Chapter 967: Alternate Timeline: House Storm’s neutrality

The elder leaned back in his chair.

"According to Edward Crescent, who lived as Caleb Crescent for the past decade, Kiara once killed an elder from the Church of Doom while helping Caleb reclaim his throne."

The room grew silent.

Only the faint sound of tea steaming remained between them.

"It was difficult for us to directly contact the Church of Doom," Oswin admitted, "but one thing is certain."

His eyes narrowed.

"They will not overlook such humiliation."

Wester’s fingers slowly tightened around his cup once more.

For the first time since receiving the invitation, he truly felt hope.

Yet that hope quickly collided against fear.

Because the moment one stepped onto such a road, there was no turning back.

"The problem," Oswin continued carefully, "is that both organizations are prohibited from entering the Imperial City openly. Especially the Church of Thanatos."

"So if they are to move... they must enter quietly without alerting the Emperor or the Fourth Prince’s WEB network."

Wester fell into deep thought.

Revenge burned inside him like poison spreading through his blood.

Yet another thought also lingered stubbornly inside his mind.

What if this failed?

If Alexander Phoenix discovered House Silver’s involvement in allowing outlawed forces into the Imperial City, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Perhaps even extermination.

After voicing his concern aloud, Oswin calmly clarified the matter.

"Milord, the House itself cannot officially involve itself in your personal feud because of the possible disastrous consequences."

Those words were spoken very carefully.

Almost too carefully.

"But," the elder added after a pause, "certain assistance behind the scenes may still be possible."

Wester immediately understood the meaning.

If things succeeded, House Silver would benefit.

If things failed, he alone would have to bear responsibility.

The realization made bitterness rise inside his chest.

Yet hatred toward Kiara outweighed even that bitterness now.

Only three days remained until the engagement ceremony.

There was no longer time to hesitate.

Eventually, Wester slowly nodded, "I understand."

*

Meanwhile, inside Storm Manor...

Zion arrived carrying the engagement invitation personally. The guards welcomed him politely instead of treating him like a suspicious outsider.

Soon, he was escorted through long stone corridors decorated with spirit paintings and ancient weapons before finally reaching the Minister of Personnel himself.

Daniel Storm, the head of the house and the Minister of Revenue, sat calmly inside the chamber.

Behind him stood Lucian Storm.

The moment Lucian saw Zion entering the room, a smile briefly flickered across his face before he quickly suppressed it beneath noble etiquette.

Still, his eyes betrayed him.

Daniel Storm naturally noticed that detail, and it displeased him slightly.

The minister carefully observed Zion from head to toe.

Tall.

Handsome.

Calm.

Mysterious.

Everything about him felt dangerous in a different way from Kiara.

Daniel inwardly frowned. The last thing he wanted was another situation similar to Kiara and Arceus.

Finally, he spoke. "So... you are the sparring partner my son keeps mentioning."

As he spoke, Daniel quietly attempted to sense Zion’s rank.

Yet once again... there was nothing. It felt like trying to grasp smoke with bare hands.

Zion answered calmly with a nod. "Yes. My master ordered me to assist him."

Daniel’s brows twitched faintly. "Where exactly are you from, Zion?"

If this were the old Zion, he might have casually answered "Nexus Store."

But now he had grown smarter regarding such matters. "That information is classified."

Daniel blinked once. "Classified?"

The minister naturally found the answer absurd.

Still, he continued probing.

"Your name sounds unusual. Your hairstyle too. I heard you came from distant islands. Do people there normally carry names like yours?"

"That information is classified."

Daniel’s eye twitched slightly. "What is your exact cultivation realm?"

"That information is classified."

"How do you know Kiara?"

"That information is classified."

"Who is Kiara’s master?"

"That information is classified."

"Who manufactures your weapons?"

"That information is classified."

The more Daniel questioned him, the more irritated he became.

Meanwhile, behind him, Lucian struggled desperately not to laugh.

Because...

He himself had taught Zion to answer difficult questions exactly like this.

Eventually, Daniel inhaled deeply before trying another direction.

"That man who works along with you," he asked carefully. "Are you truly siblings?"

"That information is classif..." Zion suddenly paused. Then corrected himself with a nod.

"Yes. He is my younger brother."

Daniel’s face darkened instantly after catching the tongue slip.

"You..."

Behind him, Lucian finally grinned openly.

At this point, Daniel realized further questioning was meaningless.

This fellow clearly would not reveal anything.

In the end, he extended his hand. "The invitation."

Zion respectfully handed it over.

Daniel accepted it before speaking seriously. "Give your master my reply."

"Due to current political circumstances, House Storm wishes to remain neutral until matters calm down. Therefore, we will not personally attend the engagement ceremony. And Lucian will also temporarily stop visiting the store for sparring sessions."

Lucian’s expression stiffened slightly behind him.

But Daniel continued firmly. "Still, we will send gifts and blessings through an attendant. Tell Miss Kiara not to take offense."

Zion looked mildly surprised.

Not because the invitation was rejected.

But because he would no longer see Lucian regularly.

A strange feeling briefly appeared inside him. It was a routine Zion was familiar with. Now, with the store being managed by Arceus and Alucard, Noah helping her with other things, Zion became clueless about how he could help his master, from now on.

Still, he simply nodded.

"I understand."

Soon afterward, Zion bid farewell and departed.

Meanwhile, Lucian remained standing quietly behind his father.

Outwardly calm.

Inwardly frustrated.

He hated being restrained by politics.

Yet for the sake of House Storm, he endured silently.

At nearly the same time...

Inside the Imperial Palace;

Noah arrived carrying another invitation. This one was specifically intended for Alexander Phoenix, Callista Frost, Serestia Phoenix, and Kaelan Phoenix.

Truthfully, Kiara had not particularly wanted to invite them.

However, Callista had personally promised they would attend for Arceus’ sake.

And while Kiara herself did not care who attended, she wanted Arceus to feel happy.

Following palace procedure, Noah informed the guards of her purpose.

The message slowly climbed through layers of authority until eventually she was permitted inside and guided toward a meeting chamber.

Surprisingly, the one who entered was not the Emperor.

Nor even Callista Frost.

Instead, the Crown Prince Darius Phoenix entered the chamber personally.

The moment he saw Noah, his eyes wandered around. But he couldn’t see Kiara anywhere. The brightness dulled.

"Greetings," he said smoothly while approaching him. "Forgive the delay."

His gaze slowly traveled over him, "You are that beauty’s servant, aren’t you? She didn’t come along? Only you?"

Noah frowned almost immediately. He didn’t like the way this person spoke of her master. "I do not recall requesting a meeting with you, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince smiled casually. "I am the future Emperor of the Phoenix Dynasty. Meeting me is equivalent to meeting my father."

Then, without shame, he shifted the topic entirely. "To be honest... I am curious about something."

He slowly approached and smiled faintly.

"I heard you and that other fellow also stay with her. Now Arceus too. Tell me. How do you guys control yourself with such a beauty sleeping under the same roof as you? Or don’t tell me she offers you guys something that forces you to stay loyal to her?"

His intentions could not have been more obvious.

And what made matters worse was that this was happening immediately after the Emperor himself had recently punished him.

Such arrogance only proved how deeply his status had poisoned him.

Unfortunately for him, Noah possessed very little patience.

Coldness entered his expression completely as he replied, "My master ordered me to deliver this invitation to either the Emperor, Queen Callista, or Princess Serestia. You are none of them, and I do not have time for meaningless conversation with a less intelligent species."

Then her voice sharpened slightly.

"Either summon one of them... or I will locate them myself."

Darius’ pupils shrank violently at that insult, "Did you just call me dumb? You bast..."

Before he could finish, Noah disappeared from Darius’ sight, and in the next moment, a cold dagger pressed against his throat from behind.