The chamber stood silent as the session began.
The first to step forward was one of the King's advisors—
A mage.
Merlin.
She glanced at the tablet in her hand before speaking, her voice calm and composed.
"As of today, there have been over twenty-five reported killings."
A faint shift passed through the room.
"The deceased include… Enzo Von Astrael, Kent Vale… and several others of high influence."
This time, the reaction was visible.
Not loud—
But heavy.
Grief.
Even among the dukes.
Because Enzo wasn't just another noble.
He was cheerful. Lively. The kind of person who made even the battlefield feel lighter.
Many of them had fought beside him.
Many had laughed with him.
And now—
He was gone.
Slowly, their gazes shifted.
Toward the throne.
Toward Xenovar.
Because everyone knew—
Out of all of them, he was the one who had held the most pride for Enzo.
To the outside world, the King remained calm.
Unshaken.
Unmoved.
But the dukes present—
They knew better.
He was holding it in.
Barely.
"…Continue."
His voice cut through the silence.
Cold.
Sharp.
Merlin didn't hesitate.
"After thorough investigation, we have reached a conclusion."
A pause.
"These killings are the work of a vigilante group… known as Paradox."
The name settled over the room.
No confusion.
Only recognition.
Everyone present knew who they were.
The group of eight.
A force that had once shaken kingdoms.
Merlin's eyes hardened slightly as she continued.
"We believe the recent deaths were carried out by one of their members…"
A brief pause.
"…Jester."
Silence followed.
But this time—
It wasn't just tension.
It was unease.
Because if Jester was involved—
Then this was only the beginning.
Merlin's voice remained steady.
"Jester."
A few in the room stiffened at the name.
"Rank—SS+."
That alone was enough to shift the atmosphere.
"As of now, we have no confirmed information regarding his true identity… or his objective."
She glanced briefly at her tablet.
"All known records have either been erased… or never existed to begin with."
A quiet unease spread.
"All we know—"
Her gaze lifted again.
"—is that he is a psychotic individual, specializing in manipulation and illusion-based abilities."
She paused.
"He does not engage in direct combat unless necessary."
"He plays with his targets… breaks them… and then kills them."
The room grew colder.
"We believe he was one of the original members of Paradox… present during the incident twenty years ago."
A few of the older figures frowned.
That confirmed it.
This wasn't coincidence.
This was deliberate.
Calculated.
Merlin continued.
"We have limited data on the other members of Paradox."
She scrolled slightly.
"Nephius Lockheart. Rank—SS+."
A subtle shift passed through the room.
"A swordswoman specializing in both light and darkness affinities."
"Most of us here… have witnessed her power twenty years ago."
Silence followed. Heavier this time.
"Next—Alyssa Von Straven. Rank—SS+."
"Information is scarce. She was once a mage affiliated with the Darkness Magic Tower."
Before Merlin could continue—
A voice cut in.
Cold.
Sharp.
"She is one of our responsibilities."
All eyes turned.
An older mage stood among the council—white hair, robes marked with the crest of House Desmund.
"…She is a traitor to humanity."
The reaction was immediate.
Not spoken—
But seen.
Eyes narrowed.
Expressions hardened.
Disdain.
The Desmund name carried weight—
But not respect.
Everyone knew the kind of things they did behind closed doors.
Merlin continued without acknowledging the tension.
"Next—Sephyrin. A high elf."
"We have little information on him as well. We believe he is an SS-rank mage."
A few glanced toward the elven representatives.
"The Elven Kingdom has claimed responsibility for him."
That, at least, was expected.
Then—
Merlin's tone shifted slightly.
"The remaining three members… we have no data on."
A pause.
"And the final individual—"
Her grip on the tablet tightened just a fraction.
"…we believe to be the leader of Paradox."
"No confirmed appearances."
"No records."
"No sightings."
Silence fell over the chamber.
Because that—
Was the most dangerous part.
A leader strong enough to command monsters like these—
Yet completely unseen.
Xenovar finally spoke.
"Disgusting."
His voice was sharp. Harsh.
"Even after twenty years… this is all we have?"
The pressure in the room spiked instantly. Several figures stiffened, none daring to respond.
Merlin lowered her gaze slightly.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. Paradox has always been—"
"Enough."
His voice cut through her words without effort.
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"Merlin."
She straightened immediately.
"Send out the order. Activate the Astrael Shield."
A few eyes widened at that.
An ancient construct—created during the Dark Ages by the engineer Octavion. A defensive system meant to protect entire regions from large-scale threats.
To activate it now—
Meant he wanted no members of paradox to leave this kingdom without him knowing.
"Also," Xenovar continued, his tone unwavering, "notify all allied kingdoms. Any sightings of Paradox members are to be reported immediately."
Merlin nodded. "Understood."
Then—
His gaze shifted.
Colder.
Darker.
"The Reaper Squad."
The doors behind the chamber opened.
Silently.
Ten figures stepped in.
Black cloaks.
Masked faces.
No presence.
No sound.
They moved forward as one—
Then dropped to one knee.
"Your command, Your Majesty."
Xenovar looked down at them.
"Search everything."
His voice lowered.
Deadly.
"Every city. Every town. Every shadow."
A pause.
"…Find them."
"And report back to me."
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
The ten figures bowed their heads.
"As you command."
And in the next moment—
They vanished.
No sound.
No trace.
Gone.