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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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Chapter 192: Vengeance and Succession
The abandoned members of the organization, left behind by Caleb, were captured without resistance.
"Walk straight, you worthless bastards."
"Damn mutts."
"How dare you betray the Godfather? You're all dead men."
As the prisoners were dragged away, each receiving a firm smack to the back of their heads, I turned to Zizek.
"You've been through a lot."
"You too, Boss."
"Drop the 'Boss' crap right now."
"Huh?"
"You're the one who needs to take the lead. I'm not even part of this organization's lineage, but you—even if you were just a minor faction leader—were still a leader. You should be the one negotiating with Nagan."
Zizek flinched.
"W-Wait, but still—"
"I can't reveal my identity right now. If I expose myself and join hands with them, it's something that should be discussed behind closed doors."
"You called me a puppet leader before," Zizek grumbled.
"Listen carefully. From now on, you'll act like person who's been hiding his true strength."
From an outsider's perspective, it wasn't even a stretch to believe.
Since meeting me, Zizek has skyrocketed to the Fourth tier in a short time.
Not to mention his swordsmanship, once unrefined, had improved beyond comparison. Overall, his combat ability had risen by at least three tiers.
"And I'll be your mysterious, powerful ally. Think of me as a reclusive master from the underworld who stepped in to help you due to some past connection. You get the idea?"
"Got it."
"That's the only way your 'hidden strength' act will hold up."
"Oh? That makes sense."
"And Gareth will be your loyal lieutenant—an elder, advisor, and wise veteran."
I was pleased with my own setup. Maybe I had a talent for playwriting or bardic storytelling after all.
A mysterious recluse, wandering bard, and master of hidden strength. Perfect.
I'd have to use that later.
"Looking at it this way, Zizek's faction sounds like a rising star—a small but formidable force shrouded in mystery. Pretty impressive."
"You saying 'mysterious' twice makes it sound like a cheap sales pitch."
"Shut up."
I scolded Zizek.
"Anyway, do you get my point?"
"Well... honestly, I'm still a little unsure."
"It's simple. No organization wants to give a high-ranking position to a puppet. If they find out you're just my front, they'll distrust me and look down on you."
"But that's the truth."
Annoyed by his backtalk, I snapped.
"So what? You're one painfully honest bastard."
"Why the insults?"
"Anyway."
I gestured toward Nagan and lowered my voice.
"Once their conversation is over, we'll talk to Nagan properly."
***
The squad leader of the Royal Guards dispatched by the Grunewald side was speaking with Nagan.
"I am Ludemann, squad leader of the 4th Battalion of His Grace Duke Grunewald's Royal Guard."
"Squad Leader Ludemann, my name is Nagan."
Nagan responded respectfully as the Royal Guard leader introduced himself.
"Of course, I know who you are."
Ludemann nodded.
"I'd like to hear the details of what happened. Will you cooperate?"
"Of course."
"Fortunately, there have been no reported civilian casualties yet. Had the situation spilled beyond the estate, the chaos would've been far worse."
"...My apologies for the trouble."
Despite his distress, Nagan carefully gauged the other man's demeanor. The squad leader of Duke Georg's proud Royal Guard held considerable authority.
Even as a high-ranking member of the Bisakino Brotherhood, Nagan couldn't afford disrespect toward a military officer of the Duchy.
"As for the details... we're still somewhat in shock. Would it be acceptable to submit a written report promptly?"
"That would be preferable."
Ludemann nodded before asking,
"But how did this situation come about?"
"Huten—that damned bastard's doing. When he was reprimanded for acting out of line, he gathered his faction and betrayed the Godfather."
"I see. So he finally made his move."
"Correct."
It wasn't surprising that the Duchy had detailed intelligence on the underworld's major factions.
Duke Georg Grunewald, the Black Serpent Duke, wielded the power and authority to do so.
Moreover, everyone knew that the delicate balance between the surface and underworld—forged through years of trial and error—had brought prosperity to the city.
"What are your plans now?"
Ludemann asked.
"Our policy is not to interfere in underworld affairs. But prolonged conflict will inevitably harm the city's peace, endangering innocent lives and disrupting legitimate commerce."
"Understood."
"If underworld disputes spill into the light, that gives us justification to intervene. Remember that."
......It wasn't a warning to be taken lightly.
"The boundary between day and night must be maintained. That is His Grace's will—the will of Grunewald."
"Of course, I understand."
Nagan replied gravely.
"We hold your skills in high regard. We sincerely hope you'll resolve this and restore balance to the underworld."
"Thank you for your kindness."
"However..."
Ludemann pointed at Karzan and asked,
"Who is that man? From what I saw from afar, he fought exceptionally well."
"...He's an ally of Zizek."
Nagan answered instinctively, sensing he shouldn't reveal more.
"Is that so?"
Noticing his hesitation, Ludemann was about to press further when—
"N-Nagan, sir!"
A pale-faced subordinate rushed over.
"What is it?!"
Sensing the urgency, Nagan demanded. The man fell to his knees as if about to wail.
"T-The Godfather... he's dead!"
The Bisakino Brotherhood's headquarters, where the Godfather had resided, was in ruins—as if a typhoon or tidal wave had ravaged it.
"...How gruesome."
Corpses littered the ground. The moans of the wounded, shattered weapons, and broken furnishings made the place feel like hell itself.
We followed Nagan to the Godfather's reception chamber.
Amidst the signs of fierce battle, bloodstains, and dismembered remains—
"Godfather."
Huten had decapitated the Godfather and impaled his head on the desk, blade still lodged in the skull.
"Huten... Huten... You fucking bastard."
Nagan's hands trembled violently.
"How dare you repay the Godfather's grace with this insult?!"
Seething, Nagan knelt before the head.
"Forgive me, Godfather. I should have escorted you to safety."
It seemed the Godfather had tried to confront Huten but was defeated. Nagan had likely advised against it.
Probably out of concern for the Bisaniko Brotherhood's unity or the Godfather's dignity.
If the Godfather had fled, his authority would've crumbled.
That made him a stubborn, old-fashioned type of leader.
But losing his life in the process... not the best choice.
Yet for a man who had lived that way his entire life, changing even in the face of death wasn't easy. Humans are creatures of habit, after all.
"...Everyone, listen."
After a long moment of silent prayer, Nagan raised his head.
"If we don't avenge this, the Bisakino Brotherhood is finished. If that happens, I'll take responsibility and die to apologize to the Godfather."
His tone was solemn—almost bloodthirsty.
But this was the way of men in the underworld.
"From this moment, I shall inherit the Godfather's will and assume leadership of the Bisakino Brotherhood."
At his declaration, Nagan's subordinates knelt in unison.
"We will follow."
"Only you, Nagan, are worthy of succeeding the Godfather."
"The day I kill Huten, I will rightfully inherit the title of 'Godfather.'"
Nagan's eyes burned with fury as he addressed his officers.
"Effective immediately, I declare Huten's execution order. Kill him or capture him alive—I don't care which. But we won't involve outside factions or hire assassins. This is strictly our organization's internal affair. If we fail, I'll die bearing the Bisakino Brotherhood's name."
The officers responded in unison.
"Our fates are tied to yours, Lord Leader."
"We'll avenge the Godfather with our lives."
...Quite the bold declaration.
This single moment revealed why Nagan commanded such respect—and why the man who once ruled Grunewald's underworld had been so formidable.
'Impressive.'
'Right?'
Zizek and I exchanged glances.
***
For now, Zizek, Gareth, and I settled into a guest chamber to eat dinner.
"My apologies, but I'd like to speak properly after handling the aftermath. Can you wait?"
When the new leader of the Bisakino Brotherhood says that, you comply.
"Bass, what about our base?"
"That's my concern too."
Zizek and Gareth voiced their worries.
"We don't know where Huten's hiding, but after seeing me intervene, he might retaliate."
"Plus, even before this, the Black Night Society sent spies to scout us. If provoked, they might strike."
"Valid points."
I nodded.
"We're at a disadvantage—exposed, while our enemies lurk in the shadows."
"What should we do?"
"They won't move immediately. Their plan was only half-successful, so they'll be scrambling to adjust."
Therefore—
"If we formally ally with Nagan, joining his faction is our safest option."
"Hmm."
"I agree."
"And actually..."
I smirked.
"Remember that terrifyingly strong 'person' who came in my place before?"
"Ah, the one I foolishly provoked..."
"Yeah. I've already requested backup from them, just in case. If trouble arises before we regroup, they'll help."
Zizek sighed in relief.
"That eases my mind."
"We'll discuss details later."
"Understood."
Zizek nodded.
"By the way, Boss. One of the captured officers confessed something during interrogation."
"Oh? What?"
"Huten forced his officers to drink some kind of liquor."
"Liquor?"
"Those who refused were killed. Some who drank it... swelled up until their heads burst."
"What the— Ugh, disgusting."
I shuddered.
"Huten called them 'unworthy.' But those who survived gained immense strength, aggression, and absolute obedience to him and Caleb."
"...Absurd. How does that even work?"
I'd heard of foreign substances used to control people—perhaps something similar?
Considering Caleb's earlier boasting...
It likely enhanced the drinker's latent energy and brutality.
Ugh, vile bastards.
Caleb's remark about "inferior men gaining inferior power" also stuck in my mind.
What would happen if a strong person consumed it?
...For some reason, I keep remembering Ivan's offer before he died.
Wait.
No way.
Surely not?
Please say it's not true.
If it is, that's horrifying.
My past-life vengeance might be closer than I thought.
...But calm down. The underworld has all kinds of freaks—this alone proves nothing.
It's probably unrelated.
Yet even a slim chance is hard to ignore.
Frustrating.
The hidden battle in the shadows might be far deeper than I imagined.
And I don't even know what it is.
I'm working with too little intel.
But don't despair.
Just as I don't fully know my enemies, they don't know me.
Who could possibly guess Karzan was reborn as Allenvert Grunewald?
I'll need to recruit Damien somehow.
And perhaps... someone who knows my bloodline secrets.
I can't delay meeting Mother any longer.
Friederun should have delivered my letter by now.
Is the delayed reply intentional?
I might see her when I return.
But timing matters. Right now, Huten takes priority.
No use agonizing over it.
Worrying won't change anything.
First, let's finish Karzan's business.
As I snapped out of my thoughts, it was time to meet Nagan.
First step: ally with him and crown him the Bisakino Brotherhood's new king.
After all—I, too, must become Grunewald's king.
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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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