Timeless Assassin

Chapter 1035: An Irresistible Trap

(A few days later, Planet Granada, Mauriss’s POV)

*KABOOM*

*Rain pouring*

The storm over Granada had been relentless for hours.

Sheets of rain fell diagonally across the single stone plateau where Mauriss stood alone, the wind howling like a wounded beast as thunder rolled endlessly across the dark horizon.

*Flash*

Lightning flashed.

For a brief moment the entire sky turned white.

And in that flicker of light, Mauriss’s silhouette stood motionless against the storm, his long hair drifting upward against gravity, while droplets of rain slid harmlessly down the lines of his bare chest, as he read the latest report submitted by his scouts.

[Sector Intelligence Report: Unusual Artifact Activity]

[Multiple independent sources have confirmed the appearance of a mysterious dagger-like artifact on Planet Helion-6. The artifact reportedly triggered an immediate response from several Great Clan Gods, including representatives from the Mu, Du, and Yu factions.]

Mauriss’s lips curved slightly.

Lightning cracked across the sky again as the report continued scrolling before him.

[Witness accounts indicate that the Gods themselves briefly confronted one another upon arrival, creating a tense standoff as multiple factions attempted to claim ownership of the artifact.]

The wind howled louder.

Rain struck the stone beneath Mauriss’s feet in endless waves as the sea below churned violently.

He continued reading.

[After prolonged discussion, the involved parties reportedly agreed that the artifact would remain on Helion-6 under joint supervision until a formal decision regarding ownership can be reached through inter-faction deliberation.]

Mauriss stopped reading.

For a moment the storm was the only sound.

Then slowly...

A grin spread across his face.

"Interesting.."

He murmured quietly as he continued studying the report.

[Forces from all major Great Clans as well as the Universal Government have reportedly deployed troops to the planet in order to secure the artifact from interference by external factions.]

Mauriss let out a low chuckle.

The sound blended strangely with the distant thunder rolling across the ocean.

"Interesting indeed..."

Rain continued to fall heavily around him as his eyes narrowed slightly in thought.

There were very few artifacts in existence that could cause multiple Great Clan Gods to scramble across the universe in such haste.

In fact...

He could only think of one—

As the grin on his face widened slowly.

"Have they really found Soron’s second dagger?"

He wondered, as lightning flashed again across the plateau.

*KABOOM*

Mauriss stroked his chin thoughtfully while his hair continued drifting upward against the storm’s current.

"If that truly is the Origin Dagger..."

He began to laugh softly.

"Then things have just become far more entertaining than I could have ever imagined."

His gaze returned to the report.

"And yet..."

His smile twisted slightly.

"...they claim the artifact will remain under joint protection until they decide ownership democratically?"

The word democratically left his mouth with open mockery, as Mauriss tilted his head back slightly and let the rain cascade down his face.

"That might be the most ridiculous lie I have heard in centuries....."

He muttered, as the storm intensified.

*KABOOM*

*FASTER RAIN*

"HAHAHAHAHA—"

Mauriss chuckled maniacally, his laughter echoing into the storm, as he saw through this fragile lie.

"Because whichever clan takes possession of that dagger will instantly gain superiority over the others."

"And the fragile equilibrium between the Great Clans will collapse overnight."

He concluded, before lowering his head slightly, as a mad gleam flickered in his eyes.

"Ha ha ha..."

"Interesting."

"Interesting indeed."

The storm roared louder around him.

"This is either the greatest bait to lure me into an ambush.

Or the Great Clan Gods are much more stupid than I ever credited them to be.

Either way.....

This game has gained my fancy.

And I can’t resist taking a look."

Mauriss muttered, as he decided to verify the truth behind this rumour himself.

—--------------

(Meanwhile Kaelith)

The rumors had spread exactly as intended.

Kaelith studied the incoming intelligence reports in silence, his gaze moving slowly across the flow of information as confirmation after confirmation arrived from different sectors of the universe.

The story had already begun to circulate.

A mysterious dagger.

A scramble between the Great Clan Gods.

A tense standoff.

A temporary agreement to leave the artifact under neutral supervision until ownership could be decided democratically.

Every element of the narrative had been carefully crafted.

Not to deceive the masses, but to bait a single mind.

"Mauriss will see through it immediately," Kaelith murmured quietly to himself.

He leaned back slightly as his fingers folded together in thought.

"The story is too convenient."

Too theatrical.

Too perfectly structured to appear believable to someone who had spent centuries manipulating the fears and expectations of others.

Mauriss would notice the inconsistencies almost instantly.

He would question why multiple Great Clan Gods would willingly leave behind such a priceless artifact instead of securing it immediately.

He would question why the clans that normally distrusted each other had suddenly agreed to a cooperative arrangement.

He would question everything.

And that was precisely the point.

Kaelith’s expression remained calm as he continued his analysis.

Because Mauriss’s greatest strength had always been his intellect.

But that strength came with an equally predictable flaw.

Curiosity.

"Mauriss cannot resist puzzles," Kaelith said quietly.

"He cannot resist mysteries."

Especially when the reward attached to that mystery was something powerful enough to reshape the balance of the entire universe.

The Origin Dagger.

Even if Mauriss suspected the entire situation to be fabricated, the mere possibility that such an artifact had surfaced would be enough to draw his attention.

Because no strategist in existence would ignore the potential appearance of such a weapon.

Not when the consequences of being wrong could shift the entire balance of power between the great factions.

Kaelith closed his eyes briefly.

"Mauriss will assume it is a trap."

That much was certain.

"But he will not know the nature of the trap."

Nor the scale of the preparation waiting for him.

Kaelith opened his eyes again as a faint smile appeared across his face.

"Mauriss believes himself to be the most clever warrior in this universe."

"He believes every trap can be unraveled."

"He believes every opponent can be predicted."

But this time the Deceiver would face a problem he could not solve with intellect alone.

Because the true trap was not the dagger.

The true trap...

Was Mauriss’s mind itself.