Three weeks later—
Dust clouds rose on the eastern road.
Banners fluttered.
Armored riders advanced.
Blackridge scouts rushed in.
"Your Highness! Troops approaching!"
Arin stood on the wall.
Through his spyglass, he saw them.
Fifty soldiers.
Well-equipped.
Royal insignia.
And at their center—
A young noble in fine armor.
"Duke Ravenholt's nephew," Kelsin said quietly.
"Victor Ravenholt."
Arin activated Observation.
[ STR: 48 | MAG: 22 | SPD: 45 | END: 40 | INT: 35 | CHA: 50
Talent: Noble Lineage (High)
Growth: High ]
"Not weak," Arin thought.
"But arrogant."
The gates opened.
Victor rode in.
Without bowing.
"Sixth Prince," he said lazily.
"I'm here for inspection."
He glanced around.
Workshops.
Traders.
Busy streets.
Annoyance flashed in his eyes.
"You've done… better than expected," Victor admitted.
"But there are complaints."
"About?" Arin asked calmly.
"Illegal forging."
"Unauthorized militia."
"Tax irregularities."
All false.
Every word.
Kelsin clenched his fist.
Arin raised his hand.
"Show me proof."
Victor smirked.
"I am the proof."
That night, Victor's men spread out.
Questioned workers.
Entered warehouses.
Confiscated goods.
Morale dropped.
Fear returned.
Rynor growled.
"Let me deal with them."
"No," Arin replied.
"That's what they want."
Lyra looked worried.
"They're provoking us."
Arin nodded.
"Yes."
The system activated.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Political Pressure Detected]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Strategy Evaluation Mode Available]
Arin sat alone with Kelsin.
"We counter with legality," Arin said.
"Documents. Records. Witnesses."
Kelsin smiled.
"Already prepared."
They worked all night.
Tax ledgers.
Royal permits.
Trade contracts.
In the morning, Arin invited Victor.
In the command hall—
Stacks of papers covered the table.
"Everything is legal," Arin said calmly.
"Signed. Approved. Stamped."
Victor's smile faded.
He flipped pages.
His face darkened.
"This… this must be fake."
"Check the seals," Arin replied.
Victor slammed the table.
"Tch!"
But he couldn't deny it.
Then—
A merchant stepped forward.
"I testify. Blackridge pays fairly."
A farmer followed.
"The prince helped us."
A soldier knelt.
"He saved my life."
Voices rose.
Support formed.
Publicly.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Public Trust Increased]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Authority Stabilized]
Victor felt cornered.
He stood abruptly.
"This isn't over."
He left angrily.
His troops followed.
That evening—
[PLAYER PROFILE – ARIN ELDORIA
STR: 7
MAG: 5
SPD: 7
END: 6
INT: 11
CHA: 11
Growth Potential: SSS
System Authority: Level 2
Territory Authority: Level 1
Political Standing: Improving
]
Rynor laughed.
"Ran like a dog."
Jaren grinned.
"Coward."
Lyra looked at Arin.
"You handled that perfectly."
Arin exhaled slowly.
"This was only a probe."
"Next time…"
"They won't be so gentle."
Far away, Duke Ravenholt received news.
Victor knelt.
"I failed."
The duke's eyes were cold.
"Then we escalate."
"The prince chose war."