The applause did not fade quickly.
It rolled through the grand hall like thunder trapped beneath a gilded ceiling, echoing from marble pillars and dancing chandeliers. Nobles rose from their seats—some clapping with genuine awe, others forcing smiles while their thoughts churned with calculations and fear.
Prince Aaren knelt where he was, the crown resting lightly upon his head.
The king stood before him, hands trembling—not from weakness, but from emotion he had not allowed himself to feel in years.
"Rise," the king said, his voice steadying. "Rise, my son."
Aaren stood.
For the first time, he did not look like the smallest prince hiding in the shadows of court politics. He looked like a man who belonged beneath that crown.
Billy groaned on the floor behind them, clutching his chest, pride shattered far more painfully than bone. Royal guards moved instinctively—but one glance from the king froze them in place.
"Take him to the infirmary," the king said without turning. "And keep him there."
No anger.No pity.Only dismissal.
Billy was carried away, his protests unheard.
The king turned back to the hall.
"Let it be known," he declared, "that from this day forward, Prince Aaren is recognized not only as my son—but as a warrior of the realm." He will be known as the prince of death, for he kills the high tier demonic beasts with ease. the king Baptised him.
The nobles bowed, some deeply, some stiffly.
The message was clear.
This was not a ceremonial prince.
This was Daniel Bellhem's disciple.
—
As the banquet resumed, the atmosphere had shifted completely.
Conversations were hushed. Eyes lingered on Prince Aaren wherever he walked. Some nobles approached him cautiously, offering praise and thinly veiled attempts at alliance.
Prince Aaren responded politely—but distantly.I do not need old schemmers for suppoters, selfish people like you are the ones who cause suffering to the people, he then concluded, For as long as my master General Daniel looks down on you, my feelings towards you are that of a stranger. he then left
He had learned restraint at Fort Nightfall.
Power did not need to announce itself.
Queen Lynn was surrounded now—not by mockery, but attention. Noble ladies who once ignored her smiled warmly, their voices honeyed.
She accepted their words with grace, but her gaze often drifted toward her son.
Each time, her chest tightened with pride.
Daniel watched all of it from his seat, one arm resting casually on the table, fingers idly tapping against the goblet. To the untrained eye, he looked relaxed.
In truth, he was measuring reactions.
The old nobles were quiet.
Too quiet.
Men who had laughed at him weeks ago now avoided his gaze. Houses that had once dismissed the Red Flags Battalion were suddenly eager to speak of "cooperation."
Fear was setting in.
Good.
Eseren stood behind Daniel, posture straight, eyes scanning the hall. She had refused wine, refused distraction. More than one noble's son had tried to approach her earlier in the evening.
Each had retreated quickly.
There was something in her gaze now—sharp, unwavering—that reminded them she was no court ornament.
Mimi approached Daniel quietly, her presence as composed as ever.
"You've turned the court upside down again," she said softly.
Daniel smirked. "They were standing on rotten ground."
She smiled faintly. "Still… Billy won't forget this."
"I'm counting on it," Daniel replied calmly.
—
Later that night, the king requested a private audience.
The room was smaller, free of spectacle. Only the king, Daniel,Prince Aaren, and Queen Lynn were present. Guards waited outside.
The king studied Prince Aaren for a long moment.
"You've changed," he said quietly.
Prince Aaren nodded. "Yes, Father."
"Do you resent me?" the king asked suddenly.
The question hung heavy.
Prince Aaren considered it carefully.
"No," he answered truthfully. "You sent me away so I could live. That choice saved me."
The king exhaled slowly.
He turned to Daniel and bowed—deeply.
The room stilled.
"Thank you," the king said. "For giving my son a future I could not."
Daniel raised a hand. "He earned it."
The king straightened, eyes sharp once more.
"The demon reports grow worse by the day," he said. "Border commanders speak of coordinated movements. Something is coming."
"I know," Daniel replied.
"How long until you move?" the king asked.
"Two months," Daniel said evenly. "As planned."
The king nodded. "I will ensure the other armies hold."
Daniel's eyes hardened slightly. "See that they do."
—
That night, the Red Flags Battalion departed the palace without ceremony.
No cheers.
No escort.
Only quiet respect and admiration.
As they rode back toward Fort Nightfall, moonlight glinting off armor and silver fur, Prince Aaren rode beside Daniel on a wolf.
"Did I do well?" Prince Aaren asked after a while.
Daniel glanced at him. "you used your head, prince of death." the rest of the Battalion laughed
Prince Aaren nodded and laughed, Eseren mocked, although we want to admit, you father wanted you to aura farm, The prince of Death, Haa , that sounds cool that I am even jealous .
"That's all that mattered," Daniel continued. "But remember this—today wasn't your test."
Prince Aaren looked ahead. "The battlefield will be."
Daniel smiled faintly.
—
Back at Fort Nightfall, preparations intensified.
Scouts reported increased demonic movement along three fronts.
Supply lines were tested.
Weapons reforged.
Drills sharpened to lethal efficiency.
Zenn circled the fortress nightly, his shadow passing over the walls like an omen.
The wolves grew restless.
Daniel stood once more atop the ramparts, wind pulling at his cloak.
The court has felt our might, he thought. Now the demons will feel our blade.
Two months.
That was all that we need.
And when the Red Flags marched again, it would not be to prove themselves—
It would be to end something ancient.