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THE MORNING DISASTER
Reivan had experienced many unpleasant wake-up calls.
Once, an assassin had tripped over his laundry pile in an attempt to kill him. Another time, a noble had shown up at dawn to discuss "urgent politics" (which turned out to be a tax loophole issue.)
But this?
This was worse.
Because this time, it was Garm.
The Red Fang Mercenary Leader.
A man built like a war elephant, with the tactical patience of a charging bull.
And he was standing in Reivan’s study before sunrise, grinning like he had done something wonderful.
"Boss!" Garm slapped a hand on Reivan’s desk, nearly splitting the wood. "Good news!"
Reivan, still half-asleep, stared at him.
"Good news?" he repeated flatly.
Garm nodded, crossing his arms. "The Reapers have arrived!"
Reivan blinked.
"The what now?"
Garm grinned wider. "The Reapers! You know—the biggest mercenary force in the empire? Their leader’s here. Wants to talk to you."
Reivan slowly set down his tea.
"…And why," he asked, his voice dangerously calm, "did you let them in?"
Garm shrugged. "Seemed like the polite thing to do."
Reivan rubbed his temples.
This was going to be a long day.
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SYLPKX’S OBSERVATIONS
Sylpkx had been watching from the corner of the room, arms crossed, tail flicking slightly.
She wasn’t surprised.
Reivan had been avoiding power for too long.
And power, if left unchecked, found its own way to him.
But as she watched his reaction, she wondered.
Would he rise to meet it?
Or would he, like so many before him, be swallowed by it?
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THE MERCENARY KING’S ARRIVAL
The Reapers were not a normal mercenary group.
They weren’t just hired fighters.
They were a force of nature.
When the Mercenary King moved, wars changed.
And today—
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He had come to see Reivan.
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THE MERCENARY KING’S EVALUATION
The courtyard was silent.
Dozens of mercenaries stood at attention, armored in black and steel.
And at their head—
A man who radiated authority like a drawn blade.
The Mercenary King.
He was broad-shouldered, tall, with a presence too sharp to be ignored.
He took one look at Reivan, at the estate, at Garm standing beside him—
And then, slowly, he smiled.
"So," he said. "You’re the one making all the noise."
Reivan, who had been actively trying to stay out of trouble, inhaled deeply.
"That," he said, "is a gross misrepresentation of the facts."
The Mercenary King chuckled.
"Is it?" he asked. "Because from what I’ve seen, you built a supply network overnight, turned a mercenary company into a personal army, and outmaneuvered the nobility before they even realized they were playing a game."
Reivan gave Garm a deadpan look.
"This," he muttered, "is your fault."
Garm grinned. "Details."
The Mercenary King studied Reivan for a long moment.
Then, he said,
"You’re the only one thinking ahead, aren’t you?"
Reivan froze.
That tone.
That wasn’t a question.
That was a statement.
And it was dangerous.
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THE KINGDOM’S SITUATION – A LOGICAL CHOICE
The Mercenary King turned, gesturing to the land beyond the gates.
"This empire," he said, "is falling apart."
Reivan didn’t argue.
Because he was right.
* Elseth had fallen.
* The Holy Kingdom was expanding.
* The nobility was too divided to act.
The empire was not prepared.
And everyone in power was too slow to see it.
Except, of course—
Reivan.
The Mercenary King’s gaze sharpened.
"You don’t move like a noble," he said. "You don’t act out of pride or greed. You move like a man preparing for war."
Reivan inhaled slowly.
"That," he said, "is an assumption."
The Mercenary King smiled.
"It’s an observation."
Reivan hated that he wasn’t wrong.
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THE REAPERS JOIN HIM
"I don’t take sides," the Mercenary King said.
Reivan raised an eyebrow. "You’re standing on my land. I’d argue that’s false."
The man chuckled.
"True neutrality is a myth," he admitted. "And war is coming."
He studied Reivan carefully.
"And I don’t back losing factions."
Reivan exhaled.
"So this is an evaluation?"
The Mercenary King nodded. "It is."
Reivan sighed. "And?"
The man smiled.
"You’re the smartest choice."
And with that, the Reapers swore loyalty.
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SYLPKX’S BACKSTORY & FEARS
Sylpkx watched from the shadows.
She had seen this before.
A man, stronger than he wanted to be, forced into leadership.
And she knew what happened to men like that.
Her past was carved in blood.
She had once followed a leader.
A leader who had been too strong.
Too smart.
Too feared.
And so, he had been betrayed.
Power meant nothing if you weren’t willing to wield it.
She clenched her fists.
If Reivan didn’t take control soon…
Then someone else would take control for him.
And that would be far worse.
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THE NOBLES REACT
By the next morning, the empire was in chaos.
* Reivan had an army.
* Reivan had the Reapers.
* **Reivan was no longer a "merchant"—he was now a military force.
Some nobles wanted to ally with him.
Others whispered about removing him.
One thing was clear—
Reivan had just become one of the most powerful men in the empire.
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FINAL SCENE: SYLPKX CONFRONTS REIVAN
That night, Reivan sat at his desk, exhausted.
Sylpkx entered without knocking.
"You can’t keep running from this," she said.
Reivan groaned. "I am not running. I am… strategically avoiding unnecessary stress."
Sylpkx tilted her head. "Are you?"
Reivan sighed. "You think this will end well?"
Sylpkx was silent for a long time.
Then, finally, she said,
"That depends. Are you strong enough to survive it?"
Reivan exhaled.
That was the terrifying part.
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Reivan just wanted peace.
Now, he had an army, an empire watching him, and a war creeping closer.
And fate refused to let him go.