CHAPTER 301: 301

Kael sat up in bed, his eyes wide and bloodshot. Sleep had evaded him ever since that twisted dream. His body felt sore not from wounds but from the weight of unease. He gritted his teeth, muttering, "I understand if it’s a wet dream, but it should be someone I loved... not that greedy bitch who lusted for my body."

He got up and examined himself thoroughly in the mirror, lifting his shirt, checking his neck, shoulders, arms.

There were no marks. No sigils. Nothing suspicious. Yet the heaviness in his chest remained.

With a sigh, he turned to the strange book lying on the desk. Its pages were smeared with blood-red words, the ink looking more like coagulated crimson than any normal dye.

When he flipped it open, twisted prose jumped at him verses invoking passion, hunger, desire, and sacrifice.

"I can’t be sure," Kael whispered, frowning. "But she must have locked onto me because of this?"

A chill crept down his spine. His memories scrambled like shards in a whirlwind, and something about this felt familiar. Deja vu clawed at his mind. He hadn’t dealt much with the Goddess cult before—just one encounter but even that had nearly scarred him for life.

"If I have that dream again... I swear I’m throwing that damn thing into a pit."

A sudden knock on the door broke his train of thought. He stiffened. "What is it?"

"Sir Kael, Lord James requests your presence in the main chamber."

He rolled his neck and growled softly, "Tell him I’ll be there."

A while later, Kael found himself seated in a dim room across from Lord James. The older man’s fingers drummed the armrest as his weary eyes scanned Kael’s face.

"Sir Kael," James began, voice low and controlled, "I heard you encountered a few... troubling things last night. Can you recount everything in detail?"

Kael nodded, keeping his expression calm. The plan had already been rehearsed with Ariana; they had to keep it tight. "We were at a bar. Some of us were drinking, nothing unusual. That’s when I noticed a few individuals acting... strange. They were influencing others, like hypnosis. Their eyes, the way people followed them—it didn’t sit right with me."

James leaned forward slightly, listening without interrupting.

"I decided to tail them," Kael continued.

"Eventually, they regrouped with a few more and moved quietly through the alleys. I overheard something about a meeting and saw them heading toward the underground sewage access point. When I heard the God of War priest order a citywide curfew, I realized whatever they were planning wasn’t minor. I followed them in."

He paused. "Unfortunately... I was noticed too soon."

James was silent for a moment, absorbing the pieces. His gaze turned sharp. "Wait... did you say they went into the sewage?"

"Yes, Lord James. I suspect they’ve carved out a hideout somewhere beneath the city."

James paled slightly. His hand gripped the side of the chair as his thoughts raced. "A hidden base under the city... while all eyes were watching above."

Kael watched the older man tense up, his fingers curling as the implication set in. Whatever they were dealing with was far deeper and far closer—than anyone had thought.

James walked over and stood near the window, his fingers tapping the edge of the sill as he stared at the faint line of smoke rising in the distance. The early morning light barely filtered through the thick clouds, casting a grey pall over the room. He turned to Kael, who stood silently nearby, waiting.

"We can’t ignore this any longer," James finally said, his voice low but resolute. "A group using the underground sewage as a base... this is serious. If they’re gathering beneath our feet, it’s only a matter of time before they strike."

Kael nodded. "I figured you’d say that. That’s why I came to you instead of stirring up panic outside."

James looked at him, his expression unreadable. "You handled it well. But now I’ll have to inform the central force. I want a full inspection—no, a sweep. From the western drain gates all the way to the main water ducts near the merchant quarter. If there’s a nest down there, we’re going to flush it out."

Kael took a step forward, his tone firm but respectful. "Let me join the team,Lord James. I know the exact route they took. I’ve already seen part of what they’re doing down there. If they’ve set traps or left any markings, I’m the best chance your soldiers have to avoid an ambush."

James furrowed his brows. "I appreciate your offer, Sir Kael. But you’re not part of the city’s enforcement squad. If something happens to you, it won’t just be a tactical mistake—it could lead to serious backlash."

"I’m not asking for permission to command," Kael said quickly. "I just want to help. You know what I’ve dealt with before. You’ve seen my training, my background. Let me earn my keep here."

James sighed and rubbed his temples. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on him. "You’re putting me in a tight spot."

"I know. But doing nothing is worse."

After a pause, James gave a reluctant nod. "Alright. You’ll be part of the reconnaissance group. But you follow orders. You stick to the flank, and if it gets too risky, you pull back. Understood?"

"Crystal clear," Kael said, suppressing the grim satisfaction that flickered in his eyes.

James picked up a scroll from his desk and unfurled it across the table, revealing a crude map of the city’s understructure. "We move at dusk. I’ll summon Captain Rhys and inform the scouting division. Until then, get some rest. You’re going to need it."

Kael gave a short nod and turned to leave, but not before glancing once at the map. Beneath the city lay a labyrinth, and deep inside it, something rotten stirred.

...

As Kael stepped out into the courtyard, he barely had a moment to adjust to the light before a sharp voice called out to him.

"What the hell is going on?" Emilia’s eyes narrowed, her arms crossed, and her tone slicing through the morning air.