Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 348: The Reality of the Betrayal.

"Several families were involved—the Ashencrofts, the Draketowers, even some members of the Gilderhavens. They coordinated with demon forces to ensure Regulus would face impossible odds."

Arthur watched Jasmine's face throughout Nikolas's performance. Her golden eyes grew wider with each word, recognition and horror warring in her expression.

This is the story her mother told her. The version she's believed her entire life.

"They poisoned the air in the battle arena," Nikolas continued, his voice heavy with false regret. "Made sure even if he won the fight, the toxins would claim him slowly."

"But you said he died on the battlefield," Elara protested weakly.

"His mind did." Nikolas knelt beside her chair, taking her hand in his.

"The poison damaged his memories, his ability to recognise even those he loved most. In every way that mattered, they succeeded in killing him."

'She believes every word...' Arthur frowned.

Elara's free hand moved to her stomach, protecting the child she carried. "I will talk to my dad...they can't escape from this."

Nikolas shook his head.

"Elara...Don't tell him now. It's too early, although I have evidence, it's certainly not enough to prove that they had committed the crime."

"I need stronger evidence, otherwise...Your dad will throw me under the bus in case things go wrong. The noble families aren't weak, the four elite families are behind him, perhaps, if the four elite families gather together against the crown...it will be trouble."

"But-"

Elara was interrupted before she could finish.

"Elara, just focus on the baby inside your tummy. Let me handle this for now...I will make sure the answer satisfies you."

The vision began to fade, but Arthur could see enough.

Nikolas comforting the grieving princess.

Positioning himself as a protector and avenger. Weaving lies that would shape a generation's understanding of what had truly happened.

As the chamber returned to its state, Jasmine staggered backwards, her face pale with shock and disbelief.

"This was what my mother told me," she whispered, her voice breaking. "

The story she raised me on. The reason I've spent my entire life planning revenge against the noble houses."

Her grip on the legendary staff tightened until her knuckles went white.

"It turns out it was him. He was the one who orchestrated everything. It wasn't the nobles at all..." Her voice cracked completely.

"I've been hunting the wrong enemies."

Arthur moved to her side, his voice wrapping around her like a protective embrace.

"Jasmine..."

"He poisoned my father's mind," Jasmine continued, tears streaming down her face.

"Made him forget everything—forget love, forget purpose, forget me before I was even born."

The revelations of the scenes crashed over her like a tsunami. Everything she'd believed about her father's death, everything her mother had told her, had been lies crafted by the true betrayer.

And he's still out there. Still playing his games.

The chamber shifted once more, the scene changing as another memory surfaced from the depths of Regulus's protected legacy.

This time, Princess Elara stood in what appeared to be a private study, scrolls and documents scattered across an ornate desk. Her face had changed—gone was the grief-stricken widow.

Her face now looked grim, angry and shocked.

Nikolas stood before her, his expression carefully neutral as she fixed him with a stare that could freeze blood.

"Nikolas...Do you understand the gravity of what you are saying?"

Each word rose in volume and intensity until the final syllable rang through the chamber like a battle cry.

Nikolas's face remained unchanged. Not a flicker of emotion disturbed his mask of concerned friendship.

"Yes, I know that you can't believe what I'm saying...but this is the truth, Elara."

His voice carried perfect regret, masterfully crafted sorrow. "Whether you want to accept it or not... your family had a hand in your husband's death."

"Impossible!"

Elara shook her head, her golden hair whipping around her shoulders. The very suggestion seemed to physically pain her.

She can't believe it. Won't believe it.

But Arthur could see the seeds of doubt taking root. Nikolas had spent years positioning himself as her only source of truth, her sole confidant in a world that had already betrayed her once.

"I understand that it's hard to take in," Nikolas continued, his tone perfectly pitched between sympathy and regret. "Betrayal from those close to you... hurts the most."

He moved closer, close enough that his presence became comforting rather than threatening.

"But it's really the truth. If you don't believe me..."

He paused, letting the silence stretch until she was hanging on his next words.

"Go to your father. Ask him a single question."

"What?" Elara's voice cracked.

"Ask him when he will avenge the prodigy of the human realm, Regulus, the youngest Archmage in history."

Nikolas's smile was gentle, understanding. Completely at odds with the poison he was injecting into her heart.

"I'll tell you the answer now... It's never. Because your father wanted Alaric to be king of the kingdom. With Regulus coming into the picture, things became... difficult."

No. No, he's not—

Elara's eyes widened, pupils dilating with the shock of understanding. Or what she believed was understanding.

Arthur felt Jasmine's hand tighten in his as they watched her mother's world crumble for the second time.

This is how he broke her. One carefully placed suggestion at a time, the kingdom was in chaos. Of course, the king will say no...but will Elara notice?

It was easy to come up with conclusions and say that it's an obvious plot against her. But in Elara's shoes, the information came from somebody she trusted.

The scene dissolved, colours bleeding together before reforming outside the massive throne room doors.

'That's the castle of Caldera...' Arthur thought.

Elara stood alone in the corridor, her head bowed and eyes hollow as if she'd heard and witnessed the worst thing possible.

Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.

She went to her father. Asked the question.

Arthur could imagine the conversation. The king, focused on stabilising his kingdom after a devastating war, was unable to promise immediate vengeance against powerful noble houses.