Chapter : 397
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Chapter : 397
"When the time is exactly right," Ken promised softly. "When their plot is fully baked and ready to launch. When they think they have totally won."
Ken paused for dramatic effect.
"The Sovereign alone will be the one to devour the roast of their pathetic, conspiratorial pot," Ken declared. "I will walk into their final meeting. I will eat their entire plan in one single bite. It will require zero running on my part. It is the most efficient strategy."
Karna offered a deep, respectful bow. "It is a flawless plan, Boss. We will not interfere with the Anti-Empire faction. We will solely focus on the Ashura eradication."
"Thank you, Karna," Ken nodded.
Selina stepped backward into the green light. "I will go now, my Sovereign. I will find the suffering souls. I will grant them peace."
"Good luck, Selina," Ken said gently.
Leviathan offered a playful wink. "We will handle the cleanup, Master. Try to get some sleep. You look very tired."
Ryu pounded his chest one last time. "Your will is absolute!"
The green magical circle flared brightly on the floorboards. A cold wind blew through the tiny bedroom. The four powerful spirits stepped backward. They dissolved seamlessly into the dark shadows. The green light vanished entirely.
The room returned to a normal temperature. The heavy, suffocating pressure lifted instantly.
Ken Eliot was completely alone again. The massive, world-altering meeting was totally over.
He stood in the middle of his messy room. He let out a long, loud yawn. He stretched his arms high above his head. His back popped softly. He slouched his shoulders completely. The terrifying aura of the Sovereign was locked away deep inside his mind. He was just a lazy teenager again.
Ken walked over to his bed. He looked down at the three leather-bound journals sitting on his desk. He knew he had to accidentally drop those books in front of Princess Iris tomorrow. He needed to make sure she found the evidence against Dr. Raven. He needed to continue his goofy slacker act.
But that was a problem for tomorrow morning.
"I really hope Naomi made extra food," Ken mumbled to himself. He kicked his scuffed shoes off. They landed in a messy pile near the door. "I am completely starving. Giving orders burns way too many calories."
Ken crawled onto his lumpy mattress. He pulled the thin blanket all the way up to his chin. He wiggled his toes. He felt incredibly comfortable. He closed his sleepy dark eyes.
He did not worry about the mutated monsters. He knew his spirits would handle the eradication perfectly. He did not worry about the corrupt politicians plotting a massive coup. He knew he would easily crush them when the time came. He had everything completely under control.
Within two minutes, the lazy boy was fast asleep. He snored very quietly. He dreamed about a quiet, sunny potato farm far away from the noisy capital city. He dreamed about eating a giant bowl of warm caramel pudding.
Outside his bedroom window, the capital city remained completely unaware of the massive shadow war happening in the dark. The citizens slept safely. The 13th Unit rested peacefully downstairs. The world was totally secure, guarded by a messy boy who just wanted to take a long nap.
---
The morning sun shined brightly over the 13th Unit estate. The air felt warm and pleasant. The birds sang quiet songs in the green trees. Ken Eliot sat at the long wooden table in the dining room. He wore his usual navy blue suit pants. His white shirt hung entirely untucked. He did not wear a tie. He slouched his shoulders. He held a large spoon in his right hand. He ate a massive bowl of sweet cereal.
He chewed loudly. Crunch. Crunch. He swallowed his food and let out a long, happy sigh.
"This is a fantastic morning," Ken mumbled to himself. He poured more milk into his bowl. "No running. No monsters. Just me and my breakfast. I plan to sit in this exact chair for the next four hours."
Suddenly, the front gate of the estate swung open. A royal messenger walked into the courtyard. The messenger wore a pristine white uniform with gold trim. He held a large golden scroll in his hands. The scroll featured the official, bright red wax seal of the Emperor.
Princess Iris walked out of the strategy room. Her violet eyes focused on the messenger. She accepted the golden scroll. She broke the wax seal. She unrolled the paper. She read the message very carefully.
The entire 13th Unit gathered in the dining room. They watched their leader. The relaxed morning mood vanished completely. A very intense atmosphere filled the room.
Princess Iris lowered the scroll. She looked at her team. She offered a calm, steady expression.
"My father has sent an official decree," Princess Iris announced. Her clear voice echoed in the quiet room. "The Emperor has summoned all twenty-one Royal children. We must go to the grand golden throne room at the Imperial Palace today."
Laxmi jumped up from her chair. The fire user cracked her knuckles. A tiny orange flame popped between her fingers. "A full Royal gathering? Finally! We get to see all the other competitors in one place. I am totally ready to show them how strong we are."
Zinia crossed her strong arms. She nodded her head. "We will stand right beside you, Princess. We will protect you from the other factions. Nobody will intimidate the 13th Unit."
Princess Iris shook her head gently. She gave Zinia a sad smile.
"You cannot stand beside me," Princess Iris explained softly. "The Emperor included a very strict rule in this summons. He absolutely forbade any special servants from entering the chamber. The meeting is for the Royal bloodline only. You must wait outside."
Sayma pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose. She opened her neat notebook. She clicked her pen.
"This is highly unusual," Sayma stated politely. "The Emperor has not called a direct, in-person meeting since the brutal inception of the Succession War. To exclude the servants means he wants to evaluate the Royals without any outside influence. It is a massive political test."
Ira stood perfectly still near the wall. Her pale face showed zero emotion. "Statistically speaking, isolating leaders from their guards increases psychological stress by eighty percent. The Emperor wants to provoke conflict among his children."
Luna let out a massive, dramatic yawn. She rested her head on the wooden table. "That sounds incredibly exhausting. Can we just stay home? The palace has too many stairs. I want to go back to sleep."
Risa hugged her stuffed teddy bear. The pink-haired healer looked a little scared. "Will the Princess be safe all alone in that big room?"
Naomi walked over to Princess Iris. The fierce vanguard leader did not look strict today. She smiled a very warm, supportive smile. "The Princess will be perfectly fine, Risa. She is stronger than all of her siblings combined. We will escort her to the palace doors. We will wait right outside."