Legacy of the Dark Sage

"Let's compare notes," Kyran told Ezra.

Zuri furrowed her brows at how Kyran said it. He did not say it as a suggestion but more like a command. Initially, she had thought Kyran was a carefree guy who was not easily provoked, but when people important to him were in danger, he would get serious and do everything in his power to protect them.

That was their assessment of him after observing his movement for the past few weeks.

During those time, some of them started to doubt the authenticity of the message the Snow Mountain King's messager gave them. After all, Kyran had only displayed support magic and array capabilities.

Then again, would the Void master flaunt his magic when the Royal Family had tagged it as forbidden? Besides, the more he defied the odds, the more Zuri was convinced there was more to him than he let on.

And she had been right.

She had been there when her father and other family elders watched Kyran appear outside their secret residence. They witnessed how easily he entered the borders without having to do anything to counter the restrictions.

Then, they saw him change the attributes of the runes that made up the stairway's barrier and easily passed through.

By then, most of those who doubted his identity were silenced and were more or less convinced.

But the biggest factor that convinced most was how the Montgomeray guardian ignored everything he did and let him pass.

It was said that the Montgomeray guardian only ever listened to two people. One was his contracted mage, and the other, the Void Master.

As someone who never doubted Kyran's real identity, this excites Zuri.

Because, with the appearance of the new Void Master, their family would finally be able to free themselves from their stigma.

However, the carefree Void Master she thought Kyran to be, was nowhere in sight. She had thought he had sometimes acted way too arrogant to give others the wrong impression about him. But now, she realized it was not arrogance but unyielding will. He was someone who would not bow down to anyone, and he had the power to back it up.

That in itself was enough to instill fear in her.

"Alright," Ezra agreed at once.

Zuri looked at her father and was about to object. They would lose their card if they compared notes even before they negotiated.

But she held her tongue. After witnessing the exchange between Kyran, the Queen of the Faes, and the woman whom they refer to as the Time Keeper, Zuri knew they were at a disadvantage in this place.

Ezra was not even a Magus, which caused the Courtenay Family and Lumley Family to look down on them. How would he 'fight' the Void Master along with the two, White Lily and the Time Keeper— not to mention Silas, all on his own?

Zuri's presence could also be used against her father. She had now become a liability, a burden that Kyran could take advantage of to control Ezra.

Kyran gestured for Ezra to start.

Without hesitation, the older man complied.

"The Royal Family has simultaneously started their plan to assimilate all big factions within the empire, except the Three Noble Families."

Kyran's expression did not betray his emotions. But when he heard this, he now understood the real reason behind establishing the 'Elite Force.'

Upgrading the magic detectors in the empire was only a front. Most likely, they were already doing something behind the scene to 'control' their key members.

Some members of the Aureole faction were also part of the Elite Force.

Thinking of this, Olivia crossed Kyran's mind.

He gave the task of making contact with her to Byron since he was the most inconspicuous person among his Sigils and he had not heard from him yet. Hopefully, Olivia was not one of Aureole's representatives chosen to be part of the Elite Force.

"The only reason the Three Noble Families are not included is that the Emperor wanted the noble families to support the new regime once it happens."

Kyran smiled wryly.

"You mean the new regime where the Crown Princess and the Young Master of the Regis Clan become the new ruler of the Ylfaen Empire?"

Gasps of surprise filled the room.

Zuri probably gasped because it was the first time she was hearing this information.

She knew how influential the Regis Clan was even when they decided to close their doors. On the contrary, the Royal Family suffered several setbacks through the years which lowered their influence not only among the noble families of major factions in the empire but also the common people living in Ylfaen.

If the Regis agreed in marrying to the Royal Family then the latter's influence would improve, and controlling every faction in the empire would not be an impossible feat.

As for the others Stella, Silas, and White Lily, it went without saying, but they were shocked at how casual Kyran acted while saying saying the bit about the 'Young Master of the Regis Clan' and the Crown Princess ruling the new regime of the Ylfaen Empire as if it had nothing to do with him!

Of course, the Royal Family did not mean for them to rule as two separate leaders, but together. And the only way for that to happen was through marriage.

The thought made Stella's insides hum in defiance.

Ezra was taken aback, "So... you are aware of it."

Kyran only shrugged in response. He did not want to tell them the empress had told him about it. While he did not think the older man was a bad person, that did not mean he would trust him with everything.

"You are correct. Emperor Euan wanted to change the empire by uniting all factions, and have the noble families support the Arthall and the Regis." Ezra agreed with a sigh, "I admit involving the Regis's is indeed a good move for the empire. They may have closed their doors to the outside, but when their members go out, the things they do are something most of us look forward to.

"They are well-respected by the masses and are feared by the noble families.

"However, none of the Three Noble Families have ties with them anymore. Other noble families still do businesses with them, but according to our intel, it had been more than a month since they last made contact with them."

"Why?"

"According to an anonymous report, the Regis Clan is currently in turmoil. As to the reason why we have no information yet. Since the report was submitted anonymously, we must consider this false."

"I see... so you guys are not aware the Regis's young master is missing?"

"Missing?"

"What?"

Ezra and Zuri mused aloud.

It was the first time they were hearing this. Though information about what was happening within the Regis Estate was hard to get, they were aware of how practically all key figures of the Regis Clan doted on the young master. It was almost impossible that they had not heard anything after their young master went missing. Apart from this, with all key figures of the clan doting on him, would anyone be courageous enough to abduct him?

Kyran did not say the Regis's Young Master was missing because he got abducted. But Ezra assumed this because how else would a person doted by almost everyone in his family suddenly go missing?

There was also the fact that this happened as soon as Emperor Euan declared he wanted the Regis's Young Master to become the Crown Princess's betroth.

He could smell a conspiracy on all these.

Kyran crossed his arms and studied Ezra and Zuri's body language. Their surprise upon hearing this news was not an act. He could easily discern their emotions even if he could not see their expression. They were inside his domain, after all.

"K—Tyr," Silas corrected himself before he could call Kyran by his real name. "Is it true?"

Kyran looked at him, "The source of that information is reliable. But I don't know the full details."

"So the Royal Family doesn't know why the Regis's Young Master is missing...  but how do they even know that? Where did they get the information? Have they made contact... with the Regis?" Stella asked.

The Conclave boasted a wide range of networks, yet they were unaware of this information, even if it was a rumor.

Kyran shook his head, "I don't have information on that."

"...and..." Stella looked at him uneasily.

Just looking at her eyes, Kyran could guess what she really wanted to ask.

'Are you okay?'

Kyran only smiled. A smile that could mean anything and nothing at all.

Ezra noticed this subtle exchange, but he chose to remain silent.

Kyran turned his attention back to Ezra, "What do you think of this?"

Ezra hesitated for a second before shaking his head, "I cannot say at this point, but I do see a conspiracy behind his disappearance."

"Like someone plotted it?" Kyran asked.