"It seems the lines in this room have blurred far too much. Have you forgotten that aside from the High Elder, all of you... are beneath me?"

Another wave of silence fell over the room. The lingering smiles on their faces vanished, except for the slight smirk on Hector’s. Unlike the others, Hector was clearly enjoying Lukas’s way with words.

Then again, Lukas would not be Lucian’s left hand if he did not have the gall to step on a few toes.

"Like I’ve been saying," Lukas spoke again before the silence could completely dominate the room, "I don’t want to come across as rude, but... I haven’t liked your tone since the moment I stepped in here."

He picked up his teacup and lifted it to his lips, eyeing all of them over the rim.

"If the lines in this room have already blurred that much, would it now be acceptable for me to speak to the High Elder as though he were my equal?"

Vincent scoffed, clearly displeased by Lukas’s audacity.

By hierarchy, Lukas was indeed above them. After all, Lucian had replaced many of the old people around him with newer — younger — ones.

But in terms of experience, these men had already been part of Dominion long before Lukas knew anything about the world.

Before any of them could speak, however, Hector laughed.

"Hahaha!"

His laughter echoed through the room, dispersing the tension that had begun to settle over it.

Everyone looked at him, while Lukas watched with clear intrigue in his eyes.

When Hector’s laughter subsided, he turned to Lukas and nodded approvingly.

"He is right."

"High Elder," Vincent called out, only to be cut off by the old man.

"Dominion has never been about age or how long you have served it," Hector said firmly. "It has always been about hierarchy and achievements. Your contribution to Dominion matters more than anything else."

His smile widened until the wrinkles around his eyes deepened.

"And surely, the Black Dragon’s left hand has done more than enough to prove that his position was earned, not merely given."

Everyone’s expressions soured as they looked at Lukas with displeasure.

"So speak to him with the respect he deserves," Hector continued, shifting his gaze toward the others. "He is a guest in this meeting, and we are inviting him to our side for one reason. His help and support would be valuable."

Lukas smiled in satisfaction, as though his ego had just been stroked. He shot the others a smug glance, fully aware they hated this more than they could ever articulate. These men, after all, were far too old-fashioned and believed that age alone entitled them to respect.

And the fact that Lucian shattered that illusion the moment he stepped into Dominion’s higher circle made them hate him to the bone.

"Thank you, High Elder," Lukas said with a slight bow of his neck.

Hector nodded back at him before leaning back slightly and picking up his own teacup. Once he set it down again, he spoke.

"Now that everything is clear, why don’t we get down to real business?"

"I appreciate that, High Elder," Lukas nodded before turning toward the others. "I do not doubt the coup or that it will happen. Having seen all of you gathered here today, I am certain it will happen one way or another."

He paused deliberately, going in circles just to observe their expressions as he drawled,

"But what I do not understand is this: what is the basis of this coup? Many people have opposed the master before, and I am well aware that many — especially the Elders — were unhappy with the changes the Black Dragon made within Dominion."

"Even so, personal feelings should come later," he continued slowly, taking his precious time. "I believe Dominion still follows certain rules."

"Just get to the point," Vincent snapped, knowing Lukas was deliberately dragging things out to annoy them.

Lukas let out a short chuckle. "Of course."

"What I am saying is..." He paused again, his brows rising as his gaze swept across their faces. "What card do you hold that makes you believe you can start a coup... and succeed?"

Another heavy silence fell over the room.

All eyes remained on Lukas. Their expressions turned stern, except for Hector, who calmly continued enjoying his tea.

Then, as though seeking permission, everyone turned toward Hector. They had never planned to disclose too many important details to Lukas. Their original intention had simply been to make him aware that Lucian’s position was becoming unstable and that a challenge against him was inevitable.

Once Lukas decided to join them, they planned to ask for one favor — just one — to prove his determination. Only then would they reveal everything.

Hector chuckled, satisfaction still visible in his eyes. Clearly, this only made him approve of Lukas even more. Young and aggressive, yes, but also someone who would not blindly throw himself into a conspiracy without understanding the full risk.

Lukas was the kind of man who would either join a conspiracy fully aware of the danger... or refuse entirely.

And someone like that would be a valuable asset once brought to their side.

"Recently, there has been discussion within the High Chambers," Hector finally spoke, choosing to explain things himself rather than letting the others do it.

He looked directly at Lukas. "They have begun questioning the legitimacy of Lucian’s succession."

At that, Lukas arched a brow.

The High Chambers referred to Dominion’s highest circle — people who carried power and influence nearly equal to Lucian’s. Only a thin line separated their authority from his, and most of the time, even that line blurred.

"Evidence surfaced recently," Hector continued calmly, leaning back slightly. He said nothing further, but the gesture alone was enough for the others to understand his signal.

Vincent, seated closest to him, cleared his throat.

"It is evidence suggesting that the late Madam of Dominion did not simply die from illness."

Hearing that, Lukas furrowed his brows in genuine surprise. That he did not expect.

"What does that mean?"

"Her cause of death was not what Lucian claimed it to be," Vincent continued. "She did not simply take her final breath. Rather... he personally cut her life short. Whatever happened in that room was far different from the story Lucian told everyone."

Alejandro drew a deep breath before chiming in. "And that is only one part of it. There is more."

"The late Madam did not merely fall ill because of old age," Dante added. "He had been poisoning her for years until she finally collapsed. From what we know, the Madam had already planned to disinherit him."

"You are a smart man, Lukas," Hector spoke once again. "You know these grounds are more than enough to call his succession into question. And when that happens, it will not reflect well on you either."

The smile on Hector’s face slowly faded.

"And when a boat is about to sink, it is better to jump off before you drown with it."