Chapter 8: The Council’s Gaze

The sun had barely risen, its warm light filtering through the curtains as Leonis stood in front of his wardrobe. Today was the day. The day he would face the council—the same council that had only ever viewed him with disdain, mirroring the disappointment of his father.

His hands rested on the fabric of his royal uniform, a deep emerald green with gold embroidery, the colors of the Perdium family. He had worn this outfit before, but it had never felt right, like it didn't belong on him. But today, there was something different. He straightened the collar, adjusting the golden brooch shaped like a dragon, the symbol of Perdium's strength. Today, he would take another step toward proving himself.

Leonis glanced at the mirror, locking eyes with his reflection. The striking emerald eyes, the golden hair that framed his face—he was a mirror image of the progenitor. It was eerie how much he resembled the ancient founder of the Perdium Empire.

The grand council chamber was vast and imposing. Its high ceilings, intricate carvings of the empire's history on the walls, and large windows let in beams of sunlight that bathed the long table at its center. At the head of the table sat Emperor Valerian Perdium, his aura dominating the room. His emerald eyes, much like Leonis's own, were cold and calculating as he surveyed those present.

Leonis entered the room, his steps confident but not rushed. The council members—nobles, high-ranking military officers, and ministers—shifted slightly, all eyes on him as he made his way to his seat. Whispers followed him, though most were cut short once he neared the table. It was clear they were not expecting him to attend.

At the emperor's right sat Caius, the second prince, his usual smug expression deepening as Leonis approached. He didn't even bother to hide the disdain on his face. Five-star arrogant fool, Leonis thought, though he didn't let it show.

Further down was Eonis, the third prince, always calm and composed, and Caelum, the youngest, seated near the end, observing everything with his sharp eyes. Leonis noted the absence of his sisters, Amalthea and Eileen, though that wasn't surprising—this council meeting was about military and political affairs, not something they were involved in.

"Leonis," Emperor Valerian's voice rang out as soon as Leonis reached his seat. "You've decided to join us today."

The room fell silent, and the tension was palpable. This was a test—Leonis could feel it. The old Leonis would have shrugged off the comment or mumbled something dismissive. But not today.

"Father," Leonis responded smoothly, his voice steady, "it is my duty as the crown prince to be present for matters of the empire. I've come to take responsibility for my role."

Valerian's piercing gaze lingered on him for a moment, unreadable. Then, with a small nod, he gestured for Leonis to sit.

The silence that followed was heavy with expectation. Caius looked like he was holding back a sneer, while Caelum's eyebrow rose slightly, clearly surprised by Leonis's newfound attitude. Eonis, however, remained neutral, his focus more on the council proceedings than the family dynamics.

The council began with reports of border conflicts. Orc and goblin raiders had been pushing into human territory, testing the limits of the empire's defenses. It was the same old news—territorial disputes, minor skirmishes that never seemed to end.

But then the tone shifted as one of the ministers stood to present the latest intelligence.

"Your Majesty, there's been increasing activity from the demonic empire's forces," the minister said, glancing nervously at Emperor Valerian. "We've had reports of unusual movements near the southern borders, closer to the capital than ever before."

At this, the room seemed to shift. Demonic incursions were not uncommon, but they rarely approached the heart of the Perdium Empire. The implications were clear—something more significant was brewing.

"What's your assessment?" Valerian asked, his voice low and authoritative.

The minister hesitated, then continued. "We believe this could be a precursor to a larger invasion. The demonic forces have been amassing in numbers not seen in years. And there's... there's talk that the current Demon King is preparing to move directly against us."

A murmur swept through the council. The Demon King, Zar'Ghul, was a name that struck fear even among the seasoned warriors of the empire. the current Demon King, an 8-star master of magic and swordsmanship. Zar'Ghul's very presence warps reality, and he commands legions of demonic beasts and warriors. His strength rivaled that of the Perdium Empire itself, and his hatred for the human race was legendary.

Leonis remained silent, but inside, his mind raced. He remembered this from the novel—the beginning of the demon-human war arc. This was a critical point, where the tensions between the empires would explode into full-scale conflict. Knowing what was coming gave him an edge, but he had to play it carefully.

Caius scoffed, leaning forward. "We've dealt with demons before. There's no need to panic. I say we launch a preemptive strike and crush them before they can rally."

Leonis bit back the urge to roll his eyes. Typical Caius, always thinking with brute force and arrogance. A premature attack would only weaken their forces and play into the Demon King's hands.

"The demon army isn't like the orc raiders you've been dealing with," Leonis finally spoke, his tone measured. "A preemptive strike would stretch our resources thin. We need to bolster our defenses first, gather more intelligence on their movements, and strike when we know their weak points."

Several heads turned toward him, surprised by his input. Caius's eyes narrowed, clearly displeased with his older brother's interference.

"You think hiding behind walls will save us?" Caius retorted, his voice dripping with condescension. "Or are you just too afraid to face them head-on?"

Leonis met his brother's gaze without flinching. "I'm not afraid of anything, Caius. But I'm also not stupid enough to rush into a battle we're not prepared for. This is bigger than your pride."

Before Caius could snap back, Emperor Valerian raised his hand, silencing the argument. His eyes flicked between his two sons, and for a brief moment, Leonis thought he saw something akin to approval in his father's gaze. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"We'll consider both options," Valerian said, his voice final. "But we need more information before we make a move. We'll wait for further reports from the border."

Leonis sat back, satisfied. This was only the beginning, but he had made his first mark. He would need to tread carefully, but he was no longer the weak and disgraced prince they had thought him to be.

As the council session came to a close, Leonis lingered for a moment, watching as the ministers and his brothers filed out. Caius threw him a dark look before leaving the room, while Eonis gave him a small nod of acknowledgment. Caelum, as usual, remained enigmatic, offering no hint of what he truly thought.

Leonis was about to leave when his father's voice stopped him.

"Leonis."

He turned to face Emperor Valerian, who remained seated at the head of the table, his sharp gaze fixed on his son.

"Your input today... was unexpected," Valerian said slowly. "You've been silent in these meetings for years. Why the sudden change?"

Leonis took a breath, knowing this was a crucial moment. "I've wasted enough time, Father. I'm ready to fulfill my role as the crown prince and future emperor."

Valerian studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "We'll see if your actions match your words. You're dismissed."

Leonis left the council chamber, his heart pounding in his chest. He had taken the first step, but the real challenge was still ahead. He had to prove himself not just to his father, but to the entire empire.

This is just the beginning.

Creator's Note for "Beyond Horizons - The Reincarnation": And so, we reach the conclusion of Season 1. Thank you all for your incredible support throughout this journey. I'll be returning this Tuesday with the release of Chapter 9-11, marking the start of Season 2. Stay tuned, and I can't wait to share what's next!

With gratitude,

The Creator of "Beyond Horizons - The Reincarnation"