Chapter 156: The Greymoore Elders
The king’s sudden order had a vastly different impact on the independent and vassal werewolf clans. In the past, their young warriors had to work under the ten great clans or enlist in the military to have even a slight chance of entering the Trial of Yggdrasil. Some wealthy independent clans resorted to buying slots for their most promising youths.
But this time, the king’s directive changed everything.
He directly tasked the Arbiter Clan with organizing a grand competition to select the ten strongest warriors among all eligible werewolf youths. Following the command, the Arbiter Clan issued a worldwide announcement: all werewolves under the age of one hundred were invited to participate in the preliminary selection round, to be held in the coliseum at Lunergarde during the first ten days of the following month.
Entry required only a fee of 10,000 dollars.
The rules were simple. Each participant would face off in a one-on-one duel against a newly developed robotic warrior. Victory meant immediate advancement to the second round, which would begin on the 11th.
These robotic warriors had been developed under the supervision of the Lychos Clan, in collaboration with various werewolf scientists. The king intended for this robot army to serve under his direct command in the future. Though rumours of these machines had circulated for years, this would be their first appearance in public. The competition served two purposes: to help in the selection process... and to conduct a real-time field test of the robot warriors. The data gathered would be used to improve future models.
No one truly knew the robots’ combat capabilities. Yet countless young fighters around the globe were ecstatic. Many believed they could triumph and earn their place in the Trial. Even those uncertain of final victory saw value in the challenge... an opportunity to test their abilities and gain recognition. The entire werewolf world began preparing in a state of excited anticipation.
Meanwhile, the army under the Warlord Clan received a separate order. Ten of their strongest members under one hundred years of age would also be granted a place in the Trial. The news came as no surprise... joining the army had always been a viable path to ascension. Unlike the open competitions, internal selection within the army was straightforward; power rankings were already well known. Identifying the top ten was merely a formality.
While the global werewolf community buzzed with enthusiasm, the Greymoore Clan was in disarray.
The recent Stockport Scandal had shaken the very foundation of their thousand-year political legacy. In a single stroke, many of their longstanding allies... powerful political families... were exposed for corruption and criminal activities. Their downfall was swift, and chances for a comeback in the near future were bleak.
Though the Greymoore Clan still retained a few supporters in the House of Commons and Lords, their key figures were gone. Despite having investments in multiple industries, their primary business had always been construction, heavily reliant on government contracts... contracts that were often secured through their political influence.