Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 322

Chapter 322: Inspection

Edik’s steely gaze met Aiden’s. “Then it’s settled. I’ll need you to keep a close eye on Edran and Valros. Report any unusual activity to me, no matter how minor. The Loain family cannot allow these upstarts to endanger the city’s stability.”

Aiden inclined his head, concealing a small smile. “Of course, Lord Loain. I’ll do whatever is necessary.”

After discussing a few more tactical points, Edik and his advisors moved on to other matters, leaving Aiden alone with Lana.

As soon as they were alone, Lana leaned closer, her tone cautious. “I know my father’s wary of the other families, but I have a feeling there’s more to their activities than we realize.”

Aiden nodded. “You’re right to be cautious. The power struggle between the families is far deeper than your father might suspect. And with so many interests at play, it’s easy for one of them to make a move that jeopardizes the entire city.”

Lana’s gaze was searching. “Do you really believe they’re that close to turning against each other?”

Aiden’s expression hardened. “It’s only a matter of time. Ambition breeds suspicion. And in a place like Moon City, where each family vies for influence, alliances can shift overnight. Your father’s strength is that he’s prepared for betrayal, but his trust in his own power could be his undoing.”

Lana’s jaw clenched, her expression conflicted. “What should we do, then? If this escalates, there’s no telling how far the families will go to claim control.”

Aiden placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice calm but firm. “Your role is to stay by your father’s side and ensure he listens to reason. As for me, I’ll keep close tabs on the Durnham, Valros, and Edran families. If they make any moves against the Loains, we’ll know.”

Lana nodded slowly, absorbing his words. “Be careful, Aiden. You’re right about my father—he’s strong, but his pride could blind him. And if he falls, the Loain family falls with him.”

Aiden’s gaze sharpened, his mind already three steps ahead. “Don’t worry, Lana. Moon City will soon be under a single, loyal family. And we’ll see to it that the Loain name stands at the center of it all.”

With that, Aiden turned to leave, his mind set on the path ahead. As he stepped out into the bustling streets of Moon City, he knew his next steps would be crucial. He would watch, manipulate, and let each family dig its own grave. And when the time was right, he would strike, ensuring that the Loain family emerged unscathed and victorious.

Aiden made his way back to his quarters, moving through the busy streets with purpose, blending into the crowd while his mind ran over every detail of the plan. His instructions to Valeria’s network of informants were already in motion, with spies embedded around each of the three families, gathering intel and monitoring their moves. This was no longer just a matter of keeping the Loain family in control of Moon City; it was about uniting all authority under a single name.

As he reached his room, Valeria awaited him, her expression calm and composed, yet her eyes betraying a hint of intrigue. She gave a slight bow before speaking.

“Master, I’ve sent our spies to keep an eye on Lady Durnham, Lord Valros, and Master Edran. Initial reports suggest they’re each rallying their own followers, likely in anticipation of the meeting’s outcome. Durnham has doubled her patrols, Valros has been hosting late-night gatherings in his manor, and Edran… well, he’s been vocal among the commoners, stirring subtle distrust against the Loains.”

Aiden leaned back, smirking. “Just as expected. They’re each moving pieces on the board, believing they’re doing so without consequence. Let them rally their followers—it only makes their intentions clearer.”

Valeria nodded, then hesitated, her voice lowering slightly. “One more thing, Master. I’ve arranged a meeting with one of Durnham’s most trusted advisors. He’s disgruntled with his lack of power and sees himself as more competent than his Lady. A few subtle nudges, and I believe he might consider an alliance… if it benefits him.”

“Good work, Valeria,” Aiden replied, pleased. “We’ll leverage his resentment to our advantage. Durnham’s faction could be weakened from within if her closest advisor begins to doubt her leadership. And once we’ve destabilized one family, the others will sense the shift in power.”

The night arrived, and with it, the silence that crept over Moon City as the families withdrew to their manors, each family head likely weighing their alliances, guards stationed around their walls, and eyes wary of any signs of a breach. Aiden knew that tonight was a critical time; every whispered word and secret deal would bring him closer to consolidating control.

As the city settled, Aiden ventured out, with Valeria following close behind. They moved through the dimly lit streets, reaching the outer edge of Lady Durnham’s district. Her estate was imposing, surrounded by high walls and sharp-eyed guards stationed at each corner.

Aiden turned to Valeria. “Tonight, we test our leverage. Signal our contact inside Durnham’s circle.”

Valeria gave a slight nod, fading into the shadows. Minutes later, a subtle flash of light appeared in a second-story window of Durnham’s estate—the agreed-upon signal. Aiden waited in the alley as Valeria slipped back.

“Master, he’s willing to meet, but he insists on privacy.”

Aiden’s smirk widened. “Perfect. Lead the way.”

They circled the estate, finally arriving at a hidden side entrance where Durnham’s advisor awaited them, cloaked and keeping to the shadows. His nervousness was palpable, and his gaze darted between Aiden and Valeria.

“What is it you want?” the advisor hissed, though his voice wavered slightly.

Aiden regarded him with a calm intensity. “What I want is order and strength in Moon City—two things your Lady Durnham cannot provide. And you… you seem the type to know she’s weakening. Surely, you’re not content under her lack of direction?”

The advisor’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he remained silent. Aiden took a step closer, his voice soft but firm.

“Help me ensure Moon City’s stability, and you will no longer live in Durnham’s shadow. Support the Loain family, and your position can be elevated to where it should have been all along.”

The advisor’s eyes flickered, tempted by the possibility. “If… if I help you weaken Durnham’s faction, what assurance do I have that I’ll receive the reward you’re offering?”

Aiden’s gaze didn’t waver. “Once Durnham falls, you’ll be the key to maintaining order within her ranks. And we’ll make sure you have the authority you deserve. But betray me…” His eyes darkened. “And you’ll be reduced to little more than a footnote in the city’s history.”

The advisor swallowed, his resolve clearly tested. Finally, he gave a hesitant nod. “Very well. I’ll do what I can from the inside.”

Aiden stepped back, signaling Valeria to lead him back to their hidden path. As they disappeared into the night, he felt the first piece of his plan fall into place. The advisor’s growing disloyalty would unsettle Durnham’s influence, and as her family weakened, Valros and Edran would be on edge, each considering his own position.

Back at the Loain estate, Aiden met with Edik in his private study to update him on the progress.

“Lady Durnham has… an internal conflict now,” Aiden reported with a slight grin. “One of her closest men is leaning in our favor. He’ll spread enough doubt among her allies to slow her ability to act.”

Edik let out a rare chuckle, his admiration for Aiden’s work clear. “You move swiftly. I’d barely considered the meeting’s outcome, and already Durnham’s house is cracking.”

“It’s just the beginning,” Aiden replied, his eyes gleaming with quiet intensity. “We’ll let her weaken, and when Valros and Edran begin to see the tides shifting, they’ll make their own mistakes. All we need is for each of them to distrust the others enough that alliances become fragile.”

Edik leaned back, visibly satisfied. “You’re proving yourself an invaluable asset, Aiden. The Loain family’s legacy will be unshakable with you by our side.”

Aiden inclined his head, concealing his inner satisfaction. “Moon City is on the verge of true unity, Lord Loain. And soon, the only name the people will respect is yours.”

As he left Edik’s study, Aiden felt a surge of purpose. With each move, he was positioning the Loain family as the undisputed rulers of Moon City. And as his plans unfolded, he knew that soon, the city’s nobles would look upon him with the same respect and awe as they did Edik himself.

For Aiden, this was more than a strategic victory. It was his ascent into a world where every piece moved at his command.

Aiden knew that the so-called “inspection” he proposed was, in truth, a cunning tool designed to fracture the tenuous unity among the three families. To those unfamiliar with his true intentions, it would appear as a genuine effort to uphold order and weed out potential threats within the city. But to Aiden, it was a carefully crafted wedge, meant to pry apart the already delicate bonds tying Lady Durnham, Lord Valros, and Master Edran together. He had suggested the inspection to ensure that no family could trust another, exploiting even the slightest hint of mutual suspicion.