Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: The Unholy Alliance
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“Find Crown for us.”
At the request of the old man in the black robe, Adrian asked in a puzzled tone.
“Crown? The master of the Decapitators clan? Why look for him here? I thought he was a pirate of the Infinite World.”
“A fortune-teller said so. That he was headed for the Demon Country.”
“A fortune-teller? Relying on something as uncertain as mystic magic? That's not like Black Night.”
As Adrian scoffed, the old man spoke in a preachy tone, as if dealing with a child who knew nothing of the world.
“Young Master Adrian. If you wish to surpass the Graves family of Head Lete, you must first have the wisdom to understand that our opponent is troublesome enough for us to rely on uncertain means.”
“Or perhaps, Black Night isn't as impressive as I thought.”
Perhaps because he was being lectured, the old man surprisingly agreed readily to Adrian's sharp, sensitive remark.
“Perhaps. However, I believe it's not that we are unimpressive, but that Crown is.”
“Well, how impressive can a mere pirate of the Infinite World be?”
The old man removed the robe covering his head. Then, the hollow gaze of his eyeless sockets turned to Adrian.
“Young Master. Do not underestimate Crown. He is an insidious fox, a ferocious lion, and a cunning serpent. And he is light, yet also darkness. Perhaps. That may be why we are struggling. We realized too late that the natural enemy of evil is hypocrisy.”
As the old man consistently muttered incomprehensible things to himself, an annoyed Adrian asked in a sharp voice.
“Just how great is this Crown that you sing his praises so highly? What in the world is his level?”
“Level? For some powerful individuals, that is merely a number. Of course, the first digit has some meaning, but it's certain that Crown's strength does not stem from his level.”
“Hmm, you keep speaking in abstractions, so I can't get a feel for it.”
“How about this? Two of our Presidents have fallen under his command.”
“…I heard it was only Amor?”
“Exactly two. One was recently devoured.”
“Devoured? That's a strange expression.”
“Literally. Crown can devour defeated individuals whose spirits are broken and take them under his command. That is why he is the great adversary of our Black Night.”
Only then could Adrian properly recognize the danger of Crown.
A being that devours the defeated and commands them?
He felt he could understand why Black Night was trying to keep him in check.
“If that's true, he is indeed a dangerous man. Dangerous enough that he must be eliminated as soon as possible.”
“That is why we came to you, Young Master. Young Master. We will lend you our strength. Use it as a foundation to crush the Graves family and rise to the top. In return, you will find Crown and report his location to us. So that this Demon Country... can become his grave.”
“I accept. It's an offer with no downsides for me.”
The old man clapped his hands, and a man and a woman who had been leaning against the wall in the corner approached Adrian.
“Two of Black Night's President-level combatants. Let's see, in terms of the Demon Country's rankings... they would easily be in the top 15.”
A ranker within the top 15 meant they were powerful individuals just below the level of the Ten Great Rankers, known as the Ten Strongest.
“Top 15? Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?”
“It is no exaggeration. Crown himself is a powerhouse who could easily rank within the top 15.”
“Hoh, so does that mean those two alone can kill Crown?”
“It is possible. As long as he is ‘alone’.”
“What, so even with those two, you can't catch Crown. What a shame.”
“There is nothing to be ashamed of. Because you have me.”
“You? Hmm, I thought you were a simple messenger from Black Night...?”
Ghostly fire flared up in the old man's empty eye sockets.
The flickering green light stared directly at Adrian.
“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Imago. I may be foolish, but I hold one of the five seats of the Five Great Captains of Black Night.”
Adrian's face stiffened.
It was because he had just realized that the old man he had been treating so casually was one of the five captains leading Black Night, and at the same time, a Chairman-level figure, practically the right-hand man of each of the Five Divine Seeds.
As if unconcerned by Adrian's disrespectful attitude, Imago spoke in a gentle tone.
“But first, there is something we must do. I will now hand out necklaces, so have all the key personnel of your family wear them.”
“Necklaces? Why all of a sudden...”
“It is to block Crown's ‘eyes’. His eyes see through everything, down to the very bottom of those he looks upon.”
* * *
As soon as he arrived at the Vampir estate, Lee Si-woo, who was being guided by a maid, came to a sudden halt.
‘I can't see it.’
Realizing that his Scouter, one of Barathrum's functions, wasn't working on some members of the Vampir family, Lee Si-woo's demeanor turned icy cold.
‘…Black Night. They're here.’
Guessing that Black Night had extended its clutches to the Vampir family, Lee Si-woo turned around without a moment's hesitation.
His intention was to retreat first and grasp the situation.
Puzzled by Lee Si-woo's action, the maid asked.
“Lord Alma. Where are you going? We are about to arrive at Lord Adrian's residence.”
“Something urgent came up. I'll come back later.”
“What? B-But... Lord Adrian has already cleared his schedule to meet you, Lord Alma.”
“I will apologize to him separately later.”
“Wait! This is problematic! Lord Alma!”
Lee Si-woo paid no mind to what the maid was saying and quickened his pace.
Just then, the fine hairs on Lee Si-woo's skin stood on end, and a chill ran down his spine.
For the first time in a long while, Lee Si-woo's Talent, ‘Danger Sense,’ had activated.
‘Dammit...’
Spotting Adrian and the black-robed old man walking towards him from the other end of the corridor, chatting quietly, Lee Si-woo quickly lowered his gaze.
A drop of cold sweat trickled down the side of his head.
‘For my Danger Sense to activate now... that old man. He must be one of Black Night's Chairmen. What rotten luck is this? Even if my luck is bad, to run into a Black Night Chairman in the middle of the Vampir estate?’
Recognizing Lee Si-woo, Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Alma Graves? Hmm, what are you doing here? If you've arrived, why aren't you in your quarters?”
Lee Si-woo spoke cautiously.
“My apologies. Something urgent came up, and I was on my way back. I'm very sorry, but we'll have to postpone today's meeting.”
Adrian spoke firmly, as if telling him not to speak nonsense.
“Urgent business? Stop with the nonsense and follow me. There is nothing more urgent for you than meeting me.”
As Adrian abruptly dismissed his words, Lee Si-woo's brow furrowed slightly.
Lee Si-woo, who already had ill feelings towards Adrian because of Ha-yun, felt his anger boil, but he controlled it coolly and spoke calmly.
“If you insist, Lord Adrian, then I suppose I have no choice. Very well. I will follow.”
If he stubbornly tried to leave now, he would only draw the attention of the Black Night Chairman.
Lee Si-woo acted as nonchalantly as possible to avoid attracting notice.
Imago, who had been observing Lee Si-woo, asked Adrian.
“Alma, I've heard that name before. I heard he was embroiled in some noisy affair recently and was falsely accused. Is that right?”
Adrian nodded and replied.
“That's right. This fellow is the star of the hottest topic these days.”
Was it because he now knew Imago's identity?
Adrian was speaking respectfully and showing him deference.
Imago slowly looked Lee Si-woo up and down and said.
“A pleasure to meet you, Alma Graves. I am Imago. The chairman of a company that has a small partnership with Young Master Adrian.”
Lee Si-woo bowed his head politely and said.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Alma Graves. I look forward to working with you.”
Lee Si-woo was not just polite; he adopted a subservient posture, almost to the point of appearing timid.
It was to avoid drawing Imago's attention as much as possible.
However, Imago seemed very interested in Alma and asked various questions.
“I heard you only recently returned to the Demon Country.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“I hear you wandered the outside world for over ten years... Impressive. It couldn't have been an easy choice for a scion of a noble family.”
“Not at all. I received so much while being born and raised in the family, so it wasn't that difficult.”
“Is that so? But I heard that while you were a problem child in your younger days, you've changed quite a bit. As if... your very core has been replaced.”
At Imago's question, which carried a significant nuance, Lee Si-woo's mouth went dry.
‘There's a Chairman in the Vampir estate, so why didn't my Death-Ground Fortune activate? Could it be that at my current level... I can handle a Chairman? No, that can't be right. I might be able to handle a President-level being, but a Chairman-level is still too much for me. Don't tell me... they've figured out how Death-Ground Fortune works and have started to counteract it?’
Contrary to his rapidly spinning thoughts, Lee Si-woo's mouth uttered words in a relaxed tone.
“You flatter me. And it's nothing remarkable. There is no one who does not change before the passage of time.”
“For that, you've changed quite a lot, I hear... Hmm, could you raise your head for a moment?”
As if not to give any room for suspicion, Lee Si-woo immediately raised his head.
Imago, who was silently studying Lee Si-woo's face, muttered.
“Genetically, he is definitely of the Graves bloodline. Strange. He was the most suspicious person among the candidates...”
As Imago trailed off, Lee Si-woo asked in an innocent tone.
“Pardon? Did you just say I was suspicious? Have I perhaps unknowingly made you uncomfortable, Chairman?”
“No. Pay it no mind. Rather... Alma. I hope we see each other often from now on. I find you quite interesting.”
“If someone as capable as yourself, who has formed a connection with Young Master Adrian, shows an interest in me, then it is an honor for me.”
Imago asked suddenly, as if testing him.
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes, of course, I do.”
“Then I'm glad. Ah, more importantly, Young Master Adrian. Even if you find Crown, do not act rashly. Be sure to find us first. He has a knack for sensing his own mortal danger and escaping, like a rat before an earthquake, making him exceptionally tricky.”
While speaking to Adrian, Imago did not take his eyes off Lee Si-woo.
However, despite having brought up the topic deliberately, Lee Si-woo showed no reaction at all, leaving Imago to tilt his head in confusion.
‘Was I being too sensitive? Personally, based on the circumstantial evidence, I thought there was an 80 percent chance that Alma Graves was Crown. Hmm... I have no choice. I'll observe this one gradually and check the other candidates first. Hmm, still, just in case, it's best not to let my guard down.’
Adrian, who didn't know why Imago had suddenly brought up Crown, replied in a slightly sullen tone.
“Well, I suppose so.”
“Well then, the Young Master seems busy, so I shall take my leave.”
Adrian quickly retorted as if to say it was a good idea.
“Farewell.”
Adrian, who was staring blankly at the departing Imago, said to Lee Si-woo.
“Since we've met like this, let's not bother going back to your quarters. Let's walk together for a bit.”
“Yes.”
Adrian said as he walked down the corridor.
“Come to think of it, I was speaking down to you from the start. Please understand. I speak informally with your older brother, Pames, so it became a habit to do the same with you.”
“It's alright. I understand.”
“I'm grateful for your understanding. More importantly, the reason I called you here today is to give you an opportunity.”
“An opportunity... you say?”
“Mm, have you heard of the private gathering, ‘Royal’?”
“I have. It's a secret society where only the children of noble families can be invited, I hear.”
“Since you've heard of it, this will be easier. I'm thinking of inviting you to Royal.”
“Me? Well. It's an honor, but my first thought is, why? I am a child of a noble family, but... as far as I know, isn't there already someone of the Graves bloodline in Royal?”
“That's right. That's why I agreed to your request to meet. Pames is in Royal. I want you to keep him in check.”
“...Me?”
“Ah, of course, it would be impossible for you alone. I've heard you have considerable business acumen and that your character has improved, but your personal abilities can't be considered particularly good. However, with my support, even someone lacking like you should be able to stand against Pames.”
Lee Si-woo, having figured out Adrian's scheme, had a glint in his eyes.
‘Look at this. This guy. He's trying to use me to create a rift in the Graves family.’
To Lee Si-woo, who tilted his head as if in thought, Adrian said.
“As you know, Pames, who has a family of summoners as his in-laws, is one of my strongest rivals. That's why I'm trying to recruit you to my side. You, a member of the Graves bloodline, cooperating with me will undoubtedly be a tricky move for Pames to deal with.”
At Adrian's repeated persuasion, Lee Si-woo genuinely pondered.
It was to gauge whether getting involved with Adrian, who had joined hands with Black Night, was a wise move.
‘As they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. This is actually perfect. The closer I get to Adrian, the more Black Night's suspicions will fade, and if I'm lucky, I might even be able to figure out their schemes in advance.’
Having made his decision, Lee Si-woo nodded.
“Thank you for choosing me. That offer. I will gladly accept it.”