Kazuki’s eyes scanned the landscape one last time, his expression still as cold as ever. The dark soldier—now bound to his will—stood motionless before him, awaiting its orders. Kazuki knew that having such a powerful creature at his command could prove useful, but he couldn’t risk it being discovered by others, at least not yet.

  With a steady hand, Kazuki raised his palm, forming a dark sigil in the air. The creature before him began to dissolve into a cloud of black mist, slowly being pulled into the rift of darkness Kazuki had opened. It wasn’t a traditional portal, but rather a fold in the fabric of his own dimension, where the dark soldier would remain hidden and bound until Kazuki needed its assistance again.

  "Stay there until I call for you," Kazuki whispered, his voice unwavering. "You’ll be safe in the void."

  The last of the dark soldier vanished into the rift, and the portal closed with a faint, echoing hum. Kazuki took a deep breath, his mind already focused on the next step of his mission. He couldn’t afford to waste any more time. The knowledge he had just uncovered about R.I.S.K., the Shattered Veil, and the prophecy only fueled his determination.

  He turned toward the group, who were silently observing him, still processing the events that had unfolded. Rinara, Garron, and Elara stood in the distance, but there was an unmistakable tension in the air—uncertainty about the path Kazuki had chosen and the darkness that seemed to surround him.

  Kazuki, however, remained silent. His thoughts were elsewhere, focused on the next phase of his plan. They needed to return to the Duke immediately. There was no time to waste. He needed to speak with the Duke about everything—the prophecy, R.I.S.K., and the truth behind the Shattered Veil.

  Without a word, Kazuki extended his hand toward the group, and with a subtle incantation, he activated the teleportation spell. The air around him shimmered and warped, and in an instant, the landscape around them blurred as they were transported to the Duke’s estate.

  The group landed at the entrance to the Duke's mansion, the familiar surroundings of the estate providing a sense of comfort amidst the unsettling knowledge they had just uncovered. Kazuki’s gaze was focused, his mind already racing with what needed to be done.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Without waiting for anyone to speak, Kazuki walked toward the doors of the mansion. His aura, though lessened from the earlier display of dark magic, still carried an intense, commanding presence. The others followed, but none of them dared to break the silence.

  As they entered the Duke’s grand hall, the familiar figures of the Duke and his advisors greeted them. The Duke, ever the composed noble, seemed to sense the change in Kazuki’s demeanor. He eyed him curiously, but said nothing, allowing Kazuki to take the lead.

  Kazuki paused at the center of the room, turning to face the Duke. His voice was steady but heavy with the weight of the information he was about to share.

  "We need to talk," Kazuki began, his eyes fixed on the Duke. "About R.I.S.K. and the Shattered Veil."

  The room grew quiet, the Duke’s expression shifting from curiosity to concern. He had suspected something had been amiss, but hearing Kazuki speak so directly about the secret faction was unsettling. His advisors exchanged wary glances, but the Duke raised a hand, signaling for them to remain silent.

  "I’m listening," the Duke said, his voice measured.

  Kazuki took a breath, his mind recalling everything he had learned from the dark soldier and his own investigations. The secrets were beginning to piece together, but the questions still outnumbered the answers.

  "R.I.S.K. has been watching me for a long time," Kazuki said, his voice cold but firm. "They seek the power hidden within the Shattered Veil. I don’t know what it is yet, but I intend to find out. The prophecy ties me to this. I need your help, Duke."

  The Duke's eyes widened, his posture shifting as he leaned forward. His gaze grew sharper, and Kazuki could see the gears turning in his mind. He had long suspected that the events surrounding Kazuki’s arrival were no coincidence, but this revelation confirmed his deepest fears.

  "I’ve suspected for some time that something was off," the Duke said slowly, his voice laced with concern. "But to hear it from you... This is troubling news, Kazuki. If R.I.S.K. is truly involved, we could be facing forces far more dangerous than anything we've encountered before."

  Kazuki nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I need to know everything about the Shattered Veil. Anything you know, any information you’ve come across—it's critical."

  The Duke hesitated for a moment before responding. "I’ll provide you with everything I have. But you must understand the risks involved. If R.I.S.K. is watching you, then they have been watching all of us. This isn’t something to be taken lightly."

  Kazuki’s eyes were cold, but there was a flicker of determination within them. "I’m not afraid," he said simply. "I’ve already made my choice. Now it’s time to uncover the truth."

  As the Duke signaled for his advisors to bring forth any relevant documents, Kazuki stood silently, his mind working through the possibilities. R.I.S.K. was an elusive and dangerous enemy, but with the knowledge he was gathering, Kazuki knew he could prepare for whatever lay ahead. The path he walked was one of darkness, but it was a path he would follow—no matter the cost.