Chapter 175: The Truth Has a Name

The headquarters of O.R.D.O. in Zenith City was an imposing complex of reinforced buildings surrounded by towering security walls and heavily armed checkpoints.

Alessandro arrived shortly after midday, accompanied by two senior representatives from Darkstar Guild.

Although his identity allowed him to pass through the initial security procedures without difficulty, the atmosphere inside the facility was considerably more serious than during his previous visits.

Uniformed officers moved through the corridors carrying classified documents, while enormous holographic displays presented information concerning ongoing investigations throughout the region.

Adrian was waiting outside a secured conference room on the seventh floor. The middle-aged man wore a dark suit beneath his O.R.D.O. identification badge, and several documents rested beneath his arm.

Upon noticing Alessandro, he immediately approached, offering a respectful handshake before directing his attention toward the two Guild representatives.

"Guildmaster Orsini, thank you for coming," Keller greeted him, his expression professional. "We’ve prepared the evidence recovered from Damian Visconti’s properties. Some of the information concerns Darkstar Guild personnel, so I believe you’ll want your representatives present during the discussion."

Alessandro shook his hand before glancing toward the conference room. "That’s precisely why I brought them, Investigator. If anyone within my Guild participated in these crimes, I intend to discover who they are. You have my full cooperation."

Keller nodded and led them inside. The spacious conference room contained a long table surrounded by several chairs, with a large holographic display occupying the far wall.

Two additional investigators were already seated, examining documents on their terminals.

As Alessandro took his place, Keller activated the display, revealing a complicated network of companies, financial accounts, and individuals connected through dozens of transactions.

"Over the past several hours, our investigators have examined records recovered from six properties associated with Damian Visconti," Keller explained, gesturing toward the display.

"Several were registered under legitimate businesses involved in logistics, property development, and private security. However, we discovered payments that cannot be explained by their ordinary commercial activities."

Alessandro studied the information carefully. He recognized several company names from conversations he’d shared with Damian over the years.

His nephew had frequently discussed investments, acquisitions, and ambitious expansion plans, and Alessandro had always assumed those ventures were legitimate.

Keller enlarged a section of the display, revealing a series of transfers between several corporate accounts.

"These transactions were routed through intermediary companies before reaching individuals connected to the assassination attempts. Some payments occurred shortly before the attacks, while others were issued afterward. The amounts and timing strongly suggest that Damian’s businesses were used to finance the operation."

One of the Darkstar representatives leaned forward, examining the highlighted accounts with growing concern.

Alessandro remained silent, studying the transactions until Keller displayed another collection of documents.

These contained communication records recovered from encrypted devices seized during the raids, including instructions concerning surveillance, transportation arrangements, and the movements of expedition survivors.

"Do you have anything directly connecting Damian to these instructions?" Alessandro asked, keeping his voice controlled despite the uneasiness building within him.

"Financial transactions are important, but I want to understand precisely what evidence establishes his personal involvement."

Keller acknowledged the question and activated a surveillance recording.

The footage showed Damian entering a private conference room accompanied by several individuals, including a man Alessandro immediately recognized.

Roland Mercer.

The Darkstar Guild logistics employee had worked within the organization’s transportation department for several years. Alessandro remembered approving reports that mentioned Mercer, although their personal interactions had been limited.

"Roland Mercer provided information concerning Guild transportation schedules and internal logistics," Keller explained as the recording continued.

"We recovered communications indicating that he supplied Damian’s associates with details they should never have possessed. Those records helped the conspirators monitor certain movements without attracting attention."

Alessandro’s expression darkened. "Mercer had access to Guild information because of his employment. If he passed confidential records to Damian, he violated his responsibilities and betrayed the organization."

Keller nodded before bringing another photograph onto the display. "The second individual is Tobias Kessler, a private security consultant connected to several companies controlled by Damian. We believe Kessler helped coordinate surveillance and operational arrangements for the hired attackers. His communications contain references to the expedition survivors and the security measures surrounding their families."

Alessandro examined Kessler’s photograph before shifting his attention toward the next file. The image displayed an older man with a composed expression, accompanied by records concerning his Awakener status.

Lucien Veyr.

"Lucien Veyr is a First Generation Awakener whose Divine Rune possesses memory-related capabilities," Keller continued.

"Our investigation indicates that he was involved in extracting information from Odhran before Odhran was killed. We are still establishing the complete sequence of events, but the communications recovered yesterday provide substantial grounds for further investigation."

Alessandro leaned backward, his expression growing increasingly troubled.

He had heard Jet mention Odhran’s murder, but seeing the evidence organized into a coherent network made the scale of Damian’s operation impossible to dismiss.

This wasn’t an impulsive decision made during a moment of anger. The transactions, surveillance arrangements, and coordinated attacks demonstrated planning that had continued over an extended period.

"How many people have you identified so far?" Alessandro asked, looking toward Keller. "And how many of them are connected to Darkstar Guild?"

Keller adjusted the display, revealing several additional names. "We have identified multiple individuals requiring investigation, although not everyone listed has been proven guilty. Mercer is currently our clearest connection to Darkstar Guild’s internal operations. We’re examining whether anyone else assisted him or knowingly ignored suspicious activities."

One of Alessandro’s representatives shifted uncomfortably. "Guildmaster, if these records are accurate, Mercer may have exploited procedures that were never intended for external access. We should review the relevant authorization records immediately."

Alessandro turned toward him, his expression becoming stern. "Then begin that review today. I want every questionable authorization examined, regardless of who approved it. If someone knowingly assisted this operation, their position within Darkstar Guild will not protect them."

Keller continued presenting the evidence, including witness statements obtained during the raids.

Several detained associates had begun cooperating with investigators, providing accounts of meetings, payments, and instructions received through Damian’s intermediaries.

Their testimony had not yet been fully verified, but certain details corresponded with the recovered financial records and surveillance footage.

As the presentation continued, Alessandro found himself remembering conversations with Damian that now seemed disturbingly different.

His nephew had occasionally mentioned difficulties involving competitors, transportation contracts, and expensive security arrangements.

Alessandro had offered advice when asked, believing he was helping a young businessman navigate complicated commercial negotiations.

Had Damian been concealing criminal operations behind those conversations?

More painfully, had people trusted Damian because of his relationship with the Guildmaster of Darkstar Guild?

Alessandro finally voiced the question that had been troubling him. "Investigator Keller, did Damian use my name or my position to facilitate any of these activities?"

Keller hesitated briefly before selecting another document. "We have evidence suggesting that some of Damian’s associates referenced his family connection to you when dealing with outside parties. We haven’t established that every such reference was authorized by Damian personally, but your reputation appears to have contributed to the confidence certain individuals placed in his businesses."

Alessandro stared at the document, his jaw tightening.

He had spent decades building Darkstar Guild into a respected organization, establishing relationships with influential Awakeners and maintaining standards he expected his subordinates to uphold.

The possibility that Damian had benefited from that reputation while secretly financing murders filled him with a profound sense of disappointment.

"I never authorized him to use Darkstar Guild for anything of this nature," Alessandro stated, his voice firm. "Whatever advantages he gained from our relationship, I had no knowledge of these operations. And I will not allow my organization to become a refuge for anyone involved."

Keller inclined his head. "We understand, Guildmaster. Your cooperation will be important as the investigation continues."

Alessandro turned toward his representatives. "Contact the senior management team immediately. Establish an independent internal investigation and preserve every relevant record. Nobody is to destroy documents, alter communications, or interfere with O.R.D.O.’s inquiries. Any employee implicated in these crimes will be suspended pending investigation, and proven misconduct will be referred to the authorities."

Both representatives acknowledged his instructions and began contacting the appropriate departments.

Alessandro watched them for a moment before returning his attention to the display, where Damian’s photograph remained positioned at the center of the expanding criminal network.

The young man smiling in that photograph was the same child Alessandro had carried through the halls of his residence, the same boy he’d comforted after nightmares, and the same talented Awakener whose accomplishments had once filled him with pride.

He couldn’t reconcile those memories with the evidence before him.

Yet he couldn’t simply dismiss the evidence because it was painful.

"There’s something I still don’t understand," Alessandro admitted, looking toward Keller. "Damian had wealth, influence, and an extraordinary Divine Rune. He had opportunities most people could only dream of. Why would he risk everything for the Palladium Tree?"

Keller folded his hands across the table. "We can’t answer that conclusively until we’ve questioned him, Guildmaster. The financial incentive was enormous, but whether greed alone motivated him remains uncertain. What we can establish is that he authorized actions that resulted in innocent people being targeted."

Alessandro lowered his gaze, considering the investigator’s words. He refused to believe Damian had been born capable of such cruelty.

Somewhere between the child he’d raised and the businessman who now lay beneath armed guard, his nephew had made decisions that transformed ambition into something far more destructive.

And Alessandro wanted to know when that transformation had begun.

The meeting continued for another hour before Keller concluded the presentation. As the investigators began collecting their documents, Alessandro remained seated, studying Damian’s photograph one final time.

Eventually, he looked toward Keller.

"Investigator, I have one request," Alessandro said, his expression serious. "I understand that Damian is under O.R.D.O. custody, and I won’t interfere with the investigation. But I would like permission to visit him at the medical detention facility."

Keller paused, examining the Guildmaster carefully. "You understand that any visit would require authorization and would take place under supervision?"

Alessandro nodded without hesitation. "I understand. I don’t intend to ask him to conceal anything, and I won’t attempt to influence his testimony. I simply need to speak with him."

Keller considered the request before reaching for his communication device. "I’ll contact the supervising officer and see whether a visit can be arranged once the medical team approves it."

Alessandro rose slowly from his chair, his gaze lingering on Damian’s photograph.

He had spent the afternoon discovering what his nephew had done.

Now he wanted to hear why Damian had done it.