"No Sigil?" Halwin echoed, eyes widening in raw disbelief. "You're absolutely certain?"
Kafel gave a single, firm nod. "Without question. He bears no trace of the divine mark granted to every survivor of the Martial & Spiritual Trial. Which means he is…"
"Powerless," Halwin finished quietly, gaze dropping as the implications sank.
Geoffrey let out a low, thoughtful breath. "It's… staggering."
Halwin's fingers tightened around the delicate cup, the only visible crack in his composure.
For a long moment none of the men spoke, the quiet broken only by the faint crackle of the brazier in the corner.
When Halwin finally spoke again, his voice was low, almost contemplative.
"How does a powerless man, a failure by every law of this world, rise to become Lord of an entire realm? Survival begets power. Everyone must submit to it. So how…?"
He lifted his eyes to Kafel and Geoffrey in turn.
"Why do the strongest warriors in the Supreme Domain kneel to him? How can a man without a Sigil command such loyalty, such fear? How did he come to possess?…" His voice trailed off in confusion.
Geoffrey's lip curled in bitter amusement. "They probably believe he has one. Those warriors who sneered at us earlier…" He gave a short, mocking laugh. "Imagine their faces when they learn the leader who delivered their victory is nothing more than a fraud."
Kafel didn't want to listen more so he said, "I should take my leave."
He offered a brief bow and turned toward the door, departing without another word.
The moment the doors closed behind him, Geoffrey leaned closer to Halwin, voice dropping to a fierce whisper.
"Prince Halwin… you are the one who deserves to rule a realm. You deserve the kind of absolute power Alistair Rehn pretends to wield, the devotion of capable warriors, the control he holds in his grasp. Give me the word, and I'll end him tonight."
"Shh." Halwin raised a single finger to silence him. "Recklessness breeds only ruin. He is not yet my brother-in-law, is he?"
Geoffrey exhaled, nodding slowly as understanding settled.
"For now," Halwin continued, eyes narrowing with predatory focus, "I need the ultimate power. I was unfortunate enough to fail the Martial & Spiritual Trial, to be branded powerless, dismissed, overlooked. That ends soon."
A faint, mischievous glint sparked in his gaze.
"Very soon."
Meanwhile, back in Alistair's private chambers, there was only silence.
Then a soft ripple of spiritual energy shimmered in the air and Regan Houser, Thane Veyer, and Thalia materialized.
The three of them glanced at the demolished table without so much as a blink of surprise.
Regan let out a low whistle, lips curving into a wry half-smile. "Looks like someone's in the market for a new table."
Thalia shot him a quick, reproachful glance and swatted his chest lightly with the back of her hand. "Not the time, Regan." She stepped forward, cradling a small golden cup in both palms, the faint herbal scent of its contents drifting ahead of her. "Lord Alistair… it's time for your medicine."
Alistair remained seated in the high-backed chair, elbows braced on the armrests, gaze still fixed on the debris on the floor.
Then he slowly lifted his eyes to the trio, then to the cup in her hands.
"As you can see," he said, voice flat, "I'm not in the mood."
"This is precisely the time you need this, Lord Alistair," Thalia said worriedly.
Regan folded his arms and gave a small nod of agreement. "She's right. Ever since… then… you've only been seeing Halwin Valehart's face in your nightmares. And now you've finally had to look at the real thing."
Thane Veyer, usually the quietest of the three, spoke up at last, "Exactly what we've been patiently waiting for."
Alistair exhaled through his nose, his expression still seething.
His fingers resumed their slow, rhythmic turning of the silver ring on his right hand.
"Seeing that face again…" he murmured, eyes darkening. "It dragged every memory back to the surface. Ones I'll never forget. Not until I make him get what he deserves."
Thalia hesitated, then asked softly, "And what of your… wife-to-be? It's surprising she managed to slip away from her escort. What do you think she was trying to accomplish? Could it be one of Halwin's schemes?"
Regan's brows knit together in genuine confusion. "Schemes? I still don't understand. What could Halwin possibly want from the Supreme Domain, considering he has no idea who Lord Alistair really is?"
"I'm not entirely certain," Alistair replied. "I went to the Relaxation Inn earlier today seeking information from the Star Haven defector who fled here. But when I arrived, she was already dead, found lifeless in her sleep. On my way out, I collided with Alya Valehart in the street. Under… questioning… She revealed that Halwin is after the Primordial Advancement Core in my possession."
Regan, Thane, and Thalia exchanged quick, alarmed glances.
"If he needs that, then he's up to no good," Regan noted.
Thane added with a sneer, "And since he's up to no good, we can turn whatever he's up to against him. Use it to crush him once and for all. Isn't that right, Lord Alistair?"
Alistair averted his gaze, and for some reason, he was thinking about Alya. Even without the mark forcing her tongue, she spoke so freely… carelessly. Like she had nothing at all to hide.'
He let out a slow breath, fingers resuming their slow rotation of the silver ring on his right hand.
Then he lifted his eyes to the three loyal figures before him.
"Prepare yourselves," he said with resolve. "A battle is coming."