Legacy of the Dark Sage

“Regis Clan?” Kyran repeated in an unwavering voice, which inwardly surprised him because his heart was pounding heavily in his chest.

A part of him wanted to force out everything Iulia knew about the current status of the Regis Clan with no regard to his identity as ‘Tyr.’ But he knew well enough not to let that part of him run amok.

Kyran was not the same confused and unstable boy five years ago who snapped at the mention of his whole clan getting killed. Right now, he had a better grasp of his own heart and could endure any emotional strain.

That was why he could still keep up his facade and appear as if Iulia said something that piqued his interest.

In any case, ‘Tyr’ was not a native of the empire and the Regis Clan entered seclusion even before Kyran was born. Few people of the new generation ever bring up a topic about the Regis. Only those veterans and families who worked with them did.

It would be strange for ‘Tyr’ to know about the Regis Clan.

The relationship between the Conclave and the Regis Clan was a secret. And unless someone requested it personally, the Mercenary Hall would not release information about the Regis Clan.

Iulia nodded. She looked at Kyran and said, “Hundreds of years ago, a misunderstanding between the current Emperor and the Regis Clan’s Patriarch, forced the latter to close off their doors. They left the parliament and though they remained in the empire, they no longer took part in what was happening in the empire.”

“And the emperor was okay with that?” Kyran asked, diligently playing his part. With a slight sneer, he added, “If the emperor that time was as tyrannical as the previous emperor had been, I don’t think he would let that clan stay in seclusion.”

Iulia smiled bitterly and nodded, “You are right. That is why the Regis Clan was stripped of their rights to build their military force. It was not until that emperor died that the next emperor agreed to let the Regis ‘recruit’ new disciples. But even then, the progress of their recruits were monitored closely. Even now.”

Kyran knew this.

He once wondered why there were clan members who did not possess the distinctive features of a Regis— black hair and dark gray eyes. Even his mother possessed silver-gray hair and light blue eyes. It was his cousin, Pheobe, who explained to him their family would recruit outside disciples, who given the time, could choose to stay in the clan or leave.

None of their outside disciples ever left, thus, the Regis Clan grew.

“Still, the strength of the Regis Clan is not measured by the number of their recruits or capable members. It has more to do with how they stayed true to their moral principles, which in turn won over the trust of the people.

“Euan believed that if he have the Regis Clan’s support, uniting all factions will be less strenuous. Having the Regis Clan at the center of the unified empire will mark the Ylfaen Empire’s new regime.”

Kyran furrowed his brows.

“You… make is sound as if you want the Regis Clan to rule the empire…” His voice trailed off as an idea crossed his mind.

Iulia smiled, “That is right. Euan will propose to unite the Royal Family with the Regis Clan by means of marriage, between the Crown Princess and the Young Master of the Regis Clan.”

It took everything in Kyran to keep an indifferent expression. However, one of his brow did twitch ever so slightly, thankfully Iulia did not notice it.

Iulia lowered her head and reached out for the tall glass. She did not drink it, but only held it tightly with her hands. As if by doing so, she would receive some strength.

Strength to continue what she had to say.

“However…”

Iulia finally said after a moment’s pause.

“Something unfortunate happened in the Regis Clan and Euan is doing his best to save them,” she said and looked imploringly at Kyran.

“You may find my rambling irrelevant to you. But Euan believes you can be one of the people who can help him save the Regis Clan.”

Kyran fell silent and only stared at Iulia.

From the time she began talking about the unification of all factions in the empire, Kyran had been observing her expression for any signs of falsehood.

He did not detect any of that.

It meant, that what Iulia said was possibly true— at least, it was something she knew to be true.

After a short pause, Iulia broke the silence and said, “I really hope you will give Euan and my daughter a chance and hear them out.”

======================

Fifteen minutes before the start of the afternoon events, Noir, Vaness, and the two members of the Blacksmith Order participating in the Array Creation were already inside the locker room at Function Hall 3, while Malia with Callan and three members participating in Alchemy— including Len, Kyran’s puppet—, were in Function Hall 1.

The Conclave would face the Courtenay Family in Alchemy, and Lumley Family in Array Creation.

They knew the matchup was decided beforehand, but to face the Lumley Family with Kyran in their lineup again… how to put it… it felt as if they were truly targeting them.

Still…

Noir looked at the entrance to the locker room with furrowed brows. There were only a few minutes left before the start of the event but Kyran was nowhere in sight.𝓝𝗈𝒱𝑒𝓵𝑛𝗲xt.𝗰𝑶𝓜

“There is still no answer from him, Chairman Noir, Head Chief Vaness,” Owen, one of the other two Array Specialists from the Blacksmith Order informed Noir and Vaness, lowering his communication disc.

Owen had short dark brown hair and green eyes, with a small stature. He was also present in the order when the Lumley Family attacked.

Hamish, another Array Specialist in his late twenties with medium-long wavy blonde hair which he tied in a half-up ponytail to ensure it wouldn’t block his dark blue eyes, looked uneasily at Owen. He stammered, “D-Do you think the Lumley Family has done something…”

His voice trailed off and shook his head at once. He should not think of such ominous things right before their competition. Besides, they were talking about Disciple Tyr, he would definitely put up a fight against the Lumley Family if they ever tried anything to harm him.

Noir heaved a sigh. They were aware that Kyran was doing things behind the scenes to ensure the Conclave would not be affected by the Royal Family’s hidden plot. But they felt it was so unlike him to be late without telling them.

At least, he hoped Kyran was only late.

Vaness looked at Owen and Hamish and asked, “Have you gone to his room before coming here?”

“Yes, Head Chief,” both of them replied.

“His room was locked though and even when we called him and knocked on the door, there was no answer,” Owen added.

“I asked the others staying at the lounge if they saw him go back to his room, but no one had seen him,” Hamish also said.

Before Noir or Vaness could ask more, the inner door leading to the function hall opened and a female Courtenay attendant entered.

“Good afternoon, Chairman Noir, Head Chief Vaness, please come this way. I will lead you to your seats. And also,” the woman paused to look at Owen and Hamish. She opened her mouth to continue what she was saying but apparently seeing they were short one member, she stopped short and looked at Noir and Vaness again.

“May I ask where is your third member?” She asked.

“About that—.”

“Sorry, I’m late.”

The door opened suddenly, interrupting Noir.

All of them turned to see Kyran enter the room. He removed his white coat and was wearing the Blacksmith Order’s uniform.

He gave Noir and Vaness an apologetic smile and added, “I lost track of time while wandering around. Sorry.”

Noir and Vaness did not say anything but did heave a sigh of relief, seeing that Kyran did not appear to be injured.

The female attendant looked at Kyran and though she was wearing a mask that covered half of her face from the nose up, it was noticeable how her complexion turned slightly red upon seeing him smile.

It was her first time meeting the infamous Disciple Tyr and thought the story of his looks was exaggerated. But seeing him up close, she now understood why most of the female Courtenay attendants wanted to exchange assignments with the other attendants where he would be present.

The story of Tyr’s handsome looks did little justice to the real one.

“As long as you are fine,” Noir said with a slight smile. He admitted feeling a little bit worried that Kyran had met with some misfortune.

It might not be with the Lumley Family as Owen and Hamish thought, but with those who posed a much bigger threat; like the Royal Family.

“T-Then,” the attendant cleared her throat realizing how she suddenly felt nervous, “Please follow me inside.”

They all nodded and followed with Kyran at the back.

Vaness gave a sidelong glance in Kyran’s direction, and with a voice almost like a whisper, he asked, “Did something happen?”

Without looking at him, Kyran replied telepathically, ‘I’ll tell it with the rest later.’

Vaness nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

When Kyran replied, he also sent the message to Noir.

Noir turned his head slightly to observe Kyran’s expression. He could not help but feel, that something seemed off about him. As if a sleeping beast was threatening to wake up.

Noir was unsure why he had that feeling, but the indifferent expression Kyran had or even the smile he wore earlier, felt… scary.

Vaness might have also sensed it that was why he asked if something happened.

Nevertheless, Noir chose to wait till later to address it. They still had a competition to attend, after all.

A total of six workstations— with three stations facing each other—, were arranged inside the Functional Hall 3.

There was also one station at the far end of the hall where non-participants could stay. That was where Noir and Vaness, together with the Lumley Family’s coach were staying.

At the center of the room, there was a small platform where the announcer would likely stay for the duration of the competition.

Members from the Three Noble Families and the Royal Army already filled the balcony.

Kyran looked up and noticed the audience number increased compared to yesterday.

After the attendants of the Courtenay Family led their assigned team members to their designated workstations, the announcer for the competition appeared on the platform.

The announcer this time around was a female. As soon as she appeared, the function hall turned silent.

“I welcome all of you to today’s Array Creation competition between the Conclave and the Lumley Family,” she greeted. “With the remaining time before the official start of the competition, allow me to explain the rules to everyone.”

However, Kyran was not paying attention to her, because he was looking at the Lumley Family’s participant who was stationed right across from him.

It was none other than Matias, who was looking at him piercingly.

Kyran returned the stare, albeit, he was smiling in a very annoying matter. To further annoy Matias, he also waved at him while mouthing, “Yo~ seems you want another beating, huh?”

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