Building a Modern Nation in a Fantasy World

Chapter 124: Law and Order (Part 22)



Elsewhere, deep beneath Iron Hearth...

The meeting chamber of Iron Shield's leadership sat in near-darkness, lit only by rune-etched lanterns and the low flicker of containment crystals. Even here, in their most secure hideout, the tension was suffocating.

Tannus stood near the center of the table, his arms folded, voice cold.

"Three more nobles surrendered this afternoon."

The words hit like lead.

"Fuck..." snarled Borik, slamming his palm onto the table. "How many does that make now? It's only been three days since Talon's speech, and already over half of our connections in the upper circles have folded. Half. Just like that."

He paced, face flushed with frustration. "And they still get punished even if they surrender. Why are these nobles and merchants so spineless? You'd think they'd show a shred of loyalty after all we did for them."

Tannus didn't flinch. His tone remained even, but there was a sharpened edge behind his words.

"Because they're not loyal. They never were. They're survivors, not soldiers. And right now, survival means kneeling before the Law Enforcement Division."

Borik growled low in his throat but said nothing more.

Tannus continued, "The officers have already begun sweeping noble estates. They don't need evidence anymore. They walk through gates with royal authority—and the nobles have to let them in."

He looked around the table at the other Iron Shield leaders, all seated in tense silence.

"With the king's decree in place, they don't need probable cause. They don't even need suspicion. They just show up… and start digging. And if they find so much as a loose receipt or a conversation taken out of context—it's over."

"And the punishments…" Tannus narrowed his eyes. "Execution. Public disgrace. Total property seizure. Entire family lines at risk. The nobles aren't surrendering because they're weak. They're surrendering because this time… the sword is at their necks."

A heavy silence fell.

Borik looked away, fists clenching and unclenching.

Over the past three days, the Law Enforcement Division had divided into rapid-response squads—each one comprised of at least five officers, a mage, and at least one royal knight. With the king's approval, they moved through the city like a wave—systematically striking, seizing, and searching.

It was more than an investigation now.

It was a purge.

Officially, the operation was about rooting out Iron Shield sympathizers.

But King Arthur Tesla had used the crisis to do what no monarch before him dared: challenge the untouchable power of the nobility. With the people's trust at his back, he was using the Law Enforcement Division not only to destroy Iron Shield, but to measure and get more information about the aristocracy in Iron Hearth even if there were no clues or information about those aristocracy related to Iron Shield.

And so far?

It was working.

Tannus turned toward the far end of the chamber, where Kaelen Virell, the leader of Iron Shield, sat in silence.

Draped in a long black coat, his face was partially masked by a silver veil of enchanted thread. He had said nothing since the meeting began—only listened, his gloved fingers steepled beneath his chin.

Tannus stepped forward.

"Sir," he said, "what are your orders?"

He hesitated, uncharacteristically.

"The situation is far worse than we expected. If we don't act soon… it's likely they'll find us. Not just the safehouses. Us. Personally."

Kaelen didn't respond immediately. He leaned back with a long, thoughtful exhale.

"Let's wait for Count Delric Vachiel's response," he said quietly. "And from the aristocracy of Elysia as well. Without their support, this becomes more than just a gang war… it becomes political suicide."

Even as the words left his mouth, a firm knock echoed from the chamber's sealed door.

A moment later, the door creaked open, and a cloaked figure stepped through the barrier runes, escorted by two silent guards.

Tannus straightened. Borik stiffened. Even Kaelen's tapping fingers went still.

The man who entered pulled back his hood, revealing the sharp, clean features of a noble-born.

It was none other than Count Delric Vachiel himself—one of the most powerful and untouchable nobles in the region. His presence alone carried weight. The fact that he had come in person meant the situation had escalated beyond even Kaelen's expectations.

Kaelen rose to his feet with a cold smile. "Ah, Count Delric. We were just speaking of you—discussing how your support could turn the tide."

Delric didn't return the smile. He stood in the center of the room, expression unreadable, eyes scanning the faces present.

His eyes swept the room, taking in its only occupants: the leader of the Iron Shield, Kaelen, and vice commanders, Borik and Tannus.

Only three people.

He pulled off his cloak with a slow, deliberate motion and let it drape over the back of a nearby chair.

Kaelen gestured politely. "Since you've come in person, I assume you're here to offer guidance—or assistance?"

Delric gave a simple answer. "It appears so."

But before anyone could respond, the count's voice suddenly snapped like a whip.

"Are you all complete fools?!"

The chamber went dead silent.

Delric's voice rose, thundering with fury. "I gave you clear instructions. I told you to lay low, to cut back, to calm things down! And yet, without my permission, your dogs went and murdered five officers in broad daylight!"

Borik flinched. Tannus's hands clenched into fists. Kaelen's expression tightened, but he said nothing.

Delric stepped forward, voice dripping with contempt. "You idiots brought down the full weight of the king's wrath. Now the royal army's knights and mages—far stronger than your pathetic street gangs—are roaming the city, sniffing through every noble house, digging through records, and making arrests without hesitation."

He jabbed a finger toward Kaelen.

"You act like you're kings of the shadows, but you forgot your place. You forgot that when the crown gets involved, all your little tricks and threats amount to nothing."

He gave a cold, mirthless chuckle.

"And now? You come crawling back—begging for my help."

Kaelen's jaw tightened. Every word from Delric was like acid on his pride. But he had no choice.

He bowed his head slightly.

"You're right, Count Delric," Kaelen said through gritted teeth. "I was arrogant. I acted impulsively. I underestimated the Law Enforcement Division… and the king's reach."

He forced himself to meet Delric's eyes.

"But despite that, you came. And I'm… grateful."

Delric snorted. "Spare me the humility. I'm not here out of loyalty."

He folded his arms, gaze sharp. "I'm helping because I still have investments tied to your operations. If you go down completely, I lose too much."

He turned, pacing a slow circle around the table.

"But listen well. This is royal business now. I can't openly protect you. If I get caught supporting Iron Shield, I'll be stripped of my lands—or worse. So don't expect much."

"They had search my household but could not find anything since I can hide my track well but if I become too obvious I might also be in a big troubles"

Kaelen stayed silent, letting the man speak.

Delric continued, "However, I'll assign a few of my knights. A handful of mages. Enough to slow the bleeding, not stop it."

He paused, then added sharply, "But the only ones who can openly help you now… are the Elysian aristocracy."

Tannus lifted an eyebrow. "You think they'll get involved?"

Delric nodded. "They hate Arthur Tesla far more than they hate you. And since they're not bound to this kingdom, even if they're caught, the political consequences will be minimal. Their hands are cleaner… and colder."

Kaelen nodded slowly.

Delric gave one last warning glance. "Do it quickly. Because if even one royal knight finds your inner sanctum… not even Elysia will be able to save you."


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