Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 792 Chapter 183.2 - Outer currents

Chapter 792  Chapter 183.2 - Outer currents

The Matriarch's fingers stilled, her amber eyes blazing with a fierce, unyielding resolve. The flickering light of the Emberheart flames danced across her face, illuminating the cold, calculated expression that had come to define her rule. 
"Rats, frost, or wind," she began, her voice low but carrying the weight of absolute authority, "it matters not. The Hawkins family lit this fire when they dared to target my child. They chose this war, and a war is what they will receive." 
Her gaze shifted to Esme, sharp and unrelenting. "We will not relent. The Frostborne and the Ventoriens are distractions—nothing more. The Hawkins family is our focus. They must be reminded why no one challenges the Emberhearts and escapes unscathed." 
Esme inclined her head, her own expression hardening in response to her Matriarch's command. "Understood, Matriarch. The fight will continue. What of the Frostborne? Their involvement is growing bolder with each passing day." 
The Matriarch's lips curled into a faint, predatory smile. "They wish to play their games in the shadows, as they always have. Let them. The Frostborne thrive on secrecy, and secrecy is a weakness when exposed to the light. Pressure their operatives, disrupt their alliances, and strike where they least expect. They will fall, just as they have before." 
Her gaze flickered with cold amusement as she continued, her voice soft but dripping with venom. "And the Ventoriens… they are fools to involve themselves in this conflict. Their petty grudge blinds them to the fact that they are nothing but pawns in the Hawkins' schemes. If they step too far, they will burn." 
Esme straightened, her fingers tightening around the tablet as she took in her Matriarch's words. "And the Young Lady?" she asked carefully. "Shall I ensure her protection remains a priority?" 
The Matriarch's expression darkened, her tone sharpening. "Irina is my daughter. She does not need to be coddled. But make no mistake—any who threaten her will face my full wrath." 
Esme hesitated for the briefest moment before nodding. "It will be done, Matriarch." 
The Matriarch's eyes returned to the flickering flames, her thoughts clearly fixed on the road ahead. "This war will not be won overnight, Esme. The Hawkins have made their move, and their allies believe they have tipped the scales in their favor. But they have underestimated the Emberheart resolve. We will not just defeat them—we will crush them." 
She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "The Hawkins family will be reduced to ash, their allies scattered to the winds. And when the flames settle, the world will remember the cost of crossing the Emberheart name." 
Esme bowed deeply, her resolve matching the steel in her Matriarch's voice. "Your will shall be done, Matriarch." 
As Esme turned to leave, the Matriarch's gaze lingered on the flames, her amber eyes gleaming with the intensity of her conviction. "Let the war continue," she murmured, more to herself than to the empty room. "And let them see what it means to provoke the lion's den. They will burn." 
******** 
<Arcadia City, Hartley Family Headquarters, Marc's Office> 
The faint hum of the city outside was drowned by the silence inside Marc Hartley's grand office. The warm sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows did little to soften the cold tension that had settled in the room. Marc sat at his desk, his fingers steepled as he stared at the holographic report floating in front of him. His hazel eyes burned with a mix of frustration and calculated determination. 
A sharp knock on the door broke his thoughts. 
"Enter," Marc commanded, his voice steady but laced with impatience. 
Ray stepped inside, his posture as impeccable as ever, though the faint furrow in his brow betrayed the gravity of the news he carried. In his hands was a sleek black tablet loaded with updates on the ongoing conflict. 
"Sir," Ray began, his tone measured. "I have the latest report regarding the Phillips family." 
Marc leaned back in his chair, gesturing for Ray to proceed. "Go on." 
Ray tapped the tablet, and a detailed projection appeared above it, showing a map of contested territories. Lines and dots marked gains and losses, the most recent shifts painted in a stark red. 
"Over the past three months, we've made significant progress against the Phillips family," Ray began. "We've acquired multiple gate rights, industries, and a substantial portion of their resources, particularly in the western sectors. However—" 
Marc's gaze sharpened at the hesitation in Ray's voice. "However?" 
Ray exhaled softly, his tone turning grim. "Over the past two weeks, the situation has shifted dramatically. The Emberheart family's conflict with the Hawkins family has caused ripple effects across the federation. Their clashes have destabilized key markets and redirected alliances. The Phillips family seems to have leveraged this chaos to their advantage." 
Marc's jaw tightened, his hazel eyes narrowing. "Go on." 
Ray continued, pulling up more detailed graphs. "We've been encountering resistance on multiple fronts. The Phillips family has fortified their positions and forged unexpected alliances, likely spurred by the Emberheart-Hawkins war. Our recent attempts to secure additional gate resources have been blocked outright, and we've faced increasing sabotage within our acquired territories." 
Marc leaned forward, his voice low and sharp. "Who are they working with?" 
Ray nodded, anticipating the question. "We've identified several smaller guilds aligning with the Phillips family—nothing significant on their own, but their combined efforts have proven troublesome." 
Marc's hazel eyes darkened, his expression growing colder as he processed Ray's words. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished desk, and interlaced his fingers tightly, a sign of his mounting frustration. 
"A bunch of small guilds?" Marc repeated, his voice low but laced with irritation. "You're telling me that these fragmented groups, none of which have substantial influence or resources, are somehow blocking our expansion and striking with precision? That doesn't make sense, Ray." 
Ray inclined his head slightly, acknowledging Marc's point. "I agree, sir. It doesn't add up. While these small guilds are visible on the surface, we suspect there's a larger force at play—someone backing the Phillips family, possibly providing them with strategic guidance and resources." 
Marc's gaze narrowed as his mind churned through the possibilities. "The timing is too convenient," he muttered, more to himself than to Ray. "It started just after the Emberheart and Hawkins families began their clash. That kind of chaos is fertile ground for hidden players to act." 
Ray, sensing the direction of Marc's thoughts, ventured cautiously, "We did consider the possibility of the Ventorien family being involved, sir. Their grudge against the Emberhearts could lead them to exploit this situation and gain influence here in Valerian Federation." 
Marc shook his head, dismissing the idea almost immediately. "The Ventoriens are from the Arcadian Dominion. Their reach here is limited, especially compared to the Emberhearts. They may be opportunistic, but they lack the strength and connections to orchestrate something of this scale in the Valerian Federation." 
Ray nodded, agreeing with Marc's assessment. "That was our conclusion as well. Which leaves us with the Hawkins family as the other potential suspect." 
Marc leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "The Hawkins… They'd certainly benefit from destabilizing both the Emberhearts and us simultaneously. But they're locked in a brutal war with the Emberhearts. Diverting resources to support the Phillips family while fighting the Emberhearts would be risky—even for them." 
Ray hesitated, then said carefully, "It's still an assumption, sir, but the coordination and the sudden shift in the Phillips family's fortunes suggest that someone with significant resources and experience is assisting them." 
Marc's fingers drummed on the desk, his frustration palpable. "I've been in this business long enough to know when unseen hands are pulling strings. Whoever is behind this isn't doing it for the Phillips family alone. They're playing a larger game." 
Ray stood silent, waiting as Marc's sharp mind pieced through the intricate web of possibilities. After a moment, Marc's lips pressed into a thin line, his expression hardening. 
"Whoever it is," Marc said, his tone icy, "we need to expose them. If they're leveraging the Phillips family to make a move against us, we can't afford to sit back and wait for them to gain more ground." 
Ray nodded. "What are your orders, sir?" 
"First," Marc said firmly, "intensify intelligence-gathering efforts. I want every detail about the Phillips family's recent dealings, alliances, and movements. Focus on uncovering any external support they've been receiving. Whoever is backing them, we'll find them." 
"Understood, sir," Ray said, taking notes swiftly. 
"Second," Marc continued, "maintain pressure on the smaller guilds working with the Phillips family. They may be pawns, but pawns can lead us to the hand that moves them. Squeeze them—financially, operationally, however you can. Make it clear that standing against us comes at a cost." 
Marc leaned back in his chair, his hazel eyes narrowing as he stared at the holographic map of contested territories. The lines of conflict, the shifting alliances, the sudden resistance—it all painted a picture that felt disturbingly unfamiliar. His fingers tapped against the desk, a steady rhythm that matched the churn of his thoughts. 
"This change is too drastic," Marc murmured, almost to himself. "It's not just strategy or resources—there's something bigger at play here. A force we haven't accounted for." 
Ray stood silently, observing his employer's expression harden. Marc's instincts, honed by decades in the cutthroat world of business and power, were rarely wrong. And now, those instincts screamed danger. 
Marc's voice broke the silence, sharp and decisive. "Ray, this is no ordinary conflict. My gut tells me we've been dragged into something far larger than we anticipated. Something I couldn't foresee. We cannot take chances." 
Ray straightened, nodding once. "What are your orders, sir?" 
Marc's gaze turned cold and resolute. "From now on, every member of the Hartley family is to be under constant protection. Double the security around our properties, estates, and businesses. I don't care how discreet it is—ensure they are guarded at all times." 
Ray bowed slightly. "It will be done, sir." 
Marc's eyes flickered with a hint of something deeper—concern. He had fought too long and too hard to build the Hartley legacy. He would not let it crumble under the weight of an unseen enemy. His thoughts shifted to Ethan, his youngest and most unpredictable child. A flicker of resolve sparked in his gaze. 
"As for Ethan…" Marc's voice trailed off momentarily before he spoke again, his tone steady and deliberate. "Contact Kaya."