Victor's plan was unfolding perfectly. With Adrian eliminated, the kingdom descended further into chaos. Lord Aster and Lady Nalia, once allies, were now enemies, each believing the other was responsible for the assassination.
Victor, hidden in the shadows, continued to pull the strings. He had no need for recognition or power in the traditional sense. His satisfaction came from watching the world unravel before him, from knowing that he was the architect of this grand design.
The system rewarded him handsomely for his efforts. Each victory over a "son of luck" granted him new abilities—subtle, insidious powers that allowed him to further manipulate the people around him.
But even as he grew stronger, Victor knew that his enemies were also becoming more dangerous. The "sons of luck" were not to be underestimated. They had survived for a reason, and each one he targeted would pose a greater challenge than the last.
One of Victor's agents, a man named Kellis, approached him with troubling news. "There's been a defector," he said, his voice low.
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Kaius. He's been meeting with Lady Nalia in secret. I believe he's feeding her information about our plans."
Victor frowned. This was unexpected. Kaius had been one of his most trusted agents, a man who had served him faithfully for years. But betrayal was always a possibility in this line of work.
"We'll deal with him," Victor said coldly. "Quietly. Make sure his disappearance doesn't raise any suspicion."
As the kingdom continued to spiral into disorder, Victor found himself facing new challenges. The power struggles among the nobles were becoming increasingly unpredictable, and he had to constantly adapt his plans to account for new variables.
But even as the world around him seemed to fall apart, Victor remained calm. He thrived in chaos. This was his element, his playground.
Still, there were moments when doubt crept into his mind. Was he truly in control, or was he simply another pawn in a larger game? The system, with its strange rules and rewards, was an enigma. Victor had learned to manipulate it, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more at play—something he had yet to understand.
Victor stood at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the kingdom he had helped destroy. The sun was setting, casting a blood-red hue across the sky. It was a fitting image, he thought, for the world he had created.
But as he gazed out at the horizon, he felt a strange sensation—a sense of foreboding, as though the future was slipping out of his grasp. He had always been two steps ahead of his enemies, always in control. But now, for the first time, he wasn't so sure.
And that uncertainty, more than anything else, terrified him.
Victor's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Maris, who had been watching him from a distance. "We've identified the next 'son of luck,'" she said, her voice steady.
Victor nodded, his mind already shifting back to the game. "Good. We'll begin preparations immediately."
But as Maris turned to leave, Victor hesitated. "Do you ever wonder," he asked, "if we're the ones being played?"
Maris paused, glancing back at him. "I follow you, Victor," she said. "That's all I need to know."
Victor smiled, though the doubt lingered in his mind. The game was far from over, and the stakes were higher than ever.