A System's Will
Azrael Kaelthorne sat in his war tent, fingers pressed against his temple. The events of the past night still haunted him—the assassin, the unknown enemy faction, and the timeline shift that made no sense.
The System had remained silent.
Until now.
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
> [New Quests Unlocked]
> Outside World Quest: Shattered Fate
- The hidden faction has made its move far earlier than anticipated. Their appearance threatens the natural course of events. Investigate their purpose and origins before they solidify their influence.
- Rewards: ???
> Outside World Quest: Phantom Shadows
- At least one noble faction has begun plotting against you, seeking to undermine your growing power. Identify them before they strike.
- Rewards: Stat Points +10, System Shop Discount for 24 hours.
Azrael's gaze darkened.
So the System did know something.
And it had chosen not to tell him earlier.
Typical.
But at least now, he had a path forward.
Two threats.
One known—the noble factions scheming against him.
One unknown—the faction that wasn't supposed to exist yet.
And he would deal with both.
---
Allies and Enemies Move
The empire's nobility had been restless ever since Azrael's victory.
Some saw him as a dangerous upstart.
Some wanted to use him.
And others—like those sending spies—wanted him gone.
Veyrin's Investigation
Veyrin Malzev, ever the opportunist, had caught wind of whispers in the underworld. He moved quickly, using his network of informants and black market contacts to track down any leads.
But there was nothing.
No records.
No known groups matching the assassin's movements.
It was as if they had materialized from thin air.
Veyrin tapped his fingers against the table in his private quarters, staring at the reports in front of him.
This isn't normal.
If even the black market had no information on them—then this was something far bigger.
And Azrael Kaelthorne was right in the center of it.
Elaris' Growing Suspicion
Elaris Velmira had always prided herself on being able to read people.
She knew when someone was lying.
She knew when someone was hiding something.
And right now?
Azrael Kaelthorne was hiding something.
She watched him from across the war camp as he moved among his soldiers, issuing new commands, increasing security, reinforcing defenses—as if he was preparing for an attack.
But the war was over.
So why did he still act like an enemy was coming?
Her crimson eyes narrowed.
Something was wrong.
And she was going to find out what.
---
The Trial of the Moon Goddess
Among the many legendary trials in the empire, one stood above all.
The Trial of the Moon Goddess.
A rite of passage for only one person.
Elaris Velmira.
It was her divine trial, the path that would elevate her to power.
In the original novel, her success in the trial solidified her place as the strongest warrior in the empire.
Azrael clenched his fist.
He couldn't interfere.
He couldn't take the trial himself.
And most importantly—he couldn't leave while new threats were appearing.
So he had to make sure that when Elaris returned from her trial, she wouldn't come back to a battlefield already stacked against him.
If the hidden faction was appearing now, that meant something was changing.
Something beyond the original story.
And Azrael Kaelthorne wasn't about to sit back and let the world dictate his fate.
He would strike first.
Before his enemies even knew he was coming.
To Be Continued…
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