Continental Conference (2)
"Jin, from now on, be careful with every single one of your actions. Here, even the slightest mistake could determine the fate of the entire kingdom."
In front of the grand banquet hall of the imperial palace in Solaris, the City of the Sun proudly boasted by the Lunaria Empire.
Leonid halted before the ornate golden doors and issued his final warning to his son.
"Don't worry, Father."
Jin's voice was calm, but his hands trembled faintly.
The Continental Conference traditionally spanned two days.
The first day was a banquet where the royalty of each nation gathered to build camaraderie, and from the second day onward, the real political discussions began. But everyone knew.
The true war started in the banquet hall.
As the massive doors swung open, a dazzling sight unfolded.
Crystal chandeliers reaching toward the ceiling blazed with thousands of candles, and pillars adorned in pure gold stood majestically.
Numerous royals, clad in splendid attire, were already mingling in conversation.
And at the center...
Were King Zahir and Crown Prince Edwin of Carmen Kingdom.
"King Leonid von Beltria of Beltria Kingdom and Crown Prince Jin von Beltria enter!"
The moment they were announced, every gaze in the banquet hall turned to them.
Murmurs rippled out like waves.
It was inevitable, since the conference had been advanced due to the declaration of war on Beltria.
Especially the father and son from Carmen watched them with intrigued expressions.
Zahir was a man with sun-darkened skin and the sharp eyes of a hawk.
His sturdy build, forged under the scorching desert sun, was evident even beneath his golden robes.
He glanced at them briefly before indifferently raising his wine glass.
As if he couldn't care less about having seized Crimson Canyon.
Jin's fists trembled at the sheer audacity.
Then Leonid's hand lightly pressed on Jin's shoulder.
When Jin turned to his father, Leonid shook his head silently.
Hold back. This is not the time. The unspoken warning was clear in his eyes.
As the father and son cautiously entered the banquet hall, someone approached.
"It's been a while, King Leonid."
He was a man with a sharp jawline and sly, fox-like eyes.
His skin was bronzed, and his black beard was neatly trimmed along his jaw.
His gaze slowly shifted to Jin standing beside Leonid.
It was an appraising look, as if sizing up his worth.
"Hm? I suspected as much, but you really brought him. The son you've hidden so thoroughly. What changed your mind?"
"Jin, greet him."
Leonid spoke in a calm but firm voice.
"He's King Ashraf of Sahara Kingdom."
"I am Jin, crown prince of Beltria."
Jin bowed perfectly, as taught at Lunaria Academia.
Ashraf scanned Jin up and down with an expressionless face.
His eyes were cold and calculating.
"For someone revealing his identity, he's nothing special."
Jin's face flushed at the sudden insult.
But recalling his father's warning, he barely suppressed his emotions.
Besides, Sahara Kingdom was far stronger than Beltria. A minor slip here could spell disaster for the entire kingdom.
"He has patience, at least."
Ashraf snorted.
"By the way, Leonid, why declare war on Carmen?"
"You know what they did."
"Zahir claims he didn't."
"Ha, as if that brazen—"
"Well, with the conference underway, the truth will come out soon enough. It was a pleasure, Leonid."
Ashraf cast one last meaningful glance at Jin before leisurely vanishing into the depths of the banquet hall.
Watching his retreating figure, Jin finally understood his father's warning.
This wasn't just a banquet hall. It was the stage for a grand political game, and Beltria was the weakest piece on the board.
"Father..."
Jin murmured in a low voice.
Leonid placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"This is just the beginning. The real players haven't even arrived yet."
Right then, a majestic fanfare resounded through the entire banquet hall.
"All guests, cease your actions and show proper respect!"
Thud, thud, thud.
The sound of a golden staff striking the marble floor three times dominated the hall.
Dozens of royals stopped what they were doing and rose in unison to pay homage.
Jin's gaze naturally turned there as well.
"His Solar Majesty Cassius of the Lunaria Empire, First Imperial Prince Sebastian, and First Imperial Princess Selena enter!"
In that instant, the air in the banquet hall shifted.
As the massive golden doors opened, an overwhelming presence swept in, as if the sun itself had entered.
Emperor Cassius, clad in pristine white robes over golden armor, strode in confidently.
Following him, Imperial Prince Sebastian had his father's sharp eyes, while Imperial Princess Selena exuded a soft, moonlit beauty.
Jin felt breathless.
Even Ashraf, who had been so arrogant moments ago, and Zahir of Carmen—all the assembled royals bowed deeply.
They were kings of nations great and small, yet before the emperor of the continent's strongest empire, they were mere subjects.
This... is true power.
Once Emperor Cassius seated himself on the golden throne, the others could finally raise their heads.
The emperor's golden eyes slowly scanned the hall.
Silence fell wherever his gaze landed.
"I thank you all for attending the Continental Conference."
The emperor's voice was low and dignified.
After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
"However..."
Everyone held their breath.
"King Leonid of Beltria and King Zahir of Carmen, step forward. I wish to speak with you privately."
The air in the banquet hall froze solid.
Jin's face paled.
Leonid stiffened slightly but quickly regained his composure and took a step toward the emperor. Zahir advanced as well, maintaining his leisurely smile.
"The rest of you, continue enjoying the banquet. Sebastian, Selena, look after the guests while I'm away."
"Yes, Father."
As the emperor moved to leave, his gaze paused on Jin beside Leonid.
"Hm, speaking of which, Leonid. You've brought your son."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Jin instinctively dropped to one knee under the emperor's overwhelming gaze.
"I pay respects to the Sun of Lunaria."
A faint smile tugged at Emperor Cassius's lips.
"He looks about Sebastian's age. Sebastian, show him around the banquet hall."
"Understood, Father."
Imperial Prince Sebastian approached Jin.
"Rise. No need to be so formal between fellow royals."
As Jin slowly stood, Sebastian regarded him with an intrigued expression.
"To think you're Beltria's heir. I had no idea."
"I..."
"Ah, drop the formalities. We're alumni from the academy."
Sebastian had been top of the swordsmanship department at Lunaria Academia, while Jin was second in economics.
"Jin's the economics genius. Always holed up in the library, and now it turns out you're a prince."
Sebastian chuckled lightly.
"Everyone probably thought you were just some commoner."
"...I hid it on purpose."
"Makes sense, given Beltria's situation."
Sebastian's eyes sharpened.
"Things have been noisy lately over Crimson Canyon."
Jin's expression hardened.
"Ah, sorry. Not banquet talk, huh."
Sebastian shrugged.
"Shall we grab a glass of wine?"
"Sorry, wine's not really..."
"Yeah? Not a fan, I guess."
As the two conversed, surrounding gazes followed them.
Whispers from the royals drifted over.
"That guy's Beltria's heir?"
"Close with the crown prince?"
"Did they call this summit to help Beltria before war even breaks out?"
Jin was naturally bothered by the commotion around them—
"Ignore it. Better to pretend you don't hear and listen to what they think."
Watching the nonchalant Sebastian, Jin forced himself to stay composed and continue the conversation.
It was then.
"Kieeeek!!!!"
A ear-shattering screech shook the banquet hall.
"Kyaaak! What was that?!"
Panic began to engulf the hall. Chandeliers swayed, wine glasses shattered on the floor.
"Looks like they've arrived."
"Who?"
Sebastian's expression turned serious as he looked outside.
"The lord of Haven... known as the continent's strongest in raw military might."
Boom—!
With those words, the massive banquet hall doors burst open as if about to shatter.
Beyond them stood a beautiful woman utterly at odds with her fearsome reputation, flanked by a man in pitch-black attire guarding her side.
"That's... Haven's..."
"As a fellow alumnus, here's a warning."
Sebastian's voice lowered.
"Don't even talk to them. Haven is truly dangerous."
Seeing entities that even made Lunaria's heir tense, Jin stiffened as well, vowing not to catch their eyes.
"Haven's lord Bal—"
"Stop there."
A cold feminine voice froze the banquet hall.
"No need for such embarrassing introductions. Anyone who doesn't recognize me on sight wouldn't be alive."
It was different from Cassius's entrance.
Then, they had bowed in respect; now, they bowed in terror. As if afraid to even meet her gaze.
"You've come, Balderic."
"Cassius. I've brought Astra, as you asked."
The man called Astra surveyed the banquet hall.
"I am Astra, captain of Jin Gang Regiment."
At those words, every king slightly raised their heads to look at him.
They needed to confirm the face of Haven's new power player.
Jin lifted his head slightly too—and
In that instant, his eyes met pitch-black ones.
It was a fleeting moment, but unmistakable.
"Hahaha, Jin Gang Regiment of Haven hasn't had a captain for ages. That's why I asked Balderic to let me see you."
"Is that so? What's your impression?"
Jin swallowed dryly. Astra's overwhelming presence dominated the hall, making even Cassius—who had seemed absolute—proceed cautiously.
"Impressive. As expected of Haven's captain. Come over here. Balderic, join us for a meal."
"Understood. Let's go, Astra."
"One moment."
Suddenly, Astra turned in a different direction. Toward—
Why here...?
Sebastian and Jin's location.
"Greetings, Captain of Jin Gang Regiment. I am Sebastian, First Imperial Prince of Lunaria Empire."
Sebastian offered perfect courtesy, though a hint of tension laced his voice.
"Yes."
Astra's reply was short and indifferent.
But his gaze lingered not on Sebastian, but elsewhere.
"You."
Jin's heart plummeted.
Astra's jet-black eyes stared straight at him.
"Pardon?"
"What's your name?"
There was an odd gentleness in his voice.
Different from the cold tone that had frozen the hall.
"Jin. Jin, heir to Beltria Kingdom."
"Jin..."
Astra repeated the name, then turned away.
But just before leaving, he murmured in a very soft voice.
"Finally, we meet."