Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 613: Guardian Family Liaisons

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Alex examined Kron Belloc briefly.

This first Verdantian who might be considered to have joined the Fortuna party since they arrived appeared... unusual.

Like a man bearing a tremendous weight upon his shoulders.

A spark of comprehension flashed in Alex’s gaze.

He faced his wives.

“Get the others settled,” he instructed. “I’ll handle our visitors.”

The women acknowledged with nods.

Raven Horn guided Alex and Kron into the study of the mansion.

Without any formality, Raven Horn sank into one of the visitor chairs.

Kron claimed the remaining one.

Forcing Alex to take the primary seat behind the desk.

“Guess congratulations are due,” Raven Horn remarked offhandedly.

“Never thought you’d pull it off,” he added, grinning.

“What precisely do you mean?” Alex inquired, arching a brow.

“Don’t. Just don’t,” Raven dismissed with a wave. “No nobles around here—no call for that dodgy wordplay you nobles love to pull.”

Alex shot a glance at Kron, as if noting his noble status.

Raven noticed and shrugged it off.

“He’s not the eldest son. Doesn’t qualify.”

Kron’s face twitched faintly, yet he stayed silent.

Alex shook his head subtly before refocusing on Raven.

“Fine,” he agreed. “Let’s cut to the chase.”

His stare intensified.

“Who are you truly? You’re obviously beyond a mere Combat Master adventurer.”

Raven reclined a bit, unperturbed.

“I’m an elder in the Black Scar Syndicate,” he declared. “Or to be exact... an elder of the Alston family.”

“The Black Scar Syndicate? The Alston family? Impossible!” Kron exclaimed suddenly.

Alex looked his way.

“Do they matter?”

Kron fixed his gaze on Raven, still rattled.

“The Black Scar Syndicate is thought to be the biggest syndicate worldwide,” he clarified. “They span numerous empires.”

“Regarding the Alston family...”

He paused for a second.

“They were once an imperial bloodline—wiped out ages ago by the united force of several Temples on heresy charges. Their lands got split among three present-day empires.”

His voice grew firm.

“The temples were meticulous. No Alston survivors should exist.”

“Yet here I sit,” Raven noted mildly.

Alex nodded thoughtfully.

“Understood,” he murmured.

“So you belong to the guardian lineage that protects the Heaven-Earth Concordance talismanic field.”

His eyes tightened a touch.

“What went wrong? Did the secret leak?”

Raven Horn’s gaze shifted.

“You pick things up fast,” he commented, appraising Alex. “Say a family expands too much, and it’s tough to silence wagging tongues.”

“Got it...” Alex nodded once more. “The ancient royal house morphed into today’s syndicate?”

Raven let out a soft laugh.

“They’re not so dissimilar. Royals govern by day, backed by Temple power...

“...while we dominate the shadows—powered by coin, sway, and avarice.”

The room fell quiet.

For an instant, Alex and Raven eyed one another—sizing up strengths.

At last, Alex shattered the hush.

“You know how the trial ended,” he stated. “Let me venture—Wayne Achard directed me there on purpose. Those raging humans were mere bait... a signpost steering me correctly.”

“Spot on,” Raven confirmed promptly, nodding freely.

“Why?” Alex pressed.

Raven cocked his head.

“Why what?”

“Why select me?” Alex specified. “Why pick me for the trial?”

Raven lifted his shoulders.

“The trial field itself singled you out.”

Alex’s eyebrows knit.

“What does that signify?”

“Not all particulars are clear to me,” Raven conceded. “But our family has sorcerers tied to the talismanic field via a secret rite.”

“A prospective Legatee nearby triggers a signal from the field. It draws those sorcerers to the prospect.”

“Our role is assessing suitability. If worthy, we lead them to the trial field.”

He halted momentarily.

“Recall Martin?”

“The youth at the Dragonstone adventurer association’s front desk?” Alex responded.

“Him,” Raven confirmed with a nod. “One of our sorcerers.”

“Word is, he got a potent signal from the field right when you registered your party.”

“He alerted the dwarf at once.”

‘That explains his shock back then,’ Alex mused.

“If so,” Alex noted, “why skip testing my character before dispatching me to the trial, Branch Master Wayne?”

“No need,” Raven answered.

“Someone endorsed you.”

“Who?” Alex queried. “I knew nobody in Dragonstone then.”

“Your backer,” Raven indicated, pointing at Kron Belloc. “Baron Luth Belloc.”

“He tipped off Wayne ahead, urging an evaluation as a candidate. He guaranteed your integrity—but insisted a sorcerer double-check, for safety.”

Raven grinned slyly.

“As anticipated... Luth’s judgment of character stays razor-sharp.”

“The Guardian families seem tighter-knit than anticipated,” Alex observed.

“Not exactly,” Raven Horn responded breezily. “Luth’s just... sharper than most.”

He eyed Kron shortly, then wavered.

It was faint—yet evident.

As if debating his words.

Alex’s eyebrow rose marginally.

“Not like you to bite your tongue,” he remarked.

“I chatter plenty,” Raven retorted, “but I know discretion.”

“Discreet, sure,” Alex answered wryly.

Kron interjected.

“Spit it out. No need to spare me.”

His curiosity burned too.

Raven shrugged.

“Very well.”

“The Belloc family’s downfall centuries back,” he stated flatly, “stemmed from foolish leaders—men who swallowed a fraud’s tale on a mere token’s proof.”

Kron’s features stiffened.

“The impostor boasted he’d claimed the Legacy,” Raven went on. “Your forebears—desperate to discharge their ancient duty—obeyed blindly, sans checks.”

“They ignored us—trial guardians—to validate the Legacy’s transfer.”

He breathed out softly.

“Too late when truth dawned... they were hopelessly mired in his madness.”

“Pressing on became their sole path.”

Kron scowled profoundly, his quiet weighty.

Raven shifted focus back to Alex.

“Luth aimed to dodge repeating history,” he explained. “So he connected, forging ties with us.”

“Cooperation’s held firm since.”

“Thus our trust in his endorsement of you.”

“Clear now,” Alex nodded.

He eased back, propping his chin on a hand.

“You’re unusually candid today,” he pointed out. “Unlike before.”

Raven shrugged once more.

“You’re Legatee now,” he stated bluntly. “Guardian families serve under you.”

“Meaning—you’re in charge.”

He smirked lightly.

“Hiding info from my superior would be idiotic, right?”

Alex offered a slight shrug back.

“Would they bow to my rule so readily?” he wondered. “Over an age-old trial?”

“Hard to swallow.”

“Fair point,” Raven agreed, nodding. “Pre-Belloc fiasco? Maybe.”

“Today? Far trickier.”

“All crave guarantees prior to pledging.”

Alex reclined more, crossing arms.

“Guess what,” he said. “That’s your purpose here. My escort?”

“Think those sly veterans would pick me as babysitter?” Raven Horn queried, eyebrow up.

Alex chuckled insightfully.

Raven flicked his hand away.

“I’m the link between you and Guardian families,” he clarified. “Truthfully—a glorified courier.”

He lounged back.

“Nice gig though. Just relay notes quietly between parties. Suits me fine.”

Alex knew better than to take that at face value, yet nodded agreeably.

“Arrangement works for me,” he affirmed. “Truth be told, I’m cautious of the Guardian families too.”

His look sobered.

“For now, let them stay put, run business as usual.”

“I’ll summon action only when ready. Till then, avoid rousing false deities and their dogs.”

A subtle gleam lit his eyes.

“Particularly with eager patsies stealing the limelight for us.”

Raven grinned subtly.

“I’ll relay your words... tactfully.”

“No,” Alex interrupted. “Word for word as stated.”

Raven arched a brow.

“Unfazed by ruffling those old foxes’ feathers?”

“Not at all,” Alex answered steadily. “Your ’tact’ might botch it worse.”

Raven stilled... then shrugged.

“Point taken.”

Alex shook his head, ignoring him now, and addressed Kron.

“Venture a guess,” he said. “You’re here likewise—to bridge your father and me?”

“Close enough,” Kron affirmed. “Father wants me in your party... relaying your essence to him.”

“Merely my essence?” Alex queried, brow raised. “Not schemes?”

“Instructed solely on your essence,” Kron replied, shrugging. “He figures I couldn’t pierce your schemes if hidden.”

Raven burst laughing.

“Direct. I approve.”

Kron remained unmoved.

Instead, he fished a letter from his jacket’s inner pocket.

“One additional item...”

He passed it to Alex.

“Father bid me deliver this. Said smart use of its intel... might hasten your aims.”

Alex took the letter, unfolding it.

His gaze swept its words swiftly—

A grin crept across his features.

“Ah...”

“Truly a precious offering.”

***