CHAPTER 264: BLACK VAULT [ MASS RELEASE]

The air in the glass conference room buzzed with an electric energy, still shimmering faintly from Evolon’s breathtaking display.

Pulses of blue data-light danced across the crystalline walls, casting an ethereal glow over the awestruck faces of the Osborn family.

Silence enveloped them,not awkward or uncomfortable, but filled with reverence and disbelief.

Julian rested his fingers beneath his chin, his expression inscrutable. Margaret sat tall, her eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and astonishment.

Billy stared into space, lost in thought, while even Ashley,the family’s notorious prankster,sat frozen, her fingers twitching nervously against the table.

Arthur surveyed the room with a calm demeanor, hands resting on the sleek glass table that proudly displayed the gleaming Osborn Crest beneath it.

The soft hum of technology blended seamlessly with his steady stream of thoughts.

Finally breaking the silence was Philip, still recovering from what he had witnessed.

Clearing his throat, he spoke up: "Arthur... this vision is incredible! But to launch something on this scale? We’d need a capital influx that’s beyond imagination. Even with all of Osborn Holdings’ backing, our current budget barely scratches the surface for ten branches,let alone hundreds."

He paused to gauge their reactions before continuing. "Staffing will be a nightmare; infrastructure is crucial; technology and logistics must align; regional compliance is non-negotiable. This plan is....colossal."

A ripple of agreement swept through the room as nods echoed Philip’s concerns.

Ashley chimed in seriously for once: "We can’t just crash into Noctis like a meteor, remember, even meteors burn up on impact."

Julian added thoughtfully, "You’re asking us to conquer 30% of this continent’s financial system in under a year! The capital needed is astronomical!"

With measured resolve, Arthur folded his hands behind his back and turned toward Evolon. "Open the Black Vault. First Level."

A soft chime resonated as a new holographic projection materialized,a digital vault crafted from obsidian and gold slowly unlocked layer by layer until it revealed something astonishing: a bank account.

But these weren’t ordinary numbers; they flowed endlessly,thick clusters of zeros cascading down like an unstoppable waterfall of wealth.

Gasps erupted throughout the conference room as realization dawned upon them all at once.

Initially bewildered by what they saw on the holographic screen, they soon froze in place,astonished expressions plastered across their faces.

Ashley swallowed hard and stammered out loud enough for everyone to hear: "Big bro... I think I might faint."

Bella leaned forward cautiously, her lips forming words she could scarcely believe: "Is that... trillions? Or quadrillions?"

Arthur offered a faint smile. "Honestly? I stopped counting last year."

Evolon, still glowing a soft blue, let out a synthetic chuckle. "If it helps, I can confirm that yes, it’s in the quadrillions but don’t faint! I’d hate to waste processing power on medical intervention."

The room fell into an eerie silence at Evolon’s revelation. Oscar’s face went pale as if he had just seen a ghost.

William wiped invisible sweat from his brow, while Edward,ever the cool one,leaned back slowly as if his chair might vanish beneath him.

Billy clutched his chest, feeling his heart race like a war drum; he could almost hear each thump echoing in the tense air.

Ashley dramatically flopped across the glass table. "That’s it! I’m done! Just leave me here. You guys can go conquer the world while I stay home and be a lazy pig."

Laughter trickled through the room, breaking the tension like sunlight piercing clouds.

Charlotte shook her head in agreement but nodded numbly. "Same."

Olivia raised her hand halfway, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "If this is real... what’s the point of working ever again? Count me out; I don’t want to work anymore."

Arthur arched an eyebrow and frowned at Ashley and the others. "You all seem too spoiled and naive," he said with a hint of challenge in his voice.

"Looks like I need to teach you about reality." He cast them a fleeting glance before continuing,

"If I wanted to retire and live like a god, I could have done that long before any of you! Right now, we could all be lounging on vacation somewhere exotic."

"But money is just potential,it sits there, useless unless transformed into something greater," he explained passionately. "Do you know why our family almost went bankrupt?"

Ashley and Charlotte exchanged glances before Ashley ventured hesitantly, "Because we didn’t have money?"

Arthur shook his head with an amused smile. "Yes and no! Yes, because we lacked funds but no because that’s not the fundamental issue. The real reason we nearly went under was our lack of... legacy."

He began pacing around the table slowly as he spoke. "Money must be converted into power," he declared confidently. "Power reshapes nations; legacy redefines history! We’re not here for an easy life,we’re here to carve our names into history’s foundations! I want our family to dominate Panterra!"

He paused dramatically to meet everyone’s gaze head-on.

"You’re probably wondering if this is even possible,if we’re aiming too high or if we have what it takes to rise on the global stage," Arthur continued with fervor. "Good! Let me open your eyes."

With that statement, he turned around as glass walls shifted behind him to reveal three striking insignias: The Kingston Banking Dynasty, The Aldren Tech Consortium, and The Crimsonthorne Syndicate.

Arthur raised his hand slightly, and the screen zoomed in on each insignia, capturing everyone’s attention.

Curiosity sparked in their eyes as they leaned closer to the glass wall where images flickered to life.

"Let’s start with this one," Arthur said, pointing to the first emblem. "This is the Kingston Banking Dynasty. They control a staggering 42% of all high-tier banking infrastructure in the Eastern Sphere which is in the Crystalia Continent and the Eastern Sphere is in the eastern part of this continent,home to 168 countries! Just one signature from their Matriarch can send interest rates spiraling across all these nations. Imagine that power!"

He shifted his focus to another insignia. "Next up is the Aldrens. They dominate 70% of satellite development, AI weaponry, and cybernetic patents on the Solara Continent. When Aldren Industries drops a new product, it’s like an earthquake for competitors,it can wipe them out overnight!"

"And then we have the Crimsonthornes..." Arthur paused for effect, his tone darkening. "They’re not just players in wars; they manufacture them,like selling perfume! The chaos in the Noctis Continent? That’s largely thanks to them and their machinations in Varenya until I intervened."

Turning back to face his audience, he locked eyes with each person at the table.

"But here’s the kicker: every single one of these empires is built on a shaky foundation,power alone doesn’t endure." He let that sink in for a moment before continuing.

"But legacy... that’s what sets apart those who vanish from history and those who etch their names into it forever. Legacy ensures your great-great-grandchildren sit upon golden thrones while others kneel before them. Money fuels ambition, power serves as a tool but legacy? Legacy is what truly builds an empire."

The conference room fell silent once more,a silence heavy with realization.

Arthur’s voice softened slightly as he added, "That’s why we don’t chase trends or follow shadows; instead, we shape systems around us. Our goal is to become the axis around which everything revolves,that has been my mission so far and will continue to be as I unveil what comes next."

Julian snapped back into focus and nodded thoughtfully. "He’s right; even gold fades away but legacy endures."

Arthur’s tone shifted again,calm yet resolute: "From this moment forward, the Black Vault will serve as our war chest. Uncle Philip, you now possess one of the largest financial arsenals in modern history! Hire who you need, build what you must,if it means buying every inch of this continent’s soul to gain control, then so be it!"

Philip sat back for a moment,stunned yet invigorated and nodded vigorously. The ambition that once felt terrifying now seemed within reach.

Evolon chimed in with new projections: blueprints for microbanks, mobile finance units, and biometric cardless access systems flashed across the screen.

"Deployment protocols are locked and loaded. Full-spectrum market infiltration kicks off the moment you give the word."

Ashley leaned in, her eyes wide with disbelief."So... we’re not dreaming?"

Arthur finally raised the untouched glass of wine to his lips and took a slow sip, savoring the moment.

"No, Ashley. This is the real world. It just finally decided to play by our rules."

As he spoke, the vault’s projection shrank down to reveal a pulsing emblem hovering beside him,a symbol of their newfound power.

Billy remained silent, watching his brother with a mix of awe and disbelief.

All those months when he was kicked out of the family, struggling to pay rent, mocked by strangers who treated him like dirt,felt like a distant nightmare now.

And here stood Arthur, not just wealthy but powerful enough to change the very course of civilization itself.

For a fleeting moment, the glow from the Black Vault cast an imposing shadow behind Arthur,an almost regal silhouette stretching across the sleek glass conference room floor.

Legacy. Power. Family.

These were all that would endure.