The Soma clan's hall was carved with luxurious golden patterns.
Zanis held a goblet in his hand, slowly swirling the wine as he stood silently before Charles.
On both sides, pendulums ticked steadily, each tick heavier and slower than the last.
Charles nervously fiddled with the corner of his clothes, thinking: I have every right to suspect you've stationed five hundred executioners outside this door!
Suddenly, the hour bell tolled, then faded away.
Zanis's voice, low and unreadable, echoed through the quiet hall: "You know what? You've caused me a great deal of trouble."
"Mm."
"Canoe and the others died. You're the only one who came back alive. Care to explain?"
Charles replied calmly, "If it was the Dark Faction, don't worry—I was the one who killed Canoe and the others."
Zanis fiddled with his wine glass, surprised:
"That doesn't match the reports I received."
Last night, the Astraea family had told him directly that Canoe and the others were killed by the Dark Faction. To avenge them, Charles supposedly killed a minor cadre alone.
"It depends on who you believe, Lord Zanis," Charles said, locking eyes without a trace of fear.
Even Zanis himself found that conclusion ridiculous.
"Why did you kill Canoe and the others?"
Though he had planned to let them test Charles's quality, and even accepted that they might die sooner or later, he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
Just one day? Isn't that a bit too hasty?
Zanis stared at Charles's expression, hoping to see panic—but there was none.
Charles stood before him as if killing Canoe and the others was the most natural thing in the world.
"I never liked them when I was in the clan. They mocked me for being a porter, stole from their comrades—their behavior was vile!"
"That's not the reason you killed them," Zanis interrupted sharply.
"No..." Charles's gaze sharpened.
"All the family's property belongs to you, Lord Zanis. They weren't bullying the weak—they were stealing your wealth! Betraying your will is treason against the family! I only did what was right, facing traitors."
"…"
Indeed, too many in the clan exploited the weak and supporters—starting with Zanis himself and trickling down through layers of power.
Charles's reminder made him realize the profits these people extracted from society's bottom didn't all line their own pockets.
They still spent money, even demanding divine wine. But once they had cash, they enjoyed themselves lavishly.
No... I was almost fooled by this kid.
I just need to raise the price of divine wine and reclaim all the valis in the clan. Make everyone too poor to spend elsewhere.
Then, no matter who holds valis, it ends up in my hands.
What? Too expensive to buy?
Humph. If you don't buy, there are plenty of adventurers ready to snap it up!
As long as I'm the one enjoying the family wealth, that's enough.
Thinking this, Zanis sensed something wrong. According to Charles's speed of earning money, he seemed uncontrollable!
In just one day, other clans spent 10 million mana on this kid!
What a prodigy!
Though surprised, Zanis frowned and scolded:
"You're going too far! Killing your own kin is a serious crime."
"They were useless. Not even cadres. You'll handle them, Lord Zanis. Besides, I blamed the Dark Faction. If I keep quiet, no one will suspect me."
And then you blame the loyalists...
Zanis's expression softened, and he leisurely sipped wine.
"If you do this, the Dark Faction won't let you off. I heard from Astraea's family that you killed one of their cadres?"
This kid sure knows how to stir trouble.
If the secret faction wants revenge, just hand him over.
Charles caught a flicker of fear in Zanis's otherwise timid face.
Of course, if Charles could kill a level 2, with only Zanis and himself here, killing Zanis would be easy!
Thinking this, Charles smiled brightly and reassured him:
"That was just a smokescreen to gain Astraea family's trust."
At present, Zanis and the Soma clan are Charles's best protection. Zanis is also the best scapegoat.
Let the captain take the blame—what do lowly supporters like us have to do with it?
"What?! What do you mean by this?!" Zanis widened his eyes in disbelief.
In just a few words, Charles's infiltrated information almost blew Zanis's mind.
Charles enjoyed Zanis's expression.
Zanis's thoughts raced:
What smokescreen?
That level 2 was sent by the Dark Faction to die? How does Charles know?
What are they covering up with this? To get Charles to win Astraea family's trust? What next? What's their plan?
Zanis was not a good man.
If there was a chance to cooperate with the Dark Faction for profit, he wouldn't hesitate.
He only panicked because his chess piece suddenly jumped off the board—and the player holding the piece was an opponent he couldn't resist!
This news was more troubling than if Charles had killed a level 2 himself!
"So, excited?"
Charles spread his arms, boasting, "Lord Zanis, we're about to get rich!"
"Huh? Us?"
"I've got huge fortune to report!"
"Oh?" Zanis remained unreadable but caught two fiery words in Charles's eyes—loyalty.
"Lord Rudra said," Charles explained, "if we pass one of his small tests, he'll lead us into an unparalleled grand plan. Then we'll become masters of the new world!"
Hiss—
Zanis's teeth clenched. He didn't believe this nonsense, but...
He couldn't refuse.
Those lunatics crushed anyone who stood against them.
Now the request was made—he had no choice but to comply.
Zanis asked, "What test?"
"Simple." Charles opened his waist bag, took out a pistol, aimed it at Zanis's forehead, and gently pulled the trigger.
Bang—
A small flame flickered from the muzzle.
"This... ignition device?"
"Yes! They want you to buy enough ignition devices to double all the factories' output in Orario."
"That it?" Zanis adjusted his glasses.
Magic stone lamps cost only a few hundred valis each; simple ignition devices were even cheaper, with discounts for bulk orders.
Considering that, Zanis nodded.
"What about delivery?"
"One month later. Don't worry, Lord Rudra won't shortchange us. This batch will be generously rewarded." Charles promised solemnly.
Zanis eyed him suspiciously. "What's in it for you?"
Charles's eyes glinted greedily as he slowly stretched out his hand toward Zanis:
"I want... divine wine! More divine wine! Divine wine!"
Seeing Charles's eyes glaze over as he crawled and rolled on the floor, Zanis's lips curled upward.
He covered his eyes, then lifted his head and laughed heartily:
"Ha, hum, hahahaha! Charles, Charles! You truly are the most loyal cadre of the Soma clan! Hahahaha!"
-End Chapter-
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