Ethan did not sleep after the intruders left. He leaned on the table reviewing every word the masked leader said. Authority higher than the nobles.
Impossible on paper.
But real in practice.

Renn and Mira finally slipped into restless sleep near dawn, but Ethan kept working. When the sun rose over the capital he stepped outside into the cool morning air.

The market district was already awake. People gathered in front of the Index board waiting for the new list. But today Ethan had something more important to announce before prices.

He climbed onto the familiar wooden crate. Mira and Renn joined him yawning but alert.

Merchants and adventurers looked up. outsider Ethan What happened last night We saw guards running We heard noises
Ethan kept his tone steady.
There was an attempt to silence the truth
The crowd gasped
Mira clutched her notebook tighter
Renn tensed, expecting an attack

Ethan continued.
But the attempt failed Because as long as the numbers exist the truth survives

The crowd murmured with a mix of fear and admiration. Even the guards watching them shifted uncomfortably.

He added.
There is a faction acting in the shadows Not nobles Something else Something older or deeper in the system And they do not want this kingdom to change

A man shouted. outsider Who are they
Ethan shook his head.
Not yet clear But they will reveal themselves through pressure

The market district grew tense. People whispered behind hands. Rumors began blooming like fire under dry wood.

Renn whispered. outsider Maybe do not tell them everything
Ethan answered. Markets need signals Silence destroys confidence

Before Ethan could finish posting the Day 5 Index, a hooded woman stepped from the crowd. Not the woman from yesterday—someone new. Her cloak bore tiny embroidered runes barely visible unless you looked closely.

She spoke softly but with authority. outsider Ethan Mercer You survived last night That was unexpected
The crowd backed away instantly.

Ethan stared at her.
Were you watching
She smiled faintly.
I watch everything

Mira whispered. outsider She feels strange
Renn breathed. outsider She is not with the nobles

The woman continued.
You have angered forces that do not appear on ledgers Forces who prefer the kingdom remain predictable and controllable Not too weak Not too strong But stable enough for them
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
Who are “them”
The woman tilted her head.
The ones who operate between noble houses The ones who handle matters nobles cannot The kingdom’s hidden arbiters

Ethan felt a cold spark run through him.
A shadow governance
Parallel influence
Invisible oversight

She continued.
They have existed for centuries They maintain balance They prevent uprisings They silence threats And you Ethan Mercer You broke the balance

Ethan asked quietly.
By making information public
She nodded.
Yes By showing people how the kingdom actually works

He stepped closer.
And whose balance am I breaking The nobles
She shook her head slowly.
No The kingdom’s deepest structure

Renn whispered. outsider you need to walk away from her
Mira squeezed his arm.

Ethan asked.
Are you part of them
The woman smiled.
No I am something else I watch them I watch you I watch whoever threatens equilibrium

Ethan exhaled.
Why warn me
She replied.
Because you are useful For now Because you tear down broken systems and broken systems need tearing But understand this Ethan Mercer You are not safe You are not untouchable Your logic is strong But their methods are stronger If you continue your work you will force their hand

The crowd listened in stunned silence.

Ethan replied.
Markets evolve under pressure I will not stop
She nodded slowly.
Then prepare for pressure

Before he could ask more she slipped back into the crowd and vanished like mist.

Mira exhaled shakily. outsider That was terrifying
Renn muttered. outsider This kingdom has too many layers
Ethan watched the spot where the woman disappeared.
Yes And every layer has flaws

He walked back to the Index board and posted the Day 5 update. Numbers felt heavier today. Not just prices—but signals of tension.

At the bottom he added a new line
Unstable forces observed. Stay alert. Trade cautiously.

The crowd murmured again. Guards exchanged looks. The nobles would not like this. And the shadow faction would like it even less.

Mira asked quietly. outsider What do we do now
Ethan stared at the capital skyline where smoke from yesterday’s explosion still drifted faintly.
We continue
We document
We reveal
We adapt

Renn asked. outsider And the shadow faction
Ethan replied.
They fear transparency So we create more

But deep inside Ethan knew this was no longer just an economic revolution
It was a battle between systems
Between visibility and secrecy
Between truth and controlled illusion

And the invisible players who ruled from the shadows
Had just declared him a threat.