Cherreads

Chapter 11 - The Empire’s Shield Meets Heaven’s Eye

Capital City – Royal Skygate, Morning

For the first time in 100 years, the sky over the Imperial Capital shimmered with divine pressure.

A floating palace made of sapphire metal descended.

Birds stopped midair.

Spiritual beasts cried and fled.

Even formation towers bent slightly under the weight of that divine presence.

Azure Judge Arcanis had arrived.

Clad in long flowing robes of starlight and steel, his eyes were closed—yet he could see the karma threads of every citizen below him.

He hovered calmly above the palace gates.

Then opened his mouth.

"I seek audience with the Imperial Bloodline."

Inside the Royal Hall

Chaos.

The king, Queen Mother, First Prince, and elite ministers were shaken.

Even the kingdom's spirit guards fell to one knee.

"Heaven Rank Cultivator… Why has such a being come here?"

The king gritted his teeth. "Bring out the war formations."

But even he knew—war was a joke against someone like Arcanis the Azure Judge.

Then came the shocking announcement.

"He's not attacking," a messenger panted. "He says he comes for… balance."

The royal court didn't know how to respond.

But someone else did.

Scene Shift – Yadav Clan Outer Courtyard

Priyanshu sat beside a pond, calmly throwing breadcrumbs into the water.

His mask and identity as "Raavan" hidden in his secret lair.

To his family, he was still the harmless, hopeless fourth son.

To the world, Raavan the Midnight Mask had suddenly appeared and begun pulling strings behind ancient ruins.

And to Arcanis, Raavan was the only unknown karma on the map.

System Notification:✔ Azure Judge active in capital✔ Threat Level: High✔ Suggested Strategy: Misdirect his suspicion onto another powerful figure✔ Mission Unlocked: [Frame the Crown Prince]

Objective: Convince Arcanis that the First Prince is the hidden manipulatorReward: +2,000 CP + Shadow Reputation IncreaseOptional: Remove Crown Prince from succession

Priyanshu smirked.

"The royal family has been too proud for too long."

"Let's give them someone new to blame."

Night – Shadow Operations Begin

Vaidehi was dispatched into the central archives under Moonfall Sect's public library.

She altered ancient records with invisible flame ink — changing "Royal Succession Patterns" to show cursed karma in the First Prince's bloodline.

Meera spread rumors in Southwater that a secret cult, led by a "prince," was gathering forbidden artifacts.

Ishika leaked noble documents to the palace showing suspicious funding funneled to outer sects from the royal treasury.

Each piece was small.

Unconnected.

But perfectly placed.

System Notification:

✔ Frame Operation 73% Complete✔ Crown Prince Suspicion Level: Rising✔ Azure Judge Karma Thread: Redirected by 37%✔ Total CP Gained: +700✔ Political Tension in Capital: High✔ Bonus Trigger: [Royal Court Division]

Meanwhile – Arcanis, Floating Meditation Chamber

Arcanis floated mid-air, surrounded by flickering lines of karma.

One gold thread twisted unnaturally—then frayed near the Crown Prince's aura.

"Hm…"

He reached toward the golden line.

A pulse of resistance.

A hidden interference.

He opened his eyes slightly.

"Not natural… not ordinary…"

"The prince is touched by something older than fate."

He stood.

"It seems I must meet him myself."

The Next Morning – Royal Trial Ground

Arcanis requested a one-on-one meeting with the Crown Prince — under public watch, in the Royal Spirit Arena.

An emergency audience was held.

The First Prince arrived with full royal armor, sword gleaming, confidence unshaken.

He bowed slightly. "Senior Arcanis, how may I serve Heaven's balance?"

Arcanis smiled faintly. "Let us talk."

But the moment the conversation began, Arcanis released Truth Pulse — a spiritual wave that reads intent and distorts lies.

The prince's smile twitched.

Sweat formed.

He tried to resist.

But to everyone watching… it looked like he was hiding something massive.

Nobles whispered.

Ministers frowned.

Even the King's expression changed.

Watching from the Shadows

Priyanshu stood high above on a distant temple rooftop.

Disguised as a simple monk, he watched the spectacle unfold.

System Notification:✔ Crown Prince Framed: 91%✔ Royal Family Trust Fractured✔ Azure Judge Suspicion Shifted: 78%✔ +1,200 CP Gained✔ Hidden Influence Gained: 2 Nobles secretly question succession✔ Reward Unlocked: Rare Item – [Demon Voice Pearl]

He held the black pearl in his palm.

❖ [Demon Voice Pearl] – Speak through any spiritual beast within a 5-mile radiusPassive: Create false "divine revelations"

Later That Night – Royal Family Crisis Meeting

Behind sealed palace doors, the king slammed his fist on the table.

"Why would a Heaven Rank judge believe my son is corrupted?"

No one answered.

The First Prince stood silently, pale, unable to shake off the karma fog Arcanis had triggered.

That night, nobles began recalculating their loyalty.

Whispers of rebellion stirred.

Final Scene – Dark Heaven Society Command Chamber

Priyanshu sat on his throne, mask in hand.

Anaya reported, "A minor sect in the western region has pledged loyalty. They've heard of your name—'Raavan.'"

Meera added, "Ishika is requesting to meet you again. She says she misses your voice."

Aaravi had sent a spiritual beast with a message carved in its feathers: "My claws are yours to command."

Vaidehi sent him another completed corruption scroll. Her note: "Tell me who to burn next."

He smiled.

"The Judge has descended. The royal family is collapsing."

"The throne will soon be empty…"

"And when it is…"

"Only my shadow will fill it."

More Chapters