Chapter 225 — Not Important

Chapter 225: Chapter 225 — Not Important

Chapter 225 — Not Important

Far away from Victor, while he descended through the Tower in the elevator, another figure walked through a dim hallway.

A snake mask concealed his face.

Despite the steady pace of his footsteps, there was a tension in his movements he couldn’t completely hide. His shoulders were stiff, his eyes tight with unease.

Snake Mask never enjoyed these meetings.

There were few people who could make him genuinely uncomfortable simply by being in the same room.

The Chancellor was one of them.

His presence alone was intimidating.

But refusing his commands was far more terrifying.

Snake Mask eventually stopped before a closed door. He hesitated for only a moment before raising his hand.

Knock. Knock.

A voice came from inside.

"You may enter."

Snake Mask opened the door.

The moment he stepped inside, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

The person before him wore a tiger mask.

"Chancellor. I’ve come to report my findings."

"Go ahead."

Snake Mask kept his gaze lowered.

"Our suspicions about Victor are no longer just suspicions."

The Chancellor remained silent.

"Victor was seen speaking with two Shadow Foxes. From what we observed, it seemed he knew them somehow. More importantly, he knew what they were."

Snake Mask paused.

"As you already know, Shadow Foxes only exist within the Sanctuary. Whatever excuse Victor gives for recognizing them, this gives us far stronger evidence that he was inside."

For several seconds, there was no response.

"Interesting," the Chancellor finally said.

Snake Mask waited.

"What else?"

"We’ve gathered more information through our network."

Snake Mask still didn’t dare raise his head.

"Victor’s martial ability is abnormal for his age. His fundamentals are nearly impeccable. From the way he fights, you’d think he’d experienced hundreds of battles and spent years honing his skills."

The Chancellor listened quietly.

"Even without techniques, his combat ability is beyond what someone his age should possess."

Snake Mask’s eyes narrowed behind his mask.

"At this point, I don’t believe Victor merely entered the Sanctuary. I believe someone there specifically trained him."

"Hmm."

"And then there’s his alchemy," Snake Mask continued. "According to the information we’ve gathered from the Elite Alchemy Class, he’s easily among the best students there. He deliberately holds back and tries not to draw too much attention, but even when he isn’t trying, his performance is leagues above most of the others."

The Chancellor was quiet for a moment.

"That is interesting."

Snake Mask waited.

"It seems the boy is hiding far more secrets than he originally let on."

"Yes, Chancellor."

Snake Mask finally raised his eyes slightly, though he still avoided looking directly at the man.

"I believe his connection to the Sanctuary goes much deeper than he’s admitting."

A thought had been sitting in Snake Mask’s mind for some time.

"Actually, I believe it would be wise to acquire some collateral."

The Chancellor’s attention shifted toward him.

"I hear Victor has a wife. A woman who appeared shortly after he returned."

Snake Mask’s eyes sharpened.

"She may also be connected to the Sanctuary."

He paused.

"We could abduct her and use her to force Victor to give us information."

Silence filled the room.

The Chancellor looked down at him.

"Snake Mask."

The tone alone made Snake Mask’s body stiffen.

"You need to watch yourself."

Snake Mask immediately lowered his head again.

"You enjoy playing with fire. I’ve noticed it for quite some time."

The Chancellor’s voice remained calm.

"You like having fun with things when you should be taking them seriously."

Snake Mask didn’t respond.

"We have plans in motion."

The pressure in the room seemed to grow heavier.

"Whether Victor came from the Sanctuary or whether he’s hiding secrets is irrelevant to our current objectives."

The Chancellor leaned back.

"If anything, interfering with him now could disrupt our plans. It’s better to let the boy chase his goose and leave him alone for now."

Snake Mask remained on one knee.

"Once our plan is complete, then we can concern ourselves with Victor."

"Yes, Chancellor."

Snake Mask bowed his head lower.

"My apologies for suggesting it."

"No."

The Chancellor’s voice softened slightly.

"Your idea isn’t bad."

Snake Mask remained still.

"But we cannot allow anything to interfere with what we’ve prepared."

A faint smile appeared on the Chancellor’s face.

"We’re almost ready."

Snake Mask listened carefully.

"And before long, this entire Tower will belong to us."

The smile widened.

"Once the Tower is ours, it’ll only be a matter of time before the Sanctuary falls as well."

The Chancellor’s eyes gleamed.

"The Evil God will reign."

Snake Mask bowed.

"Yes, Chancellor."

"Good."

The Chancellor waved a hand.

"Now be gone."

"Yes."

Snake Mask immediately rose, bowed once more, and left the room.

The door closed behind him.

Silence returned.

The Chancellor remained seated, contemplating everything he’d just heard.

A slow smile appeared on the Chancellor’s face.

"The boy is interesting..."

He leaned back in his chair.

"But not important."

Outside, Snake Mask continued through the hallway.

His footsteps remained controlled, his posture straight and respectful even though there was no longer anyone around to see it.

But his right hand slowly tightened.

His fingers curled into his palm.

Until blood appeared.

A few crimson drops struck the floor behind him as he walked.

There was only one thing on his mind.

Victor.

If he could uncover the boy’s secrets—if he could learn what Victor knew and somehow find a way into the Sanctuary—then perhaps the questions that had plagued him for so long would finally be answered.

Perhaps his desires would finally be within reach.

He wouldn’t have to remain beneath the Chancellor forever. He wouldn’t have to keep bowing his head to a man who held their lives in his hands simply because the Evil God had granted him greater power.

The Chancellor was simply too powerful.

For now.

No one beneath him could openly go against him. Snake Mask understood that better than most.

But Victor...

Victor was different.

His bleeding fist tightened once more.

Snake Mask wasn’t giving up on him simply because the Chancellor had ordered him to leave Victor alone. He would just have to be more careful.

Find another way to learn what he needed.

And make sure no one caught him doing it.

Snake Mask had never been afraid of death.

But he knew when to hold his tongue.

He knew when to bow his head.

And he knew when to show people the face they expected to see.

A smile slowly formed beneath the mask.

Only his eyes betrayed it, narrowing into thin crescents.

"Oh, Victor..."

His voice echoed softly through the empty hall.

"Just wait."