Inside the inner chambers of Celestia Royal Palace, Aurelius listened to Yuliana’s report. The jade cup in his hand quivered. “Golden Dragon Bloodline? I took for a talented wanderer, never one so deeply born…”
“Your Highness…” Yuliana replied, bowing low, “His lineage is exalted, yet his strength impresses even more. Commander Drake fought in full Dragon Transformation, yet Jared shattered with chaotic energy. I suspect Jared already skirts Top Level Earthly Immortal Realm Level Nine, perhaps brushing the Human Immortal Realm threshold.”
Aurelius sprang to his feet and paced beneath the lantern light, excitement flashing across his stern features. “Heaven favors our realm… With Jared beside us, the bell will return, and the demonic soul threat will break.”
He halted, solemn once more. “Yuliana, summon Mr. Chance at once. I must speak with in person. Also, issue an order to seal the news of his Golden Dragon Bloodline. Brief only the highest circle. We sit between foreign threat and inner strife. Loose words might draw predators, especially from the Celestial Palace and the prime minister.”
“Your will, Your Highness…” Yuliana withdrew with swift, noiseless steps. Moments later, returned, Jared at side, their footfalls echoing along marble corridors toward the throne hall.
Aurelius rose to greet him, respect sharpening his voice. “Mr. Chance, I did not know you carried the golden dragon within you. Forgive any earlier discourtesy!”
“Your Majesty is too kind,” Jared answered, hands clasped in formal salute. “Bloodline is just a gift at birth. True strength is carved afterward, one hardship at a time.”
Aurelius nodded, appreciation clear. “That spirit is why I summoned you. I wish to entrust the search for the Roaring Storm Bell to you. In all Celestia, only you possess the power and will to bear the task. Should the demonic soul entrenched at Roaring Storm Church break its seal, our realm will surely suffer, and the other cursed souls we suppress may follow.”
He drew a small emerald badge etched with glowing divine markings and placed it in Jared’s palm. “This is Celestia’s Investigation Badge. With it, you may command secret agents and open classified archives. Yuliana will assist, and the Imperial Guard, including Commander Drake, now answers to you as well.”
The badge felt warm against Jared’s skin, its living runes rippling like breath, an unspoken promise of power and responsibility now his to wield.
Jared had never expected such sweeping faith. King Aurelius was willing to place the entire machinery of the realm, its armies, its spies, its coffers, squarely in his hands.
“Your Majesty, rest assured,” Jared said, inclining his head with deliberate calm. “I will pour every ounce of strength I have into reclaiming the Roaring Storm Bell… That said, what fragments of evidence do we possess concerning Malevolent Path Hall’s dealings with Drystan Hexford of the Sixth Hall?”
“Precious little,” Aurelius admitted, the words landing like stone.
Aurelius let out a weary breath, the torchlight painting harsh shadows across his face. “Malevolent Path Hall drifts like smoke. My secret agents have chased them for years and returned with nothing but scattered rumors, never the location of their true lair…”
“As for Drystan, whispers say traffics with them, yet whispers prove nothing. The Sixth Hall wields vast influence among the gods. Move against without ironclad proof, and we risk open war between the crown and the temple.”
“Understood,” Jared replied, voice low but steady.
He paused, weighing the next step. “Our first trail should begin inside Celestia itself. Only a handful knew the bell was here. Perhaps one of them cracked. You also mentioned the prime minister. What sort of man is he, honorable, or merely convenient?”
Aurelius’ brow tightened. “The prime minister’s name is Ieuan Chapman. He has followed my father for many years and now commands the Guardian Army, over ten thousand hardened soldiers. Outwardly, his loyalty is flawless, yet I would not stake the throne on it…”
“His hunger for power runs deep. He has woven a dense web of allies throughout the court. During your investigation, if his people cross your path, tread with caution…”
