SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant-Chapter 353: Proof

Caelum did not move from his position by the door. His posture was the same as always—straight, composed, hands behind his back—but there was a pause before he answered, a fraction longer than necessary.

"That would have been the logical course," he said at last. "Given the mutual agreement between the houses following your engagement." A brief pause. "But that was not your father’s original plan."

Trafalgar turned fully toward him.

"Valttair has been preparing something else for months," Caelum continued, voice even. "I imagine you already suspected as much. You said so yourself some time ago."

Trafalgar’s expression hardened slightly.

"Caelum," he said, calm but firm. "I know Valttair is not my father."

The words landed cleanly.

"With your position," Trafalgar went on, "I assume you already knew. I don’t need explanations for why you never told me." A short pause followed. "I know my father is Magnus du Morgain. I’ll ask him about it myself when we reach the castle. I’d rather hear it from him."

His gaze drifted briefly, unfocused.

"I still remember what Valttair once said to me," he added. "’It seems that, after all, it was good to adopt you.’" Another pause. "I always knew. The physical differences were obvious compared to my brothers and sisters."

For the first time, Caelum’s expression shifted. Confusion flickered across his face, something uncharacteristic, gone almost as soon as it appeared.

"...I see," he said after a moment.

He inclined his head slightly. "If you already know, and intend to speak with Valttair directly, then I will say nothing further on that matter."

The moment passed.

Caelum straightened, the familiar composure returning as if it had never left.

"Valttair realized that the Thal’zar’s behavior made no sense," he said calmly. "After so long a period of peace between the Eight Great Families, it was unnatural for one of them to break the accord in such a way." His gaze remained forward. "Especially when one of the few SSS-ranked talents in the world was positioned at their side. Valttair understood that something was wrong."

Trafalgar listened in silence.

"So he investigated," Caelum said simply.

Trafalgar raised an eyebrow slightly. "Investigated?"

Caelum nodded. "Yes. Valttair had an infiltrator inside House Thal’zar. His name is unknown to us. He did not act quickly. He spent months there, slowly rising through their internal structure." His tone remained precise. "Recently, he was promoted. Captain, possibly general. He was the one who guided the Thal’zar forces during the battle of Ritefield."

Caelum did not pause before continuing.

"He saw it with his own eyes," he said. "A Void Creature, bound and restrained, as if prepared for experimentation. The report also confirmed that Kaedor was present." A brief pause followed, not for emphasis, but accuracy. "And Icarus. Both were in the same location. According to the infiltrator, there was visible tension between them."

Trafalgar processed the information in silence, the implications unfolding on their own.

Valttair had waited. Planned. Allowed someone to climb through the ranks of another Great Family, patiently, until they reached a position where truth could no longer be hidden.

"So that’s why he waited," Trafalgar said at last. "He was waiting for proof."

Caelum inclined his head. "Exactly, young master."

Trafalgar exhaled slowly.

"So that’s why it took so long," he said. "He wasn’t hesitating. He was waiting. Letting the infiltrator climb high enough that the proof couldn’t be questioned." His gaze sharpened slightly. "Only then could Morgain move without anyone disputing the reason."

"Yes," Caelum replied. "That was the intent."

Trafalgar leaned back a fraction, letting the conclusion settle. "With that evidence, the war stops being political."

Caelum inclined his head. "Correct. A Void Creature is not a matter of borders or alliances. It is an absolute." His voice was steady, almost cold. "It must be annihilated. Without exception."

He continued without pause, as if reciting something long established. "Throughout history, Void Creatures have destroyed bloodlines, civilizations, and entire races. Humans. Elves. Others." His eyes hardened slightly. "The Primordials were the only ones capable of driving them back completely—forcing them into another dimension."

Trafalgar listened in silence.

"But the cost was catastrophic," Caelum went on. "Their numbers were nearly wiped out. Those who survived had no choice but to disappear. To hide. That is why so few remain today." Another pause. "Rifts are the consequence of that war," Caelum said. "The only way Void Creatures can still reach this world."

Trafalgar’s jaw tightened.

Caelum spoke evenly.

"Valttair was present during a session with the Council of Sages when it happened," he said. "The infiltrator approached them under the guise of bringing dangerous news. He claimed to have information about a Void Creature—something that went beyond what could be considered logical or acceptable."

Trafalgar’s eyes narrowed slightly. "He acted?"

"Yes," Caelum replied. "Valttair reacted with anger the moment the Void Creature was mentioned. Since he was already present, he did not need to be summoned. He spoke forcefully, stating that the mere existence of a Void Creature constituted a threat to the entire world."

Caelum continued without pause.

"The Council of Sages agreed with that assessment. They declared that such a situation could not be allowed to continue and proposed that the six remaining Great Houses enter the war." A brief pause followed. "Valttair refused."

That drew Trafalgar’s full attention.

Caelum took a breath before continuing.

"Valttair stated that only House Morgain would intervene," he said. "That they would act immediately to eliminate and deal with the Void Creature. He declared that House Morgain could no longer maintain neutrality."

Caelum’s tone remained precise.

"He went on to say that House Morgain is now allied with House Rosenthal," he added. "And that due to the engagement between Trafalgar du Morgain and Aubrelle au Rosenthal, inaction was no longer an option." His gaze remained steady. "Valttair emphasized that Lady au Rosenthal was in grave danger because of the war, given how close both territories are to one another."

He did not soften the conclusion.

"A Void Creature of the level described by the infiltrator was far too dangerous to leave unneutralized," Caelum said. "As Trafalgar du Morgain’s promised partner, that danger extended to House Morgain itself."

Silence followed.

"So they couldn’t refuse," Trafalgar said quietly.

"They could not," Caelum replied. "Once the threat was acknowledged, denying Morgain the right to act would have meant accepting responsibility for the consequences."

"And the Council agreed," Trafalgar said.

"They did," Caelum replied. "They yielded."

The silence that followed was heavier than before.

Valttair had not merely secured permission to wage war.

He had forced the Council’s hand.

Trafalgar broke the silence first.

"What about the infiltrator?" he asked. "The one who saw it."

Caelum did not hesitate.

"He is under the protection of the Council of Sages," he said. "They do not know why he betrayed his house—or rather, that is what they believe." His voice remained calm. "In truth, it was a plan orchestrated by our house. If that were ever discovered, House Morgain would be placed in a very difficult position, as it would be seen as breaking the agreement of non-intervention."

A brief pause.

"But since no one knows," Caelum continued, "we are safe. And fully authorized to wage war."

He added, without embellishment:

"He is living evidence. As long as he remains alive, the Council has proof that what was reported was real."

"There is more," Caelum said. "Traces of Rift energy have been detected near the location where the Void Creature is being held."

That settled heavily.

A bound Void Creature. Rift energy bleeding into the surroundings. Proof secured, witnesses protected, authorization granted. Every step accounted for.

Trafalgar exhaled through his nose.

’So that’s the board,’ he thought.

Valttair had not acted on instinct. He had not rushed. He had waited until every move was justified, until every counterargument was stripped away. By the time Morgain entered the war, there had been no room left for refusal.

More than that—there was no way back.

Trafalgar leaned back slightly, gaze unfocused as the implications aligned one by one.

’He’s more dangerous than I originally thought...’