CHAPTER 26: HOUSE OF ARKHAN

[Requirements met: The user now has enough subordinates.]

[Subordinate management unlocked.]

The panel appeared before Aric just after his discussion with Twicher and Borag, though he had chosen to ignore it at the time. Only now, with a quiet moment to himself, did he decide to examine it properly.

They returned to the carriage, where the young guard Alan and the driver stood waiting. Aric could see at once that they had been in an altercation of their own. Neither looked injured or even particularly fatigued.

"Looks like you two weren’t left alone," Aric remarked.

"Yes, your highness," Alan replied, "but they quickly realized we had nothing worth taking. After the first two, no one tried again."

Aric had expected as much, having told them to remain with the carriage. He was satisfied with how they had handled the situation.

"Alright," Aric stretched casually, "go get some food and water, take a rest. Be back here in four hours. I’ll be waiting in the carriage."

"Your highness, it’s fine. I’ll stay here with y—"

The prince cut Alan off mid-sentence.

"No, no." He shook his head. "Go on. I’ll be fine."

If anything, Aric might have worried about sending them off on their own, but with Serina present, he was certain they would be safe.

He boarded the carriage while the others departed. Alone at last, he could finally contemplate the meaning of the panels he had seen.

"Guide," he called.

She materialized at his side, her expression curious.

"What does this mean?" Aric gestured at the glowing panel before him.

[Subordinate management unlocked.]

The guide studied the screen, then turned back to him.

"This is one of the many system functions you refused to let me brief you on," she reminded him, her tone faintly gloating.

"I doubt any of it would’ve been brief," Aric retorted.

"But you would have known about—"

"Alright, alright," he cut her off. "We’ll go through the functions another time. Just tell me what this is."

The guide cleared her throat, wings fluttering as she launched into her explanation.

"The subordinate management function allows the user to track the state of all subordinates—from their loyalty level to their current emotions toward you. Once upgraded, more information will be revealed, such as personal attributes and more detailed data."

"Oh." Aric’s eyes widened, intrigued. "How do I see their details?"

"First, you must name your party."

[Please choose a name for your party.]

Aric paused, considering. It didn’t seem like a profound decision, yet he weighed it carefully.

"Would you like a suggestion?" the guide offered.

"Go on."

"Since you also lack a name for your political house in the empire, you may call them both The House of Arkhan."

Aric tilted his head, curious. "Why that?"

"Ark-han, in the ancient language of the Men of Winter, means ’to be reborn.’ Not physically, but metaphorically—to transform completely and become someone far different than before," she explained.

"I thought it fitting for your house. But of course, you may—"

"No, I like it," Aric interrupted. "Let’s go with that."

[You have named your party: House of Arkhan.]

[Showing party member details.]

---

The House of Arkhan

Lerai Castro | Human Mage

Loyalty: 83

Emotion: Inspired, Respect

///

Serina Marcel | Human Mage

Loyalty: 54

Emotion: Intrigued, Respect

///

Estate Guards | Humans

Avg Loyalty: 93

Emotion: Fear, Respect

///

Keins Town Bandits | Humans

Avg Loyalty: 70

Emotion: Fear

///

Borag and Twicher | Human Cultivators

Avg Loyalty: 28

Emotion: Greed, Intrigue, Fear

///

Marcus Leman | Human

Loyalty: 50 (rapidly decreasing)

Emotion: Betrayal, Fear

---

Aric studied the panel, astonished.

"I assume the rest is self-explanatory," the guide said. "As for emotions—these display your subordinates’ current feelings toward you, with the strongest listed first."

The information fascinated him, offering a clearer view of the aftermath of his choices. But one name left him puzzled.

"Who the hell is that? And why do they feel betrayed?"

He stared hard at the name, racking his memory. Then, it struck him—a nameplate on a desk.

"...The clerk." Aric facepalmed.

It all made sense now. He had promised to compensate the clerk for the letters he provided... and had completely forgotten. No wonder loyalty was plummeting.

"I didn’t mean to. I just forgot," Aric muttered with a sigh.

He shook his head, brushing the matter aside for now, and turned to the other entries. As expected, Borag and Twicher’s loyalty was abysmally low. Without the gold he’d offered, they would never have submitted. But Aric already had plans to change that.

---

Four hours later, Serina and the others returned, well-fed and carrying supplies for the road ahead. With their bellies full and spirits lifted, the company resumed their journey.

Aric hadn’t eaten, though food from his inventory was always at hand. He didn’t feel the need.

Perhaps he was nervous about confronting the Byzeth King?

’As if,’ he scoffed inwardly.