Chapter 12: Trials of the Court

Summoned by the King

The grand hall of the royal palace was bathed in golden light as David Haipoli stepped onto the polished marble floor. The sheer magnificence of the throne room reminded him, painfully, of his past in the Canglang Empire—days when he stood in similar halls, powerful and respected, before betrayal had stripped everything away. Now, standing before the assembled nobility of the Strength Kingdom, he could sense their sharp scrutiny like knives pressing against his back.

He wore robes befitting a noble of high rank—dark velvet embroidered with silver thread, reflecting both his noble origins and the subtle power he now represented. Yet, despite his carefully cultivated appearance, David knew the nobles saw him as an outsider—a threat to their status quo. Even after his victory in Ping Shui, he was still nothing more to them than a foreign upstart, dangerously ambitious and unpredictable.

King Cassana sat upon a throne elevated by marble steps, a regal figure draped in scarlet and gold. His gaze was both calculating and interested, weighing David carefully. Beside him stood his daughter, Princess Athena, her eyes sharp and assessing. To the left, Prince Erik, heir apparent, watched with a guarded expression, his posture rigid with military discipline. Beside Erik, Prince Raymond lounged in feigned boredom, though his calculating gaze revealed interest masked beneath indifference.

David stepped forward, bowing respectfully yet without submission. "Your Majesty summoned me?" he addressed the king, his voice strong yet respectful.

Cassana studied him carefully before nodding slightly. "Indeed, Lord Haipoli. Your accomplishments at Ping Shui have not gone unnoticed. Yet many here question whether a mere provincial commander deserves a seat among my royal guard. What do you say to such concerns?"

David inclined his head, meeting the king's gaze steadily. "Your Majesty, position and rank are products of deeds, not birth alone. In Ping Shui, I faced odds many would call impossible, yet I overcame them. Judge me by my actions and their results—not by the origin of my blood."

A murmur rippled through the assembled nobles. Some admired his boldness, others resented his arrogance. The king raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "Then deeds you shall show us. Prove yourself worthy, Lord Haipoli. Prove to us all that you are indeed as capable as your reputation claims."

"I welcome any trial," David replied calmly.

King Cassana smiled slightly, turning to his assembled court. "Then it is decided. Tomorrow, Lord David Haipoli shall undergo the Three Trials of the Royal Guard—battle prowess, strategic insight, and the test of command. Only those who pass may become part of my inner circle."

Murmurs filled the hall, nobles whispering among themselves. David sensed a mixture of curiosity and hostility. But he stood firm, confident in his ability yet wary of hidden traps. For in the court of the Strength Empire, nothing was ever truly as it seemed.

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First Trial: Trial by Combat

The morning sun rose over the royal training grounds, bathing the vast arena in pale warmth. Noble families filled the surrounding stands, eager to witness the spectacle. This first trial was straightforward—pure combat, a test of individual martial prowess and resilience.

David stood calmly at the arena's edge, dressed in functional combat attire—leather armor reinforced with steel plates, tailored for agility rather than brute strength. He carried no lavish insignias, just a sword and dagger, his movements graceful and precise as he tested their weight.

Across the ring stood his opponent—Sir Aldric, a hulking knight renowned throughout the kingdom for his brute strength. Aldric wore heavy armor, each movement causing a dull metallic echo that reverberated ominously. Spectators whispered excitedly, many certain of David's defeat due to the disparity in size and power.

King Cassana raised his hand from the viewing balcony, silencing the crowd. "Combatants, begin!"

Without hesitation, Aldric charged forward, massive blade swinging overhead in a lethal arc. David stood calm, eyes narrowed, body poised for action.

At the last moment, David shifted slightly, allowing Aldric's blade to cut harmlessly through empty air. The crowd gasped. With calculated precision, David struck the knight's joints—once at the elbow, again at the knee—forcing Aldric to stumble forward with a grunt.

Aldric roared, turning and lunging again. This time David didn't merely evade; he exploited the knight's momentum, guiding his own blade skillfully into a narrow gap in the armor's plates. The blade penetrated just enough to draw blood but not to kill—precise, efficient, and humiliating.

Within moments, the knight fell, exhausted, defeated. David stepped back, breathing controlled and posture confident. He had won decisively, but more importantly, he had done so with minimal effort, showcasing strategic superiority rather than mere force.

The arena erupted into applause, though some nobles sat silently, expressions unreadable. Among them, Prince Erik regarded David with newfound respect, while Raymond's smile appeared colder, filled with thinly veiled animosity.

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Second Trial: Trial of Strategy

By midday, David faced his second trial, this time held within the palace war room. Here, he was required to devise a strategy to defend against a hypothetical invasion from the Dark Dominion, whose forces vastly outnumbered the kingdom's defenses.

The generals and nobles gathered around, murmuring in skepticism as David laid out his maps. Calmly, clearly, he began to explain his strategy.

"Conventional tactics would dictate fortifying the border towns directly," he began, "but that is precisely what our enemy expects. Instead, we must pull our troops back, lure the enemy into believing we've left the border undefended. Allow their vanguard to penetrate deep, stretching their supply lines thin."

The generals exchanged wary glances. "That risks enormous losses," warned General Tyrion, a veteran commander respected by all.

"Exactly," David agreed. "We risk limited losses in strategic locations, intentionally drawing them into a position they cannot sustain. Once the enemy's supply lines stretch thin, we strike their vulnerable rear positions, isolating their frontline units."

General Marcus, known for conservative tactics, shook his head doubtfully. "Such a risk could jeopardize the entire frontier."

David's gaze remained unwavering. "Perhaps. But it is a calculated risk with great rewards. If executed correctly, we will not only repel the enemy—we will break them completely."

Slowly, whispers of doubt turned to thoughtful silence, then to nods of approval. Even Marcus, though reluctant, eventually conceded, unable to refute the logic.

King Cassana, listening carefully, finally nodded. "A daring yet sound strategy. You've passed the second trial, Lord Haipoli."

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The Third Trial: Trial by Crisis

As evening fell, David was escorted toward the final test—a simulated emergency scenario designed to test leadership and adaptability. The nobles watched closely, curious to see how he would react under sudden pressure.

Inside the great hall, courtiers gathered, murmuring anxiously. Suddenly, a messenger burst through the doors, breathless and frantic.

"Your Majesty!" he shouted. "A rebellion has erupted in the western provinces! Rebels have taken key fortresses and threaten to advance on the capital!"

The court descended into chaos, nobles shouting, generals arguing over rapid countermeasures. Amid the panic, David remained perfectly calm, his sharp mind assessing the situation instantly.

He stepped forward, voice strong enough to silence the hall. "Your Majesty, this is exactly how rebels succeed—through confusion and hesitation. Dispatch messengers to confirm the intelligence immediately. Move the royal family into secured chambers. Have Prince Erik mobilize troops at key points between the rebels and the capital. Fortify strategic chokepoints immediately."

As David delivered clear, decisive instructions, the court slowly regained composure. By the time the scenario concluded, David had effortlessly coordinated an organized response from chaos.

The king stood, applauding softly. "Lord Haipoli, you have demonstrated not merely skill, but the essential qualities of leadership under pressure. You have passed the final trial."

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Recognition and Resentment

As the court dispersed, David felt satisfaction mixed with caution. He had proven his worth before the entire kingdom. Many nobles now looked at him with admiration, others with growing envy and resentment.

Princess Athena approached him, her eyes keenly appraising. "You're quite remarkable, Lord Haipoli," she said quietly. "But the more remarkable your achievements, the greater your danger."

David regarded her with thoughtful eyes. "Danger is the price of ambition, Princess."

She smiled slightly. "Then be careful, David. In this court, friends and foes wear the same smiles."

Watching her leave, David understood clearly—his trials were far from over. He had won today's battles, but the real fight was just beginning.

Tomorrow, his true struggle would begin, for now he had fully entered a court of vipers—and each victory only drew him deeper into their deadly coils.