glance at the captured pawn. The moment James's hand, holding the pawn's corpse, moved away from the board.
A black 'knight' leaped, and with one stomp, crushed James's advancing 'pawn.'
He casually tossed the captured 'corpse' onto the table beside him. It was then that the sound of James's captured piece hitting the table finally echoed.
The latter, seeing Allen's demeanor, was unfazed. With a smile, he raised his hand, unhurried.
He used his pawn to stab Allen's charging 'knight.'
However, before the 'corpse' could be moved, a new black knight crushed the 'pawn's' armor.
The armor still seeped blood, then was ground to dust by a slowly approaching white 'bishop.'
Only to be stabbed to death by 'pawns' that arrived instantly.
The swiftly moving black pieces and the slowly moving white pieces continuously hammered the chessboard.
Fierce combat.
Brutal exchanges.
Offense and defense were not like two armies clashing, but rather like street fighting, hand-to-hand combat after running out of ammunition.
Less than ten seconds had passed since the game began.
James's move time accounted for eighty percent of that.
The chessboard situation mirrored the current situation in the royal capital:
—Allen had been in the royal capital for only two nights, yet he had already stirred up a storm.
He was skilled at fast chess.
So, he continued to place pieces.
Even forcing James's move speed to quicken slightly.
James captured one of Allen's bishops, then saw Allen, with a new piece, fearlessly cling and strike.
He frowned slightly, and the smile on his face vanished.
"Why silent? Because there's nothing to say?"
Clack!
"Why silent? Because there's nothing to say."
The same words, different meanings.
James narrowed his eyes and continued to place his piece.
"You're as confident as ever. Where does that confidence come from?"
Allen tossed aside the freshly captured corpse.
"Corpses play chess too?"
As his words fell, James's hand twitched rapidly. He instinctively looked at the sword sheath by Allen's hand.
It was not drawn.
And the butler behind him was sweating profusely; his blood-stained chest scarf was soaked.
James gripped the piece in his hand, his gaze fixed on the chessboard. He calmed his surging emotions and snorted coldly. He made a move, using his 'minister' to capture Allen's freely charging 'rook.'
"How will you kill me? What good will killing me do you in the current situation? Everyone thinks you're reckless. Do you think you can fool me just because you fooled them? Don't bluster. Tell me, what do you want? Women? Wealth? Or another opportunity to gain fame? Since I've chosen to lie low, I'm willing to give you something."
"Fine, give me your life." Allen exchanged his 'minister' for the opponent's 'minister.'
"Don't speak nonsense." James captured Allen's 'minister' with his rook.
"Who's speaking nonsense?" Pieces moved, clashing.
"How will you kill me? With that reputation you gained last night? Not enough." Pieces placed, ceaselessly.
"You think I can't kill you even with my prestige. You're simply confident that you gained influence before me. But you know, James, that's Boreas's influence, it's the First Prince's influence, not yours."
"If it's not my influence, then it can be yours? I am the next head of Boreas. The First Prince will only choose me, because choosing me means already encompassing you, the third-generation descendant of Boreas. In a way, I should thank you."
James's lips curved into a smile.
"The genius of Boreas, listen to that? Allen, whose name did you make famous?"
Allen replied with a smile.
"My name."
James said sharply, "Bluster!"
"Is that so?"
His rhetorical question fell, but James looked at the endgame on the board. Perhaps Allen's question had stirred his emotions, or he saw an opportunity for a decisive move. His eyes lit up, and he suddenly joined Allen's intense rhythm of play.
"Even if you're a madman, if you kill me with a sword now, you, this patricide who breaks the rules, will not be accepted by the royal capital's Boreas. All your hard work yesterday will be wasted. Besides, you're not even a madman."
"Is that so?"
His words grew faster and faster. "The First Prince won't accept you either. If you can kill me on a whim today, you might kill his other retainers tomorrow due to other disagreements. Who do you think the First Prince is? If he can't even see that, how would he command his current influence?"
"Is that so?"
"You certainly have some reputation now, but what of it? In just a few months, when this momentum subsides, you'll no longer be a threat to me."
"Is that so?"
James exchanged his white 'queen' for the opponent's black 'queen,' a smile on his lips.
"Why? Because Ariel has no potential to become a King at all! And now the Second Prince, with slim chances of winning, has also extended an olive branch to me. Over time, my steady mid-to-late game power will ultimately gather even greater prestige and fame."
"Is that so?"
"The momentum! Is with me!"
There was no more movement on the chessboard. Allen's side had only one black 'king' left, while James's side still had one white 'king' and one 'pawn.'
James looked up at Allen.
"What do you intend to do?"
Allen straightened his body, looking at James, his lips curved upwards.
"Very simple. I'll just snatch your influence. If one day isn't enough, then two. If two isn't enough, then five. If five isn't enough, then ten."
James froze, as if he'd heard a joke. He first scoffed, then burst into loud laughter, making the butler beside him twitch his eyebrows, not understanding why his master was so excited today.
"Hahahahahahaha!!!"
James abruptly stopped, pressing down on the chessboard before him. He stared fixedly at Allen's brown curly hair, which was remarkably similar to Philip's.
"Just you? Don't you understand human speech? How could the First Prince choose you? The longer time passes, my influence..."
Clack.
His words were cut off. Allen's smile faded. He reached for the sword sheath beside him and stood up with a whoosh.
At the same time, he casually tapped the chessboard with the sword hilt.
Very lightly. The sound waves rippled outwards...
A dense killing intent!
Like a cold winter blade! It plunged directly into James's and the butler's hearts!!
Thump, the butler instinctively reached for his sword, but Allen merely glanced at him, and he trembled, unable to even hold his blade steady.
James, hit head-on by the fierce wave of killing intent, was even worse off. The soaring emotions Allen had provoked layer by layer were now doused from head to toe by a sudden splash of ice. His hand on the chessboard was trembling like a sieve.
Allen smiled, pacing leisurely around the room. He tilted his head, glanced at the view outside the window, then turned and walked back to James's side. He reined in his killing intent as he saw James's face, glistening with sweat.
The pressure abruptly lifted. James's body went limp. With a thump, he leaned on the edge of the table, his breathing rapid, but he forced himself to quickly calm his instinctive fear.
Then, the sword hilt gently pressed against the back of his neck.
Colder than ice.
James's body stiffened. He dared not move. Then he saw Allen extend his finger and tap the chessboard with a thump.
He opened his hand.
He leaned in, close to James's ear, and whispered softly.
"How does it feel to have your heart's fire suddenly doused? You talk big, but your body is very honest."
"You're afraid, afraid I'll draw my blade."
"Don't worry, I won't kill you. You want to play by the rules? I'll play with you."
"Just now, you wanted to say, the longer time passes, the more I'll decline, isn't that right?"
His voice entered James's ear. The latter's pupils continuously expanded and contracted. He stared blankly at Allen's open palm.
A black 'rook,' gleaming coldly, rolled from his palm onto the chessboard.
Gurgle, gurgle.
It stopped beside James's white 'king.'
Among the many black piece 'corpses' on the side.
Where was this black 'rook'?
Allen retracted the hand that had been on James's neck. He lowered his head, tilting it to look at James.
A horizontal gaze.
His dark gray eyes showed no emotion. He simply spoke to James in a declarative tone.
"In fast chess, you can't even beat me. How do you expect to play slow chess with me?"
"Do you really think your mid-to-late game skills are strong?"
"Flowing Falls City was completely calculated by me. Don't you know that yourself? Hiding your fear, can you hide it?"
His voice, however, gradually gained a smile.
"I'd like to ask you, where does your confidence come from?"
He chuckled. Amidst James's bewildered expression, he raised his hand and patted the back of his neck.
This time, there was no killing intent.
His tone was only gentle, even carrying a hint of admonition.
"Remember this, James."
"I'll only give you ten days."
"On May 10th, everything will be decided."
He twisted and walked towards the door.
[Persuasion], three minutes.
A game of 'fast chess' missing a 'rook.'
It was over.
Click, the door closed.
Only silence remained in the room. James stared fixedly at the black 'rook' beside his white 'king.'
The chill at the back of his neck lingered.
Beneath his body, his hand was already clenched.
The letter from the Second Prince, bearing the exquisite crest of the Asura royal family.
Had been crumpled into a ball by him.
Allen walked to the door, looked at James's expression, and smiled as he closed the door.
Clack.
He turned and walked along the familiar yet strange corridor. At the end, he ascended the stairs to the third floor, then turned right.
He walked dozens of steps to his former bedroom.
A group of maids were busily making his bed, and outside the door, various disorganized belongings were piled on the floor.
Seeing Allen approach, they quickly sped up, and soon cleared the bedroom.
Then they all fled in disarray.
Allen stepped into the bedroom, walking directly to his desk.
He sat down, picked up a pen, and pulled a brand new sheet of paper from a drawer.
The rustle of the pen sounded, then quickly stopped.
Allen casually tossed the pen aside and leaned back in his chair, smiling silently.
'It's begun.'
"It's over."
"Checkmate."
In a blink, the afternoon sun had turned into moonlight. On the reception hall table of the First Prince's mansion in the Silver Palace, a chessboard was also laid out.
The King liked this game.
Naturally, nobles across the nation imitated him.
The royal family, even more so.
The First Prince, Gravell, gathered the pieces, smiling at Darius across the table.
"Haha! Are you letting me win again, Sir Darius?"
Darius, with his fleshy face, narrowed his eyes.
"What are you saying? Your Highness's endgame skills are clearly stronger than mine. How can you say I let you win?"
The First Prince smiled and waved his hand, dismissing Darius's casual flattery. He leaned back in his chair.
Then he glanced at Darius, and suddenly asked.
"By the way, Sir Darius, I heard yesterday's commendation banquet was quite grand. The Boreas boy not only has the strength of both a Water King and a Sword King, but he's also not just for show."
"He defeated 'Dawn's' Chermon in a head-on strike, and even learned Her Majesty Reida's signature technique. Heh heh, thirteen years old. Truly a top-notch swift blade."
Darius looked at the First Prince and smiled. "You said you didn't want to attend such a banquet, that being in the same room as a character like Ariel was disgusting. So I went myself, just to watch the show."
The First Prince feigned surprise. "Is Sir Darius also interested in that boy?"
Darius shook his head. "Your Highness, rest assured. I will not make a move against the Boreas family. Even if one of their juniors, who might be one of the new 'Dawn Seven Knights,' has joined them—oh, perhaps it should be called Eight Knights now."
Gravell responded to Darius's teasing with a chuckle. "Dawn? Isn't it just to facilitate this 'holding out for a better price' in the succession struggle? I heard he returned to the Boreas mansion today. It seems his relationship with James has eased? I see it clearly as being at Duke Saul's behest, to conspire for my position as primary strategist. Doesn't Sir Darius worry?"
Darius's face was calm. "Saul is a defeated general, what is there to worry about? If he were to return from the Fittoa territory and focus all his family's efforts on this succession struggle, perhaps I might be concerned..."
He paused for a moment, a smile surfacing on his face.
"As for Allen Boreas Greyrat... that boy. I actually hope he truly becomes a Water God in the future, as Reida said, and then ascends to one of the Seven Great Powers. If he can achieve such accomplishments, then it would mean Asura has produced a martial arts genius..."
"No, if you ask me, he'd best reach the point where he can contend with the top-tier Seven Great Powers and those elusive Dragon Gods. That would truly be something to cheer for. If he reaches that level, I would only be happy for Your Highness."
As his words fell, Gravell stared fixedly into Darius's eyes.
The latter also stared fixedly at the First Prince.
Gravell burst into laughter, clapping Darius's shoulder.
"Sir Darius, being so serious makes me seem petty. You're thinking so wholeheartedly for me; you truly humble me."
His face turned stern. He said earnestly to Darius.
"I guarantee, if that boy truly reaches that level someday, the position of Prime Minister will absolutely be yours, Sir Darius! The Boreas family cannot replace Sir Darius's position! My words today are set in stone. Come, guard! Bring my personal seal! I will guarantee Sir Darius this now!"
Darius chuckled, waving his hand to stop the guard.
"Your Highness, you jest. I naturally trust Your Highness."
"Good!"
With that, the two clinked glasses and drank.
Darius smiled and excused himself. He turned, his two eyes, squeezed into his fleshy face, were exceptionally bright.
As the god said, a thirteen-year-old Water King, Sword King, and North King. And the Sword King and Water King are almost breaking through to Emperor rank. The forefront of the Seven Great Powers, is that a joke?
Allen Boreas Greyrat.
He truly makes one look forward to it even more...
In a few steps, Darius walked out of the reception hall. The door was closed by a guard, and the reception hall returned to silence.
After a long moment, the sound of a drawer opening was heard.
Under the moonlight and candlelight.
The First Prince pulled out an envelope bearing the Boreas 'Iron Heart' crest from beneath the table.
Candlelight licked the writing on it.
A low voice murmured.
"Allen Boreas Greyrat..."
"What exactly are you up to..."
Outside the window, moonlight flowed quietly over the Silver Palace.
Day and night changed.
The royal palace stood quietly on the hills of Asura.
In a blink.
It was the morning of May 10th.
Upper Noble District, Boreas Mansion.
Allen sat before his desk.
Mist rose from the tea on the tabletop.
The grandfather clock on the wall swayed its pendulum, watched by his dark gray eyes.
Click.
—9:59:59.
Ten days passed quickly. Because it was so short, no trace was left on his face.
Still smiling.
However, certain things.
Had changed dramatically...
For example, Allen had been secluded at home for ten days, not leaving.
For example, because Allen's reputation gradually spread in the Upper Noble District, nobles intending to visit came in an endless stream, but were all turned away. Curiously, this strange behavior further enhanced his reputation.
For example, a letter from the royal palace at Allen's side—from the First Prince, bearing his personal seal.
For example, the poison in the tea on the table, dissolved by Allen's poison removal magic, had been continuously present for seven days.
For example, Ariel, who had visited seven consecutive days, being turned away by the nobles each time, unable to even see Allen.
For example...
The next head of the Boreas family, who had played chess and conversed with Allen, and been [Persuaded] for ten whole days, his face growing visibly grimmer each day.
—James.
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