Natan remained silent for several moments after Karl's explanation, struggling to process everything he had just learned. The idea that he had spent years dismantling organizations that were never truly gone left him with an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. Karl, however, sounded completely relaxed, as if he were discussing old friends rather than one of the most secretive groups in Europe. According to him, the family specialized only in contracted killings and information gathering, refusing to participate in crimes they considered harmful to humanity. That distinction explained why many of the old trade families tolerated their existence and even maintained friendly relations with them. The Bingen family, for example, had reportedly exchanged research notes with them for generations, particularly in the field of poisons and antidotes. Some of the Bingens' most valuable discoveries had emerged from those collaborations.
"What was the biggest organization?" Natan finally asked, unable to let the matter go. Out of everything Karl had revealed, that question continued to bother him the most. If what Karl claimed was true, then many of the victories that had built his career suddenly looked very different. He needed to know which of the countless investigations had actually been connected to this hidden family. More importantly, he wanted to understand how much of his life's work had been chasing shadows. The uncertainty was beginning to gnaw at him.
Karl chuckled softly before answering. "The biggest one was the Red Lily," he said. "You dismantled that one personally, which was honestly quite impressive." He explained that the organization had only existed for twenty-five years and had already been scheduled for dissolution after another five. According to Karl, the matriarch intended to retire the network and hand its responsibilities over to a new structure long before Natan managed to break it apart. Hearing that made Natan stare blankly at the wall. The Red Lily case had been the defining achievement of his career, and now Karl was casually telling him that the organization had been planning to disappear anyway.
The memories came flooding back immediately. The Red Lily had been regarded as one of the most dangerous criminal networks ever discovered. They operated internationally and recruited desperate criminals, feeding them information, equipment, and opportunities in exchange for completing assignments. Natan had first encountered traces of them after an assassination attempt on a foreign government official visiting the European Union. Although the attackers were caught, the people directing the operation remained hidden. That mystery had consumed years of his life as he followed clue after clue across multiple countries.
What made the organization especially terrifying was its reputation. Officially, they presented themselves as a loose criminal network, but their clients received proof of their capabilities in a far more disturbing way. Rather than killing a target immediately, they sometimes demonstrated access by making a tiny cut on a sleeping person's neck and recording the evidence. The message was simple and chilling. If they could do that without being noticed, then they could just as easily have ended the person's life. That reputation alone had made governments around the world desperate to destroy the organization.
The international pressure had been immense. Investigators eventually connected over five thousand deaths to the network, though only a fraction could be proven beyond doubt. Roughly four thousand victims had been linked through captured operatives and criminal records, while another thousand were associated with the appearance of a distinctive red lily left at crime scenes. The symbol had become infamous among intelligence agencies. After years of work, Natan finally captured a middle manager who agreed to cooperate in exchange for leniency. The information led to a rapid collapse of the organization, though the speed of that collapse had always bothered him.
At the time, his concerns were largely ignored. His superiors were simply happy to declare victory and close the investigation. Nobody wanted to consider the possibility that the organization had disappeared too easily. The public received a triumphant story about the destruction of a dangerous criminal empire, and most people accepted it without question. Natan eventually pushed his doubts aside and focused on other threats. Looking back now, he felt almost foolish for ignoring his instincts. Perhaps he should have trusted them after all.
"You know," Karl said suddenly, interrupting his thoughts, "you're actually very lucky to be alive." The statement immediately drew Natan's full attention. Karl was not the type of man who made dramatic claims without a reason. The relaxed amusement had vanished from his voice, replaced by something much more serious. Even Herman leaned forward slightly in his chair. Neither man liked the direction the conversation was taking.
Karl explained that Natan's investigation had nearly resulted in the deaths of three family members. One of them had been an elder with decades of experience, and the confrontation had left him permanently crippled. For a brief period, several members of the family had apparently debated whether Natan should be eliminated in retaliation. The only reason nothing happened was because the injured elder personally forgave him and chose to retire instead. According to Karl, the man considered the entire affair a challenge worth remembering rather than a grudge worth pursuing.
Natan felt the color drain from his face as he listened. The realization that his life had once depended on the goodwill of a stranger was deeply unsettling. Herman noticed his son's reaction and immediately narrowed his eyes. He knew Karl well enough to suspect there was more to the story. While those ancient houses/families certainly valued favors, they rarely allowed personal relationships to influence major decisions. If Karl was claiming credit for saving Natan, Herman wanted the complete truth.
"Stop exaggerating," Herman said firmly. "I know you better than that." His tone carried the confidence of a man who had known Karl through war, politics, and countless difficult years. Natan glanced between the two older men, realizing once again how much history existed between them. Herman clearly wasn't impressed by Karl's attempt to make himself look important. Instead, he waited patiently for the real explanation. Eventually, Karl sighed in defeat.
"The truth is much less dramatic," Karl admitted. The family had certainly discussed Natan because his investigation was causing them significant financial damage. However, most of them viewed the entire situation as an entertaining challenge rather than a serious threat. The injured elder, meanwhile, had been suffering from cancer that doctors discovered after the incident. The injury forced him to seek treatment earlier than he otherwise would have, ultimately saving his life. One of his legs had to be amputated, but he survived. As strange as it sounded, the family had ended up rather fond of Natan because of it.
That revelation only made Natan feel more confused. Somehow, the situation had transformed from a near-death experience into a bizarre story of accidental gratitude. He wasn't sure whether he should feel relieved, embarrassed, or annoyed. Herman, meanwhile, seemed far more relaxed now that the full context had been revealed. The explanation sounded much more like the Karl he knew. It was still ridiculous, but at least it made sense.
Karl decided it was time to end the conversation before things became even stranger. He reminded Herman that military matters were undoubtedly demanding most of his attention and that there was little point dwelling on old stories. If Natan wanted his recommendation letter, he was welcome to visit the Sonnenbergs personally. Karl explained that a new settlement was being established near the river and promised to send the exact location once Natan reached the nearest city. The journey would be much easier by boat than by attempting to cross the wilderness on foot.
After exchanging a few final words, Karl disconnected the call. Silence settled over the office for several seconds. Natan remained seated, staring blankly at the desk as he tried to process everything he had learned. Nearly every assumption he held about one of the greatest victories of his career had just been turned upside down. The experience was both humbling and deeply frustrating. He suddenly felt as though he had only seen a tiny corner of a much larger world.
Herman studied his son carefully before speaking. "You heard him," he said. "You're in for quite a journey." There was no mockery in his voice, only quiet amusement. The older man understood exactly what Natan was experiencing. Everyone eventually discovered that the world was larger and stranger than they imagined. Some people handled that realization better than others.
"Remember this," Herman continued. "The world is bigger than you think, and not every hidden organization is automatically your enemy." He reminded Natan that his accomplishments were still real, regardless of what Karl had revealed. The fact that another group had been operating behind the scenes did not erase the years of hard work, intelligence gathering, and leadership that had brought him this far. Talent was still talent, and results were still results. One conversation could not change that.
Natan slowly nodded. The shock had not faded, but he could already feel his determination returning. If anything, the revelation only made him more curious about the family he was about to meet. He wanted answers, and the only way to obtain them was to see the situation for himself. Whatever awaited him beyond the river, it was clearly important enough to justify the trip. For the first time since the conversation began, he found himself looking forward to the journey.
"Good," Herman said, rising from his chair with a broad smile. "Then rest here for the day. I, on the other hand, have a meeting to attend." There was an unmistakable glint of anticipation in his eyes. Several departments had allowed a logistical disagreement to grow far beyond what was acceptable, and Herman intended to remind them who commanded the military. Some unfortunate officers were about to have a very unpleasant afternoon.
When Herman stepped outside his office, he immediately found Rian waiting beside the door. The secretary's grin was almost identical to his own. Clearly, he had heard enough of the conversation to know exactly what was coming next. Without exchanging a word, the two men began walking down the corridor together. Back inside the office, Natan sat alone, surrounded by silence, still trying to make sense of a world that had suddenly become far more complicated than he ever imagined.