Chronicles of Forgotten Extra - Chapter 294

Chapter 294: The Conspiracy [1]
Alden stood in the middle of the arena and only a few words came to mind.

“I’ll be damned.”

He had heard the rumors that this place was one of Jeremy Voidforge’s newest masterpieces but seeing it in person was something else entirely.

Calling it a masterpiece wasn’t an exaggeration.

From the outside, the arena looked massive and from the inside, it was colossal, at least two times larger than it should’ve been, expanded by Jeremy’s space-compression magic.

Countless teleportation portals glowed across the interior, each one distinct, while thousands of miniature drones hovered overhead, broadcasting live feeds onto enormous holographic screens that floated in the sky.

The audience seating formed a perfect ring around the main grounds, save for one side that housed rows of rooms and private accommodations for the participants.

The main Inter-Academy Tournament wouldn’t actually take place here.

This arena was just the broadcast hub in the centre of it all.

Each event field was elsewhere else entirely, across the specialized grounds that could only be reached through the portals glowing at the center.

Only the final match, the last competition, was going to be held here in this arena.

And still, people were gathered in groups, cheering like the tournament was going to happen right before their eyes.

Alden exhaled softly, looking at the crowd.

“Bunch of no-lifers,” he muttered under his breath. “Why even spend money to come here when you can see the same thing at home?”

He shook his head.

He had never understood the sophisticated logic of people who paid for noise, crowds and bad seating just to feel important.

With those thoughts, Alden headed toward the waiting room, doing his best to ignore the noise of the over-enthusiastic idiots who had shown up even for the initiation ceremony.

Soon, he stopped before a door bearing his name carved neatly into the plate.

He channeled a bit of mana through the knob and it unlocked instantly, recognizing his signature.

The door clicked open and he froze.

The last person he expected to see was standing inside.

Cipher.

That too without her disguise.

“Aren’t you supposed to be busy with work, Ms. Cypheria?” Alden whispered, voice carrying that usual edge of mischief.

But she didn’t bite. Her face was serious… too serious.

Something’s wrong.

He shut the door behind him immediately.

“What’s happening?” he asked, his tone low but steady.

Cipher studied him for a few seconds before speaking.

“Jeremy is planning something big.”

I knew it.

Alden had suspected it ever since Nyx appeared in that state and now Cipher’s words confirmed it.

But something still felt off.

Why tell me this now?

She had never shared anything about her missions or Jeremy before, so why the sudden trust?

The answer came before he could ask.

“He is using this grand Inter-Academy event as a distraction,” she continued quietly. “While everyone’s eyes are here, he is preparing to do something big back at the academy.”

A beat of silence.

“Our organization got word from a reliable source,” Cipher said, her voice tightening, “that demons are preparing to attack the academy.”

What the hell?

Something was definitely off about this.

He had known Jeremy long enough to understand one thing, the man didn’t make sloppy mistakes.

And why the hell would he attack the academy?

Jeremy’s target was supposed to be me, right?

None of this is making any sense…

…unless this is all a deception.

Is Jeremy planning to draw the powerhouses toward the academy only to make his real move here?

Or was he actually planning something at the academy itself?

Alden’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you telling me this now?”

Cipher’s expression twisted, her eyes dropping to the floor.

“There’s something off about everything, Alden,” she said quietly. “The organization’s been acting strange lately and the fact that they’re accepting all of this without a hint of doubt… It’s suspicious. Something is definitely wrong.”

Alden’s eyes widened.

From what he had seen, Cipher wasn’t the type to doubt the organization so, if even she was saying this, then it was definitely not him being paranoid.

That bastard Jeremy is definitely planning something.

But what should I do?

I mean, if he just wanted my body, I am sure that my skills wouldn’t let that happen but…

… from the way he is acting, he is planning something big.

“The organization ordered me to pull back effective immediately,”

Cipher said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I… I can’t stay here anymore. And from what I have seen, even the royal family or someone close to them might be involved.”

Alden froze.

Fuck.

This revelation closed off a lot of options.

He had been planning to ask the Emperor for help but with the possibility of the imperial family being involved… that path was gone.

He couldn’t even be sure he could trust the Emperor anymore.

It made sense, in a grim way.

In the long run, why would the Emperor side with someone like Alden?

Jeremy was stronger, more influential and if he offered something valuable enough, even loyalty could be bought.

Especially with something like that technique which could swap bodies.

Most people feared the inescapable and inevitable death… and if Jeremy’s really offered his methor which could bypass it… then greed was just a matter of time.

“Why are you telling me all of this?” he asked again because it still didn’t make any sense to him.

In Cipher’s eyes, he was just a student and a new member to the organization, promising but still weak enough to crush without having to put much efforts.

So why me?

Why share this with someone who shouldn’t even matter in this dangerous game between such powerful people?

What was she trying to achieve?

“I am nearly hundred percent sure that Jeremy won’t act until the last day of the competition, on the day of the finals.” Cipher said, her tone steady but tight.

She paused just for a moment.

“And to stop him at that moment… I need your help.”

Alden’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What kind of help are you talking about?” he asked, his voice calm and slightly guarded.

—

Author’s Note:

I know my update rate has been terrible and honestly, I’m not even sure how many of you are still reading this story. But for those who are, thank you. I haven’t given up on this book, and your support means more than you know. ❤️