Shadows Of Succession (Part 2)

The early morning light filtered through the windows of Nexus, casting long shadows across the shop floor. Ethan sat at his desk, running his fingers through his hair, mentally preparing for the day ahead. The weight of the previous day's revelations hung over him like a dark cloud. The palace, a battleground for succession; the illness of the King; Princess Elara's desperate need for protection, and Marcus Ainsworth's looming vendetta—it was all spiraling towards a confrontation he knew he couldn't avoid.

Ethan drummed his fingers on the desk, deep in thought. The game he was playing was dangerous, with each move carrying unpredictable consequences. But if he wanted Nexus to thrive—and more importantly, if he wanted to survive—he needed to be proactive, not reactive.

His eyes flicked to a map of the city pinned to the wall beside him. 

"Reputation," he muttered, recalling his final thought the night before. Nexus might have been gaining notoriety, but it wasn't enough. He needed leverage, and leverage came with influence.

A knock on the door broke his focus. He straightened, composing himself as Galen entered the office.

"Morning, boss," the gruff voice of his security guard greeted him. Galen's towering figure seemed to fill the small room, but his expression was serious, as always. "Ready for more training later?"

Ethan smiled slightly, his body still sore from their previous session. "I'm not sure 'ready' is the right word, but yes, I'll be there." He paused for a moment. "But first, I need your advice."

Galen raised an eyebrow. "Advice? From me?"

"You're not just muscle, Galen. I need to make a move that solidifies my position. If I want Nexus to stand out, and if I want protection from people like Marcus and his father, I need to do something that puts me in good standing with the right people."

Galen grunted, leaning against the wall. "You already made an impression with that knight. Word spreads fast in this city, especially with connections to the royal court. But if you want to bolster your reputation further, you need more than just a single impressive item. You need to offer something that nobody else can."

Ethan nodded slowly. "That's the problem. What do I have that can't be found somewhere else?"

"The Blight," Galen said bluntly.

Ethan blinked, taken aback. "The Blight?"

"They're spreading all over the place, faster than the authorities can handle. Adventurers are in high demand, but no one seems to know how to stop it for good. You've dealt with them before, haven't you? People are talking about that, too. If you go back and you make a real dent, something that nobody else has been able to do, you'll be seen as a true hero. Not just some shopkeeper."

Ethan stood up, pacing the room as Galen's words sank in. The Blight had been a constant threat, and while he'd completed the mission, it hadn't been without a struggle, especially against the mutated one. There was something unnatural about how they spread, and no one had found the root cause.

"If I went back, I'd need something powerful, something more than pellets." Ethan's eyes darted to his shelves, his mind racing. He had his Otherworld Exchange System but hadn't fully explored its potential yet. There had to be something in the marketplace that could help him.

"I'll think on it," he said, more to himself than to Galen. "You're right, though. If I make a real impact with the Blight, I could turn that into leverage."

Galen nodded in approval. "Let me know what you need. And if you're going back to that place, you'll need to be even more prepared. We'll keep up with the training, no excuses."

Before Ethan could reply, the door creaked open again, and Selene slipped inside. She moved with her usual grace, her face betraying little, but Ethan knew her well enough to sense the tension in her movements.

"Boss," she said quietly. "I've got more information."

Ethan waved Galen off, and the guard excused himself, leaving Selene and Ethan alone in the office. She closed the door behind her, lowering her voice.

"I've been hearing things. Things that might complicate our situation even further."

"Go on."

"The King's illness is worse than we thought. He's bedridden, and no one knows if he'll recover. That's why there's been so much unrest in the palace. Every noble worth their title is positioning themselves for when the inevitable happens."

Ethan's stomach tightened. “And Princess Elara?”

"She's got support, but it's fragile. The palace is a maze of alliances and betrayals. She can't afford to trust anyone, which is why she's looking for outside help. Rumor has it she's planning something big to secure her place in the line of succession."

Ethan frowned. "And what about Marcus' father?"

Selene hesitated, her gaze darkening. "The Baron's furious. Apparently, Marcus has been ranting about his 'humiliation' nonstop. The Baron's a ruthless man and he won't let it slide. He's already been asking questions about Nexus and about you."

Ethan clenched his fists. "Of course. I was expecting this."

"From what I've heard, he's planning something. He might not act openly, but he's got connections in the city. He could make things very difficult for us if he wanted to."

Ethan let out a slow breath, thinking carefully. The Baron's vendetta wasn't just a petty grudge; it could spiral into a much larger problem. He needed to be ready for whatever came next.

"Keep watching him," Ethan said, his tone firm. "Let me know the moment anything happens."

Selene nodded, her expression serious. "And the Princess?"

Ethan paused, considering his options. If Princess Elara was indeed planning something, there could be an opportunity there. An alliance with her could prove invaluable, but it also put him at risk. Getting involved in the palace's internal struggle was like stepping into quicksand.

"We'll keep an eye on her, too," Ethan said carefully. "If she's building alliances, she might need more from us. Nexus could be a valuable resource for her, but we need to tread carefully."

Selene's eyes glinted with understanding. "Understood. I'll make sure we're prepared for whatever comes next."

As she slipped out of the room, Ethan leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. The Blight, the Baron, Princess Elara, the King's illness, the DIA. It would all come to a head at some point.

And soon, he would need to make a decision that would decide Nexus' future.