Black mist churned. After the three Lords departed, Nareth extended his psychic energy, confirming Dementieva was alone, and pulled her into the Kingdom of Disorder.
"My Lord," Dementieva bowed and reported. "My Lord, I have become the lover of Ilyas, the head of House Prull, who controls the Ministry of the Interior. He is now under my control."
"At yesterday's social banquet, Maria presented the statue You commanded to Marshal Lernormand."
"This greatly displeased Admiral Raspadori of House Costis."
Nareth nodded slightly. That "Soul Sculpture," unlike his others, was made of dual-numbered black gold, capable of holding more psychic energy in reality.
"Execute the plan at 23:11 tomorrow evening."
"By Your will."
....
The next day, 23:00.
Civitas, the western city of 'Terra's' High City.
A "Witch" in a backless gown, her green eyes like gems, skillfully "instigated" the defense officer.
"Giuliano, don't hesitate."
Her long, fair fingers traced the man's chest.
"Ilyas controls the Administrative Council. With his permission, what are you afraid of?"
"Besides, I will help you."
"Kill Julian, who used his power to force you to sell your shop at a low price."
The "Witch" turned slightly. Black flames rose in her left hand.
"I'll help you kill him. Then all of Civitas will be yours."
Giuliano glanced at the beauty in his arms and pulled her close.
"You're mine too."
The "Witch" smiled. She saw fire and disaster.
23:11.
The "Witch" raised her right hand, passing it before her face, making her features blurry and indistinct.
Simultaneously, she chanted the Dunnic incantation and sprinkled herself with shimmering powder.
In Giuliano's sight, she began to fade.
The "invisible" "Witch" moved nimbly, slipping past the guards.
In moments, she reached Julian's bedroom door, glancing at the two guards.
The seasoned "Assassin" slipped into the shadows, silently entering the room through the window.
A flash of cold steel. Blood stained the silk pillow.
At the same moment, within the Kingdom of Disorder, Nareth extended his psychic energy, simultaneously touching the forty-nine "Spiritual Sculpture" "linked" to him.
Within the High City, all the sculptures moved at once.
In a building in the east end, a smiling noble in fine clothes swirled his wine, beaming at the gift from the head of House Kournikova.
Maria's captivating figure flashed through his mind. He gazed at the statue before him as if Maria herself stood there.
Suddenly, the statue's arms swung, slamming into his head.
Outside Communications Minister Baena's bedroom, guards raised their weapons, firing at the animated statue.
CRACK, CRACK, CRACK...
Stone chips fell, but the statue advanced.
"Die!"
A guard threw a grenade. With an explosion, the statue shattered.
Their relief was short-lived. A breeze brushed past them.
Silk strands shot out, entangling them.
An "Assassin" in Markaton-pattern Huntress armor dropped from the wall, claws tearing the guards apart.
He then rushed through the door, completing the task the "Soul Sculpture" had failed.
Within the High City, flames rose.
Nobles, "instigated," launched surprise attacks on rival families.
Officials, "instigated," gleefully slaughtered their political enemies.
Those who remained calm were killed in their homes by "Assassins."
Mansion after mansion blazed. The conflicts of recent months had been set off.
All the major factions were driven to madness, attacking their enemies, creating further chaos.
In the throne room, the aged 'Emperor' hurriedly mounted the 'Golden Throne.'
"Can anyone tell me what's happening?"
The recent conflicts among the major families had caused considerable chaos.
But he had suppressed his anger. To purge them now would be to incite open rebellion.
Involving dozens of ancient families would engulf the entire High City in flames.
The invisible warriors were too few to simultaneously deal with so many families.
"Communications are in chaos," an official answered, panicked by the 'Emperor's' wrath. "I cannot reach Communications Minister Baena."
"Baena, that useless fool. And Lernormand? How is he, the Commander-in-Chief, managing this?"
"And Ilyas? Didn't he tell me everything was under his control?"
As the 'Emperor' raged, in Lernormand's study, at his estate,
a dark figure leaped through a flash of light.
It swung a fist, smashing a guard's head.
As blood stained the filing cabinet, an energy beam shot out.
The statue shattered. A rippled crater appeared in the study, like a pool of melted wax.
Lernormand breathed a sigh of relief. The statue gifted by Maria, head of House Kournikova, had suddenly moved.
It was swift. The guards couldn't keep up. It had killed fifteen in moments.
Lernormand glanced to his right. Fortunately, he had his invisible warriors.
The thought had barely formed when he saw a heat-haze ripple. A woman in a black robe materialized from the distortion.
The "Hypnotist" Diana 's fist slammed into the blurry figure her Spirit Vision had captured.
CRASH!
The invisible warrior, in a red cloak, head exploded, body crashing to the floor.
Lernormand rolled, raising his laspistol at the assassin.
The "Hypnotist" flickered, instantly before Lernormand.
Her left hand shot out, gripping his wrist. With slight pressure, his laspistol clattered to the floor.
Lernormand stared in terror at the blonde woman. 'How was she so strong?'
'How had she gotten in?'
'Had that bizarre statue been a diversion?'
The "Hypnotist's" blue eyes flashed. Her right hand scattered a fine mist.
The smoke-filled room filled with a sweet fragrance.
Lernormand's tense arm relaxed.
The "Hypnotist's" voice was deep. "Sit. Look into my eyes."
She released him, watching him sit as commanded. The corners of her mouth curved.
As the "Hypnotist" methodically performed her "Psychological Suggestion," in the villa Ilyas had bought for his mistress,
Dementieva, in a silk nightgown, glanced contemptuously at Ilyas, slumbering in bed.
Drained by "pleasure," he was deeply asleep.
When he woke, finding he had done nothing during this chaotic night, he would have no choice but to cooperate with the Black Emperor.
Dementieva felt something dissolve within her, like spider silk melting. She knew her actions tonight had brought her closer to mastering the Black Emperor's gift.
The "Witch's" ear twitched. She swiftly moved to the door.
Pulling it open, she looked at the aide rushing towards her.
The aide glanced at Dementieva's flushed face, then looked away.
"Madame Dementieva, there is rioting in the city. I must see Lord Ilyas immediately."
"Shhh..." The "Witch" put a finger to her red lips. Nearly invisible strands of strange silk wrapped around the aide and the guards.
They were drawn together. Layers of "silk" enveloped them, forming a large cocoon.
"You're still useful," Dementieva said softly.
As she closed the door, in the estate of House Costis, Admiral Raspadori asked Maria in surprise.
"You mean the fifty-eight ships that suddenly appeared in the system belong to House Kournikova?"
Maria, in a brilliant red silk gown, curved her lips and smiled.
"Of course. I summoned them to help you control those who don't cooperate."
"'Terra' is yours."
Raspadori, in full military regalia, said coldly: "All those fools, I've summoned them."
"No one in the fleet dares defy me."
"Besides, with your family's fleet, nothing can stop me from becoming Emperor."
He looked admiringly at the beautiful woman before him. She was beautiful, and her family was powerful.
"Marshal..." Navy officers hurried into the office.
"Fire!"
The Marshal's guards fired dense barrages at the officers.
As 'Terra' fell into chaos, in the first layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, above the furnace, holding the Enslaver, Nareth looked down as the Jokaero poured Vostroyan Vosvoth into the furnace.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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