Morning arrived with clear skies, but tension still hung over Blackridge.
The assassination attempt became known only to Arin's inner circle. No public announcement was made. To the outside world, everything appeared normal.
That was exactly what Arin wanted.
"Fear spreads faster than truth," he told Kelsin. "We'll use that."
Within days, new measures were implemented.
Hidden patrols.
Rotating guard shifts.
Secret signal routes.
False schedules.
Only a handful of people knew Arin's real movements.
Kael took charge of intelligence coordination.
Using merchants, messengers, and refugees, he built a web of informants. Every rumor, shipment, and suspicious traveler was recorded.
Rynor trained a small elite unit.
Twelve warriors.
All at least Adept-level.
Specialized in night combat and counter-assassination.
They were named: Shadow Guard.
Lyra enhanced Blackridge's defenses with layered mana formations.
Alarm circles.
Detection barriers.
Anti-stealth arrays.
Even a Master-level assassin would struggle to infiltrate now.
Meanwhile, Arin quietly investigated Baron Trevik.
Trade records.
Tax reports.
Smuggling routes.
Everything was analyzed.
One evening, Kael rushed into the study.
"My lord, we found it."
Arin looked up. "Found what?"
"Illegal arms shipments. Monster cores. Slave traders."
Kelsin's face darkened. "That's enough to destroy him."
Arin nodded slowly.
"Not yet," he said. "We need irrefutable proof."
So they waited.
They watched.
They gathered.
Weeks passed.
Trevik grew bolder, thinking his attack had gone unnoticed.
He increased illegal trade.
Bribed inspectors.
Moved troops secretly.
Each move tightened the noose.
One night, Arin personally led a covert operation.
Disguised as merchants, they infiltrated a hidden warehouse.
Inside were hundreds of forbidden weapons and crates of corrupted mana stones.
Lyra scanned them.
"These could poison an entire city."
Kael recorded everything.
Documents.
Signatures.
Routes.
Witnesses.
Perfect evidence.
As they left, Arin felt the system stir.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Strategic Trap Completed]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Political Leverage Acquired]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Authority Growth +8%]
Back in Blackridge, Arin called an emergency council.
"It's time," he said.
Selene smiled slightly. "To strike without swords."
Rynor chuckled. "That's scarier."
Petitions were sent.
Evidence was submitted.
Witnesses prepared.
Within days, the Royal Council issued summons.
Baron Trevik was ordered to appear.
Refusal meant treason.
In his manor, Trevik panicked.
"They can't have found everything!"
The hooded figure appeared again.
"They did," he said calmly.
Trevik fell to his knees.
"Save me!"
The figure laughed softly.
"Too late."
As dawn rose, royal inspectors rode toward Trevik's lands.
And the first enemy of Arin's dynasty was about to fall.