I leaned back against the headboard, the soft hum of the room’s mana-infused lanterns filling the silence. The faint flicker of light reflected on the polished stone walls, casting long, dancing shadows. My body ached faintly from the aftermath of the match, but nothing compared to the mental exhaustion of today’s events. Vitaliara’s presence stirred in my mind, a sharp yet familiar sensation, her tone immediately cutting through the stillness.
[Crazy stuff, you said?] her voice chimed, laced with curiosity and a hint of reprimand. [I know your definition of ‘crazy’ tends to leave collateral damage. Care to elaborate?]
A small smile tugged at my lips as I stared at the ceiling, tracing invisible patterns in the smooth stone. ‘Collateral damage? You wound me, Vitaliara. When have my plans ever gone astray?’
[Do you want the full list alphabetically or chronologically?] she retorted, her tone dry but teasing.
I chuckled under my breath, rubbing the back of my neck. ‘Fair point.’
Her presence pressed a little closer, her curiosity now sharper. [So, what are you planning, exactly? You’ve been playing your cards close to the chest lately, even with me. That’s unusual.]
I sighed, shifting to sit up straighter. ‘I wasn’t lying earlier when I said Valeria would see something interesting tomorrow. But before we get to that… tell me, Vitaliara, why do you think Marquis Ventor is organizing a tournament like this?’
She went quiet for a moment, and I could feel her calculating, her thoughts flickering like distant stars. [An obvious answer would be reputation. Martial tournaments are grand, eye-catching, and they bolster regional pride. A way to secure his legacy, perhaps?] Her tone was probing, waiting for my response.
I shook my head slightly, smirking. ‘A good surface-level guess, but no. Ventor’s too shrewd for something as simple as fame. He’s not just trying to cement his name; he’s laying a foundation for something much bigger.’
[Enlighten me, then, oh omniscient one,] she quipped, though her genuine interest was palpable beneath the sarcasm.
‘Think about it,’ I began, tilting my head as I let the thoughts flow. ‘A martial tournament like this isn’t just about entertainment. It’s a showcase. Every participant, every clash of blades, every drop of blood spilled in the arena is a statement—a declaration of strength, both for the fighters and the host. And strength, in a place like this, is currency.’
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[Currency for what?] Vitaliara pressed, her tone sharpening.
‘Leverage,’ I answered, my tone soft but certain. ‘Ventor isn’t hosting this tournament just to play patron to aspiring warriors. He’s curating an army—or at least, the alliances to form one. He’s using this stage to assess potential allies and threats alike, to bind those who shine here to him with gratitude or obligation. Every offer he makes, every hand he shakes, is a thread he’s weaving into his web.’
I paused, letting the weight of my words settle. ‘The man’s territory is isolated, away from the major power centers of the Empire. For years, he’s stayed out of the central political stage,’ I continued, my voice dropping slightly, the weight of my thoughts sharpening the air. ‘But something must have changed. Ventor isn’t the type to act without cause. He didn’t wake up one morning and decide to invite the attention of every noble and sect in the region. No, there’s a reason behind this sudden shift, something pressing enough to force his hand.’
[And that reason would be?] Vitaliara asked, her tone now serious, the teasing edge momentarily absent.
I leaned forward slightly, resting my forearms on my knees as my fingers interlocked. ‘The war,’ I said simply. ‘The war between the Arcanis Empire and the Loria Empire. Ventor’s territory borders Loria directly—it’s one of the Empire’s outermost regions. A buffer zone, really.’
[Go on,] Vitaliara prompted, though I could already feel her starting to piece it together.
‘Think about it,’ I said, the words coming faster now. ‘With the war heating up, the central nobles are undoubtedly looking for ways to bolster their forces. And what better way than to lean on someone like Ventor? A Marquis with significant resources, territory, and influence, but who’s conveniently distant from the capital’s political games?’ ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
[So they’ve been leaning on him,] she surmised, her voice tinged with understanding. [Overextending his resources, perhaps?]
I nodded, my smirk fading into something sharper. ‘Exactly. They’re not just requesting his support—they’re likely demanding it. Troops, supplies, anything they can siphon off to fuel the war effort. It wouldn’t be surprising if they’re using the war as an excuse to wear him down, to strip his region of its autonomy bit by bit.’
[And Ventor’s not the type to sit back and let himself be drained,] Vitaliara added, her voice carrying a faint edge of admiration. [He’s pushing back.]
‘He must have sensed it,’ I said, my tone laced with certainty. ‘The moment he became a silent player, the central nobles saw him as easy prey. Isolation might have kept him safe for a time, but in their eyes, it also made him vulnerable. And now, he’s a target, with the war ending.’
[So the tournament is his counter,] Vitaliara concluded, her tone thoughtful. [A way to display his strength and secure alliances, all while testing the waters of the political stage.]
‘Partially,’ I said, my tone steady as I leaned back against the headboard. ‘He wants to gather talented individuals under his wing, people who can cover any vulnerabilities his region might face. It’s a smart move, really. He’s showcasing the wellness of his territory while simultaneously building a safety net against future threats. A well-crafted illusion of strength and prosperity.’
[But,] Vitaliara began, her tone sharp with curiosity, [this tournament… it’s different now, isn’t it?]
I smirked, my fingers tapping lightly against my knee. ‘Of course it is. Because of me.’
[Because of you?] she echoed, amusement lacing her voice. [Is that the Sword Demon’s hubris speaking, or is there something more to this claim?]
‘Oh, it’s not hubris,’ I replied, my smirk deepening. ‘It’s reality. By targeting the Cloud Heavens Sect the way I did, I forced Ventor’s hand. He can’t remain neutral anymore—not after I called them out in such a public way. The Sect’s reputation is on the line, and so is his, by association. Ventor’s careful balancing act is crumbling, thanks to me.’
[And that side…?] Vitaliara prompted, leaving the question hanging.
I tilted my head, letting a slow exhale escape my lips. ‘We’ll see tomorrow,’ I said simply, my voice carrying a weight of certainty. ‘But one way or another, Ventor will have to act. That’s the game he’s chosen to play, and I’m more than happy to tip the scales.’
Silence stretched between us for a moment, though I could feel Vitaliara’s thoughts swirling, her curiosity and wariness blending into one. [You’re not just stirring the pot for the fun of it, are you?] she asked finally, her tone quieter now, more probing.
I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I let my thoughts drift inward, to what I knew about Marquis Ventor and the story surrounding him. In the novel, his struggles were a footnote—a side story woven into Valeria’s journey. A noble under immense pressure from the central aristocracy, his need for talent had been mentioned briefly, almost as an afterthought. His ultimate fate had been left unresolved, forgotten amidst the chaos of larger arcs.
‘Not this time,’ I thought, my gaze sharpening. ‘This time, things are different. Ventor isn’t just some background character to be discarded when the main story moves on. He’s a player on the board now, and I intend to see how his story unfolds.’
Of course, I wasn’t about to share this with Vitaliara. She didn’t need to know the extent of what I remembered—or what I planned. Some pieces of the game were better left unspoken, their importance revealed only when the time was right.
‘Ventor’s move tomorrow will tell me everything I need to know,’ I thought, my smirk returning. ‘And once I see where he stands, I’ll decide whether to push him further—or let him fall.’
[You’re keeping secrets again,] Vitaliara remarked lightly, though there was no real accusation in her tone. [Fine. I’ll trust that whatever you’re doing won’t blow up in your face.]
‘Trust me, Vitaliara,’ I thought, though my tone remained wry even in my mind. ‘If something does blow up, I’ll make sure it’s spectacular.’
She sighed, exasperated but resigned. [You’re impossible, Lucavion.]
I closed my eyes, letting the faint hum of the mana lanterns soothe the quiet tension in the room. ‘Impossible, maybe,’ I murmured, the edges of my thoughts curling into a grin. ‘But isn’t that what makes it fun?’
********
“What?”
And now standing before the man himself, I could see his exasperated face.
‘Hehe…..’
Well we were just beginning.