Chapter 189: Black Scroll.
The early sunlight of the Midnight Dominion bathed the room in a soft, golden glow, casting long shadows over the bed where Pyris lay.
The night had been intense, filled with connection and passion, and as dawn filtered through the thick atmosphere of the city, Pyris found comfort in the warmth of the women surrounding him. Ammit, Alexa, and Aurelia lay peacefully, their bodies bathed in the morning light, their ranks strengthened after the events of the night before.
Carefully slipping out of bed so as not to wake them, Pyris refreshed himself and made his way to the living room.
There, seated cross-legged in the couch, was Elsa, her bright eyes glued to the technology news channel on the television.
The screen flashed with stories of new inventions, the latest advancements, and the pending launch of ARGO VRMMORPG—the very game his company was preparing to release.
Pyris leaned against the doorway, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched the young moon elf absorbed in her favorite topic.
He crossed the room and gently placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good morning, Elsa," he said softly.
She beamed up at him, her face lighting up with a grin. "Good morning, big brother!" she giggled, playful as always. He scooped her up into his arms, making her squeal with delight as they both laughed.
"Watching more tech news?" he teased, carrying her toward the dining table.
"Of course!" Elsa said, her voice filled with excitement. "They're talking about the ARGO launch! It's going to be huge!"
Pyris chuckled. "How would you like to know something even cooler?" he asked, his tone conspiratorial.
Elsa's eyes lit up with curiosity, her small hands gripping his arm eagerly. "Tell me!" she urged.
Pyris leaned closer, lowering his voice. "My real name isn't Petne Chaos."
She blinked, staring at him in surprise for a moment before bursting out laughing. "I know!" she giggled again, clearly amused. "I was waiting for you to tell me!"
Pyris raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "You knew?"
Elsa nodded proudly. "Of course! I figured it out the moment I met you. You're Pyris Obsidian, aren't you? I just didn't say anything because I wanted to see when you'd tell me. As a technology enthusiast, she had recognized Pyris when he discarded his Petne Chaos persona."
Pyris shook his head in disbelief, laughing softly. "You're sharper than I gave you credit for."
Elsa grinned, clearly pleased with herself as Pyris set her down at the dining table. "You're even cooler than I first thought, big brother!"
Their playful banter drifted through the house, soon stirring the others awake.
Ammit, Alexa, and Aurelia joined them at the table, their expressions softened by the warm, familial atmosphere. Breakfast became a casual and joyful affair, filled with laughter and teasing, especially from Elsa, who mischievously poked fun at Alexa and Aurelia, calling them Pyris' "wives."
The women played along, amused by Elsa's antics, while Mira, ever the silent watcher, hovered nearby with a slight smile on her face.
Pyris marveled at how easily the young moon elf had bonded with the group, fitting seamlessly into their growing family. After breakfast, the group lingered for a moment, savoring the rare sense of peace. Explore more at empire
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With breakfast finished and the morning progressing, Pyris prepared to complete his mission. He gathered the proof of the general's death—the head of the general, carefully preserved, and the arcane gauntlets, which Pyris had copied using his system.
The real gauntlets were safely stored away, while the replica would be handed over to the Eclipse Syndicate as part of the exchange.
They won't see this coming!
Dressed in a simple cloak, Pyris headed out into the bustling streets of the Midnight Dominion, the chaos of the city as vibrant as ever. He moved with purpose, making his way to the designated drop-off point—a secluded alley, hidden from the prying eyes of the city's underworld.
The alley was dimly lit, thick shadows obscuring most of the details.
Pyris arrived alone, his face concealed beneath the hood of his cloak, just as the Eclipse Syndicate had instructed. Anonymity was crucial in dealings like this; neither party was to reveal their true identity.
A figure stood waiting at the far end of the alley, shrouded in darkness, their form hidden beneath a long cloak similar to Pyris'. Neither of them spoke as they approached each other, both aware of the delicate nature of the exchange.
The silence between them was heavy, the air thick with tension.
Without a word, Pyris produced the proof of the mission. First, he revealed the general's head, contained within a specially sealed box to preserve it. He then handed over the replica gauntlets, which shimmered faintly in the dim light.
The agent from the Eclipse Syndicate examined the items carefully, taking extra time with the arcane gauntlets, although the head of the general was an important proof, the gauntlets held much importance.
The syndicate knew what these gauntlets were capable of and their origins and places much importance to them that they were willing to hand over the information about the Blood Chalice just to get them.
Ther agent examined them for minutes before he nodded to the empty darkness afar from the alley.
Pyris remained still, watching with calculated calm as the agent nodded in satisfaction. The exchange was complete. The system's copy was so perfect matching everything to perfection even the energy and the presence, everything was real to even raise any suspicious.
In return, the agent handed Pyris a small black scroll, the promised reward. Inside the scroll was the information Pyris had been after—the location and details about the Blood Chalice.
No words were spoken between them. The Eclipse Syndicate agent vanished into the shadows, leaving Pyris standing alone in the alley, the scroll now clutched in his hand.
The entire transaction had been conducted with a professionalism that suited both sides.
As Pyris made his way back to the hidden base, his mind was already racing with new plans. The Blood Chalice was now within reach, and with the Sunstone Empire firmly under control, his next moves could shift his focus back home—to the Dragon Empire.
The pieces were falling into place.