The pressure inside the room grew heavier. Rayden's cold, sharp question hung in the air, demanding an answer."Something inside my mother's body? Stop being evasive, old man. Tell me what he wanted."The Grand Elder of the Altair clan was not intimidated. He simply picked up his teacup with a slow, deliberate motion, sipping it gently before placing it back down with a soft clink of porcelain. The gesture was a statement: I control the flow of this conversation."You are impatient, young man. Just like your father," he said, his tone flat. "And that impatience can be dangerous." He sighed, as if the name he was about to speak carried the weight of history. "The object is known in the most secret of ancient texts as the Eternal Pulse Crystal. Lord Dragon has been hunting it his entire life for its properties, which fundamentally defy the laws of nature."Rayden remained silent, waiting."Let me paint you a picture," the Elder continued, his eyes distant. "Imagine a Grandmaster at the
Rayden let out a soft laugh. It wasn't a warm or amused sound, but a cold, humorless noise that seemed to freeze the air around him. He stared directly into the depths of the Grand Elder's eyes, completely unmoved by the old man's dramatic statement."Victims?" he asked, each syllable pronounced with a sharp edge. "An interesting word, coming from the mouth of a snake that just tried to swallow me whole."The Elder was not deterred by the sarcasm. He sipped his tea with a calm motion, as if they were discussing the weather. "A snake only strikes when it feels its nest is threatened," he countered with irrefutable logic. "And you, young man, are the greatest threat Malora has seen in the last fifty years. My actions were a reaction, not an aggression."He put down his cup. "You are seeing this game all wrong. You think you have come and defeated three petty kings. You are mistaken."Rayden remained silent, one eyebrow slightly raised, inviting the old man to continue."You must underst
The peaceful silence within the subterranean base was palpable, a rare gift that Rayden was savoring quietly. He was just about to turn from the doorway, leaving the women inside to their discussion, when the air around him suddenly grew cold. It wasn't the cold of stone, but a cold that pierced the soul.Lyra, who had been leaning in the shadows, instantly straightened. Her hand moved like a flash to the hilt of her knife, her sharp silver eyes narrowing toward the dark main entrance.Rayden didn't need to ask. He felt it too. Someone had passed through all their layers of protective formations without triggering a single one.In the midst of the suffocating silence, Lyra's voice was a deadly whisper right beside Rayden."He's here."Mireya's and Alesia's breath caught in their throats."Not an envoy," Lyra continued, her eyes fixed on the darkness at the end of the corridor. "The old serpent himself."And from that darkness, a figure stepped into the dim light of the base. The Grand
Holding onto the arm of her chair to support her still-trembling body, Kara managed to stand tall for ten full seconds—an achievement that felt like a miracle. She looked out the window at the streets of Malora City, which now seemed orderly and calm under the evening sky."Look, Rayden," she said, a sincere smile reaching her eyes for the first time. "This city is beginning to find its peace under your control."Rayden, who was standing nearby watching over her, simply gave a slow nod. He carefully helped Kara sit back down. The woman's progress was incredible. Every day, her strength returned bit by bit, and the light of the genius that had been extinguished for so long was beginning to shine once more.After making sure Kara was resting, Rayden walked out of her room. He strode down the corridors of the subterranean base, which had once felt so cold and empty. But now, the place had changed.He passed a room that had been converted into a modern office. Inside, Mireya was in the mi
Rayden remained in the doorway, observing the interaction between the three women who had now become the pillars of his power. The moment of realization that he was building a dynasty felt warm and real. However, that warmth vanished instantly as a shadow detached itself from a corner of the room.Lyra appeared, her presence as usual was unexpected and carried an air of urgency. She wasted no time."A message from the provincial capital," she said curtly, her flat voice cutting through Alesia's laughter. "The Council has made its decision."Instantly, the atmosphere in the room changed. The laughter and strategic chatter ceased. Alesia, Mireya, and Kara turned in unison, their faces tense.Their fragile moment of celebration was now replaced by a suffocating anticipation. This decision would determine whether their risky strategy would result in a resounding victory or backfire catastrophically."Display it," Rayden commanded calmly.Lyra nodded, then tapped her communication device.
Alesia burst into Kara's room, her movements full of an energy and cheerfulness that contrasted with the quiet atmosphere within. In her hands was a tray bearing a bowl of warm herbal soup, its aroma instantly filling the space. Her smile bloomed brightly as she saw Kara practicing standing while holding onto the side of the bed."Look who's already on her feet! Well, well, this calls for a celebration!" she exclaimed. She placed the tray on a nearby table and clapped her hands enthusiastically. "But don't overdo it, your face is still pale, darling! Here, sit down and eat first."Shortly after, Mireya followed her in with calmer steps. She was carrying a thick, warm wool blanket. "Ale is right, this is an incredible achievement, Kara," she said with a gentle smile. "But don't push yourself. Your body is still in the recovery phase."For the first time, the three of them were gathered in one room not as patient and caretakers, or as a host and a protected guest. They were gathered as