The revelation of the Obsidian Group's lethal poison on national television threw the entire grand pavilion into an uproar of sheer outrage. Foreign ambassadors were shouting in disgust, reporters were frantically typing out emergency dispatches, and the five imperial judges were glaring at Dr. Klaus with pure fury. "Arrest Dr. Klaus immediately!" the Chief Imperial Judge roared, slamming his fist onto the diagnostic console, "Strip his medical license and place him in federal custody for attempted murder under imperial jurisdiction!" Two armed marshals rushed onto the stage, twisting Klaus's arms behind his back and forcing him onto his knees. Klaus was trembling like a leaf in a storm, his spectacles hanging off one ear as he stared up at the VIP balcony, desperately begging for help with his eyes. Up in the balcony, Elder Corvin sat frozen, his knuckles white as his crystal glass cracked in his tight grip. On the stage, the elderly patient, Robert Lawson, was breathing heavil

A heavy, suffocating silence descended upon the ten thousand people trapped inside the locked exhibition pavilion. Three hundred armed Obsidian mercenaries stood along the perimeter, their rifle barrels pointed directly at the center stage. Elder Corvin leaned over the balcony railing, a vicious, manic laugh tearing from his throat, "An emperor?" Corvin mocked, his eyes wide with madness, "You're just a dead boy talking, Rowan!" "In three seconds, my men will open fire and turn you into a pile of shredded meat!" "Three!" "Two!" Rowan Ashford did not flinch. He casually raised his right arm, extending his palm high into the bright spotlight above the stage. Resting in his hand was the heavy, ancient medallion carved from black meteoric iron: the Sovereign Void Token. The bright halogen light struck the surface of the metal, illuminating the nine swirling clouds and the deep crimson word Void for the entire arena to see. "Imperial Sovereign Guards, assemble," Rowa

The subterranean corridors of the Obsidian Tower were completely silent except for the heavy footsteps of the Imperial Sovereign Guards. Every ten yards, automated security cameras hung dead from the ceiling, their power severed by General Marcus's military electronic warfare division. "Master, this vault was constructed thirty years ago by the former imperial defense ministry," General Marcus explained as they walked down the corridor, "The walls are reinforced with depleted uranium and three feet of high-density lead," "Not even a bunker-buster missile could breach this chamber from the outside." Rowan nodded calmly, his fingers gently holding Zora's warm hand, "Well, the greatest fortresses always fall from the inside when the foundation is built on blood." The heavy titanium blast doors of Sub-Level Six hissed open as the hydraulic locks disengaged with a deep mechanical groan. General Marcus and twenty Imperial Sovereign Guards stepped into the dimly lit corridor, their as

(The Next Day) The Ashford Sovereign Manor, The towers of the Ashford Sovereign Manor stood proudly against the evening sky, their ancient gray stone glowing warm and golden in the twilight. For twenty years, this estate had been cloaked in silence, locked behind heavy iron chains while the weeds grew wild in the courtyards. Today, the palace was alive with warm lights, fresh flowers, and the cheerful laughter of dozens of loyal servants. In the central courtyard below, General Marcus and fifty Imperial Sovereign Guards stood at ceremonial attention, their crimson capes fluttering in the northern breeze. Every diplomatic delegation in the Capital had sent bouquets of white orchids and congratulations scrolls to the front gates, filling the entry foyer with sweet fragrance. The late afternoon sun cast long golden rays across the sprawling rooftops of the Ashford Sovereign Manor. On the highest observation terrace atop the central estate tower, the cool autumn breeze whipped gent

"Huh?" Everyone froze, staring at each other like they didn't hear what Rowan had just said."What did you just say?" Luca challenged, the hostility in his voice was no longer hidden,"Didn't you hear me?" Rowan raised his brows staring back at Luca,"If you're partially deaf then tell me so I can go borrow a speaker so everyone would know what you've done,""And if you're completely deaf, then I don't mind writing it down for you." Rowan shrugged, resting back on the chair, his eyes filled with disdain."You..." Luca stuttered, his face going red in embarrassment.He knew well what he had done and knew what Rowan was referring to. But why would he admit it."How dare you speak to Luca that way?" One of the females jumped forward, pointing at Rowan."Do you even know who he is?""Do you even know that Luca was generous enough to let you in here to join us, yet you want to criticize him?""I bet you've never had such delicious food in your life or even sit in such a place," Another add