The Necromancer whistled jauntily as he was escorted through stone corridors. The vampires that surrounded him watched warily, all on edge.


    His eyes wandered, taking in the security cameras covering every angle. Solomon was probably the only vampire in the city that did that, using the camera as a deterrent against attacks on his home.


    Mess with him in his own home and clips of you could find it''s way on the inte as leaked footage from some obscure production studio''s uing movie and before you know it, peacekeepers are banging on your door for breach of the Law of Secrecy, the strictestw of Vampire Society.


    No one wanted another Death Wave.


    The Necromancer''s slow, jaunty whistling sounded eerie as the sound echoed in the otherwise silent halls of the fortress, the sound of his footsteps, heightening the effect.


    The other vampires walked without making any sound like most vampires but the Necromancer was enjoying the reactions of his escorts too much to care.


    He moved with purpose, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow of death itself. For Solomon''s minion, the sight of the grand doors to his study was a wee relief.


    They let him in alone, following Solomon''s instruction. The man was already awaiting his presence.


    Solomon sat behind his desk, his long fingers tracing the edges of a map spread before him, eyes scanning over various notes and ns. From what the Necromancer could see, it didn''t look like a map of First City.


    Solomon lifted his gaze slowly from the papers when the Necromancer entered, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. He put away the notes and map and addressed the Necromancer.


    "You must be the neer I''ve heard so much about. The Necromancer, was it?"


    "Yes, Count." The Necromancer gave a mboyant bow. "I am he."


    "I see. And I assume you''re not here for just an introduction, Necromancer? Because there''s no surer way of wasting my time and earning my ire." Solomon said, leaning back in his chair, his voice calm yetmanding. "I assume this is important."


    The Necromancer allowed a slow smile to curl his lips, even as his eyes betrayed nothing. "Of course. I bring news, information you will find... advantageous."


    "About who?" Solomon asked.


    "It concerns dimir." The Necromancer answered.


    "Let me guess." Solomon drawled, amusement in his tone. "You worked for dimir and he promised you something but now that he''s deviating, from the path he once adhered to, you''re here to spill the beans and use me to get him out of your way?"


    The Necromancer didn''t say a word. He hadn''t expected Solomon to be this direct.


    "What is it with betraying Subjects these days? Makes one wonder." Solomon gesturedzily at the Necromancer. "Go on. Tell me what that snake has been up to. Tell me whatever secret you think is big enough to drag dimir down."


    The Necromancer nodded and stepped closer, his voice dropping slightly, as though sharing a well-kept secret.


    "I''m sure you''ve noticed something curious as ofte. dimir has stopped his aggressive movements. He''s left the war alone, choosing not to interfere despite the opportunities. While that isn''t out of character, I found the waiting around odd, especially given the resources at stake."


    Solomon''s interest piqued at the mention of dimir''s hesitation. "Go on."


    "dimir," the Necromancer continued, "has been hiding a rather… significant problem."


    "Get to the point." Solomon snapped, his eyes flicking to the map he''did aside.


    "Apologies." The Necromancer bowed slightly, a bit dramatic. "The truth is, dimir has lost everything. His wealth, his investments. Everyst coin."


    Solomon''s eyebrows rose at his words.


    "He sank it all into digital currencies, specting on high returns. But it crumbled beneath him. He''s a paper lion now, Count. A predator without teeth."


    A cold silence settled in the room at his words. Solomon''s eyes narrowed, his sharp mind already spinning the possibilities this information opened up.


    The Necromancer didn''t stop there. "dimir''s empire is nothing more than an illusion now. He might appear strong, but he''spletely bankrupt. He can barely afford to fund his operations, let alone join a full-scale war. Everything he''s showing the world is a carefully curated facade, and that facade is crumbling with every second that passes."


    Solomon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his fingers steepling in front of him. "You have evidence of this?" He asked, his voice low, but there was no hiding the interest gleaming in his eyes.


    "Of course." the Necromancer said smoothly, producing a few papers from within his cloak andying them on the desk. "Detailed ounts of his financial ruin. His entire empire is about to copse under the weight of its own debts. He''s been borrowing from sources he can no longer repay. And when those debtse due…"


    Solomon''s fingers brushed the papers lightly, his eyes scanning the records with the speed of someone used to reading through information for weaknesses.


    The more he read, the more a dark grin spread across his face. "So, he''s been ying the role of the mighty Count while drowning in his own failure. How fitting."


    The Necromancer smiled, satisfied that his information had hit its mark. "It means he can''t join the war, Solomon. He can''t even afford to defend his own territories if ites to that."


    By pitting Solomon and dimir against each other, he''ll be able to focus on Ezra without having to face dimir''s wrath. The man might be financially ruined but he was still a powerful vampire.


    Solomon set the papers down and looked up at the Necromancer. "And what do you suggest I do with this knowledge, Necromancer?"


    "Simple." The Necromancer replied, his eyes glinting with anticipation. He''d never expected to be asked this but he''d answer anyways. It''d be much better if he could get even more people to know about this without dimir being able to link it to him.


    "Spread the word." He told Solomon. "Let everyone know dimir is broke. Watch as his allies desert him, his Subjects lose faith. He''ll be forced into a corner, desperate and without any support. That''s when you strike."


    Solomon considered the suggestion, leaning back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. "If word gets out, his entire house of cards will copse. The territory he controls will be ripe for the taking. But..."


    The Necromancer raised an eyebrow. "But?" What was Solomon thinking now? He had to admit that he''de unprepared. He hadn''t done his due diligence and had just bet on Solomon''s greed. What if Solomon had different things in mind?


    Solomon''s smile widened as he regarded the Necromancer. "But there''s still more to gain. If I push him to the brink, I can force him to turn on Yuri or sell out his remaining power to me in exchange for protection. It''s a matter of timing."


    Solomon raised a brow. "That isn''t what you have in mind, is it?"


    The Necromancer bowed grandly, keeping his irritation off his face. "Who am I to dictate what you do with the information I''m giving? I''m sure you''ll find the right way to exploit it, whatever it is."


    "But let''s not forget, Count. dimir is dangerous when desperate. He may not have resources, but he still has influence. y it too slow, and he might slip through your fingers. Sometimes, the fast and decisive strike is much better than the slow and subtle strike."


    Solomon''s grin remained, his eyes calcting. "I''m well aware. But what if this is the opportunity I''ve been waiting for? What will you do, Necromancer?"


    The Necromancer stood, silent. Something had changed with the man. This was not the Solomon he gathered information on. The Solomon his intelligence reports spoke of was a man who wouldn''t hesitate to exploit this weakness. He wouldn''t show any mercy at all.


    "If dimir''s empire falls apart, I''ll have the leverage I need to crush him. His weakness is my gain. All I need to do is wait. If Yuri and I get a ceasefire, dimir will crumble. I have no reason to strike hard and fast, do I?"


    The Necromancer clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. He needed dimir distracted, not with all the time he needed to hunt him down.


    "Don''t think about taking this information to Yuri either." Solomon grinned. "She''ll do the same thing I''m doing. She has no reason to attack dimir. Out of the three Counts, she''s the one who wants war the least."


    For a moment, the two vampires simply exchanged a look, both knowing that this new information in Solomon''s hands had shifted the bnce of power in the city.


    The Necromancer had delivered a valuable tool, but both men knew there was no loyalty in their arrangement. This was a transaction, one that was looking like it would benefit only one party.


    The Necromancer inclined his head slightly, regreting his decision to hand dimir''s weakness to Solomon but keeping his face nk of all expressions. "I see." He said. "I guess it''s time to take my leave."


    As he turned to leave, Solomon called after him. "Why betray dimir now?"


    The Necromancer paused at the door, ncing over his shoulder. Solomon had an insufferable smirk on his face like he held the world in the palm of his hands.


    "Because he''s not the only one who understands the value of ying both sides." The Necromancer said. "I prefer to back the winning horse. But I just realized that I''m not the best of gamblers."


    With that, he left the room, leaving Solomon alone with his thoughts. With the Necromancer escorted out, the fortress was quiet, with Solomon''s fingers drumming against the desk once more.


    dimir''s empire was a paper lion, as the Necromancer had so aptly put it. The only question that remained was how quickly it would burn, and who would light the match.


    Smiling to himself, Solomon stood, his maps abandoned for now. He''d been having a string of goodlucktely. First, Ivo and Armand''s deal. Then, the vision of the key to the throne. And now, dimir''s weakness.


    If things continue like this, he''d be king in no time.