They returned to the capital two days early.

Aria stepped off the sky carriage in a storm-black cloak, her boots silent against marble.

Kael walked beside her, hand never straying far from his sword.

The palace looked the same.

But something was off.

Too quiet. Too polished. Too many eyes.

System Alert: Passive Surveillance Detected

Signal Origin: Royal Guard Sector 4

Class: Embedded Spyware Host

Status: Active

Suggested Action: Burn it all down.

They didn’t.

Not yet.

Instead, Aria waited for the trap.

And it came at sunset—during the welcome feast.

The ballroom overflowed with nobility and venom.

Gold dresses. Empty toasts. Silent calculations.

Aria took her place next to Kael at the high table, sipping wine she didn’t trust.

Then, halfway through the third course, she felt it:

A system pulse.

Soft. Elegant. Hidden.

She turned, eyes scanning the crowd.

There—a court lady in red lace, smiling a little too perfectly.

Hidden Host Detected: Class – Glasswalk System

Specialty: Infiltration, Illusion, Social Decay

Alignment: Unknown (but come on—it’s Yvonne)

Aria stood up.

“Enjoying the roast boar?” she asked the lady.

The woman blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Just wondering if treason tastes better with wine.”

The room froze.

The lady smiled coldly. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you—”

Aria moved.

One step.

One flick of her fingers.

The illusion shattered.

The woman was a system shell.

Empty. Controlled.

Her eyes flashed violet—Yvonne’s color.

Message Relay Activated

“Touching, isn’t it? You’ve come so far, only to still walk in my shadow.”

“But by all means—try to take my throne.”

“I’m watching.”

The puppet exploded.

No blood. Just smoke. And silence.

Then came the sound of armor.

Heavy boots. Blades drawn.

The King’s guard entered.

At their head, High General Rhys.

Old. Loyal. And very, very angry.

He pointed at Aria.

“Lady Aria of House Thorne. By order of the crown, you are accused of harboring rogue system energy, destabilizing the royal protocol, and engaging in forbidden pactcraft.”

Kael stood immediately. “She’s done more for this kingdom than—”

But Aria raised a hand.

Calm. Cold. Ready.

“I invoke the Right of Crown Challenge.”

Gasps.

Kael swore under his breath.

The High General narrowed his eyes.

“You do not have the blood for that.”

Aria stepped forward.

“I have something better. I have power.”

She pulled back her sleeve. The flame sigil pulsed.

And the room responded.

Royal Protocol Engaged: Challenge of Ascension

Location: The Trial Spire

Time: Dawn

Combatants: Aria vs Chosen System Hosts of the Crown

Stakes: Win – Earn place in royal command hierarchy

Lose – Death or full system suppression

Spectators: Entire court

Kael reached her side as the guards withdrew.

“Do you know what you just did?” he asked.

“I just made them admit I’m a threat,” she said.

“Now I’ll prove I’m a solution.”

System Assimilation Progress: 56%

Challenge Route Activated: Royal Tier Advancement Path

Bonus Gained: Courtwide Reputation Modifier (+/– depending on performance)

That night, Aria stood in the tower balcony, looking down on the silent capital.

Kael approached her in the dark.

“Why didn’t you let me stop them?” he asked softly.

She turned to him, firelight in her eyes.

“Because no one’s going to say I rose because of a man.”

He looked at her.

And for the first time, he didn’t smile.

He just said, quietly:

“Then let me walk beside you.”

Chapter 17: The Trial Spire, the Three System Duelists, and the One She Can’t Predict