My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

"The kidnapping of young Godric is a great tragedy. One we will never forget. One we will never forgive."

A noble finished his short speech before stepping away from the podium.

It was a well-known fact. Godric Ravenscroft was the great-grandson of the current Grand Duke of House Ravenscroft, one of the Four Great Houses. He was also the great-grandson of House Hightower, another of the Four Great Houses.

His kidnapping was more than the disappearance of a child.

It was a slap in the face of two Great Houses.

And because it happened within the capital itself, it was also a slap in the face of the Imperial Family.

Whoever had done this possessed not only power but an incredible amount of audacity. To act without concern for offending so many powerful forces at once was madness.

Every resource available to the Empire would be dedicated to finding the missing child.

The Empire could not allow such a thing.

Especially not during wartime.

The gathering itself wasn’t a ball. The atmosphere was far too grim for that.

Still, Damon recognized many of the faces present.

Prominent nobles.

Military commanders.

Influential merchants.

Representatives from powerful organizations.

Even the Temple had sent priests and diviners.

Even more members of the Imperial Court had arrived.

Groups stood together speaking in hushed voices while servants moved quietly between them carrying drinks no one seemed particularly interested in. The mood was tense. Somber. Dark. It left a bitter taste in Damon’s mouth.

Everyone understood the implications.

If someone could take a child protected by the Ravenscrofts and Hightowers, then nobody’s family was truly safe.

His grandfather was outraged. After all, if someone could take Godric, who was next? Was it young Ranar?

Never.

This problem had to be nipped in the bud and eviscerated before it could happen again.

Damon stood among them wearing an expression of solemn concern. His posture was relaxed, his hands resting behind his back as he listened alongside everyone else.

An expression that came disturbingly easy.

The next person called to the podium caused much of the room to quiet down.

Princess Abellona.

The Imperial Princess herself.

She stepped forward with measured grace. Her long flowing dress trailed behind her as she ascended the platform, her footsteps soft against the polished floor. Conversations died almost instantly. Heads turned. Voices vanished. Even the servants seemed to move more carefully in her presence.

Every eye settled upon her.

She wore a serious expression.

No smile.

No warmth.

Only cold determination and the perfected excellence expected of Imperial royalty.

The bright lights above reflected softly against her dark hair as she placed both hands upon the podium and surveyed the room. Her gaze swept across nobles, generals, knights, Templars, merchants, and guests alike, lingering just long enough on each person to make them feel seen.

For a brief moment it felt as though she was judging each individual personally.

Then she began.

"Today, we gather not merely because a child has gone missing."

Her clear voice carried effortlessly through the hall.

"We gather because an attack has been made against every family within this Empire."

The room remained silent.

"Some believe this matter concerns only House Ravenscroft. Others believe it concerns House Hightower."

She slowly shook her head.

"They are mistaken."

Her eyes hardened.

"If an enemy can reach into the heart of our capital and steal a child from two of the Four Great Houses, then they are sending a message to every citizen beneath our banner."

The Princess allowed those words to settle over the crowd.

"That message is simple."

Her voice lowered slightly.

"You are not safe. Your children are not safe."

A murmur spread through the audience.

Abellona did not stop.

"Therefore, we shall answer with a message of our own."

The air itself seemed to tighten around her. Even without releasing her aura, there was pressure in her words.

"The Empire does not forget."

"We do not forgive."

"And we do not stop."

A wave of approval rippled through the hall. Some nodded. Others clenched their fists. Even seasoned knights unconsciously straightened their backs.

"Every investigator, every intelligence network, every military resource available to the Crown will be deployed."

Her eyes swept across the gathering once more.

"Whether this culprit hides among men, monsters, foreign nations, secret organizations, or even among the nobility themselves."

Her gaze lingered briefly upon the crowd.

Long enough to make several people uncomfortable.

"We will find them."

Damon felt a strange sensation.

The words weren’t directed at him.

Yet somehow they felt personal.

Surely he wasn’t a suspect.

He hadn’t even been around for two years.

Still...

It was a strange coincidence.

The very night he returned, a baby was kidnapped.

"The individual responsible for this crime should understand something."

Abellona’s voice became colder.

"Whatever reason they had."

"Whatever justification they tell themselves."

"Whatever noble intentions they pretend to possess."

"It changes nothing."

The hall grew utterly silent.

"A child was stolen from his mother."

For just a second genuine anger flashed across her face.

It wasn’t political outrage crafted for the masses.

Nor was it a carefully rehearsed public expression.

It was real anger.

After all, Emilia was her friend.

"Until Godric Ravenscroft is returned safely, this matter will not end."

Thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

Nobles rose from their seats.

Knights struck fists against their armor.

Voices filled the room.

Damon joined them.

He clapped as well.

Calmly.

Perfectly.

Yet as he watched Princess Abellona step away from the podium, he couldn’t help but wonder.

If she ever learned the truth...

Would she still look at him the same way?

Or would she be standing at the head of the army sent to destroy him?

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly stopped.

The applause slowly died down as she turned back toward the magical voice broadcaster. Her gaze swept across the crowd before landing directly on Damon.

The moment their eyes met, a terrible feeling settled in his stomach.

Then she spoke.

"I’m sure the Empire’s hero and dragon slayer, Damon Grey, would like to say a few words."

Damon felt his blood run cold.

Of all the times he did not want attention, this was one of them.

He had intended to come and leave quietly without saying or doing anything memorable.

After all...

He was the one who had Godric.

The crowd immediately erupted into applause before he had even moved. Some smiled toward him. Others nodded respectfully. A few looked relieved that someone like Damon Grey was personally involved.

Damon sat frozen for a brief second before forcing himself to rise.

He couldn’t exactly shake his head and refuse.

Not here.

Not now.

Not with everyone watching.

Xander was a member of his party and a close friend. They were brothers-in-arms. Godric was practically his nephew in the eyes of the Empire.

Refusing would look strange.

Far stranger than accepting.

The applause continued as Damon slowly made his way through the crowd. Nobles stepped aside to give him room. Knights saluted him. Several younger nobles looked at him with admiration.

Every step toward the podium felt heavier than the last.

By the time he reached the stairs leading up to the stage, the applause had become deafening.

Damon climbed the steps.

Then he walked toward the podium.