Chapter 94: What They Found II

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: What They Found II

"Among the information we recovered were plans involving you."

Damon wasn’t surprised.

He had already expected to become a target after exposing the crystals.

Still, hearing it confirmed made things more serious.

"What kind of plans?"

"We’re still investigating the full details," Cornelius said. "But some of the plans involved making your death look like the result of the beast attacks."

Caelia’s expression changed.

Damon remained calm.

"They wanted to remove the person who discovered the crystals."

"Yes."

Damon leaned back.

"That’s reasonable."

Caelia stared at him.

"Reasonable?"

"From their perspective."

He shrugged.

"If I were them, I’d be worried too."

That earned a strange look from Caelia.

Damon smiled.

"Don’t worry. I’m not planning to cooperate."

Caelia almost laughed.

Almost.

Cornelius also allowed himself a faint smile before becoming serious again.

"Because of this, your security has been increased."

"Food, water, clothing and anything else brought into your room will be checked. The servants assigned to you have also been reviewed."

Damon nodded.

"Good."

Cornelius looked slightly surprised.

"You aren’t worried?"

"I am."

Damon answered honestly.

"But worrying doesn’t make poison less poisonous."

He leaned forward.

"So I’ll just make sure whoever tries it regrets the decision."

Caelia couldn’t help smiling.

That was Damon.

Calm enough to joke about something that could genuinely kill him.

Cornelius nodded approvingly.

"We’ll make sure you aren’t given the opportunity to deal with it alone."

Caelia then spoke.

"Father, the defenses are ready."

Cornelius turned toward her.

Caelia took out a document and placed it on the table.

"I had the defensive formations checked again. The eastern side has been reinforced, and we’ve moved several experienced elemental users closer to the inner walls."

She continued explaining the preparations.

They had reorganized patrols, assigned groups to different sections of the mansion, prepared emergency retreat routes and moved several resources into protected storage.

They had also prepared teams specifically for dealing with the stronger beasts.

Caelia had worked through most of the night to organize everything.

Damon listened quietly.

He hadn’t expected her to get so much done in such a short period.

Even Cornelius looked impressed.

"You handled all of that yourself?"

"With the others."

Caelia shook her head.

"I only organized what was needed."

Cornelius smiled.

"That’s still more than enough."

For the first time since the conversation began, some of the weight on his face disappeared.

"Thank you."

Caelia nodded.

Damon noticed it.

She had taken some of the burden from him.

That was probably what she had intended.

Cornelius looked back at Damon.

"We cannot rely on you alone."

"I know."

Damon smiled.

"But I’ll still do what I can."

His eyes were calm.

The situation had become much clearer now.

There was an enemy inside the family.

The Frostveil Expanse was getting worse.

Another beast wave was coming.

And there wasn’t much time.

Strangely, Damon felt more motivated than before.

At least now he knew what he was preparing for.

Cornelius spoke again.

"If you need anything that can help you become stronger, contact me directly."

Damon thought for a moment.

"I will."

Then he smiled.

"Although I’m not lacking anything right now."

Cornelius raised an eyebrow.

Damon lifted the storage bag Caelia had given him earlier.

"I have enough Ice cores to keep me busy."

Caelia looked at him.

"Those won’t last forever."

"Then I’ll ask when they do."

That earned a small smile from Cornelius.

"Fair enough."

He stood.

Then he looked at Caelia.

"And you."

Caelia blinked.

"Me?"

"You’re going to sleep."

"But..."

"No."

Cornelius’s voice was calm but firm.

"You’ve done enough."

Caelia opened her mouth.

Cornelius pointed toward the door.

"Go."

Damon looked at her.

"I agree with your father."

She gave him an annoyed look.

"You’re both against me now?"

"Yes."

Damon answered immediately.

Caelia sighed.

"Fine."

Cornelius shook his head with a faint smile.

"You two should leave. I still have reports coming in."

Damon stood and Caelia followed as they left the hall together.

The moment the doors closed behind them, Caelia became quiet.

They walked for a while.

Damon could see the pressure she was carrying.

She was worried about her family.

Worried about the upcoming battle.

And now she had to deal with the betrayal of someone she had trusted.

Damon finally spoke.

"Caelia."

She looked at him.

"I’m here if you need me."

Her expression softened.

"I know."

She paused.

"And... I’m sorry."

"For what?"

"This."

She looked toward the mansion.

"My family’s problems dragged you into all of this."

Damon shook his head.

"You didn’t drag me anywhere."

"But..."

"I came here because I wanted the Ice Birthground."

Caelia remembered.

Damon smiled.

"And now I have Ice cores, a new Core Spirit and a stronger reason to stay alive."

She stared at him for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"You’re really strange."

"I’ve been told."

They reached the point where they had to separate.

"Go get some sleep," Damon said.

Caelia nodded.

"You too."

Damon turned and started walking back toward his room.

The security was even tighter now.

Guards stood at every important passage, and several elemental users watched the corridors carefully.

Damon passed them without concern.

His mind was already returning to cultivation.

There was still a battle coming.

And now he knew exactly why he needed to be ready.

He wasn’t going to leave his life in someone else’s hands.

If the next wave was stronger...

Then he would become stronger too.

****

Far from the Winterbourne Mansion, the people involved in the crisis had gathered again.

The mood was much worse than before.

The Winterbourne family had survived the last tide, and everyone in this room knew exactly why.

One man.

Damon.

And now the reports coming in were causing the same frustration all over again.

"The open Ice Birthground was supposed to be their opportunity."

The leader slammed his hand against the table.

Bang!

"We had everything prepared."

Nobody answered.

They had been excited when they heard that the Winterbourne family was opening the Ice Birthground again.

They didn’t even need to make use of Damon yet. And everything was already moving in their favor.