The letter arrived at the royal palace of Astreon like a blade wrapped in parchment.
It did not ask for permission.
It did not seek approval.
It did not bow.
It declared.
King Augustus Nova stood in the center of his chamber, the heavy document trembling in his clenched hand. The crimson seal of Presia Dukedom burned into the wax like an insult carved into his authority.
"This damn Crowell family…!"
His roar shook the chamber, echoing off marble pillars and stained-glass windows.
"They dare stand in my way again?!"
The king slammed the letter onto his desk, his chest rising and falling violently.
"Where is Noah Rockson?" he barked. "Bring him to me. Now."
A trembling knight stepped forward and bowed hastily.
"Your Majesty… Duke Noah is currently engaged in negotiations with foreign merchants. He claimed it was a matter of profit and"
"I don't care where he is," Augustus snapped. "Drag him here if you must."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The knight turned and sprinted through the long corridors of the palace, boots striking stone as servants and guards instinctively pressed themselves against the walls.
Behind a pair of ornate doors, laughter echoed.
Duke Noah Rockson sat comfortably at a lavish table, surrounded by richly dressed foreign merchants. Wine flowed freely, silver plates overflowed with delicacies, and arrogance dripped from Noah's every gesture.
"I will approve the deal," Noah said lazily, waving his hand. "But first, I want the finest goods delivered directly to my palace. And my commission monthly, of course."
One of the merchants hesitated. "And the quality for the commoners…?"
Noah smiled coldly.
"I don't care what scraps you give them."
The merchants exchanged glances, then nodded eagerly.
"Agreed."
As hands were about to meet
BANG!
The doors slammed open violently.
The knight burst in, breath ragged.
"Duke Noah! His Majesty demands your immediate presence!"
Noah's face darkened.
He rose from his chair and slapped the knight across the face.
"Have you no etiquette?" he snarled. "You knock like a barbarian and raise your voice before nobles?"
The knight swallowed his fear, lowered his gaze, and repeated quietly:
"His Majesty… requests your immediate presence."
Noah scoffed, turned back to the merchants, and forced a smile.
"Enjoy yourselves. I'll return shortly."
With that, he strode out, irritation radiating from him as he followed the knight toward the royal chamber.
The moment Noah entered, he felt it.
The air was heavy.
Oppressive.
Filled with rage.
King Augustus stood with his back turned, the Presia-sealed letter clenched in his hand.
"Your Majesty," Noah said smoothly. "You called for me? I was in the middle of securing a rather profitable"
The king turned.
And threw the letter directly into Noah's face.
"According to Duke Jacob Crowell," Augustus said coldly, "you are no longer the Duke of Ephor."
Noah froze.
"He has seized Ephor under your nose. Claimed it. Merged it into Presia."
The king's voice trembled with fury.
"And he did not ask for my permission."
Noah picked up the letter with shaking hands and read.
His vision blurred.
"What… what is this nonsense?!" he roared.
He spun toward his butler, who had rushed in behind him.
"You contact Herob! Now! Rudolf! Andreas! Where are they? Especially Herob contact him immediately!"
The butler hurriedly activated communication artifacts.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"I… I can't reach them, my lord."
Noah's grip tightened.
"Then contact the magic tower master Damon Jerom! Ask him what's going on!"
The butler tried.
Silence.
Before Noah could speak again, King Augustus let out a bitter laugh.
"Do you really think they're alive?" the king said. "I know Jacob Crowell. When he targets someone… he doesn't miss."
Augustus turned away, rubbing his temples.
"You were never the strongest, Noah. Just louder. And now his son Roman Crowell is showing his true colors."
Noah's legs gave out.
He collapsed to his knees.
"What… what should I do?" he whispered.
The king faced him once more.
"There is nothing you can do."
He slammed another stack of documents onto the desk.
"Confessions. Testimonies. Evidence of every crime you've committed from corruption to mass negligence. With names. With witnesses."
Augustus raised his hand.
A massive magical spear formed in the air and crashed into the floor inches from Noah's legs.
"I will not let this stand!" the king roared. "I will crush the Crowells with my own hands!"
Turning sharply, he shouted:
"Summon Prime Minister Joshua Caesar!"
Moments later, the prime minister entered and bowed deeply.
"Notify every noble in the Clover Kingdom," Augustus ordered. "Large or small tomorrow morning. Attendance is mandatory."
Joshua stiffened. "And… Presia Dukedom?"
"Send it to Duke Jacob Crowell," the king said coldly.
"And order him to bring his youngest son. Roman Crowell."
The prime minister bowed and departed at once.
Notifications spread like wildfire.
From the grandest territories to the smallest noble lands, every seal received the same command.
And at last
The message reached Presia Dukedom.
Inside Duke Jacob Crowell's office, Jacob read the summons slowly.
Then he smiled.
"…Just as Roman said."
He leaned back in his chair, calm and composed.
"I almost pity the king," Jacob murmured.
"He still doesn't understand what kind of boy Roman truly is."
Outside, the night grew quiet.
A storm was forming.
Tomorrow morning would mark the beginning of true political warfare.
A new dawn for the Clover Kingdom.
And a new beginning whether the world was ready or not.