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Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: The Flame Spreads

The morning came early for Adonis, the sunlight filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow over his room. He stretched lazily and then made his way to the kitchen. Today was another critical day in his carefully orchestrated plan. He prepared a simple breakfast, his mind already racing with thoughts of the next steps.

As he sipped his coffee and glanced through the newspaper, he saw what he had been waiting for—the third article written under the pseudonym Dante Graves. This one was even more inflammatory than the previous two. It included more detailed criticisms and accusations, fanning the flames of discontent across the city. The piece had a more pointed tone and provided detailed accounts of corruption and malfeasance, painting a vivid picture of the ruling elite's excesses. It was designed to incite anger and mobilize the masses.

The article also had a significant shift in strategy: it would now be distributed in the smaller neighborhoods, spreading the message from the wealthier districts to the poorer areas, igniting unrest in places previously untouched. Adonis knew that with each new article, the flames of rebellion would grow, starting in the smaller quarters and eventually reaching the heart of the city.

Satisfied with the breakfast and the news, Adonis got dressed and stepped out of his apartment. The streets were buzzing with conversation about the latest article. The anger and confusion were palpable, a sure sign that his plan was working. He walked purposefully toward the City Council building, blending in with the crowds and taking in the shifting atmosphere around him.

Upon arriving at the Council building, Adonis went straight to his office. There, he spent some time practicing his Chain Path abilities, honing his control over the ethereal chains that had become his weapon of choice. It was crucial to stay sharp, as his power could be the key to his survival and success in the chaotic times ahead.

Around 10:40 or 11:00, Adonis left the building under the guise of pursuing leads for his investigation. He had a pretext of investigating the elusive Dante Graves, which kept him on the right side of the Council's expectations. He spent the next two hours conducting his faux investigation, meticulously crafting his report to appear as though he was genuinely searching for the mysterious figure behind the articles.

After lunch, Adonis submitted his report—another cleverly constructed piece of fiction designed to mislead the Council and avoid suspicion. He then headed to the shooting range, where he spent a couple of hours practicing with a revolver. The noise and activity at the range provided a brief but needed distraction, allowing him to refine his marksmanship and regain focus.

Late in the afternoon, Adonis made his way to the bar, where the atmosphere was more charged than usual. The patrons were abuzz with gossip about the spreading unrest. Some areas of the city had already started to experience minor riots, with clashes between the citizens and the authorities becoming more frequent. It was the beginning of the uprising Adonis had orchestrated.

Adonis listened intently, gathering information about the spread of unrest and the reactions of the people. The conversation confirmed that the articles were causing significant upheaval, with the anger of the lower classes beginning to boil over. The bar's lively chatter was a testament to the growing chaos.

With this new information, Adonis returned to his apartment as the sun began to set. He was satisfied with the progress so far, but he knew that the final stages of his plan required meticulous preparation. He needed to ensure that everything was in place for the eventual climax of his scheme.

Sitting at his desk, Adonis began to draft his late-game plan. He needed to stay ahead of both the Council and the growing unrest. The next steps would be crucial—manipulating the situation to his advantage while preparing for a possible escape. His mind was a whirlwind of strategies and contingencies, each designed to maximize his chances of success.

As night fell, Adonis worked into the early hours, plotting out the remaining details of his plan. The city was on the verge of something significant, and he was at the center of it all, carefully pulling the strings from behind the scenes. The flames of rebellion were spreading, and with them, the stage was set for the final act of his intricate game.