Night fell heavy over Dominion Sanctum.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, it took with it the day's vibrant energy.

The bustling warmth of family and laughter faded into the stillness of night.

Arthur had been at the center of it all, surrounded by his loved ones who bombed him with questions and shared stories that danced between bites of roasted lamb and sips of wine.

Even Ethan and the other commanders had let their guard down, momentarily escaping their grief in the embrace of the Osborn family's joy.

Arthur told them about his adventure, stories about the crumbling bridges, the murals older than empires, and hallways echoing like tombs of giants.

He wove humor into his narratives, stripping away the bloodshed to leave only thrilling adventures behind.

They leaned in closer with every twist and turn, laughter mingling with gasps as they clapped for more.

But as always, night has a way of stealing warmth away.

By the time the moon hung high above the sea and stars twinkled thickly against an inky sky, Dominion Sanctum was cloaked in silence.

--------

At the top the Main Palace, Arthur sat alone in his study.

The room was dimly lit by moonlight filtering through tall glass windows.

Shadows stretched across shelves filled with books and relics while polished wooden panels gleamed softly in the darkness. A single lamp cast a warm glow on his desk.

Leaning back in his chair with a glass of wine swirling lazily in hand, Arthur's gaze drifted into nothingness.

Suddenly, a low hum shattered the silence.

Holographic light burst forth as Evolon's full projection materialized at center stage, a tall figure with faceless features and void-blue eyes glowing ominously.

Layers of holographic screens unfurled around it, revealing streams of data, graphs, shifting maps, and glowing emblems representing corporations and governments alike.

"Good evening, Patriarch," Evolon intoned smoothly, its voice calm yet chillingly cold. "Welcome back once again."

Arthur blinked slowly as if awakening from a dream.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Evolon… I trust everything was stable during my absence?"

"Yes," came Evolon's reply. "No major disruptions were recorded."

Taking a long sip from his glass before setting it down deliberately on his desk,

Arthur's voice turned calm as he said"Let's hear it."

Evolon's eyes flickered; screens shifted to display rising charts before him.

"First report on the consolidation of Varenya industries."

With constant injection of capital flowing in, Evolon said in a calm tone, "Osborn Holdings now commands seventy percent of all industries in Varenya. Projections show we'll achieve full control within three fiscal quarters. Every sector feels our influence, food, housing, energy, transport, education, healthcare. From the most affordable toothbrush to cutting-edge maglev trains, Osborn Holdings is the lifeblood of this economy."

Arthur's gaze was fixed on the data bars flickering across the screens before him; his expression remained impassive as he sipped his wine slowly.

"Continue," he urged.

"Looking beyond Varenya," Evolon continued, "we've penetrated thirty percent of northern Noctis, approximately fifty countries. To reach that coveted seventy percent control? We need a significant breakthrough."

Arthur set his glass down with a deliberate tap against the table. "We will create that breakthrough. Keep going."

The screens transitioned to vivid images showcasing sea routes and shipping vessels adorned with glowing Osborn emblems.

"Osborn Holdings has successfully secured the Khazan Strait," Evolon announced. "This vital maritime route connects Lumina, Solara, and Eryndor. Border trade agreements are finalized. All future ocean transport between these continents now falls under Osborn Holdings' oversight."

Arthur chuckled softly at this revelation. "So now I control the arteries of the sea?"

"Yes, Patriarch," Evolon confirmed.

One by one, Evolon detailed acquisitions, logistics networks, raw material supply chains, energy monopolies, each statement reinforcing an undeniable truth: Osborn Holdings had spread its roots deep beneath entire continents.

As Evolon concluded its report, the screens shifted once more to display glowing emblems of rival organizations; some Arthur recognized immediately.

"The Trident Circle has ramped up surveillance," Evolon reported gravely. "Multiple external powers are probing into our activities. Branches outside Varenya are being monitored closely; so far, there's no evidence linking them to Dominion Sanctum."

Arthur's eyes narrowed as he processed this information. "Are we safe?"

"Yes," came Evolon's reply. "However, several factions are still testing us,particularly the Whitmore Family, they've allocated resources to track any irregularities."

At the mention of their name, Arthur's smile faded into something colder. He set his glass aside decisively.

"The Whitmores… Snakes always slithering into places they shouldn't be."

He leaned forward slightly as he issued orders: "Double monitoring on all branches, no leaks, absolutely none."

"Confirmed," said Evolon promptly.

The screens shifted again.

"What about the Ladder Protocol?," Arthur commanded with intent in his voice.

Evolon's voice sliced through the air with a precision that demanded attention. "The Ladder Protocol has now infiltrated five continents and three hundred countries. Its destructive potential has escalated to a level that poses a threat equivalent to that of entire nations. Simulations indicate only a fifty-seven percent survival rate for those nations fully exposed."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting into one of mild disappointment. "That's not enough. I need it to have continent-level impact within two years."

"Understood," Evolon replied, its tone unwavering. "We'll recalibrate the development speed accordingly."

Arthur leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply through his nose as shadows danced across his features. "And what about TW?"

"Currently fifty percent complete," Evolon reported confidently. "It is projected to reach full operational status within the next quarter. Once finalized, we will secure total dominance over the global criminal underworld,rendering the dark web obsolete."

A faint smile crept onto Arthur's lips as he lifted his glass in acknowledgment. "Good news indeed! And Umbra Noctis?"

Holograms depicting hidden halls and intricate coded symbols illuminated the room.

"All divisions are stable," Evolon continued, its voice steady and assured. "Our influence is expanding rapidly, and our reputation is solidifying across all spheres. Umbra Noctis now indirectly controls ten sovereign nations."

Arthur raised his glass slightly toward Evolon, as if offering a toast. "Well done! Efficient as always."

He took a deep sip of wine, feeling it burn pleasantly down his throat.

But then, something shifted in Evolon's gaze.

"Patriarch," it said suddenly, its tone sharpening with urgency, "there is an anomaly i must address."

Arthur's brows furrowed with concern. "What do you mean? Speak!"

"During the disappearance of the magnetic field at Ayzion," Evolon explained, its voice taking on an edge of seriousness, "i detected an unknown signal. The source remains indeterminate; its duration was less than one second before it vanished completely from my records. Analysis is still ongoing."

Arthur's eyes narrowed further as he processed this information. "Are you absolutely certain?"

"Affirmative," came Evolon's crisp reply.

Leaning back slowly in thought, Arthur drummed his fingers against his glass while gazing out at the silver moon hanging in the night sky beyond the window. What secrets did you leave behind, Vaerion VII?

Silence enveloped them like a heavy fog.

Just then...

[ Mission completed ]

[ Rewards are being issued.]

The system cold and mechanical voice sounded in his head.

His fingers froze around the glass as tension and disgust flickered across his face for just an instant before he masked it with a calm smile and happy face.

But inside him, anxiety and urgency tightened in his chest.

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