Outside the courtroom, Caius's expression changed—his gaze turning cold.
"Eldest Prince, please follow ," the butler said. The mont he saw Caius, he bowed lightly and spoke respectfully.
"Lead the way," Caius replied calmly as the butler walked ahead, and he followed.
The butler led him through a different set of hallways. Although the guards here were sparsely placed, their auras were much stronger.
Eventually, they reached a crossroads. To the left was the chamber for the king's wives and mistresses. To the right was where Caius and his siblings had once lived.
mories clouded his mind—the shouting, the disgusted expressions… and the few rare monts of laughter among the siblings.
Caius clenched his fists as clarity returned to his thoughts. Of course, none of this escaped the butler's notice. He rely smiled to himself.
At the intersection stood four terrifying guards—two on each side—each one exuding the aura of a Universal Realm expert.
Even this butler was a Universal Realm being. The royal family truly was sothing else.
"Eldest Prince, your court has been cleaned and properly arranged," the butler said, and Caius nodded.
Returning to this place stirred countless mories, good and bad. But after what he'd faced in the Dreadborne Organization, confronting his past was nothing in comparison.
"Eldest Prince," the butler continued, "now that you've proven yourself, once you've settled in, I'll take you to choose your guards."
"I see… Alright. Return in an hour and have them prepared," Caius instructed.
They had reached the front of his courtyard.
"Take care, Eldest Prince," the butler said with a bow.
"You too. See you in an hour," Caius replied as the butler left.
He turned to face the familiar grand courtyard and sighed, then entered.
Sitting on his bed, Caius closed his eyes, focusing inward.
His strength was terrifying. Even against soone at the high-level Planetary Realm, he could hold his own. He'd still lose, of course—but it was acceptable. At least he could survive a round or two, especially if his opponent underestimated him or didn't use full power.
Now, with the second form he'd obtained, his power was even greater. All he could say was—this was thanks to the Dreadborne Organization. It was as if they had given him a new life. He owed them.
Caius opened his eyes and glanced around his courtyard.
He decided to change so things.
Removing his top, Caius began working—rearranging furniture, placing things where he wanted, and exploring his space.
An hour passed in a flash, and the butler returned. Seeing the transford courtyard, he was stunned. The Eldest Prince was truly hardworking. But… looking around, the prince was nowhere in sight.
"Eldest Prince?" the butler called softly.
Caius appeared before him.
Now dressed in formal royal attire—elegant, bright, and radiating authority—the butler nodded approvingly. This was how a prince should appear. Of course, it was just a costly shirt and trousers—no one wore traditional robes these days, just expensive, elegant clothing.
"I've gathered the available guards. We can select your personal guard when you're ready, my lord," the butler said.
"Alright. Let's go," Caius replied.
They took the sa passage but detoured before reaching the earlier intersection.
Along the way, Caius overheard discussions—guards speculating about who would choose them and what opportunities might co.
Finally, the door to a massive training hall opened. Inside, two hundred guards stood at attention. The mont they saw the butler and the Eldest Prince, they saluted with honor.
"GREETINGS TO THE ELDEST PRINCE!"
They all shouted in unison.
Excitent flickered in their eyes. The rumors were true—the Eldest Prince had returned, and his talent rivaled even his siblings. This was a huge opportunity. Becoming his personal guard could an a better position, higher pay, and a chance to rise in strength.
"Alright, listen carefully," the butler announced. "Each of you may be chosen by the Eldest Prince based on your strength and luck. Once selected, your life and death will belong to him. Any traitor will be executed under capital punishnt. But before death, they will be tornted—and their families erased."
"Yes, sir!" they responded firmly. They already knew this, but the butler was reminding them of the stakes.
The butler turned to Caius with a smile. "Please, Eldest Prince, make your selection."
Caius stepped forward.
"All I need is soone responsible and strong enough to keep my courtyard safe. As for my personal safety…" he paused and smiled lightly, "that's my business."
He began walking through the ranks, choosing based on their aura and presence. He selected the strongest among them, and a few that simply caught his eye.
Finally, he stopped in front of a calm-looking female.
"You. You're at the Galaxy Realm. You'll be my most trusted aide," he said.
The woman knelt quietly. Unlike the others, she didn't look thrilled or excited. She remained calm, her expression unreadable.
The others selected smiled proudly, while the unchosen ones bowed their heads in disappointnt.
Caius had chosen the perfect number—not too few, not too many—and the butler nodded in approval.
"Those chosen, follow the Eldest Prince and obey his instructions from now on. The rest are dismissed," the butler said, before turning to return to his duties.
Caius and his new guards made their way back to his courtyard in silence.
He was deep in thought, planning his next steps—whom to approach for support, how to increase his influence. Right now, he had no backing, and compared to his siblings, he was far behind. Especially Theron, who had nearly half the court behind him—including officials and aristocrats. Only a few ancient families remained neutral.
"Is he the one the family head sent to protect?" the Galaxy Realm woman wondered silently.
Caius could feel her gaze. He smiled to himself.
There was definitely sothing strange about her. While the others were visibly thrilled, she remained cold and unreadable. Too calm. Too composed.
"I wonder… are you a spy from my brothers? Or sothing else entirely?" Caius thought, narrowing his eyes.
He would be watching her closely.
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