SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant-Chapter 436: The Fall of the Thal’zar [L]

Three names remained between them.

Valttair reached forward and took the first document, rough fingers sliding over the parchment before lifting it slightly from the table.

"Lucien du Thal’zar. Twenty-eight," he said, reading the heading without inflection.

He scanned the contents in silence for a moment.

"Unmarried. Reserved. Does not intimidate easily, but does not seek unnecessary involvement either. Natural aptitude for warfare. Combat-oriented class. Ranked S in talent assessment. The family never disclosed the precise nature of his class."

He lowered the page slightly and looked at Elenara.

"What do you think of this one?"

Elenara’s gaze did not leave Lucien’s name.

"Lucien is a strong candidate," she said. "He will be easy to position. He is not deeply entangled in internal alliances, and he is pragmatic enough to understand the situation he is placed in. He was not treated well within his family structure. That kind of resentment can be useful."

Her tone remained even.

"He would likely accept the role without unnecessary resistance. At the Council, he would respond predictably if the framework around him is clear. With him at the head, House Thal’zar would remain manageable."

Valttair gave a faint nod.

"I agree. The fact that he is not married is an advantage. We would retain flexibility. His position could still be anchored strategically."

Elenara allowed a small shift in expression.

"Anchored how? A union with one of your heirs?"

Valttair’s gaze sharpened instantly.

"Do not be foolish. You know that is prohibited. Direct blood between Great Houses is not an option. And do not mistake this cooperation for familiarity. Focus."

Elenara exhaled softly.

"I was testing your patience. Very well. A collateral branch near our territories would suffice. Someone loyal enough to influence without appearing imposed."

Valttair considered that.

"That is viable. We will keep it in mind."

He placed Lucien’s document back at the center of the table.

For now, he stood above the others.

Elenara drew the second document toward her and turned it slightly so both could see the name clearly.

"Maris du Thal’zar. Twenty-five," she said.

Her finger traced briefly down the lines beneath it.

"Daughter of the second wife. Intelligent. Strategically inclined. She understands political structure better than most of her siblings. In terms of capability alone, she is one of the stronger candidates."

Valttair remained silent as she continued.

"She reads situations well. She does not act impulsively. If placed at the head, she would likely maintain internal order without immediate instability."

Elenara’s eyes shifted to the lower portion of the page.

"But she is already married. The marriage is consolidated. Established alliances. External ties already fixed. We would not be able to insert a figure close to her without creating friction. Her husband would hold influence beside her."

Valttair’s gaze narrowed slightly.

"That limits maneuverability," he said. "Her position would not be singular. It would be shared."

Elenara inclined her head.

"She is a strong option in isolation. But in comparison to Lucien, she offers less structural advantage. With her, influence would require negotiation rather than placement."

Valttair leaned back slightly in his chair.

"Negotiation introduces variables."

"And variables reduce certainty," Elenara replied.

Maris was capable.

But capability was not the sole metric.

Elenara slid her document slightly to the side, not discarded, but clearly positioned beneath Lucien in priority.

"She is viable," she said.

"Just not optimal if compared to her older brother," Valttair concluded.

Elenara lifted the final document.

"Darian du Thal’zar. Twenty-two."

Her eyes moved across the page with far less interest than before.

"Younger than the others. Described as compliant. Avoids confrontation. Relies heavily on guidance from stronger personalities."

Valttair extended his hand and took the document from her this time, scanning the details himself.

"Low internal resistance," he said quietly. "Adaptable."

Elenara did not disagree.

"Yes. Easy to influence."

She paused.

"But that quality is not exclusive."

Valttair’s gaze remained on the page.

"He lacks presence," he said. "He would not command instinctive obedience within the house."

Elenara nodded once. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"If placed at the head, he would depend on whoever stands nearest. Not only us. Anyone."

"That invites interference," Valttair replied. "Internal factions would test him. External interests would probe him. He would not impose authority. He would negotiate survival."

Elenara folded her hands lightly atop the table.

"And that negotiation would fracture Thal’zar before the next Council."

Valttair set the document down.

"I have no interest in installing a weak ornament," he said. "I require someone who can hold the seat without collapsing under it."

Elenara’s gaze did not waver.

"Darian would be easier to bend," she said, "but easier to break."

Silence followed.

In the end, fragility was more dangerous than ambition.

Elenara moved Darian’s document aside without ceremony.

"He is not suitable."

Darian’s document remained aside.

Only Lucien’s file stayed at the center of the table, exactly where Valttair had left it earlier.

"He is the most efficient choice," she said. "Strong enough to command internally. Detached enough not to interfere with what does not concern him. And dissatisfied enough with how he was treated to accept repositioning without pride becoming an obstacle."

Valttair did not move.

"He will accept," he said. "He understands his place in the hierarchy. He knows what was denied to him."

Elenara’s fingers rested lightly on the edge of the parchment but did not lift it.

"He will rule his house," she said. "He will be given full authority within Thal’zar. Publicly, he will stand as its head without interference."

Valttair’s gaze sharpened slightly.

"And when the Council convenes, he will align."

Elenara nodded once.

"He will not oppose us when it matters."

Valttair leaned back just enough to signal finality.

"Lucien it is then."

The vacancy would be filled.

House Thal’zar would retain its seat among the Eight.

Now he would be summoned.

He would be told how the structure truly functioned, what was expected of him, and what was not optional. If he refused, the knowledge he would carry could not be allowed to persist. His head would fall where he stood, and the next name—his sister—would be called in his place. If she refused as well, the outcome would be no different.

Acceptance would grant him power. Refusal would grant him nothing at all.