c19: Cracks in the Crown

The attacks did not stop.

If anything, they became worse.

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Over the next three days, incidents erupted across Yggdrasil.

A warehouse burned.

A guard patrol vanished.

A merchant convoy was ambushed.

Two city officials were found dead inside their homes.

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The city grew restless.

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Rumors spread faster than the truth.

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Demons.

Cultists.

Assassins.

Corrupt nobles.

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Every citizen seemed to have a different explanation.

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What they shared was fear.

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And fear always demanded answers.

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Kai sat inside a tavern near the central district.

The room buzzed with conversation.

Almost every table discussed the same topic.

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"The king has lost control."

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"I heard demons are living beneath the city."

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"My cousin says soldiers are disappearing."

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"The military should take over."

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Kai frowned.

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That last one caught his attention.

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The speaker wasn't even whispering.

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Others around him nodded.

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Andre leaned back in his chair.

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"See?"

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"What?"

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