"Javier Aditi…"

Figures stand in the darkness of light, their faces grim despite the luxury that paints their visage.

In the lucrative throne room of the Randalorion Kingdom, brimming with wealth and power, possessing all of the splendor of the entire Kingdom, Javier's name is mentioned in a rather complex manner.

There is no scorn in the way his name is uttered. In fact, one could say there are even traces of adulation—even a hint of fear—in the reverberating voice.

The King sits on his throne, his brows creasing in a troubled manner.

His Queen is absent, and so are the Princes.

Only his most trusted advisers—Grand Elders and Royal Chancellors—are present at the moment.

As it should be.

Currently, the matter being discussed is one that demands utmost secrecy, and its information is only privy to a select few. Even in the upper echelon of power, among the Royals and High Nobles, only very few know of the topic of discussion.

—Leviathans!

"He actually took down the evil Leviathan terrorizing our Kingdom. His great deed cannot be ignored, but at the same time… it is worrisome." King Claudius Randalorion mutters with deep emotion, his sharp glaze flickering with doubt.

Even though he has a calm demeanor befitting his royal disposition, great worry consumes him.

He can't help but tremble to his core.

'This is the first time in recorded history… that a man has triumphed over a Leviathan. Unless…'

The King's eyes bulge.

He can't help but entertain the possibility, despite how unlikely it is.

'… Could Javier Aditi be one too?'

It is nearly impossible to tell, as the Kingdom has no way to detect Leviathans. Unless these mystical beings choose to reveal themselves, it is utterly impossible to find them.

The mysteries of Leviathans are simply too deep!

'Back then, I didn't seek justice for his family, and I even revoked his Household's name. I surely offended him, but it was the wise choice to make, considering what the alternative would be…'

No matter what, he couldn't have afforded to offend a Leviathan in that situation.

Even though King Claudius doesn't know much about Zarius, he knows enough to tell him that this is a rather heartless and bloodthirsty Leviathan. Getting on his bad side would mean an abrupt end to his rule and could even cost him his life and the lives of his family.

Look at Javier Aditi as an example.

His entire family was slaughtered, and his Household burned to the ground.

What would happen to the Royal Family if they chose to interfere? The power of Leviathans is simply beyond comprehension, so even if the Royals have their Knights and even an A Grade Armament at their disposal, the end result remains the same…

… Death!

This is why the King and his Royal Court have ignored all of these Leviathan activities for so long. Interfering in any way could spell not only their doom, but the destruction of the entire Randalorion Kingdom.

But, isn't it quite ironic?

Zarius, if he had been uncontested, would have eventually succeeded in bringing the Kingdom to ruin. In a sense, what they were avoiding would have come to fruition anyway.

Of course, there's no way the King and his subordinates know about any of these details.

All they feel now is relief regarding Zarius' death and wariness towards Javier, their hidden hero.

"What do you all think?" King Claudius looks at his distinguished Royal Advisers with a helpless sigh, hoping to glean from some of their wisdom.

Each of them belongs to special families who have devoted their lives to studying Leviathans and also passing their secrets down through the generations. One could call them the backbone of the Randalorion Kingdom, on par with the High Nobility in terms of relevance.

During dire moments like this, their level of importance skyrockets even more.

"Your Majesty, you have already protected Javier from further scrutiny by framing the slaughter that happened on the quarantined land, formerly known as the Aditi Household's territory, as a Massacre caused by another Kingdom's forces. Many are already calling it the Deep Winter Massacre, and it has caused distrust to grow between our people and the surrounding Kingdoms…"

"Not only that, but you also granted amnesty to this Javier Aditi and did not pursue the matter even though he broke your Royal Decree and returned to the land."

"There's also the matter of Duke Ravenwood's Household. You protected him from their scrutiny, allowing him to walk away without consequence, even though he is tied to the deaths of two of Marcus' children."

"All of this is to say that you have shown sufficient consideration towards Javier Aditi, enough to even count as preferential treatment. Right now, he is a Senior Professor in the Royal Academy and has not made any major move… surely that means he recognizes your efforts to make peace."

"Even if he is a Leviathan, which we are still uncertain of, having a man who can defeat a Leviathan on your good graces is a good thing, your Majesty. I believe we can only be patient and leave things as they are."

"Pushing any further could agitate him and cause adverse effects."

"Agreed."

"I agree with this."

"Me too."

The ten elders in the room all nod and agree with the sentiments presented to the one on the throne, and he slowly nods in response.

A relaxed sigh leaves his lips as he enters a thoughtful trance once more.

'A man who can defeat a Leviathan… he is indeed a potential threat, but there are benefits he could provide the Kingdom. However, to be able to accurately determine which it will be, we will have to wait and see…'

In the end, even the Royal Family in all its glory can't help but watch from the sidelines as they await Javier's decision.

**************

"Infuriating… how infuriating!"

In a less prestigious room compared to the Thone-room, but still radiating glory and splendor only inferior to that of the Royal Palace, a young man can be seen seething with rage.

He has dark, wavy hair with a bratty expression on his smooth face. His eyes flash with bright yellow, almost like the sun, and his entire body is adorned in all manner of precious jewels that even the High Nobility would find rare.

Despite his relatively young age, only being in his late twenties, this man is actually in command of his entire Household's Estate—a rare circumstance.

However, the reason behind his fortune is, ironically, the cause of his rage.

It is one person.

"Javier Aditi… I want you to die!"

Julian Ravenwood, second son of Duke Ravenwood, growls with pure rage as he walks around the vast room, which he has made his office. The hatred on his face is no simple one, as it contains complex emotions hidden underneath.

'How did he manage it? I thought I would be able to get rid of him after his involvement in my brother and sister's death, but the Royal Family managed to confirm his story and demanded that he be let go from my Household, free of all charges and suspicion…' Even now, as Julian recounts the experience, he finds it unreal.

He had Javier Aditi in his clutches—he would have certainly been able to kill him, too.

But the Royal Family interfered.

'And, not too long after, he secured a job in the Royal Academy. Coincidence? I think not!'

Julian can tell… something fishy is going on here.

But what?

'Does it even matter? It appears the Royals are colluding with that filthy Javier! I don't know what he managed to do to get on their good graces, but it won't stop me!'

But this will be problematic, and Julian understands it.

He knows the difficulty of his situation.

Since the Ravenwood Duke Household belongs to the Royal Faction, he is unable to make any open moves that contradict the will of the Royal Family. That includes opposing Javier, who has fallen into favor with the Royal Family.

At most, he can only cause a few obstructions, and if the Royal Family tells him to stand down, he will have no choice but to do so.

But—!

"To hell with them—all of them!" Julian grits his teeth, his emotions surging as high as his endless determination.

"With my father's condition worsened, and my older brother gone, control over the entire Duchy has fallen into my hands. As temporary Duke, if I can't eliminate a single Scholar, it will be my shame. As for the Royal Family… since they've decided to get in my way for protecting him, they shouldn't complain if I make drastic moves of my own… hehe…"

In fact, Julian already has a plan.

It involves using the Royal Family's greatest weakness—The Noble Faction!

"I simply have to collude with the Noble Faction to have my way. Many oppose Javier in that camp, and with my contribution, I'm certain we'll be able to finally get rid of the rat.'

His anger slowly dissipates, and a grin forms on his face.

"I want to see how you'll escape this one, Javier! By the time I'm done with you, not a single hair on your skin will remain!" He laughs aloud, not even caring about his treacherous thoughts of joining the Noble Faction—even if it is just for the intention of killing his enemy.

If an important piece like the Ravenwood Household joins the steadily declining Noble Faction, not only would it completely rejuvenate them, but it would also severely weaken the Royal Faction. Such a thing… a great imbalance of such massive proportions… could cause severe damage to the Randalorion Kingdom.

But Julian Ravenwood doesn't care about any of that in his quest for vengeance.

He has long decided in his heart to spare no expense.

"Javier Aditi must die!"

***************

"Am I… going to die?"

Deep in his study, a certain obese man worriedly places his hand on his head as he trembles from the countless shivers that run through his body. His robust face has long gone pale, and his rat-like teeth chatter out of pure fear.

His countenance looks pathetic, and the once-decorated face is no more to be seen.

Instead, he looks a lot thinner now, with heavy bags under his eyes and an unkempt appearance unbefitting a Count.

Indeed! This is Count Kaelen Thornveil, and right now… he is scared.

His biggest sponsor, Zarius, is now dead, meaning all of his plans have practically gone up in smoke alongside his ambitions. And, the man responsible for all of this is none other than the same person he wanted dead all those months ago.

—Javier Aditi!

At the moment, no murderous thoughts even dare to taint the Count's mind.

The only thing that concerns him is his own survival!

"Does Javier know… that I was associated with Sir Leviathan? If he does, then is he coming after me next…?" Count Kaelen can't help but ask himself in a worried tone.

He is utterly frightened.

"But to think that Sir Leviathan would lose. Does that mean Javier is one, too? Oh no, have I offended a Leviathan? No… oh no…"

He clutches his head in sheer anxiety, tumultuous waves of regret washing over him.

The rise of his Thornvale Household doesn't even concern him that much any longer. He could remain a Count for all he cared.

What he doesn't want… is to be dead.

'Even though I didn't intend for it to happen, I'm still partly responsible for the death of his family. If he finds out, he'll undoubtedly seek revenge…' With this realization, the Count's expression turns even paler, and despite the luxury of his vast room, everything appears gloomy.

He can't help but pray that it doesn't come to that—hoping that Javier never finds out.

'If he does… I'm doomed!'

And so, in the entirety of the Randalorion Kingdom, Javier Aditi's name resounds in the houses of the most powerful figures. They all tremble with great emotion when they speak his name, and when their imagination conjures his face, there is shaking.

Unbeknownst to the man, the eyes of the entire Kingdom are now on him, waiting…

… For what he will do next.

[A/N: Volume 2 officially begins now. Brace yourselves for impact, my friends… for this will be an even better (as well as longer) experience compared to Volume 1. We kick off with the First Arc… 'Post Leviathan Awakening/Academy Professor.' I hope you enjoy it!]

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