A Trap For The Weak

Lan sat back at the table in his study, his eyes dim as he stared at the dark screen floating in front of him.

—STATUS WINDOW—

Name: Lanard Solaris IV

Age: 19

Title: Fourth Prince of the Solaris Kingdom

Cultivation Path: Sutra of the Severed Heaven

Realm: Qi Condensation – Stage 1

Core: Void Dantian

Bloodline: Solaris Royalty (Dormant • Locked)

Spiritual Will: Ascendant (Suppressed)

Comprehension:

• Shadow Law: 0.0006%

• Royal Decree Authority: Active

• Sword Intent (Heretic Emperor's Fragment): 0.01%

—SKILLS—

• Severing Touch

• Mana Leech

• Dark Step

—

Lan was still immeasurably far from the state of his former self. However, in the short time since recovering his memories, he had made remarkable progress.

In fact, in his last life, he hadn't reached this point until many months after beginning cultivation. As for Dark Qi and the Sutra of the Severed Heaven—those were things unknown to him until many years later.

His comprehension levels were still low, but that was a problem for later. For now, he had reached the basic level of cultivation and gained a few abilities.

That was enough for the shitshow that would be the banquet.

However...

[SYSTEM QUEST: BANQUET OF BLADES]

Objective: Prepare for the Imperial Banquet (IN PROGRESS)

Time Limit: 7 Days

Rewards:

• Unlock 1st Stage of Black Severance

• Activate Solaris Bloodline (Partial)

• ??? (Unrevealed reward)

Sub-Objectives:

• Master Basic Dark Qi Manipulation (1/1)

• Relearn a Technique (1/1)

• Acquire Banquet Attire (1/1) (Note: Imperial Standards Apply)

Failure Penalty: Death (Probability: 97.3%)

—

Lan had completed all the sub-objectives, and yet the quest was still marked as in progress. Because of that, he had not received two of the three listed rewards.

Was there something he was missing? He wasn't sure.

He sighed and stood, stretching his shoulders as he exhaled.

His carriage would leave tomorrow for the Imperial City. He was already aware of the Duke's plan to attack him on the journey.

And he was certain the self-entitled bastards at this function would do their best to belittle him, thinking he was still the helpless prince they must've heard so much about.

There was much to happen.

And Lan was certain of one thing: the next few days would be nothing short of entertaining.

Just as Lan was lost in thought, three knocks came at the door of his chambers.

He narrowed his eyes and yelled, "Come in."

The Crown Prince stepped in.

Lan didn't rise.

Kael Solaris stood framed in the doorway, his usually perfect features marred by fading bruises from "necessary actions" he had just taken.

The golden circlet atop his head gleamed dully in the candlelight—a mockery of the authority he so desperately clung to.

"You look like shit," Lan observed, leaning back in his chair.

Kael's jaw tightened, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he shut the door behind him with deliberate calm. The sound echoed through the chamber like a tomb sealing.

[ALERT: HOSTILE INTENT DETECTED]

[THREAT ASSESSMENT: B-Rank (Suppressed)]

Lan's fingers twitched toward the shard-dagger he'd fashioned from the remains of his forest weapon.

"Relax, brother," Kael sneered, the word dripping venom. "I'm not here to duel you in your chambers like some common thug."

Lan's status screen flickered and vanished as he dismissed it with a thought. "Then why are you here, Your Highness?"

Kael reached into his robe. Lan's dark qi surged in response—

—only to pause as Kael produced not a weapon, but a sealed scroll stamped with the Imperial Phoenix.

"Because," Kael said, tossing it onto the table between them, "someone needs to explain just how badly you've fucked us all."

The scroll unfurled with a hiss, revealing elegant script that burned with latent mana:

> By order of Her Imperial Majesty, the banquet shall henceforth include a Trial of the Vanquished. All participating royals must face a champion of the imperial court in single combat. Victory grants imperial favor. Failure...

The sentence ended in a blood-red smear.

Lan chuckled. "And let me guess—my 'champion' will be some demigod from the Imperial Guard?"

Kael's smile was all teeth. "Duke Gallingher's eldest son. The one who spent the last three years training under the Emperor's personal warmaster."

[NEW QUEST PARAMETERS DETECTED!]

[TRIAL OF THE VANQUISHED: MANDATORY PARTICIPATION]

[OPPONENT: GENERAL CORVIN GALLINGHER]

[RANK: B+ (4th Circle Mage)]

[ESTIMATED SURVIVAL ODDS: 8.2%]

Lan rolled the scroll back up. "And you're telling me this why?"

"Because unlike you with our dear departed Gareth," Kael said, leaning forward, "Corvin won't be satisfied with just your head. He'll make sure everyone remembers what happens when even so-called royalty forgets their place."

A beat of silence.

Then—

[HIDDEN SUB-OBJECTIVE UNLOCKED!]

• Survive the Trial of the Vanquished (0/1)

REWARD: Full Solaris Bloodline Unlock

Lan exhaled slowly. So that was the missing piece.

'But why the extra out-of-the-blue objective?' Lan wondered.

Kael stood, adjusting his cuffs with exaggerated care. "There is, of course, an alternative."

"I'll take a guess," Lan said dryly. "Swear fealty to you, and you'll call off the hounds?"

"Nothing so crude." Kael's smile turned predatory. "Take the exile option. Claim illness. Run to some backwater province, and I'll make sure Corvin finds other prey. You also won't be sent to the death sentence Territory called Ranevia."

Lan studied his brother—the tension in his shoulders, the too-casual grip on his sword hilt.

This wasn't just politics.

Kael was afraid.

Afraid of what Lan might do.

Afraid of what he might become.

Lan rose, his chair scraping against the stone. "Tell me, brother," he murmured, "when did you first realize I wasn't as much a fool as you hoped?"

Kael flinched. Just slightly.

"What?" The Crown Prince's eyes narrowed.

"Hm. Nothing." Lan tossed the scroll back at him. "I'll take my chances at the banquet. I do appreciate your concern though... Brother."