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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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Chapter 188: The Situation Changes Rapidly
Upon returning to base, I immediately called a meeting with my officers.
"That man is no ordinary player," Zizek finally spoke, clicking his tongue after maintaining his silence.
"To hold his own against you in conversation—now I understand why he's considered a heavyweight."
"He's unusually competent. We absolutely must bring him to our side."
"I'm surprised you both hold him in such high regard," Gareth remarked. "But after hearing everything, I can understand why."
"Agreed. Which brings me to my next point—" I looked at Rob, Gareth, and Zizek in turn.
"Huten is far more dangerous than I initially thought. I underestimated him, too focused on how he's been sniffing around our business and manipulating the third Young master of Grunewald."
"......!"
"He's someone we must eliminate—and now we have the perfect opportunity and justification."
This was a chance I couldn't afford to miss.
"If Huten refuses the Godfather's reprimand and triggers infighting, he'll be branded a traitor marked for execution. We'll side with the opposition and help take him down."
"Hah."
Despite the audacity of my plan—to interfere in the Bisakino Brotherhood's internal power struggle and eliminate one of their executives—neither Zizek, Gareth, nor Rob seemed particularly shocked.
"I already had an inkling of your ambitions, Boss," Gareth said.
"After witnessing your skills during the Krahel operation, I won't question this."
His tone carried the weight of a seasoned veteran, distinct from Zizek or Rob.
"I appreciate that. This way, not only do we remove Huten cleanly—" I laid out the bigger picture. "—but we also position ourselves to heavily influence the Bisakino Brotherhood's next Godfather."
"!"
"So we need to find and align with Huten's opposition. That'll let us tip the scales in our favor."
"Brilliant," Gareth murmured. "Just weeks ago, we were the ones under Huten's thumb. Now we're flipping the entire game in one move."
I nodded. "We owe Damien for this. Without him, we'd still be sitting idle, completely outmaneuvered."
If Huten was strong enough to kill an assassin from Svaltalfar, he had clearly been concealing his true strength. Even the Godfather might not be able to handle him.
And if the entire Bisakino Brotherhood falls into his hands?
That would spell serious trouble. We might have had to break away and form our own faction—completely derailing my plans.
"By siding with the Godfather, we'll earn merit. If this goes well, we could jump straight into the executive tier, elevating our group to Fourth rate overnight."
Zizek would instantly become a Bisakino Brotherhood executive. For a prodigy of the underworld, that position would be well-deserved.
"My thought? Better to back the Godfather's clear second-in-command than some half-baked contender. What do you think?"
"Sound logic," Zizek agreed. "His name is Nagan—the Godfather's most trusted lieutenant."
"What's he like?"
"Upright. We've crossed paths before."
I studied Zizek. "You think he's the right ally?"
"After hearing your plan, I can't imagine a better candidate."
"Good." I turned to Rob. "Send scouts to monitor Huten's movements."
If things escalate, it'll likely happen before tomorrow night.
Might have to stay in the underworld for a few days once this starts.
Before then, I needed to return to the annex and prepare an alibi for my absence.
***
Later, at the Annex
Peter arrived at dawn as scheduled.
"Young master!"
"Ah, Peter."
"When did you return?"
"A while ago." In truth, I had slipped back like the wind before daybreak and even managed a short nap.
"Any trouble last night?"
"None! Well—Colin was talking in his sleep violently. Woke me up."
"Your calm tone says it all." I nodded. "Fetch Olivier and Jeffrey. We have urgent matters."
Peter scurried off, tense.
***
Moments later
"You summoned us, my lord?"
"At ease." I waved lazily.
"Did you even sleep?" Jeffrey clicked his tongue.
"Perks of youth." I grinned.
"Speaking of—remember that Royal Guard from the Gemini escort mission? Taris?"
"Yes?"
"His instincts were sharp. Not sure if it was luck, but he almost sensed my presence."
"Oh?"
"I tried pranking him when I got back, and he immediately demanded who I was."
Jeffrey frowned. "That fool really said that?"
"Think he was just sleep-talking?"
"Fascinating interpretation." His reaction suggested Taris was a bit of an oddball.
"Anyway—the real issue."
"Yes?"
"There’s major movement in the underworld. I’ll be ‘away’ for a few days."
"Whaaat?!" Peter yelped. Olivier’s face stiffened.
"What could possibly warrant that?!" Jeffrey demanded.
"Relax. Questions? Raise your hands."
All three hands shot up.
"Already exhausted just looking at you."
Ignoring me, they exchanged glances before Olivier spoke first.
"What about your training sessions with Sir Venion?"
"Tell him I’m in seclusion for a ‘great enlightenment’ or something."
"So you’re leaving me to stall him." He sighed.
"With your silver tongue, it’ll be fine."
"Flattery won’t move me."
Heh. Maybe I’m weird—but when stoic types like Olivier deadpan jokes, it oddly lifts my mood.
"Alright, next. Let's hear what our attendant Peter has to ask."
Peter's eyes filled with concern as he spoke.
"It's not too dangerous, is it?"
"Probably a little dangerous. But I'm more worried about my subordinates getting hurt than myself."
"You mean that Zizek person, sir?"
"He's rough around the edges, but his heart's in the right place. I think he would've made a fine soldier."
I pointed at Jeffrey.
"In fact, he probably would've gotten along especially well with our squad leader Jeffrey here."
"Oh?"
Jeffrey's eyebrows twitched.
"Then this Zizek must be a rare breed—manly, handsome, and full of spirit."
"Let's go with that."
I brushed it off casually.
"No questions from you, Squad Leader Jeffrey? If not, that's fine."
"Nothing major."
Jeffrey spoke up.
"Just wondering what we should do in the meantime. If you have any instructions, we’ll follow them."
"...Hmm."
Hearing that made me realize I might have been neglecting them a bit.
"Sorry if this sounds obvious, but for now, I just need you all to hold your positions. Jeffrey, keep the annex secure and don’t slack on training."
"Understood. I’ve already been feeling motivated lately."
"Olivier, handle the annex’s management, miscellaneous affairs, communications, and coordination in my place. Oh, and go hassle that craftsman Baldun—ask him when my mother’s necklace will finally be done."
"I’ll make sure to press him firmly."
"And Peter..."
I scratched my cheek.
"Just keep the place clean and play nice with Julia."
"My duties suddenly feel very trivial."
"If you’ve got nothing to do, shadow Olivier and learn something."
"Yes, sir."
"And especially you two."
I pointed at Olivier and Jeffrey.
"I get why you might feel this way, but it’s not that I don’t trust you. In fact, it’s because I do trust you that I can leave things here and focus on underworld matters without worry."
Their expressions softened slightly, understanding my meaning.
"So don’t intervene—not yet."
"...Understood."
I smirked at Olivier’s reaction.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but if the day comes when I need the power of Clan Borgart, it won’t be now."
Sometimes, keeping a sword sheathed is better than drawing it.
Speaking of which...
I glanced at my three retainers and felt a slight awkwardness before speaking again.
"I suppose I haven’t explained enough. Let me briefly go over what’s happening tonight."
Cutting to the chase, I laid it out plainly.
"I’m intervening in the Bisakino Brotherhood’s internal conflict—killing Huten and elevating Zizek to executive."
"Whaaaat?!"
"Excuse me?!"
Their faces twisted in shock.
...Did I skip too many steps?
***
Meanwhile, in Duke Georg’s Office
"The underworld’s been unusually restless lately."
Duke Georg gazed at the city map of Grunewald with sunken, brooding eyes as he listened to Venion’s report.
"The Bisakino Brotherhood?"
They were the faction currently embroiled in the most internal strife.
"Yes. There’s an ominous tension between both sides. Huten has summoned all his faction’s executives."
"Hmm."
The implications were clear.
"This could shift the balance within the Bisakino Brotherhood—perhaps even among the Five Great Organizations."
"Agreed. Tonight’s air will likely reek of blood."
"Put the security guards and knights on high alert. If civilians are caught in the crossfire, we won’t stand idle."
"Well, they’re not fools—they won’t be reckless enough to give us an excuse—"
Venion shrugged.
"—but real combat is a series of unpredictable events. Who knows what might happen?"
There was no telling what blood-crazed underworld swordsmen might do. A stray blade could easily claim innocent lives.
"The situation’s escalating faster than expected."
The Duke’s voice was calm.
"I thought Huten would reveal his fangs much later."
"Young master Somerset’s incident likely accelerated things beyond expectations."
The fallout had led to the Agrippa clan’s assassination request, and Huten’s retaliatory provocation had pushed everything toward sudden ruin.
"In other words..."
A dry smile touched the Duke’s cold features.
"If we trace the cause, Allen is at the root of it all?"
"In a way, yes."
The Duke’s expression turned inscrutable. How much of this was intentional, and how much was mere chance?
"...For now, keep a close eye on tonight’s events."
"Understood."
"If things turn dire, act first and report later."
"Heh. Much appreciated."
"You have my permission to use force if necessary."
Venion’s expression shifted subtly at that.
"Are you certain?"
"I don’t take back my words."
There would be no reversal of this decision.
Venion grinned faintly and bowed.
"As you command."
"Also, handle the negotiations with Kailan Webern."
"Yes. I’ll report on that as well."
As the Duke nodded, Venion—about to rise—suddenly remembered something.
"Ah, but this means your plans to teach His Highness advanced martial arts will be delayed again, no?"
"A day or two won’t matter."
The Duke’s tone was indifferent.
"If it’s Allen, even a week’s notice would be enough."
"Well, that’s true, but..."
"Besides, you know this already."
Here, the Duke delivered a pointed remark.
"Allen will likely be busy these next few days too. Works out for both of us."
The words carried heavy implication.
***
Shortly After Venion’s Departure
Shortly after Venion left, Head Butler Aiden knocked on the Duke’s office door.
"Your Grace, it seems the Fourth Lady, Lusatia, has made up her mind."
The head butler reported.
"She will likely arrange a meeting with Young master Allenvert soon."
"......"
A ripple of tension crossed the Duke’s perpetually impassive face.
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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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