Chapter 198: Insight (3)

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“Work with me.”

Carl let out a satisfied smile inwardly at the proposal from Crown Prince Yulian.

Although he hadn’t expected his identity to be discovered, just receiving such a proposal meant he had already fulfilled his objective in coming to the Imperial Palace.

After all, completing this operation meant securing a definite connection, not a half-baked noble.

“What would you like me to do?”

“For now, it’s a bit of a shame. First, grow your power a bit more. Be it Madeira or NOX.”

“That’s music to my ears.”

“As you’re well aware, the closer one gets to the Emperor, the harder it becomes to meddle in trivial affairs. One has to consider all sorts of political matters, repercussions, and the damned web of tangled causalities.”

“That’s the burden of the position, after all.”

“Indeed. I don’t intend to complain. The Imperial Palace is overflowing with people who wish to become Emperor, even if it means enduring such constraints.”

At that moment, Carl realized what Crown Prince Yulian truly wanted from him.

‘He wants a blade in the shadows.’

A sharp weapon to wield freely without being seen, amidst the politics of the palace.

It was a dagger every person of power kept hidden in their possession.

And for someone standing at the cusp of the throne, any ordinary blade would not suffice.

But crafting one himself would only dirty his hands—too troublesome—so it was cleaner to grasp the hilt of a well-forged blade.

‘And the discovery of someone like me must have been more than satisfactory.’

However, this blade must never turn toward its master.

If he accepted the offer, wouldn’t constraints start creeping in at some point?

For a fleeting moment, Carl hesitated.

‘If the Soul-Seizing Technique reaches its peak…’

Perhaps even Crown Prince Yulian—who was protected by countless blessings, sacred relics, and artifacts—could be brainwashed.

But turning him into a mindless puppet wasn’t the goal.

What he wanted was a relationship like that between Dirsen, who now led Lahan’s organization—someone who thought and acted on his own while still following Carl’s instructions.

‘A mastermind pulling the strings behind the Emperor of the Empire.’

It would be no different from having the Son of Heaven as his backing.

No, considering the Empire’s prosperity and its influence over the continent, it might be even more significant.

That’s why Carl nodded and answered.

“That’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

“You won’t be at a loss. You’ll gain immense wealth and power in the shadows. I’ll assist you, and you certainly have the capability.”

“I will make it so.”

“Now then, I have one question.”

“Please ask.”

“What is your ultimate goal?”

He had half-expected this question to come up.

Crown Prince Yulian recognized him as a regressor living his Second Life.

Usually, those who returned to the past aimed to correct a flawed future or pursue some kind of utopia.

But Carl was different.

“To prevent the disaster that will strike the continent. …That world was no place for humans to live.”

Of course, for now, he gave a textbook answer, hiding his true intentions.

Crown Prince Yulian also seemed satisfied with the response, nodding with a pleased expression.

“Then we share the same goal. I, too, wish for the Empire to be at peace when I inherit the throne. I have no desire to start wars or trample others out of some destructive impulse. Simply to protect what I have well, be remembered as a wise ruler, and then pass the throne on to my child. That is enough for me.”

“That is indeed a difficult goal.”

“For now, it is. Which is why I need your help all the more. As I said earlier, for now focus on growing the power of Madeira and NOX. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“However…”

“Yes. If it’s revealed that we have a direct connection, it wouldn’t be good for either of us. That includes the Imperial Palace as well. I’ll set up a suitable substitute on my side to support you. This matter too will be handled from here.”

It was like they were perfectly in sync.

If he had to name the person he communicated with best from his past life to this point, it would undoubtedly be Crown Prince Yulian.

“This meeting ends here. My escort knight’s leg trembling will reach His Majesty’s ears soon enough.”

“Hahaha.”

In truth, no leg-trembling was heard.

It likely referred to the anxiety of speaking alone with such an enigmatic figure.

“Let’s shake hands before you go.”

“Gladly.”

Carl firmly grasped the outstretched hand.

Crown Prince Yulian then gazed directly into Carl’s eyes, his emerald irises vivid and clear.

“Carlos Leipzig, I look forward to working with you.”

The commotion over the Mana Bead recipe involving the Merchants’ Guild quieted down just like that.

Rumors spread that even the Imperial Family had intervened, prompting those affiliated with the guild to lay low and hope the storm passed.

While the Merchants’ Guild held considerable power, it wasn’t enough to defy the Imperial Family.

“This matter is truly unfortunate. I offer my sincere apologies. To think that someone like the Vice Guildmaster would do such a thing…”

Every ongoing banquet or event came to a halt, and the atmosphere in the Upper Realm fell into silence almost instantly.

Carl nodded while conversing with the master of the Merchants’ Guild, Chehko, who had personally visited the Madeira Trading House.

“The Imperial Family has decided to handle it on our behalf, so it’s already out of my hands.”

“Even so, you were a victim as well. I must offer an apology. On behalf of everyone, I sincerely apologize. All those involved will be removed from the Upper Realm and punished severely—I hope that at least eases your mind a little.”

Chehko was sweating profusely.

Now that the Imperial Family had intervened, the exclusive rights to Mana Beads were effectively confirmed to belong to Madeira.

Those who had tried to pressure Madeira or split its shares by leveraging their position in the Merchants’ Guild had all scurried into hiding.

Had they mishandled things, they might’ve been held responsible for the recent kidnapping incident as well.

After offering more apologies, Master Chehko took his leave.

Since it wasn’t a particularly significant meeting, Carl opened his mouth with a bored expression.

“The pursuit?”

“Currently underway. We’ve confirmed that a few high-ranking members of the Merchants’ Guild, as well as individuals affiliated with other districts of Flick, were involved.”

“Once all targets are identified, start by taking down the largest factions first.”

The fake recipe for Mana Beads.

It had been laced with Thousand-Mile Tracking Fragrance developed by NOX.

No matter how thoroughly they tried to escape, shaking off this pursuit was impossible.

It wasn’t magical or artifact-based—it relied on physical evidence.

“Now that we have Crown Prince Yulian as our backing, there’s nothing to hold us back. Even the great nobles in the underworld can’t openly intervene, so move aggressively.”

“Understood.”

Queen, who was standing behind Carl, responded politely and bowed her head.

Their manpower had been sufficiently reinforced, and the allied factions under their command—including Lahan—had grown significantly.

At this level, Carl was confident they could overwhelm even large organizations with ease.

‘In truth, it was the cleanup afterward that was always the problem.’

As it stood, NOX’s current power was on par with any organization in the underworld.

Even if their numbers were few, each member was elite, and Carl, who now stood at the top, had power far beyond a master-level fighter.

Unless it was a force like the Demon Human Faction or Origin, they could be crushed without issue.

Still, the reason he hadn’t done so until now was because they lacked the capacity to manage or absorb the enemy forces after eliminating them.

That was why, after devouring Lahan, Carl focused on consolidating his foundation to take over the underworld of Polfoardel.

With the support of Crown Prince Yulian, the sunlit face of the Empire, there was nothing obstructing him anymore.

“Let them understand clearly whose property they dared to covet.”

The sun had set, and night deepened.

The underground city of Flick, scattered throughout the underworld of the capital, operated without distinction between day or night.

Though the Flick controlled by the Luyas Organization was among the largest in the region and boasted immense activity, today, curiously, no one could be seen roaming the streets.

Clank, clank, clank.

All the shops had pulled down their metal shutters and locked them, and people crouched inside clutching swords and shields, trembling in fear.

The reason?

A black storm had descended upon Flick.

“Graaah!”

Screams and howls echoed through every alleyway as corpses piled up.

Blood darkened the already-dead ground even further, and a group charged forward over it with force.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Slash.

As the spear tip swept through, a member of Luyas’ organization spat blood and rolled across the ground.

Stepping over the fallen body, Second lifted her head, a deep smile forming at the familiar taste of blood.

“I thought I’d die of frustration from lying low all this time. Yes, this is how NOX should be.”

How exhilarating it had been cleaning out the underworld starting from Leipzig.

As NOX’s vanguard, Second had rampaged at the frontlines, participating in nearly every battle.

After arriving in the capital, she had to step back a few times due to serious injuries, but her battle-hungry temperament hadn’t changed a bit.

Shhhk.

A wisp of smoke appeared atop the wall, and Nine emerged.

“Second-nim. The boss of Luyas is fleeing in the 9 o’clock direction.”

“Okay.”

Tap!

Second kicked off the ground and dashed forward with strength.

Only then did her subordinates manage to catch up behind her, exhaling breathlessly as they gave chase once more.

‘How dare they aim at her.’

Second leapt across buildings, her fierce eyes scanning the surroundings.

She had liked Yuria from the very first moment she saw her.

Not just because the Master favored her, but because she moved boldly and confidently without being intimidated by NOX’s ominous air.

Most girls her age would have been scared off by the eerie atmosphere of NOX, but she showed more curiosity and interest instead.

They had exchanged words a few times—not that Yuria was particularly sociable—but Second appreciated her earnest attempts to engage with them.

Swoosh!

Soon, Second hurled the spear in her hand with force.

The spear shot through the air in an instant, piercing the arm of one of Luyas’ men as they exited the alley with subordinates toward Flick’s outer edge.

“Gyaaaah!”

Luyas rolled on the ground in pain, clutching the stump where his arm had once been.

Clang!

His subordinates drew their swords in desperation, forming a shield in front of their boss, but…

Crack, thud.

None could withstand the merciless punches from Second.

“For such a big group, they’re pretty pathetic. I thought at least a few would be strong.”

With a light flick of her hand, Second approached Luyas, now left alone.

Luyas, holding his pale face and bleeding arm, clenched his teeth and begged her.

“Please spare me! Many others were involved in the kidnapping—not just me! So please…!”

Crack.

Second didn’t listen.

She casually swung her fist and crushed his skull, then picked up the spear from the ground.

“I don’t really care to hear it. Besides, we’re clearing out that side in one sweep too.”

By the time this night ended, the power dynamics of the forces that made up Polfoardel’s underworld would have shifted dramatically.

“Well then, shall we head to the next spot?”

Second stretched briefly and began walking, eagerly anticipating the shock that would ripple through the underworld.

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