The Bookkeeper-Chapter 78: Bloodline Ritual

Raiden and Alex emerged from the forest to stand before the vast grassy field, Raiden’s house visible in the distance.

Raiden wouldn’t let Alex get any closer to the mansion, not from fear but because he didn’t want him in his domain. Alex didn’t mind—as long as Raiden would hear him out, that was enough.

"Your hatred toward my family is valid... that’s the main reason for a rivalry, isn’t it?" He smiled, though Raiden didn’t spare him a glance.

"Well, let me get to the important matters..." He sighed. "I want you to help me get rid of my family."

Raiden turned to him with a confused expression, his perplexed thoughts clear on his face.

"I know I sound ridiculous, but I have half of my family to support me on this." Alex looked away, avoiding Raiden’s gaze.

Only one thought consumed Raiden’s mind: what was happening here? How could someone from a family that despised his own stand before him and speak with such boldness?

"This rivalry started as a way for both families to push themselves to grow stronger." He shook his head slowly. "But in recent years, everything has become about power."

Raiden narrowed his eyes. "And why would you want to betray such a legacy?" His voice hardened. "I know I won’t."

Alex’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "I’m not abandoning our legacy. I’m making things right."

"How so?"

Alex took a deep breath. "Ever since my family discovered that being the bookkeeper meant nearly unlimited wealth, spending directly from the kingdom’s coffers, they became power hungry."

Raiden narrowed his eyes. He knew he could spend whatever he wanted, but he’d never thought of it as unlimited wealth. When it dawned on him, he smiled and began nodding repeatedly.

"My family has been divided for years now." He copied Raiden’s stance and tucked his hands into his pockets. "The strongest line, and the worthiest line."

Raiden glanced at him once more. He wanted answers about what Alex meant by getting rid of his family, the Dawnbringers—not a history lesson spanning centuries.

"The strongest line believes that with your family’s unlimited wealth, they don’t need us—the worthiest line..." He paused, letting his words sink in. "They think we’re too weak and kindhearted."

Raiden’s expression grew darker. He knew that based on how much the Dawnbringers envied his duty, this would all be about wealth and power. Considering Alex’s gentle demeanor and willingness to help, he was undeniably kindhearted. But weak?

"What do you mean by weak?" Raiden’s confusion deepened. "You saw through the thief’s domain at the ceremony, and you detected my invisibility just now."

His eyes dropped slightly. "And you’re number six."

Alex scratched the back of his head nervously. "Well, I was just using one of the simplest mana techniques in my family. It’s called sight."

He raised his eyebrows and pointed to the star-shaped yellow crest on his neck. "Well, numbers don’t really determine strength... it’s all about mana control and ability."

Raiden shook his head in disapproval—he didn’t quite understand what Alex was saying. He knew that mana and abilities, while connected, functioned separately.

To advance through the ranks, you had to master mana control in specific ways for each realm. Since mana was tied directly to physical capabilities, each realm made you stronger.

However, his eyes widened in the middle of his thought, and he began to smile.

To progress through each realm, you had to meet specific requirements: broadening your range of usage and understanding.

But the realms didn’t limit them to one or two mana techniques. Just like Freya infusing her flames into her mana at number seven, everyone could do the same. They could learn as many techniques as they wanted, and that diversity was where true strength lay.

"You understand me, right?"

Raiden forced a practiced smile, humbled, as he gave Alex a steady nod.

Alex let out a sigh. "My bloodline carries a heritage that neither my line nor the strongest faction of the Dawnbringer family is willing to abandon."

He turned to Raiden. "This is why my side of the family wants to make sure your family never loses the bookkeeper position. Otherwise, it would be the downfall of us all."

Raiden tilted his head slightly toward him. "So what do you want—war?"

Alex shook his head in disapproval. "Waging war against my family would be a suicide mission... and that’s exactly what they want from you."

Raiden raised his eyebrow, prompting Alex to reveal everything he had to say.

"Two of your comrades are already in custody at my estate."

Raiden let out a sigh. As he feared, both Leo and Levi had been captured. Now he had no choice but to listen carefully to Alex if he wanted them back.

"They’re expecting you to launch a rescue mission because they think this is your territory. They believe striking first might hurt them, especially since you just eliminated the Jasper family."

He added, "The moment you attempt a rescue, you’d be dead, and the duty would automatically fall into their hands."

Raiden stared at him. Even with all his hatred for his previous parents, Jane and Jake, betraying them this way was unthinkable to him. Yet Alex did it so casually.

"You’ve already killed Captain Kai, so making a direct proposal to the king to free your comrades would lead to you facing the three Judges."

Raiden nodded in understanding.

"And obviously, you can’t lie to the judges—it would end in your execution."

"I’m still waiting for your suggestion."

Alex nodded. "Right..."

He cleared his throat. "I suggest you propose the bloodline ritual to the high court."

Raiden frowned in confusion. He hadn’t heard of such a ritual before.

"Oh, I guess you don’t know about it." He smiled awkwardly. "The bloodline ritual is an ancient tradition that was used to bind the royal family, the Romanovs, to the throne... so no one can be king unless they have Romanov blood."

Raiden waited for more explanation. He was the last member of his family, the Night family. So what happens if he dies?

"This is going to be rejected, and you know why..."

Alex wore a subtle expression. "If you’re worried about being the last member of your family, that isn’t a problem."

"How so?"

"The bloodline ritual is designed in such a way that, when the last person in the family dies, it automatically chooses a new worthy family."

Raiden smirked as soon as the words hit him. This was a brilliant idea, and he believed he could present it to the high court in a way they’d find hard to dismiss. Not only would he eliminate his greatest rivals, but he’d get his comrades back and finally focus on what truly mattered to him.

Everything sounded too good to be true, but he still wasn’t going to let his guard down. Alex was a Dawnbringer after all.

"That sounds good... but why should I trust you?" His expression darkened slightly.

Alex smiled gently. "Fair enough..."

Alex reached into his pocket and withdrew a badge depicting a lion with two swords clashing behind it, his name "Alex" engraved on it. He tossed it to Raiden.

"This is a badge of pride in my family." His expression softened. "As a Dawnbringer, this identifies me, and it’s my duty to protect it with my life."

"And... what should I use it for?"

"If this turns out to be a trick against you, you can either take this to the Judges or the high court, tell them everything we discussed, and my family will be charged with conspiracy to kill and executed."

Raiden looked at the badge again, realizing how much influence it represented.

"Or, you can give it to the other half of my family, and it’s bound to cause war." He shrugged. "We’d end up killing each other."

Raiden was both impressed and confused. He could easily go for the bloodline ritual and turn the badge in to the Dawnbringer family. He’d keep his duty that way and eliminate his rivals. Did Alex really trust him that much?

"What do you think?"

Raiden looked from the badge to Alex. With everything going on, he needed time to think and figure things out, so he had to avoid conflicts at all costs.

He let out a sigh, thinking about how much fun it would have been to watch the Dawnbringers destroy themselves.

"This isn’t enough."

Alex wore a startled expression. This was as vulnerable as he could possibly be.

"I want you to bring my comrades back... and if I don’t see them in less than a week," he said with a menacing smile, "I’ll enjoy watching you slaughter one another."

Alex went still, taken aback by the predatory gleam in Raiden’s eyes.

"Don’t worry," he said. "I will bring them to you."

Alex held out his hand. Raiden paused, then slowly placed his own against it, sealing their agreement. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

This marked a turning point for Raiden, yet he had to know why none before him had suggested this course before beginning the ritual.