The air in Kakin's Capital, Peacelight, never stood still.
Even in the dead of night, neon flooded the streets like veins pulsing in a dying beast. Cameras floated like dragonflies. Hired guards and spies loitered like shadows wearing flesh.
And atop it all…
The Royal Palace loomed like a spear aimed at the sky.
A place where truths were buried under diamonds, and princes drank from cups laced with subtle poison.
Kaen's arrival was anything but silent.
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🏰 Arrival of the Dream Sovereign
The Dream Alliance arrived at the gates of the palace under diplomatic veil—Kaen leading, cloaked in deep violet robes, the Crown of Clarity humming invisibly against his mind.
By his side:
• Renzu, ever alert, fists bandaged and twitching with anticipation.
• Mora, eyes darting like chess pieces in motion.
• Elaine, the Spiral Empress, spinning a tiny vortex between her fingers.
• And Kaldev, silent, armored, unmoved.
The Kakin royal guard halted them at the entry gate.
"Name and allegiance."
Kaen stepped forward.
"Kaen. King of the Mind Palace.
I come at the behest of Princess Theta Hui Guo Rou.
And I bring no army—only ideas."
A long silence.
Then the guard stepped aside.
"You may enter… but beware. The spiders have spun thick."
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🕷️ The Shadow on the Balcony
From above, a figure leaned lazily against a window ledge.
Hair like blood-soaked thread. Eyes like moons in eclipse.
Hisoka.
He licked his lips slowly.
"Ohhh? What's this now? A new player on the board?
He shines with potential… mmm, I'd love to tear off that crown… and see what screams."
A soft thrum of enhancer bloodlust drifted from him.
But he didn't move.
Not yet.
He watched.
⸻
👑 An Audience with Theta
The throne room of Theta was unlike her siblings'. No golden lions or ivory columns.
Instead, rows of suspended lanterns floated in absolute stillness, each containing a recorded memory—a moment, a whisper, a murder, a lullaby.
Kaen stepped through, respectful but unbent.
Theta waited alone.
She was pale, serene, but her eyes—sharp as scalpels.
"King of dreams… you intrigue me."
Kaen inclined his head.
"And you, princess of memory. Why summon a king to a war of knives?"
She walked in a slow circle around him.
"Because unlike my brothers… I know I can't win by strength alone.
But with perception? With Nen? I believe in the mind over the blade."
She turned, her voice hushed.
"And I know the Spiders are watching. They're in the walls.
I believe… they've already killed two candidates."
Kaen's crown shimmered in his aura.
"Then let's give them something they can't predict."
⸻
💥 Edict: "Within This Space, Lies Shall Fail"
Kaen lifted his hand.
The air rang with a mental chime.
The 8th Point of the Crown glowed brightly above him: Edict.
A field of radiant aura spread across the room—like sunlight piercing deep water.
Mora gasped.
"All illusions… all manipulations… collapsing."
The lanterns flickered.
Suddenly—three assassins dropped from the ceiling, their cloaking hats short-circuiting, aura fraying in chaotic spirals.
Renzu didn't hesitate.
BAM. BAM. CRACK.
Three bodies hit the floor. Kaen hadn't even blinked.
Theta stared in awe.
"What… did you just do?"
Kaen looked up, calmly.
"I rewrote the room."
⸻
🕷️ The Web Pulls Tight
Deep beneath the palace, where the real succession machinations churned, a shadow moved.
Feitan looked up from the floor, sharpening his blade against his cheek.
"He changed the Nen rules in a sealed room."
Franklin muttered beside him.
"A Specialist?"
Machi, arms crossed, leaned against the wall.
"Or something worse. A world-class Conjurer with Specialist potential."
And in the darkest corner of the room, a figure smirked.
Chrollo Lucifer.
"The King of Dreams… might be worth stealing from."
⸻
🧠 Dream Seeds Planted
Kaen knelt beside the broken hats of the failed assassins. Their gear was Phantom-grade. Borrowed from Troupe affiliates—hidden in plain sight.
"This wasn't just a test. It was an invitation."
Mora nodded grimly.
"They're provoking you."
Kaen smiled softly.
"No.
They're acknowledging me."
He turned to Theta.
"Princess… the Dream Alliance will protect you, but I need access to the Succession Games.
I need to see the battlefield from within."
She hesitated.
"Then… you must enter as a Prince.
Or at least… have someone in your court declared as one."
Kaen didn't blink.
"Then I shall make one."
⸻
👑 Epilogue – Rise of the Dream Prince
That night, deep within the Mind Palace's mirrored archives, Kaen conjured a new construct:
• A vessel of aura
• Imbued with Kaen's memory, will, and fragment of his Crown
• Given form and name
"You are no illusion.
You are my emissary to the world's greatest bloodbath."
The boy bowed low, glowing with vibrant Nen.
"I am Orien, Prince of Dream.
Let them test me."
⸻
🕷️ Next Time: Chapter 46 – Hunter, Prince, King