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Conqueror of the Verse
By ColdLink Writer
CHAPTER XXX
Chains Within the Capital
Arc 2 – The Shadow Conspiracy
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Morning arrived quietly.
But the capital did not wake in peace.
A thin layer of tension hung over the city like an invisible fog.
People still moved through the streets.
Merchants opened their shops.
Guards patrolled the roads.
But something had changed.
The rumors had spread.
A monster outside the capital.
A destroyed battlefield.
The involvement of a forbidden organization.
And most importantly—
Two unknown individuals who had defeated everything.
No one knew their names.
No one knew their origins.
But whispers had already begun.
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The Holy Guard Headquarters
Inside the heavily guarded stone fortress at the center of the capital—
Everything was controlled.
Structured.
Precise.
But beneath that order…
There was unease.
Captain Darius Valen stood near a large window overlooking the training courtyard.
Below, soldiers practiced in formation.
Swords clashed.
Commands echoed.
But Darius's attention was elsewhere.
Behind him, a senior officer spoke.
"We have confirmed the identities of the deceased."
Darius didn't turn.
"…Say it."
The officer hesitated for a moment.
Then spoke clearly.
"Two high-ranking members of Hollow Sigil."
"One confirmed as an elder-level operative."
"The second is still under investigation."
Darius's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Two elders…"
He finally turned around.
"…killed in a single night."
The officer nodded.
"Yes."
Silence filled the room.
Because that fact alone…
Changed everything.
Darius walked slowly toward the central table.
A detailed report lay open.
Drawings of the battlefield.
Descriptions of the monster.
Energy residue analysis.
He placed his hand on the table.
"…And the boy?"
The officer answered immediately.
"He has been cooperative."
"But…"
Darius looked at him.
"But?"
The officer continued carefully.
"He shows strong loyalty toward the two individuals."
Darius exhaled quietly.
"That is expected."
He paused.
Then his voice grew colder.
"Which means he is either telling the truth…"
"…or protecting something dangerous."
---
Arin
Inside a smaller chamber—
Arin sat alone again.
But this time…
There was someone else with him.
A guard stood near the door.
Watching.
Not speaking.
Arin didn't look at him.
He held a wooden training sword in his hands.
His fingers tightened slightly around the grip.
His thoughts were restless.
He replayed everything again.
The battle.
The monster.
The power.
Kashihero standing alone against overwhelming enemies.
Lucas smiling even in the middle of chaos.
Arin lowered his head slightly.
"…I'm still weak."
The words felt heavy.
But they were true.
He had done nothing.
He had only watched.
Only survived.
And now—
He was trapped.
Arin looked up slowly.
The guard by the door noticed.
"What?"
Arin shook his head.
"…Nothing."
But inside his mind—
A decision was forming.
---
Outside the Capital
Far beyond the walls—
Deep within the forest—
Lucas stretched lazily.
"…Morning already?"
Sunlight filtered through the trees.
The forest looked calm.
Peaceful.
As if nothing had happened the night before.
But that illusion didn't last long.
Lucas glanced at Kashihero.
"You didn't sleep."
Kashihero stood near the edge of a small clearing.
His eyes were focused in the distance.
"No."
Lucas sighed.
"You really should try that sometimes."
Kashihero didn't respond.
Because his attention was elsewhere.
The capital.
Even from this distance—
He could sense movement.
Energy.
Awareness.
Lucas walked over and stood beside him.
"They're watching, aren't they?"
Kashihero nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"…Expected."
But then he smirked slightly.
"They still don't know who they're dealing with."
Kashihero's voice remained calm.
"They know enough."
Lucas glanced at him.
"…And?"
Kashihero's eyes sharpened slightly.
"They will try to use Arin."
Lucas's expression changed.
"…Yeah."
"I thought so."
Silence followed.
Because both of them understood what that meant.
Arin was no longer just a student.
He was leverage.
A connection.
A weakness.
Lucas cracked his neck slowly.
"So…"
"Do we move now?"
Kashihero shook his head.
"No."
Lucas frowned.
"…Still waiting?"
"Yes."
Kashihero turned away from the capital.
"They will act first."
Lucas stared at him for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…You're baiting them."
Kashihero didn't deny it.
---
Inside the Capital – Interrogation Hall
The door opened slowly.
Arin looked up.
Two guards entered the room.
"Stand up."
Arin didn't resist.
He stood quietly.
They escorted him through the hallway.
Stone walls.
Heavy doors.
Dim lighting.
The deeper they went—
The quieter it became.
Finally—
They reached a large chamber.
Inside—
Captain Darius stood waiting.
Arin recognized him immediately.
The man who had believed him.
The one who had taken him seriously.
Darius looked at him calmly.
"Sit."
Arin obeyed.
The guards stepped back.
But remained inside.
Watching.
Darius walked slowly around the table.
"You said they are your teachers."
Arin nodded.
"Yes."
Darius stopped in front of him.
"And you trust them."
Arin didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Darius studied him carefully.
"…Even after seeing what they can do?"
Arin's hands tightened slightly.
He remembered the battle.
The destruction.
The power.
But his answer didn't change.
"Yes."
Darius remained silent for a moment.
Then he asked quietly—
"Why?"
Arin looked up.
His eyes were steady now.
"Because…"
He paused.
"…they saved me."
The room fell silent.
Darius's gaze didn't change.
But something in his expression shifted slightly.
He turned away.
"…That is not enough."
Arin didn't respond.
Darius continued.
"Power like theirs…"
"…can destroy cities."
He looked back at Arin.
"And you still believe they are on your side?"
Arin answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Darius exhaled slowly.
"…You are either very loyal…"
"…or very naive."
Arin didn't react.
Because deep down—
He already knew the answer.
---
The Decision
Darius walked toward the window.
His thoughts were heavy.
Because this situation…
Was dangerous.
If the two unknown individuals were hostile—
The capital would not survive.
If they were allies—
Then they were the most powerful asset the kingdom had.
And right now—
The only connection to them…
Was the boy sitting behind him.
Darius spoke quietly.
"Keep him here."
The guards nodded.
"Yes, Captain."
Arin lowered his gaze slightly.
But inside—
His resolve grew stronger.
---
Back in the Forest
Lucas sighed loudly.
"…I don't like this."
Kashihero remained calm.
"That is irrelevant."
Lucas smirked slightly.
"Yeah, yeah."
He looked toward the capital again.
"They're definitely going to use him."
Kashihero nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas stretched his arms.
"So what's the move?"
Kashihero's voice remained steady.
"We let them."
Lucas froze.
"…What?"
Kashihero turned slightly.
"They will reveal their intentions."
Lucas stared at him.
"…You're serious."
Kashihero didn't respond.
But his silence was enough.
Lucas laughed quietly.
"…You're ruthless."
Kashihero's gaze didn't change.
"This is necessary."
Lucas shook his head slightly.
"Poor kid."
But even as he said that—
He knew something.
Kashihero wouldn't let Arin die.
That wasn't his way.
But he would push the situation…
As far as necessary.
---
The Hidden Movement
Inside the capital—
Not all eyes belonged to the Holy Guards.
In a narrow alley—
A figure stood in the shadows.
Watching.
Listening.
Waiting.
A black ring glimmered faintly on their finger.
Hollow Sigil.
The organization was not gone.
It had only been damaged.
And now—
It was watching the capital closely.
The figure whispered quietly.
"…The vessel is here."
Then disappeared into the darkness.
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End of Chapter XXX
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