Tsuyioru Xiu Royal Palace, Training Grounds
When Gould arrived with Sordil and the other two, a fair-skinned, middle-aged man with a tall, lean build, a square face, and a long beard was directing a group of people assembling something. Upon seeing Gould's group of four, the man whispered a few words to someone beside him, then walked straight toward them.
"Duke Gould, you certainly came early!"
"Didn't the Chancellor arrive quite early as well? Besides, we can't very well make His Majesty the King wait for the likes of us. So we came ahead of time—first, to wait for His Majesty, and second, to let Oddek and the others warm up."
"May I ask which of these two will be taking the test later?"
The Chancellor's gaze passed over Gould and briefly swept across Sordil's group of three, finally lingering between Sordil and Lindel.
"Hehe! Won't you find out which one it is when the time comes, Chancellor?"
"That is true! In that case, I shall not disturb Your Grace's rest any longer. I shall take my leave!"
"Take care, Chancellor!"
Gould saw the Chancellor off with a smile, but the instant the Chancellor turned away, the smile vanished from Gould's face, replaced by disdain and contempt. The Chancellor and his men worked quickly, and within less than an hour, several life-sized humanoid targets stood on the training grounds. Not long after the targets were completed, Belmod appeared in the viewing area above the training grounds, surrounded by a crowd. Then, this special test that would determine Sordil's... no, it should now be said, Oddek's future "fate," was about to begin.
"Your Majesty, greetings from your younger brother (commoner)!"
"Rise. Gould, is this beautiful young lady beside you the one who captured your heart?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! From the first