CHAPTER 321: THE SCHEME OF ZARAK’S MURDER (1)

"Congratulations, Elina. You’ve earned the honorary title of The Chosen One."

Inside the room, Rafine smiled sincerely as she congratulated Elina.

Sitting on the sofa to her right, Elina felt a little embarrassed, but she accepted the congratulations nonetheless.

"Thank you, Rafine. But that title is just an empty symbol. I’m still the same Elina you know. So, as much as possible, don’t change how you see me, okay?" She smiled playfully.

"Pfft!" Rafine chuckled. "I understand. But that title isn’t just a symbol, you know? It gives you the right to form your own army and manage your own territory. It’s like a special noble title just for you."

As she placed the tea and coffee cups on the table, Rafine couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

The title of The Chosen One was the only title Elina held. None of the previous princes or princesses had ever received it, which made it all the more special.

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t jealous. But her jealousy wasn’t because she wanted the same title—it was because of Elina’s courage in accepting the mission to save the eastern region.

In the past, she had underestimated Elina, even thinking it was impossible for her to lead them to victory.

But unexpectedly, the attack had been a success. The sea monster was defeated, and the eastern region returned to prosperity.

To be honest, she felt both ashamed and guilty. Fortunately, she didn’t show it, so only she knew how dark her thoughts were.

"What Elina said is true," Nolan said, sipping his tea. "The title the old man gave isn’t wholly beneficial—or purposeless. Imagine you were a contender for the throne: what would you do seeing Elina receive such privileges?"

Rafine sat beside him, took her tea, and sipped. She paused before answering, "Of course I would be jealous. Maybe I’d protest to His Majesty, or at worst..."

Her gaze fixed on Elina. "I’d attack and kill her in secret."

Elina’s expression froze. Although hypothetical, she felt that if Rafine truly became a contender, she might carry it out.

Nolan couldn’t help but smile. "Yes. They would see Elina as the greatest obstacle to the throne. Even without the title, Elina already stood in their way. But with the honor granted by that old man, the stakes rose many times over. That’s why I told you to be ready, Elina."

Elina’s face turned serious, and she nodded. "I understand, Brother. Don’t worry—I’m ready for anything. Even if I must get my hands dirty, I will."

She clenched her right fist. She didn’t want to kill her brothers with her own hands, but she knew that thought was naive.

Since stepping into the battle for the throne, her fate had been to walk through a sea of blood—just as her father once did.

Nolan took another sip of tea, leaned back on the sofa, and crossed his legs.

"However, there’s one more thing you may not have realized. The Old Man has another goal—to provoke the princes."

"Provoke?" Rafine and Elina gasped in surprise.

"Yeah, provoke," Nolan confirmed. "He wants to push the princes to act faster and start the real fight. Something big is going to happen in the next few days. I can guarantee it."

His eyes flashed playfully, as if he could already see every move the princes would make.

Elina and Rafine lowered their heads, lost in thought. Since it was Nolan who said it, they naturally believed him. They, too, were eager to see what would happen next.

...

"Have you found him, Jared?"

Standing in front of his bedroom window, Cedric asked in a cold tone.

Behind him, a man in a red cloak bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness. Prince Zarak is currently in a secluded mansion in the eastern region."

Cedric narrowed his eyes. "So, he’s been hiding there all this time? Do you know what he’s been up to?"

"According to reports, he went there to maintain cooperation between the Red Obsidian Trading House and the heads of noble families in the eastern region."

"Pfft!" Cedric smirked. "So he still thinks he has a chance to win, huh? How amusing. Besides, if I remember correctly, Red Obsidian went bankrupt and officially changed its name to White Lotus, didn’t it?"

"Yes, Your Highness, you’re correct. Red Obsidian has indeed gone bankrupt and changed its name. But if I’m not mistaken, the agreement Belfor made with the noble families doesn’t bind the trading house itself—it binds the families individually. So, regardless of Red Obsidian’s bankruptcy, the noble families are still obligated to support Prince Zarak in the succession battle."

"Oh? That man is truly clever and cunning," Cedric remarked in surprise.

Belfor’s move to secure Zarak’s victory in the throne battle had been brilliant. If not for the misfortune that struck him, Zarak might have been a serious contender.

But that was hypothetical. In reality, Belfor had been declared dead, and without him and the Red Obsidian Trading House, Zarak’s chances were doomed.

"Very well." Cedric sighed deeply. "Carry out my orders—kill Zarak and leave no trace. Use secret agent 001 and make it flawless. I won’t tolerate mistakes. Understand?"

Jared bowed without protest. "As you command, Your Highness."

His figure dissolved into light and vanished.

Cedric turned back to the window. The calm night had gone black; thunder rolled across the sky.

Blue lightning flashed, and a cold smile spread across his face.

"One rival gone, four to go. When they’re all dead, I will be Emperor. Hahaha—"

Boom!

...

Nolan sat on the sofa, resting the right side of his face in his right palm.

In his left hand he held a glass of red wine, which he swirled slowly. His right leg was crossed over his left, and his eyes were closed.

Boom!

Lightning flashed, followed by thunder. Moments later, a faceless, human-shaped shadow materialized before him.

It wasn’t very tall, but its presence made the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

"Reporting to my Lord," it said. "Cedric Lorian has moved—he’s dispatched Secret Agent 001 to kill Zarak."

No sooner had the words reached Nolan than he opened his eyes and fixed a cold stare on the shadow.

"As expected of a cautious man," he murmured, and then gave the order. "Have Arnold intervene—prevent Secret Agent 001 from killing Zarak. That man must not die by their hands; he must die by mine..."