The High Council chamber was carved from pale stone and lined with banners representing the kingdom’s twelve major ministries. Sunlight filtered through tall windows in narrow beams. The atmosphere carried a familiar tension. Not the tension of imminent battle, but the sharp, cold tension of politics in motion. A place where decisions shaped markets, laws, and public life.

Erian stood near the center table. Mira positioned herself beside him, carrying a thick folder containing all evidence gathered from the frontier. Rolan, Selin, Jana, and Daris waited against the wall, silent but ready. Guards lined the perimeter.

Council members filed in slowly. Their footsteps echoed. Their faces held curiosity, concern, and in some cases veiled irritation. Among them, Lord Hadrick Wynthorne entered late. His robes shimmered with silver embroidery. He carried himself with unshakeable confidence. His eyes swept the chamber and landed on Erian with a hint of disdain.

Erian felt no fear. He felt clarity.

The Council Speaker struck the table with a wooden gavel. “This emergency session is now in order. Inspector Erian Vale, you have reported severe violations within the northern frontier. Present your findings.”

Mira unfolded the first document and spoke steadily. “Three days ago the Beast Trade Authority received Erian’s interim report indicating systemic corruption in the northern transport routes. What he uncovered goes far beyond unauthorized captures. It includes forged lineage papers, illegal breeding, enchanted suppression tools, and the largest smuggling hub discovered in the past decade.”

Low murmurs spread through the chamber. Several councilors exchanged wary looks.

Erian stepped forward. “A criminal syndicate led by Vorrek captured and moved rare beasts for underground arenas and high paying private clients. His operations destabilized frontier ecosystems. Rangers were driven out. Mana wells fractured. If not stopped the kingdom could have faced long term ecological collapse.”

Wynthorne raised a hand dismissively. “Poachers have always existed. This hardly warrants a royal inquiry. Surely the inspector exaggerates.”

Erian remained calm. “I would agree, if it were only poachers. But this network worked only because someone powerful funded it. Someone who ensured forged documents passed inspection. Someone who helped Vorrek expand.”

Wynthorne’s gaze sharpened. “Inspector, be cautious with your implications.”

Mira pulled out a sealed scroll and placed it on the table. “These letters were recovered from Vorrek’s personal lockbox.”

A ripple passed through the council.

Erian opened the first letter and read aloud.

“‘To Vorrek. Your next shipment must include three Ridgehowl Wolves and at least one Cinderback Bear. Payment will be delivered discreetly. See to it that demand is met before the council reviews new beast regulation proposals.’ Signed, Lord Hadrick Wynthorne.”

Silence fell over the chamber.

Then outrage.

Several members stood. One pounded the table. Another shouted, “Forgery!” Wynthorne raised both hands, attempting to speak over the noise.

“Absurd,” he said. “These letters prove nothing. Anyone could forge my signature.”

Erian placed a second letter on the table. Then a third. Then a fourth. All bearing the same crest. All containing detailed instructions matching Vorrek’s routes. Payment schedules. Acquisition lists. Delivery dates.

Daris placed the rune plates beside them. “These were found in Vorrek’s hidden hub. Each plate matches the lineage forgeries Councilor Wynthorne approved in the past year.”

Wynthorne’s mask cracked. “This is a setup. You cannot trust evidence from criminals.”

Mira replied sharply, “Yet your seal appears across every document. Explain that.”

For the first time Wynthorne faltered. His hand twitched near his robe as if searching for a phrase that would save him. But Erian stepped forward with the final document.

“Here is the letter where you instruct Vorrek to ensure market shortages rise at the frontier. Your goal was to push the crown into relaxing capture laws and deregulating trade. You wanted profit. You wanted control of the beast industry.”

A hush fell again.

Wynthorne’s voice deepened. “Inspector Vale, you risk destabilizing the kingdom with unfounded accusations.”

Erian met his gaze evenly. “No. Your actions already destabilized it. I am here to repair what you broke.”

The Council Speaker raised his gavel. “Lord Wynthorne, until full investigation concludes, you are suspended from all authority. Guards take him into custody.”

Gasps erupted. Wynthorne stepped back. “You cannot do this. I am the pillar of the trade sector. I serve the kingdom.”

The guards advanced.

Wynthorne’s composure shattered. “You think removing me will stop what I built? The market doesn’t end with a man. It ends with demand. Vorrek was merely a messenger.”

Erian spoke firmly. “Then we will build a system that does not need criminals to function.”

Wynthorne’s glare flickered between rage and fear. “Your reforms will choke the kingdom. You will face resistance from more than me.”

The guards seized him. The chamber buzzed with shock.

Erian looked at Mira. “We’re not finished yet.”

She nodded. “But this is the turning point.”

Outside the chamber the hallway felt heavy with whispers and tension. The news would spread. The kingdom would shake. But the truth had reached the capital.

The next steps would determine everything.