Chapter 363: The Starless Grave

The heavy silence in the council chamber was suffocating.

Vice Family Head Greyson stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "Family Head, we have thoroughly investigated Marcus’s communications and financial records. While there is evidence of his usual underhanded tactics and political maneuvering, there is no direct connection linking him to Sebastian’s betrayal or the House of Crimson."

Sigh. Ursula let out a quiet, trembling breath of relief, the tension draining from her shoulders. She shot a triumphant, venomous glare at Kael.

Kael clicked his tongue softly. Tch. He wasn’t surprised. Marcus was a brute, but he wasn’t foolish enough to leave a paper trail leading to an enemy of the universe. He would just have to deal with Marcus another way.

The Family Head nodded slowly. "Then Marcus remains above suspicion for now. However," his voice hardened as his ancient eyes simply shifted toward the Churchill representative, Lord Reginald, who was still sweating profusely., "the Churchill family head will also be investigated. Until they are cleared, the Churchills are cut out of the council and stripped of their voting rights. If I find they aided Sebastian knowingly, their entire bloodline will be purged."

A wave of cold dread washed over the elders.

Lord Reginald’s jaw dropped. "Family Head, please! We had nothing to do with this! I assure you—"

Tap. Tap.

The Family Head’s fingers drummed against the armrest, and the elder’s voice died in his throat. He bowed his head, trembling, and retreated to the far end of the room.

The Family Head then turned his ancient eyes to Kael. "As promised, Kael Cassian Vorn, you are hereby promoted to the ranks of the Swords."

Whoosh. The elders stirred, a mix of awe and resentment filling the room. A Shadow jumping straight to Sword was unprecedented bypassing years of required military service and political maneuvering.

"Furthermore," the Family Head continued, raising his hand to silence them. "Diana Vorn is also promoted to the rank of Sword."

The whispers grew louder. Diana Vorn, the second child and daughter of Greyson and Lady Vanya, had just completed a grueling, nigh-impossible mission at the Peak Spirit Soul realm, securing a vital resource planet from a swarm of dungeon beasts and also completed a brutal campaign against the star-devouring leviathans on the fringe worlds.

Greyson bowed deeply, a flicker of pride in his eyes. "Thank you, Family Head. I will ensure she is prepared for her new duties."

"Greyson, you will focus your resources on helping Diana reach the Origin Realm," the Family Head instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The universe is slowly entering a perilous period. We need more Origin Realm cultivators to hold the line and we cannot afford weakness."

With Diana’s promotion, the Vorn family now commanded a total of ten Swords, a terrifying force of ten high-tier cultivators.

The Family Head leaned forward, his gaze sweeping across the entire council.

"Elders," he declared. "I will be returning to The Starless Grave."

The room went dead silent. The Starless Grave was a catastrophic tear in the fabric of the Western Universe. It was the very edge of existence, a place where thousands of Abyss creatures poured through the void every single day. It was a perpetual, grinding warzone that had consumed armies.

"Over the last century, the attacks from the Abyss have intensified," the Family Head continued. "Clara has already departed to oversee the frontlines. A detachment of elders, Guardian Knights, Blades, and Cassandra will accompany me. This is a direct order from the Intergalactic Federation and the Empire. The Abyss is taking over peripheral planets at an alarming rate."

He paused, his eyes narrowing. "This is not just our burden at this point. It applies to all the Great Families, including the beast clans and even our rivals, the Dravens. The Draven family head will also be deployed to the frontlines."

Kael listened, his expression unreadable. So, the universe was descending into chaos. The Shadow Vatican, the House of Crimson, and now a massive Abyssal invasion. The board was being set for a cosmic war.

"Before I leave tonight, I require the entire family to gather for a dinner," the Family Head announced. "A final meal before we march into the abyss."

He waved his hand dismissively. "You are all dismissed."

Clank. Clank. The elders rose, filing out of the grand chamber in a hushed, anxious silence. Kael turned on his heel, his dark robes billowing as he followed them out.

Once the heavy doors CREEEAKED shut, only the Family Head and Greyson remained in the vast, empty chamber.

Greyson finally let out a long, heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. "Has it gotten that bad?" he asked, his voice dropping the formal tone of the council.

The Family Head rubbed his forehead, a rare display of exhaustion from the ancient sovereign. He let out a long, heavy Sigh.

"It’s worse than you think," the Family Head muttered. "We lost an entire vanguard fleet in the last battle. Two Abyss Lords attacked simultaneously."

Greyson’s eyes widened. Abyss Lords were entities equivalent to the Celestial Ascension Realm. The fact that two had appeared was a catastrophic omen.

"I will leave the clan in your hands in the meantime," the Family Head said, his eyes locking onto Greyson. "Vaelen Draven will also be at the frontlines. But be careful. The Dravens are cunning vipers. With their patriarch away, they might make a move to destabilize us. Be prepared."

"I will not fail the clan. I will mobilize the Pillar Knights and increase border patrols," Greyson promised.

The Family Head settled back onto his throne. "Tell me, Greyson. What do you truly think about Kael?"

Greyson was silent for a long moment, his mind carefully piecing together the enigma that was Kael Cassian Vorn.

"He is... a monster," Greyson finally said, his voice low and respectful. "Cunning beyond his years, cold-blooded, calculative, and dangerously manipulative. He doesn’t just react to situations; he manipulates the board long before his opponents even know they are playing. He doesn’t just fight his enemies; he dismantles their entire existence. His ability to navigate the political minefield of this family, while simultaneously surviving the Void Realm and the House of Crimson, is terrifying. I’ve watched him use his charm as a weapon just as effectively as his blades. He knows how to play the political game, how to exploit weaknesses, and he has a terrifying ability to turn his enemies’ strength into their downfall. He is a weapon forged in the dark, and he is utterly loyal to his own twisted code."

The Family Head let out a dry, raspy chuckle. "I guess he doesn’t take any traits from his mother. She was always far too gentle for this family."

Greyson managed a small, grim smile. "Somehow, I feel like he might be worse than you. He is, without a doubt, the most dangerous of your children."

Hahaha!

The Family Head laughed, the sound echoing through the empty chamber. "Perhaps he is. Since all Swords are assigned a planet or more to govern, Kael should be given a challenging planet. Let’s see how he handles a real vipers’ nest."

Greyson nodded slowly. "I have just the world in mind."