Adonis strode into the City Council building, his movements measured, his expression calm. It had been a smooth operation at The Elysian Gazette, and now it was time to inform the Council of the supposed progress on his mission. He knew exactly how to play the part—just enough information to seem legitimate but vague enough to keep them in the dark about his true intentions.
Inside the Council chambers, he spoke to Mistress Valeria and a few other members, offering a brief update on Burban Wolf and his company. He hinted at minor discoveries but nothing too alarming, reinforcing that the investigation was still ongoing. The Council members seemed satisfied, though their eyes always carried a hint of suspicion. He would have to be careful.
Once the formalities were out of the way, Adonis left the building, his mind already turning to his next task. The pieces of his escape plan were slowly falling into place, but he needed more information. If he were to leave the city successfully, he would need to navigate the power structures of the Empire. His destination was clear—the capital of the Eren Empire—but before he made his move, he needed to understand its major players, its political landscape, and how to blend in.
Making his way to the grand library, Adonis felt a sense of urgency mixed with excitement. The library was a vast building, towering above the other structures in the city. It was one of the few places where the secrets of the Empire were stored in plain sight, for those who knew where to look. It was also the perfect place to conduct research on both the capital and the people who ruled it.
Inside, Adonis walked through the aisles of towering bookshelves, the scent of old paper and polished wood filling the air. He found a secluded corner with stacks of thick volumes and dusty tomes on the Eren Empire's cities, nobility, and political figures.
His research began with the capital—Elyria, the largest and most powerful city in the Empire. The city, often referred to as the heart of the Empire, was not only the political center but also a hub of commerce, culture, and technology. It was home to the Emperor's seat of power, the Eren Parliament, and the highest-ranking military officials. For a man like Adonis, it was both a potential paradise and a dangerous pit of intrigue.
Adonis read through several volumes, noting the key players in the capital. The Emperor himself, of course, was at the top, but the true power seemed to lie with those in his inner circle—the High Lords of the Eren Parliament. These figures wielded influence over both domestic policies and the empire's foreign affairs. He took particular interest in a few names:
Duke Armand Selvere, a sharp-witted and ruthless noble, known for his vast wealth and control over several key industries, including arms manufacturing and trade routes.
Countess Lenora Fane, a mysterious woman rumored to be deeply involved in espionage and underground dealings. She had the ear of the Emperor, but her true power lay in her network of spies and informants across the Empire.
General Thorne Aelfric, a decorated military commander with ambitions that extended beyond his current rank. Known for his loyalty to the Empire, but whispered to have secret ambitions of his own.
Adonis made notes on each of these figures, understanding that if he were to survive and thrive in Elyria, he would need to either avoid these people or find a way to manipulate them for his own gain.
The city of Elyria itself was a fortress of bureaucracy and wealth. Its districts were divided by class and function, from the towering spires of the nobles' estates to the bustling trade markets and the slums where crime and poverty ran rampant. There was opportunity in every corner of the city, but also danger. For Adonis, who had learned to navigate power structures quickly, this was a new game—a much larger and more intricate one than the city he currently called home.
He spent hours in the library, combing through records, maps, and documents. The capital was well-documented, but there were still secrets buried beneath layers of bureaucracy. Adonis made mental notes of the places where he might be able to disappear or blend in, the hidden districts where the Council's reach was weak, and the areas where information flowed freely but discreetly.
Satisfied with the amount of knowledge he had gathered, Adonis turned his attention to his escape plan. He needed The Elysian Gazette to publish the story of his death soon. The false uprising, the tragic heroism—he had already laid the groundwork for it with Trenton Varnell. Now, he just needed to give them the final draft of the narrative they would spread to the public. It would all need to be timed perfectly.
In his mind, he began crafting the story. The fabricated uprising would be triggered by unrest in the lower districts, something that was already simmering in the city. Adonis would be at the center, standing against the corrupt forces that were controlling the city's industries and people—perhaps even suggesting a link to Burban Wolf. The story would paint him as a martyr, dying in the line of duty, which would conveniently free him from any future Council obligations.
As the story played out in the newspapers, he would quietly make his way to Elyria, using the chaos and the Council's distraction to slip through their grasp. By the time anyone realized what had happened, Adonis would be long gone, living under a new identity in the capital, where he could start anew and navigate the dangerous political landscape with his newly acquired powers.
He smirked to himself. The plan was daring, but it was also the only way forward. Staying in this city meant death—either from the Council, Burban Wolf, or whatever dark forces the original Adonis had gotten involved with. The capital would give him a chance to disappear, to reshape his life, and perhaps even rise to power on his own terms.
As the library dimmed with the setting sun, Adonis gathered his notes and left, his mind buzzing with the details of his plan. He would submit the story to The Elysian Gazette tomorrow, and within the month, everything would be in motion.
For now, it was time to rest. Soon, the real game would begin.