Chapter 516: Purpose
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 516: Purpose
"Mr. Bruce, the newspaper you requested."
In the quiet room, the Rat King personally delivered the latest edition of the Belland Daily to Muen.
"As I thought... even if an avatar is devoured by Black Flame, there's no way to read the soul?"
Muen, murmuring to himself, opened his eyes and took the paper.
Upon unfolding it, his eyes were immediately met by a bold, blackened headline.
"Favran Food Processing Factory Shut Down Following Discovery of Major Safety Violations."
Muen scanned the article quickly. It was a comprehensive exposé on how the factory used inferior materials, even going so far as to recycle food waste for secondary processing. It painted a picture of a business driven to madness by greed—the kind of food safety scandal guaranteed to incite public outrage.
The closure of the factory and the promise of severe punishment for those involved would naturally draw applause from the masses.
It was a textbook piece of crisis management.
However... Muen knew that any factory Celicia had bothered to investigate in advance couldn't possibly have had such blatant issues.
The real problem lay elsewhere.
"A pity. It seems they’ve managed to cut their losses by lopping off a tail," Muen remarked, closing the newspaper with a sigh and a shake of his head. He wasn't overly disappointed, though.
This was all within expectations.
To think he could topple the members of the Inner Council with a single research institute—one whose direct links to them couldn't even be proven—was pure fantasy.
Still, this had severed one of their vital lifelines. Without the cover of the food factory and the Shadows of Belland, they wouldn't be able to continue producing that drug anytime soon.
Besides, the raid on the laboratory hadn't been entirely fruitless.
The researchers had fled in a panic, taking almost all the vital experimental data with them, but they had forgotten one thing.
Muen’s gaze fell upon the table.
It was a stack of cargo receipts for materials flowing into the institute.
"Your biggest advantage was hiding in the dark. Now... you’ve finally left a trail."
A cold smirk played on Muen’s lips. He stuffed the documents into an envelope and handed it to the Rat King.
"Mail this to the designated location. Mark the sender as 'K'."
"Understood."
Ever since Muen had single-handedly slaughtered Wood’s gang, the Rat King’s attitude had become increasingly reverent. "I’ll see to it immediately."
"Wait."
Muen called him back. "Any movement from Old Ghost lately?"
"Ah, I was just about to mention that."
The Rat King looked somewhat puzzled. "For some reason, Old Ghost—who was quite aggressive before—has suddenly gone quiet. Our people have prodded them a few times, but they haven't reacted at all. Several key figures have vanished without a trace, as if they’ve disappeared off the face of the earth."
"I see. Gone into hibernation, have they?"
Muen rubbed his chin. "His instincts are sharp. He truly is the uncrowned king who once ruled the Lower District. It seems I won't find a breakthrough there for now."
*
"So, you decided to show up in broad daylight with that stupid face, swaggering in here just to smear my name with the taint of gang affiliation?"
Celicia took an elegant sip of her coffee. Her gaze was cold as she looked at Muen, who was lounging across from her as if he were in his own home, unceremoniously pulling her cherry cake toward himself.
"Tsk, don't be like that. I saw the knights have been withdrawn. It looks like your father has finally lifted your confinement?"
Muen sampled the cake. It was easy to see why Celicia liked it; the sweetness was staggering.
"The Royal Knights are gone, so you assume no one else is watching?"
"Oh, they are."
Muen nodded, then reached up and peeled off his disguise, revealing his true face. "But I believe in your ability and caution, Thea. Those people won't see anything useful. I’m putting my trust in you!"
"..."
Celicia stared at that seemingly sincere—but actually even stupider—face for a long moment. She suddenly pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a helpless sigh.
"Fine. What is it this time?"
"I heard there’s a ball being held at the palace? Hosted by Prince Andrew in His Majesty’s name?" Muen asked, rubbing his hands together expectantly.
"You found out?"
"Of course I did. I’m not deaf or blind. Besides, the Campbell family received an invitation... it’s just that right now, there’s no one who can go."
Muen cleared his throat, his tone shifting. "Celicia, what do you think Andrew’s goal is for this ball?"
"What else could it be? It’s certainly not to 'ease tensions' between the factions."
Celicia let out a cold laugh.
"Ever since the news broke that my eldest brother, Albert, recovered from his brain ailment, he’s remained behind closed doors. Andrew’s goal for this ball is twofold: first, to recruit allies; and second... to force Albert to show his face. After all, for a mere ball, there isn't much difference between an invitation from a Prince or the Emperor. But if it’s in our father’s name, even Albert will find it difficult to refuse."
"I see. Tsk, tsk. Sounds like it’s going to be quite the spectacle." Muen sighed with mock sentimentality. He swirled his coffee cup, picked at the remains of the cake, and shook his head with a look of profound melancholy, as if he were deeply despondent over the gathering storm of the political climate.
"Stop beating around the bush."
Celicia looked at Muen with a knowing smile as he rehearsed his opening line. "Mr. Campbell, who currently has a home he cannot return to—you want me to take you in?"
"Your Highness is truly brilliant." Muen gave her a thumbs up. "That is exactly what I was thinking."
"..."
Ignoring his praise, Celicia stirred her coffee with a silver spoon and took a light sip.
"Fine."
"Please, consider it again. This is... wait, what did you say?"
"I said fine."
Celicia set her cup down and stared at Muen expressionlessly. "I can take you in."
"Re... Really?"
Muen’s eyes widened. He had prepared a mountain of arguments and was even planning to shamelessly beg, but he hadn't expected her to agree so easily before he’d even started his performance.
"If you’re thinking about using whatever sordid methods you had planned, I’ll strip you naked and throw you out while shouting that the Campbell heir is right here."
"My deepest apologies."
Celicia withdrew her gaze, looking down and aimlessly stirring her now-lukewarm coffee.
"I know your objective. The Inner Council is hiding in the shadows, so you want to start with Prince Andrew, who is in league with them. You want to use the ball to gather intelligence."
"As expected of Celicia, you truly are—"
"I can take you in, and I can even help you pry information out of Andrew. But... you have to help me in return."
"Help you?"
Muen frowned and sat up straight. "Help you with what?"
"Nothing much. Just a small matter."
Celicia paused, then spoke slowly.
"The same as Andrew’s goal. I want you to go and test my... eldest brother, Albert."