Several days later, in the kingdom's castle.
—How could this happen?! Where were the guards?! Have they still not found anyone?!
Eduardo roared from his throne, his voice echoing through the hall like the crack of thunder.
The guards kneeling below him trembled, none dared lift their heads.
With his temperament in recent days, anyone could be executed on the spot.
The king clenched his fists in fury.
—Get out! I want you all out now!
The guards scrambled to flee, rushing out of the hall without looking back.
Only two remained behind Eduardo, protecting him like unmoving statues.
His face was gaunt. Exhaustion and rage had eroded his once-imposing presence.
First, his only son—the heir to the throne—had died in a supposed fight in his own brothel.
A cruel joke.
Murdered on his own turf, without anyone stopping it.
Consumed by fury, he had arrested everyone present that day.
He tortured them. He executed them.
To him, they were as guilty as the killers themselves.
And worst of all…
That same day, his most trusted friend had been assassinated in his mansion.
All his guards. His servants. Slaughtered.
No one remained to explain what had happened.
Among the corpses, the slave he had gifted was missing.
No one knew she was his daughter, the child of a concubine.
But the fact that her body was nowhere to be found kept him on edge.
Now, the entire kingdom was under lockdown.
The streets were patrolled relentlessly. Every corner was searched.
He hunted his son's killers.
And he sought traces of his daughter.
If she had been killed, all the better.
He cursed her silently.
If this continued, he would have to choose a new heir among his trusted allies… or father a new child.
The second option would take time.
The first… would be quicker.
Eduardo exhaled heavily. Desperation gnawed at his chest.
Then, he muttered:
—What do you think...?
His voice lingered in the air.
And from the shadows of the walls, a hooded figure emerged.
The man in black advanced slowly.
He stopped before the king.
He locked eyes with him.
—My advice… is to increase the number of guards in the castle. We must consider the possibility of an attack.
Eduardo narrowed his eyes.
—Yes… that makes sense. But if I bring more guards here, my son's assassins might escape.
He slammed his fist against the throne's armrest.
—I want them dead!
The hooded man remained unfazed by his fury.
—I know. But the priority is protecting you.
He took a measured breath before continuing.
—In the meantime, you should select a trustworthy heir. If something unexpected happens, your kingdom cannot be left without a successor.
Eduardo sat still. He knew the man was right.
His advisor's voice remained cold and steady.
—Then, you can choose a concubine or queen to bear your child. If time is short, you must ensure she conceives immediately.
The king reclined against his throne, weighed down by the words. They struck his mind like iron hammers.
The advice was sound. Brutally sound.
Naming a temporary heir would create political stability.
But above all else… he needed to sire a new child.
If he failed to do so, betrayals born from greed would soon follow.
Because even if he appointed a puppet heir… treachery would always lurk in the shadows.
The hooded man continued.
—I sent a request for masters from the Shadow Sect days ago. Strangely, there has been no response.
The king slowly turned his head.
—What are you implying?
—I ask my king to send new envoys. But this time, with several guards to investigate what has happened.
Eduardo's eyes darkened.
Impatience gnawed at him.
The Shadow Sect…
They were a critical force in his domain. If something had happened to them, it could strike directly at his reign.
The hooded man tilted his head.
—It would be wise to send an elite battalion and ensure no threats remain.
The silence grew thick.
Eduardo nodded.
—Yes. I will give the order immediately.
The hooded man raised his gaze.
—My king…
His words echoed with weight.
—Do you really believe all of this is just coincidence?
Eduardo stiffened.
The question shook him.
—What do you mean...?
His voice wavered.
—What are you trying to say?
The hooded man continued, exposing the ideas he had been analyzing over the past few days.
—Your only heir was eliminated in a supposed fight. Your illegitimate daughter disappeared, and all witnesses were eliminated, ensuring that no one could confirm whether she is alive or dead.
These two situations seemed like isolated incidents. But to him... they were not.
—Additionally, we sent two of our most trusted guards to request men from my sect… and there is still no response. The kingdom is under lockdown, searching for any outsiders, but they have had no luck.
Eduardo frowned in irritation.
—I know. You don't need to repeat it. But what does that have to do with this?
He leaned into his throne.
—My son was an idiot. He was murdered over an argument.
He let out a frustrated sigh.
—As for the other matter... very few know I have an illegitimate daughter. Even fewer know where she is.
The hooded man remained expressionless.
—That may be, my king. But there are too many coincidences. Additionally, our men lost track of those who entered from the Creation Sect. Everything happened at the same time. I believe it's connected.
The air in the hall grew heavy. Eduardo could not hold back any longer. He shot the hooded man a furious glare.
If he was right… Then this was no longer just a series of isolated events.
It was a well-designed plan.
But to execute it… someone else had to be helping them from the shadows.
Who would grant them the power to remain hidden?
How did they obtain information about his daughter?
Where were they hiding if it was truly them?
Too many questions. The king's frustration grew.
If this was true… What was the real motive behind all of this?
Eduardo narrowed his eyes.
—If you're correct… do you have any idea what they are planning? Or is this just speculation?
The hooded man let out a slow breath.
—I believe they did this to eliminate you and take the kingdom. That is why we need to increase the number of guards in the castle. Additionally, we must send a message to the sect today, without further delay. If we hesitate… they could attack first.
Eduardo let out a dry laugh.
—Hehe… even if you're right, they are still just dogs.
He reclined in his throne arrogantly.
—I don't believe a handful of men could come and kill me so easily.
He looked at his two guards with confidence.
—Besides, I have you here. And my guards.
The hooded man did not respond.
But something inside him refused to settle.
There was a terrible feeling.
He did not know why.
But his instincts screamed that he needed to act fast.
Time was running out.
And he didn't understand why.
—But I will heed your advice, Edgar.
The hooded man sighed.
At least the king was listening.
Although he hated hearing his name.
Very few knew that an elder of the Shadow Sect was so close to the king.
If that information were leaked…
The other sects would look at him with distrust.
—Thank you, my king…
He didn't get the chance to finish his words.
A deafening boom shook the city.
Explosions. Strong. Violent.
The detonations echoed throughout the kingdom.
Eduardo jumped to his feet.
—Damn it! What's happening now?!
His voice thundered through the hall.
He rushed toward the window. Edgar followed immediately.
Both observed the disaster outside.
The city was consumed by flames.
Multiple explosions had ignited fires everywhere.
Then, a guard burst into the hall, breathless.
—My king!
His words came out in broken gasps.
—Several storage points holding the kingdom's crops have been set on fire. Others have been destroyed by powerful detonations.
He took a quick breath before continuing.
—I need your order to send men to those locations, attempt to contain the fires, and maintain control of the city before chaos spreads.
Eduardo roared:
—Then do it, idiot! If we lose those crops… we will starve! Move quickly!
The guard sprinted away without hesitation.
Suddenly, Edgar felt a shiver run down his spine.
But this time...
It was much worse than before.
A dark premonition clutched at his chest.
If he did not act soon…
He could die.
Before he could say anything…
An even stronger explosion rocked the castle.
This time…
At the palace gates.
Edgar felt his worst fear confirmed.
—It's too late.
He whispered.
—They're here.