---- Adrian staggers back to drop on his seat.


    His head shakes in a no.


    No! No! Fucking no! He pulls the lowest drawer of his table and tugs out a drawing...


    the drawing he has made years ago.


    This was it...


    Ie knew he had seen them before too closely.


    He had seen Xavier...


    be one of them.


    Those red eyes, dark veins are no co incidence.


    The book he thought was long closed, had been opened up again.


    And there was only one man who could have done this.


    That fucking bastard! Adrian ms his fists on the table in blinding rage and rushes out to the meeting room.


    The council chamber was filled with murmurs as the ---- advisors waited for the King.


    Adrian stormed in, his steps echoing like thunderps.


    He didnt wait for decorum; his voice sliced through the tension like a de Stop everythingtrade, operations, travel.


    Except for medical facilities.


    This second hence Enact a kingdom-wide lockdown.


    No civilian enters or leaves unless they want to die.


    This is a national emergency! Gasps echo around but no one dared to say anything.


    Adrian''s gaze swept across the room,nding on each of the council members with unyielding intensity.


    Ilis voice rang out, sharp andmanding, slicing through the panicked murmurs like a whip.


    L want scouts dispatched to every border vige.


    Any signs of infection,burn it to the ground.


    No hesitation.


    We cannot let this sickness breach the heart of the kingdom.


    Dom, still reeling from Adrian''s previous deration, speaks up.


    Adrian, burning vigesthose are innocent people! ---- Innocent? Adrian''s roar silenced Dom instantly.


    He stepped forward, his presence suffocating There is no innocence in ignorance, Dom! If we let this disease spread, it won''t stop at viges.


    It will consume cities, then this pce, and finally every soul in the Land of Light.


    Adrian turned to another advisor, his tone clipped and merciless.


    Marcos, mobilize the army.


    I want patrols at every major settlement.


    Lockdown protocols will be enforced, and anyone who resists will be dealt with immediately.


    Do you understand? Marcos stammered.


    Y-yes, Your Majesty.


    Adrian pointed at another council member.


    Hassan, all trade routes are to be shut down within the next twelve hours.


    I don''t care if it costs us alliances or goldwe can rebuild the economy, but we cannot resurrect the dead.


    Hassan nodded hurriedly, scribbling notes with trembling hands.


    Medical facilities? Adrian barked at Lady Karina, the kingdom''s head healer.


    ---- We''re already at capacity, Your Maje: she admitted, her voice strained.


    If this esctes It will escte! Adrian snapped, his voice echoing, through the chamber.


    Triple the staff.


    Convert every vacant building into quarantine zones.


    I dont care what it takesget it done.


    Lady Karina bowed, her face pale.


    As youmand, Your Majesty.


    As the council dispersed to carry out their orders, Adrian stormed into the war room adjoining the chamber.


    Maps of the Land of Light sprawled across arge table, markers indicating key viges, cities, and strategic outposts.


    Prepare the main army, Adrian growled to his general, Sir Edric, who had followed him.


    Position them here, along the western border.


    Right at the river of death.


    That''s where the shadows will strike first.


    Your Majesty, with respect, Edric began cautiously, splitting our forces will leave the capital vulnerable.