Death... and me

Rean then asked Colen with a Divine Sense Message. 'By the way, what's the king's name?'

Colen's mouth twitched a little, not believing that question. 'Are you serious?'

'Very serious,' Rean replied.

Colen could not help but let out a sigh before answering, 'Well, his family name should be very obvious. It's Kamos. As for his first name, he is Varold, Varold Kamos.'

Rean nodded after hearing that. 'Thanks, Senior Colen.'

The king then sat on the main spot of the tables, looking happy to see everyone there. After that, he began a small speech. "It's good to see my children and other members of the family gathered again. Because we're constantly at war against the other regions, it's difficult to have everyone together in the same place."

Varold continued, "However, once in a hundred years, the Huring Sacred Land starts its recruitment, so all the countries stop their battles during this time. It's not a rule, of course. If a country is close to achieving victory in taking down their enemy, they will push forward even during the recruitment. Then again, such moments are rare. Our Kamos Kingdom is obviously not in such a situation like that, so we also stopped the battle for the next year."

"Now then, I believe all ten of my children already found their own proteges or perhaps have selected their descendants. In any case, I'm looking forward to your young ones' performances once we go to the Huring Sacred Land in four months' time. Alright, let's start the party! All the other guests, please feel free to enjoy the music and food."

As soon as Varold ended his speech, Fabio and his other children immediately stepped forward to compliment the king. The first one was Haera, also known as Varold's eldest child and a female cultivator. "Father, Mother, it's good to see you again."

Fabio and the others then followed the line, going from oldest to youngest. There was no such thing as someone going ahead of the other as it was tradition for the older ones to go first. Fabio ended up being the 7th one in the queue.

Fabio's Mother also nodded, satisfied. Her name was Elenaril Glynhana, someone who was part of the Glynhana Clan of the Royal Capital. Well, after she became the queen, she had to cut off any political relations with her clan as it was a rule. "Most of you, I still see one day or another during the year. However, some others constantly stay outside, resolving the issues of the kingdom. Try to come to visit more often from now on, okay?"

As one could imagine, Fabio was part of those who stayed outside a lot of time. Of course, he wasn't the only one.

"Yes, Mother."

With that finished, Fabio and the others joined the table where the king and queen sat. There were also important members of the Royal Family and the leaders of the biggest powers of the kingdom there. As for Rean, Roan, and the rest, they had to stay out, not being allowed to intervene.

Be it Fabio or his brother and sisters, they all spent a few hours talking about the kingdom's issues together with the other leaders. It even looked like the siblings' relationship was very harmonious. Of course, those who were looking from the outside knew that it was far from the truth. They were just waiting to see who would make the first move.

Suddenly, one of the king's daughters called their attention. "Father, Mother, this daughter wishes to talk."

Varold faintly smiled, already expecting that. "Go ahead, Naevys. What do you wish to add?"

Naevys nodded and continued, "Our Kamos Kingdom only has 250 vacancies for the Sacred Land Recruitment, and 200 were given to the powers of the kingdom to share between themselves. With that said, our Royal Family has only 50 slots. Father gave each of his children 5 slots each to use. However, this daughter believes that some of her brothers and sister's choices are not good enough to represent the kingdom in the Sacred Land."

"Oh-ho! Is that so?" Varold then looked at the young men and women on the back. Obviously, he knew each one of them and that they were the representatives of each of his children. Some were direct descendants, while others were brought from outside. "They all look very promising in my eyes. However, I told you all to choose our representatives. Naevys, if you have a way to prove that some of them are not worthy, then go ahead and show it."

"Yes, father!" Naevys then looked at Fabio and her other siblings. "As you know, strength is always the main testing field during the Sacred Land Recruitment. I'm very confident in my five choices this time around. Four of them are at the Saint Realm, and one is at the Peak Stage of the Soul Transformation Realm. Is there anyone here willing to prove that they aren't the best here?"

That was both a question and a challenge. If none of her siblings got up to accept it, they would be seen as weak, and that could not happen. "Hmph! Little Sister Naevys, you're getting ahead of yourself. Let your older brother show you the strength of his representatives. First, I'll call forward my own child to challenge your strongest fighter."

The one to accept the challenge first was Arun Kamos, the 3rd oldest child of the king. "Natal, come here and show your aunt what she should really expect during this Sacred Land Recruitment."

"Yes, father!"

Natal was a Middle Stage Saint Realm cultivator. In fact, he could have entered the Late Stage if he wanted to. However, he held himself back so that he could keep a sturdy grasp of his own strength and foundation. Speed wasn't always the answer.

Naevys smiled before she looked at her representatives. She was already married and had her own children. However, two of them were too old, leaving just one with the necessary age for the recruitment. However, she didn't call her child. Instead, she called one of the outsiders she recruited. "Respen Vaharice, it's your turn."

"As you wish, Lady Naevys." A muscular man immediately stepped out of Naevys' ranks. Just like Natal, he was in the Middle Stage of the Saint Realm. He was also a legacy disciple of the Yutral Sect, one of the strongest sects of the Kingdom.

Unsurprisingly, there was already an arena prepared for the fighters. Natal and Respen quickly entered it before formations completely closed the place. There was nowhere to run anymore.