Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage
Chapter 138: Promise to Usurp

Chapter 138: Promise to Usurp

CH138 Promise to Usurp

***

"Secret organisation?" Earl Drake raised an eyebrow.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, the oppressive pressure bearing down on Alex and Udara vanished.

"Huh? You didn’t know?" Alex feigned surprise, tone light.

He calmly placed both the secret communication scroll and the Rune Phone on the nearby table.

"Joselin used the scroll to communicate with the Holt family—of that, I have no doubt. But if that were all, why would she need this phone? Her regular phone or the scroll would’ve sufficed."

He gestured at the device.

"This leads me to believe the Rune Phone was used to communicate with someone else."

"I checked the call log. She only ever used this device to contact one number. And I strongly suspect it won’t lead back to the Holts."

Drake’s eyes narrowed.

"How were you able to access the call log?" he asked, tone even—but probing.

Alex didn’t blink. "She didn’t set a password or biometric lock. For whatever reason, it was open."

Earl Drake nodded, his expression unreadable as he picked up the device and scanned the logs.

His eyes flickered as he took in the timestamps.

Alex watched his father’s gaze sharpen.

Just as he thought—Drake reached the same conclusion.

Whoever was on the other end of these calls... they were the one who helped Joselin organise the assassination attempt.

The quality of the assassins had been too high—far beyond the reach of Joselin or anyone in her known circle.

It had to be a specialist group.

Drake had long suspected the Holts were behind the attempt, but the logic never quite fit.

Why would they move so soon? Alex had yet to become a serious threat to them or their long-term plans.

Would they really spend such resources simply because of Joselin’s paranoia?

’But if there’s a third party behind her... then everything adds up,’ Drake mused, a ruthless glint forming in his eyes.

’A shadow group dares stretch its hand into my domain? Do they think I won’t crush them the moment I catch their scent?

"Fine then... let them try. I dare them to leave a trail. I’ll snap their necks with my own hands.’

Alex didn’t need to read minds to know what his father was thinking. The look in Drake’s eyes was more than enough.

He considered revealing the call locations linked to the unknown number.

But in the end, he decided against it.

The risk was too high.

He’d have to explain how he got that data.

And that would mean admitting he could access the Phone network’s backend. That OmniRune had backdoor access into every Rune Phone.

That was a secret too dangerous to reveal—not even to Drake.

The cost outweighed the benefit.

Instead, he silently moved the unknown number to OmniRune’s watchlist.

A monitoring protocol would track any new calls from or to the number.

Additionally, a contact map would automatically be generated to trace any wider network of communication.

Let Drake do things the old-fashioned way.

As father and son both fell into thoughtful silence, Udara observed the two men—so alike, yet so different.

They shared not just blood and looks, but an eerie synchronicity. Like predators circling the same battlefield, calculating every move.

Eventually, Earl Drake broke the silence.

"You say you did all this for the family," he said quietly.

"But the truth is... you acted for yourself. You removed an opponent to solidify and grow your influence within the House."

Alex didn’t flinch.

"You make it sound nefarious, Father," he said with a small shrug.

"But protecting the family and strengthening my position aren’t mutually exclusive."

"In fact, I’d argue they’re deeply intertwined."

"I will inherit House Fury one day. So it’s in my best interest to ensure it’s strong, stable, and tightly controlled."

He met Drake’s gaze without flinching.

"Besides... I’m only doing what you told me to do."

He smiled faintly. "Play the game of power. Eliminate weaknesses. Secure influence."

"Removing opposition is one of the oldest moves on the board."

Alex’s voice lowered a fraction, his tone ice-sharp:

"And it’s the least of what I’ll need to do... if I want to take your throne."

"Take my throne?" Earl Drake’s expression hardened into a glacial stare.

"Yes, Father," Alex replied without flinching.

"I have no intention of simply inheriting your position. I will do it the proper Fury way.

I’ll take what I want—with my own hands. Even if that means I have to snatch it from you."

Drake’s expression grew colder still.

The air crackled.

Literally.

Lightening sparks shimmered and danced in the space between father and son.

Earl Drake’s aura surged—raw, volatile power leaking into the air in response to his rising emotions.

Udara’s body tensed.

She didn’t hesitate.

Her stance shifted subtly—ready to move.

She knew she wouldn’t survive even a second against a Legend... But if Earl Drake made a move on Alex, she would fight.

And she would die trying.

Then—

"HAHAHAHA!!!"

Drake’s boisterous laughter exploded through the room like a thunderclap.

Udara froze.

From frozen silence to roaring amusement—just like that, the storm dissipated.

"As you should," he said to Alex, still chuckling.

Alex smiled.

Unlike Udara, he knew Drake wouldn’t strike him.

Not for that.

In another House, a child saying such a thing might be seen as committing treason.

But in House Fury?

There was no greater honour a child could offer their parent.

To challenge. To aim higher. To surpass.

It wasn’t disrespect—it was ambition.

And for a Fury, there was no higher compliment than the determination of one generation to rise above the last.

Drake’s eyes gleamed with something almost... proud.

"This is good. I will wait and see if your actions can match your bold words," he said.

He stood and turned away slightly.

"We bury your brother tomorrow," he continued, voice now low and commanding.

"Two days after that, you’ll assume his duties."

"You will take command of his to-be platoon and lead them into Dankrot Forest to carry out the routine clearing of the magic beasts there."

His gaze cut back to Alex.

"I’ll be watching. Let’s see if you can tame your brother’s men... and earn your place."

"I will see it done," Alex replied, voice resolute.

"Good. Now that we’ve settled that..."

Drake’s tone shifted, almost casual. "Let’s finish this matter already."

Alex blinked. "Finish what?"

Drake gave him a look. "What do you mean ’what’? We need to finalise your Shadow Guard’s contract."

Only then did realisation hit Alex.

Of course.

Taking a Shadow Guard wasn’t something done lightly. It was even more sacred than a noble accepting a knight.

A knight could be many.

A Shadow Guard? They were few.

Rare, no more than a handful and their master’s final line of defence.

Drake’s earlier words echoed in his mind—about Merlin recommending Udara, about training her himself.

There could only be one reason for that kind of endorsement.

Compatibility.

Alex didn’t waste time.

He silently casted his modified [Rune Detection Spell].

And what he saw staggered him.

’How?!’

He jumped to his feet.

Eyes wide.

Breath sharp.

Hands trembling—not in fear, but in barely contained exhilaration.

’This... This is insane! It’s perfect!’

He turned sharply to Drake.

"Let’s do it," he said, voice firm, eyes gleaming. "Let’s do it immediately."

He thought to himself, ’I can’t let someone like her go. No... I won’t. She must be mine!’

**