The Lumen family, also known as the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Light, was the most powerful family in the land which ruled over the entire Kingdom. If there was anyone who held the highest authority in the Kingdom after Leaders of Churches of Elements, it was the King himself.
Since Churches didn't often involve themselves in outside matters much, the King effectively held all the control.
Moreover, even though the Church of Light was the most influential in the land, that didn't mean the Royal Family didn't have any influence on the Church of Light. Throughout the years, many of the Head Priests of the Church of Light were from the Lumen Family itself.
Moreover, the second last Head of the Church of Light also came from the Lumen Family. After his death, the family's influence did weaken by a significant amount but not too much.
Even now, the Lumen Family had two Head Priests in the Church of Light, one being the Uncle of the current King and the second being the King's Sister, both being highly talented Mages of Light.
The Lumen family was still the strongest faction in the Church of Light. That's why even other Great Families of the city treaded carefully before the Royal Family, despite having many conflicts throughout the years.
The Royal Carriage stopped near one of the shops, barely five meters away from Gabriel.
The door was opened by the carriage driver, who stepped back after opening the door.
Gabriel gazed at the carriage, curious who it was. It was his first time seeing someone from the Royal Family he had heard a lot about in the past.
"Princess Elia!" The young man behind Gabriel let out, noticing a graceful figure coming out of the carriage.
Gabriel also saw the young blonde girl, seemingly in her early twenties.
The girl appeared to be wearing a long yet beautiful black gown that covered her entire body. Other than her face, not even a single inch of her skin was visible.
Most of her arms were covered by the long sleeves of the gown. Even her hands were covered by the white gloves she was wearing.
The young girl was accompanied by two maids. The maids walked to the shop before her, opening the doors for her.
The young girl disappeared from everyone's view, entering the building.
"You know her?" Gabriel asked the young man behind him. "Aren't you new here as well?"
"I am new here, but I'm not stupid. There is only one girl in the Lumen Family of her age, and it's Princess Elia. So it's common sense who she is," The young man answered. "Before this, I had only heard stories about her beauty. It's only now I'm seeing her from my own eyes, and I must say, those stories don't do her justice. She is much more beautiful than the stories, don't you think?"
Gabriel rolled his eyes in response. "Focus more on your strength than girls. Girls won't come to save you the next time you're being thrashed."
"I-i will." The young man scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"By the way, who was the other guy? Do you know anything about him? The Ashton guy?"
"Oh, him. I've done a lot of research on this city in the time I've been here, so I do know a few things about it, but I'm not sure I should talk about that here. It's not a good history."
"I doubt you'll be arrested for telling history. Tell me who he was?"
Gabriel was going to enter the Academy, and he was sure that this guy was going to be here as well. He wanted to know as much as he could about people who had any influence in this city. He understood that to execute a plan, he needed a better understanding of the city, so there were no unexpected factors at play.
"Ah, if you say so."
The young man couldn't refuse Gabriel. Gabriel had saved him. He owed Gabriel a favor, so this was the least he could do.
"As you know, many families hold great influence in the city. They are the city's wealthiest families and also hold some influence or contacts in the Church of the Light."
"Yeah, I heard about the Zoan Family and the Raini Family."
"Exactly." The young man nodded. "Those two families hold great influence in the city, but those two aren't the only ones. There are more families like that. Once upon a time, Ashton Family also used to be one of them. In fact, many argue that it was the most influential after the Royal Family itself."
"The Head of the Ashton Family was Lord Vien. He was said to be the most Talented Head Priest in the Church of Light and also the youngest to be promoted to that post. From what I know, Vienn only had one son, Cain. If I'm not wrong, that son was the one who we just saw."
"Anyway, during Vien's time, the Ashton Family held great influence and reputation. Moreover, it was also rumored that Vien was so talented that there was no way he wasn't going to be selected as the next Head of the Church of Light by the Holy Grimoire."
"Everything was going so great that no one could've expected what was going to happen next. The Raini Family came out with an accusation one day that the Ashton Family was selling the secret information of the Church of Light, leaking it to other Churches and the enemies of Churches."
"That's when the Ashton Family started losing everything. They lost their wealth, they lost their name, and they lost their reputation. Most of the members of the Ashton Family were executed for this treachery. Only women and children were left alive, but they were also banished from the Royal City for ten years as a punishment."
" That's why the Raini Family and the Ashton Family have such a grudge between them. They have bad blood over the past."
"Is it that easy to get someone kicked out?" Gabriel frowned. He had carefully observed Cain when he was here.
The way Cain behaved, his words, it didn't feel like he believed that his family was traitors. Were they really one?
"Well, when another Church member confirms that Vien was selling them secrets, does that even leave any room for doubt?"
"Hmm? What?"
"Yep. According to the story, after the accusations came out, the Church of Light started investigating. They directly asked the Church in question, sending an envoy to the Church of Nature where they got confirmation that Vien sold them information."
"After that, the betrayal charges were confirmed, so I don't think it's just baseless accusations by the Raini Family which brought this outcome."
"That doesn't make sense." Gabriel gazed at the distant moon. "If your story is true, then I'm sure the Ashton Family didn't betray anyone."
"And how can you say that?"
"I mean, look at the bigger picture. If you were the Church of Nature, and you had a spy in the Church of Light, would you really accept that and lose that spy? Or would you lie about having any relationship with him so he could keep working there and leaking secrets to you?" Gabriel summarized. "If that guy were really working for the Church of Nature, they would never accept it since that would be just stupid."
"This... Your words..." Even the young man was stunned. The words made sense. Why would the Church of Nature accept it this easily? Why would they give up their golden eggs laying hen?
"But why would the Church of Nature lie then? What did they get from lying other than some bad name about using a spy?"
"Didn't you say Vien was one of the most talented Head Priests? If with one lie, they could take out such a talented member of your opposition, why wouldn't you lie?" Gabriel let out, walking to his horse.
The young man followed behind him.
"If I'm not wrong, the Raini Family worked hand in hand with the Church of Nature to take out the Ashton Family. Raini Family took out a potential opponent in the form of the Ashton Family and even got some of their property after the Ashtons were kicked out. On the other hand, the Church of Nature weakened the Church of Light even if by a little."
"It was a win-win situation for both of them," he further added. "The only ones who lost in the trap were the Ashton Family and the Holy Church of Light. Then again, it's none of my concern. Past is past. Don't mention this with anyone. If the Raini Family finds out that you know the truth, you'll be killed next. You understand?"
Gabriel climbed on the horse.
The young man gulped down, sweating. "I will keep my mouth shut!"
"That would be for the best."
Gabriel started leaving.
"Wait, what is your name?" the young man called out, just realizing he didn't even know Gabriel's name.
"I'm Karyk," Gabriel responded before leaving.
"I am Zale! Thank you once again!" Zale yelled, making sure Gabriel heard him.
Gabriel didn't react, disappearing into the crowd of people.
****
Gabriel reached a hotel, giving his horse to a caretaker along with some money.
He went straight to the receptionist and asked him for a room. Even the receptionist was kind to Gabriel since he really looked like a wealthy individual.
Gabriel also didn't disappoint the receptionist and booked the most expensive room. He was only here for a short week and didn't lack money, thanks to Lira.
The receptionist wrote the name of Gabriel and the number of his temporary badge before giving him the key with a fawning smile while addressing him as Young Master.
Gabriel went straight to his room, instantly going for the shower after taking his clothes off. He still didn't remove his right glove, not intending to take the risk for now. He even returned to his real form and his old self.
He turned on the shower, letting water drench him.
"This city... it's more complicated than I thought. The relationships between the families... the conflicts. I jumped in one of those conflicts today, it seems. But I can use it to my advantage."
Gabriel talked to himself as cold droplets of water rained over his warm skin.
"Yann Raini, Cain Ashton... Things will certainly be interesting around here. If I needed a distraction, those two would fit right in. I'll need to get close to at least one of them for that."
"If I get close to Yann, I'll be in close proximity to Hawrin as well, which should make my revenge easier but controlling him would be hard. Yann is very arrogant and also hates me."
Gabriel glanced at his reflection in the mirror as water trickled down his body.
"That only leaves one person. Cain... Ashton."
