[{"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-638":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},148343,246,"Chapter 637: Alston Family Elder Council I","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-638",638,"\u003Cp>CH637 Alston Family Elder Council I\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex had initially assumed that Fortuna’s clash with Brock Peyton’s Lost Heathens would be a relatively minor incident—one that would not draw significant attention within BloodIron City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was wrong...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several major powers had taken notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They watched closely, observing how the young leader would handle the confrontation— some with interest that bordered on alliance, others with intentions far less friendly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those most invested in the situation was the Black Scar Syndicate—or more precisely, the Alston family to which Raven Horn belonged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After departing from Fortuna’s mansion compound, Raven Horn made his way through several unsavoury corners of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironically, despite the polished façade the city’s administration attempted to maintain, such places were far from rare in BloodIron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Raven Horn did in those locations remained unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entered and exited without drawing attention— so much so that, aside from the individuals he met, most would not even realise he had been there at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, he arrived at an unremarkable tailor’s shop on the outskirts of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a glance, it was utterly ordinary—the kind of establishment no one would spare a second look on any given day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Raven Horn had not come for clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After forming a subtle, obscure hand sign—one that resembled a sorcerer’s seal more than any conventional signal—he stepped into the back room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From there, he descended into the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden behind a shelf was a concealed door, locked by a mechanism that responded only to a specific pattern of mana pulses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn activated it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the entrance opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond it lay an extensive network of underground tunnels, their worn structure hinted they had existed since from a distant time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn spared the passage little attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was after all not unfamiliar ground to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without pause, he moved forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly ten minutes of travel beneath the city, he emerged—no longer in the outskirts—but within another building, deep in the core district of BloodIron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buildings in this district was not one anyone could enter—or claim—with mere wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, ownership was reserved for only the most influential individuals and organisations within BloodIron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was, in every sense, the equivalent of a noble district in a capital city—and it showed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the villa’s expansive windows and open corridors, glimpses of refined architecture and cultivated luxury could be seen at every turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn walked through the halls with clear familiarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Servants and guards alike bowed respectfully as he passed—yet he acknowledged them only with the faintest grunt, as his expression remained unusually solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a weight to his demeanour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, he arrived before a set of imposing twin doors, leading into what appeared to be a grand chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused briefly, drawing a steady breath—before pushing the doors open and stepping inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber beyond was sealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no windows, nor secondary entrances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twin doors behind him served as the sole point of access.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the room itself was empty—or so it seemed at first glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon closer inspection, the entire floor was covered in intricate symbols, etched with deliberate precision into the stone floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within a satchel attached to his waist, he retrieved eight low-grade berserk stones and placed them carefully at the eight corners of the octagonal chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he moved to the centre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing his eyes briefly, he channelled his mana into the formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talismanic field ignited— lines of energy coursed through the engraved symbols as the entire chamber came alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the eight corners, dark silhouettes began to materialise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each figure stood anchored to a point of the formation, their forms indistinct, their features deliberately obscured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those truly within the organisation would be capable of recognising them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn dropped to one knee, lowering his head in respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I greet the Elders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy voice echoed from directly before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Admon Alston... what report do you bring regarding the Legatee?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Legatee’s party is currently being targeted by a local warlord and bandit leader—Brock Peyton,\" Raven Horn reported steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Legatee’s group encountered and eliminated one of Peyton’s units, which was led by his younger brother. As a result, Peyton has initiated a vendetta.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A raiding unit belonging to the Legatee’s party was subsequently ambushed by Peyton’s forces. Despite this, the Legatee’s party succeeded in killing a Combat Master, along with approximately a dozen Gold Rank fighters—though they suffered losses amounting to nearly half their number.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In your previous report...\" A voice cut through the chamber, cold and sharp. \"...you stated that the Legatee’s party was composed primarily of Silver Rank fighters, with only the Legatee himself and a handful of core members—no more than ten, if I recall—at Gold Rank.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now you claim they eliminated a Combat Master... and over a dozen Gold Ranks?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tone turned sceptical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You expect us to accept this at face value?\" The voice asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn didn’t respond. Instead, he waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment passed before the intended question came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you verified this personally, Admon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I have, Sixth Elder,\" Raven Horn replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I personally visited the site of the battle and confirmed the majority of the account I was given. I am ninety-five percent certain the events occurred as reported.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still kneeling, head bowed, he added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the earlier report you referenced, Sixth Elder, I also stated that the Legatee’s core members—let alone the Legatee himself—should not be judged by conventional standards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words stirred a subtle ripple among the assembled elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may continue,\" the figure before him said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Grand Elder,\" Raven Horn acknowledged with a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beyond the ambush, Brock Peyton has also leveraged his connections within the City Administration to obstruct the Legatee’s party.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused briefly before finishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He has successfully blocked their attempt to acquire a larger estate—thereby preventing them from meeting the necessary conditions to formally register as a Guild under the Adventurer and Mercenary Associations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Peyton... he holds influence within BloodIron’s City Administration?\" Another voice echoed with clear surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Third Elder,\" Raven Horn replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He operates as an agent of the Drumvale Merchant Company. It is my belief that he led the officials within the City Administration to assume that his request carried Drumvale’s authority.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued evenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is also the possibility that Drumvale’s representative has tacitly permitted this. After all, it benefits a long-standing ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Additionally, the Legatee’s party has maintained a low profile since arriving in the city. They remain largely unknown within the upper echelons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly is the Legatee doing?\" another voice interjected—sharp, dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fourth Elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He has remained inactive for three months since entering the city. Had he made any significant moves earlier, matters would not have escalated to this extent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn did not hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe he has been digesting the gains from the Stele Trials.\" He said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added, \"When I met him today—my first meeting since he emerged from seclusion—I sensed a marked increase in his strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone grew more deliberate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be frank, I felt a bit threatened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That admission caused another stir—a more subtle one this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Furthermore, according to our intelligence network, he recently fought a weapon duel against Dalton Asheton of the BattleBanes—a recognised and respected Combat Master.\" Raven Horn continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the result?\" The Grand Elder asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A draw.\" Raven Horn replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell over the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven Horn continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must emphasise—by his own admission, as well as that of his party, his true expertise lies in mystic arts, not weapon mastery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his head slightly, though his posture remained respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he can contend with Dalton Asheton on equal footing using only weapon techniques... then with mystic arts—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then concluded plainly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I may not be his equal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is rare to hear you speak so highly of another, Admon,\" the Grand Elder remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am merely reporting what I have observed in my capacity as Liaison, Grand Elder,\" Raven Horn replied. \"So that both parties may make the most informed decision possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp voice cut in immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what exactly is that supposed to mean, Admon?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sixth Elder’s roar echoed through the chamber— heavy with displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>",1386,"2026-05-29T03:49:40.912Z","2026-06-01T04:29:07.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","3363ac5365647c6620e6007edb292c543806abf80e1aa918fa435f3a187756f2","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-639","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-637",692,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fre-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-cover.jpg"]