Legacy of the Dark Sage

Anette fell silent, recalling what she had been hearing from their customers at the hospice lately.

There had been rumors circulating about the reason why the Emperor invited almost all the influential people in the empire during the Crown Princess’s birthday. Some rumors were absurd, others might be a little realistic. But among those rumors, most believed that the Emperor was already preparing the Crown Princess to take on a more active role in the empire’s politics.

If that was true, Cyneah would really be in danger. Both from the people of the Royal Family, and those from the opposition.

The Royal Family would see Cyneah as a possible threat that the opposition could use. If they also found that Cyneah’s magic was similar to Soul Magic, a forbidden magic, then the Royal Family would really do everything to either kill or take her, depending on whether they could use her or not.

“What makes you think that?” Anette asked after a moment’s pause.

“Because I just met her,” Kyran replied. “Not as Kyran, but as Chairman Noir’s disciple, Tyr.”

Anette knew about Kyran having other identities, although she did not know any specifics. She did not plan to know either because the more she knew about them the more it would be dangerous for Kyran.

There were a lot of strange abilities out there and Anette knew of one that could see threads that represented a person’s secret. Those threads were connected to other people who knew that person’s secret.

There was even an ability that could interpret those threads and understand a person’s secret.

Fortunately, those people who had those abilities were not from the Human plane.

Still, that did not mean the Human plane did not have someone who might possess those abilities or similar to them.

“I’ve heard a rumor that the Emperor may be planning to have the Crown Princess have an active role in the empire’s political side. I guess that rumor has some truth,”

Kyran shook his head, “I don’t think its that simple.”

Anette looked at him in confusion, “Why? Do you think the Emperor still has other motives?”

Kyran did not answer immediately. He was unsure of how much he should tell her. For one thing, he only had an assumption. There were no proof to back it up apart from the subtle meaning behind the Crown Princess’s words.

But then Kyran thought, Anette could provide her thoughts from another perspective and finally decided to talk.

For the next few minutes, Kyran told Anette what they had learned from the Crown Princess’s visit to the Tower of Conclave.

As Kyran told Anette about the possibility of the Royal Family’s plan in assimilating the Conclave, she agreed wholeheartedly.

One of the main reason was definitely the resources and network the Conclave had. They did not operate within the empire only. They also had dealings outside. Even with the borders in place, only the Conclave’s people were allowed to leave the empire and even enter the other nations without being accused unjustly.

Of course, the Conclave’s identification token were unique and no other factions could replicate it. Not even the Research Division of the Royal Army, nor the magic technology the Templar Code had.

And most Conclave members who entered other nations were not a native of the Ylfaen Empire. If they were, it would still be a little tricky for them to enter.

Because of all these power that the Conclave had, the Royal Family would definitely go for them first if they wanted to make a move to unite all other factions under their banner.

However, if this was really the case, then did it mean the Royal Family was not only planning on making a move in the empire but also outside? Was the Emperor planning on expanding the empire once more?

“I don’t know what the Emperor wants once he unite all factions under the Royal Family,” Kyran admitted. “Right now, I only want to focus on why they needed Array Specialists.”

Of course, Anette already had a guess, and it was not a good one.

“Kyran…” She started but upon seeing his calm and almost indifferent expression, she stopped.

Anette did not like how calm Kyran appeared.

It felt as if, what he was letting others see was the exact opposite of what he was really feeling. If that was true, then the calmness in his eyes, meant his emotions were raging right now.

“Godmother,” Kyran’s voice suddenly deepened, as his expression turned even more serious. “The changes in the empire, is only a camouflage to what the Royal Family is really planning. It might have originally really be meant to find ‘Gray’ and deal with him, but after they fully assimilated the Royal Army, their motives changed. If my guess is right, they needed Array Specialists for three reasons…”

He paused and took a deep breath before continuing.

“… and one of those was to gather more forces.”

Anette frowned slightly.

“‘Gather more forces?'” She repeated, looking at Kyran in confusion. “Are they not doing that already? I mean, after getting the Royal Army, then possibly the Conclave next, they are already annexing a large force. After that, they will target the other factions, right?”

Kyran shook his head, “I am not talking about forces in the Human plane.”

As soon he said this, Anette’s expression turned grim. She immediately said, “What are you trying to say?”

With a meaningful look at her, Kyran continued, “I am talking about forces from another plane… or planes.”

“Why would they even do that? Are you telling me they are planning a worldwide invasion? What for?” Anette asked one after another.

“It’s because they already know about me,” Kyran answered even before she could say more.

Anette glowered at his answer.

She already knew that. The moment the Royal Family assimilated the Royal Army, it also meant they already knew what Gael had done.

𝑛𝔬𝗏𝐄𝓵𝓝𝖊xt.𝓬𝑜𝗆

“Why would they even seek forces from another plane just to deal with you?”

Even before Anette finished her question, she already realized how stupid it was.

Of course the Royal Family would seek help from the outside. If they wanted to really get rid of the new Void Master, they could not rely on the forces of the Human plane alone.

A thousand years ago, did they not do the same to deal with the Dark Sage?

The Royal Family also had to deal with the Regis Clan who had been rumored to have been accumulating their military strength for years.

There was even a rumor saying that if they had not gone into seclusion, they could become the fifth power in the whole Ylfaen Empire. This rumor was not taken seriously though, as there was another rumor saying their power had been in decline, because none of the new generation of Regis had inherited the ‘Regis Blessing.’

Regardless of the truth, they were still a force to be reckoned with, especially on how firm and resolute they were in protecting one of their own.

Thinking of this, Anette’s heart sank. She already guessed that the other reason for why the Royal Family needed Array Specialists were to deal with the Regis Estate’s defensive array to deal with them. But now that she had a better understanding of the situation, even if there was no solid proof to back it up, she was scared for Kyran and everyone in the Regis Clan.

“So the other reason was really….” Anette’s voice trailed off, her heart sinking further.

Kyran already realized Anette had guessed about the Regis Clan. But he remained a calm demeanor. Besides, there was no point in raging right now. Even if he went to the Regis Estate and made a move, he would only make it worse.

The first thing he had to do was prepare all his cards as soon as possible. He would take advantage of the deadline he had set with the Crown Princess.

After that, he would strike.

“That’s right,” Kyran nodded after a short pause. “They plan to deal with my clan first to ensure I don’t get any help.”

His voice remained neutral that it was hard to guess what he was really thinking.

But Anette knew Kyran could barely keep his emotions in check. It was not because of her discerning eyes, but because of her instincts as a woman.

“As for the third reason, I’m guessing they are planning to do something about Chaos Palace.”

Anette closed her eyes. She could not believe that in only a week, the situation had already developed into this.

“But you don’t have to worry about that, godmother,” Kyran said, finally getting the chance to bring the topic he wanted them to discuss.

“Even if you say that…” Anette replied in exasperation as she opened her eyes and looked at him.

“I’m more concerned about them learning about you,” Kyran told her as a purple-colored array appeared in front of him.

“Me?” Anette asked in confusion.

From within the purple-colored array, a two-inch long obsidian stone appeared and flew toward her.

“Please make sure to keep that at all times,” Kyran instructed.

With a slight frown, Anette took the stone and looked at Kyran, “What’s this for?”

“To camouflage your aura.”

As soon as Kyran said this, Anette’s heart skipped a beat, even her complexion paled and her eyes widen.

“You…” she started but was unsure what to say.

Seeing Anette’s reaction made Kyran’s expression turned even more serious. This was the real topic he wanted to discuss with her. Because, if his assumption about the gathering of forces from another plane was true, then the ‘people’ from ‘that plane’ would be included. And those people had a strange ability that let them find one of their ‘own.’

Finally, after a moment of silence, Anette took a deep breath and said with a bitter smile, “When did you notice?”

“The first time you used your magic, I found it strange. Initially, I thought you have a unique ability that affected your magic. But…” Kyran  paused, and carefully added, “I’ve met others who possessed similar law of magic you do.”

Anette’s face fell as she closed her eyes. She looked as if she was in the midst of an internal struggle just by looking at her pained expression.

After another few minutes, she heaved a deep sigh.

“Of course,” she muttered under her breath, “How else would you have known but during your training. However, I was not expecting you to go to that plane.”

“The Myedeo plane,” Kyran replied. “That is where you came from. But because of the situation in that plane, what you desired the most was to leave. And when you found the Tower of Tribulation, you aimed to conquer it.

“Afterwhich, the Tower help you achieve your desire, by letting you come here. I don’t know how the Tower did it, but it also let you retain the use of your magic without being rejected by the Human plane’s different magic law.”

With a bitter smile, Anette replied,  “You’re right, but you’re also wrong.”

Then with eyes and expression firm, she explained, “The Tower did not let me come here. I chose this plane to start a new life. Because the Human plane is special. It can adapt to any magic law. So when I entered the tower, I wanted to conquer it and let it fulfill my desire.

“That is how I came to this plane and lived here for the past twenty or so years.”

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