The scene shifted to a grand hall, the kind one would find in old-style Japanese mansions. The floor was a polished wooden lattice, its smooth texture reflecting the soft glow of paper lanterns hung strategically across the room.
The walls, adorned with traditional sliding panels, added to the archaic yet regal ambiance of the place.
At one end of the hall stood a raised platform. Twelve ornate chairs were arranged in a semi-circle atop it.
Eleven of these were occupied by elderly figures—nine men with long, snow-white beards and two women, their hair tied neatly into elaborate buns.
The twelfth chair, positioned prominently at the center, remained conspicuously vacant.
The elders sat high above, their gazes fixed downward toward the corridor below. Standing there was the nineteen-year-old boy Sinu had addressed as “Young Master.” Beside him, Seinu knelt on the wooden floor, his head bowed respectfully.
The silence in the room was broken when one of the elders, a stern-looking man with piercing eyes and a voice like gravel, leaned forward and addressed the young master. “Robin, why have you summoned us here for such an urgent meeting? We were in the middle of our work.”
The other elders turned their attention toward Robin, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and impatience. It was evident that they were expecting a satisfactory explanation for this abrupt gathering.
Robin stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the wooden floor beneath his feet. A heavy tension hung in the air as the elders waited for his response.
Another elder, a stout man with an authoritative tone, spoke up. “Robin, do you realize that we are only a few days away from witnessing the arrival of the Chosen One? This is a historic event, one that requires our complete focus and preparation. And yet, you choose this moment to disrupt us with your meeting.”
Robin finally raised his head, his sharp blue eyes meeting the collective gaze of the elders. His expression was calm but determined. “I understand the importance of the Chosen One’s arrival,” he said, his voice steady. “But this meeting is necessary to address a grave mistake—a mistake your branch family made, and one I was sent here to rectify.”
His words caused a stir among the elders. Their attention momentarily shifted to the empty chair in the center of the platform. The weight of Robin’s accusation was palpable, and the elders exchanged uneasy glances.
One of the elders, an older man with a long, flowing beard, leaned forward and asked, “Speak plainly, Robin. What mistake are you referring to?”
Robin took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. “I know you are all eagerly anticipating the Chosen One’s arrival,” he began. He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. “But your enthusiasm will change nothing. You are branch family members, after all—not part of the main family, not purebloods.”
The room erupted in murmurs of anger and disbelief. One of the elders, a bald man with an imposing presence, slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair.
His voice boomed through the hall as he addressed Robin. “You may belong to the main family, Robin, but that does not give you the right to insult the elders of the branch family. Such insolence will not go unpunished!”
As the elder’s anger filled the room, another elder, a calm and composed woman with a gentle voice, interjected. She turned toward the enraged elder and said, “Let us not be hasty in our judgment. Robin may have spoken out of turn, but he must have his reasons for summoning us here.”
She then shifted her gaze to Robin, her expression inquisitive. “Robin, what is the true purpose of this meeting? Speak now.”
The enraged elder glared at her, clearly dissatisfied with her intervention, but he remained silent, his fists clenched tightly.
Throughout this exchange, Sinu observed everything from his position beside Robin. His head remained lowered, but his eyes darted between the elders and Robin, noting the subtle shifts in their expressions and body language.
Robin, standing tall amidst the tension, prepared to deliver his next words, his face betraying no sign of hesitation.
Robin stood firm, his gaze unwavering despite the palpable tension in the hall. The elder who had earlier threatened him with punishment remained silent, realizing no one would support his stance. All eyes were now on Robin, waiting for him to speak.
Robin’s voice cut through the still air. “I have uncovered the whereabouts of the traitor, Jordan.”
The moment the name "Jordan" left Robin’s lips, a collective reaction rippled through the room. All the elders rose to their feet in unison, their faces a mix of shock, disbelief, and concern.
The elder who had earlier been intent on punishing Robin—Atlas, the bald man with a long white beard—froze for a moment. A fleeting smile of relief crossed his face, but it quickly gave way to a look of deep worry as realization set in.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
At the center of the elders, the most senior among them, Goldman, stood from his seat. His presence exuded authority, his sharp gaze fixated on Robin.
His voice was stern and deliberate as he spoke. “Robin, if what you say is true, then it is indeed critical. But if you are lying or exaggerating, you know the consequences will be severe.”
Robin, unfazed by the threat, met Goldman’s gaze head-on. “I am not like you,” he retorted coldly. “I do not deal in lies. I have located Jordan, and I am here to inform you that we have his exact location. All that remains is for us to act swiftly and strike.”
Goldman’s expression remained stern, though a flicker of irritation crossed his face. He let out a measured sigh before lowering himself back into his seat. Meanwhile, Atlas, who had been listening intently, turned to Goldman. His deep voice broke the brief silence.
“Goldman, you know as well as I do that the ceremony to welcome the Chosen One is approaching. All the clan leaders will be attending. We cannot afford to divert our attention or resources at this moment,” Atlas said, his tone laced with urgency.
Goldman glanced at Atlas, then shifted his gaze toward the center of the room. His fingers moved to his temple, massaging it as if trying to quell a headache.
Robin, growing visibly frustrated, clenched his fists. “I’ve already told you,” he said, his voice rising slightly, “there is still time before the ceremony. If we deploy just one unit to Jordan’s location, we can capture him without disrupting the ceremony preparations. It’s the perfect opportunity!”
Goldman raised his head, his expression calm but firm. “It is not that simple,” he replied. “We are accountable to the higher council. Moving troops during such a critical period will not go unnoticed. If we make any rash decisions, we may jeopardize more than just this mission.”
Robin’s frustration boiled over. His piercing glare fixed on Goldman as he spoke with barely contained anger. “Are you just trying to cover up your own failure? The failure that allowed Jordan to escape punishment and flee in the first place?”
The room grew deathly quiet at Robin’s accusation. Goldman’s gaze hardened, his serious eyes locked onto Robin. “You speak with confidence and arrogance, Robin,” he said coldly. “If you are so sure of yourself, why don’t you try capturing Jordan on your own? Do you truly think this is an easy task?”
Goldman’s words were sharp, his tone a subtle taunt. He continued, “You should know better. Jordan is not just any fugitive. He is one of the best swordsmen of the branch family. Even with our numbers, capturing him would be no small feat. Unlike you, I cannot afford to be reckless. I care about the lives of our people.”
Robin felt the sting of Goldman’s words. He knew they were not without truth. Jordan’s skill as a swordsman was legendary, even among the branch family. Facing him alone would be nearly impossible, even for someone of Robin’s abilities.
For a moment, Robin stood silently, his anger simmering beneath the surface. Then, to the surprise of everyone present, a sly smile spread across his face.
He looked directly at Goldman, his voice steady but laced with defiance. “So tell me,” Robin said, his tone calm but biting, “when do you plan to act against Jordan?”
Goldman’s serious expression didn’t waver as Robin’s challenge hung in the air.
Goldman remained silent for a few seconds after Robin's outburst, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm yet resolute. “We will not act until the ceremony is over.”
Robin’s fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white. His sharp, frustrated gaze swept across the room, landing on each elder in turn. His voice rose, cutting through the stillness like a blade.
“The ceremony will take a year and a half to conclude! Are you seriously willing to wait that long? What if he escapes in that time? Who will be responsible for letting him go—again? Because that’s what you’ve always done!”
The elders, unfazed by Robin’s accusatory tone, closed their eyes in unison. They took deep, measured breaths, their faces calm and composed as if Robin’s words carried no weight. Their silent dismissal of his concerns only served to fuel Robin’s growing anger.
Behind him, Sinu watched the scene unfold, his admiration for Robin growing. Despite knowing that his swordsmanship was merely average, Robin’s unyielding confidence and the influence of his family’s high status rendered even the branch family elders cautious.
Goldman opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Robin. His tone was cold and final. “Say whatever you want, but the decision has been made.”
With those words, the meeting was effectively over. One by one, the elders rose from their seats and began to leave.
As Atlas passed Robin, he smirked, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. His voice was barely audible as he muttered, “Jordan, I’ve done you another favor. Now quietly slip away.”
Atlas exited the hall, his steps deliberate and his smirk lingering. The room was now almost empty, save for Robin and Seenu.
Robin stood in the middle of the corridor, visibly frustrated by the elders’ decision. His jaw tightened, and his eyes burned with frustration. Sinu, sensing Robin’s growing turmoil, hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Young Master, what do we do now?”
Robin didn’t respond. Without so much as a glance at Seenu, he began walking toward the corridor’s exit. Sinū followed close behind, his curiosity getting the better of him.
As they walked, sinu broke the silence. “If you can’t directly attack Jordan, what will you do? He’s undeniably strong...”
Robin’s lips curled into a small smile, surprising Sinu. There was an air of mischief in his expression, as if a plan had already formed in his mind.
“Young Master,” Sinu asked cautiously, “are you planning something?”
Robin didn’t stop walking, his smile widening. “You’ve guessed correctly. I have a plan. Even if we can’t capture him yet, we can ensure he doesn’t leave that place. We’ll trap him where he is.”
Seenu’s face showed confusion as he tried to piece together Robin’s cryptic words. “I don’t understand, Young Master. How will we do that?”
Robin stopped abruptly, turning to face Seenu. His sharp eyes bore into Seenu as he asked, “What did you say Jordan’s message was?”
Seenu blinked, taking a moment to recall the message. He finally replied, “Jordan said that he would protect the village. If anyone wanted to harm the village or its people, they would have to face him first.”
Hearing this, Robin’s smirk deepened. Seenu looked at him, bewildered. “Young Master, I still don’t understand what you’re planning.”
Robin’s voice was calm, but his tone carried a dangerous edge. “If he’s protecting that village, we’ll make it his cage. We won’t attack him—not yet. Instead, we’ll ensure no one from that village can leave. We’ll cut it off completely.”
Robin resumed walking, his voice unwavering. “Make sure no one escapes from the village. Not a single soul leaves until we’re ready to strike.”
Seenu’s eyes widened as understanding dawned on him. A grin spread across his face as he quickened his pace to match Robin’s. “As you wish, Young Master. I will see to it personally.”
Robin didn’t respond, his focus already shifting to the details of his plan. Together, they walked into the shadows of the corridor as the chapter came to an end.