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## Chapter Seven: Baron Vitus: The Hidden Web
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John returned to the Royal Court, but he was no longer the same. He no longer apologized for his absence; instead, his presence became subtle, almost invisible. Liam rarely saw him, and rumors began to spread about John's sudden disappearances at times, or about his strange change in behavior.
At the Royal Academy, John continued his intensive studies, but his focus was no longer on the regular curriculum. He devoured ancient books on dark magic, spiritual entities, ancient names of demons, and anything that could shed light on the **"Possessed Shadow."** Kael would sometimes appear to him in unexpected places, whispering information or correcting his mistakes in tracking the "Shadow's Imprints."
"The Mark you see in the darkness," Kael once said, as they observed a corrupt nobleman in the banquet hall, "is not just a sign of corruption; it is a gateway. A gateway used by the 'Inciter' to feed the 'Possessed Shadow' with dark energy, distorting its original purpose."
"So, the 'Possessed Shadow' isn't inherently evil?" John asked.
"Not entirely," Kael replied. "It was a protector. A force that appears when the kingdom's balance is corrupted. But the 'Inciter' has altered its settings, so to speak. He transformed it from a defensive force into a blind killing machine, targeting the corrupt in a brutal manner, serving his own agenda."
The visions John saw during the "Possessed Shadow's" control became clearer. He began to recognize familiar faces among the "Shadow's" victims—faces of noblemen and women known for their corruption and involvement in conspiracies. The "Shadow" was killing these individuals, not out of personal revenge, but to cleanse the kingdom of the corruption that had begun to spread through the court's veins.
One night, as John was sneaking through the palace's hidden passages to return to his room, he heard faint voices coming from one of the abandoned chambers. It was a room rarely used. John crept cautiously, using everything Kael had taught him.
Through a small crack in the door, he saw Baron Vitus. But he wasn't alone. He was sitting at a table with a large map of the kingdom, and with him was another man, masked, dressed in dark clothes. There were strange symbols engraved on the table, and mysterious rituals being performed in the dark.
"The Night Killer is performing his task brilliantly," the Baron said in a low voice. "Eliminating those scourges that have begun to threaten our plans. John was an excellent choice. A perfect vessel."
"But the Knight of Light is getting closer," the masked man replied in a hoarse voice. "And John's control over the Shadow is increasing. He's starting to see."
Baron Vitus smiled coldly. "Don't worry about the Knight of Light. He's just another pawn in this grand game. As for John... his increasing awareness will only serve him if he knows the full truth. And the truth... is that this reincarnation was set up a long time ago. The 'Shadow Hunter' appears when it's time to reshape the kingdom. And the 'Possessed Shadow' is merely a tool to remove obstacles."
John was stunned. "Shadow Hunter"? Was he himself merely a tool in the Baron's hand? Was everything that had happened to him, all this torment, part of a larger plan?
"We have altered the Shadow's core memory," the Baron continued. "We made it see these corrupt individuals as absolute enemies, as a virus that must be eradicated. And that's what it's doing. It serves our purpose excellently."
"What about Kael?" the masked man asked. "He's interfering. He's trying to restore the balance."
Baron Vitus frowned. "Kael is annoying. But he won't be able to change what has been written. 'Taming the Hidden Star' isn't enough to counter the true power we control. We have sown the seeds of doubt and turmoil in him. And the more John tries to control the Shadow, the closer he will get to madness, or he will fall completely under our control."
John retreated silently, avoiding making any sound. These words were like a lightning bolt. Baron Vitus was not only the "Inciter" but the mastermind behind everything. He had manipulated fate, transformed the "Possessed Shadow" from a protector into a weapon in his hand, and sown chaos to serve his hidden agenda. Most disturbingly, he was planning something even bigger, something related to "reshaping the kingdom."
John left the room, feeling a strange coldness in his bones. The web of conspiracies was deeper than he had imagined. Kael was right. Baron Vitus was far more dangerous than just a corrupt nobleman. He was a dark force, manipulating destiny and using humans as tools.
Now, John's mission was no longer just to tame the "Possessed Shadow," but to uncover Baron Vitus's secrets and stop his sinister plans that threatened the entire kingdom.