Chapter 177: Exposing the Conspirators
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The formal assembly of the Asterius family convened in the grand hall.
Every seat was occupied, and the air crackled with tension.
Members of the family who rarely left their estates had come to witness what promised to be a decisive moment in the family's fractured history.
Dabi stood in the center, calm but resolute, flanked by his siblings Eli and Mira, who had played pivotal roles in uncovering the conspiracy.
Beside him stood Ravier, the Grand Duke, his imposing presence lending weight to the proceedings.
"Today," Ravier began, his deep voice echoing through the hall, "we address a grave matter.
Evidence has come to light of a conspiracy within our family, aimed at undermining our unity and leadership.
My grandson Dabi has worked tirelessly to expose the truth."
All eyes turned to Dabi, some skeptical, others curious. He took a step forward, holding up a bundle of documents.
"These letters and records," he said, his voice steady, "reveal a plot orchestrated by certain members of this family to destabilize Grandfather's leadership.
Their actions not only threaten the family's stability but also endanger our collective future."
He handed the documents to a servant, who distributed copies to the key members of the assembly.
As the evidence was examined, murmurs spread through the room.
One uncle, Lord Vincent, looked up sharply. "This... this is treasonous!" he exclaimed, glaring at the named conspirators.
Lord Cedric, who sat at the far end of the hall, rose from his chair, his expression a mask of feigned outrage.
Other people who follows lord Cedric also raise their voice. We can't believe in this document.
It's looks like fake documents. I sure of it.
"This is absurd!" Lord Cedric barked.
"These so called documents could have been forged. Are we to believe the word of an outsider over that of loyal family members?"
Dabi didn't flinch. "These documents were recovered by me personally, my siblings who overheard your meetings and followed your associates.
Additionally, several staff members have come forward to corroborate the plot."
Cedric's eyes narrowed. "And what of their motives?
How convenient for you to paint yourself as the hero, Dabi. Perhaps this is all part of your ambition to usurp power."
You are a outside. You came to this family....., it's only been over a week.
You were Commoner your whole life. Seeing the power of a royal family.
You make this fake documents to gain powers. You even use little children in your plot. I can't believe how low you are willing go, to get power.
The accusation drew gasps from the audience, but Dabi remained composed.
"My only ambition," he replied calmly, "is to protect my family. The same cannot be said for you, Lord Cedric.
Your letters detail plans to divide the family, undermine Ravier's leadership, and sabotage efforts to bring Aunt Nazu back. If that's not treason, then what is it?"
I think aunt Nazu have something that could expose you future. That's why you want to sabotage her rescue.
Cedric's face darkened, but before he could respond, Ravier raised a hand.
"Enough," Ravier commanded. His voice carried the authority of decades.
"Cedric, you have been a thorn in this family's side for too long. The evidence speaks for itself.
Your actions have endangered us all, and you will answer for them."
With Ravier's declaration, the room erupted into a flurry of voices.
Several conspirators tried to defend themselves, claiming they had been wrongly accused or they don't know anything.
Others remained silent, knowing the weight of the evidence was insurmountable.
They can't show any support to the accused members. It might backfire.
Ravier's advisors quickly organized the removal of those implicated, and a formal investigation was announced.
Cedric and his closest allies were escorted out of the hall under heavy guard.
They will be judge later according to the family law. Ravier announced.
As the chaos subsided, Ravier turned to Dabi, his expression softer than usual.
"You've done this family a great service," he said. "Few would have had the courage or intelligence to expose such treachery."
The assembly was adjourned, and as the family dispersed, Dabi found himself surrounded by a mixture of praise and apologies.
Some of the previously hostile relatives approached him, acknowledging their misjudgments.
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"You've earned our respect, Dabi," said Lord Vincent, who had been one of his harshest critics. "Your actions today proved your worth."
Even those who remained skeptical were forced to admit that Dabi had shown remarkable resolve and leadership.
Tessa approached him Dabi, her eyes bright with pride.
"You handled that brilliantly," she said.
"I think even Cedric was impressed, though he'd never admit it."
Dabi offered a small smile. "Let's just hope this is the last of the family drama for a while."
Later that evening, Dabi was summoned to Ravier's study. The grand duke sat behind his desk, his usually stern face softened by an air of gratitude.
"You've proven yourself beyond any doubt," Ravier began.
"It is clear that you have the strength and integrity to protect this family.
As such, I will honor your request."
Dabi's heart leaped. "You mean Aunt Nazu"
"She will be return to you," Ravier confirmed. "Arrangements are already being made.
"I understand," Dabi said, his voice firm. "Thank you, Grandfather."
Ravier nodded, his gaze lingering on Dabi. "You remind me of your father," he said quietly.
"He, too, had an unshakable resolve. I see now that you are more like him than I ever realized."
The next few days were a whirlwind of preparations for Aunt Nazu's rescue.
Then Dabi finally get the location where Aunt is stuck. A dimension gate where only master and grandmater rank can enter.
He was also given a note from aunt Nazu, which she wrote before leaving for the dimension gate.
The note was given to Dabi by butler Beriz secretly. It didn't come with the Ravier dimension gate information.
Dabi pack his thing and says good to his siblings and told them to prepare a welcome for auntie Nazu.
The air outside of high level dimensional gate was suffocating, heavy with an unnatural aura that seemed to sap the courage from all who approached.
The swirling vortex of black and crimson energy crackled violently, like a maw hungry for the souls of the unprepared.
"This was no ordinary gate."
Only peck Master and Grandmaster ranked fighters dared to challenge its horrors.
Yet here stood Dabi a newly promoted Master who just crosses level 200 on the brink of entering its depths.
In his trembling hand, a note written in Aunt Nazu's familiar handwriting reminded him why he was here:
"Dabi, the dimensional gate activated near our town. I am going to investigate this, I have to do it.
If I can come back from here, I will tell you everything why I ignored you, Eli and Mira in the auction house.
This gate is very dengeraus. Full of Vampires… I don't know if will be able to come back or not.
Meanwhile, Dabi's siblings Eli and Mira was working tirelessly to make her feel welcome, even enlisting the help of some of the staff.
Mira insisted on picking flowers from the garden to welcome her, while Eli took it upon himself to decorate their room with drawings and trinkets.
Auntie Nazu used to sleep with Eli and Mira most of time when they were neighbours.
Eli thinks when she come back they will sleep together like old days. He can't hold his excitement.
"Getting back to Dabi." He was sanding outside the high level dimension gate.
While thinking about the past.
"He crushed the note in his fist."
Aunt Nazu, the woman who had taken care of his siblings and stood by him after his parents disappeared, was more than family she was their lifeline.
Now, she was inside the gate, a prisoner of creatures that fed on blood and terror.
He took a deep breath, gripping his blade tightly. The system chimed in his mind.
["Warning: High Level Dimensional Gate Entered.
Danger Level: Fatal.
Recommended Rank: Grandmaster. Proceed?"]
"I don't care about the rank," Dabi whispered, his voice edged with steely resolve.
"She's family." I have to rescue her.....
Dabi open up system shop. Looking for power boost item or potions.
He finds a potion name level up boost.
'It description was simple.'
[ Level up boost potion: User can boost their level by one rank upon consuming this position.
Time duration: 12 hours
Caution: after the boost time over. User will feel intense backlash.]
I don't care about the backlash. Most important now is to improve my power.
He bought some potions to boost his level. And with that, he stepped into the abyss.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the air turned cold, biting into his skin like icy needles.
The sky above was an endless void of darkness, broken only by a blood red moon casting a sinister glow on the land.
Towering black spires jutted from the ground like jagged teeth, their surfaces slick with crimson ichor.
A low growl echoed in the distance. Then another...
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