The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 24: Chapter 23 — Lines

A moment later, Zephyrion felt a light tug at his sleeve.

He turned. Lumi was staring intently at the water satchel.

”...You want some?”

She nodded.

He handed it over, watching as she took it with both hands and drank without restraint.

It wasn’t long before Selis returned, this time with Tobias in tow.

The boy looked like he had just outrun death itself. His breathing was ragged, his clothes slightly disheveled, and he scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh as soon as he caught Zephyrion’s gaze.

”...My lord.”

Selis released him without ceremony and stepped back.

As the night stretched on, she eventually left again to scout the surroundings and ward off any possible nocturnal beasts.

Silence settled over the campsite. The fire crackled softly. Lumi had already drifted off, curled up near the warmth.

Zephyrion shifted his gaze towards his ward.

”Tell me about home.”

Tobias blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden request.

”Ah—yes, my lord.”

He straightened instinctively, looking eager.

”...What exactly do you want to know?”

”The current situation of the house.”

Unlike Borun at the bastion, Zephyrion was certain Tobias would know far more about the state of things.

”As you wish, my lord.” Tobias nodded. ”After your... incident seven years ago, Lord Calderalth stopped involving himself in house matters. No one really knows why. Since then, different factions have been trying to take control.”

He paused briefly, choosing his words more carefully.

”...It’s been unstable, my lord. But...”

His eyes lit up as he looked at Zephyrion, unable to hide the spark of excitement in them.

”With you back... I think that ends now.”

Zephyrion said nothing.

Tobias’ meaning was clear. Before his absence, he had been the rightful heir, and was said to become the next head of house.

His return should been the solution to everything. Unfortunately, reality was rarely that convenient.

”Who controls the house now?” Zephyrion asked after a moment.

Tobias hesitated.

”...The three great lines still handle most affairs, but right now, power is split between the Discipline and Forge Lines. They’ve been clashing quite a bit.”

’Hmm...’

Zephyrion leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting toward the flames as he sorted through the information.

The higher hierarchy of House Calderalth was split into four great powers. At the top was the head of house, the absolute authority over everything.

Beneath that were the three great lines.

The Knight Line, responsible for military power and securing the southern lands. The Forge Line, which controlled the foundries, relic creation, rune development, and resource flow. And finally, the Discipline Line, overseeing training, intelligence, and punishment within the house.

’So there’s a divide.’

With the head of house stepping back, it was only natural that the balance would fracture.

Opportunity always bred ambition.

Zephyrion’s gaze returned to Tobias.

”Who rules each line?”

”The Knight and Forge Lines are still under Lord Garaxe and Lord Tenius,” Tobias replied, then faltered. ”...But...”

Zephyrion could see a flicker of hesitation on the boy’s face.

”What about the Discipline?”

Tobias lowered his voice slightly.

”...The Discipline Line is under Lady Ingrid, my lord.”

A quiet pause followed.

’I see.’

Now he understood why Tobias had hesitated. Ingrid Calderalth. She was the first child of Kastor, and also his elder sister.

’So she leads the Discipline Line now.’

Zephyrion’s gaze lingered on the fire, its flames reflecting faintly in his eyes.

He wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

They had barely spoken as children, especially after he had been named heir instead of her, the firstborn, shortly after his awakening.

He couldn’t tell if it had been anger or something else, but she had pulled from him not long after.

And now... during his absence, she had carved her place into the heart of the family and risen to control one of its pillars.

It was unclear how she would respond to his return.

’...It’s not just her.’

Zephyrion’s mind replayed the earlier events. He had allowed the entire ambush to occur in order to gather information from Denmar’s subordinate.

As it turned out, Denmar wasn’t the main threat, but the Sarakhel. He recalled how Denmar had discouraged him when asked if he should take back what was his during their meeting.

At the time, it had felt personal, like Denmar was acting for his own sake. Now... it was different.

’My return threatens them, and they would rather the ground remain still.’

Aside from the three great lines, the Sarakhel were clearly interfering in Calderalth matters. The very fact that a Sarakhel now commanded the southern bastion was all the confirmation he needed.

Zephyrion’s gaze remained fixed on the fire as it crackled softly before him, the silence stretching.

Slowly, he exhaled.

’So be it.’

If it was war they wanted...

He would give them war.