The Senate complex loomed ahead, an enormous marble structure lined with banners, guards, and layers of political pretense thick enough to choke on. The closer they got, the more activity they saw: senators arriving in carriages, guards rotating patrol routes, mages scanning the grounds with detection spells. It was the last place Ludger wanted to be.

  And waiting at the entrance, standing perfectly straight in full uniform, was Varik. The guild master of the Silver Talon Order wore his official armor: silver-blue plates polished to a flawless sheen, a long blue cloak draped over one shoulder, and his signature spear resting upright beside him. It was a distinct look, the kind of eye-catching, heroic image nobles loved parading around. He spotted the group and immediately stepped forward with a disciplined nod.

  “Lady Viola. Maurien. Kaela.” His eyes flicked to Ludger, softening ever so slightly. “And Ludger. Welcome. I’m glad you arrived safely.”

  Maurien returned a polite nod. Kaela twirled a dagger behind her back. Viola greeted him calmly. Ludger… didn’t respond. He just stared at Varik with a flat, cold expression.

  Varik blinked, a hint of awkwardness crossing his face. “Ludger, it’s been a while. I—”

  Silence. Pure, unmoving silence. Viola stepped forward before the tension could thicken any further.

  “He’s a bit displeased,” she said in a diplomatic tone that was absolutely meant to soften the truth, “that his guild members were thrown into prison so readily.”

  Ludger’s eye twitched. Just a little.

  “A bit?” he muttered, voice sharp enough to cut stone. “Yeah. Something like that.”

  Varik straightened, absorbing the hostility without flinching. He knew better than to joke about it. His posture shifted, more formal, more careful.

  “I understand your anger,” he said seriously. “And I assure you I intend to explain everything we know. The accusations, the evidence presented, and the political situation surrounding their capture.”

  He glanced toward the Senate doors, then back at Ludger.

  “And I intend to help you prove their innocence.”

  Ludger didn’t thank him. Didn’t nod. Didn’t soften.

  He only said, “Then let’s move.”

  Kaela murmured under her breath to Maurien, “He’s going to murder someone before lunch.”

  Maurien replied quietly, “Not if we keep him focused.”

  Viola just sighed and motioned them forward.

  Varik led them through the Senate’s marble corridors, past towering statues and echoing arches, until the noise of the entrance faded behind them. Servants hurried by carrying scrolls, guards lined the walls, and the whole building carried the heavy scent of politics, ink, and old stone.

  As they walked, Varik finally spoke.

  “I met your Lionsguard members yesterday,” he said quietly, keeping his voice low enough that it didn’t bounce off the walls. “They’re unharmed. Confused, of course. Frustrated. But they’re physically fine.”

  Ludger’s jaw tightened. “Good. Now tell me who accused them.”

  Varik inhaled sharply through his nose before answering.

  “The ones who brought the accusation were guards of House Roderick.”

  Ludger stopped walking for half a second. Maurien’s eyes narrowed.

  Kaela clicked her tongue. Viola muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like a curse.

  Varik continued, voice firm but carrying a note of irritation. “Your squad was stopped at the eastern gate of the capital. Standard inspection. Nothing unusual at first… until one of the Roderick guards claimed to have found a suspicious book in their possession.”

  Ludger turned his head slowly. “What kind of book?”

  Varik grimaced. “A leather-bound text filled with schematics and diagrams of runic golem designs. Highly restricted material. The kind of thing that doesn’t cross borders… ever. And certainly not material an ordinary adventurer squad should have.”

  Kaela rolled her eyes so hard it was nearly audible. “Let me guess. Conveniently found exactly when the Rodericks needed a reason to take hostages?”

  Varik didn’t deny it. “It was suspiciously perfect timing.”

  Ludger’s tone was flat. “And Taron?”

  “Taron immediately denied it,” Varik said. “He said the runic golem book wasn’t his. And I believe him, he was genuinely shocked. He insisted he’d never seen it in his life.”

  Ludger nodded slightly. “He wouldn’t lie about that.”

  “But,” Varik continued reluctantly, “he did have another rune book on him. One he openly acknowledged owning.”

  Ludger’s stomach sank. He already knew which one.

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  “The one I lent him,” Ludger said quietly. “The engineers book from Ironhand Syndicate.”

  Varik nodded. “Exactly. That complicates the situation. They didn’t say he created the golem book. Only that the presence of multiple rune texts on him made the accusation ‘credible.’ And that was enough for the Roderick guards to claim espionage.”

  Ludger let out a long, slow exhale.

  “That doesn’t prove anything,” he said sharply. “Anyone can plant a book. Anyone can carry a second one. And the Syndicate engineers publish half of their work, they’re not illegal. You saw them giving it to me.”

  “I agree,” Varik said. “But the Rodericks don’t need airtight proof. They only need a justification strong enough to demand an investigation. And since they’re one of the Empire’s oldest houses, the Senate couldn’t dismiss the accusation outright.”

  Viola shook her head with visible disgust. “They’re using your squad as bargaining chips. Shields. Hostages. Anything to stall for time while they figure out how much we know.”

  Kaela cracked her knuckles. “Then let’s stop pretending and go beat the truth out of someone.”

  Maurien gave her a look. “Not yet.”

  Ludger didn’t speak. He didn’t smirk. He didn’t make a single sarcastic comment. He just kept walking, eyes forward, aura cold and sharp as a blade.

  And everyone around him felt the pressure building,

  because the next person who tried to lie, stall, or blame his people…was going to regret it.

  They reached the designated meeting chamber, a heavy wooden door reinforced with metal along its frame. Two Senate guards stood outside, but Varik dismissed them and they stepped aside. The door opened with a low groan, revealing a spacious room with a polished marble table, thick curtains drawn over tall windows, and enough chairs for a small council.

  The moment Ludger stepped inside, the air shifted. Too quiet. Too clean. Too political. Maurien scanned the perimeter out of habit. Kaela casually spun a knife between her fingers, ignoring the disapproving look one of the guards gave her.

  They took their seats, Viola beside Varik, Ludger between Maurien and Kaela like a fuse placed between two stabilizers. Varik settled onto the opposite side of the table and placed a stack of documents in front of him.

  “Before we begin,” he said, adjusting his cloak, “there are two individuals joining us shortly.”

  Ludger’s eyes narrowed slightly, waiting for names.

  “The first is Rufas Dalmoren. He was present during your agreement with Dalan and Linne, the one involving monthly froststeel and mana core shipments to the Velis League. He’s here to confirm certain trade protocols and to ensure no accusations involve that agreement.”

  Ludger nodded once, remembering the man, a bureaucrat with a surprisingly good memory and a habit of asking overly detailed questions.

  “And the second?” Ludger asked.

  Varik exhaled, not pleased. “A representative from House Roderick.”

  Kaela’s grin came instantly. “Oh good. I was worried this would be boring.”

  Maurien shot her a warning look, but Varik wasn’t done. He leaned forward slightly, eyes locking onto Ludger.

  “Listen carefully. You cannot, cannot, cause trouble during this meeting.”

  Ludger raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “I’m not here to start something… yet.”

  Kaela barked a laugh. “You literally joked to Viola yesterday you were ready to drop a giant boulder on the Roderick manor.”

  Maurien massaged the bridge of his nose. “Kaela, please don’t… encourage him.”

  She shrugged, smirking. “Just stating the truth. Ludger’s good at making problems disappear. Sometimes entire buildings.”

  Varik sighed, deeply, with the defeated tone of a man realizing he was babysitting dynamite.

  “Please,” he repeated, looking at Ludger with a very real sense of dread. “Do not erase anyone today. Or anything. The goal is to gather information and clear your squad. Not to escalate this into a national incident.”

  Ludger leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable.

  “I’ll behave,” he said simply. “As much as possible…”

  Kaela leaned toward Maurien and whispered loudly enough for the whole room to hear, “That’s what he says right before he doesn’t behave.”

  Maurien didn’t argue. Viola rubbed her temples. Varik looked like he was reconsidering every life decision that led him to this moment. And Ludger?He sat silently, posture rigid, eyes cold, ready for answers. And ready to tear apart anyone who stood between him and his captured guild members.

  The heavy door creaked again, and the room shifted as two new figures stepped inside.

  The first was Rufas Dalmore, unchanged from the last time Ludger had seen him. He wore the same carefully measured diplomatic smile, the expression that sat somewhere between polite interest and a perfect poker face. His posture was immaculate, his hair neatly combed, and his steps precise. Rufas always looked like he was simultaneously greeting you and analyzing your tax records.

  But the second figure drew Ludger’s attention like a knife sliding out of its sheath.

  A young man, no older than twenty, wearing light yet refined armor, the kind issued to high-ranking family retainers or noble guards. His cloak bore the faint crest of House Roderick. His short, dark hair was combed back, and his build showed the signs of someone trained for both court and combat.

  Ludger recognized him immediately. He had been one of the final contenders in the Empire’s academy tournament, the one Ludger and Viola were supposed to fight before political chaos cut it short. The youth had been strong, confident, and visibly groomed to be the next face of House Roderick’s martial prestige.

  He wasn’t smiling now. Not when he saw Ludger sitting at the table.

  Rufas gave a smooth bow of the head. “Lady Viola. Master Varik. Members of the Lionsguard delegation. Thank you for accommodating us on such short notice.”

  His voice carried the same well-practiced calm as always.

  He then motioned to the young man beside him. “This is Eldric Roderick, representing his house in these proceedings. He is here to present their evidence and clarify the accusations against your guild members.”

  Eldric stepped forward, offering a polite nod to the group, until his eyes met Ludger’s.

  Ludger didn’t move, didn’t blink, he just stared. Cold. Unblinking. Flat as a blade laid across the table. No irritation. No sarcasm.

  Just the kind of focused, simmering wrath that made even Maurien tense slightly beside him.

  Eldric stiffened.

  Just a micro-moment, but enough. His hand twitched near the hilt of the sword at his hip before he forced it to relax. His diplomatic mask slipped, showing the first crack of unease. Kaela smothered a grin behind her hand.

  Varik cleared his throat loudly, as if trying to cut the tension before it reached critical mass. “Let’s all sit and begin. We’re here to determine the truth, not start a duel in the Senate chambers.”

  Eldric tore his gaze away from Ludger and took his seat stiffly. But the damage was done.

  Everyone had felt it. Ludger wasn’t just angry, he was ready to dissect the lies, tear apart the excuses, and crush anyone who dared to stand between him and his captured guild members. And Eldric Roderick had walked straight into the lion’s den.