Leona and Azgralos had mentioned prior summonings, however, I didn't know one had occurred so recently.

<>

[ Yes, as I did not oversee the one that Chase Daylan mentioned, the only information I can share is what I learned from other Players that played the Game I'm overseeing. ]

[ Based on a few Players' accounts, it was a multi-Player Game whose objective was to guard someone while also gaining points if they killed other Players or took out other Players' safeguarded individual. ]

I frowned.

I lacked education on historical events that passed. Still, I had some recollection of whatever little I had studied, that there was an incident two decades back where a number of very important individuals had died. However, it was hardly public knowledge that there was a Great Summoning of all things.

"How do you know there was a summoning then?" I questioned Chase back. I leaned back in my chair, the polished wood cool against my skin. "You weren't alive then, were you?"

Chase was only two years older than me, not accounting for the mental age gap.

Chase waved his hand dismissively. The soft rustle of his golden silk robes echoed in the dining room.

"Another Awakened that had lived through it had told me about it—although admittedly, it was a rather different sort of summoning from the one currently in progress," he explained. "And to your question, I wasn't alive per say, but I was conceived then. I'm quite certain my father was one of the individuals summoned. Not that he survived long."

I blinked at this.

Was his father a Player of the previous Game?

"Well, did you receive something?" Chase returned to probing Duncan. "Or perhaps, given your family's resources, you gained an irregular artifact that gave you your ability?"

Duncan hesitated, his gaze on the spread-out remaining food on the table.

I wasn't sure if Chase was utilizing his ability on Duncan. He promised not to use it on me, but that promise didn't apply to those around me.

"I didn't receive something, but I did eat a fruit that the wizard staying with our family had left out," Duncan replied. "This ability of mine appeared after I had tasted the fruit."

Chase raised a brow at this.

"A fruit? Interesting," he muttered.

He turned to me.

"Luca, say, you're a Player currently. Are you able to produce any such fruit?" Chase asked.

I frowned.

Could I?

<>

[ Yes, normally, you'd have access to the Game Store and points to purchase items from it. However, as you only have access to 40% of the Game functions, you cannot take advantage of that. ]

[ As a note, even if you could access the store, know that items that can provide abilities without the need for training are costly and would take years to save up for. ]

Ah.

I suddenly had an idea why the wizard may have lashed out at Duncan as he did.

"No, unfortunately, I cannot," I replied to Chase.

"What a shame that is," Chase replied. "Mmmm?"

Suddenly the lunatic prince seemed to focus elsewhere and jumped out of his seat. Given how his hand was holding against his round eye shades, I figured that perhaps rather than being a mere accessory, they had mana stones embedded within them for communication.

"I apologize, but something has occurred. I need to leave," Chase said.

Without any further words, he turned around and pushed out through the dining room doors. His golden silk robes fluttered behind him as he ran out. Or rather glided. He was utilizing some sort of magic to propel him forward.

Chase's abrupt departure left us all stunned and wondering what could have caused such urgency. A sense of curiosity filled the air as the dining room doors remained open behind him.

"What do you think could have happened?" Duncan asked, breaking the silence that followed Chase's exit.

I shrugged, my mind racing with possibilities. "It's hard to say. But whatever news he received must have been important enough to leave in haste. But he also has a loose screw, so I wouldn't put it past him to take off for no other reason."

Leona fluttered over and perched herself on my shoulder, letting out a soft chirp of agreement.

She didn't know Chase long, but he certainly left an impression.

"I suppose we'll have to wait for Chase's return to find out," I said and stood up from the table. I stretched out my arms and yawned.

And I had no doubt Chase would return again.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"In the meantime, I am going to go to bed," I announced.

I motioned to one of the servants outside the dining room. "I suggest you rest up as well," I told Duncan.

Duncan stood up from the table. "About what Chase said about you being a Player—"

"Tomorrow," I cut off Duncan. "We can talk on the matter later."

With the lunatic prince gone, all of my remaining energy seemed to have left me.

Besides, with the open doors and curious servants peering in, our conversation would have been easily overheard.

"Very well, thank you for your hospitality again," Duncan offered a respectful bow, his movements graceful and refined. He departed with one of the attendants.

I sighed.

Damn it. I ought to have told him we'll talk the day after. Tomorrow will be the funeral.

I brushed my black hair back and made my way back to my own bedroom. The walk seemed overly long, and my legs felt heavy.

Leona sat on my shoulder, unusually quiet herself.

Perhaps she had her own matters to ponder.

Upon entering my room, a sense of solace enveloped me. I collapsed onto the plush comfort of my bed, the coolness of the sheets against my skin soothing my weary body. Leona, meanwhile, fluttered onto a nearby pillow, nestling herself in a cozy corner she had claimed as her own.

"Peep!"

Sleep well and get some proper rest. Tomorrow will be a difficult day for you.

"You too," I mumbled back.

However, despite my exhaustion, I didn't go to sleep. An idea had popped into my mind during the discussion with Chase and Duncan, and I wanted to run it by the System. Despite its constant poking fun at me, it seemed intent on helping me.

So perhaps my idea will work.

<>

[ Correct, it wasn't perfect, but it allowed me to provide you with certain functionalities. ]

The blue screen appeared in my mind despite my closed weary eyes.

<>

[ It is. ]

I smiled.

I couldn't be certain, as no Intelligence points popped up, but the blue screen seemed just a tad brighter than usual.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Your Highness." A maid ran into the princess's royal study. "An urgent message just came in."

Micah and Evelyn were both sprawled across the navy blue couch in the circular room. Plates of half-finished food and drinks sat on a table beside them. Scrolls and documents were sprawled beyond that.

It was late into the evening now. Not that it was early evening when Micah had found the time to stop by, either.

Evelyn reached her hand, accepted the small black envelope, and unsealed it.

"Oh?" Her blue eyes blinked in surprise as her eyes moved through the text. "That may explain why Chase Daylan rushed out of the capital on his own."

"What is it?" Micah twirled Evelyn's long red hair in his fingers.

Chase Daylan's leave from Genise had his holy entourage and royal guards in a flurry of movement. It was unprecedented for a Daylan prince to take off like that by himself.

"There's going to be quite a mess in the Daylan Dynasty in the coming months," Evelyn responded and sat up. "Queen Yadana Daylan has just passed away, and the infighting has already started; one of the princesses running for the throne has already been killed off."

Micah took the letter from her and read through the text for himself.

It would have been nice to know about something like this ahead of time to take full advantage of the chaos.

But I suppose I can expect a few jobs to come in soon enough with the Daylan royals attempting to off one another.

He returned the letter to Evelyn and poured himself a cup of tea that had long gone cold.

"I assume you'll have your hands even more full in the coming days?" He asked.

His gaze wandered to the scattered papers on Evelyn's desk and on the couch, a visual representation of her tireless dedication to her kingdom.

Or her enemy's attempts to have her trip up and point their fingers at her incompetence.

Evelyn sighed and poured a cup of cold tea for herself from the same teapot as well.

"Unfortunately, yes," she said. "With the unstable Daylan landscape, it means past agreements might fall into question. Not to mention, the country will be ripe with opportunity that we'll want to take advantage of."

Micah nodded. "Luckily, I might be able to help get you an extra pair of hands to help with all this."

He motioned to the laying documents.

Evelyn smirked mischievously, her blue eyes gleaming over the rim of her cup of tea. "I heard through the grapevine that Earl Percival Montclair had a rather interesting mishap yesterday."

Micah shrugged. "Ah, horse riding can be quite a challenge, especially for those unacquainted with the equestrian arts."

Evelyn laughed, her voice ringing softly against the backdrop of water rippling from the pond in the center of the room.

Earl Percival Montclair was the long-bearded council member that she had pointed out to him at the ball. However, even if she hadn't, the earl would have had his unfortunate accident regardless, as someone else had already put a request on his life to Micah's syndicate for a very lucrative sum of money.

"I suppose that's one less of those pesky council members to worry about," Evelyn noted, a mixture of weariness and amusement apparent in her voice. She ran a hand through her long, fiery red hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. "However, with two of the four still in my sister's ring, I doubt I'll be able to appoint anyone with half a brain."

"As I said, that's where I might be able to offer some help," Micah replied.

He stood from the couch and wandered to the circular koi pond. The colorful fish inside were fast asleep, but their brilliant colors danced below the water's rippling surface.

"Hmm, don't tell me; there might be more mysterious mishaps on the horizon?" Evelyn asked, a playful spark dancing in her eyes.

She rose from the couch and joined Micah beside the pond, slipping one arm into his.

Micah bit his lip.

That was the original plan. However, his grandmother had sent a letter indicating an alternative solution to Luca's benefit as well.

"Not quite," he replied. "I have a candidate for you."

"Unless they're a useless idiot, I don't see how they'll be able to get appointed," Evelyn said.

Micah smiled at her.

"You mean it is an idiot?" Evelyn balked.

"No, but he does have an atrocious reputation," Micah replied, a mischievous smile curving his lips.

"Your brother?" Evelyn asked.

Micah frowned at this.

"I jest," Evelyn quickly added.

"No, but it is someone my brother is acquainted with," Micah said. "Duncan Genuiver."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "Duncan certainly would make for a curious royal minister."

Click. Click.

Micah heard his looking glass click twice, a signal from Seymour.

"Well, I best be off," Micah said. "Ah, and if you wouldn't mind. Could you slip this bit into the latest building requirements?"

He pulled a small scroll from his inner coat and handed it to Evelyn.

Her red lips curved up as she unrolled the parchment and read through its contents.

"Is this for yourself, your father, or some other… acquaintance?" Evelyn inquired, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"It is for the betterment of the realm, my dear Evelyn," Micah replied. "A minor requirement that would foster fair trade, encourage economic growth, and empower merchants to contribute to the kingdom's prosperity."

Evelyn's eyes met his. "And I suppose, help line the pockets of a few friendly individuals?"

Micah smiled. "While the benefit to a select few is an inevitable consequence, it is merely a side effect of a greater goal. By nurturing the prosperity of these individuals, we enable them to invest back into the realm, creating a cycle of growth and abundance for all."

Evelyn's laughter filled the air.

"You certainly have a way with words, Micah," she said, her voice carrying a playful tone. "Very well, consider it done. This 'bit' shall find its place among the building requirements, subtly paving the way for this brighter future you speak of."