In the end, Mason lay in a pool of blood with his head cracked and bleeding. His threats and frantic curses gradually turned into shallow, ragged breaths. His eyes filled with despair and fury as he glared at Andrew, looking like he wanted to devour him alive.

Ryder said coldly, “Someone take this man to the nursing home! Treat him exactly the way he treated Grandpa!”

Mason’s whole body trembled as he struggled desperately. Yet, it was useless. He was dragged away, all four limbs lifted off the ground.

“Andrew, may you die a horrible death! The High Oracle will definitely avenge me!” Mason’s final wail echoed through the hall.

He never imagined that at such a young age, he would be sent to a nursing home. He had just sworn an oath earlier, never expecting it to come true so quickly.

Mason wanted to cry, but the tears would not come out.

Andrew frowned. He still had not figured out the cult organization behind Mason.

Ryder said, “Mr. Lloyd, I’ve already asked around in every way I could. My father really doesn’t know who that leader is. It’s clear he was manipulated, too. Aside from the Voice of the Oracle, the High Oracle never gave him any real information.”

That matched Andrew’s expectations, so he simply nodded without saying more.

Then came a voice, light and teasing. “Well, congratulations, Mr. Ulrich. You’re now the head of the Ulrich family!”

It was Logan, stepping out with a smirk on his face.

Ryder’s eyelid twitched, and he chuckled awkwardly. “Mr. Keller, please don’t tease me. Don’t worry. I won’t forget how I got here.”

Logan scoffed. “You better not forget. Because if Mr. Lloyd can help you take the throne, he can just as easily help someone else in the Ulrich family take it from you.”

Seeing Ryder’s face turn grim, Andrew chuckled and said, “Ignore him. Just focus on being the head of the Ulrich family. And while you’re at it, keep an eye on that organization your father was mixed up in.”

Ryder nodded quickly. “Of course, Mr. Lloyd. I’ll keep a close eye and report to you when something comes up.”

Just like that, the Ulrich family’s internal deadlock was broken.

And within Gabo Creek’s Chamber of Commerce, the trust crisis surrounding Andrew was resolved. The few elders who had argued fiercely with him before now came forward, red-faced and apologetic, admitting they were wrong.

Andrew did not hold it against them. After all, those stubborn old fools were not even worth the trouble.

In a dark, shadowy hall somewhere far away, a powerful man knelt on the cold floor, his body shackled in chains. His long, messy hair hung over his face, hiding his features.

Heavy chains, thick as a baby’s arm, were wrapped around his neck, wrists, and legs.

Deep within the darkness ahead of him, a cold voice echoed through the chamber.

“Go to Holtrien, Gabo Creek, the city of Blumedale. Bring back the one this cult desires, and find out who eliminated them. Complete this mission, and you will regain your freedom.”

The man trembled, and the chains rattled as he moved. “High Oracle, are you serious?”

A chilling laugh answered from the shadows. “Of course, I’m serious. But if you fail the mission, you already know what will happen.”

The towering man’s body shivered, and the fear in his eyes was obvious.

He knew exactly what would happen if he failed – death was the only outcome.

Even with over a thousand pounds of iron shackling him down and his shoulder blades locked to prevent escape, he could kill a martial king in just three moves. Yet, before the figure hidden in the shadows ahead, he was nothing. He was lower than dirt.

“Long live the Sacred Order,” he whispered, bowing low in reverence.