[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage":3,"chapter-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-139":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},148052,246,"Chapter 138: Promise to Usurp","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-139",139,"\u003Cp>CH138 Promise to Usurp\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secret organisation?\" Earl Drake raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a dismissive wave of his hand, the oppressive pressure bearing down on Alex and Udara vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? You didn’t know?\" Alex feigned surprise, tone light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He calmly placed both the secret communication scroll and the Rune Phone on the nearby table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Joselin used the scroll to communicate with the Holt family—of that, I have no doubt. But if that were all, why would she need this phone? Her regular phone or the scroll would’ve sufficed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured at the device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This leads me to believe the Rune Phone was used to communicate with someone else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I checked the call log. She only ever used this device to contact one number. And I strongly suspect it won’t lead back to the Holts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drake’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How were you able to access the call log?\" he asked, tone even—but probing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex didn’t blink. \"She didn’t set a password or biometric lock. For whatever reason, it was open.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earl Drake nodded, his expression unreadable as he picked up the device and scanned the logs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes flickered as he took in the timestamps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex watched his father’s gaze sharpen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he thought—Drake reached the same conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever was on the other end of these calls... they were the one who helped Joselin organise the assassination attempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quality of the assassins had been too high—far beyond the reach of Joselin or anyone in her known circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be a specialist group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drake had long suspected the Holts were behind the attempt, but the logic never quite fit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would they move so soon? Alex had yet to become a serious threat to them or their long-term plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would they really spend such resources simply because of Joselin’s paranoia?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’But if there’s a third party behind her... then everything adds up,’ Drake mused, a ruthless glint forming in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’A shadow group dares stretch its hand into my domain? Do they think I won’t crush them the moment I catch their scent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine then... let them try. I dare them to leave a trail. I’ll snap their necks with my own hands.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex didn’t need to read minds to know what his father was thinking. The look in Drake’s eyes was more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered revealing the call locations linked to the unknown number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, he decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The risk was too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d have to explain how he got that data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that would mean admitting he could access the Phone network’s backend. That OmniRune had backdoor access into every Rune Phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a secret too dangerous to reveal—not even to Drake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cost outweighed the benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he silently moved the unknown number to OmniRune’s watchlist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monitoring protocol would track any new calls from or to the number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, a contact map would automatically be generated to trace any wider network of communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let Drake do things the old-fashioned way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As father and son both fell into thoughtful silence, Udara observed the two men—so alike, yet so different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They shared not just blood and looks, but an eerie synchronicity. Like predators circling the same battlefield, calculating every move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Earl Drake broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You say you did all this for the family,\" he said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the truth is... you acted for yourself. You removed an opponent to solidify and grow your influence within the House.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex didn’t flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You make it sound nefarious, Father,\" he said with a small shrug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But protecting the family and strengthening my position aren’t mutually exclusive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In fact, I’d argue they’re deeply intertwined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will inherit House Fury one day. So it’s in my best interest to ensure it’s strong, stable, and tightly controlled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He met Drake’s gaze without flinching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides... I’m only doing what you told me to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly. \"Play the game of power. Eliminate weaknesses. Secure influence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Removing opposition is one of the oldest moves on the board.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex’s voice lowered a fraction, his tone ice-sharp:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it’s the least of what I’ll need to do... if I want to take your throne.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take my throne?\" Earl Drake’s expression hardened into a glacial stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Father,\" Alex replied without flinching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no intention of simply inheriting your position. I will do it the proper Fury way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll take what I want—with my own hands. Even if that means I have to snatch it from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drake’s expression grew colder still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air crackled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Literally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightening sparks shimmered and danced in the space between father and son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earl Drake’s aura surged—raw, volatile power leaking into the air in response to his rising emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Udara’s body tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her stance shifted subtly—ready to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew she wouldn’t survive even a second against a Legend... But if Earl Drake made a move on Alex, she would fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she would die trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HAHAHAHA!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drake’s boisterous laughter exploded through the room like a thunderclap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Udara froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From frozen silence to roaring amusement—just like that, the storm dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you should,\" he said to Alex, still chuckling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Udara, he knew Drake wouldn’t strike him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In another House, a child saying such a thing might be seen as committing treason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in House Fury?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no greater honour a child could offer their parent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To challenge. To aim higher. To surpass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t disrespect—it was ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for a Fury, there was no higher compliment than the determination of one generation to rise above the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drake’s eyes gleamed with something almost... proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is good. I will wait and see if your actions can match your bold words,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood and turned away slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We bury your brother tomorrow,\" he continued, voice now low and commanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two days after that, you’ll assume his duties.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will take command of his to-be platoon and lead them into Dankrot Forest to carry out the routine clearing of the magic beasts there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze cut back to Alex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll be watching. Let’s see if you can tame your brother’s men... and earn your place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will see it done,\" Alex replied, voice resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Now that we’ve settled that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drake’s tone shifted, almost casual. \"Let’s finish this matter already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex blinked. \"Finish what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drake gave him a look. \"What do you mean ’what’? We need to finalise your Shadow Guard’s contract.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did realisation hit Alex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a Shadow Guard wasn’t something done lightly. It was even more sacred than a noble accepting a knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight could be many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Shadow Guard? They were few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rare, no more than a handful and their master’s final line of defence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drake’s earlier words echoed in his mind—about Merlin recommending Udara, about training her himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There could only be one reason for that kind of endorsement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compatibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex didn’t waste time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently casted his modified [Rune Detection Spell].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what he saw staggered him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’How?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He jumped to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breath sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hands trembling—not in fear, but in barely contained exhilaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This... This is insane! It’s perfect!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned sharply to Drake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s do it,\" he said, voice firm, eyes gleaming. \"Let’s do it immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought to himself, ’I can’t let someone like her go. No... I won’t. She must be mine!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>",1238,"2026-05-29T03:49:10.136Z","2026-06-01T04:29:07.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","c84fa867d28d700fea14adc2be6b980242340f956599ab6c54abf2ba122b8d9a","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-140","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-138",692,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fre-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-cover.jpg"]