District 1 was divided into five large sectors and additional outlying areas. Including the elders overseeing the east, west, south, north, and central sectors, along with those managing the borders, their number easily exceeded thirty. Most of them were connected by blood to the sector leaders. As a result, although the caste system in District 1 had long been abolished, they were still able to live as unofficial nobles. Of course, even their positions now teetered like candles flickering in the wind.
“Why do they keep summoning us back and forth like this?”
At the western elder’s grumbling, those following behind him exchanged uneasy glances. Though they had not yet reached the drawing room, this was undeniably the central elder’s residence. In a place where ears could be lurking anywhere, they had to decide—would they side with the complaining western elder, or align themselves with the central elder? Having swiftly weighed their options, one by one, they began to add their voices.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Dropping everything at a moment’s notice to come here isn’t easy.”
“The central elder must think we have nothing better to do.”
“It took me an entire day just to get here. This is too much.”
Realizing that he wielded more power than an old man on the verge of retirement, the western elder smirked in satisfaction. As they walked down the long corridor leading to the drawing room, their complaints showed no sign of stopping.
“Welcome.”
As they stepped inside, the central elder greeted them warmly. Those who had been full of grievances just moments ago quickly changed their expressions and politely thanked the elder for inviting them into his residence.
“Apologies for our lateness.”
“No matter. Come inside.”
With the arrival of the eastern elder, all the elders had finally gathered in the central elder’s drawing room. The elders, who had been chatting in small clusters, began lowering their voices and exchanging cautious glances. It was now time to discuss the true reason for this gathering.
“What exactly is the reason you called us here today?”
The southern elder voiced the question everyone had been waiting for. The central elder, who had been reclining leisurely, raised a hand as if to signal patience.
“One more person has yet to arrive.”
“Aren’t we all here?”
“Just wait. They will be here soon.”
As soon as the central elder finished speaking, there was a knock at the door of the drawing room. All eyes turned toward it.
The door creaked open cautiously, and the figure standing beyond stepped inside. At the sight of the completely unexpected guest, the elders fell into stunned silence.
“Welcome, Lord Jeremy.”
“Thank you for inviting me.”
Exchanging brief greetings with the central elder, Jeremy then turned his gaze to the elders, who were still frozen in shock. Though he bore a resemblance to the master of the district, his faded coloring rendered him a useless Shining in their eyes.
“Why are you looking at me like that? As if you disapprove of my summoning you here.”
“No, not at all. We were simply taken by surprise.”
Sensing the tense atmosphere, the eastern elder smoothly defused the situation. The others, after gauging the room, quickly followed suit, pretending to be exceedingly pleased by Jeremy’s presence.
“In any case, Lord Jeremy, what business do you have with us?”
“I called you here because I have something to say. Isn’t that obvious?”
Jeremy, who looked identical to Joshua but was ostracized for his diluted coloring, had long known that the elders did not welcome him.
A Shining who isn’t even considered a candidate for district leader dares to summon us? They were surely thinking such insolent thoughts. The caste system had been abolished ages ago, yet they still clung to the remnants of a world that had already crumbled.
“And what exactly is it that you wish to tell us?”
“It’s nothing much, really. Just something I know that might be useful to you.”
Effortlessly capturing the elders’ attention, Jeremy relayed what he had heard from Joshua—the identity of the person hidden within Vincent Shining’s bedroom.
The revelation that Vincent’s treasured secret lover was not only a man but also an Omega sent the elders into a fury, and just as Jeremy had intended, the situation began to unfold smoothly in his favor.
“So he was born from an Omega after all. I suppose blood really doesn’t lie.”
“I already found the idea of him taking a mate absurd, but a male Omega? Does that even make sense?”
“We must put a stop to this. Shouldn’t we go to the district master immediately?”
The outraged elders quickly reached a consensus and were about to storm out to find the master of the district. Just as they moved toward the door, Jeremy spoke again, a sly suggestion slipping from his lips.
“But what if my father doesn’t believe you? Wouldn’t it be better to bring the Omega with you?”
Everyone knew how deeply the district master favored Vincent Shining. Vincent was entrusted with handling all major affairs of the district, a testament to the level of trust placed in him.
If they went without proof and the district master refused to believe them, the situation could turn disastrous. For their own safety, it would be wiser to present tangible evidence. However, the problem was that their target was none other than the Mad Dog of the district.
“No need to worry. Vincent isn’t home right now. As for the people inside the mansion, I’ll take care of making sure they keep their mouths shut. All you need to do is silence the guards stationed at Vincent’s bedroom door. Then everything will go perfectly, wouldn’t it?”
Noticing their hesitation, Jeremy reassured them. If Vincent were to return from this investigation with any meaningful results related to ‘Night,’ they would no longer be able to reverse the situation.
They had to persuade the district master before that happened.
They had to make him see—Vincent Shining wasn’t just hiding an Omega. He was planning to take him as his one and only mate. The very thing the district master loathed above all else.
The district master, known for his deep-seated hatred of Omegas, would surely take their side. The elders were confident of this. But Jeremy thought differently.
There was a strong possibility that the district master already knew that the person Vincent intended to take as his mate was an Omega. After all, it would have been nearly impossible to obtain permission for marriage while hiding such a fact.
That was why he had stopped Joshua from rushing straight to his father. Instead, he proposed another way to overturn the situation. Of course, Joshua resisted, but in the end, Jeremy managed to persuade him.
Jeremy wanted chaos. Not just a disturbance within the mansion, but a massive uproar that would spread across the entire district.
To achieve that, he needed people who were both loose-lipped and influential—those who were loud and prone to gossip yet held enough sway to make an impact. The elders were the perfect candidates for the job.
See? They’re moving exactly as I intended.
“I believe Lord Jeremy is right.”
“It’s always better to be thorough before taking action. It puts the mind at ease.”
“I agree. If we have solid proof, the district master will have no choice but to believe us.”
The situation was unfolding precisely as Jeremy had planned. Through the elders, the rumor needed to spread: Vincent Shining isn’t just hiding an Omega—he intends to take him as his mate.
Once that happened, the backlash from the Omega-hating citizens of the district would be overwhelming. Even the reckless and self-righteous district master would have no choice but to reconsider his decision.
The man who had personally driven out the Omegas now intended to recognize one as the mate of the next district leader? The noble district master was not someone who could tolerate such hypocrisy.
The elders were already on their side. Now, all that remained was public opinion. No matter how many achievements Vincent Shining had under his belt, they had to ensure that the entire district turned against him.
Once he became the district leader, it would be too late. Overturning an already established decision would require far too many sacrifices.
In the end, he just doesn’t want to “separate” from me.
Arrogant Joshua. You’re not the one controlling this situation—I am. I’m the one making you district leader.
Jeremy scoffed internally at his ignorant brother. Not that he let it show on his face.
“But how are we supposed to identify the Omega?”
The elders were all ordinary people. The only ones capable of sensing Omega pheromones were others of their kind—those of the new human race.
If the Omega were in heat, it would be obvious. But if not, there was no way to distinguish him from an ordinary person. The elders, now murmuring with uncertainty, fell silent as Jeremy approached and pulled something from his coat.
“That’s why I came prepared.”
What Jeremy had brought was Estrus Incense, a substance used by the district’s search teams. It had no effect on ordinary people or even fellow Alphas. It was designed solely to expose Omegas.
An Omega exposed to the incense would be forced into a sudden heat, consumed by uncontrollable arousal and fever, leaving them utterly defenseless. With this, even ordinary people would have no trouble identifying the Omega.
Handing the Estrus Incense to the elders, Jeremy turned to glance at the central elder, who had remained silent throughout the entire discussion. Though they had agreed to work together, the old man’s thoughts were difficult to read.
At the very least, Jeremy assumed they shared the same goal. After all, the central elder wouldn’t want Vincent Shining to become district leader and take his position away.
And so, armed with the means to uncover the Omega, the elders stormed Vincent Shining’s bedroom.
As expected, the mansion was thrown into complete chaos, and everything unfolded just as Jeremy had planned.
