EVEN AS A SLAVE, THE HEAVENLY DEMON'S MIGHT SHALL TAME THE BEAUTIES-Chapter 45: THE CAPITAL’S WHISPERED CORRUPTION

As they settled into the wagon for the evening’s travel, Yomi found himself impressed by the merchant’s foresight in preparing for dangerous journeys. Cushioned benches that converted to sleeping areas, a well-stocked food chest, and even a small library of books for entertainment during long journeys. It was luxury compared to their recent travels.

Thomas proved to be an unexpected source of information, his privileged upbringing having exposed him to exactly the kind of knowledge Yomi needed. "I actually attended Astralux Academy for a year," the boy said with a mixture of pride and embarrassment. "Didn’t work out, unfortunately. No backer to help with the advanced courses, and I didn’t have the natural talent to attract one on my own."

"What’s the structure like?" Lirien asked, genuinely curious. "The academy, I mean."

"Seven Sanctums," Thomas replied, his eyes lighting up with the enthusiasm of someone eager to share knowledge. "Each one focuses on different disciplines, though they don’t advertise exactly what. Very secretive about their curricula." He leaned forward conspiratorially. "Registration only happens twice a year, and the next session starts in two days. They’re very particular about timing."

Aeloria, who had been listening quietly while enjoying the comfortable seating, looked up with interest. "What kind of entry requirements?"

"Depends on what you can offer," Thomas said with the practical wisdom of someone who had learned hard lessons about social hierarchy. "Noble birth helps, but they’ll accept anyone who can pay the fees or demonstrate exceptional ability. The real challenge is finding a backer within the academy itself, someone willing to sponsor your advanced studies."

The conversation continued as their wagon rolled through the forest roads, the reinforced wheels handling the rough terrain with ease. Elena shared stories of capital politics, while Marcus provided detailed information about various districts and guild hierarchies. All of it potentially useful for someone planning to navigate the city’s complex social structure.

But it was when the conversation turned to recent events that Yomi’s attention sharpened. "There have been... unsettling rumors from the capital," Marcus said quietly, glancing at his family before continuing. "Noble houses suddenly changing their allegiances, trade agreements being broken without explanation. Some say certain families have been acting strangely, as if they’re answering to different masters now."

The implication hung heavy in the air. If apostles were indeed operating within the capital’s noble houses, then the corruption might run deeper than the System had indicated. Yomi filed the information away, already beginning to formulate plans for his investigation.

As the night deepened and the wagon continued its steady progress toward the capital, the group settled into a comfortable routine. Kira curled up beside Yomi, her small form relaxed in a way that spoke of genuine security for perhaps the first time in her young life. Aeloria found herself actually enjoying the civilized travel conditions, while Lirien peppered Thomas with questions about combat training opportunities at the academy.

But it was Yomi who remained most alert, his senses extended beyond the wagon to monitor their surroundings while his mind processed the evening’s revelations. The Dark Hold’s interest in the academy, the systematic targeting of trade routes, the references to awakening something called the Progenitor, all of it painted a picture of a conspiracy that went far beyond simple cultism.

The System’s voice echoed in his mind as the capital’s lights became visible on the horizon.

[Approaching major decision point.]

[Multiple convergent factors detected.]

[Recommendation: Maintain current trajectory toward primary objective.]

Yomi’s lips curved in a predatory smile that the darkness concealed from his companions. Decision points meant opportunities, and opportunities meant the chance to finally engage with opponents worthy of his attention. If the Dark Hold was connected to the same forces that had destroyed his original world, then eliminating them would serve both his cosmic mission and his personal thirst for vengeance.

The capital sprawled before them like a constellation of earthbound stars, its districts marked by different qualities of light and architectural styles. Somewhere within those walls lay the apostle he was meant to eliminate, the academy with its hidden secrets, and answers to questions he was only beginning to formulate.

"Magnificent, isn’t it?" Marcus said, following Yomi’s gaze toward the city. "Lexicanum Wiseguard. They say it’s the greatest center of learning in the known world."

"Learning," Yomi repeated quietly, his voice carrying undertones that made Thomas shiver without understanding why. "Yes. I imagine there’s a great deal to learn there."

As their wagon approached the capital’s outer gates, Yomi felt something dark and hungry stirring in the depths of his soul. The familiar thrill of the hunt, yes, but something deeper, the cold satisfaction of a predator that had finally scented worthy prey after too long feeding on lesser creatures.

His fingers unconsciously traced the edge of his sleeve where invisible bloodstains from a thousand battles would never truly wash clean. The Dark Hold’s connection to forces that had destroyed his world meant this was no longer just a cosmic mission. It was personal.

Let them come, he thought, his smile in the darkness carrying all the warmth of a grave in winter. Let them reveal themselves, these cultists and apostles. I will show them what true darkness looks like.

The capital’s lights flickered like stars reflected in still water, beautiful and distant. But to Yomi’s enhanced senses, he could already detect the subtle wrongness that clung to certain districts, the same alien corruption he had tasted in the cultist’s energies.

Somewhere in that sprawling city, things that had no right to exist walked among the innocent, wearing human faces while serving masters from spaces between realities. The academy held secrets that could complete some apocalyptic work, and noble houses danced to the tune of puppet masters they likely didn’t even recognize.

It was a web of corruption and conspiracy that would have daunted a lesser man. But Yomi was no longer entirely human, and he had not forgotten the lessons learned in ash and blood. He was an instrument of vengeance given form and purpose, and soon that instrument would taste blood again.

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