The departure of Victor Ravenholt did not bring peace.
It brought silence.
A dangerous one.
For days, no letters arrived.
No merchants passed.
No scouts returned.
Blackridge felt… isolated.
Kelsin reported quietly.
"Trade routes are being blocked."
Rynor slammed the table.
"Cowards."
Lyra frowned.
"This is economic warfare."
Arin nodded.
"They're trying to starve us."
The system activated.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Indirect Suppression Detected]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Countermeasure Options Available]
Arin reviewed maps.
Alternative roads.
Mountain paths.
Forest trails.
"We'll open new routes," he decided.
"Smaller caravans. Faster movement."
Kelsin nodded.
"I'll arrange it."
Two days later, the first caravan departed secretly.
Night travel.
Light wagons.
Elite escorts
Arin personally watched them leave.
"Be careful," he whispered.
That night—
A scout burst in.
"Your Highness! Ambush!"
Arin rushed out.
Smoke rose in the distance.
They found burned wagons.
Dead guards.
No survivors.
Rynor knelt.
"They knew the route."
"An insider," Jaren growled.
Lyra clenched her fists.
"This is assassination."
Arin's face hardened.
For the first time…
Anger burned openly.
The system reacted.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Hostile Scheme Confirmed]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Intelligence Network Unlocked]
New option appeared.
[Spy Network – Basic Level]
Arin accepted instantly.
"We fight in shadows now," he said.
Within a week—
Orphans were recruited.
Beggars were trained.
Merchants were bribed.
Servants were questioned.
A web formed quietly.
Soon, information flowed in.
"Victor's men hired assassins."
"Duke Ravenholt funds them."
"Next target: the forge."
Arin closed his eyes.
Then opened them sharply.
"Prepare a trap."
They spread rumors.
"The Redstone Core is unguarded."
At midnight—
Dark figures slipped inside.
Thirty masked men.
Silent.
Professional.
But—
They were surrounded.
Rynor blocked exits.
Jaren smashed walls.
Lyra sealed space with barriers.
"Now," Arin ordered calmly.
The fight was short.
Brutal.
Efficient.
No assassin escaped.
The leader was captured.
Arin looked at him coldly.
"Who sent you?"
After one hour…
He spoke.
"Ravenholt."
Arin exhaled slowly.
"Then it's official."
The system activated.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Enemy Faction Identified]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Political Conflict Escalated]
That night, Arin checked his status.
[PLAYER PROFILE – ARIN ELDORIA
Strength: 7
Mana: 5
Speed: 7
Endurance: 6
Intelligence: 11
Charisma: 11
Growth Potential: SSS
System Authority: Level 2
Territory Authority: Level 1
Intelligence Network: Level 1
]
He stared at the panel.
Still weak.
Still fragile.
But now…
He held blades in the dark.
Eyes in the streets.
And loyalty in hearts.
Ravenholt wanted war.
Fine.
He would learn.
Dynasties are not built by mercy.
They are forged by blood and patience.