The King's expression grew complicated on watching the event unfold before him.
He was rather powerless at the mont, at least in a Rite of Challenge, as he could not influence his authority to his will.
He didn't even think it would be necessary, but sothing wrong just occurred.
'Did….did I just lose my advisor?' He thought as he watched Raph walk up to the man who was frozen still in the middle of the Sparring Ring.
The white-haired boy simply tapped the Ice statue on the forehead, and it caused the statue to disintegrate into the air, turning into particles of white ice and snow.
'...What is the aning of this?' He pondered, his gaze unable to hide the discontent he felt.
"Your Highness!"
As if to add pepper to the wound, Raph called out, turning his attention towards the King as he bowed.
"I have defeated the challenge. By the Rite of Challenge, I shall ask for my three requests".
The tension that once hung in the air had dissipated with the wind, and cool energy had diffused in the atmosphere, lightening up the mood greatly.
So nobles found the sight surprisingly calming while a few others just found the situation ridiculous and interesting.
This is an event that will go down in history.
'Are you telling that a Level 100 isn't enough to stop him?' The King did not find this amusing, neither did he find it intriguing. It caused a deep seethed uneasiness that he never wanted to showcase.
'I need non-system users amongst my defenses,' He thought, his thoughts still riddled with ways to avoid this situation, but there weren't any.
With a sigh, he said. "Speak".
'Well, if he asks for anything absurd, I can bypass it. They won't have a Patriarch anyti soon with in charge, what could he possibly request to ask for?'. Where his thoughts as the boy remained fixed on the Sparring Ring.
The Rite of Challenge was absolute, and disobeying or manipulating its settings or rules would lead to death, but perhaps the King had sothing in mind as well.
"The first request I ask is of you to let co serve you after I graduate from the Academy".
The King's lips curled downwards, as he tapped the armrest of his throne.
'He's willing to serve , on his own? Is this sothing that has ever happened in history?'.
He thought when he noticed the puzzled expressions of so of the Patriarchs and even those of his sisters.
They seed to not be in favor of the idea.
'...Well, having him co to would be the better choice, but will he give the absolute obedience I want? I'm afraid not…I will still do as I please.
And what of his growth, can he not beco soone strong enough to resist my authority? Why would I give him the chance to grow more without my supervision?'
He stared at Raph for a mont, then sighed. "How can I be sure that you will co to serve ?"
He asked, his tone laced with curiosity. 'It is still a request won by the Rite of Challenge, I can not refute it….Honestly, all this just for so child'.
But that child held potential, and the King was soone who had gotten tired of the great families and their threat to the Kingdom. He wanted them all to revere him.
"Your Highness, this is a Rite of Challenge. Lying or Deceiving would spell trouble a challenger"
'Indeed' The King thought, but he couldn't deny his displeasure in the situation. He had no reason to accept such a request, but this was the Rite.
He could not deny it with so many witnesses.
He said with a bitter taste in his mouth. "A Rite of Challenge must be upheld. It is custom, it is the norm, so therefore, Raffaelo Jun, you will serve in five years".
Raph nodded in satisfaction. "Of course, your Highness".
"State your other requests" This was similar to a loss to the King, but finding a way around it was in his sight.
"My second request, Your Highness, is a pact"
"...A pact?" The King said with a raised eyebrow. He could more or less guess what the boy requested to say. "You want to form a pact between the Imperial household and the Jun household?" He asked and Raph nodded in reply.
"As you have said, Your Highness. I believe the Knights of the North have served you and continue to do so.
So a pact that will last for at least ten years would be necessary".
A sigh exuded from the King's lips as he looked away, his thoughts arranged in order.
'What is my gain in all this?' He thought, unable to figure out one.
A pact that enabled the Jun's could have enabled the Jun's to elect a new Patriarch, but after changing the rules, unbeknownst to his subjects.
He was planning on using that as his last trump card, but at the mont, he couldn't care less about it.
It seed like Raph was leading the conversation, and he did not like it.
'Do I need to tolerate all of these requests? I am the King, why should the law matter to ?'
He thought, but at that mont, the images of the L.A.W. appeared in his mind, and it caused its sore mood to grow even deeper.
His displeasure could not have been more palpable. "What else?" The King asked, his tone laced with annoyance.
With a smirk, Raph said, "Yes, Your Highness, my third request is to make Gloria Jun Patriarch of the Jun household".
The King flinched at the request, turning his attention towards Raph.
"You choose by election. I have no control over who the Patriarch of a Great Family is". He stated sternly, noticing the gazes of so of the other Patriarchs.
A Lot of nobles were interested as well, as they stared at Raph puzzled.
Wasn't it common knowledge that the King had no power over how the Patriarch was chosen? Why would he ask such a question?
"Your Highness, your grandeur, and benevolence are ethereal compared to the commoners.
A ruler choosing a Patriarch for the first ti may beco a blessing to our Kingdom". Raph said, his smile never leaving his face.
This was information he got from the princess after all, and not many of the King's trusted aides knew about it.
He had planned to announce it after the trial, but Raph had made things difficult.
Including it in his requests had tipped things over in their favor.
At this rate, the King would have to wait a long ti to achieve his goal.
"..ask for sothing else, I have no power over the Patriarchs, now or ever"
Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire
The King instructed, turning towards the side where the girls stood, only to find them indifferent.
For so reason, he had a gut feeling that they were in on this as well. Perhaps they had planned on asking him from the get-go?
'...but wouldn't that an…there is a spy?'.
He had not told anyone in the court, neither his family nor trusted soldiers about his goal of changing the rules, but for so reason, Raph asked this exact topic he had the power over, making it difficult for him not to accept.
"The Rite of Challenge doesn't allow challengers to ask for the impossible," The King insisted, tapping his finger on the armrest of the oak armrest.
"Yes, Your Highness, but it has happened once with the 13th and 84th Patriarchs of the Jun household; all that is required is your blessing". Raph said with a sigh.
'It will be impossible to convince him'
"....you are testing my patience, Raffaelo Jun, are you talking back to ?" The King's displeasure had quickly turned to anger, but sothing else had brewed in him. He wasn't going to let this kid best him and certainly wouldn't let Raph go on as he pleased just because of a Rite.
"...you do realize you've murdered my Advisor?" He asked, his tapping increasing with the loss of his patience.
"....Well, yes, your Highness, but this was all under the Challenge. We swore a pledge". Raph replied, his expression slowly turning dark. 'He's up to sothing'. He thought, his gaze flickering.
The last thing he needed was an injured King fighting back, that would certainly spell trouble.
"You say I should appoint Gloria Jun as the Patriarch?" His gaze shifted towards the girl in question. "Gloria Jun, do you request to beco the Family Patriarch?" He asked, his tone laced with a malevolent hue.
Gloria was smart enough to pick it, and so were many others around her.
The King was not satisfied that they could tell, but what he had in mind, that they couldn't tell.
"Yes, Your Highness". She replied, calmly bowing.
"I see; it seems Michaelo raised wonderful kids," The King said, turning towards Raph. "Your requests shall be fulfilled, and the newly appointed Patriarch will do her duties that co with the responsibility of the title".
"I am forever grateful," Raph said, an uneasiness dwelling in him. 'What? What is he going to say?' His thoughts were left in disarray.
"However, since you have given the power to choose her as your Patriarch, then you will let choose her partner".
'Shit'. Raph thought, inwardly face-palming himself.
"Thylan Swanstorm". The King called, and in response his older son flinched, turning towards his father with puzzled eyes, before replying.
"Ye–Yes, Your Highness".
"To fulfill your maternal duties as a Matriarch and to prolong the lifeline of the Jun household. Gloria Jun, you are to wed my son, Thylan Swanstorm, in five days".
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