Chapter 14: The Shadow of Truth
The Adventurer's Guild buzzed with its usual energy as Karma sat quietly in the waiting area, his emerald-ranked badge gleaming on his chest. After countless battles, intense training, and taking on high-ranking quests, he had finally reached the **Emerald Rank**—a status many adventurers spent years, if not their entire careers, trying to achieve.
Yet, despite the achievement, Karma felt an uneasy stillness. His success as an adventurer hadn't silenced the deeper questions lurking at the back of his mind. The mystery of the **red-eyed ogres** that destroyed his village still gnawed at him. The revelation Maria had shared weeks ago had turned his understanding of that event upside down, but it had also opened doors to darker possibilities—possibilities he hadn't dared to consider until now.
As Karma's thoughts drifted, he heard familiar footsteps approaching. He looked up to see **Maria**, her expression more serious than usual. Something was clearly troubling her.
"Karma," she said in a low, urgent voice. "I've found some leads about what happened in your hometown, but this isn't something we can discuss out here."
Karma felt a shiver run down his spine. The look in Maria's eyes told him that whatever she had learned wasn't just dangerous—it was **controversial**.
Without another word, Maria gestured for Karma to follow her. They moved through the guild's crowded halls in silence until they reached a private facility—an area reserved for confidential discussions. The moment the door closed behind them, Maria turned to face Karma, her expression grave.
"What did you find?" Karma asked, feeling the weight of the moment.
Maria took a deep breath before speaking, her voice steady but serious. "You remember telling me about the red eyes of the ogres, right?"
Karma nodded. "Yeah. I'll never forget those bloodshot eyes. I've never seen anything like it before."
Maria folded her arms, her gaze intense. "That's because it wasn't natural. I've uncovered some information that suggests those ogres were under the influence of a powerful, ancient spell—**a spell of mind manipulation**."
Karma blinked, his mind racing. "Mind manipulation? What kind of magic is that? I've never heard of it."
"Of course you haven't," Maria replied. "It's one of the most dangerous forms of magic, and very few have the affinity to use it. Those who can manipulate minds are rare—you can count the number of known practitioners on one hand. It's no surprise that it hasn't come up in your quests or training. This magic is old, and the users of it keep themselves hidden for a reason."
Karma's heart pounded in his chest as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. "So you're saying someone used this ancient magic to control that horde of ogres?"
Maria nodded, her eyes locked onto Karma's. "Yes, and it explains why their eyes were red. The spell didn't just control them—it twisted their minds, made them more aggressive, more dangerous. It would take an extremely powerful adventurer, someone with mastery over mind manipulation, to cast such a spell on that many creatures at once."
Karma took a step back, his fists clenched in disbelief. He had always believed that the destruction of his village was a random attack—a brutal act of nature. But now he was faced with the horrifying possibility that it had been orchestrated by someone with immense magical power.
"Do you know who did it?" Karma asked, his voice tight with anger. "Do you have names of the adventurers who can use this kind of magic?"
Maria hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I do. But you need to understand that these people are not just adventurers—they're individuals with high status, political power, and influence. Getting close to any of them won't be easy."
"Just tell me," Karma insisted, his eyes burning with intensity. "Tell me who's responsible."
Maria took a deep breath, her expression turning grim. "The closest one to us… is **Duke Charles Britannia II**."
Karma felt the air leave his lungs as he processed what she had just said. "The Duke of this land?"
"Yes," Maria said, her voice steady but filled with tension. "He's a high-ranking official, and his magical affinity is with mind manipulation. I have reason to believe that he—or someone connected to him—was involved in the attack on your village. But confronting him directly? That's a different story altogether."
Karma's mind raced. The Duke? A man with that much power and influence could have ordered the massacre of his entire village, and no one would have questioned it. The thought made his blood boil.
"I have to find out if he's responsible," Karma said, his voice low and dangerous. "I need to confront him and get the truth."
Maria shook her head. "It's not that simple. The Duke isn't just any adventurer. He has political immunity, guards, and resources that most people can only dream of. Even reaching him will be nearly impossible, and if you do, what makes you think he'll answer your questions?"
Karma paced the room, his frustration growing with every step. He knew Maria was right. The Duke was untouchable, especially for someone like Karma, who, despite his recent success, was still just an adventurer in the eyes of the ruling class. But he couldn't walk away from this. Not now.
"Then how am I supposed to get to him?" Karma asked, his voice edged with desperation. "There has to be a way."
For a moment, Maria remained silent, her eyes downcast. Karma was about to thank her and leave the room when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Maria standing close, her grip firm.
"There is a way," she said quietly, her tone filled with hesitation. "But I don't recommend it. It's dangerous, and even if you succeed, the risks are high. But knowing what you've been through, I won't stop you."
Karma turned to face her fully, his heart racing with anticipation. "What way?"
Maria met his gaze, her expression serious. "The **Grand Tournament**. It's a massive event that happens every few years in the kingdom of **Alormyrn**. Adventurers, archwizards, warriors—everyone competes. It's not just a contest of skill; it's a way for high-ranking individuals to display their power."
Karma's eyes narrowed. "What does this tournament have to do with the Duke?"
"The winner of the Grand Tournament is granted an audience with Duke Charles himself," Maria explained. "Not only that, but the victor is given the title of '**Strongest in Alormyrn**,' along with the highest rank in their respective field. If you enter and win, you'll have the chance to meet the Duke face-to-face."
Karma's heart pounded. This was it—his chance to confront the man who might have destroyed his home. But the path ahead was clear: he had to win the tournament. And that wouldn't be easy.
"What's the catch?" Karma asked, his voice cautious.
"You'll need to clear the **trainee rounds** first," Maria said. "Those rounds are happening in the city next to ours, and it's a one-day trip. But even if you get through the trainee rounds, the competition will be fierce. Some of the most powerful individuals in the kingdom will be participating."
Karma felt the weight of her words, but it didn't deter him. "I don't care how dangerous it is. If this is my chance to get the truth, then I'll take it."
Maria nodded, though her eyes were filled with concern. "Just promise me one thing—don't lose yourself to this. I know how much this means to you, but you have to be careful."
Karma smiled softly, his gratitude evident. "Thank you, Maria. I won't lose. I'll win this tournament, and I'll get the answers I need."
With that, Karma turned and left the room, his mind already set on the task ahead. He knew the road to the Grand Tournament would be long and filled with danger, but for the first time in years, he felt closer to uncovering the truth about his village's destruction.
And no matter what it took, he was ready to face it head-on.
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**To be continued…**
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**Author's Notes:**
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed **Chapter 14: The Shadow of Truth**! This chapter was all about building up the intrigue and setting the stage for Karma's next big challenge: the **Grand Tournament**. I wanted to highlight the growing tension surrounding the mystery of Karma's village and introduce a new obstacle that will push him to his limits.
- **The Duke and Mind Manipulation:** This chapter brought us one step closer to unraveling the truth behind the destruction of Karma's hometown. The introduction of **mind manipulation magic** adds a darker, more sinister layer to the story, and I'm excited to explore how Karma will navigate this.
- **The Grand Tournament:** The stakes just got higher! Karma will need to prove himself in a massive competition if he wants to confront the Duke and get the answers he's been searching for. This tournament is going to be intense, and I can't wait to write those action-packed battles!
Let me know what you think in the comments, and thanks for reading! See you in the next chapter!