[{"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-614":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},148319,246,"Chapter 613: Guardian Family Liaisons","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-614",614,"\u003Cp>CH613 Guardian Family Liaisons\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex studied Kron Belloc for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first Verdantian to arguably join the Fortuna party since their arrival looked... different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though he were carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of understanding passed through Alex’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to his wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Settle the others in,\" he said. \"I’ll speak with our guests.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn then led Alex and Kron into the mansion’s study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without ceremony, Raven Horn dropped into one of the guest seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kron took the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Alex to occupy the master’s seat behind the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suppose congratulations are in order,\" Raven Horn said casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t expect you’d actually succeed,\" he added with a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly are you referring to?\" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t. Please, don’t,\" Raven waved dismissively. \"You’re not surrounded by nobles here—there’s no need for all that evasive nonsense you noble like performing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex glanced at Kron, as if to say he’s a noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven caught the look and shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s not the first son. Doesn’t count.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kron’s expression twitched slightly, but he held his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex shook his head faintly before turning back to Raven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well,\" he said. \"Let’s be direct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you really? You’re clearly more than just a Combat Master-level adventurer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven leaned back slightly, unbothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m an elder of the Black Scar Syndicate,\" he said. \"Or more precisely... an elder of the Alston family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Black Scar Syndicate? The Alston family? That’s impossible!\" Kron blurted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex glanced at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they significant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kron stared at Raven, still shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Black Scar Syndicate is believed to be the largest syndicate in the world,\" he explained. \"They operate across multiple empires.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the Alston family...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitated briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were an imperial lineage— eradicated centuries ago by combined weight of multiple Temples under charges of heresy. Their territories were divided among three of the current empires.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The temples were thorough. There’s no way any members of the Alston family could have survived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And yet,\" Raven said lightly, \"here I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you must be part of the guardian lineage responsible for safeguarding the Heaven-Earth Concordance talismanic field.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened? Was the secret exposed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn’s eyes flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re quick to catch on,\" he said, studying Alex. \"Let’s just say... when a family grows too large, it becomes harder to keep loose tongues in check.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\" Alex nodded slowly. \"So the royal family of the past evolved into the syndicate of the present?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven gave a faint chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both are not so different, really. Royal families rule in the day under the authority of the Temples...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...while we rule in the night—under the authority of money, influence, and greed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence settled over the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, Alex and Raven regarded each other— both measuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Alex broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I assume you already know the outcome of the trial,\" he said. \"Let me guess—Wayne Achard sent me there deliberately. The berserk humans were nothing more than a distraction... a waypoint to guide me in the right direction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re correct,\" Raven replied without hesitation, nodding openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\" Alex asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why me?\" Alex clarified. \"Why choose me for the trial?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because the trial field itself pointed you out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex’s brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what exactly does that mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know all the details,\" Raven admitted. \"But within our family, there’s a group of sorcerers who practise a mystic art that links them to the talismanic field.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When a potential Legatee appears nearby, the field sends out a signal. That signal leads these sorcerers to the candidate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s our family’s job to evaluate whether the individual is suitable. If we deem the candidate worthy... they’re guided to the trial field.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You remember Martin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The young man at the front desk of the Dragonstone adventurer association branch?\" Alex replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s the one,\" Raven nodded. \"He’s one of those sorcerers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From what I’ve been told, he received a strong signal from the talismanic field the moment you arrived to register your party.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He reported it immediately to the dwarf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’So that’s why he looked so startled back then,’ Alex thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that’s the case,\" Alex said, \"Why didn’t Branch Master Wayne test my character before sending me to the trial?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He didn’t need to,\" Raven replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone vouched for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who?\" Alex asked. \"I didn’t know anyone in Dragonstone at the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your patron,\" Raven said, gesturing towards Kron Belloc. \"Baron Luth Belloc.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He contacted Wayne beforehand and asked him to evaluate you as a potential candidate. He vouched for your character— but still wanted one of our sorcerers to verify it, just to be certain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven smirked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected... Luth’s eye for people remains as sharp as ever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the Guardian families are closer than I expected,\" Alex remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not quite,\" Raven Horn replied casually. \"Luth is simply... one of the smarter ones.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced briefly at Kron, then hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was subtle—but noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though he were weighing whether or not to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex’s brow lifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s unlike you to hold your tongue,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I may talk a lot,\" Raven shot back, \"but I do have tact.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tactful indeed,\" Alex replied dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kron spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it? There’s no need to hesitate on my account.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, too, was curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reason the Belloc family fell centuries ago,\" he said bluntly, \"was because its leaders were fools— men who accepted the word of a nobody as truth simply because he carried a token.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kron’s expression tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The fraud claimed he had inherited the Legacy,\" Raven continued. \"And your ancestors —eager to finally fulfil their generational duty— followed his orders without verifying anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They didn’t consult us —the guardians of the trials— to confirm whether the Legacy had truly been passed on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the time they realised the truth... they were already too deeply entangled in the man’s delusion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And at that point, pushing forward was their only option.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kron frowned deeply, his silence heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven, however, had already turned his attention back to Alex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Luth wanted to ensure history didn’t repeat itself,\" he said. \"So he reached out and built a working relationship with my side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ve maintained close cooperation ever since.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s why we were willing to accept his judgement when he vouched for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see,\" Alex nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back slightly, resting his chin against his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re unusually forthcoming today,\" he observed. \"You weren’t like this before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven shrugged again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re the Legatee now,\" he said plainly. \"The Guardian families are meant to fall under your command.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In other words—you’re the boss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And as your subordinate, it’d be rather foolish of me to keep things from you, wouldn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex gave a small shrug in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would they really accept my authority that easily?\" he asked. \"Just because of a centuries-old trial?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I find that hard to believe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not wrong,\" Raven admitted with a nod. \"If this were before the Belloc incident... perhaps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now? Things are more complicated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone will want assurance before they commit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex leaned back further, folding his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me guess,\" he said. \"That’s why you’re here. To act as my chaperone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really think that if those old foxes wanted to send you a babysitter, they’d send me?\" Raven Horn raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex chuckled knowingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven waved his hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve been assigned as a liaison between you and the Guardian families,\" he said. \"But let’s be honest— that’s just a fancy way of saying messenger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, it’s a comfortable job. All I need to do is discreetly pass messages between both sides. That’s right up my alley.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex would be a fool to believe that was all Raven was there to do, but still, he nodded in acceptance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m fine with the arrangement,\" he said. \"In fact, to be honest, I’m also wary of the Guardian families.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression grew more serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now, I’d rather everyone remain where they are and continue with their usual operations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll only need them to act when the time comes. Until then, we can’t afford to draw the attention of the false deities and their hounds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint glint passed through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially now that there are scapegoats more than willing to step into the spotlight on our behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven smirked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll pass on your message... as delicately as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t,\" Alex cut in. \"Deliver it exactly as I said.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven raised a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not worried that kind of phrasing might offend those old foxes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Alex replied calmly. \"I’m more concerned that your ’delicacy’ would make things worse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven paused... then shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fair enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex shook his head, no longer bothering with him, and turned to Kron instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me guess,\" he said. \"You’re here for a similar reason— to act as an intermediary between your father and me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something like that,\" Kron nodded. \"Father hopes I can join your party... and keep him informed about your nature.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just my nature?\" Alex raised an eyebrow. \"Not my plans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was only told to observe your nature,\" Kron replied with a shrug. \"I suspect he knows I wouldn’t be able to see through your plans if you chose to conceal them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re straightforward. I like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kron didn’t react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he reached into his inner jacket and pulled out a letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One more thing...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed it to Alex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father asked me to give you this. He said that if you make proper use of the information within... it could help accelerate your goals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex accepted the letter and opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes scanned its contents briefly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a smile slowly formed on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is indeed a valuable gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>",1674,"2026-05-29T03:49:40.912Z","2026-06-01T04:29:07.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","73f2449d2704ec95660b4b5f4b554a03fd0df9f7f35a1eb67facfd51cb55ac2e","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-615","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-613",692,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fre-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-cover.jpg"]