Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 144 - 139: The project meeting (2)

Chapter 144: Chapter 139: The project meeting (2)

His voice was quiet, but it commanded the room with the authority of a blade drawn. The subtle murmurs vanished in an instant, replaced by the crisp sounds of pages turning, quills uncapped, and portfolios opened with practiced hands.

Scrolls bearing imperial wax seals were passed down the table by silent aides in black and crimson. The scent of parchment and ink mingled with the faint trace of protective spells layered into the documents; runes glimmered faintly beneath each heading, warded against forgery.

High Arcanist Virenth adjusted the gloves on her pale hands before she spoke, her tone polished and precise. "The Ministry of Magic confirms that all five portal anchor points passed arcane viability checks. Two require local leyline stabilization, but nothing that cannot be resolved by our artificers by the second phase." She had to take on responsibilities that Count Ebon, the former Minister of Magic, had never bothered with; odds are that she will be named official soon.

Her eyes flicked briefly to Gabriel, then to the schematics resting in front of her. "The original design for the stabilization matrix, created by Lord von Jaunez, was discovered to be both elegant and resilient. We have only made slight alterations to accommodate local arcane variables."

Damian inclined his head. "And the time frame?"

"Three months until the first phase. Assuming all materials are transported as scheduled".

General Halbrecht’s gravelly voice followed, like a stone breaking the silence. "Materials won’t be the problem. We’ve increased activity near the Donin border. Skirmishes are now taking place every week. That corridor needs shielding. We will need permission to deploy four escort battalions in tandem with each construction team."

George leaned slightly forward, as calm and cold as winter stone. "Claymore Industries is ready to deliver materials to all five locations. Logistics will follow escort protocol in direct coordination with your command units. You’ll find our proposed routes and reinforcement windows outlined in section four."

He spoke like a man who had never been compromised. There was no falter, no hesitation.

No mercy.

Gabriel observed him closely. The shift was so seamless it bordered on eerie.

Max’s fingers tapped once on the table. A silent rhythm of understanding. ’He’s playing it perfectly.’

Anabelle Sinclair, poised but silent until now, passed a slim folder across the table toward the Ministry’s lead scribe. "You’ll find financial breakdowns and cost buffers for emergency teleportation failsafes. Redundancy will be non-negotiable in contested zones."

He gestured to the document as if he hadn’t just vowed blood and vengeance behind a magical barrier minutes ago.

Max leaned slightly to the side and whispered out of the corner of his mouth, "And here we are, back in the theater."

Gabriel didn’t smile. He didn’t need to.

Lady Virenth turned to him next, her voice light but respectful. "Your initial design on the portal stabilization runes and safety measures is brilliant work, Lord von Jaunez. We’d like your signature on the final model before launch."

Gabriel inclined his head, but his posture was different now. Firmer. Grounded.

"Actually," he said, setting his pen down with deliberate care, "I’ll need to step away from the project."

The air stopped—very briefly. Even Damian tilted his head in faint acknowledgment, though his eyes betrayed no surprise.

Gabriel continued, his tone polite but unyielding.

"With my current transition into imperial office," he said, "I believe it would be a conflict of interest to remain involved in a project I helped initiate under Claymore leadership. I’ll finalize the schematic handover by the end of the day. After that, my seat at this table should be considered vacant."

There was no tremble in his voice.

No hesitation.

Only clarity: he had to make this announcement even if he was not Damian’s mate; Lucius made it clear enough that the suggestion was an order.

Lady Virenth blinked but nodded gracefully. "Understood." Her pale blue eyes followed him with unmasked curiosity. She had heard Gabriel was the Emperor’s mate, and being in the palace was critical to knowing what was going on. She was at first surprised that a von Jaunez was working for Claymores, but after reading the report, she understood why George had Gabriel in his company. She would have hired him even if he had not been of noble origin.

General Halbrecht grunted. "Can’t fault the reasoning." His brown eyes scanned him from head to toe, but like his fellow soldier, Duke Claymore, his thoughts were hard to read.

George said nothing.

But that smile? It dipped for half a second, barely noticeable.

Then returned.

Damian leaned back slightly, his golden gaze fixed on Gabriel for one long, quiet beat.

Then he nodded.

"Noted."

The remainder of the meeting proceeded like a well-rehearsed orchestral movement.

Each department delivered their reports with clinical precision, including projections, resource allocations, and threat assessments. No one interrupted. No one dared to stall the Emperor’s time.

The Blue Ether Project, once a daring proposal, was now the foundation of the Empire’s new infrastructure and defense strategy. What began as an ambitious portal transportation system now served two purposes: mobilizing troops, supplies, and influence to border cities in preparation for a silent war.

General Halbrecht set up patrol grids for mobile garrisons near the construction sites, while Lady Virenth worked with her second to dispatch enchantment teams for dimensional buffering. The Ministry of Trade guaranteed raw material procurement through sealed guild contracts—though Gabriel quietly noted that many of those contracts bore the indirect hand of Claymore subsidiaries.

George maintained the rhythm like a conductor. Not once did he falter. He spoke clearly, leaning in when necessary but never too far. And while he offered no grand gestures, his authority filled the room like a quiet, inevitable tide.

Max drew attention next, calmly pointing out differences in the mineral ratios for Site Four’s arcane anchors. He corrected them, offered better figures, and even suggested alternate routes around contested terrain. And when he spoke, the entire table listened. Not as a courtesy, but on the basis of merit.

George didn’t interrupt him once.

Gabriel caught the elder Claymore’s expression of recognition after one particularly precise remark to Max. Not pride. Not yet. But something older.

Respect.

As the hour passed, signatures were exchanged, seals were pressed, and enchantments were whispered to bind the contracts. Damian’s presence grounded everything—he spoke only when necessary, but when he did, his voice brought stillness like iron draws blood.

"Phase One is approved," he announced as the final scroll was rolled and marked. "Deployment begins in 10 days."

The words were met with nods of approval. Quiet. Certain.

The room became more relaxed as aides started to collect documents; it was still formal but less stiff. The type of shift that indicated a conclusion.

Gabriel stood first.

His exit was silent but definitive. No glances. No lingering looks. He had said what he intended to say. His hands, free of the weight of scrolls and schematics, were clasped behind his back as he walked out.

Lady Virenth watched him walk away with a thoughtful tilt of her head. Max did not stop him. George said nothing.

Damian waited until the door closed.

Then, finally, he rose.

"Dismissed."

It wasn’t a suggestion.