Rin stood by the window, eyes calm, watching the once-proud patriarch step through the gates like a man dragging his own grave behind him.
"Let him in," Rin said coldly. "And don't let anyone else disturb us until I say otherwise."
The butler nodded and disappeared. A moment later, Isen Varros entered with his head bowed low, shoulders trembling under invisible weight.
"Please," Rin said, voice calm, "come in."
Isen gave a shallow nod. "Thank you."
They walked together through the grand corridor and entered the sitting chamber. The silence was heavy, thicker than the air, and Rin didn't speak. He simply sat, watching, waiting. A minute passed. Then another.
Finally, Isen broke.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice hoarse. "I'm sorry for doubting you. I'm sorry I didn't believe you."
His fists clenched in his lap. "It's been a long, cursed month. I couldn't do a damn thing while my sons,my pride,were butchered."
Rin stayed silent a moment longer, then spoke quietly.
"I knew how ruthless Kaelion could be. I knew he had control over nearly everything. That's why I tried so hard to help you… out of respect for my father, who once fought beside you."
Isen's head lifted slightly. His voice was bitter, wistful. "Your father… he was a great man. If he hadn't vanished, none of this would've happened. He failed with Kaelion,but I see him in you."
Rin's face tightened. "Even if it's for stability, I still don't understand why Kaelion would go this far. Killing the sons of a man who once helped his own father."
"Some people don't have shame," Isen cut in. "They forget every kindness once they get power."
Rin nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry for what happened to your sons. But there's nothing we can do now. Kaelion has the country under his control. He controls everything there. It's only a matter of time before he kills the rest of us."
Isen's eyes narrowed. "You don't have to worry about that, Prince Rin."
Rin blinked. "What do you mean?"
Isen straightened a bit, fire flickering beneath the ash of grief. "Kaelion was arrogant. He moved too fast. He hasn't taken full control. There are still noble families that only trust the Varros bloodline. I reached out to them. They're furious at what's happened."
"And?" Rin asked carefully.
"I also have my… special forces," Isen said.
Rin tilted his head. "Special forces?"
Isen leaned back, letting the past come out like smoke from old embers. "My family used to travel across the country,and beyond,to gather promising children. We trained them, shaped them, made them loyal to only the Varros line."
"When your father found out," he continued, "he killed my father. But my father was a Soul Stage expert. Before he died, he used a forbidden technique,a blood-curse—binding the entire hidden army to serve only the one who holds the 'key' to their soul. Just before his death, he passed that key to me thinking that i will regret my decision and continue his legacy but he gave it to me because i was the only one left from his blood."
Rin's eyes sharpened. "How many?"
"There used to be over twenty million. Wars, assassinations, Kaelion's operations… now, maybe a million remain. Scattered. Hidden. But loyal."
Rin's jaw tightened. "That's incredible. Then why did Kaelion rush to kill your sons? Why not just take the key from you?"
Isen's face darkened with rage. "Arrogance. He thought by wiping us all out, the army would go feral. Or, best case for him, they'd join the nobles and get slaughtered trying to rebel."
"It's a risk," Rin muttered. "But a bold one. A tyrant's move."
Isen nodded. "Exactly. And one that may cost him everything."
Rin stood up and walked toward the window. "So he doesn't know about the curse key?"
"No. He just knew we had an army loyal to us. He didn't understand the depth of the bond."
Rin smiled faintly, not looking back. "Then that's his second mistake."
Isen watched Rin carefully. "What was the first?"
Rin turned, and his white eyes glinted. "failing to kill me."
The first stage of his plan is done, now he he is waiting for the second stage to begin.