“I’ll join.”
Elira declared with a determined look on her face.
“No, you won’t.”
Arlan, however, stepped forward, not allowing anyone, even the King, to say anything.
He could see that the Tower Head was planning something, and he wouldn’t let his baby sister become a part of it.
But…
“Hah? Since when do you have authority over my decisions?”
Elira retorted.
“It is my turn to show her what a mere Seventh Circle Mage can do.
Whatever she is planning, I’ll burn it all down!”
Elira declared confidently, and seeing her act out, Kael smiled inwardly.
‘She acts like Igni.’
“No, I will not allow it.”
Arlan shook his head.
“You cannot not allow it. I have already made the decision!”
Elira snapped, and the siblings started going at each other again.
“…”
“…”
The rest of the Drakthar nobles stared at the two in silence, already used to their antics. Even the King was no different.
He stared at the two with a tired look on his face.
‘They aren’t even considering my opinion.’
He sighed inwardly.
Honestly, if someone else had acted like this in front of the King, they would have been punished, but…
These two…
The King couldn’t punish these two.
Yes, he was playing favourites.
And he had all the reason to do so. Not only were the siblings close to his daughter and deeply cared for her, but their talent itself wasn’t something he could ignore.
Yes, while Elira represented Drakthar Mages, Arlan, her older brother represented Drakthar Warriors.
A 35-year-old Eighth Stage Warrior—even the Warriors of Eryndor respected this man.
Yes, the two siblings were pretty much the face of Drakthar, and the family they came from wasn’t simple either.
The Stormhold family was one of the three families who stood together with the founding King and helped in the formation of the Drakthar Kingdom from the very start.
A family the Dragonborns had trusted for generations. A family that had produced prodigies generation after generation.
Even their mother, the Head of the Stormhold Family, Scarlet Stormhold, was a prodigy during her younger days and is currently one of the strongest warriors in the Kingdom, often compared to Varyon Ashviel, the Grand Marshal.
Yes, she is strong enough to be compared with the Kingdom’s strongest. The woman, however, had retired from her duties because she wanted to take care of her grandchildren.
“I’ll tell Mother! I am telling you! I’ll tell Mother!”
Elira threatened.
“That I am trying to protect you? Sure, tell her! What’s the worst she can do anyway!? Beat me up!? I’ll take a few hits if it means you aren’t going to fight!”
“I… I will also tell her about how you didn’t send Elara to her because you wanted to play with her instead!”
“Y-You! You said you would keep it a secret! I just wanted to play with my youngest! She always has her anyway, doesn’t she!?”
“You stay back, or I am—”
“Alright, that is enough.”
Unable to take it anymore, the King raised his voice, his mouth twitching nonstop as he saw the two siblings ready to tear each other apart.
‘How does Scarlet deal with them?’
He thought inwardly as he looked around.
All the Drakthar nobles had lowered their heads and were nervously looking around. After all, they just heard a secret they weren’t supposed to hear.
Normally, this wouldn’t have been a big deal, but…
With Arlan staring at them as if he was remembering their faces, they knew the Commander would come for them the instant something went wrong.
“Elira, you are smart enough to know that Xenthalor is planning something.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This is why I wish to participate. I assure you, whatever it is, I will not let them succeed. I will show them the might of Drakthar that they seem to have forgotten.”
“Then you will be representing the Drakthar Kingdom.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Elira’s eyes brightened up.
“But Your Maj—”
“You will be the arbiter again, Arlan. The moment you notice something odd, you are free to intervene.”
It was the only compromise the King could offer, and Arlan, who knew that, controlled himself and bowed his head.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You are only allowed to intervene when you know something is wrong, not because you had a hunch, is that clear?”
The King warned, and Arlan nodded, his head still down.
“Now keep your voice low. I do not wish to see another foolish squabble between you two today.”
The King ordered, taking back control over the place and showing his authority.
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
Elira and Arlan nodded as they bowed.
The siblings still glared at each other, but since the King had already passed his orders, they decided to fight it out after everything was done.
With the King’s intervention, things calmed down. The nobles were finally able to heave a sigh of relief.
Other nations seemed to have chosen their warriors as well. Seeing that,
Arlan and Elira walked towards the Arena Stage.
“Don’t lose.”
Arlan spoke. Even though he was against her taking part in the battle, he still stood behind his sister.
“Do you seriously believe that is even possible?”
“I don’t, but I just don’t trust the Mages.”
Arlan replied, staring at Selene, who seemed to be passing down some instructions to the Mage she had selected.
“Oi, I am a Mage too.”
Elira retorted.
“I am sorry,
Did you have a wrong idea that I trusted you?”
“…”
Elira’s mouth twitched.
Kael, who saw the two of them, laughed again. Then he walked towards them and,
“Be careful.”
He spoke as he glanced at Elira. At those words, Elira just grinned.
“You just sit back, little brat.
You have no idea what’s coming.
Rejoice, you will finally see your favourite instructor’s might today.”
“Please stop living in your delusions.”
Kael spoke as he scrunched his nose up.
It was as if the very idea of Elira being his favourite instructor disgusted him.