Chereads / Dominion Online: Rise of the Shadow Emperor / Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: The Web Tightens

Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: The Web Tightens

The first rays of sunlight broke through the thick curtains of Ethan's chambers, casting a pale glow over the room. He sat at the edge of his bed, his mind whirring with thoughts, as always. The royal court was a game of chess, and he had already moved several pieces—some by force, others through subtle manipulation. But Ethan knew that in this game, it wasn't enough to make one or two moves. The key was to stay ahead, to anticipate every move of every player and adjust accordingly.

His conversation with Lady Callista lingered in his mind. She was a formidable woman, and he'd only scratched the surface of what she was capable of. Ethan knew better than to underestimate her. She had power, ambition, and most importantly, a vast network of allies within the royal court. He had to be cautious. Pushing her too far too soon could be disastrous. But he also understood that power in the court was fleeting, and the moment was fast approaching when he would need her to tip the scales in his favor.

The king's paranoia had only grown in recent weeks, his fear of the merchant guilds' rising influence consuming him. And yet, there was no immediate action. Ethan could feel the air thick with tension, as though the entire kingdom was holding its breath, waiting for someone to make the first move. That someone would be him.

Ethan's thoughts were interrupted by a quiet knock on the door. He rose and opened it to reveal Kieran, his trusted advisor. Kieran had become a valuable ally, but Ethan never allowed himself to forget that trust was a currency in this world, one that could be bought and sold at will.

"You're up early," Kieran remarked, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I've brought news."

Ethan motioned to a chair across from him. "Sit. Let's hear it."

Kieran sat, his usual calm demeanor slightly disrupted. "The king is growing anxious. He's made a few changes to the royal guard. More men, more patrols. The merchant guilds have begun meeting more openly, and there's talk of a possible alliance between them. It's only a matter of time before the king makes a move against them."

Ethan listened intently. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the king's fear of the merchant guilds could be leveraged. He had already made alliances within the merchant class, building a foundation that could serve as a power base once the king took action. But if the king moved too soon, it could destabilize everything.

"I'll need to accelerate my plans," Ethan muttered, more to himself than to Kieran.

Kieran leaned forward, his voice low. "You're playing a dangerous game, Ethan. The king's paranoia might just lead him to do something rash. If that happens, we'll need to act quickly. The court will fracture."

Ethan turned his gaze to the window, watching the sunlight dance on the marble floors. "Let it fracture. The chaos will give me the opportunity I need. But we need to ensure the guilds remain loyal. If they see an opportunity to gain more power by aligning with the king, we'll lose them."

Kieran's eyes narrowed, clearly intrigued by Ethan's boldness. "You think the guilds will side with us instead of the king?"

"I don't just think it—I know it," Ethan replied confidently. "The merchant guilds are pragmatic. They'll side with the one who offers them the most stability and growth. Right now, that's me."

Kieran paused, considering Ethan's words. "You're a man of ambition, Ethan. But ambition alone doesn't win kingdoms."

"No," Ethan agreed, "but it's a damn good start."

Ethan's next move involved expanding his influence over the merchant guilds. He had already laid the groundwork with a handful of key figures, but he needed to be more direct. The time had come to offer them an alliance that was too tempting to refuse. He knew that the king's increasing paranoia about the guilds would create fear and distrust, but fear could be used to his advantage.

He arranged a series of clandestine meetings with the leaders of the guilds, promising them protection from the king in exchange for their loyalty. The king was erratic and unpredictable, and the guilds had no reason to trust him anymore. But with Ethan's backing, they could secure their influence and wealth, free from the king's interference.

The meetings took place in the shadows—dark, dimly lit rooms where nothing was as it seemed. Ethan had already established a network of spies and informants within the guilds, ensuring that he was always several steps ahead. As he spoke with each leader, he offered them a vision of a future where the guilds had more control, more wealth, and more power than ever before. In return, they would pledge loyalty to him, and together, they would shape the future of Eterna.

Several days later, the court was abuzz with rumors of the king's latest move. Ethan's spies had reported that the king had ordered a crackdown on the guilds, sending his soldiers to raid their warehouses and businesses. The guilds were furious, but they had already made their choice. They would side with Ethan, and in doing so, they would position themselves as the power behind the throne.

Ethan's phone rang in the middle of the night. It was Kieran, his voice urgent. "The king's made his move, Ethan. His guards are on their way to the guilds, and the merchants are preparing to fight back."

Ethan sat up in bed, his mind racing. This was it—the moment of truth. The king had forced his hand, and now he had to act. But the king's rashness had created an opening, one that Ethan had been preparing for. The guilds were ready to strike back, and Ethan was their commander.

He dressed quickly, his mind already working through the possibilities. The royal court was in chaos, and now it was time to take control. The guilds would fight the king's soldiers, but it was Ethan who would lead them to victory. By the time the dust settled, he would be the one in power—pulling the strings from the shadows.

In the early hours of the morning, the city was gripped by the sounds of battle. The royal guard clashed with the merchant guilds' soldiers in the streets, their blades flashing in the dim light. But Ethan was not on the front lines. He was in the shadows, pulling the strings.

He had already placed key guild leaders in strategic positions around the city. They would take advantage of the chaos, using it to cripple the king's forces. The royal guard was no match for the merchant guilds' soldiers, who fought with a deadly precision born of desperation. As the battle raged, Ethan's spies reported back with the news he had been waiting for—the king was losing control.

Now, Ethan had to make his move. He summoned Kieran to the safe house, knowing that the time had come to make their final play. The king was vulnerable, and with the guilds at his back, Ethan was ready to take the throne.

But as he stood in the shadows, waiting for Kieran to arrive, Ethan couldn't help but wonder—was this really the game he wanted to win? Power was within his grasp, but at what cost? He had manipulated the court, bent the guilds to his will, and now he was on the verge of taking everything the king had worked for. Yet the question remained—would he be any different from the king? Or would he, too, become a prisoner of ambition?

The door to the safe house creaked open, and Kieran stepped inside, his face grim. "It's time, Ethan. The king is finished."

Ethan turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "Then let's finish what we started."