Heiress Unmasked: Shaking the World With Geomancy novel Chapter 2389

Running wasn't an option either. No matter where Mordecai fled, Zidane always found him.

Every time, it ended the same way—a swift, violent takedown.

By the time Mordecai had been used as both free labor and a living punching bag long enough to wear down his legendary temper, something big happened in the underworld.

Zidane, still holding the title of Morvahn, took matters into his own hands and executed one of the Ten Tribunals of the Underworld—Chancellor Bairne, head of the Sixth Tribunal.

At that time, the Sovereign of the Underworld still ruled, and Zidane, for all his reputation, was officially just one tribunal among ten.

Even though he was highly respected and ranked among the ten, he was still equal in title to the others.

In spite of that, Zidane acted without permission. Why?

Because Chancellor Bairne had conspired with an evil master in the mortal realm, scheming to steal the destiny of a prophesied king. It was a theft that nearly collapsed an entire era of human civilization.

Everyone knew that the underworld didn't interfere in mortal affairs.

Yet Chancellor Bairne, one of the Ten Tribunals, had not only meddled but had audaciously sought to seize control over the succession of the mortal realm's throne. This was a grave transgression.

The victim of the stolen sovereign fate was none other than Mordecai.

With the injured party standing right before them, and Zidane having personally dealt with the matter, no one else dared to voice opposition.

It was only then that Mordecai understood why Zidane had insisted on keeping him close.

Long before discovering his sovereign fate had been usurped, Zidane had sensed something amiss. The sovereign fate, marked by the rare purple energy, was unlike any other.

It couldn't be easily taken by common mortals or spirits. Even if stolen, the underworld would inevitably detect the anomaly upon the sovereign's death.

Yet, the underworld had sensed nothing.

Had Mordecai not become a vengeful Ghost King, having slain a prized reaper and crossed paths with Zidane wandering the mortal realm, this dark secret might have remained buried.

The fact that such a massive cover-up was possible meant one thing: there was a traitor within the underworld itself.

Therefore, unlike how he treated other evil spirits—casting them into the depths of hell—Zidane didn't condemn Mordecai to such a fate.

"My Hall is full, but the Sixth Tribunal is missing its sovereign. You once bore the mark of a king—aim higher than this," Zidane said with a hint of frustration.

His tone was laced with both reprimand and reluctant expectation.

Mordecai had little interest in taking Chancellor Bairne's place. But Zidane insisted, so he accepted the role.

Over three centuries, he transformed from a tormented Ghost King burdened by sin into the rightful ruler of the Sixth Tribunal.

During that time, Zidane kept him close without reservation. He taught Mordecai the laws of the underworld, shared arcane secrets, drank with him, and dressed him in fine robes.

To Mordecai, Zidane was both a mentor and a friend. They had met, bonded, and eventually stood side by side, walking through a thousand years together.

Mordecai once believed this would last forever.

If not for the mass escape of a hundred thousand malice, which cost the life and soul of the Golden Dragon Guardian of Celestria, for the sacrifice of Elowen's divine soul…

And if he had not turned against Zidane… Things might have remained as they were.