Chapter 334

The first thing Theo saw was a massive, bulging chest.

The figure’s colossal size obscured his face, but Theo didn’t need to think twice about who it was.

"So, he’s been lying low with the Wolf Fang Faction after all."

It made sense. The Wolf Fang Faction was the perfect place for Phanryong to regroup, given it was a power base he had personally cultivated.

And, of course, there was no mistaking the overwhelming presence and domineering energy—Phanryong was the only person it could be.

Even the palace steward beside Theo had grown pale, nearly trembling under the sheer weight of Phanryong’s aura.

“I-I’ll take my leave now…”

The steward quickly excused himself, practically fleeing the room.

Phanryong stepped inside.

“It’s been a while, Clan Head—or should I say Patriarch? I heard about your succession ceremony,” Phanryong said, bowing respectfully.

“Have you been well, Phanryong? I’d heard rumors you’d gone into hiding. I was worried about you.”

Theo’s voice was calm, though inwardly he smirked.

This was the man he had been meaning to track down, and now he’d come willingly.

"But he wouldn’t come without a reason."

Knowing Phanryong, he’d already calculated the risks and opportunities before coming here.

Phanryong was not the type to act without purpose.

"It feels like I’ve become the perfect dish on a silver platter."

Between the Imperial Court, the Court Duke, and now Phanryong, it was clear that power plays were in motion.

Phanryong was undoubtedly here to make a deal, driven by the scent of opportunity.

“Hiding? That’s a harsh accusation, Clan Head. I only came to pay my respects when I heard you were visiting the capital.”

Phanryong’s eyes gleamed as he spoke, his expression a mask of sincerity.

Theo let out a dry laugh.

It was a masterful performance—so convincing that even Theo found himself momentarily impressed.

“There’s no need for pretense between us, is there?”

Theo’s cold smile prompted Phanryong to break into a wide grin.

“Pahaha! You’re right, Clan Head. No need for pretense between us. After all, you were once my patron.”

Phanryong laughed heartily, looking around the room.

The conversation had been harmless so far, but he knew they were about to tread into dangerous territory.

“You’ve chosen an interesting place to stay. I suppose I should watch what I say.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already made the necessary arrangements. Please, take a seat.”

At Theo’s invitation, Phanryong grinned and sat in the chair opposite him.

“Let’s get straight to the point. Did you come to put Cassandra on the throne?”

The bluntness of the question irritated Theo, and his cold gaze pierced through Phanryong.

“You should choose your words carefully.”

Theo’s reaction confirmed what he suspected: Phanryong still lusted for power.

"I see. Crushing him once wasn’t enough."

Theo had thought his previous actions had been enough to break Phanryong’s ambitions.

But his eagerness to test Theo again showed just how small-minded he truly was.

The air grew heavy, pressing down on Phanryong.

Even the building seemed to tremble slightly under Theo’s oppressive aura.

"As expected of a monster."

The sheer force of Theo’s presence was on an entirely different level from their last encounter.

Phanryong could feel the overwhelming growth Theo had undergone since then.

"So, he knows the emperor doesn’t have much time left."

Phanryong assumed Theo’s display of power was tied to his knowledge of the emperor’s imminent demise.

Raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, Phanryong spoke.

“I’ve given up any ambition for the throne.”

Theo’s eyes narrowed as silence stretched between them.

Phanryong, giving up so easily? After the humiliation he had endured?

Though Theo remained skeptical, he decided to hear him out.

“You’re not lying, are you?”

Theo’s icy voice carried a sharp edge, but Phanryong remained calm and collected.

“Would I dare lie to you, Clan Head? However… are you prepared for what’s coming?”

“What do you mean?”

Theo’s brow furrowed at the cryptic remark.

There was no malice or ill intent in Phanryong’s tone—only genuine curiosity.

“The emperor has an heir, doesn’t he?”

“!?”

Theo’s eyes widened in shock.

"Is that a lie?"

To Theo’s knowledge, the only heir to the emperor was Cassandra, and she had been hidden away to protect her from political manipulation.

The plan had always been to ensure Cassandra’s rise to power as a Ragnar-backed ruler, legitimized by her lineage.

But if there was already another heir…

“Are you here to warn me?”

“Who knows?”

Phanryong’s enigmatic smile deepened as he poured himself a glass of water and drank.

“Ah, refreshing!”

Theo watched the display with disdain, finding Phanryong’s self-assured attitude irritating.

"Does he think things will go his way?"

Theo had a good idea of what Phanryong was scheming.

"He’s deciding whether to back the young heir or Cassandra."

Both options were tempting.

Backing Cassandra would cement her rule with Ragnar’s support, while backing the heir would provide an alternative path to power.

Phanryong was clearly angling for the most advantageous position.

“You’re as sharp as ever, Clan Head,” Phanryong said with a chuckle, reading Theo’s expression.

“You want to become Chancellor, don’t you?”

The position directly below the emperor—if the throne was out of reach, the next best thing was the chancellorship.

“Exactly.”

It was an appealing proposition.

Having one of Ragnar’s Nine Dragons as Chancellor would provide Cassandra with unparalleled protection.

But…

"Can he be trusted?"

Even if Cassandra awakened as the Sorceress-Empress, there was still the risk of Phanryong becoming a second Court Duke.

“You’d better not get any ideas.”

Theo’s warning was clear, and though he wouldn’t let Phanryong act freely, he still couldn’t shake his unease.

For now, he would let things play out as Phanryong intended.

“Haha, I hope you understand my sincerity in coming here personally.”

“I’ll consider it.”

“Then I look forward to your response.”

Satisfied, Phanryong stood and left.

Once Phanryong’s presence had completely disappeared, Lodbrok reappeared from the shadows.

“What a scheming bastard.”

“You felt it too, Lodbrok?”

The two of them laughed dryly.

They hadn’t expected Phanryong to engage in such underhanded psychological games.

“Still, whether it’s good or bad, he’s a piece we can use.”

For now, they couldn’t be sure which way things would turn.

“What’s your plan?”

“For now, I’ll follow him.”

Theo grinned as he opened the window.

Lodbrok activated a magic circle, cloaking Theo’s entire body in invisibility.

“Thanks. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Theo leapt out the window and began tailing Phanryong.

"He might have information about the vault’s entrance."

Cassandra’s map was a simplified version.

What Theo needed was the precise location of the vault and detailed information about its interior.

"If there’s another entrance, even better."

Phanryong’s previous ambition for the throne suggested he might possess such information.

Moving nimbly across rooftops, Theo followed Phanryong while evading the capital’s many anti-magic barriers.

Eventually, Phanryong stopped in front of a massive, opulent mansion in the heart of the capital.

"So he’s been living it up on his funds."

The mansion, with its grand garden, fountains, and lush flowerbeds, looked more like a duke’s estate.

Narrowing his eyes, Theo observed the mansion’s layout.

"No visible defenses."

There was no sign of concentrated magical energy.

But as soon as Phanryong entered and the gates closed behind him, defensive magic activated.

"That’s more like him."

Theo smirked. Phanryong wouldn’t leave his home unprotected.

After carefully analyzing the range and gaps in the defenses, Theo leapt into the garden.

"This is more intricate than it looked from above."

Magical lines crisscrossed the area like a web, responding to even the faintest disturbances.

Waiting for the surveillance to subside, Theo moved fluidly through the gaps, evading the magical threads with precision.

Scaling the mansion’s walls, Theo slipped into an upper-floor window.

"Now, where’s Phanryong?"

If Phanryong was anywhere, it would be either his bedroom or his study—the most likely places to find classified information.

Moving silently, Theo began his search.

Even with his presence suppressed, he knew Phanryong’s sharp senses would detect him if he got too close.

"This takes me back."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

A smirk crossed Theo’s face as he reminisced about his past life.

In this life, he hadn’t needed to infiltrate places in such a covert manner.

The nostalgic feeling wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

"Third floor."

Catching Phanryong’s presence, Theo smiled and headed in that direction.