“But,”
Just as Valen finished his brief introduction, he continued speaking without pause.
“The Cult of Destruction is an exception.”
That was unexpected.
“Why’s that?”
“They’re unsustainable.”
Abyss worshippers don’t all gather with the sa purpose or intention. Compared to the explorer organizations rooted in the city, they’re more like a loosely ford pile of sand. While there are exceptions, explorers generally share camaraderie, common goals, and a sense of belonging—none of which Abyss worshippers possess.
Their bonds are based on two things only:
Reverence for the Abyss. And personal gain.
They group together reluctantly, out of necessity, to avoid being excluded by explorers, but they’re ultimately in it for themselves. Abyss worshippers might appear united on the surface, but beneath that veneer, they’re just coexisting.
Yet, even among Abyss worshippers, there are groups as cohesive as explorer organizations.
Those who follow a single, clear ideology.
“The Cult of Destruction stands at the extre end of that spectrum.”
They’re maniacs, hell-bent on world annihilation.
Their madness surpasses that of other Abyss worshippers.
The cult, united under a shared ideology and doctrine, is more powerful than any other Abyss-worshipping group and dedicated to realizing its own twisted vision.
“Money’s good. Money and information—together, those are enough to control the world, even if you’re a bit short on power. But what’s the point if the world itself burns down and vanishes?”
“Is the Cult of Destruction truly that powerful?”
“You’ve encountered them yourself, haven’t you?”
He knows about that?
‘Well, if he has a source in the Alliance, that wouldn’t be hard to find out.’
There was Jaegan, who had planned the attack on the training center. And the professor, who sought to turn the second layer into a hellscape.
Both of them were mbers of the Cult of Destruction.
Jaegan had poured much of his energy into resurrection abilities, leaving his combat skills lacking. The professor, however, was formidable enough to hold his own against soone like Viola.
“What rank does the professor hold within the cult?”
“Information on the Cult of Destruction starts at 100,000 Rupe.”
“You were happy to provide details earlier.”
“Because those were common knowledge, not valuable information.”
Highway robbery.
“Fine. I’ll find out on my own. But the undiscovered relic site in the garden—that was your doing, wasn’t it?”
“I told you, the Cult of Destruction is an exception.”
“So, you know they were behind that excavation?”
Even we had only suspected that.
We were certain that the Evolver situation—upsetting the ecosystem on the first layer through the serum derived from their blood—was their doing. But as for which group was responsible? It was unclear.
We had actually suspected the Abyssal Scholars over the Cult of Destruction. They ignored the city’s laws, societal norms, and basic morals and ethics, consud solely by the mysteries of the unknown.
The Abyssal Scholars’ reputation for mad experints aligned with this kind of activity.
Valen remained silent, his expression not one of regret or hesitation.
“You spread rumors to hinder the Cult of Destruction, didn’t you?”
He didn’t respond, but his silence was an agreent.
“Why didn’t you admit it?”
“What else would I say? Should I confirm that we were responsible?”
Valen chuckled slightly.
“The Cult of Destruction’s retaliation would be too severe. Connections to the city’s officials wouldn’t protect us.”
They were the ones who’d attacked a training center under the supervision of the Alliance, even with prominent figures like the Grand Duchess present.
A simple information brokerage in the underworld wouldn’t be beyond their reach.
“You didn’t verify the site yourself for the sa reason, correct? To avoid leaving a trace?”
“It was a failure the mont my na ca up.”
Valen sneered, seeming displeased with the exposure of his na and organization.
‘Given their operational skills, Shadow Sketch doesn’t seem like a careless group. Did they make a rushed mistake?’
I began piecing together an image of Shadow Sketch in my mind.
“How did you gather such information? Do you have a source within the cult?”
“What if I said I have no obligation to answer?”
Valen asked dismissively, without a hint of concern. Of course, he was a self-made man who’d carved out a place for himself among the rival factions of Les Rin’s underworld. If he’d fallen for such a petty trap, it would’ve raised suspicions of either a lie or an imposter.
But if I were going to back off, I wouldn’t have co looking for him in the first place.
“I’ll just have to make you talk.”
“And how? Will you call on the Grand Duchess for help?”
“If necessary.”
Connections are part of my strength. It would be foolish not to use them when needed, out of pride.
“But I doubt it’ll co to that.”
“Confident, aren’t you?”
The carriage slowed down, having caught up to another carriage in front.
[Contractor, be cautious.]
[They’re all in on it.]
[No need to worry, Blood-bound. Through the covenant of blood, let us reveal truth and deceit in…]
[You sure do talk a lot. Can you tone it down?]
“You didn’t co alone, I see.”
“Safety is of utmost importance in this line of work.”
Valen replied nonchalantly.
“Do you still think you can make talk?”
The carriage in front blocked our path, and the presence radiating from inside felt intimidating.
At least a few of them seed on par with Ruslan and Lyudmila in strength. A re information broker wielding fighters of Expert caliber? Impressive, but with enough money, anything’s possible.
‘The back as well.’
The sides were open, but with both the front and rear blocked, an escape route was unlikely.
“Ro-Roman!”
Bong-Sik, sensing the situation had taken a dire turn, called out to urgently.
“Well, it seems we can have a proper conversation now.”
Valen tossed aside the reins and leaned back against the driver’s seat, lacing his fingers behind his head in a gesture of superiority. Every move he made seed to emphasize that he was in control.
“You asked the questions until now, so I think it’s my turn.”
As if all of this had just been a show to humor . His gaze now was entirely different.
“Who are you?”
“...I don’t understand the question.”
“Exactly as I said. You’re unusual. If you don’t have an answer right away, take your ti to think.”
A group of people closed in, surrounding us. When he said “take your ti,” he clearly didn’t an here and now.
So they intended to take sowhere—likely their hideout—and interrogate there.
“I’ll tell you one thing,” I said.
“Oh?”
“I’m confident I can get out of here. Bringing you with would be a fifty-fifty chance, but on my own? Guaranteed.”
If a fight broke out here, it’d be hard to win.
But there was no need to fight here.
As long as I removed the “here” condition, I’d win.
“And then I’ll head straight for the Frontier Guild. They owe a few favors. There are at least three people there who’d gladly open the way to Viola for if I asked. Once I et with her, I’ll tell her I have a stalker I’d like her to handle.”
It’s no exaggeration.
With only one Pioneer left in the city—Viola Perlatier—she’s the most powerful force here.
“What do you think she’d do?”
“......”
“Here’s how I see it. After that, I’ll send soone to the Grand Duke’s manor. As you know, the person I’d seek out is Fiona McManus. The city officials won’t get involved.”
It wasn’t a guild war; it was just taking down a single organization in the underworld. Who would try to stop that? Without any connections to Shadow Sketch, the officials might even welco it as a boost to security.
“How long would it take? I’d say…no more than a day.”
“...Bluffing.”
“If you think so, go ahead and continue. You’ll see soon enough.”
Valen and I locked eyes.
Each of us tried to read the other’s intentions while hiding our own.
Eventually, after a silence that seed to stretch out, Valen chuckled.
“Heh, alright. You’re worth the effort. Fine.”
With a wave of Valen’s hand, the n from Shadow Sketch, who had been creating a nacing atmosphere, silently returned to their carriage.
Another carriage pulled up alongside us, this one clearly expensive—a real luxury model, not like the cargo wagon we’d been riding.
“Get in.”
Ignoring Bong-Sik’s worried look from the cargo compartnt, I stepped over and followed Valen into the new carriage.
“One piece of advice: avoid relying on the Frontier Guild and the Grand Duke’s family.”
“I’m aware.”
“No, it’s not what you think.”
Valen muttered as if I were missing sothing crucial.
I quickly reviewed everything I knew, but nothing obvious ca to mind.
Of course, it wouldn’t. Valen was hinting at sothing I wasn’t privy to.
“The Grand Duke’s succession.”
“Succession?”
It was common knowledge that the current Grand Duke’s health had deteriorated. With his wealth, power, and access to artifacts from the Abyss, he could extend his life, but even that has its limits.
The Grand Duke’s death and the succession of a new one was inevitable.
Everyone was already preparing for it.
‘There
are three potential heirs.’
One Grand Duke’s son and two daughters.
The Grand Duke’s bloodline consisted of one son and two daughters.
‘The likely contenders are the son and Fiona.’
The eldest daughter, as far as I knew, wasn’t even in the city. She’d beco enamored with the Abyss and chose the life of an explorer over that of a Grand Duchess.
‘Is Valen’s goal connected to this?’
Just as my thoughts reached that conclusion, Valen spoke.
“I want you to arrange a eting with the Grand Duchess.”
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