From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 227

Chapter 227 Who Really Runs Ravenridge?

Flanked

“Emma, you don’t need to carry all this weight on your own.” Elias noticed her tense expression and jumped in quickly, “Master’s already on his way, and the Levington patriarch isn’t far behind. With two top–tier Martial Sovereigns on our side, even the Umbral Court will think twice before doing anything stupid.”

Troy chimed in without hesitation, “Exactly. With my dad and Mr. Garland both stepping in personally, it’s hard to imagine anything slipping through the cracks tonight.”

Emma finally let out a slow breath. Just thinking about it made her feel a little steadier. They weren’t just sending backup–they were sending legends. Thaddeus was ranked 15th on the Astria Power Index, while her master, Yannick—better known as Spearstorm–held a dominant spot at seventh. With those two around, even the Umbral Court wouldn’t dare make a reckless

move.

Across town, in one of Eastvale’s high–end duplex apartments, a group of sharply dressed individuals sat around a table in heavy silence.

At the center sat an older man who clearly commanded the room. His iron ring, carved with the faint outline of a skull, glinted under the lights as he tapped the table slowly.

“Everyone accounted for?” His eyes moved to the man seated on his left.

“Yes. Mr. Ziegler. All the Twelve Talons are in position. We’re good to go the moment you say the word,” the man replied.

No sooner had he spoken than a younger man leaned forward, looking puzzled. His gaze flicked between the group and the man wearing the skull ring.

He asked, “Dad, I still don’t get it. With the kind of people we’ve got in the Umbral Court, why bring in all Twelve Talons for something like this? We’re talking about a celebrity, not a general.”

In the Umbral Court’s chain of command, the Six Wraiths stood at the top–cold–blooded, elite, and lethal. Just one of them showing up meant something—or someone–was getting wiped out. Right below them were the Twelve Talons, highly trained killers with spotless records. Each one held the rank of Elite Grandmaster and was feared throughout the Astria martial world.

When a mission was handed to a Talon, it never missed. They didn’t fail. Ever.

Which was exactly why the kid was struggling to understand. All twelve? Just to take out a famous actress? It didn’t add up.

The iron–ringed man, Norman Ziegler, turned to his son–Bruce Ziegler—with a look that was half disappointment, half warning. “How many times have I told you? You don’t take a job

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whom ligging in the details You don’t just look at the target–you look at who’s standing

Bruce finches, his expression sinking

Nurman continued, voice steady but firm. “The girl’s name is Maeve Reyne. She’s the younger daughter of the Glenwick Heynes”

He leaned back in his chair. “Her older sister? Emma Reyne?

Bruce blinked, his mind catching up. “Emma Reyne? You mean the one from Tri–Peak Sect? One of the Four Beauties?”

“That’s her his father confirmed. “She’s not just fumous for her looks. Emma is the brightest rising star in Tri–Peak Sect, already ranked among the Nine Geniuses. She’s more valuable to that sect than even their golden boy, Elias Sebastian. So, what do you think she’s going to do if we target her sister?”

Bruce didn’t have an answer.

His father went on, “It gets deeper. Maeve’s engaged to Troy–the patriarch’s eldest son of the Glenwick Levingtons. If something happens to her, they will jump in without hesitation.”

Bruce’s face paled. What he thought was a routine hit on a celebrity was actually a minefield. The Glenwick Levingtons alone were a force to be reckoned with in the martial world, led by none other than Thaddeus a full–blown Martial Sovereign. Throw Tri–Peak Sect into the mix, along with Yannick? That wasn’t a job. That was suicide,

Bruce finally spoke up. “So… why are we even doing this? It’s not worth the payout–not when the girl’s got the Glenwick Levingtons and Tri–Peak behind her. We’re basically poking two Martial Sovereigns in the eye. How is that a good idea?”

Even as he said it, Bruce couldn’t stop the thoughts spiraling in his head.

That bounty on the Court’s site–sure, it’s the biggest we’ve ever posted. But come on, we don’t take jobs for the cash Not really. Not when the price is going toe–to–toe with two of the most dangerous names on the Astria Power Inder. No gold makes that worth it.

And Dad knows all of this. He knows exactly who’s protecting Maeve… and he still took the job anyway.

None of it adds up. Not even close

His father gave a thin, chilling, smile, “You’re right. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t touch this job with a ten–foot pole.”

He leaned forward again, voice dropping slightly. “Thing is, this hit isn’t about the money. It’s not even about Maeve, She’s just the bait. The real target… is Yannick.”

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Bowce Winked uued Wal–core trying to lure our Yummit Why?

The thought for him hard that can’t be right. Dad may lead the timbral Court and is definitely povi Ai Ayota Marta Noviem

Case Agar tempore like Yannickr That’s not just raky That’s a death with even with all Twelve Torbay Acton Are

Mix bather modded slowly “Helax, Bruce. I’m not the one who’s going to fight him. The guy’s ranked seventh on the Astria Power Index I’m not stupid”

His tone was calm to calm. “The second he shows his bice, someone else will handle it”

“Wait–you

A chill instantly ran through Bruce’s chest. His eyes widened, then his voice shot up. “Wait don’t mean the Nix Wrath are here too!”

We

His father didn’t say a word. The look in his eyes said everything

Before Bruce could and again, a ghost like figure drifted through the open window. His bice was drawn and pale, his skin stretched right over his bones. It was the Marrow, one of the Twelve Talons

His voice was barely above a whisper, thin and hollow like wind through a grave. “I’ve got confirmation Vamicle’s left Ti–Peak Neet. He’s headed for Raveridge”

He paused. “Thaddeus is also on the move,”

Norman smiled, slowly running a finger along the edge of his ring. “Perfect. Both of them are walking into om trap.

His tone dropped, cold and deliberate, “Thaddeus? He’s irrelevant. Just a footnote. Yannick’s the real target

He paused for a beat. “I Thaddeus gets in the way, we’ll also take him down. This is the moment the Umbral Court rises again–loud enough for all of Astria to hear.”

A low murmur swept through the room. The energy shifted. Something big was coming, and

everyone knew it

The Umbral Court had been quiet for too long. People had started forgetting their names. That was about to change Taking down a Martial Sovereign would send shock waves through the entire Astria martial world and they knew it.

Around the room, the Twelve Talons exchanged looks. Their faces were hard, their eyes lit with fire. This wasn’t just another job. It was the chance they’d all been waiting for a shot at proving themselves against a true powerhouse.

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Chapter 22? Who Really Run Raventidge?

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19 Finished

Even if they couldn’t seal the kill, it didn’t matter. The Six Wraiths were already in place–silent, deadly, and far more terrifying than the stories said. If things went off track, the Six Wraiths would finish what the Twelve Talons started.

This was more than a mission. It was the Umbral Court’s moment to rise. If they pulled it off, the Umbral Court wouldn’t just be remembered–they’d be the name on everyone’s lips across Astria.

Norman snapped his fingers, the sharp crack bouncing off the walls. He went quiet for a second, eyes narrowed in thought–then his voice dropped low and firm. “No loose ends. Maeve and Yannick both need to go. Get in. Get out. No noise, no mess.”

Marrow scoffed from the corner. “Come on, Mr. Ziegler. With the strength we’ve got now, who cares if we stir things up? The authorities can’t do a d*mn thing to us. So why all the caution?”

Before he could say more, Norman whipped around and slammed his palm down on the table, causing splinters to fly as the wood cracked under the hit.

“Are you stupid? You really think I give a d*mn about the authorities?” he barked.

His voice cut through the room like a blade. “This has nothing to do with laws or rules. You’re missing the real question here–who actually owns Ravenridge?”

The room went silent.

Everyone stopped moving. Just one name flashed through everyone’s mind–the guy sitting at the very top of the Astria Power Index. Everyone was thinking it, but no one dared to say it.

Until finally, someone broke the silence. “Jeff Ashcroft?”

Send Gifts

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From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heit