The more leisurely Caden ate, the more outstanding he was in the eyes of his father.
The more anxious his senior brothers were. Caden's sudden display of power shook their hearts.
They had underestimated him.
They had considered him pathetic and not worth their attention. He suddenly appeared and humiliated the fourth successor, Jerald Ryder.
It was so satisfying to the factions that didn't like the second queen and her children.
Even though Caden wasn't in their faction, they didn't support his rise. They had to praise him.
Why?
He humiliated Jerald Ryder in front of the King. His chances of succeeding and becoming the heir apparent are slowly diminishing.
The only chance he could revive his status is through the Awakening Ceremony that's coming up in a few days.
They would have to leave the Morningstar Kingdom and travel through the vast terrains, making their way into the western province of the Purple Continent.
The Red Crescent Kingdom, ranked 25th amongst the fifty thousand kingdoms of the Purple Continent.
A supreme Kingdom known for its wealth. And also for his superpower, having fifteen Sword Level Grandmasters loyal to his nation.
Kingdoms ranked from 100th and below are considered supreme kingdoms and they're the size of a continent on Earth.
Kingdoms ranked from 1000th to 101 are considered super kingdoms and they're the size of a country on Earth.
From a thousand to ten thousand are considered large-sized Kingdoms and they're the size of a State on Earth.
While Kingdoms ranked from ten thousand to twenty thousand are considered medium-sized kingdoms.
They're the size of cities. From twenty thousand to fifty thousand are considered lower-tier Kingdoms
They're the size of a district.
By its rankings. One could tell the Red Crescent Kingdom is larger and stronger than the Morningstar Kingdom.
If they weren't, they wouldn't be ranked 25th amongst fifty thousand kingdoms.
***
The moment King Alex cleared his throat with a cough. Everyone's attention drifted towards him.
He glanced at his son Caden with a warm smile, "How are your preparations, Caden? Are you ready for the Awakening Ceremony?" King Alex asked.
Caden nodded "Yes father" He answered with a smile "I've been patiently training and honing my abilities, even mastering House Ryder's style techniques"
"Although I'm still anxious because the Awakening Ceremony of Purple Continent determines the future of the next generations''
"Whoever scores the highest in this Awakening Ceremony amongst your five sons will have the highest chance of becoming your heir apparent right?" Caden asked.
King Alex chuckled out loud, "He-he-he-he-he, such a smart kid….this is truly my son." He lay back on his seat, slightly tilting his gaze.
He faced his firstborn son, "What about you, Kane? How are your preparations?" The moment King Alex's eyes fell on his Kane.
Kane's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself so as not to look pathetic.
He wore a warm smile "My great father" He spoke "Just like my little brother Caden has said, we're anticipating the Awakening Ceremony that's coming up in a few days"
"Since Morningstar Kingdom is situated in the eastern province of Purple Continent, we must travel for two days and two nights to reach the Red Crescent Kingdom"
"The Awakening Ceremony is taking place in five days. We have to be early as the sons of the great King Alex" Kane spoke.
His words caused King Alex to blush as he kept on nodding, still caressing his long purple beards "That's good, that's good….I'm satisfied with this progress"
"You boys must remember that every supreme kingdom's successors will be participating in the Awakening Ceremony"
"While everyone's attention will be fixed on them. They will always have their eyes on you as well"
"The more profound your results are. The higher our status will be in the Purple Continent's supreme council"
"Who knows, we could even become the 90th ranked supreme kingdom or the 85th, hahahahahaha"
Caden faintly smiled while his father spoke. He ate like a hungry man, aside from his first senior brother Kane.
The rest of his brothers glared at him with both hatred and envy. The manner in which Caden's status rose shocked them.
A few days ago, he was the least favorable to become the heir apparent, but now. He has a solid chance.
If he actually accumulates good and outstanding results in the coming Awakening Ceremony.
A faction loyal to his growth in the Morningstar Kingdom and many knights will migrate towards his faction.
It won't be easy to oppress him anymore.
Caden was nearly done eating when his movements came to a halt, he raised his head. Facing his father "Father….I have a request" He voiced out.
King Alex nodded, "I'm all ears, son, what is it?" King Alex asked.
Caden rubbed his nose, displaying some childish gambino to get closer to his father. "In two days, I will be leaving for the Red Crescent Kingdom….I want to take my personal maid with me" Caden spoke.
King Alex's eyebrows furrowed. "Your personal maid?" He asked. Caden nodded with a smile "Candy was a personal maid left to me by my mother before her mysterious death"
"She's like a sister to me, so I want her to experience the Awakening Ceremony even if she won't be participating," Caden explained.
He chipped in "I know only successors of the fifty thousand kingdoms will be participating in the Awakening Ceremony, she will only be coming to spectate"
King Alex softly exhaled "Well that isn't something difficult to grant, as long as she doesn't make any mess and taints your image"
"That's fine by me. She can go with you" King Alex gave his approval. Caden's smile broadened even more.
"Thank you, great father," He cupped his hands and bowed before the king. He had to take Candy with him.
Now that he's displaying high-level talents and elevating his status. Candy will soon be their personal target.
They may even try to use her to destroy him.
He has to keep this gullible maid of his by his side always.
King Alex nodded "That's nothing my dear son, since my successors will be traveling for the Awakening Ceremony"
"I'll have to prepare escorts for you five. Five of the best elite knights will be chosen to escort and protect your children"
He stated. Everyone nodded in approval. King Alex continued, "And before you boys leave for the Red Crescent Kingdom…."
"I have five missions that must be completed before sunset tomorrow" With that said, King Alex stretched forth his right hand.
Caden's eyebrows furrowed as he frowned "A mission? This never happened in my past life" He muttered, "Is this the aftereffects of my regression?" His heart shook.
King Alex's yellow Mana Core was revealed. Exposing his Mana Aptitude of 80%
Even Caden couldn't help but feel shocked. Even during the time of his execution.
He only had 30% Mana Aptitude.
He exhaled a soft sigh as he thought: 'Father is truly powerful, if he was alive when the Redmen invaded Purple Continent'
'They would have absolutely lost!'
In that moment, five scrolls appeared in the air. Each landing before the five princes, Caden stretched forth his hand.
He grabbed that had landed before him, King Alex continued "Each scroll contains a mission that must be completed before you leave for the Red Crescent Kingdom"
"There will be punishment if the mission isn't completed." King Alex's words were domineering.
Everyone in the dining hall felt pressure from his words. But Caden's heart remained tranquil as he gently unwrapped the scroll.
"This is…." in that moment, Caden's expression turned grim. He remembered this mission too well.
There's no way he could forget such an event. The hundreds of knights and soldiers slaughtered still remained vivid in his mind.
'Ding!'
Suddenly a systematic voice rang out in his mind as the transparent cyan screen appeared before his eyes.
[Reporting...]
[You've received your second task]
[Task: Head to the Eastern Sea Village. Save the villagers and block the incoming Snow Goblins Beast Tide]
[Task Level: C+]
[Task Reward: Silver Gift Box]
[You have 24hours to complete this task]
[Failure Penalty: Temporary Sealing of Mana Core for seven days]
[Countdown starts now]