"Don't thank me. Just survive. Then we'll plan properly." He clasped my shoulder. "Your father would be proud, Hadeon. Of who you've become. What you're building. The man you're growing into."
The words hit harder than I expected. I wasn't really his nephew. Wasn't really the son who'd died. But in this moment, standing in the training grounds with Duke Victor's hand on my shoulder...
I wanted to be worthy of that pride anyway.
"I'll make him proud," I said. "I promise."
"I know you will. You're a Ravana. We don't quit. We don't break. And we sure as hell don't let conspiracies running for centuries stop us from doing what we want."
He released my shoulder and started walking back toward the main academy.
"Oh," he called over his shoulder. "The twenty knights I brought? They're staying. Officially now, they're academy security consultants. Unofficially, they're your personal guard. Use them."
"I don't need...."
"Yes, you do. Stop being stubborn. Your father refused extra security. Look what happened." His voice hardened. "You're important, Hadeon. Not just to the family. To everything we're trying to accomplish. Protect yourself properly. That's an order."
I watched him leave, straightening with authority that made other students instinctively step aside.
Duke Victor Ravana. My uncle.
My ally in a war centuries old.
[RELATIONSHIP UPDATE: DUKE VICTOR THORNHEART]
[TRUST: 95% (mutual)]
[SUPPORT: Complete]
[RESOURCES AVAILABLE: Extensive]
[NEW ASSETS ACQUIRED]
- 20 Thornheart Knights (Elite soldiers)
- Family vault access
- Political backing
- Intelligence networks
- Ancient weapons/artifacts
- Father's final blood message (sealed)
[EMOTIONAL IMPACT: High]
[You have family who believes in you]
[You are not alone]
[QUEST UPDATED: Ravana LEGACY]
[Objective: Visit family vault after Spring Festival]
[Requirement: Survive assassination attempt first]
[Reward: Truth and power]
That evening, I gathered my inner circle one final time before the festival. Damian, Marcus, Lucille. The people who knew the full plan.
But this time, we weren't alone.
Uncle Victor stood at the head of the table, imposing and authoritative.
"This is Duke Victor Ravana," I said. "My uncle and the man currently running our duchy. He knows about our plans."
Various expressions of surprise.
"He knows about the fake assassination?" Marcus asked.
"He knows someone is trying to kill me. He doesn't know all the details of our countermeasure." I looked at Victor. "I'd like to bring him fully into the plan."
"I'm standing right here," Victor said dryly. "You could ask me directly."
"Would you like to know the full plan for tomorrow's fake assassination, including the fact that I'm going to publicly die to draw out the real killers?"
He blinked. "You're going to what?"
"Fake my death convincingly. For several hours at least to see who celebrates and who mourns. And to catch whoever tries to finish the job."
Victor looked at me "And you're certain the fake death spell will work."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"And you're certain it works?"
"Ninety-seven percent."
"What about the other three percent?"
"I die for real."
Victor pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course. Why would anything about this family be simple?"
"In fairness," I said, "it's a better plan than get poisoned and die for real."
"That's a low bar, Hadeon."
"I'm aware."
We spent the next hour bringing Victor fully up to speed. He asked questions and Identified some weak points while he suggested improvements. By the end, the plan was better for his input.
"You're all insane," he said finally. "But it's a solid plan. Insane, but solid."
"That's the Hadeon family motto," I said.
"No it isn't."
"Then it should be."
Despite himself, Victor smiled. "Alright. I'm in. But I'm adding two conditions."
"Which are?"
"First, four of my knights will be positioned as additional security, they'll be hidden. Watching for threats you might miss."
"Agreed."
"Second, I'm attending the festival. Publicly as your family representative. Which means anyone trying to kill you will have to do it with a Duke watching."
"That might scare them off."
"Good. Then you don't die. But if they try anyway?" His smile was cold. "Then they'll learn what happens when you threaten a Ravana in front of family."
Lucille spoke up. "Your Grace, with respect, your presence might complicate things. You're a high-profile target yourself."
"I'm aware. I'm also a former general with forty years of combat experience. I can handle myself." He looked at me. "Besides, I told you, I'm not letting you walk this path alone. That starts now."
There was no arguing with that tone.
"Thank you," I said.
"Don't thank me. Just live through it. Then we'll visit the family vault, read your father's message, and properly prepare for the real war."
Later that night, alone in my room, I pulled out the vault key and the family seal Damian had returned to me. The Spring Festival, ssomeone would try to kill me.
But tonight, I had allies.
I had three hundred years of Ravana resistance behind me. I had a faction willing to die for me. I had a plan. Most importantly? I had something the Council didn't expect.
I had no intention of dying quietly.
[PREPARATION COMPLETE]
[FAMILY SECURED]
[ALLIES POSITIONED]
[TRAP SET]
[DEATH FLAG #4: TOMORROW]
[MESSAGE FROM SYSTEM....You've come far, Hadeon Ravana]