Akarn, royal palace, two nights before the subjugation. The conference was nearing its conclusion. The continent uniting as one to fight the fragment was now a fact, but how the unified army was to be organised and the distribution of merit, something still in the works.

  In the conference hall as discussion were underway it was apparent that there were four primary factions to be exact.

  The first was the suppression faction, they were putting effort into suppressing Akarn fearing its foundation of rune practitioners. They were not on its level individually but were not inferior when combined.

  The second was the flattering faction, waiting to curry favour with whichever faction benefited them most.

  Third the Akarn faction, made up of it and it's closest allies, ready to go through thick and thin with it.

  Lastly the faction that wasn't a faction made up of descendants of fallen monarchies with no real power to claim their supposed kingdoms. They were quite anxious, they felt they had no power here, even attending wasn't due to their efforts but the kingdoms backing them. And their main reason for their anxiety, whether they could reclaim 'their' kingdoms or not wasn't up to them, they could only pray at this moment that those in power would be satisfied with devouring the kingdoms with no living dynasties.

  These were truly turbulent times, even expert level rune practitioners had the power to take over land and start new monarchies but this wasn't something those present and possessing a level of shrewdness were wary of. At the end of the day if it was establishing a kingdom rune practitioners fail spectacularly, for two major reasons. First and foremost they were simply individuals, secondly their nature wasn't suited for being rulers, most of the time at least.

  Returning to factions, the faction of the fallen had the least power overall but they weren't as powerless as they appeared to be obviously. They had one power that was as great as it was low, voting power. They didn't have the power to propose or express any ideas but they could vote, there's no need to mention that every idea proposed in this conference needed to pass voting to be implemented. As such a proper use of votes and negotiation could ensure this weak and divided force gets the most out of this conference, but who cares about them.

  Anyone who brought them to table would have already struck a deal with them to ensure the greatest benefits for themselves. In short their presence was merely the product of a contest of votes between those truly in power. Some even went as far as falsifying the identies of these individuals, but there was a bottom line they wouldn't cross.

  "Let's forget about the merit of individuals for the moment, we are of various origins there'll be too much confusion. As such we should primarily distribute based on Nations and nationally unaffiliated organizations. Regarding the merit per individual, each force will handle it internally."

  Said the Rune king, his gaze sweeping across the hall, seeing the various individuals. They were all people of national importance, kings, ministers, princes, faction leaders and such. The officials of Akarn made up less than one tenth of these present individuals.

  ""Reasonable, reasonable." It couldn't have been handled any better than that."

  Everyone was was fond of the suggestion thus immediately agreeing to it. Then moved on to what truly sparked their desire, territorial expansion, this was now directly linked to contribution during the subjugation.

  Vazpin who was about to broach the subject, smiled coldly as he thought.

  (At the moment the continent is like a large piece of pie or even a whole pie. But more importantly everyone already has a share but there's still some portions left, not insignificant compared to what's already taken, in fact greater. Hehehe, not to mention those with true power can directly snatch the portions of others. If a person's not careful they might struggle for additional portions only to have what's already theirs taken.)

  The continent was huge, bigger than any continent on Earth. There were numerous kingdoms on it, most had fallen during and after the great disaster until today due to their locations and national stability. Help was actually quite rare around these times, as such most poor and average kingdoms continued to fall into ruin one after another. It was everyone for himself, don't let Akarn's use of their ancient rune fool you.

  Their perhaps selfless act of utilising their ancient rune for the benefit of the whole continent could not be easily judged, let's be honest if they used the rune solely for themselves, wouldn't the other kingdoms unite against Akarn to seize this rune. Justification could easily be found, and after the fact it wouldn't matter if they won. Tens of kingdoms against one, it was easy to brand Akarn as the one in the wrong.

  Not to derail, presently there were more fallen kingdoms then there were operational ones.

  "Moving on, as agreed upon by everyone the division of the fallen kingdoms with no monarchy will be done according to contrib,utions in the subjugation. After deliberating, I and the other planners have come to the conclusion that it would be best done according to the ratio of each participating force's merits against the total participant forces' merit. The secondary solution is a battle royale using merit to determine the number of warriors each participant can send, we'll be using the ratio of victorious for this one. Now it is up to the conference to vote for a method between the two to put into effect."

  Firmly said Vazpin after standing up from his seat, a moment after the hall became lively, confidants discussing which method favored them most.

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  "...no matter how you look at it Akarn will be the biggest winner regardless of which method is used."

  "True, they both depend on merit and merit directly ties to the might of each force..."

  "Say no more, we can only choose the first method, the second is clearly a trap. Warrior to warrior we'd lose spectacularly against Akarn, sigh, isn't this why we aren't resorting to an all out war to begin with. The first method already results in a significant gain without a loss, at this juncture we can't be blinded by greed."

  "Indeed there's no need to fret we can still secure vassal states through that method."

  Such silent whispers were going on in the hall before the allotted time was up and the majority voted for the first method.

  "As mentioned earlier for commanding and leading roles we'll hold a contest of might the day before. While the recruitment of wandering and hidden masters, each nation will manage it however they see fit, without friction of course. What does the conference think?"

  Asked Vazpin after the voting concluded. This too was well received by most and soon majority vote cemented it as fact. Following this was the semi last issue, the fallen royals. And for the first time chaos started to brew in this orderly hall, they had entered a stage riddled with deception and trickery.

  (Leywin, you shameless bitch, everyone knows you let the Crestvolt dynasty die off but there's just no evidence to prove it at this time. Even so to think you have the guts to not only introduce one of your court practitioners to be of Crestvolt lineage but also ask the kingdom to be returned to them. Hehehe, what are you so desperate for?)

  Thought some random participant looking across the hall and seeing a rivaling nation nominate someone to inherit a fallen kingdom claiming the nominee was the rightful heir.

  Such occurrences were just one of reasons the hall became heated as legitimacies were questioned after being brought forward, having reached a conclusion that any living royal of a fallen monarchy could claim their former kingdom after meeting a set of conditions.

  "Prime minister Vazpin, where is this famed Hiro. Isn't he also a prince from a fallen monarchy why isn't he here to stake his claim?"

  Someone suddenly asked causing the chaos to calm as everyone's attention was drawn.

  "Sir Hiro you say, I don't know why you would expect Akarn to know, that aside to answer your question. He has made it clear that he has no desire to reestablish his household and insists on living the life of a wanderer, as anyone present at the time he first appeared would agree with this attitude. As for his relatives, only he knows whether they are among the living or the dead. In short he has no true ties to Akarn and Akarn isn't as well informed as you'd think."

  The one who asked appeared to beam at Vazpin's reply as he continued to ask.

  "Then I assume it is alright for us to recruit him seeing as he hasn't come under your wing?"

  "Sir Hiro is our royal guest but whether he leaves or stays, accepts being recruited or returns to being a wanderer, that is for him to decide. But I will say this again, he will be our main force of attack."

  This time the Rune king answered before Vazpin. He could see through them, this had nothing to do with Hiro being a prince, they had simply reached their limit from being left in the dark on his foreign power and were increasingly curious from the fact that Akarn appeared to be hiding him. Combined with the probing for why Akarn with chief warrior Jura was insisting on Hiro being the lead attacker.

  "Then I will not disrupt the conference any further, and will bring the matter to the person in question."

  Thus the conference continued for quite some time after before ending, everyone leaving anxiously their thoughts now focused on the next day's awaited short contest.

  Later that night, the king's sleeping chambers. The Rune King was lying in bed face down, he still wore the same formal robe from the conference. His expression showed exhaustion as he complained unlike his earlier self. And his listener, the queen of Akarn, she sat on his back listening tentatively with a gentle smile while massaging his back. She resembled Arisu or rather Arisu resembled her, but older with the allure of matured beauty. Contrary to the king who had just arrived at their chambers she was already in her night robe.

  "Oh, they didn't oppose sir Hiro taking on the role."

  She said in slightly surprised.

  "Not directly at least, but this was to be expected. Whoever is leading the charge faces the greatest danger coupled with the fact that his merit isn't contribute to Akarn they had plenty of reasons not to. But I fear they'll still cause trouble tomorrow, perhaps it is fortunate they haven't returned yet. It would even be best if they arrived at this time tomorrow."

  He clarified.

  "Speaking of, our eldest son needs to man up, with this inevitably change managing the kingdom will be most vital. Now that he has become a rune master, the time he spends studying runes should be reduced. He can't rely on his younger brother for everything."

  "Aren't you being hard on him, he already doesn't like how him becoming a master is treated as just fulfilling a condition to inherit the throne."

  The king sighed as he flipped over, causing his wife to fall beside him and their gazes met as he rose above her, his shadow casting over her.

  "I always tell you, to lie still. What if I fall off the bed."

  She said while she flicked his forehead. He laughed it off regaining a bit of his spent energy.

  "My wife is not so weak she would worry about a fall..."

  She moved her hand intended to flick him once more but he caught it half way and kissed it then continued.

  "As impatient as ever I see, you should have listened till the end. I was about to say, 'but I wouldn't dare harm a single hair on you let alone being the cause of your fall.'"

  "Really, wouldn't?"

  She asked a crazed light flashed in her eyes.

  "I see what you're doing, don't try change the subject. Aleus is the most spoiled, so what if we fueled his desire to practice runes only to stop him after reaching this point. There's no going beyond the rank of rune master, so it is without question he should focus on his responsibility now that he has become one."

  He reasoned.

  "Alright then what about Arisu, she never asks for anything but now that she has expressed her desire you turn her down."

  The king frowned slightly as he lied back on the bed beside her and said.

  "So, after I refused her request she came to you."

  "Where could she go really, but don't worry I convinced her to not cause you any trouble. But honestly how could you reject her like that."

  "Like what?"

  He asked in puzzled tone.

  "Using Aleus not joining the subjugation as justification for her not going as well."

  "I see nothing wrong with it, not allowing Aleus to participate as well should show the severity of the situation. She should be glad I didn't reason it as a matter of a battlefield being no place for a woman."

  "Perhaps you should've said it more directly, but she isn't bitter about it. It's already late get changed and return to bed, you may not be fighting tomorrow but you also need some rest."

  She said nudging him to get off the bed till he relented with a sigh then took moved off the bed.