Emperor's harem: Transmigrated with SSS mana talent
Chapter 78: [One-fourth?]

Chapter 78: [One-fourth?]

He emerged on the other side coughing, brushing cobwebs off his shoulders.

"Right," he muttered, wrinkling his nose. "Still the most unpleasant entrance in the city."

That same man in green robes—the one who never spoke—stood ahead, silent as a shadow, guiding him down a spiraling corridor deeper underground.

They passed through a veil of mist, then into a room lit by faint jade torches.

Kael stepped into the dusky chamber, its scent a mix of incense, velvet, and old stone.

The green-robed attendant bowed and vanished behind the heavy curtain, leaving him alone with the woman on the divan.

Seraphine reclined like a spider waiting at the center of her web, lips already curled in that familiar, taunting smile.

"So... the devil remembers me, hmm?" she purred, her voice low and laced with honeyed seduction.

"I was beginning to think you’d forgotten."

Kael didn’t glance at the slit in her robes or the curve of her pose.

Really!!

He simply moved to the worn chair across from her and sat down with calm restraint.

"I’m not here for games," he said quietly.

"The devil wants to know about someone."

That wiped the smirk from her face, if only slightly. Her painted eyebrow arched. "Who?"

He met her gaze head-on.

"Eiden."

A long pause.

"His bloodline. His power. His connections. Everything."

The room seemed to darken slightly. Even Seraphine looked caught off guard.

She leaned forward, her tone no longer flirtatious but measured, wary.

"Why would he be interested in Eiden...?" she murmured, more to herself than Kael.

Seraphine studied him with her sharp, painted eyes as if peeling back his soul layer by layer.

But Kael remained unmoved.

"Alright," she finally said, reclining again. "Give me some time. I’ll send a letter when I have something."

Kael gave a slight nod. His purpose was fulfilled. He stood, brushing off invisible dust, ready to leave.

But just as he turned toward the door, her voice floated behind him—calm, almost too casual.

"That explosion at the Duke’s house... was that the devil’s doing too?"

He paused, then gave a small nod without turning.

She chuckled softly.

"Who would’ve thought the Divine General was still alive... hm."

He could sense it—the bait in her tone.

She wanted him to slip, to reveal more.

But Kael, offered her nothing.

Just silence and the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth.

At the threshold, her voice called out again.

"That map... any progress?"

That one struck deeper than expected. Kael’s body tensed.

Damn.

He hadn’t even looked at the cursed map since dumping it in his space ring.

Still, his face betrayed nothing. He turned slightly, giving her a cool glance.

"I’m working on it. You’ll get your updates. Just do your part."

Without looking back, Kael slipped out—like a shadow withdrawing from candlelight.

The false wall closed behind him with a faint thud, muffled by time and dust.

As soon as he stepped back into the alleyway, Kael exhaled—a deep breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

Too many eyes

But no time to dwell.

He adjusted his coat, pulled up his collar, and disappeared into the winding streets. A few twists later, he flagged down a carriage and gave a single word:

"Castle."

As the wheels creaked into motion, Kael leaned back, eyes scanning the city through a narrow slit in the curtains. Whispers chased him down every road. Vendors paused mid-shout. Watchmen stared too long.

After all, the entire Duke’s manor had been obliterated—and yet, the heir had returned alive.

Some called it a miracle. Others... a curse.

Kael smirked faintly.

Let them talk.

Yue appeared across from him in the carriage, legs crossed, arms folded, gaze piercing.

"You really joined a shady organization, huh?" she said, eyebrow arched with a mix of sarcasm and genuine disbelief.

Kael cut her off with a flat tone, "What rank?"

"Seraphine is Rank 4. The others... below her," Yue said casually, as if listing the weather.

Kael gulped.

Then Yue tilted her head, her curiosity sharpening.

"What map was she talking about, hmm?"

Kael sighed and summoned the old parchment from his spatial ring.

It unfurled in the air with a faint rustle. Yue leaned forward, her expression shifting to mild surprise.

"You can read it?" Kael asked, hopeful.

Yue looked at him with a deadpan stare.

"Of course I can."

Kael blinked, then smirked.

"Right, I forgot. Grandmothers know everything."

The temperature dropped.

Yue’s smile was calm... too calm.

Kael’s soul nearly left his body.

"I—I didn’t mean that! I meant... you’re wise, beautiful, eternally youthful—"

She raised one eyebrow.

Kael coughed, shrinking back slightly.

"Please don’t turn me into a frog."

Yue chuckled, tapping the map lightly with her finger.

"From the looks of it, I can’t tell much yet... but this?"

She glanced up at Kael. "It’s only one-fourth of the whole map."

Kael’s eyes widened. "One-fourth?"

She nodded, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Yep. Judging by the edges and the ancient rune patterns — this was part of a larger set.

She gave this to you either because she doesn’t have the rest...

or because she doesn’t want you to have it."

Kael leaned back, thoughts racing.

"So I’ll need the other pieces to understand the full picture."

"Exactly." Yue gave him a sly smile.

"And I’m guessing you have no clue where the other parts are?"

Kael muttered, "Not a damn clue."

Soon, the carriage came to a halt with a soft jolt. Kael stepped out, his boots clicking against the stone path.

There was no grand welcome. No guards. No officials. Just one familiar face waiting at the castle gates — the old butler, Robin.

Robin gave a formal bow. "Welcome, my lord."

Kael gave a small nod, his eyes scanning the silent walls of the capital’s royal castle.

"The king wishes to see you immediately," Robin continued, straightening.

"He’s... rather urgent about it."

Kael exhaled. "Of course he is. Let’s go."

And with that, they stepped into the silent halls of power.