Just as Arthur gave the command, his system flared, and a new series of messages appeared before his eyes.

[ Analyzing Target: Aiden — Warbound System Detected ]

[ Analysis Complete ]

[ Warbound System: A system designed purely for war and continuous battle ]

[ System Nature: ]

[ • This system exists to push its host into constant combat ]

[ • It is built for high-risk fights, not normal situations ]

[ • The system brings out Aiden’s full potential only during battles ]

[ How It Works: ]

[ • The system assigns Aiden various combat-based quests ]

[ • These quests involve defeating enemies, surviving dangerous battles, or overcoming stronger opponents ]

[ • Completing quests directly increases Aiden’s strength and abilities ]

[ • The more intense the battle, the more power Aiden gains during the fight ]

[ • His body adapts in combat, allowing him to grow stronger as he fights ]

[ Reward System: ]

[ • Rewards are based on completed quests and battle performance ]

[ • Defeating stronger opponents grants greater rewards ]

[ • The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward ]

[ • High-risk victories lead to permanent growth and new abilities ]

[ • Continuous fighting refines Aiden into a stronger warrior over time ]

[ Warning: This system favors war. Avoiding strong battles will slow growth ]

[ Ability Extraction Available ]

[ Extraction Condition: ]

[ • Locate Aiden’s missing elder sister (Missing: 1 year ago) ]

[ • Reunite her with Aiden ]

[ Condition Status: Incomplete ]

[ Extraction link will be established after the conditions are fulfilled. ]

A slow smile formed on Arthur’s face.

’Well, that’s not going to be hard,’ he thought. ’I already know where she is.’

Meanwhile—

On Aiden’s side, his own system stirred.

[ Warbound System Activated ]

[...]

[ Host Condition: Stable ]

[ New Battle Quest Generated ]

[ Quest Title: Conquer the Daywalker ]

[ Target Identified: Arthur Celestian ]

[ • Blood Monarch — Progenitor ]

[ Objective: ]

[ • Defeat the Blood Monarch ]

[ Time Limit: ]

[ • 30 Days Remaining ]

[ Description: ]

[ • A being of ancient origin and absolute dominance ]

[ Reward: ]

[ • Physique of Annihilation — Reconstructs the host’s body for combat efficiency, boosting strength, resilience, and attack potency while enabling the body to withstand and deliver extreme levels of force ]

[ Failure Penalty: ]

[ • One S-Rank Ability will be permanently removed ]

[ Quest Status: Active ]

Aiden’s eyes widened.

’Impossible... this guy is a vampire?’ he thought, staring at Arthur’s human-looking features. ’But he seems human to me.’

He let out a quiet sigh, though a trace of excitement flickered beneath his calm exterior.

’Whatever. I’ll just look for a chance to beat this bastard down, make him obedient for Evangeline, and complete the quest. It doesn’t matter if he’s an ally or not. Our interests come first.’

Across from him, Arthur was still smiling faintly, lost in his own thoughts, as if everything was proceeding exactly according to his plans.

The two of them looked at each other—

And almost at the same time, both gave devious smiles.

A short laugh escaped both of them, low and filled with unspoken intent.

Evangeline blinked.

"You two are already getting along, I see," she said dryly. "Why don’t you give each other a hug?"

Arthur and Aiden turned to her in unison.

"Don’t push it," they said together.

Her mouth twitched.

She sighed.

"Alright, now that we’re all on the same page," Evangeline said, clapping her hands lightly, "let me tell you what we have to do next."

In the next second, she reached into her spatial storage ring and pulled out a neatly folded set of clothes.

She handed them over to Arthur.

"A big banquet is being held today," she said. "To celebrate my achievement—"

She flipped her hair slightly.

"And to introduce the one who’s decided to support the weakest faction in the race for the throne... that is you."

She pointed at Arthur’s chest.

"As my second knight, you’ll be at the center of attention today. Same as me. So get ready. We have to leave soon."

Arthur looked at the clothes, then at her, thinking carefully.

"Correct me if I’m wrong," he said slowly. Arthur weighed the clothes in his hands, then looked back at Evangeline.

"But there are four factions, right?" he said calmly. "Your eldest sister’s faction is the strongest—she’s also your mother’s favorite. Then comes your first brother, and after him your second brother."

He took a step closer, his tone turning analytical.

"There are four ducal houses. Two of them already support your eldest sister. The remaining two have each pledged themselves to one of your brothers."

Arthur paused for a heartbeat.

"And then there’s the youngest in the family," he said slowly, "who only has the support of..."

His eyes shifted toward Aiden Lunaris.

"...this guy. His house was once hailed as one of the five ducal families, but now it’s fallen to the level of a poor count. All because his father, the former Sword Saint, went missing."

Aiden’s jaw suddenly clenched, the muscles in his face tightening.

"Or, as others say," Arthur continued mercilessly, "he died during the campaign to clear the legendary zone—the Veil of Forgotten Names."

Arthur let the words hang in the air for a moment, the silence growing heavier.

"Up until now, he’s your only supporter."

He turned back to Evangeline, his gaze sharp.

"The minor houses are also hesitating to support you," he said. "Because, politically, you still hold very little power. And the queen doesn’t have much trust in you either, because—"

"Stop," Evangeline snapped, her voice cutting through his sentence like a blade. "Don’t go any further."

Her lips twitched in clear irritation.

"I don’t know how you have so much information about us," she said coldly. "We haven’t been able to find anything about you. It’s like you’re a ghost."

Arthur only smiled in response.

Evangeline exhaled and continued, her eyes narrowing.

"And it won’t remain the same after this," she said. "Because maybe you don’t know, but you can only join the war of succession after you turn seventeen—which I became just six months ago."

She straightened her posture, pride slipping into her voice.

"My other siblings had a head start," she went on. "Even so, I’d say I’ve already achieved a lot."

She raised a finger, counting her accomplishments.

"Winning several battles on the border against our rival country. Showing the highest growth rate and combat prowess among my siblings. In fact, Mother herself calls me from time to time to ask for my suggestions on important political matters."

Her eyes hardened.

"You’re not a prince, so I guess it’s hard for you to understand all of this."

Arthur resisted the urge to scoff.

’Of course I’m not a prince,’ he thought. ’And I never want to be one.’

"But after today, things will change. Just watch," Evangeline claimed.

A confident smile bloomed on Evangeline’s face, though a hint of tension still lingered beneath it.

Arthur shook his head lightly.

"I’m not saying you don’t have potential," he said. "I’m saying you’re not seeing the bigger picture. Achievements on the battlefield and in war won’t give you the political influence you actually need."

He lifted his hand slightly, as if outlining an invisible web.

"The connections you’ll need in the future—the people who owe you favors, the nobles who can’t ignore your presence. Right now, it’s not enough. Your pace is too slow. At this rate, you’ll never beat your sister."

Without warning, Arthur closed the distance between them.

Evangeline blinked, caught off guard, and instinctively began stepping back as he advanced.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing? Get away from her," Aiden barked, his hand twitching toward his weapon.

Evangeline’s retreat ended when her back hit the cold stone wall.

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she found Arthur standing just a breath away, his presence overwhelming yet controlled.

"So," she asked, trying to maintain her composure, "what do you want me to do?"

Arthur held her gaze, his eyes steady and unwavering.

"Today," he said, voice low and firm, "I’ll show you what I’ve achieved in three months."

He finally stepped back, breaking the tension, and turned away.

Arthur picked up the clothes properly, tossing them over his arm, and began walking toward the exit.

"Prepare a phone for me," he said over his shoulder. "I have to call some people. And let’s get this banquet started."

He pushed open the door, pausing only for a moment.

"If you’re going to tell everyone that Arthur Celestian is serving you—even if it’s only in name—then you’d better be standing at the top."

He looked back with a faint smirk.

"Not crawling your way up."

With that, Arthur left the room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor until they faded away.

Aiden blew out a frustrated breath.

"That guy is too arrogant," he said, frowning. "Eve, I really don’t think you should trust him blindly."

Evangeline watched the doorway for a few seconds longer, then smiled—a sharp, intrigued smile filled with curiosity and anticipation.

"Guess we’re about to find out," she murmured. "Whether he can just bark... or if he can bite as well."

-----

A/N:

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