The city of Oakhaven rose up before us its white marble spires shining like needles in the sunlight. As our carriage went over the hill I saw just how big the city really was. It was huge with millions of people living inside its three big walls.
To people Oakhaven is the center of the world. To me it is like a fancy cage waiting for someone to come and take control.
They call Oakhaven the "City of Glass" because the rich part of town is made of a kind of black stone that shines like the sun. This is supposed to show that the King is fair and honest.
As we went into the city I could feel something inside me start to stir. I knew that Baron Vane was somewhere in the Cathedral district. I could feel his power calling to me.
Isabella whispered to me "The power here is really strong it feels like its crushing me." She looked out of the carriage window. Saw the Royal Guard. "They all look really powerful like they're at level 15 or higher."
I told her "The King surrounds himself with people because he is scared Isabella." I closed my eyes. Felt the citys spiritual energy.
Then I got a message from the system saying we were entering a high-density area. It started scanning for targets and found Prince Cedric, who was level 20 and a paladin.
Cedric is known as the "Golden Son". He is a bully who pretends to be a hero. If I want to take the throne I need to take him down but not with a sword. I need to destroy his reputation.
Our carriage slowed down as we entered the Sun-Drenched Plaza. There was a crowd cheering for a group of paladins who had just come back from a fight. Cedric was at the front riding a horse and wearing shiny golden armor. He looked like a hero from a storybook.
Isabella whispered to me "Look at him Master. He's the one who tried to kill you with poison." I. Said, "Of course he did. He wants to be the king and he saw me as a threat."
I sent a message to Raksha, who was hiding in the crowd with her men. I told her to cause a trouble just to see how Cedric would react.
Some people in the crowd started a fight. Cedric got angry. He spurred his horse forward. Shouted at the people to get out of the way. I saw the look of disgust on the peoples faces. They didn't like Cedrics behavior.
I told Isabella to get out of the carriage. Then I got out too leaning on a cane and coughing into a handkerchief. I looked weak and sick.
The crowd went silent as they saw me the "corpse" of Prince Alaric standing in front of Cedric. Cedrics face turned white. He looked like he was about to attack me.
I spoke to him in a voice "Cedric... You look well. I didn't do well in the North." Cedrics hand tightened on his reins. He looked like he was trying not to lose his temper.
The crowd was silent watching us. Cedric was trying to keep his cool. I could see the anger in his eyes. He thought I was dead. I was standing right in front of him.
Cedrics horse. He looked like he might trample me.. Then he seemed to calm down and said, "Alaric? We thought you were dying in the North."
I. Said, "The North is a hard place, Cedric.. It seems the King still needs me." I looked at the crowd. Said, "I came to pay my respects to the King before I die."
Isabella stepped forward. Said, "Hes been traveling for weeks Prince Cedric. He just wants to see the King one time." The crowd felt sorry for me. Cedric looked like he was trapped.
Cedric said, " course you can stay in the Moonlight Spire. It's quieter there.". I knew he was just trying to get me away from the crowd.
The Moonlight Spire is a tower on the edge of the palace cliffs. It's a place where people can be watched and controlled. I. Said, "How thoughtful of you Cedric. The Spire has a view of the abyss."
As I got back into the carriage I felt Cedrics eyes on me. He was already planning his move. I sent a message to Raksha telling her to scout the perimeter of the Spire and find out where all the shadows were.
I also told Isabella to get the Bedchamber ready. We were going to play a game with Cedric. I thought his favorite "Saint" was going to become his biggest obsession.
The carriage took us to the Moonlight Spire, which was made of a stone that seemed to absorb the light. It was cold and empty, with a few Royal Guards standing at the bridge that connected the tower to the palace.
Isabella whispered to me "They haven't just given us a room, Master. They've given us a tomb."
I told Isabella that a tomb is the place where a ghost can work in peace. I stood up. The weak Alaric persona was gone. I walked to the window. Looked out at the lights of the Capital. With Baron Vane in the Cathedral and Seraphina in the Dukes estate we have the city right where we want it. Now we just need the key to the palace.
I heard the sound of heels clicking on the stone staircase.
[System Notification: High-Tier Target Approaching.]
[Name: Princess Elara (Level 11. Scholar/Oracle).]
[Psychological Profile: Truth-Seeker. Skeptical of Cedric's 'Hero' Narrative.]
The door. A woman walked in. She did not look like her brother. While Cedric is about being flashy Princess Elara wore deep blue clothes. She held a book to her chest and her silver hair was cut in a simple way. Her eyes did not have hate in them like Cedrics eyes did. Instead they had an curious look.
The dying Prince who caught a Paladins blade with his hand Princess Elara said. Her voice was calm and nice. She did not bow to me. She just walked into the room. Looked around like she was searching for something. My brother is a fool, Alaric she said. He thinks you are a miracle. I think you are a lie.
I told her that truth and lies are the thing, Princess Elara. It just depends on how you look at it.
She kept talking. I watched the parade from the balcony she said. I saw the frost on the ground where you stood. That is not something the Light would do.
I turned to face Princess Elara. She is not like the others. She does not have an ego or blind faith. She is a scholar who likes logic.. Logic is easy to use against someone.
I asked her if I am a lie what does that make her brother who tried to hurt me? What does it make the King who did nothing to stop it?
Princess Elara stopped talking. She sensed that something was different. The room got colder. The walls started to freeze.
[System Notification: Compatibility Detected.]
[Special Class: 'The Librarian of the Void'.]
[Condition: Elara cannot be broken by lust or fear alone. She must be broken by 'Forbidden Knowledge'.]
You are not Alaric she whispered. She looked into my eyes. Saw something that scared her.
I told her that Alaric died a time ago. What she sees now is the end of her fathers kingdom.. I can show her something new something that will change everything.
I touched the cover of her book. The cold did not hurt the book. I let some of my power go into the pages. The book started to hum. The words, on the pages changed. They showed secrets that were hidden for a time.
Princess Elara was surprised. She loves to learn. Now she wants to know more.. I will use that to get her to do what I want.
Tonight I whispered, the Moonlight Spire will show you a truth that you never knew existed