The first phase of the Trial of Kings was coming to a close.

  The Boundless Continent had been bathed in war, ambition, and collapse.

  Hundreds of Lords had claimed their lands.

  And already, many had fallen.

  Now, the System was preparing to move forward.

  Selene stood at the heart of the Verdant Nexus, her empire secured, watching as the world shifted once more.

  And then—

  The System spoke.

  ---

  《System Alert: Phase One of the Trial of Kings has Concluded》

  《All Lords who have successfully defended their claimed lands will proceed to the next phase》

  《Phase Two: The Dominion of Kings》

  《All remaining Lords may now form or join an officially recognized Dominion》

  《Dominions will be ranked based on the total number of territories controlled by their members》

  《Dominions that rise to the highest ranks will receive System rewards》

  《Dominions that fail to meet the minimum requirement will be forcibly disbanded》

  《The majority will remain as they are》

  《Alliances must now be declared》

  ---

  Selene absorbed the words calmly.

  She had expected something like this.

  Phase One had been about testing individual rulers.

  Now, Phase Two would force them to decide—

  To remain independent or to band together.

  The System was shaping the battlefield.

  But it was still playing a game that she had already mastered.

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  She turned toward her assembled court.

  ---

  Foxes was grinning.

  “So, now we’re supposed to start forming alliances, huh?”

  Strategy folded their arms.

  “It’s a means of consolidation. The System is narrowing the field. Encouraging Lords to unite, while ensuring that those who overreach will suffer for it.”

  Selene nodded.

  “Which means those who rush to create large Dominions will be rewarded—for now.”

  Sovereignty exhaled.

  “And those who cannot keep up will be erased.”

  Selene’s lips curved slightly.

  “Exactly.”

  ---

  Foxes chuckled.

  “You know what this means, right?”

  Selene glanced at him.

  Foxes grinned.

  “We need a name.”

  A pause.

  Then, a ripple of amusement passed through the room.

  It was true.

  If they were to establish a Dominion, they would need a name to submit to the System.

  It was a symbolic thing.

  A declaration.

  Selene considered it for only a moment before speaking.

  “The Court of Balance.”

  A hush settled.

  Then Oaths nodded slowly.

  “Fitting.”

  Strategy inclined their head. “It speaks of control. Of structure.”

  Sovereignty’s expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of approval.

  Foxes stretched lazily.

  “Well, looks like we have our answer then.”

  Selene turned toward the System’s interface.

  And she made it official.

  ---

  《System Alert: Lord Selene has Founded a Dominion》

  《The Court of Balance has been Established》

  A pulse of power resonated through the world.

  Lords across the region would see the notification.

  They would know that Selene was no longer just a ruler.

  She was the leader of a true Dominion.

  One that would rise above the rest.

  And now—

  The next phase of the game had begun.

  ---

  The first wave of responses came quickly.

  Some Lords moved to form their own Dominions.

  Others rushed to join existing ones, fearing isolation.

  Some sought safety in numbers.

  Some sought power.

  And others?

  They watched, waiting for the first great moves to be made.

  ---

  Foxes was already sorting through incoming intelligence.

  “Looks like a few of the Lords in our region are moving fast,” he murmured. “Some of the smarter ones are joining together immediately. Others… not so much.”

  Selene expected as much.

  There would be those who thought they could survive alone.

  Some would succeed.

  Most would fail.

  She exhaled.

  “Which Dominions are worth noting?”

  ---

  Foxes listed them off.

  The Silver Pact—formed by a cluster of Lords who had been allies even before the Trial.

  The Black Sun—a Dominion built by a warlord who had taken territory through brute force.

  The Iron Covenant—a defensive alliance between Lords who sought only to endure.

  There were dozens more.

  But none of them were her concern.

  Not yet.

  ---

  Strategy’s voice was measured.

  “We have the most stable expansion. Most Dominions are scrambling to secure their positions. Ours is already solid.”

  Sovereignty nodded.

  “This is a ranking system,” they said. “But it is also a competition. The highest-ranked Dominions will be rewarded. That means war is coming.”

  Selene had already known this.

  The System had given Lords an incentive to fight.

  Because territories were the key to ranking.

  And if ranking determined rewards, then Lords would have no choice but to expand.

  Which meant conflict was inevitable.

  ---

  Selene’s voice was calm.

  “Let them come.”

  The Fae Lords bowed.

  Because they already knew.

  The Court of Balance was not here to survive.

  It was here to ascend.

  Phase One had been about testing the strength of individuals.

  Phase Two would be about testing the strength of empires.

  And by the time it ended—

  There would be only one empire that remained.

  Hers.