Chapter 350: The Sword’s Decree

The heavy silence in the council chamber was deafening. The memory projection faded, leaving only the lingering, suffocating pressure of the Family Head’s displeasure.

Kael stood perfectly still, his hands clasped behind his back. He allowed the silence to stretch for a moment before he spoke, his voice calm.

"Family Head, Elders," Kael said, drawing their attention. "While Sebastian’s actions are undeniable, I find it hard to believe he orchestrated this alone. He was always a follower, not a leader. Sebastian and Marcus were exceptionally close. Given Marcus’s history of hostility toward me and his deep connections within the family, I suggest we investigate Marcus’s involvement rather than assuming Sebastian acted on his own initiative."

SLAM!

Ursula’s palm struck the armrest of her seat, the sound echoing like a thunderclap. Her face contorted with fury, her eyes blazing with barely restrained killing intent.

"Absurd!" Ursula spat, her voice shrill. "You dare stand before this council and slander my son? You are using this unfortunate incident to settle old scores and undermine my children, you wretched little—"

"Lady Ursula," Kael interrupted smoothly, his tone polite but carrying a razor’s edge. "Marcus’s history of hiring assassins to kill me makes the connection worth investigating. Caution is not the same as conviction. If he is innocent, the investigation will prove it. Unless... you have a reason to fear the truth?"

Ursula’s face turned purple with rage, but before she could retort, a heavy Tap. Tap. echoed from the throne.

The Family Head leaned forward, his ancient eyes shifting from Kael to Ursula, and then to the council.

"If Kael brings Sebastian back alive," the Family Head announced, his voice carrying absolute authority, "he will be promoted directly to the rank of Sword."

Gasps echoed through the chamber. Whoosh! The elders erupted into frantic protests, their voices overlapping in a chaotic mess.

"Preposterous! A Shadow jumping directly to Sword?"

"He has only just returned! The hierarchy must be respected!"

"This is an insult to the established commanders!"

BOOM!

The Family Head’s aura crashed down once more, instantly silencing the room. The elders winced, clutching their chests as the gravity pressed them into their seats.

"A Sword is judged by capability and results," the Family Head stated coldly, his gaze sweeping over the terrified elders. "Not by seniority alone. If he succeeds, he earns the position."

He then turned his gaze to the Vice Family Head, Greyson, who sat beside his wife, Lady Vanya.

"Greyson," the Family Head commanded. "You will open a discreet investigation into Marcus. I want to know every move he has made in the past six months."

Greyson bowed his head, his expression unreadable. "As you command, Family Head."

Kael smirked internally. The Swords. One of the highest military commanders of the family. Victor, Marcus, Thalia, Felix, and four others from the branch families. Some of them were Peak Spirit Soul realm cultivators, with others having touched the Origin Realm. They were the family’s ultimate weapons for missions, and he was about to be thrust into their ranks.

"You have one week to prepare," the Family Head said, his eyes locking onto Kael. "Leave immediately."

Kael bowed. "By your will."

He turned and walked out of the council chamber. As the heavy doors CREEEAKED shut behind him, Ursula watched his retreating back. A cold realization dawned on her. Her attempt to weaken Kael, to have him accused and stripped of his resources, had completely backfired. She had just handed him the authority to investigate her own faction.

Later that day, Kael stood in his mansion, fastening the straps of his combat robes. The Shadow Slayer blades rested comfortably on his hips, humming with anticipation.

Click. Click.

Sophie walked into the room, her expression laced with worry. She reached out, gently grabbing his arm.

"Kael," Sophie warned, her voice soft. "The Family Head’s promise of a direct Sword promotion will make you a massive target. Some of the existing Swords will consider this an insult to the established hierarchy. They won’t just sit back and watch you rise."

Kael turned to her, his silver-flecked eyes glinting with amusement. He gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her lip. "Sophie love, I have never been particularly interested in making insecure people comfortable."

He kissed her forehead before stepping back. "I need to go."

Kael made his way to the medical wing. He stopped in front of a massive, glowing stasis pod. Inside, suspended in a blue, bubbling fluid, was Isabella. Her eyes were closed, her face peaceful, but her chest rose and fell with mechanical rhythm.

Thud.

Kael placed his hand flat against the cold glass, his jaw tightening.

"I’ll bring you back, Isabella," he whispered, his voice a dark promise. "Even if I have to tear the Sebastian’s soul apart piece by piece. I swear it."

He turned away, his resolve hardening into unyielding steel.

Starfall City.

Whoosh!

The spatial portal flared with silver light as Kael stepped out onto the arrival platform of Starfall City. The dense, mana-rich air of his territory washed over them.

"My Lord! Welcome back!" Gerard, his mid Spirit Soul butler, hurried forward, bowing deeply. "We are honored by your return."

Kael nodded. "You have a long report to give me, Gerard."

As they walked through the city, Gerard quickly summarized the state of the territory. "Lira has perfectly maintained Starfall City’s administration in your absence. Aldric continues to oversee Greymoor City and its Emerald Valley, and Commander Vyra has kept the Fourth Pillar Knight Squadron in top shape. The portal infrastructure has expanded, and the Starfall Iron vein continues to generate immense revenue."

They passed by the alchemy district, where the thick scent of herbs filled the air. Kelvin Henderson was waiting outside his workshop, a wide grin on his face. "My Lord! Welcome back.

The production lines are running smoothly. The comprehension pills and body-refining medicines are being distributed exactly as you ordered."

Kael acknowledged him with a nod before heading toward the edge of the city. There, situated in a secure, walled compound, was the orphanage.

THWACK! THUD!

Inside the training yard, dozens of children—the Shadow Hounds—were sparring. They moved with lethal precision, their eyes sharp and focused.

Kael observed them for a moment before turning to the instructors. "Listen closely," he commanded. "Their training needs to shift. I want you to prioritize observation, coded communication, and survival skills over reckless combat. They are my eyes and ears, not just blades. If they die in a foolish charge, they are useless to me."

The instructors bowed quickly. "Yes, Lord Kael!"

Kael turned to Gerard. "Gerard, I need you to check on the Moonveil Fox Clan for me. See how Sage and Rue are doing. Ensure Rue’s recovery is progressing."

Gerard nodded immediately. "Of course, my Lord. However, the Moonveil Clan is in the Lunaris Galaxy in the Western Universe. Reaching them could require more than three weeks of travel. I will send a message through our established trade and communication channels first to inform them of your return."

Kael thought for a moment. "Do that. But also prepare a spatial ship. If Rue’s condition is worse than we think, I want to be able to get there myself." He paused, his eyes narrowing with cold calculation. "And since the Shadow Hounds are now spread across multiple planets, they can help me search for Sebastian too. Tell them to keep their ears to the ground. I want to know the moment anyone spots a Vorn with a desperate look and an annoying face."

Gerard placed a hand over his heart as he chuckled. "It shall be done, my Lord."

Kael looked out over his city, the gears of his mind turning. The hunt for Sebastian was about to begin.

End of Arc 3: Legacies Unbound.

Dear Readers,

Wow. What a journey Arc 3 has been.

When we started this arc, Kael was stepping into the Verenthian Void Realm, a young man chasing power and a Heavenly Flame. He walked out a completely different being. We witnessed his brutal torture at the hands of the House of Crimson, the agonizing birth of his dual bloodlines, and the shattering revelation of his true heritage. He is no longer just the sixth son of the Vorn family. He is Kael Cassian Astraeon, the son of the Prince of Darkness, and the rightful heir to a legacy of ashes.

We’ve seen the political board shift. The Family Head has named his price, the Swords are sharpening their blades in jealousy, and Ursula’s schemes have finally backfired. The Shadow Vatican is moving in the dark, and Kael is about to step out of the shadows and into the light of absolute authority.

But this is where the fairy tale ends and the true war begins.

Welcome toArc 4: A Crown Forged in Grief

I need to warn you, my dear readers: this arc will not be an easy ride. Kael will conquer, yes. He will take territories, crush his enemies, and forge his own empire. But victory has a price. The path of a Sovereign is paved with thorns. There will be losses. Heartbreaking, gut-wrenching losses that will test Kael’s resolve and push him to the very brink of the madness lurking within his Asura bloodline. Not everyone will survive the coming storm.

The hunt for Sebastian is just the beginning. The real monsters are waking up, and the Thirteen Worlds will tremble.

Thank you for sticking with Kael through the darkness. Now, let’s see if he can rule it.

Turn the page. A Crown Forged in Grief awaits.

— Your Author