Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 317

Chapter 317: Loain Family II

As the pact was sealed, Aiden leaned back with a sense of satisfaction, masking his relief behind a calm expression. Securing the Loain family’s support meant he now had a foothold in Moon City, a foundation to counter the three other noble houses who had fractured the city’s stability with their own ambitions.

Lady Lana, still observing him with that calculating look, spoke first. “I assume you already have plans in motion to neutralize the other families?”

Aiden’s lips twitched in a slight smile. “The Dunthams have already made the first move in attempting to hide their secret activities, though they’re woefully unaware that I know their every route through the city’s underground. Tonight, I’ll start closing off their paths, one by one.”

Lord Edrik raised an eyebrow. “You intend to cut off their supply routes?”

“And more,” Aiden replied smoothly. “They’ve been smuggling not just goods, but information. The Dunthams feed crucial details about Moon City’s defenses to neighboring kingdoms. That ends now.”

“Bold and Risky” Edrik commented, clearly impressed. “But great. If you act too openly, they might bring their allies down upon us.”

“That’s why I’m taking a different approach.” Aiden’s eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. “Each family has its secrets, and I intend to make their secrets… burdensome.”

Lana seemed to catch his meaning, and her lips curved into a knowing smile. “In that case, I’m sure we can assist with the Dunthams’ resources. Their influence is strong here, but not impenetrable.”

Aiden inclined his head in gratitude. “Thank you, Lady lana. Together, we’ll break their grip on this city.”

Edrik nodded, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the armrest of his chair. “With the Loain guard on alert, we’ll be ready for any backlash. And the people trust our family—they’ll rally to our cause if we assure them it’s for the city’s stability.”

“It’s a win-win.” Aiden’s voice held a note of finality. “The Loains will be viewed as the true protectors of Moon City. But,” he added, his gaze shifting between father and daughter, “this is only the beginning. The remaining families—the Valros and the Eldran—will be watching our every move, waiting for any sign of weakness.”

Lana’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I say we let them watch. If they see us growing stronger, they might even tear each other apart out of fear.”

Aiden chuckled softly. “That would certainly make things easier. But I have plans for them too. The Edrans control the city’s trade guilds and thus the economy; they’re growing bolder by the day. They’re also the most ruthless when it comes to protecting their interests.”

“Then they’ll be the next target,” Edrik agreed. “If we disrupt the trade guilds, they’ll lose their power base.”

Aiden nodded. “I’ve uncovered some of the Valros dealings as well—some of them highly illegal, even under Moon City’s lax regulations. They’re due for a reckoning.”

Lana rose, stepping closer to Aiden with a look of excitement. “And what about the Durnham?”

“The Durnham are more elusive,” Aiden admitted. “They’re not as overt in their ambitions, but they wield significant influence over the city’s bureaucracy. They may act like neutral mediators, but their allegiance is for sale to the highest bidder.”

“Ah, the true opportunists,” Edrik muttered with disdain. “Perhaps they’ll be the hardest to root out.”

Aiden’s gaze hardened. “Or the easiest. All they need is the right incentive to switch sides—at least temporarily. They’ll support whoever promises them the most stability. But once they’re weakened, they’ll find themselves with no one left to back.”

Edrik laughed softly. “You certainly know how to play the game, Aiden.”

“It’s a game I’ve been playing for a long time,” Aiden replied, his tone revealing a sliver of his determination. “But with your help, the victory will be ours.”

After finalizing some of their plans, Aiden rose from his seat, signaling the end of the meeting. “I’ll begin my moves against the Durnhams tonight. By the time they realize their support is dwindling, they’ll be isolated.”

Lord Edrik and Lady Lana exchanged a final glance before rising as well. “We’ll strengthen our defenses and prepare our guards,” Edrik said firmly. “Moon City will have its stability, and the Loains will have their legacy preserved.”

Aiden shook their hands once more, his resolve as strong as iron. “Then we’ll see this city rise, together.”

**$**

As night fell, Aiden slipped through the hidden pathways beneath Mon City, his steps silent and purposeful. He was joined by a small team of his trusted aides, all skilled in subterfuge and infiltration. This mission wasn’t for brute strength; it was for surgical precision.

The city’s ancient tunnels stretched beneath the streets, winding in labyrinthine patterns. These tunnels, unknown to most citizens, were the dark veins of Mon City, used by families like the Durnhams to move freely without notice.

As he led his team through the damp, dimly lit passages, Aiden’s eyes scanned the walls, counting off markers he had memorized. He knew exactly where each tunnel led and where each hidden alcove waited. His plan was simple but effective: he would collapse these tunnels and cut off the Durnhams’ access points one by one, isolating them.

At the first fork, Aiden raised his hand, signaling his team to stop. In a low voice, he addressed them, “Begin setting the charges here. We’ll block off their access to the southern district.”

His aides nodded, slipping into position and pulling out small, concealed packets of explosives. One by one, they began placing the charges along the walls, careful to make the setup discreet.

Using magic will surely alert anyone, as explosion magic of this level shone like an beacon of light, so, they have used this old age explosives, not to mention even Durnham family have not used magic so, make sure none can found this tunnels.

Aiden checked his timepiece. “Make it quick. We have other points to reach.”

Just as his team finished with the first set, a faint sound echoed through the tunnel—a series of hurried footsteps. Aiden motioned for silence, pulling his team into the shadows as two figures emerged from the shadows further down the tunnel. They wore the dark robes of the Durnham family guards, their eyes scanning their surroundings with suspicion.

Aiden’s team held their breath as the guards drew closer, clearly unaware of the ambush that awaited them.

“Did you hear anything?” one of the guards whispered, glancing around.

“Probably just rats,” the other replied dismissively, but his tone betrayed a hint of fear. “These tunnels always give me the creeps.”

As the guards passed, Aiden’s team sprang into action. Two of his men seized the guards, muffling their cries with swift hands as others tied them securely. Aiden watched, satisfied, before signaling his team to proceed.

With the guards out of the way, Aiden and his team moved deeper into the tunnels, systematically placing charges and sealing off each corridor leading to the Duntham’s estate. By the time dawn began to break aboveground, the tunnels were crippled, with only a few carefully chosen routes left intact.