Chương 355: Chapter : 355

Meanwhile, deep inside the quiet living room, Ken Eliot remained entirely oblivious to the massive drama happening outside. Ken laid comfortably on the soft sofa. He turned the page of his comic book. He reached blindly into a small bag resting on his chest. He pulled out a sugary gummy worm. He popped it into his mouth. He chewed slowly.

"This comic book is getting really good," Ken mumbled happily to himself. He wiggled his toes in his white socks.

"The hero finally found a comfortable place to sit down. I deeply relate to this character." He did not hear the girls yelling his name. He did not know about the fierce, three-way romantic war being fought over his heart. He did not feel an ounce of fear or stress. He was perfectly content in his safe, quiet bubble. Ken let out another loud, relaxing yawn. He closed his comic book. He placed it gently on the floor. He pulled a throw pillow under his head. He closed his sleepy dark eyes.

"Time for a quick afternoon nap," Ken whispered lazily. Within two minutes, the most dangerous, sought-after boy in the entire Belmontia Empire was fast asleep. A tiny, peaceful smile rested on his face. He dreamed about a quiet farm, endless bags of potato chips, and a world where nobody ever asked him to run.

Grandmaster Finlay marched into the strategy room. His silver armor clanked loudly against the floorboards. He carried a rolled-up scroll in his massive hand. The bright red wax seal of the Upper Council glowed on the paper. The strategy room was very quiet. Princess Iris sat at the head of the wooden table. Her violet eyes looked calm. Naomi stood right beside her. The red-haired vanguard leader wore her dark combat pants and a simple gray shirt. She did not look angry today. She looked completely focused.

Sayma sat next to Princess Iris. The Vice-Captain held a fresh notebook. She clicked her pen a few times. Laxmi sat on the edge of the table. She tossed a small orange flame between her hands. Zinia stretched her strong arms near the window. Ira stood perfectly still by the wall. Her pale face showed zero emotion. Risa sat on the floor with her sketchbook. Luna lay flat on a long wooden bench. She snored very softly. Ken Eliot sat at the far end of the table. He wore his navy blue suit pants.

His white dress shirt hung completely untucked. He did not wear a tie today. His black hair stuck out in a messy, confused style. He held a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips in his lap. He reached into the bag. He pulled out a chip. He tossed the chip high into the air. He opened his mouth. He caught the chip perfectly on his tongue. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Grandmaster Finlay stopped at the center of the table. He dropped the scroll onto the wood. The sound echoed across the quiet room.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. Ken stopped chewing. He looked at the giant knight. He slouched his shoulders. He let out a long, dramatic yawn.

"Good morning," Ken said lazily. He popped another chip into his mouth.

"Is that a menu for lunch? Because I am getting very hungry. I want a large sandwich." Naomi walked over to Ken. She did not yell at him. She just smiled a warm, friendly smile. She nudged his shoulder gently with her elbow.

"Stop thinking about food for one second, Ken," Naomi teased playfully. She treated him exactly like a naughty friend.

"That is an official letter. The Upper Council just sent it. We need to pay attention." Ken gave her a goofy grin.

"I can pay attention and eat at the same time. I am a highly skilled multitasker." Grandmaster Finlay crossed his massive arms over his chest plate. He looked around the room. His thick gray beard bristled. He did not look happy.

"This is not a menu, Eliot," Finlay stated. His deep voice rumbled like thunder.

"The Upper Council has issued a new directive. The peaceful downtime is officially over. We have a new tournament match scheduled for tomorrow." Laxmi jumped off the table. She crushed the orange flame in her hand. Her golden eyes lit up with pure excitement.

"Finally! I was getting so bored. I am totally ready for another fight. Who are we fighting this time? Tell me it is someone strong." Finlay looked directly at Princess Iris.

"We are facing the 7th Prince. We are fighting Julian Belmontia." The entire room went totally silent. Ken blinked his sleepy eyes. He stopped reaching for his chips. He remembered that name. He remembered the 7th Prince very clearly. Julian was the arrogant noble in the shiny gold breastplate. Julian was the guy who almost ran over a frail old man in the Iron Rose District. Julian rode in a fancy floating car and treated commoners like dirt.

"Oh, that guy," Ken mumbled out loud. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets.

"He is incredibly annoying. He wears way too much gold. It hurts my eyes. He acts exactly like a cartoon villain. He needs a better hobby." Princess Iris frowned. Her violet eyes filled with deep concern. She looked at Sayma.

"Sayma, please share the tactical data on my brother. The team needs to know exactly what we are facing." Sayma nodded politely. She pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose. She opened her notebook. She flipped through a few pages of tiny, neat handwriting.

"The 7th Prince is highly dangerous," Sayma began. Her voice sounded very strict.

"He is completely different from Prince Hades. Hades was a perfectionist. Hades liked flawless math and clean strategies. Julian does not care about math." Zinia crossed her arms.

"Then what does he care about?"

"He cares about cruelty," Sayma answered simply.

"Julian possesses a deeply sadistic personality. He absolutely loves to inflict pain. He enjoys watching his opponents suffer." Naomi frowned. Her green eyes narrowed.

"That is sick. A true warrior respects their opponent. A true warrior ends a fight quickly."

"Julian does not end fights quickly," Sayma explained. She tapped her pen on the notebook.

"I reviewed his previous tournament matches. He intentionally drags the battles out. He uses underhanded, dirty tactics. He targets the weakest members of the opposing team first. He likes to humiliate people in front of the stadium crowd." Risa hugged her sketchbook tightly against her chest. She looked very scared.

"He likes to hurt people on purpose?"

"Yes, Risa," Princess Iris said softly. She gave the sweet healer a comforting smile.

"But we will protect you. He will not touch you." Laxmi cracked her knuckles loudly. Her face showed pure determination.

"He thinks he can bully people? Let him try. I will roast his shiny gold armor. I will melt it right off his back. Nobody bullies my friends." Ira stared blankly at the wall. Her pale face showed zero emotion.

"Statistically speaking, opponents who rely on sadistic tactics often leave large defensive openings. They prioritize emotional damage over tactical efficiency." Ken leaned back in his chair. He balanced his chair on its two back legs. He let out another loud yawn.