Klaus's brows tightened slightly as Brian finished his report. He did not interrupt, did not react immediately, but the faint shift in his expression was enough for Brian to know that his words had landed.
Klaus had expected suspicion, but not this kind of uncertainty. Brian rarely doubted his instincts, especially when swords were involved. If he said something felt wrong, then it usually was.
Klaus was about to give an order, already forming a plan in his mind, when the sound of wheels rolling against wet stone interrupted his thoughts.
A finely crafted carriage slowed to a halt nearby, its exterior marked with the royal crest of the Dalton lineage. The presence alone was enough to draw attention from the surrounding knights and investigators.
The carriage door opened, and a young man stepped out. He wore pure white royal robes embroidered with subtle gold patterns, his posture straight, movements refined, and expression carefully composed.
He walked forward and bowed deeply, his gesture respectful to the point of humility.
"Julian Dalton greets the distinguished Sword Saint," he said clearly, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Klaus looked at him with mild amusement, his sharp eyes sweeping over the young man in a single glance.
"Has your father finally decided to acknowledge my presence in the capital?" Klaus asked casually, his tone carried faint mockery.
Julian's expression did not change, but beads of sweat formed along his temples.
"How could that be, my lord," he replied quickly.
"My father has merely been occupied with the chaos brewing throughout the empire. He has not forgotten your benevolence. That is why he humbly invites you to the palace for tea."
Klaus let out a low chuckle. "Sending the crown prince himself to invite me," he said. "Seems like your father's pride has taken a serious blow recently."
Julian said nothing. He remained silent, his head slightly lowered, refusing to react to the provocation.
Klaus studied him for a moment, as if searching for cracks beneath the calm surface. Finding none, he turned his attention away.
He looked at Brian. "Keep an eye on the boy from last night," Klaus said. "Investigate his background thoroughly before I return."
Brian straightened. "As you wish, my lord."
Klaus nodded once before stepping into the carriage alongside Julian. The door closed, and the carriage soon rolled away, leaving behind the ruined street and unanswered questions.
Ethan approached Brian as the carriage disappeared from view. "Shouldn't you go with him?" Ethan asked. "What if someone attacks him?"
Brian replied calmly, "He is stronger than me, so I am not qualified to protect him."
"That's not how bodyguards work," Ethan frowned.
"I am not his bodyguard," Brian said plainly. "I am his servant."
***
One day later, in the same abandoned alleyway where Maximus Sinclair had collapsed, a sudden surge of sinister energy burst forth.
Dark light spilled outward, twisting the air and casting long, warped shadows against the cracked walls.
Maximus's eyes snapped open violently, his pupils dilated as if they might burst.
He gasped sharply, his body convulsed as pain rippled through him one last time. Slowly, shakily, he raised a hand to his face, touching his skin as if to confirm he still existed.
His awakening had completed, and he had gone through all the pain without any assistance from any awakening potion, a real bloody way to awaken.
Information flooded his mind all at once, clear and undeniable.
Unlike Will, the people of Aris did not possess a sentient system, But they still had a basic status window.
His status window appeared before him without any effort.
---------
Name: Maximus Sinclair
Race: Human
Age: 14
Rank: F
Talent: slave master(SSS Rank)
Affinities: Darkness (SSS)
Techniques/skills: N.A
----------------
His breathing slowed as he read.
The affinity. The talent.
When his eyes landed on the words "SSS Rank," his lips trembled before twisting into a wide, unrestrained grin. He willed the talent description open, his heart pounding violently as he read each line.
---------------------
Slave master (SSS Rank)
1. The host can forcibly enslave any being weaker than themselves against its will.Enslaved beings cannot resist, betray, or disobey commands issued by the host.
--
2. The number of slaves the host may control scales with rank, at F Rank a host can have a maximum of ten slaves.
Each major rank-up: +10 additional slaves
--
3. The host may forcefully initiate a Pact Battle with beings of similar strength. If the host wins, the opponent becomes an enslaved puppet. If the host loses, the talent loses effect on the opponent.
--
4. Beings of higher rank may be enslaved if they are forced into submission by any means, in such a scenario the host's rank rises to that of being enslaved.
--
5. For every enslaved being, the host has a 10% chance to permanently acquire one skill, affinity, or talent possessed by the slave.
-------------
The more he read, the harder he laughed.
Finally, the sound tore out of his throat, echoing through the empty alley. "Finally," he laughed hoarsely. "Finally… a chance to burn this fucking world."
His laughter was wild, broken, and filled with madness born from loss. The grief that had crushed him only hours earlier twisted into something darker, heavier, and far more dangerous.
***
Elsewhere, inside a quiet inn far from the ruined outer district, Will sat alone in a rented room. The smell of old wood and damp stone filled the air.
He had already paid workers to recover what remained of his shop. Repairs would take days, and the cost was high, but he did not care. Buildings could be rebuilt.
Attention, however, was far more dangerous.
The day before, countless people had gathered near the ruins asking about his condition. Customers, regulars, and curious onlookers had crowded him with concern.
To avoid unnecessary scrutiny, Will had relocated to a secluded area of the city, choosing silence over familiarity.
He lounged back on a worn sofa, his expression calm as notifications began to ring in his mind one after another.
He did not need to ask.
"Must be happening," he muttered.
The system's voice sounded.
[Bond detected: Maximus Sinclair has awakened.]
[Bond has awakened SSS Rank Talent: Slave master]
[Bond has awakened Darkness Affinity: SSS.]
[Calculating rewards…]
Will closed his eyes slowly, exhaling through his nose. The pieces were moving exactly as expected, yet not as planned.
"So the villain has awakened," Will said quietly.
His grip tightened slightly against the armrest. "Then the first arc has truly begun."