A Throne Contested, A Leader Revealed

Silence. The room seemed to freeze. The statement, though simple, carried an immense weight. Everyone stared at Nining with a mix of shock and admiration. Beneath the silence, however, one thing was clear: the game had just begun.

The expectant hush turned into uproar. Ayato and Arpin immediately stood, their protests echoing through the hall.

"What nonsense is this?" Ayato's voice boomed, like thunder splitting a quiet night. "You're a woman with no military experience. This is a time of crisis, not a moment to play games with leadership!"

Arpin added, his tone mocking and his eyes narrowing sharply. "Nining, your blood is of mainland China. We, the people of Taiwan, will never accept you as our leader."

But Nining merely offered a faint smile. That smile was like a hidden blade, soft yet lethal. "I didn't expect you to say that," she said, her voice still gentle but carrying a sharpness that sliced through their protests like a cold wind on a frozen night.

Behind them, Arga remained calm. His face was as still as a lake without ripples, but within him, anger churned at the insults directed at Nining. Even so, his composure acted as an anchor, keeping the situation from spiraling out of control and preventing the flames from turning into an uncontrollable blaze.

"So, there's no agreement between us?" Nining asked, her sharp gaze piercing through Ayato and arpin n, as if trying to break through their stubborn walls.

"Very well," she continued, her voice steady yet carrying a tone that silenced the commotion in the hall. "In that case, we'll only destroy ourselves. The Siferia forces don't even need to fight; they can just sit back and enjoy their coffee while watching us tear each other apart. Is that what you want?"

The atmosphere shifted. The silence, once filled with anger, was now laden with reflection. Even Ayato, known for his stubbornness, seemed moved. Seconds passed before he finally asked, his voice hoarse, "Then, what's your proposal? I won't choose between the two of you, that's for sure."

"Neither will I," Arpin quickly added, trying to maintain control despite the doubt evident in his eyes. "I won't choose either of you."

Nining smiled again, this time warmer, more inviting. "Then, I propose something different. We elect someone new, someone outside the three of us. Someone who will be tested and questioned by everyone here. If they fail to answer or meet expectations, we'll replace them."

Silence enveloped the hall once more, but this time it wasn't from anger. Curiosity and a flicker of new hope began to stir among them. All eyes turned to Nining, awaiting her next move.

The faint candlelight reflecting off the stone walls cast dancing shadows, mirroring the tension that filled the room. Nining, her gaze full of conviction, stepped forward. Her steps were firm, echoing on the stone floor, silencing the murmurs that had begun.

"Alright," she said, her voice cutting through the silence with authority. "Allow me to introduce him. He is from Sotera, not from our district, but I propose him as our candidate for emperor."

The once-quiet hall erupted again. Faces filled with questions turned toward Nining. Some looked shocked, others skeptical.

"Are you sure about this proposal?" Ayato's low, sharp voice cut through the crowd. "Or... are you suggesting him just because of his handsome face?" he added mockingly.

"Typical woman," Arpin chimed in, his smirk small but piercing.

Nining remained calm. "I admit, he is handsome," she said, her tone unbothered by their comments. "But my proposal isn't based on something as shallow as that. I have reasons beyond mere appearances."

Ayato crossed his arms, skeptical. "I still don't think he's the right person. Isn't he the newcomer you had whipped? Why suggest a criminal and a lecher like him?"

Nining took a deep breath. "You're right; I punished him. But the truth is, he wasn't the one who assaulted me. It was someone else. Someone who, if named, would cause chaos in Kashgar . It would spark a civil war. You know that."

Arpin, who understood exactly what Nining meant, felt his body tense. That person was his own son, who now sat uneasily behind him.

Hearing this, Ayato spoke firmly, "Then tell us who it was. Don't evade."

Nining remained composed. "Very well," she said. "I have a witness."

Moments later, the owner of the eatery where the incident had occurred stepped forward. Seeing him, arpin n's son whispered something to his father. Hearing this, Arpin immediately stood up.

"Enough! Enough! What are we arguing about here? We're looking for a leader. It's better if we test all potential candidates present here."

Nining turned her sharp gaze to Ayato. "Before you doubt him, I want to ask: Ayato, in your previous life, what was your field of expertise?"

Ayato frowned, surprised by the question's direction. "Me? I majored in economics... ran a small sushi restaurant in Tokyo. But why are you asking?"

Nining nodded slowly, then shifted her gaze to arpin n. "And you, arpin n? What did you do in your previous life?"

Arpin lifted his chin proudly. "I was the marketing director at the world's largest semiconductor company. I know how to expand markets, design strategies, and crush competitors."

"Good," Nining replied casually. "I, on the other hand, was a pianist and could play other instruments. But now, ask him," she said, pointing to the figure who had been silently standing by her side.

Arpin stepped forward, his eyes piercing into the man, as if trying to uncover hidden truths behind his calm demeanor. "What's your name?" he asked, his voice firm and authoritative.

"My name is Arga," the man replied briefly, but his tone carried firmness.

"Alright, Arga," Arpin said, pressing with a voice full of challenge. "You know the great threat we face—Siferia. Are you truly fit to lead Kashgar ? If you make the wrong move, thousands of lives will be at stake. What makes you worthy?"

Arga didn't answer immediately. His face remained calm, but a glint in his eyes hinted at a storm lurking beneath his composed exterior. He only smiled slightly and glanced at Nining, who stood nearby. Nining gave him a subtle nod, a gesture full of trust that heightened the tension in the room.

"I graduated from West Point," Arga finally answered, his voice calm yet resolute. "My last rank was major. I commanded 1,200 soldiers and have experience in various military missions."

The murmurs of skepticism that had filled the hall were replaced by silence. Shock rippled through the crowd like a massive wave crashing onto the shore. In one corner of the hall, Sana and Nico exchanged disbelieving glances.

"What? He's a military academy graduate? And a major?" Sana whispered, her voice barely audible.