Chương 108: Devising the Board - Part 19

"Begin."

~~~

Cele cast his gaze to the priestess, and then beyond her, where King Ingo stood, tall and stoic. There was no hint of amusement on his features, as there had been since the day Cele had met him. His guardsmen were not with him, which made the general wonder if that rule was of the prestin or of Ingo himself.

In retrospect, it was odd that Ingo did not come over to harass Rudolf or Kaifin - or even Cele. His smug attitude had disappeared but was seamlessly replaced by an air of reticence. It seemed foreboding and put the general on edge.

He would've pondered longer on the king, had Jan not lifted his arm to ring his silver bell thrice more. When Cele returned his eyes to the Muse, he offered an elegant bow before retreating behind the bench of the Holy Critics, so as to witness the challenges himself, as well.