Chapter 85: A Deadly Plot Begins
Chapter 85: A Deadly Plot Begins
Jarek Solari
An arrogant, untouchable fool with a prominent background. It was exactly the pawn he needed to shatter the fragile balance of Mirravele City.
With his primary target established, the conversation naturally shifted toward the other major event stirring the metropolis.
"Has there been any unusual movement among the three major clans recently?" Rhain asked, his tone shifting back to absolute calmness, "Have they dispatched any notable experts out of the city?"
Declan paused, his thick brows furrowing as he mentally combed through the vast network of intelligence flowing into the Gilded Sparrow.
After a moment, he shook his head.
"No," Declan replied with certainty. "As far as I know, there hasn’t been any unusual movement. None of them had sent any noticeable figure out of the Mirravele City."
Hearing this, Rhain’s dark grey irises flickered with a calculating light.
So Orion Ashvele hasn’t returned yet, or the clan is desperately suppressing the news of Hayden’s death to avoid showing weakness to their rivals.
Either way, it worked perfectly in his favor.
"Please keep any eye on the movements of all three clans, but place your primary focus strictly on the Ashvele and Solari clans." Rhain requested, "If any of these two clans suddenly mobilizes their enforcers, or if there is any sudden shift in their upper ranks, I need to know immediately."
Declan didn’t question the heavy demand. He simply gave a solemn nod.
"Consider it done. The Gilded Sparrow has eyes in places even the great clans overlook."
Through the remainder of their meeting, Rhain methodically extracted further intelligence regarding the grand event he had overheard in the commercial plaza.
In exactly two days, the Mirravele Auction House would host its grand auction.
It was unequivocally confirmed that the finale featured an Epic-Grade treasure.
The allure of such a priceless artifact had driven both the Ashvele and Solari clans into a frenzy, forcing them to aggressively liquidate their assets to gather massive funds.
Without a doubt, the highest-ranking core members of both rival families were guaranteed to be in attendance.
It was the perfect stage.
Having delivered the crucial intelligence, Declan slowly stood up from his velvet cushion.
"You two have traveled a long way from the Greymist Town," Declan said, his tone returning to that of a gracious host. "You must be exhausted from the journey."
He gave a polite nod to both Rhain and Seris.
"Take a rest here for now and enjoy the delicacies. I will personally have my attendants prepare one of our most secure private courtyards in the back for your accommodation. No one will dare to bother you there."
Declan turned and quietly left the room.
The door clicked shut behind him. And the silence returned, undisturbed.
Rhain looked at Declan’s back until he disappeared, and then his gaze drifted toward the steaming cup on the low table.
He picked it up, bringing it closer to his mouth, and sipped the remaining warm liquid.
Then, he set the cup down with a soft clink.
"Did you find something different about this tea?" Rhain asked.
Seris blinked, her hands delicately holding her own ceramic cup.
She took another small sip, letting the warmth settle into her.
She nodded. "It seems quite special. My mind... it feels very clear."
Seris set her cup down, her purple eyes fixing on him with a deepening curiosity.
"What are you planning to do, Rhain?" she asked softly.
Rhain slowly tilted his head to look at her.
"Nothing you need to worry about," he replied.
"Just wait a bit more. You’ll know what it is in a while."
Seris pouted slightly.
She definitely didn’t like being kept in the dark, but she gave a small, obedient nod anyway.
A few minutes later.
Knock. Knock.
The polite drumming against the door signaled the return of the teahouse staff.
The door opened, revealing the beautiful figure of the receptionist from the front desk.
The previous hostility had been entirely replaced by that same polite, sugary smile she wore at first.
"Esteemed guests," she greeted, her voice soft and melodious. "The courtyard has been prepared. Please, follow me."
Rhain and Seris stood up and followed her out of the room.
They walked through the elegant corridors of the Gilded Sparrow.
Along the way, the receptionist kept her head slightly bowed, stealing nervous glances at Rhain.
"I must sincerely apologize again for my earlier insolence," she murmured as they walked. "My name is Rosanna. If there is anything you require during your stay, please do not hesitate to ask me."
Rhain gave a slight nod.
He didn’t care about her earlier attitude.
It was just standard procedure for a high-end establishment.
There was no logic in holding a grudge over someone simply doing their job.
"Don’t bother," Rhain replied indifferently. "Just make sure no one disturbs the courtyard."
"O-Of course, sir!" Rosanna stammered, clearly relieved that she wasn’t going to be punished for her previous rudeness.
Eventually, they arrived at the rear of the teahouse, stepping into an enclosed, tranquil courtyard.
It was also quite spacious, and surprisingly rich in essence.
Even the tables and the main pavilion doors were carved from top-tier redwood.
Rosanna stopped at the entrance, and looked at Rhain.
"This will be your residence, esteemed guests."
Rhain swept his gaze over the layout and spoke with gratitude, "Thank you for your trouble."
Seeing that he was satisfied, Rosanna visibly relaxed.
"Then, I will leave you to settle and relax now. Have a pleasant evening, esteemed guests."
She didn’t waste words.
She backed away three steps, bowed one last time, and then left.
Rhain let his gaze move slowly, capturing the details calmly.
Beside him, however, Seris was very quiet.
Seris looked around the elegant environment, her eyes scanning the layout.
But as her gaze drifted toward the main pavilion, a sudden, delicate flush of pink crept up her neck.
Her mind wandered to a very specific, troubling detail.
This was a private courtyard... did that mean they would have to share the same room?
She bit her soft pink lip, stealing a shy, nervous glance at Rhain’s broad back.
She absolutely did not mind being close to him.
In fact, she felt safer by his side than anywhere else in the world.
But the thought of sharing a single bedchamber with him made her heart race uncontrollably.
Rhain, entirely oblivious to the chaotic thoughts swirling in her head, stepped forward and pushed open the beautifully carved redwood doors of the main pavilion.
Inside, it was exceptionally spacious.
More importantly, there was a grand central hall that branched off into three separate, luxurious bedchambers.
Seeing the multiple doors, Seris let out a quiet, imperceptible sigh of relief.
Though, deep down in her heart, a tiny, illogical trace of disappointment flashed for a brief second.
"Pick whichever room you like," Rhain said, glancing back at her. "Rest well today."
"Okay," Seris nodded obediently.
She gave him a sweet smile. "You rest well too, Rhain."
Rhain watched her door close before turning and walking into the chamber on the far right.
The room was lavishly decorated, furnished with a massive, comfortable bed draped in muslin silk.
He walked over and unceremoniously dropped himself onto the bed.
The mattress sagged beneath him, pressing around his body, convincing him to stay put and finally sleep.
He leaned back, resting his head against the pillows, and stared at the intricately carved wooden ceiling.
The silence of the room allowed his mind to spin rapidly.
’If I want to protect everyone, I have to take my actions fast."
A flash of light materialized over his palm.
Rhain sat up slightly, looking at the object now resting in his hand.
It was the Epic-Grade artifact: Faceless Emperor Mask.
Rhain stared at the blank, white surface of the mask.
This was the ultimate tool for his plan.
His eyes grew darker, and terrifying.
Slowly, a devilish grin stretched across Rhain’s face.
"By the time I’m done, they won’t even know who their enemy is before they get destroyed."