The court was in chaos. The morning sun barely had time to cast its light over Valeria before the whispers began to spread through the halls of power—Lord Davron, once a powerful noble, had been disgraced. The ledgers exposing his illicit dealings with mercenary forces and underhanded dealings were now the talk of every influential house. Davron's reputation, built over years of political maneuvering, crumbled in a matter of hours.
Lukas stood in the shadows of the grand hall, watching the fallout unfold. Nobles he had once seen as unshakable now whispered behind closed doors, trying to distance themselves from the scandal. The emperor's advisor, once so poised and unflinching, had not yet shown her hand, but Lukas knew she was plotting her next move.
Beside him, Zane leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed. "It's working," he said quietly. "Davron's allies are scattering like rats from a sinking ship."
Lukas nodded, but his eyes remained focused on the room ahead. "They're scrambling, but they aren't beaten yet. The advisor hasn't shown her hand. That makes me nervous."
Zane shrugged. "She can't hide forever. We hit her hard enough, and she'll have no choice but to reveal herself."
Lukas turned his gaze to the far end of the hall where the emperor's throne sat empty. The emperor was still secluded, letting his advisors handle most of the day-to-day operations, but it wouldn't be long before he'd have to respond to the court's unrest. Lukas's plan was unfolding, but there was still much work to be done.
"Where's Uncle Marcus?" Zane asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Lukas straightened. "He's overseeing the guard training today. His recovery has gone better than I expected. We're preparing for any military action that might come from the fallout."
Zane nodded. "Good. We're going to need all the help we can get."
---
Out in the training grounds, Marcus, Lukas's uncle, watched the elite guard run through formation drills. His sharp eyes missed nothing, even after his long years of convalescence. His once-crippled legs, now fully restored thanks to the alchemical pill Lukas had given him, were a testament to his resilience and Lukas's growing power.
The guards, many of whom were young recruits when Marcus was still in his prime, were beginning to show the discipline and cohesion necessary to become a true fighting force. Marcus's voice rang out across the training grounds, barking orders with the same precision he had once commanded on the battlefield.
"Move faster! Tighter formations!" Marcus ordered, his cane now merely a prop, not a necessity. "If you break formation in battle, you're already dead."
Lukas watched from the edge of the grounds, arms folded. His uncle was a natural leader, and now that he had regained his strength, there was no better man to prepare the household guards for what was to come.
"How are they looking?" Lukas asked as he approached Marcus.
Marcus glanced over at him, his expression hard as stone. "They're not ready yet. But they're improving."
Lukas smiled faintly. "That's all I ask."
Marcus studied him for a moment. "You've grown, Lukas. Not just in strength. You're thinking like a leader."
Lukas felt a surge of pride at his uncle's words. Coming from Marcus, who had once been one of the kingdom's greatest generals, it meant everything. "I've had to."
Marcus's expression softened slightly. "We all knew you had it in you, even if it took time for you to see it yourself. But now, you have to be careful. Davron's fall won't be the end of this. There are bigger forces at play."
"I know," Lukas replied. "That's why we're preparing. We'll need every man ready."
---
Back in the estate's war room, Lukas, Zane, and Marcus gathered around a large map of the capital and the surrounding regions. The political fallout from Lord Davron's disgrace had shaken the court, but it also left a vacuum of power that the advisor was likely planning to exploit.
"We've uncovered her links to the mercenaries, but we need more," Lukas said, tapping the map. "Selena's people are still watching her movements, but she's gone underground since Davron's fall."
Marcus frowned. "She's biding her time. She won't show herself until she's ready to strike."
Zane leaned over the table, his fingers tracing along the map's edge. "So what's our next move? Wait for her to make a mistake?"
"No," Lukas said firmly. "We're not waiting. We're going to hit her network again, but this time, we target someone closer to her."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"The mercenaries," Lukas replied. "They're the key. They've been working with Davron for years, but their allegiance is to whoever pays them the most. If we can cut off their supply lines or turn their leaders against her, we weaken her position."
Zane grinned. "I like it. Mercenaries are loyal to coin, not causes."
Marcus nodded, his strategic mind already working. "You'll need to be careful. Mercenary leaders don't trust easily, and they'll be expecting a move like this. But if you pull it off, the advisor will be left without her teeth."
Lukas glanced at the map once more, his mind already plotting the next steps. The court was destabilized, the military factions were shifting, and the mercenaries were the next piece in the puzzle. If he could sever their ties to the advisor, he'd leave her vulnerable.
"I'll handle the mercenaries," Lukas said. "Zane, you and Marcus will keep the estate secure and continue training the guards. We can't afford to be caught off guard."
Marcus's expression hardened. "Understood."
Zane gave a casual salute. "We've got it covered. You focus on cutting the advisor's strings."
---
Later that evening, Lukas returned to his chambers, the weight of his plans settling over him. He opened the system window, pulling up his current stats and resources. Every step had been calculated, but the next move needed to be flawless.
---
[System Status]
- Name: Lukas Veridan
- Level: 5 (Ether Awakening)
- Ether Points: 1,600
- Progress to Level 6: 90%
- Abilities: Ether Knowledge Integration, Enhanced Learning, Ether Absorption Boost (active)
- Current Quest: Sever the Advisor's Mercenary Ties.
---
The system pulsed with energy, reminding Lukas that every decision moved him closer to his ultimate goal. He had enough Ether points now to consider purchasing more tools for his plan, but he would need to be careful. The shop offered many tempting options, but not all were suited to the delicate political web he was currently navigating.
He closed the system window for now, his focus returning to the mission ahead. Tomorrow, he would move on the mercenaries. Tomorrow, he would cut the strings that held the advisor's power in place.