Age: 8 Years
Two threads had already been woven into his grand design.
Sir Aldric Nyx, the warrior—loyal to strength, capable of becoming a blade for Valerian's will.
Sylva Aldric, the strategist—brilliant yet overlooked, a mind that could twist noble politics in his favor.
But for his empire to function in secrecy, he needed one last piece—a manipulator, a spy, someone who thrived in the shadows rather than the spotlight.
And today, as the noble gathering in House Nyx unfolded, Lucien would find them.
---
### A World of Secrets
The nobles of Maurya wielded power in many forms—some through military might, others through wealth or magic.
But the most dangerous power was information.
A whisper of scandal, a rumor of betrayal, the unspoken weaknesses of rulers—all could crumble kingdoms faster than war.
And no house understood this better than House Ashen, the silent hand that dictated the flow of secrets across the kingdom.
Lucien knew that if he were to recruit a true manipulator, one skilled in deception, espionage, and control, they would likely come from House Ashen's circles.
His All-Seeing Eyes activated once more, scanning the room.
---
### [SYSTEM WINDOW – ACTIVATED]
Lines of text sharpened across his vision as he appraised the figures around him.
- Merchant Lords – Skilled in finance, but ultimately predictable. Useless.
- Diplomats – Smooth in conversation, but lacked true cunning. Potential, but not for espionage.
- House Ashen's Representatives – Every movement calculated, every gaze unreadable. Perfect.
And among them, one stood out.
A figure slipping through conversations, seamlessly unnoticed by most, watching, listening, never fully engaging.
---
[Covert Agent – Corruption Susceptibility: High]
- Strengths: Master of infiltration, expert in deception, capable of securing intelligence.
- Weaknesses: Distrustful, operates alone, reluctant to follow commands.
- Hidden Potential: Could become an elite handler of information, securing Valerian's dominion from the shadows.
---
A spy. A born manipulator. A ghost among nobles.
Lucien had found his final recruit.
---
### The Approach of Shadows
Unlike his previous encounters, this was not a connection that could be established with charm or intellect.
Manipulators did not follow words—they followed value.
Lucien waited, observing the movements of the spy from a distance, tracking every interaction, every subtle change in posture, every flicker of curiosity in their eyes when certain topics were spoken.
Then, when the moment was right, he moved without hesitation.
He stepped beside them, speaking quietly—a whisper, not a statement.
"You hear more than anyone else in this gathering."
The figure stilled, then turned, eyes sharp, assessing him instantly.
"And what is it that you think I hear?" they asked, their tone smooth, emotionless, yet undeniably interested.
Lucien did not smile.
"I think you hear truths no one else does."
A pause.
A flicker of amusement crossed the spy's gaze.
And just like that, the first string had been tied.
---
### A Network Completed
Lucien did not need to recruit them tonight.
He only needed to ignite curiosity, plant doubt, make them question who he was and why he had noticed them when no one else had.
And so, he withdrew, leaving them to wonder, letting their own mind become the greatest tool in ensuring they would seek him out again.
[Corruption Progress: 12% – Seeded Thoughts Stage]
Three pieces.
A warrior.
A strategist.
A manipulator.
The foundations of his empire had begun to form.
And now, his reward awaited.
---
### [SYSTEM REWARD – UNLOCKED]
A second pulse echoed in his mind, and the All-Seeing Eyes shifted, new details flowing across his vision.
---
[All-Seeing Eyes – Lv. 2]
- Enhanced Appraisal: Provides deeper insight into an individual's potential, including hidden weaknesses and undiscovered strengths.
- Subconscious Influence Tracking: Displays levels of corruption subtly affecting an individual's thoughts over time.
- Upgrade Path: Requires manipulation of high-tier targets to unlock greater detection abilities.
---
Now, he could see far more than before.
And with this ability, his rise would accelerate.