Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water-Chapter 345: Betrayal

A figure slipped out of the shadowed alleyway beside the warehouse. It was still early morning as this lone individual took a separate exit from the rest of the attendees.

Carus Welther, a mid-level representative of the Ironsoul Ore Company, walked briskly, maintaining his most quick, yet casual, stride toward a particular direction within Starpoint City—the heart of the noble district.

His thickset frame and perpetually furrowed brow made him a figure that commanded little attention, but his rapid pace and the nervous glances he cast over his shoulder betrayed an unusual anxiety.

The meeting in the warehouse replayed in his mind, Lassim’s stormy aura and that unshakable confidence with the strange holy feeling lingering like an aftershock. Everything about the interactions with the young man and the promise Lassim had made—to not only face Joryk Vrel but to represent dozens of companies simultaneously in a unified defiance of the Steel Snake Sect—had shaken him. Yet, besides this, he also saw a chance.

See, Carus was a man that had, up until now, placated his business partners and kept his contracts in limbo without searching for a champion. He’d wanted only the survival of his business that he’d built and enjoyed, and he had been searching for any kind of way to ingratiate himself with the Stellanora Nobles to benefit him. He’d been a resident, growing up in the kingdom, and always fancied himself to someday have his family lineage join the ranks of the kingdom’s nobles. Today, he saw a glimpse of an opportunity.

"Madness," Carus thought. "That boy may have power, but no one can stand against Joryk or the kingdom when it gets serious. Does he think he can just beat Joryk and walk away unharmed? BAH! If they fail… no, when they fail, I can’t risk being dragged down with them."

His steps quickened as he approached the gates to the noble district, ornate silver and blue filigree etched with the stylistic motifs of the Stellanora Kingdom. Two guards flanked the entrance, their gleaming armor polished to perfection.

They nodded curtly as Carus presented his company’s insignia—a badge of thin iron rimmed with gold. Though his company had yet to join the duels, its reputation for supplying high-quality ore and years of boot-licking at the annual events granted him just enough standing to gain uninvited and unquestioned entry.

The noble district was a world apart from the rest of the elevated platforms within Starpoint City. Built with higher quality materials of the finest grade, broad streets paved with shimmering sapphires—straight from The Quarry to mimic the Sapphire River’s waters—stretched between grand estates adorned with fountains and manicured gardens.

Mana arrays embedded into the architecture gave the buildings a faint glow, an ostentatious display of wealth that reminded Carus of how small his company truly was.

He stopped before a lavish manor, its gates emblazoned with the crest of House Karvad, one of the kingdom’s most influential noble families, if not the most influential beside the king. The scent of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air, mingling with the aroma of rich coffee from the morning’s breakfast.

Carus took a steadying breath before pressing the ornate doorbell array. A soft chime echoed to a servant’s quarters within the estate, and moments later, the gate swung open, revealing a butler dressed in impeccable blue and silver livery and the crest of the House Karvad emblazoned on the handkerchief on display in his chest pocket.

"Representative Welther," the servant said with a bow. "Lord Karvad and Champion Vrel received your urgent request for a meeting and are awaiting you in the breakfast parlour."

Carus’s heart pounded as he followed the servant through the estate’s pristine halls. He’d hoped to catch Lord Karvad alone, but the presence of Joryk Vrel was a complication he hadn’t anticipated.

The breakfast parlour was a room of understated elegance, its walls adorned with gorgeous tapestries in silver and sapphire hues. At the center of the room, a long table was laden with an array of delicacies—flaky pastries, steaming cups of brew, and platters of cured meats.

Lord Karvad, a slender man with piercing blue eyes, signalling his water elemental affinity, and an air of effortless authority, sat at the head of the table. Beside him was Joryk Vrel, his massive frame dwarfing the delicate chair he occupied.

Even without his [Fortress] technique, Joryk radiated an imposing presence, his silver hair cropped close and his sharp, piercing gaze scanning the room like a predator assessing its prey as his attention shifted to the new arrival.

"Ah, Representative Welther," Karvad said with a voice as smooth and as cultured as one would expect. "I was quite surprised that you wanted to meet so early this morning for an urgent matter. I hope you don’t mind our dear Champion from hearing your message?"

"Indeed," Joryk added, his tone laced with amusement. "I hope that you truly have something important to share if you’re willing to interrupt our breakfast."

Carus inclined his head, doing his best to suppress the tremor in his voice. "My lords, I bring information that I believe will be of great interest to you both."

Karvad gestured to an empty chair. "Sit. Have some coffee. No need to stand on ceremony."

Carus hesitated, then obeyed, lowering himself into the chair across from Joryk. The champion’s gaze bore into him, a faint smirk playing on his lips as though he already knew what Carus was about to say.

"Well?" Joryk prompted, leaning back in his chair. "Out with it dog."

Carus swallowed hard, his hands clenching into fists beneath the table. "A meeting was held this morning, initiated by the Duskvale Mining Company. Dozens of companies, nearly fifty in total at my count, gathered to discuss their company’s suggestion in response to the Steel Snake Sect’s and the honorable Noble’s decision regarding The Quarry. They’ve… they’re planning to choose a champion to represent them all in this next week’s upcoming duels."

Karvad arched an eyebrow. "A single champion? For multiple companies? That’s ambitious, but if they all wish to fall over at once, I suppose we can end the entertainment much quicker if the citizens wish to do so by their own merit."

"My Lords, I think it’s important to mention that… it’s not just anyone," Carus continued. "The champion is a disciple of the Lightning Sect. He proclaimed himself as the Personal Disciple of their Sect Master. He announced his name as Lassim Rohese Vanthar. I believe it might have a connection to the Rohese and Vanthar families of the Aurora Kingdom"

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Joryk’s smirk widened. "A Lightning Sect brat, you say? How adorable."

"He claims he can defeat you," Carus added, his voice faltering slightly. "He’s… confident. His spiritual pressure—his power—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. N-Not to diminish your mightiness my lord!..." He quickly sputtered to not insult Joryk.

Joryk chuckled with a low voice. "They’re putting all their hopes on a boy from our continent that went traitor and joined the Southern Continent? How quaint."

Karvad leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "This could be troublesome. The Lightning Sect has a strong reputation. If my most up-to-date news is correct, they just secured a victory in a sect war against their longest rivals and even the Sect Master is supposedly at the Spirit Prince Stage. Their disciples are also known for their unorthodox and overwhelming Lightning techniques. If this Lassim truly possesses the backing of their Sect Master, and has the power to match his confidence, we may need to… adjust our strategy."

"Strategy?" Joryk scoffed. "There’s no strategy required. He’ll fall like the rest! Ha ha ha! But…" He turned his gaze to Carus. "You’ve done well to bring this to our attention. Your loyalty won’t go unrewarded."

Carus’s heart swelled with relief. "Thank you, my lord. My company has remained neutral in the duels thus far. I only wish to—"

"Reinstate your contracts, yes, yes," Joryk interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "Consider it done. But as for the new tax…" He glanced at Karvad. "What are we proposing now? Thirty-five percent?"

Karvad nodded. "A reasonable increase, considering their previous rates."

Joryk’s grin widened. "Make it forty. I like round numbers."

Carus’s relief evaporated in an instant. "F-Forty? My lord, t-that’s— The previous terms just a week ago were only 20! How can you be so—"

"Generous," Joryk said, his tone cold. "You’re lucky to have any contracts at all. Perhaps you’d prefer we rescind them entirely? My sect is still in the process of accepting new lap dogs. Perhaps you can instead become a member of us and enjoy full benefits?"

Carus’s head bowed, his voice barely audible. "N-no, my lord. Forty percent is… acceptable…"

"Good," Joryk said, returning his attention to his plate. "You’re dismissed. We still have our breakfast to finish and I don’t like cold meals."

Carus rose unsteadily, his face pale as he excused himself from the room.

Once he was gone, Karvad’s expression darkened. "These mining fools grow bolder by the day. Do they truly believe a single champion can overturn our plans?"

"They’re desperate," Joryk replied. "Desperate men do foolish things. Still, I’ll have one of our disciples look into this Lassim. If he’s as strong as they claim, I want to know his weaknesses before the duel."

Karvad nodded. "And if he wins?"

"He won’t," Joryk said flatly.

But as he reached for his communication disc, a flicker of doubt crossed his features. Activating the device, he typed a brief message:

Joryk: Senior Brother, there’s a possible complication with our new venture. A Lightning Sect disciple. I’d appreciate it if you could be here to assist, just in case.

The recipient’s identity remained unknown, but Joryk’s expression hardened as he sent the message. "Regardless, the Steel Snake Sect will be ready," he said, more to himself than to Karvad.

The tension in the room eased as the two men returned to their meal, the clink of silverware against porcelain filling the silence.

Far away, Carus walked the streets of Starpoint City, his heart heavy with regret. His efforts had not only cost him his chance at joining the others that wished to defy the status quo, but it doubled the amount of taxation his contracts would receive in the future. He was unsure how he’d face his employees later...