The chaos that swept the Royal Economic Forum was more than a political event; it was a systemic collapse. The Grand Executor was arrested by the Royal Guard under charges of high treason and fraud, based on the undeniable evidence Rian had presented.
Back in the Undercity Headquarters, the atmosphere was one of strained, exhausted relief. Seraphina and Lia had successfully used the service tunnels to escape the resulting lockdown, returning to find Rian slumped, his face pale, but a look of profound, cold satisfaction in his eyes.
"The Executor is secured. The primary threat is neutralized," Rian whispered, the lingering, deep ache in his core a necessary tax on his victory. He looked at the Ledger: [DEBT LIABILITY: 700 G. DAYS REMAINING: 4 DAYS, 18 HOURS.]
"Survival is merely the prelude to profitability," Rian corrected, pushing past Varya who hovered with concern. "We have eliminated our greatest threat, but we have created a political vacuum. We need a new, stable revenue stream immediately to clear the remaining debt and fund the long-term Ascension Plan."
Rian turned to Lia, who was now sitting freely at the table, her demeanor completely changed from a prisoner to a calculating partner.
"Lia, your intelligence was flawless. Your contract terms are adjusted immediately," Rian stated. "You are now my official Chief Intelligence Officer, compensated 100 Gold Marks monthly. Where do we focus now? The dozens of bankrupt houses left vulnerable by the Executor's downfall?"
"No. We avoid the chaos," Rian stated. "We look for a high-value, low-risk, immediate liquidity event. Seraphina, your assessment of the aftermath."
Seraphina, standing guard at the door, her senses hyper-alert, reported grimly. "The Merchant Guild is hunting us for the theft of the Ward Crystal and the unauthorized access of the Scrying Network. They view us as common thieves. However, there is a far greater risk."
"The Executor's massive Personal Vault," Seraphina explained. "It holds over 5,000 Gold Marks in hard currency and enough magical artifacts to arm a small army. With the Executor detained, that vault is unguarded but still protected by three Tier 5 wards. The Guild will seize it within 48 hours. If we move now, we could claim the entire estate."
Rian paused, calculating the enormous risk versus the reward. [REWARD: 5,000 G+. RISK: TIER 5 WARDS (EXTREME). LIABILITY: GUILD SEIZURE IMMINENT.]
"We will not touch the vault," Rian decided immediately. "We cannot survive a direct conflict with the Guild's central structure. We need to avoid being perceived as a direct threat to their stability. We need a benign proposal."
Just then, the comm stone on the table crackled to life—a private, encrypted channel. Garl frowned, checking the security runes.
"Lord Rian, this is an unscheduled, encrypted comm," Garl reported, his hand resting near his ax. "The signal is coming from the 7th Floor: The High Council Residence."
"Accept the link, Garl," Rian commanded, his eyes narrowing in anticipation. "It's time to meet our next business partner."
A clear, refined voice—the voice of a powerful, seasoned noble—echoed from the stone.
"Is this the private channel of Auditor Rian Thorne? I am Baroness Lysandra of House Valerius, Chief Adjudicator of the Royal Economic Council. I am calling to discuss your recent… financial activities."
Rian leaned forward, a cold, calculating smile returning to his face. "Baroness Lysandra. I trust you found my recent demonstration of financial transparency illuminating."
"Illuminating, terrifying, and utterly necessary, Auditor," Lysandra replied, her tone a perfect blend of high-tier nobility and brutal pragmatism. "The Grand Executor was a rot. Your actions saved the Council months of political maneuvering. You have our attention, Auditor. Now, let's discuss the immediate future."
"My focus is currently on eliminating my remaining debt of 700 Gold Marks," Rian stated, driving the conversation immediately to the balance sheet. "If the Council requires my continued 'assistance,' they must first address my liabilities."
Lysandra chuckled, a dry, sophisticated sound. "The Council is already arranging to purchase the West Wall Vein from the Baron to settle the primary debt. We will pay the 1,500 Gold Marks in full to the original contract holders—provided you agree to a new contract with us."
Rian felt a surge of vindication. He had destroyed his asset, risked his life, and now the system was paying the full debt to eliminate him as a variable.
[DEBT LIABILITY: 1,500 G. STATUS: PENDING COUNCIL ACQUISITION. CONCLUSION: VICTORY.]
"The acquisition of the West Wall Vein is an acceptable outcome," Rian stated. "Now, state the terms of the new contract, Baroness. I only accept performance-based agreements with high liquidity."
"The Grand Executor was the head of the Black Scythe Collective," Lysandra explained. "His removal leaves dozens of key economic and political positions empty. His organization is destabilized but still operating—a threat to the Tower's stability. We need someone ruthless, unconnected, and brilliant to audit, liquidate, and consolidate the Executor's former assets and power base on behalf of the Crown."
She paused, letting the weight of the offer settle. "We are offering you the position of Special Royal Liquidator. Your mission is to systematically dismantle the Black Scythe Collective and return its key assets to the Crown."
"And the compensation?" Rian asked, his eyes gleaming.
"Your domain debt is paid in full," Lysandra confirmed. "Additionally, you will receive 20% of the net liquid value of all assets successfully seized from the Collective. Furthermore, the Council will grant you a Tier 4 Royal Sanction and officially appoint Seraphina Vast as your sanctioned Chief of Security, clearing her status as a fugitive."
Rian looked at Seraphina, whose eyes widened slightly at the mention of her name and the offer of full exoneration.
The offer was staggering. Rian wasn't being offered a simple payout; he was being offered legitimized power, a sanctioned license to take, and the highest-tier legal status for his core asset.
"The terms are highly favorable, Baroness," Rian admitted. "My compensation requires one final provision: I require the Council to grant Varya an exclusive Tier 3 Research and Development Mandate for the creation of new Ward technology."
"Granted," Lysandra agreed immediately. "We need new security after your recent demonstration. The contracts will be delivered by Royal Courier in the morning, along with the official annulment of the West Wall debt. Welcome to the Royal Economic Council, Auditor Thorne. The cleaning has just begun."
Rian terminated the communication, the silence in the room deafening. He had started the week bankrupt and hunted; he ended it as a sanctioned official with a license to systematically profit from the corruption he had exposed.
"We have new contracts," Rian announced, a genuine, cold look of ambition on his face. "Seraphina, you are officially exonerated and promoted. Varya, you have a sanctioned lab. Garl, Lia, prepare the intelligence. We are moving out of the Undercity."
"Where are we going, My Lord?" Garl asked, his eyes wide.
"We are moving into the Executive Sector. The Council is granting us the deeds to the Grand Executor's former headquarters—a temporary posting," Rian stated. "We are going to war, but this time, it's a hostile takeover endorsed by the Crown."
[ASCENSION PLAN PHASE 1: COMPLETED. ASSETS: SECURED. DEBT: CLEARED. NEW MISSION: SYSTEMIC CONSOLIDATION.]
A/N: Rian just became the most dangerous accountant in the Tower, tasked with dismantling the system that tried to kill him. Chapter 17 will focus on the acquisition of Rian's official headquarters and the first move against the remaining Collective members.