The obsidian throne room was silent.
Again.
Only this time, the silence was heavier. More fragile.
Aserion Voss sat reclined, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of crimson wine in hand. His expression was unreadable—half shadow, half smile.
Kael stood at his post, motionless in the background like a statue carved from night.
But inside, his thoughts raced.
> [Skill Active: Whisper in the Thread – 0:53 remaining]
Target: Aserion Voss
Influence Level: Low
Emotional Susceptibility: Neutral
Suggested Direction: "Doubt Merik."
Caution: High risk, high reward.
He waited.
Then the doors opened.
Lady Syrene entered.
She walked briskly, robe flowing like storm-tossed silk, scroll in hand and fire in her gaze.
"My Lord," she said, voice respectful but urgent. "I bring news that demands your attention."
Aserion glanced at her. "So intense, so early. What a rare thing."
Syrene stepped forward, placing the parchment on the table near his throne.
"Read the fifth paragraph," she said. "It concerns Chancellor Merik."
Kael felt the world slow.
He had rewritten that line with Echo of Ink. A false thread, woven in shadow. And now—
Aserion's eyes skimmed the page.
A pause.
Then a soft, dangerous chuckle.
> "Merik… in talks with the Outer Clans?"
His fingers tapped the stem of his wineglass.
"That's… ambitious of him."
Syrene hesitated. "If this is true, it may explain the border collapses. The missing scouts. His hesitation in recent councils."
Kael focused, narrowing his will.
> [Whisper in the Thread: Influence nudged]
Target's internal monologue shifted: "Would Merik betray me this early…? He has the ambition, yes. But the means?"
Influence Success Rate: 43% → 58%
Aserion leaned back.
"Summon Merik," he said coldly. "Tonight. No one else."
Syrene's eyes widened. "You intend to confront him?"
"No," Aserion replied, swirling his wine slowly. "I intend to watch him lie."
Kael's breath slowed.
This didn't happen in the original timeline.
Back then, Aserion had ignored Merik's schemes until it was too late. That mistake had cost him five provinces.
But now?
Kael had just rewritten the course of a war.
And no one even knew his name.
> [Quest Update: First Major Divergence Achieved]
Timeline Shift: Chancellor Merik will now be monitored.
Reward: +200 Shadow Points
Bonus Skill Gained: Threadreader
— View minor fluctuations in timeline events caused by your actions.
Cooldown: 48 hours
> Current SP: 410 / 500
Next Evolution: Shadow Form I – Phantom Veil
Kael's lips twitched. Not a smile—just… the edge of one.
He was getting closer.
---
Later that night…
A shadow moved through the upper palace corridors.
It wasn't Kael.
It was someone else.
A figure cloaked in lightless silk, moving past guards unnoticed, unseen. Watching the throne room. Watching Kael.
Eyes narrowed behind a white porcelain mask.
"Someone's pulling strings behind the veil…" the figure whispered.
"But they're not the only one."
---