"Then it's been decided. Sean will forfeit his life for acting on his own accord. The seed will be assigned a new guardian," one of the masked men delivered the final verdict, his voice echoing with cold authority through the dimly lit chamber.

He sat at the midpoint of the arc-shaped table, his position subtly elevated, making it easy for anyone to guess that he held the role of leader among this shadowy group, their faces hidden behind intricate masks that gleamed faintly under the flickering torchlight.

"Aren't you all too eager to judge? I expect you to hear him out at the very least before giving your judgment," a deep, resonant voice intervened just before the verdict could be carried out, cutting through the tension like a blade through silk.

Walking towards Sean from an inconspicuous door hidden in the stone wall was another masked being, his strides purposeful and commanding, the fabric of his dark robe whispering against the cold floor as he approached, exuding an aura of undeniable power that filled the room.

"Branch master," the seated masked humans rose to their feet in unison, their movements synchronized as they paid their respects to the intruding masked being, the air thick with deference and a hint of unease at his unexpected arrival.

"I expect better judgment from the senate. It's disappointing to see you all ready to give a verdict without listening to what he has to say. I truly expect better," he chided, his tone laced with sharp disapproval as he stopped a foot away from Sean, his masked gaze piercing through the veil of secrecy that shrouded everyone's identities.

"So? What prompted you to make such decisions of your own volition?" he asked, placing a firm hand on Sean's shoulder, the touch both reassuring and interrogative, as if weighing the man's loyalty in that single gesture amidst the oppressive atmosphere of the chamber.

"His name is Aaron Highborn. And he has promised to place the seed on the throne. But before he decides to do that, he wishes for her to develop a genuine hunger for the throne. He stated that he will only do so if she truly hungers for the position," Sean explained, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation, the words tumbling out with a mix of hope and desperation as he stood before the imposing figure.

"And? Is he capable enough to place her on the throne whenever he wants?" the branch master pressed further, his curiosity piqued, leaning slightly forward as if to draw out every nuance from Sean's response in the shadowed confines of the room.

"I'm forced to believe the odds of him succeeding are extremely high, my lord," Sean replied, his tone conveying a reluctant conviction born from careful observation, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a precarious balance.

"Hmm. But I see no way his actions will benefit our goal," the branch master mused, his mind racing to connect the dots, his masked face tilting slightly as he pondered the intricate web of alliances and ambitions that defined their secretive organization.

"He's not interested in ruling himself, or staying behind to help her rule once she's in power. He will likely leave her under my care to supervise when she ascends the throne. With her being so young and inexperienced, I will retain a significant amount of power, thus allowing me to control the Nebula without any direct input from our side," Sean elaborated, painting a vivid picture of the potential future, his explanation laced with strategic foresight as he tried to sway the branch master's opinion.

"Mere control isn't what we want, Sean. I expect a better reason than just that," the branch master countered, his voice firm and unyielding, demanding more substance in the dimly illuminated space where every word carried the potential for life or death.

"Awakening. I believe he can help her awaken faster, my lord. That's what we seek the most, isn't it?" Sean invoked his last trump card to stay alive, his eyes gleaming with determination as he played this crucial gambit, the concept of awakening resonating deeply within the group's long-held aspirations.

"Hmm? You are saying that man has what it takes to stimulate her awakening. We have all tried everything we could, exhausting every method and resource at our disposal, but she still couldn't awaken.

Even when her parents died right in front of her, in a moment of profound tragedy and loss, the seal remained dormant and unresponsive.

So what makes you think some random being, an outsider with no ties to our cause, can help with her awakening?" the branch master questioned, his skepticism evident in the way his posture stiffened, the chamber's echoes amplifying the doubt in his inquiry.

"Because I think he is capable of forcing a great emotional reaction from her, something raw and intense that could break through the barriers we've failed to penetrate.

I will take full responsibility should it fail," Sean stated boldly, betting his entire life on succeeding, his resolve shining through like a beacon in the oppressive gloom, knowing that failure would mean his end.

"Very well.

You have your life hanging in the balance, teetering on the edge of oblivion.

Ensure her safety and her awakening, guiding her through whatever trials are necessary, and you will receive the promotion you deserve, rising in our ranks as a rewarded loyalist.

You can leave for now," the branch master ordered, snapping his fingers with a sharp, authoritative crack as Sean was forcefully teleported back to the library room, the magical displacement leaving a faint ripple in the air.

"Forgive me for questioning your decision, branch master. But should we really take that gamble, risking everything on such an uncertain path? We have so much to lose if anything goes wrong with her, our entire plan could crumble in an instant," one of the senate members stated, his voice tinged with concern as he voiced the collective apprehension in the room.

"You don't have to worry about that. I already have a contingency plan in place in case of failure, a layered strategy designed to mitigate any potential disasters," the branch master replied calmly, his composure unshaken, exuding the quiet confidence of someone who had anticipated every twist and turn.

"Now. Let's discuss the replacement of Sean when this is all over, selecting a successor who will align perfectly with our vision," the branch master stated, ascending the stairs with deliberate steps to sit down on a chair higher than the rest of the senate, its elevated position symbolizing his supreme authority in the hierarchical structure.

"But my lord. You just said—"

"What I wanted him to hear and what would motivate him to do what is needed, planting the seeds of false hope to drive his actions. But there's no way someone making such a crucial decision all by himself will be spared, no matter the outcome," the branch master finished, his voice plain and without emotion, like he was just closing up a business deal that he could never have lost, the finality of his words sealing Sean's fate in the cold calculus of power.

----

Aaron sat on the edge of a high-rise tower, the structure piercing the sky like a sentinel over the sprawling city below, his face unreadable as he bathed in the warm sunlight that cascaded over him, casting a golden hue on his white hair and highlighting the enigmatic calm in his features.

"Planning to use me as a tool, huh? How arrogant to consider themselves worthy to make use of me," Aaron muttered to himself, his plain expression gradually shifting to one of slight annoyance, a subtle furrow forming on his brow as he contemplated the audacity of those who sought to manipulate him from the shadows.

Aaron from the beginning had never trusted Sean, his instincts honed from countless encounters warning him of hidden agendas lurking beneath the surface.

Especially when he realized the actual strength of Sean right from the start, a formidable power concealed behind a facade, and Sean's little play of feigning weakness and helplessness against his pursuers, a performance that only fueled Aaron's suspicions in the intricate dance of deception.

With him not trusting Sean at all, he had invaded Sean's shadow with a shadow creature created specifically for that purpose, a silent sentinel designed to eavesdrop on anything Sean planned to do, slipping unnoticed into the darkness like a whisper in the night.

And the result? Well, he just got a bit enlightened on what Sean truly wanted, the revelations unfolding like a puzzle piecing itself together, revealing layers of ambition and intrigue that Aaron now held in his grasp.

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