Chapter 21: Leon's Return to Everia Residence
The cloudy sky hung over the Everia family residence, creating a heavy and gloomy atmosphere. In front of the large gate, an Everia family knight carefully opened the door for Leon who had just returned. Leon's face looked tired, but his gaze remained sharp, hiding deep anxiety.
"Leon Everia, Duke Alaric awaits you in the main hall," one of the guards said in a respectful tone, though he looked a little hesitant.
Leon didn't answer. He just stepped into the courtyard of Everia's residence, his mind filled with various strategies to explain his failure in the Lumina Ruins. As he approached the main door, the large shadow of Duke Alaric was already visible in the distance.
Leon stepped into the great hall with his chest heaved, even though he was aware of the burden that would accompany him. Duke Alaric sat on a large chair, wearing the Everia family's regalia. On his right stood Lady Seraphina, whose face looked tense but full of curiosity.
"Leon," Duke Alaric's deep voice echoed through the room. "You're back sooner than I expected. What happened?"
Leon bowed his head respectfully. "Father, I have headed to the Ruins of Lumina, as you ordered. However, the situation is much more complicated than we thought. Eric is there…"
Alaric's eyes narrowed. "Eric? What's he doing there?"
Leon took a deep breath before continuing. "He took the Sword of Everia. I tried to stop him, but his power… he has become something we never imagined."
Lady Seraphina stepped forward, her eyes piercing Leon. "You want to say that you were defeated by that brat? Leon, you are the eldest son of this family! How could Eric defeat you?"
Leon clenched his fists, showing controlled anger. "I am not underestimating Eric, but his current strength is not something ordinary. Even the Sword of Everia recognizes him as the true heir of this family."
The room fell silent for a moment. The name of the Everia Sword was a symbol of the Everia family's supreme power, and hearing that Eric had taken possession of the artifact made the tension between them rise.
As he listened to Leon's explanation, Duke Alaric massaged his temples. "Eric has proven himself to be a real threat to your position, Leon. But this is not over yet. We must act quickly before he strengthens his position further."
Leon stepped forward, bowing slightly to his father. "Father, allow me to strategize. We can still regain control of this situation. Eric may be strong, but he is young and impressionable. We just need to find his weakness."
Lady Seraphina smiled faintly as if getting an idea from Leon's words. "You are right, Leon. If Eric is a threat, then we must use something that even his power cannot withstand… this family itself."
Duke Alaric finally rose from his chair, taking steps toward Leon. "We will discuss this further later. In the meantime, make sure you monitor Eric's every move from the shadows. We must ensure that he cannot shake the foundation of the Everia family any further."
After the meeting was over, Leon returned to his room. There, he stood in front of the large mirror, staring at his reflection with eyes filled with hatred and ambition.
"Eric… you may have taken the Sword of Everia, but this is not the end," he murmured as he touched a small ring hidden beneath his clothes. The ring radiated a strange dark energy, a relic unknown to anyone but himself.
"With this power, I will make you regret your actions, my little brother."
Leon smiled coldly, forming a cunning plan in his mind. He knew that he had to act quickly, or his position as heir to the Everia family would be destroyed forever.
In the middle of the night, Leon left the main residence without anyone noticing his departure. His feet took him to a secret room within the Everia family estate, where he kept a dark artifact he managed to find on a previous mission.
The room was filled with ancient symbols that radiated a mysterious aura. Leon lit small candles around the room, casting moving shadows on the walls. The ring on his finger began to glow, signifying a connection to the dark energy that resided within.
"It's time to take a different approach," Leon murmured, his hand touching a book lying on the table. The book was filled with ancient records of the dark arts that had been forgotten by the Everia family.
Suddenly, a deep voice filled the room. "Are you ready, young heir?"
Leon froze, his eyes narrowed as he stared at the large shadow emerging from the wall. The figure, though unclear in form, radiated a very intimidating power.
"I have no choice," Leon replied firmly. "Eric has made a big move. If I don't take action, everything will be lost from my grasp."
The shadow chuckled. "Very well. I will grant you power, but this power does not come without a price. Be prepared to lose something precious."
Leon was silent for a moment, thinking about the possible consequences. However, his ambition was greater than his fear. "I will pay any price, as long as I can defeat Eric."
The shadow slowly approached, emitting a dark aura that enveloped the room. A pact was made, and Leon felt new power begin to flow through his body.
Back in his room, Leon looked at his hands which were now emitting a bit of dark energy. His strength had increased, and he felt more confident than ever.
However, his cunning plan was not over yet. He decided to spread rumors among the vassals of the Everia family that Eric had touched something forbidden in the Ruins of Lumina. In this way, he hoped to ruin Eric's image in front of the elders and Duke Alaric.
Leon sent secret letters to several of his trusted men, giving them instructions to begin the first step of his plan.
"Eric… you may have the Sword of Everia, but I have something more. This family will see who is truly worthy of being the heir."
Under the dim moonlight, Leon smiled coldly, imagining the moment when he could completely take over the throne of the Everia family.
---
A few days after Leon returned, he had a meeting with one of Lady Seraphina's trusted vassals, Baron Garrick. The man was known to be cunning and always played behind the shadow of Everia's power.
In the basement of Baron Garrick's residence, they sat across from each other at a round table decorated with a map of the Everia family's territory. The dim torchlight created a tense atmosphere between them.
"So, Leon," Baron Garrick began, narrowing his eyes. "You returned from the Ruins of Lumina with nothing, while your brother... brought home a priceless family heirloom."
Leon stared, his hands clenched into fists. "Eric may have the sword, but it won't be enough to secure his position. The elders are still susceptible to influence, and you know they look at Eric with great skepticism."
Baron Garrick smiled faintly, playing with the ring on his finger. "You want me to help you poison the minds of the elders, is that it? It's not an easy task, especially if the First Elder is on his side."
"I didn't ask for your help in dealing with the First Elder," Leon replied coldly. "Your job is to make sure word gets out about Eric touching something forbidden in the ruins. Let the weaker elders question his loyalty. I'll take care of the rest."
Baron Garrick leaned back, seemingly considering Leon's request. "Sure, I can do that. But... you know I don't work for free."
Leon smiled coldly. "I know very well, Garrick. If my plan succeeds, your position will be much higher under my rule."
Baron Garrick finally nodded, a sign of his agreement. "Very well, I will begin my work. But remember, Leon... this game is full of risks. If you fail, you will not only lose your position but also your life."
Leon stood up, ending the meeting with a look full of ambition. "I will not fail."
Meanwhile, at Everia's residence, Lady Seraphina begins to notice changes in Leon. The dark energy surrounding her stepson is something she can't just ignore.
In his private room, he summoned one of his servants, a young woman named Miriam who was known to be shrewd and loyal.
"Miriam," Lady Seraphina began, her eyes full of caution. "Follow Leon. Find out what he's planning, and make sure he doesn't cause any trouble that could jeopardize my position."
Miriam bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will make sure everything goes according to your wishes."
As Miriam left, Lady Seraphina looked at the portrait of her family hanging on the wall. "Leon... don't make yourself a burden. I won't hesitate to stop you if you ruin everything."
On a dark and lonely night, Leon stood in front of his bedroom window, looking at the moon hiding behind the clouds. His mind was full of plans, but the shadow of doubt continued to haunt him.
The door to his room slowly opened, and the sound of light footsteps could be heard. Leon didn't need to turn his head to know who was coming.
"Miriam," he said quietly. "What are you doing here at this time of night?"
Miriam, with an expressionless face, approached slowly. "Sir Leon, I have something you might want to hear. Some of the elders... they started talking about Duke Alaric's decision which seemed to favor you over Eric."
Leon smiled faintly, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "As I thought. Continue your work, Miriam. Make those elders believe that Eric is not worthy of inheriting my father's position."
However, before Miriam could answer, a loud noise from outside startled them both. A powerful explosion of energy shook the ground, making Leon's bedroom window vibrate.
Leon immediately stepped out, followed by Miriam, towards the courtyard of the residence. There, a shadowy figure stood, emitting a dark aura that almost overpowered the night itself.
Leon's eyes narrowed, his body tensing. "You..." he muttered.
The figure laughed softly, taking one step closer to Leon. "Lord Leon Everia," the voice sounded like a deadly whisper, "are you ready to receive the power you desire? Or will you become just a shadow of your brother, Eric?"
Miriam tried to approach, but the aura from the figure was too oppressive. She took a few steps back, her face pale.
Leon swallowed, his eyes focused. "Who are you? And what do you want from me?"
The figure did not answer. Instead, he held out his hand, and black energy swirled around it. "I simply wish to offer you a chance, Leon. A chance to take what is rightfully yours. But... the price of that chance is your absolute loyalty to me."
Leon stood at a crucial crossroads, his heart filled with ambition and doubt.
"The choice is yours," the figure continued, his voice growing louder. "Take it or leave it."
End of chapter