Kaiser remained alone for several minutes after leaving Isabella’s cell. He crossed the corridor in silence, then entered his private office. Once the door was locked, he slowly removed The Predator’s mask and placed it on the table. His gaze fixed on his own reflection in the dark window.
"Status." A hologram appeared in his vision.
[Kaiser D. Paragon / The Predator
(Human) (18 years old)
Lineage: Youngest son and heir of the Paragon County, leader of Black Neon
Class: A rank warrior ( Aura Farming, slightly inferior to an S- rank warrior)
Magical talent: diocre
Weapon of choice: Twin swords (Eclipse)
-----
Arts: Sundering Eclipse (2 /5 Movent)
An extrely sharp slash in the shape of a white crescent moon that cuts through everything in its path.
The sword produces residual aura effects as sharp as the sword itself, making instinctive blocking and counterattacking fast in a single motion. It can even redirect attacks...
Fluid Sword/ Sharp Cut/ Dash and Aura Coating
------
Level-headed(0%: erased)
Aura Farming(A: 90%)]: The host converts in real ti the attention, admiration, fear, and interest he generates in others into a source of physical energy: Aura. The more the host’s actions are perceived as nonchalant, stylish, and mastered, the more efficient the conversion, granting near-unlimited endurance. Any loss of "style" (visible effort, panic, clumsiness) instantly interrupts the energy flow.
Playboy(A: 100%): You gain increased ease in seducing the opposite sex. Your words gain greater persuasive power and emotional impact.]
’I suppose it was predictable that I would lose Level Headed... No one considers a cold person anymore but more of a show-off because of Aura Farming and a seducer because of the Playboy skill.’
"No matter, it was important, but I have other problems to deal with."
Far too many people already knew his identity. Every intervention by The Predator drew even more attention. Rumors spread quickly, especially in this period of portal ruptures. The more he acted, the more suspicions tightened around him.
He clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace.
The Donoghan ducal family was one of the most beloved by the people. Isabella, in particular, enjoyed an almost irreproachable image. If public opinion ca to believe that she was The Predator, then the situation would beco much easier to control. The few accusations would turn into admiration.
However, for that to work, she first had to rally to his cause. And above all, she had to beco powerful enough to support the role he was preparing for her.
"You have no choice, Isabella; you will have to conform to the plan whether you want to or not," he murmured to himself.
She would have to awaken the Pendragon lineage.
Without that, she would be nothing but a fragile pawn.
A knock ca at the door.
"Enter."
A mber of the Beasts entered the room and bowed slightly. It was Leandra.
"The Predator, rumors are already spreading about the rupture of this rift; the monsters have appeared in the Valerius duchy and are causing a lot of damage."
A faint, imperceptible smile appeared on Kaiser’s face.
"Perfect, it’s exactly what I hoped..."
He sat back down.
"Make sure our forces begin preparations. Just as Nostradamus asked us, we are going to save these poor people."
"Even if that draws even more attention to..."
"Yes," Kaiser cut in. "Especially if it draws attention."
Leandra nodded: "I also want to thank you for creating this organization... It opened our eyes."
Kaiser waved his hand: "It’s nothing, Leandra... We are all beneficiaries of Nostradamus..."
She bowed once more then left the room.
Kaiser resud his reflection.
He had several objectives during this portal rupture.
First, make sure all of Black Neon distributed his bullshit prophecy. The greater the informational chaos, the more he could manipulate perceptions.
Second, prevent the Key of Solomon from falling into The Spectrum’s hands.
He paused for a mont.
"If The Spectrum obtained this grimoire, the current balance would collapse, with the arrival of its vile demons. He could not afford such an uncontrollable variable."
Third, there was the imminent war between Pendragon and Dantalion.
Kaiser had to maneuver so that both camps owed him a debt. The Pendragons as well as the Dantalions should be indebted to him, one way or another. Thus, no matter the outco of the conflict, he would remain in a position of strength.
’For the Dantalions, it was rather simple with Kleopatra who trusts . But for the Pendragons it was more complicated; I still don’t know how to approach Isis Pendragon... Or should I just kill her?’
Next, there was his mother. The information about her, about what had happened to her. For that, he had several options. The first was to ask his father. But that idea made him grit his teeth. After all these years of silence, after hiding her as if she had never existed, would that man say anything? Kaiser seriously doubted it.
He could also force Ariana’s hand. To extract the information from her by violence if necessary. But right now, he preferred to avoid it. Ariana was unpredictable, dangerous, and confronting her directly could have consequences he wasn’t ready to bear.
"She might have an ability that alters the ntality of n close to her, and without the Level Headed skill... Keeping my distance is much better..." He murmured to himself.
"The only thing left was to ask Eleanor to focus on her research."
Kaiser opened his eyes. There was a fourth objective. The most personal one that was close to his heart; even after years, he had not forgotten the vendetta.
"With this rupture, it was the perfect ti to slit Katrina’s throat."
With the portal rupture, with the chaos that was coming, all attention diverted elsewhere, the conditions had never been so favorable. Kaiser only hoped that Jasper would not get involved and that her death would not alert the Yggdrasil Elves.
He slowly straightened up, adjusted his mask one last ti, and set off again. It was ti to make their salvific appearance.
***
The Imperial Palace dominated the capital of Alexandria, built on a natural elevation reinforced by white stone walls. The towers were topped with banners bearing the emblem of the Dantalion: winged lions. The interior corridors were wide, decorated with frescoes depicting the Thousand Years’ War. Guards in armor patrolled in silence.
In the west wing, near the crown prince’s apartnts, a door opened abruptly.
Adrian Dantalion entered without waiting for permission.
Julius, standing near a window, slowly turned around. He was still wearing the white uniform of the paladins, marked with the symbol of the Holy Church.
"Little brother," he said calmly. "You could have knocked."
"I don’t have ti for your hypocritical formalities," Adrian replied.
His eyes, usually gentle in public, were hard.
"I’ve heard that the Holy Cathedral refuses any declaration of war?"
Julius nodded.
"That’s correct. Her Holiness believes that an open conflict would be a mistake, and Father shares that opinion."
Adrian clenched his fists.
"Isabella was killed by those Pendragon dogs."
"We have no official proof, Adrian."
"What kind of bullshit is this? We have witnesses!"
Julius approached him, then placed his hand on his shoulder.
"We have rumors, Adrian. Nothing confird. Triggering a war on that basis would be irresponsible."
Adrian let out a slight smile.
"Irresponsible? She’s your fiancée."
"That’s precisely why I must keep a cool head."
Julius’s tone remained composed.
"The Holy Church does not want war. Father doesn’t either. We must investigate before acting."
Adrian took a step forward.
"While you investigate, she’s cooling underground... But fine, His Majesty the crown prince, the Paladin of Her Holiness thinks she’s no longer worth it."
Julius held his gaze.
"I loved Isabella with all my heart, Adrian. But I believe there’s always a solution other than bloodshed."
"Always?"
"Do you really believe that everyone has a good side? That our enemies will suddenly cooperate because you speak to them gently?"
Julius did not answer imdiately.
"I believe that violence is a last resort."
"And I believe that you are a naive, foolish idiot..."
A heavy silence settled in.
Guards posted outside exchanged an anxious glance but did not intervene.
Adrian continued in a lower but sharper voice:
"The Holy Cathedral does not want war. The emperor obeys like a dog and you too?"
Julius frowned slightly.
He did not unleash any aura, but Adrian felt a cold sweat run down his back.
He t Julius’s heterochromatic silver and golden eyes...
"You can insult , Adrian, but insulting the emperor or worse questioning Her Holiness’s words..."
Adrian smiled despite the pressure: "Or what? Are you going to kill ?"
Julius sighed and the atmosphere cald: "How could I kill my own blood? Just be careful, little brother."
Adrian looked at him with annoyance and pushed his hand away before turning around.
’That’s exactly what I thought, fucking weakling... The future of the empire is really bright.’ He thought as he opened the door.
"And Adrian!"
"What?"
"Greet Olivia for ; it’s been months since we’ve seen each other."
Adrian’s expression was as gentle as usual, but he sincerely wanted to slap Julius’s face.
"I won’t fail to do so, my brother..."
’As if I gave a fuck about that bitch...’
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