The Ascendency Trials. A fancy name for the succession contest of Vidalia. A ritual observed by heaven itself.
Now, why would heaven concern itself with such a minor thing as a human succession battle?
Because it's a shitshow, of course. Where else would it get to witness something so…tragic, unforgiving, and decisive? War zones. And that's not really fun now, is it? Just people giving their lives for a better or worse cause. Happens every other decade.
Isn't it so much more entertaining to watch young people pull each other's hair out for the sake of the throne? It also only happens on the rare occasion when every last one with a claim to the throne has decided that someone else is better for the job.
'No one wants the throne.'
|That is the case. If you want to change your decision, the throne could be yours. Would you like to proceed?|
'I'd rather proceed to strangle you.'
|I do not have a respiratory system.|
'What a shame to be a system then!'
Reis had finished seven drinks since returning to the castle. One glass of milk, two glasses of orange juice, one apple juice, a cup of tea, and the children's version of wine, red grape juice, which he only got after actually lashing out at the servants who kept bringing him these each time he asked for a drink.
So much for drowning sorrow in alcohol.
"Your Highness, isn't it such an honor to be part of the trials? Should we arrange another celebration?"
He glared at Keith, shutting him up.
No one other than the royal family knew the real cause of the trial. To them, it was something that happened when everyone was equally capable of being a ruler.
After all, they couldn't just go and announce that no one wants the throne, so they are holding a lottery without rules. That would be too unprofessional.
Funny how no one even suspects how someone as problematic as him could be a worthy candidate for the throne. The third prince was more suited to be...there wasn't anything that suited him.
"Just leave me alone before I fire you." Keith didn't want to lose his chance at promotion before even getting close to it, so he didn't bother him anymore. Celebrations could wait. Because Keith knew, no matter what anyone said, his master was also a worthy candidate.
If Reis knew his butler was dreaming of becoming the king's butler in the future, he definitely would have fired him. How dare his employee dream against him!?
The others had long since stopped bothering him, each busy in their own thing in the corner of the huge room. They were given space to celebrate on their own. Sweets, pastries, dinner, music, solitude, whichever they wanted. This whole palace, other than the king and queen's rooms and offices were open for them today.
But none of them could care less. Once dinner was over, so was the celebration.
Reis slumped down on the window rest that was definitely more spacious than his bed back home, although small compared to his actual bed here. 'Were the beds made for giants?'
All these luxuries were only enjoyable when there was no work to do. Like now.
|You may now set mission objectives.|
|Option 1: Fight for the throne. Difficulty: Easy.|
|Option 2: Run away. Difficulty: High, not recommended.|
'I assure you, you can't manipulate me to choose Option 1.'
'And run away? Are you out of your mind?'
|You did say you'd rather be in a war zone.|
'Not with this weakass body!'
He wasn't weak per se, but how long could someone survive in a war with no physical training whatsoever? Ann was someone who, at first glance, looked like he can't even pick up a chair. And those fancy chairs are heavier than they look.
He can pick chairs up, but that's not war training.
Odyssey didn't have a mighty big danger where the world was ending, but had everything else to make up for it. Then there was the final task they didn't know about.
'Ann' didn't have the skillset to fight off even one of those things. If someone or some creature or even a tree thought it didn't like him, he'd be done for. It was like a side effect of being royalty.
Reis knew it wasn't possible to run away either. He could run away, but that won't disqualify him from the competition. It wasn't a long-term option. And he had five scheming siblings to worry about, too. He knew he wasn't the only one looking for ways to escape.
And going into danger zones with his status just pushes him closer to the prize he didn't want. He knew enough to understand what never to do.
Then again, if I want to run, today should be the perfect day.
The banquet had just ended. The guards were probably lax now after days of tight security patrol.
So he peeked out the window towards the courtyard, making direct eye contact with the royal knights. Yeah, no. Not today.
|You need to set an objective.|
'Why are there only those two options?'
|These are the only available options based on your skillset.|
|Current Character Skills:
Administration: 7/10
Scheming: 9/10
Danger receptor: 6/10
Structural knowledge about the kingdom: 10/10
.....|
The list kept going, not showing any useful skills so far.
What would have been so bad about letting him be when he refused to be here? People played games for fun, not to be responsible for a kingdom.
'Just stop it. Give another option.'
|That isn't under my jurisdiction.|
'Then whose jurisdiction is that in? Aren't you in charge?'
|The Guardian.|
Reis blinked, face morphing from annoyance to confusion to utter horror. Cause the title just pointed to one being. The one that had almost crushed him into a cube while claiming to be his guardian.
Reis remembered that. More like, he couldn't forget the horror of that day. It was nearly impossible to forget that uncomfortable feeling of being put inside some kind of box.
'You want me to ask for help from that being?'
|He is the only one who can provide an extra choice.|
'What if I don't follow the choices at all? I'll just skip the task."
|You will be penalized for that. Upon a mission failure beyond the acceptable margin, players will be thrown into the depths of hell.|
Really? After dragging him through it once?
|The Guardian said he's willing to help if you ask like a good subject.|
Reis felt an eerie chill down his spine.
|The Guardian is currently observing you.|
|Would you like to ask now?|
Ask now?
How to ask for something like a good subject? Something like: 'Oh great being! Grant my wish!'?
Ann shuddered from the thought alone. 'Isn't he the Guardian? He's supposed to look after me by default!'
|He is always observing you to ensure his subject's safety.|
'What do you mean by 'always observing?'
Another involuntary chill. He didn't want to believe it, but the thought had already made its place. Ah, forget it.
He'd rather not ask for favors from someone like that. He may not be strong, but wasn't he the most famous schemer of the family? He'd figure something out.
|The Guardian is disappointed. It will be difficult to ask for favors in the future.|
He didn't need such favors. He'd sleep away the days in his room if all other options are unavailable.
—
Reis didn't know then how fast he'd change his mind. Cause he didn't know he'd be dragged out of bed first thing in the morning, for something so atrocious.
'Tell me how to do it.'
It was better to endure one otherworldly being than twenty humans. 'How do I ask properly?'