Called on my wedding day, Dallion grumbled internally as he walked through the streets of the imperial capital.

Even with the void threads gone, the place remained an alluring den of treachery. The only difference was that one sort of thread was replaced by several others. Among them, Dallion easily recognized the music skills of his own family. The Elazni were out in full force, it seemed, and now thanks to news of his victory over the Azures in the east, Dallion had given them a helping hand. One thing concerned Dallion, though. If the whole city was aware of the latest news, why hadn’t the emperor summoned him?

Are you sure there’s nothing you can tell, Adzorg? Dallion asked within his realm.

Not a thing, dear boy. And I can assure you that I haven’t made a Moon vow on the matter. The emperor simply has been occupied lately.

Occupied with what?

If I knew that, dear boy, I’d be on the other side of my lavish cell.

Nobles of no consequence greeted Dallion as he walked by. Now that he was no longer seen as the bastard Elazni child, they had opened up a lot more. In terms of the capital, that meant that they had actively engaged in the expected ass-kissing-for-favors routine.

“Welcome back, count,” an overseer emerged a step away. “Please allow me the honor of accompanying you.”

Here we go again, Dallion thought. Despite the new appearance, he could tell that one of the archbishop’s copyettes had come to have a word with him.

“I didn’t know it was necessary,” he replied as arrogantly as possible.

“It’s just a courtesy. The duchess requested it.”

“My great-grandmother?” That was surprising and alarming in equal measure. Most people would fear the power that came with the title. Right now, what Dallion most feared was that he had gone through with a marriage that she had expressly forbidden. “Does she want me to go to her?”

“She would be delighted, I’m certain, but she only wants to ensure that you get an escort to where you’re going.”

Not cryptic at all.

Don’t worry, families are like that, Vihrogon said in a dismissive fashion. She probably just wants to give you some life lessons on what it means to have a family.

That’s what Dallion was worried about. Furthermore, it was unusual for an overseer to convey the message and not her trusted servant Taem.

“In that case, can you get me there faster?” Dallion kept up the act.

“My pleasure, Count.”

A bubble or reality formed around Dallion and the overseer as they sped through people, streets, and buildings straight to the Zodiac building. It was only at the front door that the overseer returned reality to normal. Annoyingly, he also chose not to disappear.

“Are you escorting me inside?” Dallion raised an eyebrow.

“Of course not. That building is beyond my purview. I’m only to ensure that you enter it safely.”

“I’m a level one hundred noble. What could possibly happen to me?” Dallion tilted his head in mock anger.

“My task is only to obey the orders of the imperial family, not to make judgements.” The overseer smiled. “If I were to venture a guess, I’d say you were called on a rather important matter if such… care was to be taken.”

To the untrained ear, that sounded like a lot of nonsense. After his undercover work for the Order of the Seven Moons for so long, Dallion had learned to easily identify messages within messages. In this case, it seemed that the reason for which Dallion had joined the Twelve Suns might well have come into effect.

With a sigh and shrug, he walked up to the door. A doorkeeper bowed and quickly opened the door for Dallion to enter.

Normally, this was the point at which his personal guide would appear, but to Dallion’s surprise, he found several other members there. A quick glance revealed that one of them was holding a scroll that seemed identical to what Dallion had received moments ago.

Night gathering? Dallion wondered.

The surprises continued in the common room. The place was virtually packed with awakened in travel gear. Those that weren’t were in discussion with those that were inquiring what would be preferable for the situation.

The uncommon room wasn’t any different, only the clothes and gear were more expensive. Dallion could feel the strength of the item guardians—all of them veterans, with multiple times more experience than their owners.

What’s the fuss? Dallion asked a few nearby swords.

It’s a hunt, sir. The weapon responded, recognizing Dallion as a member of the inner sanctum. We’ll be going on a hunt.

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This sounded bad on many levels. Having a hunt during wartime was, if not suicidal, then a very stupid move. The strength gathered in this building alone was enough to take down half the force Dallion had faced recently. Not that he was complaining about his new troops, but the lowest levels he had seen so far were in the low sixties.

What hunt? he asked.

We haven’t been told, sir. The sword replied. The last time so many gathered, we cleared out an ancient catacomb crawling with wyvern nests. Those were the days, sir. Absolutely glorious.

Moving on through the chatter, Dallion quickly went to the inner sanctum. He expected to find about a dozen people inside, which he did, yet not in his wildest dreams did he imagine he’d find his great-grandmother there as well.

Not too long ago, his flight instinct would have immediately triggered, forcing him to take a step back against the door he’d entered through.

“Duchess,” he greeted has as was etiquette upon seeing the head of his family. Receiving a brief nod from her, he then approached. “I was not aware that you were a member.”

“Honorary member,” she replied with the faintest hint of regret. “It has been decades since I took part in actual events.”

In another part of the large room, Dallion saw Abla Tamin discussing something with several other high-level members. The mage Pierce was among them, along with a few noble hunters. As could be expected, Tors was also with them. Seeing Dallion, however, he quickly mutterd a quick word of apology and rushed to join him and Duchess Elazni.

“You’re finally here,” Tors said, disapproval and disappointment emanating from him. “We were talking about going ahead without you.”

“Don’t be so overdramatic.” The duchess quickly put him in his place. “And filter your emotions. It’s unbecoming.”

“Yes, great-grandmother.” Instantly, any emotion streaming from the noble vanished.

“Good. The reason I’ve come is to ensure that all hostilities between you cease once you leave this chamber. Am I understood?”

Both Dallion and Tors nodded.

“Good. You’re not only inner sanctum members out there but also the face of House Elazni, and House Elazni stands united.”

Once again, it was all about appearance. While it was acceptable, even welcome, that members of a family competed—occasionally in lethal fashion—for a better position within the family, when dealing with external matters, they had to stand by each other no matter what. A house divided was a weak house and nowhere was that more relevant than among domain rulers.

“While being called on such a hunt is an undoubted honor, it’s rather convenient that both of my gifted grandsons have been selected by name,” she continued. “It wouldn’t be out of the question for someone to have put in a lot of effort to achieve such a result. As you know, accidents happen during hunting.” She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t be among them.”

The weight of her words suddenly increased, making Dallion feel as if someone had placed a mountain on top of him. Thanks to his current level, he could easily handle it, but it remained uncomfortable.

“I trust you understand what I’m saying?” She looked at each in turn.

“Yes, Duchess,” Dallion said.

“Yes, great-grandma,” Tors replied. Somehow, he had recently gotten back in her good graces.

“Good. Tors, join the discussion with little Abla.” She glanced in the direction of the nobles further away. “Dallion, stay a moment.”

Just great, Dallion thought. The only consolation was that he suspected that Tors was equally displeased, if not more. When it came to plotters, their greatest fear was that others were plotting against them.

“I heard what happened,” the woman said in a firm voice.

“Which part, Duchess? Rumors have a tendency to—”

“All of it,” she cut him short.

There was no denying that she believed so, but Dallion doubted that she was aware of the half of it.

“You married her against my wishes.”

That better not have been you, Adzorg! Dallion thought while maintaining his calm façade. The only other potential source was the Order of Seven Moons. It was very possible they maintained a hidden relationship with Duchess Elazni, given their past history.

“The Alliance no longer exists,” Dallion said calmly. “What’s left belongs to me now.”

“Which is why many consider you to become the new archduke, as you’ve probably heard.”

“Some of the rumors have reached my attention, yes,” he admitted.

“You’ve forgotten everything I tried to teach you.” The duchess allowed herself a sigh. “What did I say about rising too fast?” Her voice had become so faint that even with all of Dallion’s traits and skills, he could barely make it out. “Your grandparents didn’t listen and look what happened to them. The same is happening to you.”

“I’m not like him. I’m better—”

“Prepared?” Traces of pity formed on the woman’s face. “That man also said the same.”

“There wasn’t a war back then. If I fall now, the nymphs will gain a foothold on this side of the continent.”

“There were wars back then. Not as serious as now, but it didn’t stop people whispering in the right ears. Why do you think a hunt was organized right after you managed to obtain an army? Why do you think you and Tors were explicitly invited to take part?”

Dallion suspected he had made enemies within the capital, but that sounded too far-fetched. There was no denying that the coincidence was quite appropriate, but still… to organize such an elaborate way of killing him, and at this time, was less than likely.

“The strength you’ve amassed equals that of a province. Three archdukes outright despise you, the remaining don’t want to have a threat in their midst. I’ve instructed Tors to assist you, but I’m afraid whoever organized this might be aiming for the fall of Elazni.”

You’re wrong, Dallion thought. As the archbishop had told him, there was a target, but it wasn’t Dallion. Abla was the greatest threat. If anything, Dallion suspected he was sent there to protect the noble.

What do you think, Adzorg? Can someone be targeting me?

It’s always a possibility. Taking on archdukes used to be fair game at one point. As the rules go, it’s up to the high levels to guard their spot. If you can be taken down by something as trivial as an assassination attempt, you weren’t the right person for it.

So much for the game of intrigue and politics.

Despite what the nobles of the capital claim, the war has gotten them nervous, and nervous people tend to go for a more straightforward approach.

“I’ll keep my guard up, Duchess.” Dallion forces a smile. “I’ll come back from this alive.”

“If I didn’t think there was a chance, I wouldn’t have bothered coming here. Remember, you might be the only full skill member, but you don’t lead the hunt. Abla makes the decisions.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”

The comment earned him an annoyed look.

“What exactly are we going on a hunt for?” Dallion asked. “No one I asked seemed to know.”

“Dragons,” Duchess Elazni said. “The Academy has come across a dragon’s nest and the Order’s task is to clear it.”