185. System Update

Prince William’s Wing, Imperial Palace, Ancorna Capital City, Ancorna Empire

“Eugene! You’re finally back in the capital,” Prince William said, rising slightly from his plush velvet sofa as Eugene entered the chamber. He leaned back again with a half-smile, wine goblet in hand. “I have to say… a lot has happened while you were gone.”

Eugene walked in with calm steps, his long coat slightly dusted from travel. “Yeah, I had to wrap up a few matters in the south. I’ll be heading out to Jola soon. I'm only in the capital briefly to check on the succession race preparations.”

“Kim,” William said, interrupting. Eugene blinked. “What?”

“Kim Dukedom,” William clarified, swirling his wine. “Ravenna renamed the island and duchy. It’s no longer Jola.”

A pause. Then, Eugene’s expression twitched slightly. “Is that so?”

“Yeah,” William nodded. “And she’s currently in open conflict with Edward Jola over that exact decision. So, again, why would you want to visit there now of all times?” He raised an eyebrow, watching Eugene closely.

Eugene reached into his satchel and pulled out a bound set of parchments. He tossed them onto the ornate table between them with a soft thud. “Because I struck a deal with Ravenna. And since I’ve fulfilled my end, I intend to collect the payment she owes me.”

William narrowed his eyes and picked up the pages. As he skimmed them, his eyes widened. “These are… vault coordinates?”

Eugene nodded. “Locations of secret Hercule Syndicate lockers and stash houses. All within proximity of the capital. If you move fast, you can seize enough wealth to fund your campaign for months.”

William whistled low under his breath. “That’ll put me two steps ahead of Landon and Serena…”He paused, lifting his eyes with a teasing smirk. “You’re not planning to switch sides, are you?”

Eugene rolled his eyes. “Please. The only one fit to survive the throne is you. The others are too short-sighted. They don't understand what’s coming.”

William’s smirk faded at that. He leaned forward slightly. “You mean... the end times?”

Eugene nodded grimly. “Exactly. While the others play politics, you and I are preparing for the witch and the collapse. That’s why I gave you this intel.”

“Speaking of,” William said, flipping through the parchment pages, “we’ve made a breakthrough in our research into the abominations. I was just about to write to you—” He didn’t get to finish.

The chamber doors burst open with a loud slam, and a court messenger stumbled in, clearly breathless from sprinting.

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“What is it now?” William snapped, irritated. “It better be important.”

The messenger bowed hastily. “Urgent report from the Ancornan sea! Kim Island, Princess Ravenna has emerged victorious in her battle against Edward Jola’s forces!”

William’s face went pale. “What?”

The messenger continued, “Both naval battalions dispatched to support Edward Jola have surrendered or Church's ships retreated. And—” he took a sharp breath—“Prince Nolan has been confirmed dead.”

Silence.

Eugene and William both stood frozen, the weight of those words crashing into the room like cannon fire.

William sat back heavily on the couch, hand pressed to his forehead. “Eldest brother… dead? No, that doesn’t make sense. Two whole battalions were sent. Edward Jola was backed by the imperial navy.”

“That’s not all, Your Highness,” the messenger added. “Eyewitness reports from soldiers claim that the Saintess has returned. They say she revealed herself during the battle on Kim Island’s frontlines.”

Eugene moved faster than anyone in the room could process, gripping the messenger by the collar. “What did you say?!”

“The Saintess… she’s been confirmed,” the man choked out. “Divine light engulfed the battlefield. The moment it faded, the imperial forces surrendered.”

Eugene staggered back, eyes wide, breathing shallow.“This… this isn’t how it happened last time.”

His voice was barely a whisper, but the fear and confusion in his expression said it all. The pieces were shifting. The timeline, once so familiar, was unraveling further and further in front of them.

Southern Port, Kim Island, Kim Dukedom, Ancorna Empire

“So they surrendered the moment you captured Edward Jola?” Ravenna asked as she stood beside the trench line, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the imperial ships were already turning back, sails half-lowered, flags of defeat fluttering.

“Yes, Your Highness,” David confirmed with a sharp nod, his expression still tense from the raid. His armor was scratched, his hair disheveled, but his voice remained steady. “Once we secured him and once the divine light of Saintess’s was above the ships, the rest didn’t even try to resist.”

Ravenna nodded slowly, her dark black eyes narrowing with thought. “I see…” she murmured, her gaze trailing toward the returning fleet. The fog had finally lifted over the sea. Now, the truth was unmistakable, they had won.

She turned on her heel and walked toward the carriage awaiting her near the base of the wall. Hughes, standing opposite, straightened and saluted.

“I’ll be in my study,” Ravenna said without breaking stride. “Have Edward Jola cleaned up and made ready for interrogation. No bruises, yet.”

“Yes, your highness,” Hughes replied crisply, already turning to carry out the order.

As Ravenna stepped into the velvet-lined carriage, the door shut with a firm click. The interior was cool and quiet, muffling the fading sounds of the battlefield. She allowed herself a breath, sinking slightly into the cushions before calling forth her greatest weapon, her advantage in this world.

With a flick of her fingers, the translucent blue interface appeared before her eyes.

(New)

User: Ravenna Solarius / Joy Cha Kim

Reputation Level: 71 — (3 / 120,400 EXP)

Current Reputation Points: 209,750 RP

Titles Unlocked: Raven of the Sun Palace, Unruly Princess, Beast Slayer

{ View Reputation Log } { Spend Reputation Points }

“So that’s how it’s done,” Ravenna muttered, tapping her knuckle lightly against her chin. “Holy relics… when they come into contact with the Saintess, while I’m present, that’s what causes an upgrade.”

Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she leaned back in the carriage seat, scrolling through the system menus.