NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 137: Before The Storm (2)
The Rikxia Empire, a sprawling realm of power and legacy, stood as a testament to the Lionhart family's unmatched authority. Within its borders, hundreds of armed groups served under the Lionhart banner, each boasting thousands of swordsmen trained to perfection. These groups were not mere battalions; they were extensions of the empire's might, tasked with protecting its territories, enforcing its laws, and conquering its enemies. Among these legions of warriors, one name rose above all others like a thunderclap in a storm: Eclair, the First Army of the Rikxia Empire.
Eclair was not just an armed group. It was a symbol, a beacon of excellence, composed of the empire's most elite swordsmen. Its warriors were whispered to be peerless on the battlefield, and its captain, Yenova Lionhart, stood as a towering figure both in reputation and in power. Though Rikxia's armed groups were embroiled in fierce competition to amass achievements and ascend the hierarchy of prestige, Eclair was undeniably in the top five—and it was not in fifth place. Whether it was the most powerful group in the empire was a matter of fierce debate, but none could deny its unparalleled influence.
It was this influence that now set the empire's intricate web of armed groups into turmoil.
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The announcement had come swiftly, like a hawk descending upon its prey: Eclair would hold an early test to recruit the most promising trainees from the Lionhart Youth Training Grounds. Normally, such selections occurred in a grand ceremony two years later, when the trainees completed their rigorous education. This deviation from tradition, however, was no ordinary decision. Whispers echoed across the empire, painting a picture of hidden motives and favoritism. For most captains of the armed groups, the early test was a thinly veiled excuse to claim one prize above all others—Klaus Lionhart, the youngest Swordmaster in the history of the Runiya Continent.
To the captains of Rikxia's prestigious armed groups, this decision was nothing short of an affront. Klaus was not merely a prodigy; he was a golden nugget, a treasure whose worth extended beyond the battlefield. To have him recruited into Eclair before the formal selection was a blow to their pride and ambitions. One by one, the captains made their way to the Lionhart estate, voicing their discontent before none other than Roman Lionhart, the patriarch of the family and the emperor of Rikxia.
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Roman Lionhart sat in his grand chamber, a room that embodied both elegance and authority. Marble pillars adorned with gold leaf stood sentinel, and the crimson banners of the Lionhart family draped majestically from the ceiling. Yet, even the grandeur of the chamber did little to shield Roman from the growing headache caused by the endless stream of complaints.
"Your Grace," began Captain Albrecht of the Iron Wyverns, a group known for its siege expertise, "with all due respect, this decision reeks of favoritism. Eclair already holds unparalleled sway in the empire. Allowing them to recruit the best trainees early—especially Klaus Lionhart—would tip the scales even further. Is that what you wish for Rikxia? An imbalance among its armed forces?"
Roman's sharp gaze fell upon Albrecht, silencing the room. The captain, a burly man with scars crisscrossing his arms, faltered under the weight of Roman's scrutiny. "The empire's balance is not something you need to concern yourself with, Albrecht," Roman said, his voice measured but firm. "What matters is the strength of our forces as a whole, not the rivalry between them."
Yet, even as Roman dismissed Albrecht's argument, another captain stepped forward. This time, it was Captain Milena of the Scarlet Fangs, an armed group renowned for its precision strikes and assassinations. Milena, a sharp-featured woman clad in dark leather armor, spoke with icy precision. "Your Grace, this is not merely about balance. It is about fairness. If Eclair is allowed to recruit early, then all armed groups should be given the same opportunity. Otherwise, it undermines the trust we have in the Lionhart family's impartiality."
Roman's jaw tightened. Fairness. It was a word often used as a weapon in the political games of Rikxia, wielded not for justice but for personal gain. Milena's plea, though cloaked in logic, was no different. She had no interest in fairness; she wanted the opportunity to claim Klaus for her own.
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As the hours dragged on, the parade of captains continued. Each one brought their grievances, their voices blending into a cacophony of self-interest. Yet, among the litany of complaints, one name was repeated with almost reverent disdain: Yenova Lionhart.
"Your Grace," said Captain Henrik of the Black Phoenixes, a towering man whose fiery temper was matched only by his ambition, "no one doubts Captain Yenova's strength. She is among the top thirty on the Continental Power List, after all. But that is precisely why this reeks of favoritism. She doesn't need additional advantages. If anything, she should refrain from exploiting her position as your daughter."
Roman's expression darkened. Henrik's words had struck a nerve, not because they were entirely wrong, but because they were irrelevant. Yenova's strength was beyond question, and Roman had no favorites among his children. Yet, the captains clung to this narrative, desperate to undermine Eclair's perceived advantage.
Even as Roman's patience wore thin, he could not ignore the deeper implications of their discontent. The captains were not merely concerned about Klaus or Yenova; they were vying for dominance in the empire's ever-shifting power dynamics. To them, the early test was a battlefield, and the trainees were the spoils of war.
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As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the chamber, Roman leaned back in his chair, exhaustion etched into his features. The captains' voices had become a dull roar in his mind, their arguments blending into an endless loop of ambition and greed. For a moment, he considered dismissing them outright, asserting his authority as patriarch and emperor. But he knew that would only sow further discord.
Finally, Roman raised a hand, silencing the room. "Enough." His voice was low but carried the weight of absolute command. The captains fell silent, their eyes fixed on him. "If fairness is what you seek, then fairness you shall have. Tomorrow, the trainees will undergo a test that all of you will agree upon. The results will determine their futures, and every armed group will have the opportunity to recruit those who prove themselves worthy."
A murmur rippled through the room, a mix of surprise and satisfaction. Roman's decision was unexpected but undeniably fair. It was a compromise that placated the captains while preserving the integrity of the test.
As the captains bowed and began to file out of the chamber, Roman allowed himself a moment of solitude. The night was still, the only sound the distant chirping of crickets. Yet, within the quiet, Roman could feel the storm brewing. Tomorrow would not merely be a test for the trainees; it would be a proving ground for the empire itself.
And at the center of it all stood Klaus Lionhart, the boy whose destiny would shape the future of Rikxia.
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Roman exhaled deeply, his thoughts heavy. He had given the captains what they wanted, but the question lingered: Had he made the right choice? Only time would tell. For now, all he could do was wait—and prepare for the chaos that tomorrow would inevitably bring.