St Chaos Healer

Ch 86 - The Brewing Turmoil

Of the nine major nations, six rulers promptly sent handwritten letters to the Zephinya Kingdom. The letters expressed grave concern over the riots that had erupted following Lux Sentinel's death and urged the kingdom to take full responsibility for the escalating situation. More significantly, they emphasized that one of the revered Heavenly Virtues had been killed within Zephinya's borders, implying the nation bore the weight of guilt and negligence.

Adding to the mounting pressure, the Church of Virtues issued a formal letter of condemnation. The Church demanded a thorough explanation and justification regarding the kingdom's potential involvement or lack of diligence in protecting Lux Sentinel, casting further suspicion on Zephinya.

In a single day, the Zephinya Kingdom found itself politically isolated. Ostracized by its fellow nations and weighed down by internal riots and unrest, the kingdom was rapidly spiraling into chaos.

The massacre of the imprisoned nobles in the Citadel of Mankerret had already dealt a devastating blow to the Zephinya king's covert network—those who had silently influenced the kingdom's inner workings from the shadows.

Overwhelmed by mounting internal and external pressures, the ruler of Zephinya declared a state of national emergency. In a desperate bid to regain control, he summoned all the kingdom's grandmasters for an urgent council meeting. The fate of the kingdom teetered on the edge of collapse, and this meeting was perhaps their last chance to salvage it.

In the dimly lit chamber, eleven figures gathered, their faces shadowed but heavy with tension. At the center of the table sat Inyake Radiz, the current ruler of the Zephinya Kingdom. Flecked with silver, his rustic beard framed a weary face as he slumped forward, one hand on his forehead. His fine linen robes, though regal, hung on him like a burden, reflecting the weight of the crisis on his shoulders.

Standing silently at the king's side, his prime minister observed the proceedings with a grave expression. His sharp eyes darted between the maps and the men seated around the table. Surrounding them were the Nine Grandmasters of the Royal Mage Academy, each of whom had answered the king's urgent summons.

A detailed map of the Eldoria Realm, marking the borders of the Zephinya Kingdom and its neighboring nations was spread out on the table before them. Beneath it lay a growing stack of reports, intelligence notes, and hastily drafted plans. Even the seasoned grandmasters, renowned across the land for their expertise, bore furrowed brows as they scrutinized the situation.

Grandmaster Gunther, a tall man with sharp features and a reputation for his strategic acumen, took the lead. He unfurled a set of documents, spreading them across the table as his measured voice filled the room. "According to my intelligence network, the perpetrators behind this tragedy are a newly formed dark guild. They emerged recently, but their actions indicate an alarming level of coordination and strength. As for their numbers, identities, or specific whereabouts... those details remain unknown."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over the group like a storm cloud.

A dark-skinned woman in gleaming armor—Grandmaster Hamanthra, known for her blunt demeanor and battle prowess—picked up one of the documents and scanned it quickly. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she tossed it back onto the table. "So, let me get this straight: some fledgling dark guild manages to slay a Virtue—one of the most powerful beings in existence—and they do it within our borders? How is that even possible? And worse, how did they evade detection under our noses?"

She leaned forward, her voice rising with restrained anger. "Even if we somehow locate these people, do we have the strength to capture or subdue them? If they could kill Lux Sentinel, what makes us think they won't obliterate us the moment we engage?"