The unprecedented Trials to choose the King had already been a shock for the people but to become the jury for it was another hit. The mixture of confusion, fear, elation and even slight bit of pride was clear among the audience.

Ocean stepped forward, and his voice carried across the amphitheatre with calm authority.

"Before we proceed further, allow me to explain how these Trials shall be judged," he said. "As you all know, His Majesty has declared that the future King must earn not only the approval of the throne, but also the trust of the people he is meant to rule."

A faint hum resonated above the colosseum.

The massive crystalline structure suspended in the air flickered to life—its surface swirling with shifting mana.

"This," Ocean announced, "is the Mana Barometer. It does not count votes, nor does it measure numbers. Instead, it reflects the collective emotional resonance of the people—your trust, fear, pride, or disappointment—through color."

Light rippled across the crystal, briefly flashing through different hues as Ocean listed them.

"Blue signifies deep trust. Green indicates approval. Yellow reflects uncertainty. Orange represents disapproval. Red marks rejection. And Black..." The crystal dimmed ominously, "shows the hearts of the people have turned away completely."

The audience watched, captivated.

"This color resonance," Ocean continued, "shall form the public voice in the results of each Trial."

He lowered his hand slightly, and a second set of symbols lit up along the arena walls.

"However, the Trials cannot be won by popularity alone. Seventy percent of the evaluation shall come from three panels: Knights, Nobles and Civilians."

"As per His Majesty’s decree," Ocean continued, "the evaluators for these Trials were personally selected by the King and approved by both noble factions, ensuring complete neutrality."

"The Knighthood Panel will be represented by Sir Godfrey Ashbourne, retired Captain of the Royal Vanguard and a veteran of the Denril War—honored by every knight order in the realm."

"The Civilian Council will be led by Elder Mira Thornbrook, a healer from a small town on the outskirts of Laiden. Though little known among nobles, she is beloved by commoners for a lifetime spent caring for the sick, sheltering the abandoned, and easing the suffering of those whom society often forgets."

"And the Noble Observation Panel shall be represented by Grand Duke Alarice, whose integrity and neutrality have been acknowledged by every noble house for decades."

Each of the three were displayed on the Aether screens for everyone to see.

"None of these three owe allegiance to any Prince. Their judgment—together with the Mana Barometer—shall determine the outcome of each Trial."

He spread his arms lightly.

"These panels will assess strategy, leadership, skill, morality, and judgment. Alongside them, the Mana Barometer shall reflect the sentiment of the people. Together, they shall determine the official outcome of each Trial."

The crystal pulsed once, bright and resonant.

Ocean inclined his head graciously.

"So yes... today, every one of you plays a role in choosing the next King."

Ocean knew he couldn’t disclose this information earlier or like the present day democracy, the ones in power could easily influence the people by fake stunts since that’s what Esmertia family and the Queen had been doing for years. Eric had his own influence but it wouldn’t override the years upon years of illusion that was already put on the people. To dispell that effect the truth was needed and Carlos’s nature would unmistakably become the mirror of the Esmertia family’s true face.

Ocean let the excitement settle before he noticed Eric’s sullen face. Eric met his eyes and looked like he couldn’t be quiet anymore.

"I have a question, Marquis." He said.

"Yes, what is it, Your Highness?" Ocean asked.

"Back at the cave..." He started, "I saw my dear friend injured and bleeding."

Eric’s eyes then drifted to Sir Hopkins who stood beside Carlos also injured and bleeding.

"And even Sir Hopkins is in the same state. Can you please explain what this is about?"

Ocean smiled, Eric was still greatly worried about Drac and apparently he had forgotten that Drac was a Dragon so even if an army of humans were to attack him he wouldn’t have a scratch on him.

"Indeed," Ocean said and in the next instant Drac appeared beside him through teleportation.

The audience gasped and Ocean smiled stepping a little out of the way before looking at Sir Hopkins.

"Sir Hopkins, can you come and stand beside Young Master Drac?" Ocean spoke.

Hopkins walked over and stood beside Drac and Ocean snapped his fingers. A water ball materialized over their heads before dousing them completely and the blood washed away.

"It was just fake blood," Ocean announced.

"Now to explain it all, let’s begin from the time the Trial started." Ocean began and the Aether screens of left and right blinked before it showed the colosseum.

"First, was strategy." Ocean said, "since a King often has to lead his men into war he must have a calm and composed attitude in the face of the crisis. Strategy is necessary in the places where you hadn’t ever ventured, am I right, Your Majesty?"

Roger leaned ahead, "That’s right."

"I’d like to personally ask both the Princes, though we saw it all, what strategies did you two take up before entering Serpentwood forest?" Ocean asked and then looked at Eric.

Eric cleared his throat and started, "It was an uncharted territory and we also had to deal with monsters that you told us about so, according to the map, I figured the type of monsters that we might encounter. I made the strategies that would keep most people safe and bring us to our destination."

Ocean nodded and the audience clapped, "Excellent as we all had seen, at the end you very heroically also stayed back and protected not even your own knights but also Esmertia family’s knights despite knowing that it might cost you your victory."

Eric smiled and the audience cheered for him. Carlos looked like he had chewed on raw lemon and Ocean turned to him next.

"Your Highness Carlos, why don’t you tell us your strategy?"

Carlos opened his mouth, "I... I gave more importance to the time. There was a time limit and we were in an uncharted territory so, I had to make sure that we swiftly got through all the monsters."

Ocean nodded and the faced the people, "Now everyone, you have heard the answers so, I’ll ask some of you to tell us what you think about our Princes and their strategies."

The Sound Resonance Crystal was handed to a young man who took it with slight nervousness.

"Don’t worry, you can speak freely." Ocean assured him and the man nodded.

"Uh... I think Prince Eric was great out there. He took down the monsters and never let any of his knight fall in danger. Prince Carlos on the other hand... it looked like he only had them as expendables, he had them fight for most of the time, let them get hurt and even abandoned them in the face of danger..."

The Crystal was then handed over to an old man, "Prince Eric is the hero of this Kingdom... I’m sure he would make a good King."

Ocean smiled and asked, "What makes you think that?"

"His cool-headed nature despite the troubles, he was strong but he also had the skills to kill the monsters while Prince Carlos showed nothing of the sorts... I am a retired knight... I fought in the war with Denril and saw numerous valiant knights give their lifes... What I saw today was nostalgic but also pathetic."

Ocean watched as the old man had a leg missing, "Prince Eric was kind enough to go and help those knights in need but Prince Carlos left them behind and ran away to secure his victory. That’s not what a knight does!"

The crowd agreed and Ocean glanced at Carlos who looked like he would kill the old man.

"Prince Eric is a true and honorable Knight."

The crystal was then handed to a middle-aged woman and she announced, "Prince Eric is the winner here."

Ocean laughed hearing this and said, "My beautiful lady, you don’t have to announce the judgment here, please tell us what you think."

The woman blushed a little before she claimed, "That’s what I think, he’s the winner. We don’t want a King who would abandon is when we are in danger. Instead of having a King like that I would rather stay in a forest among animals."

The crowd cheered hearing the woman’s words and even Ocean looked impressed.

The Crystal was handed to a few more people who spoke the similar things and Katherine looked like she was ready to explode.

"This kind of encompasses the fact that Prince Eric not only had a better strategy, but he also protected his comrades, showed kindness towards the one who needed his help, made smart choices and finally had brought what he thought as valuable back here." Ocean then turned to Carlos.

"While Prince Carlos had a reckless strategy, he used his knights as disposable men, he risked their lives and abandoned them and also made the wrong choices before he returned with what he thought as valuable."

Ocean’s conclusion earned cheers from some people while others grimaced.

"Should we also ask for the knights of their experience now?" Ocean asked.

The Aether screens flickered and the knights appeared who were being treated in the Oasis Foundation Hospital.

Asher and Sir Alex Wales, Captain of Ryujin family knights were visible on the screens along with Kate.

"Good evening, Master!" She beamed as she faced the Viewing Orbs.

"I shall now move to the knights, some of them are quite a lot injured so, we’ll try to not disturb them too much since Doc will get angry." She said cheerfully.

Ocean chuckled.

Kate walked over towards the first knight, "Good evening, Sir..."

"I’m Mathiel Josier, a knight of Esmertia family." The knights said and Kate smiled.

"Can you tell me what are your views about the performances of both the Princes?"

Mathiel looked conflicted and he exchanged glances with the knight beside him.

"It was a good experience fighting alongside Prince Carlos and I think... he should be the next Ki-"

But before he could finish the knight on the other side of the same Esmertia team spoke up, "Oh shut it, Josier!"

"Xavier!" Josier gasped and we could see Xavier on the screen, he seemed like he had lost his arm and he was covered in bandages.

"He threw us under the feet of those monsters to die and you really think he should be the King! I don’t care if I get executed for treason because with the way I am now, I am of no use to them. They will simply discard and blame us for letting him lose!"

Some of the knights who were angry also agreed with him.

"Look at these Fairisles knights, there is only three of them here and all the rest are of Esmertia. Who do you think is better?"

The difference was clear on the screen as the Fairisles knights looked rather better while the Esmertia knights were gravely injured.

One of the Fairisles knights smiled at Kate as he said, "Can we really be seen and heard throughout the colosseum like this?"

Kate smiled nodding, "Yes!"

He chuckled and said, "Your Highness Eric, it was an honour to be led by you. If it’s for you, I shall lay my life and go to war as many times as you lead."

"Me too!"

"I’ll go too!"

The other two knights piped in with smiles while the Esmertia family’s knights were bitter.

"I’m quitting being a knight of Esmertia family! I’d rather be a mercenary if I’m getting disposed of like that!"

The nobles were speechless hearing the knights voicing their anger so openly.

Kate looked a little nervous and she turned to Sir Cronin who looked the most composed.

"Please pardon these young men for their words," he started, "I’ll take the blame and resign for being incompetent."

The audience gasped and Ocean’s eyes narrowed slightly, he glanced up at Roan and Lyall. Lyall looked back noticing the silent look before he nodded and whispered something to Roan and then took off

"That were the views of the knights, Master." Kate said and the Aether screens turned back to showed the colosseum and Ocean’s face who smiled.

"We have checked for the strategy, compassion, strength, skills and loyalty. So, shall we move to the most important part? The answer to the Trial of Secure the Valued."