Published at 9th of February 2026 7:32 am

Chapter 1486 A Little Deceit

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The elderly Warden led Damon through the lower-level corridors of the Headquarters.

The halls here were darker and narrower than the main floor, which was several layers above them. The crystal lights were spaced farther apart, casting long shadows along the stone walls.

Their footsteps echoed softly. The deeper they went, the quieter it became. Fewer Magi passed by. Then none at all.

Faint runes appeared more frequently on the walls and floor. They were etched deep into the stone, old and worn. The air gradually grew heavy, cool, and then stale. It felt harder to breathe, as if the space itself was pressing on him.

It was only then that Adam realized what was going on.

I'm… nervous, he thought to himself.

He had every right to feel nervous. Before coming here, he had forced the real Nyle Damon to send coded messages to the other traitorous Councilors, calling them to an emergency meeting. None of this would have been possible without him.

And now, he was about to face four other Mana Core Magi, arguably among the strongest Magi on the continent. Worse still, this was deep inside enemy territory.

Adam was planning to fight them here, where he had an absolute disadvantage. The Councilors could even turn the headquarters itself against him.

Although he was confident in his ability to escape, but if it really came to that, would he have actually accomplished his objective? Would he truly deal a blow to the upper echelons of the Brotherhood? With all this in mind, how could he not feel anxious?

But then…

He realized something else.

His footsteps slowed down subconsciously as he thought to himself:

Why do I even need to fight them head-on?

Has my time in Mabi taught me nothing?

Have I already forgotten about the play I orchestrated in Amberfall?

He let out a slow breath. After the events following the Battle of Ravenfell, he had realized that brute strength had never been his… true strength. What had carried him through his days of madness was patience, planning, and misdirection.

Staying in the shadows, letting others make the first move, and letting them turn on each other.

Adam realized that he didn't need to crush the Councilors with raw power. He just needed to make them doubt one another. Make them question their loyalties, and make them fear betrayal from their own ranks.

Once distrust took root, everything else would follow. Mistakes, paranoia, internal conflict, that kind of damage was far more effective than open slaughter, and far harder to undo. At least, that's what Adam had come to learn over the years.

His eyes narrowed as he thought:

Yes… this is much better. Let them destroy each other first. Not every problem requires a brute solution. Sometimes, all it takes is a little deceit.

And then, I can just sit back and watch them tear each other apart. He concluded his plan of action.

"My Lord?" The Warden turned and faced Damon, his expression… a bit strange.

Damon quickly reorganized his thoughts. His eyes narrowed, and he radiated a cold aura. He then spoke, his voice oozing with frustration, "Do you have something to say?"

The Warden instantly shrank. This was the Councilor he knew. This was the Councilor he was so afraid of.

"N-nothing at all!" he quickly said. He then turned around and silently led the way.

Damon harrumphed and followed behind him, his face shadowed by a dark scowl.

The atmosphere turned tense and secretive. Every corridor felt more isolated than the last. Finally, they stopped.

In front of them stood a tall, arched door made of dark metal. Runes were carved across its surface in dense patterns. Several Mana Vortex Magi stood guard on both sides of the door. They were silent, still, and watching with utmost vigilance.

The elderly Warden made way and bowed. "Please," he said in a timid voice as he gestured towards the door.

Damon stretched out his hands and shoved the doors open. With a loud bang, the doors slammed against the walls as he barged inside.

The hall was dimly lit, illuminated only by a few pale crystal lamps set high along the walls. At the center of the room stood a round stone table. There were eight chairs around it, but only four were occupied.

Four old men sat on those chairs.

So these are the rats, Adam thought to himself in cruel delight.

They had been in the middle of a discussion. Damon's sudden entrance cut it off instantly. All four of them simultaneously looked up, their faces marked by surprise.

One of them frowned. Another shifted slightly in his chair. The oldest of the four had his eyes narrowed, clearly annoyed. While the last one, an elf, simply stared at Damon in silence, his expression slowly darkening.

Damon stood at the doorway, breathing hard, his face contorting with anger. He then turned to the elf, glaring at him, and thought:

This must be Vulwin Preskian's replacement. A new guy, then. Perfect!

"It was you, wasn't it?!" Damon spat through gritted teeth and stomped towards the elderly elf.

"You were the one who divulged our secrets! You bastard, I should have you killed this instant!" He roared as he finally arrived before the startled elf.

Damon's mana flared, and he was about to go for his daggers when suddenly, the oldest Councilor within the room appeared beside him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Damon, what's the matter with you?" He said in an even voice. "What are you talking about?"

This man was Uther Bowman, the leader of the Diplomats.

The others rose from their chairs as well. Agron Yaegar, the leader of the Interventionists, stepped in at Damon's side and held him back. "Calm yourself," he growled under his breath.

Finally, Kenton Hastings, the leader of the Free Agents, moved to the front. He placed himself squarely between Damon and the new elven Councilor, Vaelor Vornis.

"Easy, Damon," Kenton said coldly. "This isn't the way to start a council meeting."

Vaelor Vornis rose to his feet, his emerald eyes blazing with anger. "How dare you! You are going to have me killed? Who the hell do you think you are!"

Damon's aura flared even higher as he glared at the elf.

"You vile fuckin' traitor!" he snarled. "I knew we should never have trusted you! Bringing you in was a mistake!"

The moment the three old Councilors heard the term traitor, their expression shifted. They couldn't help but turn to the new Councilor, Vaelor.

And the looks in their eyes clearly showed one thing…

Suspicion.

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