The tournament champion of the Combat Tower would receive special attention from the Ruling Matron Mothers.
This was a crucial piece of information Renato had learned from Aknath. The Weapon Master had no reason to deceive him.
At this warriors' academy, the champion crowned each year represented not only superb fighting skills and a powerful physique, but also youth and vitality.
They were the finest among hundreds of young noblemen, having fought their way past all their rivals. And the Matron Mothers on the Ruling Council liked nothing better than these strong, inexperienced young men.
If a promising young man came from a minor family, the priestesses of the ruling families could "play" with him all the more easily. Often, a transfer order and a few empty promises were enough to send him willingly into their arms.
Although Renato had no intention of getting entangled with these madwomen, entering the Combat Tower and winning the championship seemed to be the most feasible way to bring his name to the Ruling Council's attention.
As the Nightwind Family's "Martial Guard," he was theoretically eligible to enter this school for noble warriors. His close relationship with Tristana, a rising star among the nobility, would also make it easier to attract the Ruling Matron Mothers' attention.
That would give Renato a chance of being selected for the possible "Holy War" on the Surface...
As his understanding of Drow society deepened during this time, Renato gradually adjusted his plans.
His original plan had been simple-wait for the "Holy War" to begin, teleport back to the Surface with the expedition, then find a chance to slip away. But the longer he stayed in Sammoril, the more he realized how naive his initial idea had been.
Escaping back to the Surface through the "Holy War" sounded ideal,