Bab 178: Tournament Arc: White Egg (10)

The Crownless King's smile widened. "Thrilling indeed," he said. "And I have a feeling that the real game has only just begun."

[The Merchant] couldn't help but wonder what role Duke Aryan would play in this grand spectacle. There was no doubt that the Crownless King had an agenda of his own, and [The Merchant] was curious to see how his machinations would unfold. In the lower realms, where power struggles and political intrigue were the norm, [Duke Aryan] was a master player.

As [The Merchant] and Duke Aryan engaged in their subtle dance of veiled words, the Duke took a seat beside [The Merchant], exuding an air of confidence and authority. Despite his fall from grace, he still carried himself like a king, and the power he wielded in the lower realms was evident.

"I must admit, Duke Aryan," [The Merchant] said, "the prospects in this year's Tournament seem rather intriguing. There's an air of unpredictability that I find quite enticing."