The Royal Commander gasped, blood spilling from his mouth.
He fell from his horse, crumpling into the dirt.
The enemy army froze — stunned — leaderless.
Kaelen stood over the dying man, Sovereignblade gleaming in the fading light.
He said nothing.
He didn't need to.
The world would speak for him.
[System Notification]
[First Royal Blood Claimed.]
[Sovereign Path Progression +5%.]
[Royal Guild Fear Modifier Applied: +50% chance of future noble defection.]
The enemy forces began to break.
First a few mercenaries.
Then entire companies.
And finally the Royal Hunters themselves,
turning and fleeing into the dark.
Victory.
Earned not through numbers.
Not through bloodlines.
But through sheer, unbreakable will.
The Heartland Bastion stood.
And the dream survived another day.