As Violet leaned closer to the wall, straining to catch more of what was being said in the adjoining room, she took a moment to study its interior through the narrow opening.

  Seven men were present.

  Four sat around a large circular table—three gathered on one side, with a lone figure seated opposite them. Two others stood at either side of the room, positioned like guards, silent and unmoving. Another man stood by the window, idly peering outside, his posture relaxed, almost detached from the meeting itself.

  Violet’s gaze lingered on the seated men. One of them was familiar—the same figure she had seen in the Luminous Hall. His name escaped her, but his face did not.

  At the center of the table lay several scrolls, their edges frayed with age yet carefully preserved. Despite the wear of time, the ink remained clear—clear enough for Violet to make out fragments of their contents.

  Then a voice cut through the low murmur.

  “Kyle, you informed us your people had more information on the location.”

  At the sound of the name, Violet’s memory snapped into place.

  Kyle Everstone.

  The words came from the man seated alone on the opposite side of the table, his tone measured as his gaze settled on Kyle, who sat among the other three.

  “Yes,” Kyle replied, his usual relaxed smile firmly in place. “With the help of a trusted rune master, we were able to determine the immediate area of the relic site we seek.”

  The man across from him leaned back, saying nothing—waiting. He clearly expected more.

  Silence filled the room.

  After a few seconds, Kyle continued, his expression unchanged. “With this discovery, we can finally push forward many of our plans. Many of yours as well.”

  He paused briefly. “We only felt that… our partnership has been somewhat loose as of late.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  A slight grimace flickered across his face before he smoothed it away.

  “We’ve had a strong partnership with your organization for years,” Kyle went on. “We’ve helped each other grow. And with this, we could go even further—the potential is limitless. It’s just that our lord feels you’ve taken a step back recently, and he’d appreciate a little more… weight behind this flourishing commitment.”

  He let the words hang before adding, “So he thought it best to allow you to take the front role in this matter.”

  A scoff came from the man by the window.

  The seated man smiled—thin and restrained.

  “If you’re looking to cut your losses,” he said calmly, “then just say so. We’re well aware you lost a fair number of men in your hunt for those scrolls, and your lord likely doesn’t wish to lose more.”

  He leaned forward slightly.

  “But do remind him that we have been fighting his wars. It would be unseemly for him to question our involvement simply because we haven’t been killing off our men. Not bleeding ourselves dry does not mean we haven’t done our part.”

  His smile sharpened. “Please ensure those words reach your lord.”

  “We will,” said another man seated beside Kyle. “But we’d also like to reinforce our partnership as it currently stands. This endeavor is vast. We’ve invested significant time and resources, and we’d like to ensure nothing… untoward occurs along the way.”

  The man at the window finally turned from the glass. A smirk tugged at his lips as he regarded the three Hall officials.

  “And what,” he asked, “would guarantee that you don’t lose out?”

  He lifted a wine glass, swirling its contents lazily.

  “Mind you—we stand to gain everything together. Or lose everything together. At this point, stepping back means we all lose. Most likely, we die.”

  He smiled as he finished.

  Kyle and the men beside him frowned but said nothing. After a moment, Kyle recomposed himself, his smile returning—measured now, deliberate.

  “You’re right,” he said. “Which is precisely why an oath contract needs to be signed. The one from nine years ago no longer reflects our current situation. It would be wise for both sides to cover themselves.”

  Silence followed.

  No one moved. No one spoke. All eyes shifted between the man who now stood closer to the table, wine glass in hand, and the seated figure who had yet to respond.

  Finally, the seated man spoke.

  “Very well. When does your lord propose meeting with our leader?”

  Kyle smiled.

  He reached into his robe and withdrew a thick, bound document, sliding it across the table.

  “There’s no need,” he said smoothly. “Our lord deemed the matter urgent. Before the kingdom becomes aware, it would be safer to expedite everything. Our men are already preparing to move on the relic site.”

  The seated man glanced down at the contract, then back at Kyle.

  “And if we refuse?”

  Kyle’s smile widened—less restrained now, more natural.

  “Our lord placed no constraints. He only wishes to ensure we both win. This contract is… mutually beneficial.”

  The man studied him in silence.

  Kyle already knew how this would end. It would take a few hours for the contract to reach their leaders, but by the end of the day, their plans would be in motion.

  All the preparation had been worth it.