![MIRAGE [Fantasy–Mystery–Thriller–Tactics]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalroadcdn.com%2Fpublic%2Fcovers-large%2F151561-mirage-fantasy-mystery-thriller-tactics.jpg%3Ftime%3D1781030766&w=640&q=75)
by Hairless Old Dog
"Where does humanity hide its most tedious creation? In the deepest abyss, or beyond the highest mountains? No. It hides within you." What should have been a simple, routine investigation takes a darker turn when Captain Elios uncovers something unbelievable instead. From that moment on, he is pulled into a web of lies, shifting loyalties, and buried history. An ancient secret powerful enough to shake all seven kingdoms starts to unfold. And surely, someone is willing to kill to control it. Allies become enemies, and vice versa. The closer Elios gets to the truth, the more the world itself seems to resist it. Because sometimes, things were buried for a reason. +A fantasy setting, but closer to The Witcher than Tolkien-style high fantasy. Magic exists, though maybe not in the way you expect. +Grounded, competent characters. Even a rando can have smart moments. +A balanced mix of atmosphere, action, and exposition. Lore matters. Details matter. Politics matters. Best read in one sitting. *Based on reviewers’ experience, you’ll know whether this story is for you by Chapter 2—The Cavern. [ START READING ] *Copyright © 2026 by [Conkingdom] I publish on RoyalRoad under the username Hairless Old Dog, but my author name and copyright name is Conkingdom.
| # | Title | Words |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapter 1—The Unexpected Mission—Part II | 0 |
| 2 | Chapter 2—The Cavern—Part I | 0 |
| 3 | Chapter 4—The Stranger—Part I | 0 |
| 4 | Chapter 4—The Stranger—Part III | 0 |
| 5 | Chapter 2—The Cavern—Part II | 0 |
| 6 | Chapter 5—A Ride Through Mist—Part I | 0 |
| 7 | Chapter 5—A Ride Through Mist—Part II | 0 |
| 8 | Chapter 6—An Unwilling Pact—Part I | 0 |
| 9 | Chapter 6—An Unwilling Pact—Part II | 0 |
| 10 | Chapter 8—The Tower—Part I | 0 |
| 11 | Chapter 8—The Tower—Part II | 0 |
| 12 | Chapter 9—Viltar—Part I | 0 |
| 13 | Chapter 9—Viltar—Part II | 0 |
| 14 | Chapter 10—Nightfall—Part I | 0 |
| 15 | Chapter 10—Nightfall—Part II | 0 |
| 16 | Chapter 11—It Stares Back—Part I | 0 |
| 17 | Chapter 11—It Stares Back—Part II | 0 |
| 18 | Chapter 12—Coarse Clothes Iron Staff—Part I | 0 |
| 19 | Chapter 12—Coarse Clothes Iron Staff—Part II | 0 |
| 20 | Chapter 13—Rat | 0 |
| 21 | Chapter 14—Up—Part I | 0 |
| 22 | Chapter 14—Up—Part II | 0 |
| 23 | Chapter 15—Down | 0 |
| 24 | Chapter 4—The Stranger—Part II | 0 |
| 25 | Chapter 16—Tick Tock | 0 |
| 26 | Chapter 17—Plummet | 0 |
| 27 | Chapter 3—Black | 0 |
| 28 | Chapter 18—Before Dawn | 0 |
| 29 | Chapter 7—Exile | 0 |
| 30 | Chapter 19—Dawn. | 0 |
| 31 | Chapter 20—Venomous Bite | 0 |
| 32 | Chapter 21—Morning Meeting—Part I | 0 |
| 33 | Chapter 21—Morning Meeting—Part II | 0 |
| 34 | Chapter 22—Departed | 0 |
| 35 | Chapter 23—Fox | 0 |
| 36 | Chapter 24—Rain | 0 |
| 37 | Chapter 25—And Blood | 0 |
| 38 | Chapter 8—The Tower—Part III | 0 |
| 39 | Chapter 26—Blackfield | 0 |
| 40 | Chapter 27—The Restless Dead—Part I | 0 |
| 41 | Chapter 27—The Restless Dead—Part II | 0 |
| 42 | Chapter 27—The Restless Dead—Part III | 0 |
| 43 | Chapter 28—Wanted | 0 |
| 44 | Chapter 1—The Unexpected Mission—Part I | 0 |
| 45 | Chapter 29—Tears | 0 |
| 46 | Chapter 30—Heron—Part I | 0 |
| 47 | Mirage | 0 |
