Foundations of an Empire
Keith moved with calm precision inside the vault.
He didn't take much.
But what he took—
Were pillars.
From the endless Runcandel reserves, Keith selected:
Two resource mines
▸ One diamond mine
▸ One oil field A shipyard, fully operational Four large cargo ships A prime land deed for his future company headquarters, along with the surrounding land
In addition—
He quietly allocated his system rewards:
Corporate shares from multiple companies 600 million in liquid cash High-level medicinal formulas Revolutionary cosmetic formulas Several movie scripts with guaranteed global appeal
Enough to build.
Enough to dominate.
When Keith exited the vault, Darius and Clara were waiting.
They exchanged a glance the moment they heard what he had taken.
Clara smiled knowingly.
"Resources. Logistics. Energy."
Darius chuckled deeply.
"He's not building a normal company," he said.
"He's building an empire."
Old Monsters, New Pride
That night, Darius contacted Karasuma Renya.
"He's starting his own company," Darius said plainly.
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"…I see," Renya replied.
For the first time in years—
The old man felt something close to jealousy.
Not resentment.
But regret.
I haven't seen my great-grandson even once, Renya thought.
And then—annoyance.
Darius bragged again.
"He cooks better than five-star chefs now," Darius added casually.
"And his baking—"
"That's enough," Renya snapped.
Then he sighed.
"To protect him… I'll wait."
But his curiosity burned.
Karasuma Estate — Summons Begin to Stir
Renya made a decision.
He summoned people he trusted absolutely.
The calls went out.
Ethan Hondou
Ethan Hondou frowned as he received the call.
"…Lord Renya wants to see me?"
Confusion flickered through his mind.
It's been years.
Still, he answered without hesitation.
"I'll come immediately."
Hidemi Hondou
At the Hondou residence, Hidemi Hondou (20) froze when she overheard the call.
"Grandfather wants to meet Father?" she asked, eyes shining.
Her heart leapt.
So that place still remembers us…
She quickly packed her things.
"I'm coming too," she declared.
For her—
This was a rare honor.
Eisuke Hondou
From the corner of the room, Eisuke Hondou (10) scowled.
"Tch. Of course she gets invited."
Jealousy burned in his chest.
One day… I'll be the one they call.
Rum & Vermouth
At the Karasuma estate—
Rum arrived first, expression sharp and unreadable.
Moments later, Vermouth appeared, her golden eyes calm—but her heart restless.
Keith…
She had felt it.
Something had shifted.
Something big.
Pieces Moving Quietly
As night settled over Europe and Japan alike—
Keith Argus Runcandel stood at the center of converging paths:
A new company about to be born Summon tickets waiting to be used Old powers growing curious New allies about to appear
The world thought the storm had passed.
But this—
This was only the foundation.