Ch-2 “A Day That Changes Everything About South Ryehem History”

A sudden pulse of energy tore through the air like a silent scream.

In the blink of an eye, a figure appeared at the edge of the grand throne hall—Emperor Vareon, ruler of North Ryehem. The man stood still, his cloak swirling behind him from the force of his teleportation, his eyes wide as they took in the eerie silence of the once-crowded chamber.

His gaze fixed on the lone figure seated on his throne.

Kazuki.

Vareon's lips parted. Shock, disbelief, and rage clashed on his face.

"WAIT—WHAT?" he barked, his voice echoing across the empty marble floor.

For a few long seconds, he stood frozen—then his expression darkened, suspicion rising fast.

"Aren't you... the son of Shang?" he asked, voice low but sharp as a blade.

Kazuki turned his head slowly, as if he'd been expecting this exact moment. Calmly, with a faint, knowing smile, he replied:

"Yes."

Vareon's fists clenched.

"How did you get in here?!" he demanded. "How did you break through the imperial defenses, reach the very heart of my palace—and where are my guards? My ministers?!"

Kazuki leaned forward slightly, fingers interlocked, his posture regal. Then, he stood up from the throne with deliberate ease and smiled.

"I captured them."

Silence fell like a blade.

Vareon's eyes narrowed. His voice dropped, laced with threat.

"How…?"

Kazuki took a slow step forward.

"You'll know soon," he said, voice soft—but laced with certainty.

Vareon's expression turned lethal. But he didn't strike. Not yet. Instead, he let out a low chuckle, laced with disdain.

"Well... at least you came here yourself. I've been waiting to meet the so-called prodigy of South Ryehem." His gaze sharpened. "You knew everything, didn't you? From the start."

He took a slow step forward of his own.

"You unraveled every plan we made against the South. And if I'm not wrong… you did something to Raizen, didn't you?"

Kazuki's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Yes."

He began clapping slowly, each sound echoing through the empty throne room like a countdown.

Then, he stopped. He descended the steps of the throne and approached Vareon—each step measured, almost rehearsed. The room held its breath.

He stopped just beside the emperor, leaned slightly toward him, and whispered:

"All I can say is… this day will change your entire life."

He didn't need to say more.

Vareon didn't move. He didn't speak. But something in the air shifted. The future had already been rewritten.

And it had just begun.