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The Return Of Martins Goblin. CHAPTER 022.
DanielleClyde thought a stroll around the palace with his arms tucked behind his back, could help him think clearer, replaying the events in his mind. His mission in Marula was far from over, and Clarissa’s unexpected presence complicated things.She wasn’t part of his plan, yet somehow, she had become part of it. Her fire, her vulnerability, and the strange peace she brought to him—made loving her easy.But it all fell apart when the same cruel coworkers and classmates mocked her again, this time for clinging to a "failed janitor" like Clyde. Someone who she bragged was going to give her a better life within a year couldn't afford to leave the slums.“Would I have done it differently than show myself after our divorce?” he asked himself. The answer was clear, even if the council wouldn’t understand.They would demand justifications, explanations, and maybe even apologies. But Clyde had none to give—not for avenging himself.*Danielle sat by the swimming pool, ripples formed with ev
The Return Of Martins Goblin. CHAPTER 023.
The Mission. One Might Wonder... Why did Clyde have to go undercover in the first place? And why was it so disastrous for him to reveal himself before it was time? It all began with whispers in the Emperor's court. Someone—a traitor in their midst—had been feeding vital information to the insurgents. Every strategy, every move Zizou Empire planned in secret, reached enemy ears before the warriors could strike. The insurgents, a coalition of fragmented factions, somehow stayed ahead despite Zizou’s advanced weaponry. It was as though they were always ten steps ahead, slipping through the cracks of their defenses like water. The Emperor and his Commander-in-Chief were furious. The Council of Seven Lords—the most trusted advisors of the empire—were suspected, but no accusations could be made without proof. As the leaks worsened and the insurgents grew bolder, the Emperor turned to Clyde, his son, a leader forged in fire and loyalty. But the task came with a warning: If you fail, you
The Return Of Martins Goblin. CHAPTER 024
The Council*The Emperor sat in his private chambers, the weight of his golden crown feeling heavier than ever. Reports lay scattered across the mahogany table before him, each one worse than the last.His son had been a source of pride once. When Clyde volunteered to go undercover in the slums of Marula, the Emperor had been impressed. Few nobles—let alone the heir to the throne—would willingly endure such hardship for the good of the Empire.But now, that pride was tinged with bitterness.First, there were whispers of Clyde’s engagement to a commoner. Then came the Tesslar Corporation, a business venture that had no place in his mission. Worst of all, his identity, once carefully concealed, had begun to unravel.The Emperor sighed, running a hand over his weary face. “I thought I had raised a soldier,” he muttered, his voice heavy with disappointment. “Not a man who could be swayed so easily by his heart.”He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as the weight of the Empire bo
The Return Of Martins Goblin. CHAPTER 025.
Promise Bells.Clarissa sat with her legs tucked under a blanket, the weight of the night pressing in around her as she absentmindedly sipped her coffee.The warmth did nothing to soothe the ache in her chest—the relentless replay of memories she couldn’t escape. The man who once had her heart, the man who once promised her a future, now felt like a ghost.Clyde Tesslar—or rather, Clyde Darkfang—his name echoed in her mind like a cruel reminder of what she’d lost.The mysterious janitor with sharp, almost piercing green eyes and a calm, almost ethereal demeanor.His smile had always been warm, almost disarming. She remembered how it had first captivated her, how his presence had felt like something more than the menial work he pretended to do.He had the build of someone who should have been a leader, not a servant.Why had he come to OLR in the first place? She had never understood it fully, but she had believed him when he spoke about the life they could build together.Now, as the
The Return Of Martins Goblin. CHAPTER 026.
Falling ApartBy the end of the first month, her doubts had only deepened. Clyde worked long hours cleaning the building, sometimes even late into the night, but there was no sign of the “empire” he had promised her. He spoke often of future investments, of dreams he would one day realize, but none of it seemed real.Every time Clarissa asked about his plans, he would smile and give vague, optimistic answers, but his words never translated into action.Meanwhile, Clarissa’s world was spiraling further away from the glittering life she once knew. The financial ruin her family had suffered was a constant reminder of what could have been.She had once been a part of the elite, surrounded by people who wore their wealth like a badge of honor, their lives a series of extravagant parties, expensive vacations, and power plays. Now, she was stuck in a dingy apartment with a man who couldn’t even afford to take her out to a decent restaurant.Their life together had become a monotonous cycle.
The Return Of Martins Goblin. CHAPTER 027.
The Trial Of ShadowsAt dawn, Clyde stood beneath the towering arches of the Council Chamber, the faint light filtering through stained glass windows casting fractured patterns on the obsidian floor.The seven Lords sat in a crescent formation, their expressions veiled behind layers of tradition and authority. At the center, the Emperor watched with cold, unyielding eyes, his presence commanding silence.Lord Lythos stepped forward, his dark robes trailing behind him like a shadow. From within his sleeve, he revealed an ancient scroll, the wax seal of the Empire unbroken. He unfurled it with deliberate precision, his voice carrying the weight of generations.“Young Lord Clyde, heir to the Empire, the Council decrees that your trial shall be the Trial of Shadows. This is not a simple task but a crucible to test your loyalty, resolve, and strength. Fail, and you are unfit to rule. Succeed, and the Empire’s future may rest in your hands.”His words echoed in the chamber, their gravity pa
The Return Of Martins Goblin. CHAPTER 028.
Fueled by DeterminationA form, a shadowy figure, its shape shifting and indistinct.“Young Lord Clyde,” it intoned, its voice resonating like thunder. “Why do you seek the Flame?”Clyde paused, his heartbeat thundering in his chest. He could lie, but the creature would know. He closed his eyes, searching within himself for the truth.Danielle watched him with faith.“I seek the Flame to protect the Empire,” he said finally. “Not for power or glory, but to honor those who came before me and to safeguard those who will come after.”The shadow studied him for a long moment before stepping aside. “Your path is clear. But your final trial awaits.”*The Vault was a massive chamber bathed in flickering red light. At its center, atop a pedestal surrounded by spiraling flames, rested the Ardent Flame itself.Clyde approached cautiously, the heat searing his skin even from a distance.As he reached out to grasp the Flame, a voice echoed around him.“This power can save your Empire, but it can
The Return Of Martins Goblin. CHAPTER 029.
In his room, Clyde sat by the window, a radiant smile on his face as relief washed over him. The artifact he’d risked so much to retrieve was finally secure, and for now, he was home. But his gaze wandered beyond the palace grounds to the horizon, his mind tugged back to Marula and the unfinished mission awaiting him there.A soft creak of the door interrupted his thoughts. Danielle stepped in, composed as always. Clyde turned to her with a warm smile, a rare softness lighting his features.“Young Master,” she greeted, dipping into a respectful curtsy.Instead of replying, Clyde stood and enveloped her in a firm, unexpected hug.“Your bravery and courage have always kept me going,” he said sincerely. “Thank you for being such a supportive assistant.”Danielle froze, her breath catching. Clyde had never shown her this kind of affection before—except for that one time at the gala when they pretended to be a couple. But this felt real, unguarded. Her hands lingered awkwardly in the air,
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CHAPTER 038.
Is he Jealous?Back at the hotel, Danielle paced the room. Clyde’s abrupt departure left her uneasy, and the news report on the tv hadn’t helped. She couldn’t shake the image of Clarissa’s bloody, broken body from her mind.She felt a pang of guilt and pain. She felt it was all her fault. For shutting the door at her without letting her get to speak to Clyde. Maybe that would've changed everything.The sound of the door creaking open made her spin around. Clyde stood there, his face unreadable.“Young Master,” she said, her voice a mix of relief and worry. “What’s going on? You left like the city was on fire.”He stepped inside, his movements deliberate. “It’s complicated,” he muttered, brushing past her.Danielle grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop. “Don’t give me that. Tell me the truth. What's going on?”Clyde sighed, running a hand through his hair. For a moment, he softened and she saw the storm raging inside him. “Clarissa’s in the hospital,” he admitted. “Someone ran her off t
CHAPTER 037.
He'll payClyde reduced his hands slowly, his mind trying to understand where this was coming from. He took heavy, mechanical strides towards the Tv, his pulse pounded like a war drum in his ears, his mind confused. He snatched the remote from the table and pressed the power button, channel after channel he kept searching, blurred past them until he tuned to the local tv station, he froze.The screen showed Clarissa’s body being carried from the mangled wreck of an accident site on a stretcher and into an ambulance van.Security men scattered around the venue as they kept tags on the scene—exhibits and evidence. Rolling the usual caution tape over the part the accident took place.Her limbs were soaked in blood, she looked more like a broken doll than a living person. The news anchor’s voice cut through his haze like a blade.“The victim, identified as Clarissa Davidson, was struck by a vehicle and abandoned at the scene. Witnesses report that they saw an unidentified man exit the ca
CHAPTER 036.
SassyClarissa gazed up at the towering skyscraper before her. The building seemed endless, its reflective windows catching the glow of the late afternoon sun, and freshly installed flowerbeds added a vibrant touch to its modern aesthetic. She glanced at her phone, double-checking the address Rachael had sent her. It was the right place.The hotel was breathtaking. Memories flooded her mind—her first and only visit to a five-star hotel years ago with her father, back when he was still a man of importance. If Clyde was here now, it only confirmed what she’d heard—he had wealth beyond imagination.Taking a deep breath, she smoothed her dress and clicked her stiletto heels against the paved path leading to the entrance.*A man watching keenly from the comfort of his car stared at Clarissa. He picked up his phone and placed a call.“Target sighted. What should I do?” He said.“Make it swift and quick. Make it natural.. no suspicions.” The voice at the other end instructed.“Okay boss.” H
CHAPTER 035.
A mere assistantOutside the palace_The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the palace gardens. The tension between them was almost tangible as Clyde tossed the sleek leather luggage into the boot of the newly released, limited-edition Mercedes. Only four of its kind existed in the entire world, and he was privileged to own one.Danielle stood nearby, leaning casually against the car. A book was in her hands, her glasses perched delicately on her nose, giving her an air of quiet brilliance.She looked every bit the intellectual, lost in her own world, but Clyde couldn't take his eyes off her. A smile tugged at his lips, unbidden, as admiration coursed through him."All set. Let's go," he said, stepping closer, his voice low and warm.She raised her head from the book, her expression calm but unreadable. "Sure," she replied, moving to open the car door. But his hand shot out, stopping her."Uh…" He hesitated, his usual confidence faltering. "Are we still goin
CHAPTER 034.
The world belongs to the strongIn the dimly lit VIP room of his favorite club, Seth sat ensconced in luxury.He leaned back on the plush leather couch, surrounded by women laughing at his every word.His expensive whiskey glistened in the dim light as he reveled in their attention. His hands wandered freely, eliciting giggles, and his laughter boomed across the room, a testament to his dominance and indulgence.The mood shifted abruptly when the doors bursted open. Four men in black stormed in, their faces concealed by menacing masks. Their mere presence sent the women screaming and scrambling for the exits, their high heels clacking against the floor in desperation.Seth froze, his smirk fading. His sharp eyes caught the fifth figure entering the room—a mountain of a man, towering and broad-shouldered. Dark hair spilled over his hoodie, which hung like a cape, casting an ominous shadow over his face.As soon as he crossed the threshold, the man lunged forward, gripping Seth by the t
CHAPTER 033.
Unspoken emotions*“I miss her too,” Danielle whispered, her voice trembling.Without thinking, she reached for Robin and pulled him into a hug. He stiffened for a moment, then melted into her embrace, his arms wrapping around her as if holding onto something precious.The two of them stood there, the weight of their shared grief pressing down on them in the shadow of their mother’s grave. The world around them seemed to disappear as they held each other, the silence broken only by the quiet rustle of the wind.“I wish she could see us now,” Robin murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “See what we’ve become.”Danielle closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely. “She would be proud. Of both of us.”Robin pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers, his face a mixture of sorrow and longing. “You think so?”“I know so,” Danielle said firmly, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. She managed a small smile, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face. “You’re eve
CHAPTER 032.
A determined HeartThe first day was grueling. The recruits were subjected to endless drills—running, climbing, sparring, and endurance tests. By the end of it, Danielle’s muscles burned, her hands were blistered, and her vision swam with exhaustion.“Still standing?” Lythos asked as she staggered to the line where the others stood.“Yes, sir,” Danielle gasped, barely able to catch her breath.“Good. Tomorrow will be harder.”The boys didn’t make it any easier. They teased her relentlessly, sabotaging her equipment and tripping her during drills. But Danielle didn’t retaliate. She focused on her training, pushing herself harder with every challenge.The turning point came during a sparring match. The trainees were paired off to practice combat techniques, and Danielle was matched against Garrick, a towering boy with a cocky grin.“This’ll be quick,” Garrick said, brandishing his wooden sword.Danielle said nothing, gripping her weapon tightly.The match began, and Garrick came at her
CHAPTER 031.
The mind is a weaponShe pulled back, her hands gripping his shoulders as she looked him over. “No, you’re not,” she agreed with a laugh. “You’ve grown into a man, Robin. A skinny, bookish man, but a man nonetheless.”Robin adjusted his glasses, a sheepish smile on his face. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”Danielle’s gaze softened. “It is. I’m proud of you. You’ve always been destined for great things, and I can see you’re well on your way.”He blushed but tried to contain it.She held his hands, her eyes scanning his face. “How has it been over there?”Robin adjusted his glasses, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. “Busy with studies, mostly. But I brought something for you.” He rummaged through his coat pocket, his movements precise and deliberate.Danielle watched him with quiet admiration. Her little brother was now a man, though his slender frame, pale complexion, and tired eyes told her he had likely been pushing himself too hard.From his pocket, Robin produced a small objec
CHAPTER 030.
Mom would be proudThe Gold City chapter of Clyde’s journey had come to an end. The artifact was safe, and his mission complete. Yet, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the palace grounds, his thoughts returned to Marula.The insurgents remained a looming threat. Though his cover had been blown, Clyde vowed to continue the fight against them, working from the shadows.For now, the road back to Marula awaited—a path paved with danger, uncertainty, and the weight of unfinished business.*Danielle had one wish before leaving for Marula with Clyde: to visit her mother’s grave.As she made her way to the graveyard, the air grew colder, and the wind carried the faint rustle of leaves. The moon bathed the path in silver light, lending an eerie tranquility to the night.Approaching the grave site, Danielle froze. A dark, frail silhouette knelt before the cremated tombstone. The figure was wrapped in a long coat, holding a bouquet of freshly cut roses. He sniffled