Just as the Eastern Kingdom was teetering on the brink.
General Howell, who had always remained silent toward the outside world, suddenly took swift and decisive action.
Even among the kingdom's upper ranks, news of this matter had not spread widely. Yet its actual influence might well determine the Eastern Kingdom's fate for decades to come.
He sent a secret letter to each of the Four Successors.
The letters invited every royal heir who currently commanded troops of their own to Welsh Castle.
He would use an ancient and gentle method to determine who would inherit the king's authority.
This would prevent the kingdom from being weakened by civil war and giving the Southern Kingdoms or Ephalia's restless northern civilization an opportunity to exploit.
This method was said to have been designated by the Old King himself.
When the Old King had Welsh Castle renovated, he had considered the possibility of suddenly dying before he could appoint an heir. Thus, he hid a Mithril Sword at a secret location within three miles of Welsh Castle.
He told Howell that not only the Four Successors, but anyone with royal blood who found the Mithril Sword and became its master could become the new king.
Howell intended to follow the Old King's former wishes and use this ancient method to select a new king from among the heirs.
Therefore, the recipients of the secret letters numbered far more than four royal heirs!
According to Evelyn's estimate, at least four hundred people were currently staying in this castle. Most of them had some blood connection to the royal family, and some were even illegitimate children of fallen dukes...
Who knew from what corner Howell had dug all these people out.
It could only be said that the military power controlled by this great