Chapter 175: Pariston's Meeting
"I want you to personally invite Prince Benjamin on my behalf," Haze said in a deep, steady voice.
"What are you planning?"
Upon hearing this, Halkenburg immediately became alert.
He knew the personality of the First Prince very well and the head of the Field's Family standing before him was by no means a good person.
What they were discussing was anything but ordinary.
Haze couldn't directly approach the princes. Otherwise, the royal family would notice instantly.
Among them, the best candidate for cooperation was Benjamin.
To achieve his ambitions in the Dark Continent arc, the First Prince cared the least about the lives of his siblings… He had been preparing for the Succession War for a long time, which made it obvious that he intended to eliminate all his brothers.
Ruthless.
And also capable of covering his tracks after killing a prince.
Although the other princes were also cold and indifferent, their natural advantages were weaker, making Haze's plan more difficult.
As for the queens, Haze had also considered them… but found them unreliable.
"I'm a gangster. What else could I possibly want except to talk business?" Haze spread his hands with an ironic smile.
"What do you think? Simple, right? If you can arrange a meeting between me and the First Prince, I'll give you this woman."
The Field's Family's control over their honeypot agent was absolute.
Not only had they placed a Nen curse-like ability on her, but also a poison… She required medication regularly just to survive. Meaning: even if someone tried to remove the Nen ability, they would have no countermeasure against her poisoned flesh and blood.
Perhaps a Nen ability could purge it, but it would take time. And during that period, the Field's Family could react and remotely detonate the micro-bomb implanted in her body.
They didn't allow variables.
"Are you trying to interfere with the government of the Kakin Empire?" Halkenburg gaze turned cold.
Naturally, he was aware of the recent political press conferences causing waves around several countries… It wasn't hard to see that the underworld especially the Field's Family had influence in some nations and were tied to shady dealings. Now Haze, as their leader, had come to Kakin and wanted to meet Benjamin…
The Ninth Prince wasn't stupid; he decoded Haze's intentions instantly.
"Isn't this exactly what you want?" Haze lowered his voice. "You've always been dissatisfied with this nation's monarchy… Besides, you overestimate me. The Field's Family can control a few small countries, but a country like Kakin with its size and power is beyond our reach even if we wanted to."
He then rose slowly, walked to the balcony, and looked out at the bustling city below.
"With how intelligent your father is, there's no way he's unaware of us… He's probably already taken precautions. That's exactly why I won't interfere with the monarchy. Don't worry I'm only forming a temporary alliance with Benjamin. Of course, if you agree to join me, I'd be more than willing to help you win the Succession War."
Haze didn't hide anything. He said it directly.
At the mention of "Succession War", Halkenburg expression tightened.
"A nest of snakes and rats!" he cursed.
"So… all the adult princes really do know about the Succession War," Haze said with a faint smile, observing his reaction.
"I knew it. You grew up in the royal family with that blood running in your veins. Even if the king hides it well, you're bound to hear rumors… There are hints throughout Kakin's historical rise. But you don't know the details, and you have no idea how cruel the Succession War truly is…"
Haze intentionally concealed the truth about the Egg in the Jar Ritual.
"I'll give you three days to think. And don't worry about the throne… Even I can't change anything now. Besides your cunning father, he also has a loyal 'dog' at his side I wouldn't dare act recklessly."
Haze turned his back on the Ninth Prince and motioned him to leave.
Halkenburg face was dark. He grabbed his girlfriend and headed for the door.
"Watch your men. If word spreads about your meeting with me, you can prepare to collect your woman's corpse."
Before even leaving the suite, he heard Haze's cold voice behind him.
Halkenburg paused, fists clenched tightly.
He naturally knew Haze's background and had investigated him thoroughly… He desperately wished his soldiers could kill this man but he also knew he couldn't.
His girlfriend trembled with fear, begging him to agree to the mob boss' request.
Halkenburg gritted his teeth, comforted her, and led her out.
A moment later, sensing that Halkenburg and his soldiers had gone far enough, Haze said calmly:
"Bring him in."
Immediately, a gangster entered holding a baby wrapped in diapers.
"Boss, this is the child," the subordinate said, handing over the infant.
It was a small boy.
Unfortunately, a knife scar ran across his right cheek, leaving a prominent mark.
He was the illegitimate son of the Field's Family's honeypot agent and King Grey Nasubi unacknowledged. Due to his sensitive status, he was pardoned but immediately abandoned. Grey Nasubi allowed his lover to secretly care for the child but forbade revealing his identity.
Predictably, the child was destined to live forever in the shadows of the royal family.
Eventually, the honeypot agent handed him over to the Field's Family.
"Does he have a name?" Haze asked, gently touching the boy's face with a faint smile.
"Anu… smilingly," the subordinate replied.
"He's not even allowed to carry Grey Nasubi's name…" Haze muttered.
"Have the men take good care of him."
"Yes, sir."
After dismissing the group, Haze headed alone toward the famous Royal Military Academy in the capital.
This was where the Kakin Empire trained its military elite one of the key reasons it had risen into a superpower. In wartime, these military talents were invaluable, reflecting the nation's strength. Additionally, recent data showed that the royal family had increased investment in scientific research… Beyond the military and technology sectors, the people's general happiness levels were remarkably high.
The public held immense confidence in King King Nasubi.
This seemed like a carefully constructed social phenomenon.
What did that mean?
It meant King King Nasubi had been planning this for a long time, preparing for the future announcement of the Dark Continent expedition ensuring the people would believe anything he said.
Across the street, Ao observed the massive Royal Military Academy, bustling with neatly uniformed students. From the sharpness in their eyes and posture alone, the Academy's standards were undeniable.
Kakin clearly had the ability and qualifications to become a V6 nation.
All it needed was a breakthrough.
Bi Beyond had provided King Nasubi with the opportunity and they connected instantly.
Beep Beep Beep…
Haze's phone suddenly vibrated.
He took it out: an unknown number.
"Who is this?"
"Ah… Haze? It's Pariston…"
"…"
"You're in the capital of the Kakin Empire, aren't you? What a coincidence… I'm here too."
Haze's eyes narrowed instantly.
"What do you want?"
He didn't hang up.
Because at such a critical moment, Pariston calling him meant the man had discovered everything.
And Haze's arrival in the Empire including the route of his private spacecraft was highly secretive. Even if a few people knew, there was no way it would leak.
Pariston… Just how…?
Where did something go wrong?
How did he find out?
Even Haze felt genuinely shocked.
He wondered:
If Pariston knew he was here… did Bynd and King Nasubi know as well?
"Can we meet?"
"Location."
(End of Chapter)