The Scene (Before the Explosion)
The whole palace was boiling with anxiety. Guards, servants, and even trained soldiers exchanged tense glances, each one waiting for this nightmare to end. None of them realized they were all sitting inside a time bomb—not one made of iron or gunpowder, but of a complex rune, woven with hidden threads, waiting only for Adam to activate it.
Smith, the butler, stood beside the Rune Master, his eyes shifting between the matrix covering the secret room and the trembling soldiers. His voice came out heavy with worry:
— "So, what exactly is the function of this matrix?"
The Rune Master lowered his head for a moment, then said:
— "I don't know for sure… but I have a conclusion."
Smith raised his eyebrows, his voice sharper now:
— "Speak, then."
The Rune Master exhaled slowly before answering:
— "When I studied this matrix, I discovered that some of its cores are commonly used in illusion matrices… or death matrices."
Smith's face twisted.
— "So, you mean it's an illusion matrix, then?"
— "Yes, that's the strongest possibility. The matrix is of the fourth degree, and it would be impossible for it to harm an SS-rank awakener—even if its creator were a true Rune King."
Smith bit his lip, his voice dropping as his tension grew:
— "That's true… unless the target is from the Evanhart family. Illusions are useless against them, even if they're first-order."
A heavy silence lingered for a moment before Smith muttered inwardly:
"The problem is, Leon—the head of the family—is still inside this matrix… It's been more than an hour since it was activated, and he hasn't come out yet."
He looked up again, his tone now filled with suspicion:
— "Are you sure it's just an illusion matrix? Could there be a space rune hidden inside?"
— "No, I found no trace of a space rune. Why do you ask?"
Smith turned his face slightly.
— "Nothing important… just a thought." He paused, then asked again:
— "But tell me, why would this King create a fourth-degree matrix specifically? Why not at least a first-class one?"
The Rune Master smiled mysteriously.
— "I wondered the same… There are several possibilities."
— "Name them."
— "The first possibility is that he didn't have enough resources to create a higher matrix."
Smith let out a sarcastic laugh, replying irritably:
— "That's a foolish conclusion. How could someone of SSS rank lack resources? Rune Masters spend fortunes on training and countless failed matrices before succeeding. How much more for someone at the level of a Rune King!"
The Rune Master nodded as if in agreement.
— "That's true… I didn't mean he was poor. Perhaps he simply couldn't smuggle the rare resources he needed into the palace."
Smith frowned, snapping angrily:
— "Nonsense! The one who managed to break into the palace's near-zero-degree defense and slip into the secret chamber without Leon noticing—do you really think he couldn't sneak in a few resources with spatial storage tools? That's absurd."
The Rune Master smiled coldly.
— "I agree. Even I doubt that's the real reason."
Smith nearly reached out to snap the man's neck in frustration, but restrained himself. His voice was choked with anger:
— "Then what's your real conclusion? Tell me before I lose my patience."
The Rune Master spoke with chilling calm:
— "I believe the creator of this matrix never intended to harm Leon—or Elise. Otherwise, he would have crafted a death matrix, not an illusion."
Smith narrowed his eyes.
— "What are you trying to imply?"
The Rune Master smiled again, as though testing his patience.
— "Don't you know, Chief Butler of the Evanhart family, that everything is tied to the Cold War raging across the central continent?"
Smith snarled:
— "Speak clearly."
— "You know very well how the two great wars broke out among the elite families—and how those wars reshaped the balance of power entirely. Now, everyone is preparing for a third war that could soon engulf the world."
At those words, chills ran through the gathered soldiers. None of them had lived through those wars, but history had taught them the oceans of blood spilled during them. Just the mention of those wars made them imagine burning cities and trembling continents.
The Rune Master continued his tale with unnerving calm, like a storyteller reciting an old legend:
— "So far, the Evanhart family has not joined any alliance. That makes them both a target… and a threat."
At last, Smith realized what the man was hinting at. His low growl carried frightening weight:
— "Do you think one of the other elite families would dare attack Evanhart? Have you forgotten what happened to the Safaris family? When they thought the Evansharts were weakened—after Elder Evanhart's death and Arkan's betrayal—how did they end up?"
He paused, then thundered on, his voice echoing among the soldiers like a storm:
— "One man… Yukon Evanhart. One man nearly annihilated an entire elite family. Do you think anyone has forgotten that terror?"
A hum rippled through the soldiers, their heavy breaths quickening. Fear of the matrix no longer gripped them as before; instead, an odd comfort settled in, as if they drew strength from hearing the name of their legendary master.
"We stand beside a King who once held the fate of an entire continent in his hand… How can we fear?"
But none of them realized that all this discussion—all this careful analysis—was nothing but a play Adam had orchestrated. From the shadows, he stood beside Talia, smiling slyly as he watched them drown in false conclusions. Deep inside, he whispered to himself:
"Keep arguing… it doesn't matter. Just until the third step of my plan is complete."