Olirya entered the room late in the day and found Rhys asleep at his desk, his face buried in a pile of books. She let out a concerned sigh and exclaimed, "My poor child, if you exhaust yourself before even meeting Lord Benjamin, I will be in trouble."

  Rhys slowly lifted his head, rubbing his eyes wearily, and replied in a hoarse voice, "Forgive me, Lady Olirya, I got carried away with my reading."

  "Captain Einar asked me to inform you that Lord Benjamin has returned. He awaits you in the lounge."

  Rhys stood, stretching to ease his stiff back after long hours of reading, then followed Olirya toward the lounge.

  The room, vast and elegant, was adorned with luxurious silk drapes where emerald green and royal purple blended harmoniously. These rich fabrics were decorated with intricate patterns, alternating between refined arabesques and elaborate geometric shapes.

  The furniture was of exceptional quality, finely crafted leather sofas, adorned with hand-embroidered cushions, and deep red velvet armchairs, carefully arranged to offer comfort and conviviality. The layout created an atmosphere conducive to relaxation while emphasizing the room's refinement.

  Finely chiseled Ruzhak sculptures were meticulously aligned on polished wooden shelves, capturing the golden reflections of the setting sun. Large canvases also adorned the walls, depicting striking landscapes or portraits of men and women Rhys could not identify.

  Lord Benjamin was seated in a velvet armchair, his gaze lost in the distance, as if absorbed in deep thought. Rhys was immediately struck by his appearance. The man seemed exactly as he remembered, but what unsettled him most was his radiant youth.

  Benjamin was remarkably tall, even more so than Rhys, who, despite jests about his lanky height, appeared almost small in comparison. His thick beard enhanced his imposing charisma, while his brown hair, neatly pulled back, added a touch of elegance to his already striking presence.

  He wore armor similar to Einar's but extensively modified to reflect his rank. The gleaming metal breastplate was adorned with elaborate engravings, converging at its center to depict a roaring bear. His shoulder guards, broader and sharper, were richly decorated with meticulously chiseled patterns.

  Reliefs of bears were carefully sculpted on the thighs and greaves, adding elegance to the ensemble. His sturdy yet refined black leather boots completed the impressive attire, while a purple cape edged with white fur fell gracefully from his shoulders.

  Rhys should have felt intimidated by Lord Benjamin's imposing presence. Despite this, he maintained an upright posture, refusing to show the slightest hesitation.

  Lord Benjamin offered a warm smile as he approached.

  "Ah, Rhys!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, extending a welcoming hand. "I am glad to finally see you among us. First, I wish to personally congratulate you on your ascension."

  At that moment, Einar, accompanied by Olirya, quietly entered the room. However, Rhys, maintaining his formal tone, replied, "Sage Scholar Rhys, or simply Sage Scholar, Lord Benjamin. I would ask you to refrain from familiarity."

  Einar's gaze betrayed his astonishment, while Olirya flashed a fleeting smile before resuming her impassive expression. Lord Benjamin, slightly taken aback, quickly regained his composure and hastened to apologize, "I beg your pardon, Sage Scholar Rhys. You have worked hard to reach your position, and I am fully aware of that. I had no intention of offending you."

  Lord Benjamin paused for a moment, his concerned gaze shifting from Rhys to Einar. During this silence, Olirya discreetly left the room to fetch refreshments, leaving the three men alone.

  "But do not think my congratulations are any less sincere," he continued, fixing Rhys with an intense look. "I look forward to reading your thesis, which, I have no doubt, must have sparked passionate debates. However, more pressing matters demand our attention for now," he added, turning his gaze to Einar.

  "What news do you bring from the siege of the Kapital, Ben?" Einar asked, his brows furrowed.

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  Lord Benjamin let out a deep sigh.

  "Nothing good, I fear. The Emperor refuses to yield, and King Fadir… is dying."

  Einar clenched his fists, worry etched on his face.

  "What is the cause of his condition?"

  Benjamin shrugged, his expression darkening.

  "That is the mystery preoccupying everyone. But one thing is certain: if the king does not recover soon, the consequences for the kingdom could be disastrous."

  Rhys, who had remained silent until now, felt a growing unease. This was the first time he had witnessed a discussion of this nature, and he did not know how to react. He swallowed, hesitant to speak. Fortunately, Olirya entered at that moment, carrying a tray of refreshments. She placed it carefully on the low table, then left the room as discreetly as she had come.

  Lord Benjamin took a goblet of wine and handed it to Einar before offering one to Rhys. He then raised his own to his lips, visibly savoring the refreshment. After a moment, he turned back to Einar and continued, "The Council of Lords will soon convene to organize the election of the next king. We cannot afford to remain without a leader if Fadir passes."

  He then turned to Rhys, observing him closely.

  "This is precisely why, Sage Scholar Rhys, I summoned you. I need your expertise and assistance. I intend to run for King Fadir's succession, and I am determined to win this election."

  Einar tilted his head slightly, his piercing eyes scrutinizing Lord Benjamin's.

  "You know your actions will have consequences far beyond yourself. By entering this battle, you risk awakening passions and rivalries waiting to erupt. Lord Valdren and Lord Adrien are formidable opponents, and their supporters are numerous and influential."

  Lord Benjamin gave a smile, seemingly unfazed by his friend's warnings.

  "I am aware of the risks, Einar, but I see no other alternative."

  Einar grimaced and shook his head, exasperated.

  "You are completely mad, Ben."

  Lord Benjamin shrugged, a playful smile on his lips. Then he burst into laughter and gave Einar a friendly pat on the back before glancing at Rhys.

  "This is exactly why I called upon the youngest scholar ever to reach this rank," he declared with a hint of pride. "A fresh, enlightened perspective can easily surpass that of the dusty old fossils advising the other lords."

  Rhys fixed Lord Benjamin with a serious look before replying, "I fear you may be underestimating the value of experience, Lord Benjamin. These 'fossils,' as you call them, have faced trials I could not even fathom and overcome challenges entirely beyond my grasp. Their wisdom and discernment are invaluable assets. To dismiss or sideline them would, in my view, be a grave mistake."

  Lord Benjamin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Rhys's response.

  "You are right, Sage Scholar," he admitted after a moment. "Experience is an invaluable treasure, but it can also become a burden. Old habits, rigid ideas, and prejudices can hinder innovation. That is precisely why I need you: to bring a different perspective and infuse new energy into our council."

  Rhys nodded silently.

  Lord Benjamin, adopting a firmer tone, continued, "Sage Scholar Rhys, I am counting on you to explore every possible option to help us win this election. Einar will be at your disposal to fulfill your requests. As for you, Einar, your task is to protect our new friend. Watch over him at all costs."

  Einar nodded.

  "I will do everything in my power to ensure all goes as planned," he replied.

  Einar drained his glass in one gulp, stood, and, before leaving the room, said, "The days ahead promise to be interesting. Ben, let me know if you need me. Sage Scholar, you will find me at the barracks."

  Rhys remained still for a moment, his eyes fixed on an invisible point. Where should he begin? What was the best way to help Lord Benjamin in this election? He could not afford to make a mistake.

  After a brief moment of reflection, he turned to the lord, "I will start exploring the possibilities available to us."

  Without waiting for a response, he stood and left the room. Ideas were already taking shape in his mind, but he knew he needed to approach the task methodically and precisely to maximize his chances of success.

  Rhys paced the corridors leading to his room, his gaze absent, lost in thought. He knew the days ahead, like those that followed, would resemble the ones he had spent at the Academy writing his thesis. He needed to immerse himself in the conflict between the Free Imperial Kingdom and the Empire, and to do so, he would continue delving into the archives for answers.

  Back in his room, he settled at his desk and immediately dove into his research. His focus first turned to the Empire's military tactics. How had they managed to win so many battles against the Kingdom? Rhys pored over dusty tomes on military strategies, seeking exploitable weaknesses. He took notes methodically, comparing every detail in hopes of uncovering a flaw that could shift the tide.

  However, his interest was not limited to military tactics. Rhys also explored the political alliances within the Kingdom, trying to decipher the motivations and power plays of the various factions. But the available documents dated back decades and seemed ill-suited to the current situation. It might be wise to consult Einar, he thought.