The Continental Council
"So what?"
Emperor Leonid of Beltria's cold voice filled the audience chamber.
"The Lunaria Empire has proposed advancing the Continental Council, using our declaration of war as an excuse. Darkteria and Haven have already expressed their approval, so we expect the council to convene soon."
Leonid rose from his jade throne.
His hands trembled with barely contained rage.
"Since when has the Lunaria Empire cared about a war from a small kingdom like ours!"
"...We have no choice in the matter, Your Majesty. As you know, the Continental Council involves all kingdoms in name, but in reality..."
"Yes, Lunaria, Haven, Darkteria. It's where the three great empires align their opinions and dictate terms to us."
Leonid gave a bitter smile.
Their prior approval already meant they had no intention of letting the war proceed—they were ordering unconditional participation in the council. And that implied...
"We just sit back and watch as Carmen mines freely in the gorge?"
"Yes, as humiliating as it is. If we march there and exercise force under the banner of justice, we'll only put ourselves at a greater disadvantage at the council. In the worst case... we could even lose ownership of the Crimson Gorge mines."
"Haha... how can things be so..."
Leonid slumped back onto the throne.
"Is this what it means to be a powerless king..."
The Crimson Gorge mines.
The 'Tear of the Red Star' mined exclusively there was no mere mineral.
It was the lifeline sustaining Beltria Kingdom's economy and the treasure symbolizing the kingdom's prestige.
Losing ownership would mean the kingdom's downfall.
"Is there truly no way, Prime Minister?"
The man addressed as Prime Minister bowed his head deeply.
His face was filled with helplessness and self-loathing.
"I apologize, Your Majesty. Forgive my incompetence."
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, and it opened.
"Father, I've just returned from the academy."
"Jin, you've come."
A handsome young man with green hair and brown eyes stood at the door.
He was Beltria's legitimate heir, studying at the Lunaria Empire's academy.
"What's going on?"
"It's..."
Sensing the Prime Minister's troubled expression, Jin intuited that something serious had happened.
"Very well. As Beltria's sole heir, you have the right to know the current situation. Prime Minister, explain it to him."
"Yes, understood. I shall inform Crown Prince of the crisis our kingdom faces."
After hearing everything from the Prime Minister, Jin cried out in fury.
"This is absurd! Justice is clearly on our side—how can they treat us so unreasonably?!"
"Jin."
Leonid called his son in a weary voice. Deep fatigue and resignation shadowed his eyes.
"This is the sorrow of the weak. No matter how just or righteous we are, without power, we can't even protect that justice. You'll understand when you become king someday. Sometimes strength matters more than justice, and ability more than pretext. And Beltria... is far too small and weak."
"But that's..."
Jin lowered his head, his fists trembling with frustration.
How could this be? Beltria had exported the finest gems to Lunaria Empire, nearly at a loss.
The jewels adorning their lavish palaces, the ornaments their nobles proudly wore...
All of it was forged from Beltria's blood and sweat.
"Father, I have a request."
"A request?"
"Yes. Take me to the Continental Council with you."
Leonid looked at his son in surprise.
Steely resolve burned in Jin's eyes.
"Crown Prince, that..."
The Prime Minister started to speak hastily, but Leonid silenced him with a hand.
Leonid had never revealed his heir's existence to any nobles, let alone other kingdoms. The same went for his daughter.
He knew all too well.
Even as king of a nation, he was insignificant before the great empires.
So, should anyone target him, he had kept his children's identities strictly hidden for their safety.
Jin was known at the academy only as an ordinary Beltrian exchange student.
But attending the Continental Council would mean...
"Jin, that I cannot allow."
"Father."
Jin stared straight at his father.
His gaze held not a child's innocence, but the resolute determination of one prepared for sacrifice.
"I know what worries you. I've realized it all the more keenly in this situation. But that's exactly why I want to see it for myself—what creates the gap between us and them, what power drives this unjust world..."
Leonid gazed at his son with conflicted eyes.
That was precisely why he wanted to protect him. But he couldn't raise him forever like a flower in a greenhouse.
'Someday, this child must sit upon the throne. If he still knows nothing of the world's cruelty by then...'
Leonid let out a deep sigh.
"Prime Minister, withdraw. I wish to speak with my son alone."
"Your Majesty, surely..."
"Prime Minister."
Leonid smiled wistfully.
"Do you know what other kingdoms call me? Overprotective of my son. I admit it. I'm a coward."
"Your Majesty..."
"But hearing my son's words just now made me realize something. This child will be a far braver king than I. So I'll hide him no longer. I want to proclaim this proud son of mine to the entire continent. And you know it too—they'll uncover him eventually if they set their minds to it, no matter how well we hide."
The Prime Minister withdrew quietly, leaving father and son alone in the audience chamber.
"Jin, do you know what the Continental Council truly is?"
"From what I've heard... it's where all the continent's kingdoms gather to discuss vital matters."
"On the surface, yes. But in truth, it's no different from a slaughterhouse where the strong decide the fate of the weak. There, you'll feel to your bones how pathetic Beltria is, how powerless your father is. Do you still wish to go?"
Jin clenched his fists tightly.
"Even so... I must go. I can no longer pretend not to know."
"Very well, if that's your will. I'll take you. But remember this: the moment you go, you become Beltria's official heir. If they target Beltria, you could become a target too."
"Yes, I'm prepared."
Jin.
He was powerless.
Devoid of any Supernatural Ability, hailed as a sword prodigy in childhood but scorned as worse than a dullard once he took up the blade in earnest.
Thus, at the academy, he majored in economics rather than swordsmanship or magic, seeking another way to serve his kingdom.
This helplessness was likely why his father had hidden him so fiercely.
'No longer... I can't just watch anymore. I won't let Father bear the kingdom's burdens alone.'
Jin vowed in his heart.
Though he couldn't wield a sword or cast spells, he had other weapons.
The knowledge honed at the academy—and above all, his resolve to do anything for his kingdom.
"Father, I'm ready. As Beltria's heir, and as your son."
* * *
The Continental Council was traditionally held in Solaris, the capital of the Lunaria Empire.
Haven and Darkteria raised no objections to the long-standing custom.
'Well, Darkteria practically can't host it anyway, and Balderic sees no need to change things.'
"You've come."
Balderic said curtly, looking at me.
Beside her crouched the massive dragon that had carried me from Frostheim to the Lord's Castle, its wings folded.
"Get on."
I glanced around, noting the absence of someone who should be there, and asked her.
"Kain's not coming?"
"Astra, there's no need to bring Kain when you're going—the lord and captain alone fulfill all formalities."
Fair enough.
"Got it. Let's depart quickly."
As I spoke, I closely examined her attire.
Unlike her usual practical, comfortable clothes, today she was dressed formally.
A black coat intricately embroidered with silver thread patterns, a ceremonial sword at her waist.
No inconvenient skirt, but it fully conveyed Haven's lord's dignity.
Balderic mounted the dragon first, and I followed.
"KRROOOAAAR!!!"
With a mighty roar, the dragon unfurled its enormous wings.
A single powerful flap launched us from the ground into the sky.
The distance between Lunaria Empire and Haven was vast. A normal carriage would take at least a fortnight, but the dragon's wings shortened it to just two days.
Cold wind whipped sharply across my face. Below stretched the endless land like a vast map.
"First time seeing this view?"
Balderic asked, piercing the wind's howl.
"No, once before..."
I trailed off.
The game view and reality were worlds apart. Pixels on a screen couldn't compare to this living, breathing continent.
"...Yeah, it's my first time."
"Astra."
Balderic's voice lowered.
"What you're preparing... I'm expecting great things. Don't disappoint me."
"I know. I don't make empty promises."
"..."
Balderic said no more. But her silence carried volumes.
The dragon ascended higher, wings slicing through clouds. As we flew, we each sank into our thoughts.
About the coming Continental Council—and what would unfold there.
As the red sunset dyed the sky, a city appeared in the distance.
Solaris. The City of the Sun.
Gigantic golden spires pierced the heavens like fingers reaching for the sun, the entire city gleaming like a burning jewel in the sunset glow.
"We're here."
With Balderic's brief declaration, the dragon began its slow descent.