The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 111
Shade (3)
Contrary to the promise to start a conversation, the silence continued for a long time.
As time passed, the smell of blood spread, soaking the floor, and also passed by my nose.
At the end of that silence, I leisurely lifted the teacup in front of me and said.
“It’s funny how the powers of the shadows are always followed by the adjective ‘necessary evil’.”
“But it’s probably not an exaggerated adjective. Isn’t it because it actually has utility that it’s called that?”
“Well, I guess so.”
There is no smoke coming out of the chimney when there is no smoke, and in reality, the dark forces were surprisingly closely related to life.
So it was funny. They had to hide in the shadows more than anyone else, so they tried to find a way to come out into the light.
Moreover, no matter how hard you try to eradicate them, they keep coming back like cockroaches, so they can be a headache for politicians in any country.
That’s why.
“I’ll give you two choices.”
“I will listen.”
“One is that the power of the underworld is torn apart by the Knights of Argon.”
No matter how influential it was and how much it was called the underworld, it was impossible to avoid it since everyone knew the inside story and secret locations.
If it were the people I brought now, they would spread out in an instant and sweep away the force without leaving any trace.
There could be no trust between those who had gathered together for mutual benefit in the first place.
“I understand your opinion, Prince… … but, since you are here alone, is it okay for you to say ‘that’?”
John Hedwig spoke so politely, as if he were genuinely concerned about her well-being, his voice full of concern at the very topic he had brought up.
I raised the corners of my mouth because I found that sight so funny.
“What could be wrong with that?”
“This is a place where hundreds of mercenaries are always on standby. And there are already many assassins and troubleshooters waiting. Even though it looks like this, it means that there are quite a few hidden troops.”
“Yeah, so?”
I still don’t get the point.
“What is that you are asking?”
In an instant, a strong wave of energy poured out from my body.
It wasn’t like I was causing any aura or using the power of the pattern.
Literally momentum.
It is artificially controlling the energy that flows out unconsciously.
It soon made a dramatic difference.
I felt the air around me grow cold and tremble, and the expression on the face of the man behind the bandage became grotesquely distorted.
It was the same even after I regained my energy.
“The conversation we used to have alone was getting boring, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invite someone over to liven up the mood.”
“I will decline. I have eyes to see things too.”
The bastard’s strange voice sounded like he was laughing heartily.
Humans were animals that could predict the future.
Just as you know that if you touch the blade of a knife, you will get hurt. Even an animal would not do something reckless when there is a definite outcome.
And the guy was the kind of guy who could at least think that little bit.
“So what is the second option?”
“It’s like running an underworld like this.”
“This is a better choice than before.”
A guy who answers as if it were a joke.
I knew from the beginning that he was this good.
“Well, I guess that’s what happens.”
I smiled playfully and answered.
But the guy must have noticed already.
That, although it may sound like a joke, it is not an empty promise.
The guy had already… …seemed to get to the heart of the conversation.
“To me, that suggestion sounds like an attempt to manipulate the shadows to suit Your Majesty’s taste.”
“That’s correct.”
A greedy attitude that seeks to control even the powers of the shadows with these hands.
That’s exactly what Edward and I decided to do.
‘A necessary evil. If it’s an eyesore, just put a leash on it.’
If I can control it under the name of a hunting dog, its power will give me incomparable power.
And it was very easy for me.
“I hope you like my suggestion.”
“Yes, of course I can’t help but be pleased with it since you have shown me mercy.”
……but.
“But there is a problem.”
The guy stuck his head out as he said that.
Then, the eyes revealed between the bandages became more clearly visible. The eyes were twitching with nerves, and looked as if they would become bloodshot at any moment.
“… … What benefit can it give me?”
Those eyes that sparkle with desire.
The guy said.
“Your Majesty, you can cleanse us all right now. Yes, no matter how much we struggle, we won’t be able to stop it. But.”
I don’t know if it was his natural disposition or if it was a guest stare that came from having just experienced death, but it was definitely madness.
“Your Majesty, as a wise man, must already know that it would not be possible to achieve it by eliminating the temple. That is why you went to such trouble to find out about me.”
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“You’re not completely clueless.”
“Yes, I can carry out Your Majesty’s will. I can do everything you want and more. So… … .”
How much can you give?
What can benefit you? What can motivate you?
It’s a bargaining game where you have to choose between one option and a set outcome.
A bet with your life at stake.
I smiled, the corners of my lips curling at that attitude.
“… … This is interesting.”
This situation was so funny to me. Perhaps, if it had been no different from usual, I would have paid for that impudent behavior with death.
However, if it were up to him, knowing John Hedwig’s disposition, it would be different.
‘I never abandon a request once I receive it.’
A man who always keeps his relationships tied to money.
That was the man named John Hedwig who created the current underworld.
In his previous life, he was killed because of that, but he never backed down. He was the same even until the moment he died after being cut in half by my sword.
That’s why it was rather attractive.
Because right now, he’s basically selling me his blind feelings of loyalty.
‘The clearer the goal, the easier it is to control.’
And the loyalty that comes from it is more trustworthy than the petty yearning that can betray at any time.
Just like George, who had a direction of ‘family safety’.
I said, uncrossing my crossed legs.
“The value of information is money. If it goes to the right people, it can create enormous wealth.”
“That means… … .”
“From now on, I will provide you with business information.”
The bandage covering his face moved erratically. He seemed even more interested than before.
“What if it’s not worth that much?”
“There must be value. It will benefit me as well.”
“Hmm! I see.”
As expected from someone who ruled the underworld, he immediately nodded as he remembered what I had done using the upper ranks of the kingdom.
And that expression seemed to understand the meaning behind those words.
Even if you were able to interfere with internal affairs, including the upper echelons of the kingdom, there were bound to be things you couldn’t do.
It’s like trading the freedom that comes with being a prince.
So I thought of entrusting them with a task that was impossible for me… … and impossible in the name of royalty.
Many businesses that straddle the line between legal and illegal.
And it won’t just be about making money.
“Okay, the deal is done.”
While I was closing my eyes to collect my thoughts, the guy stood up from his seat and immediately bowed gently.
I accepted the request called Loyalty.
The corners of my mouth went up in satisfaction.
… … Not bad.
The hunting dog that had previously bared its teeth has finally submitted.
The satisfaction was all the greater knowing how tenacious the guy was and how sharp his teeth were.
‘You should feel it too, my friend.’
They say good things are meant to be shared, so I’ll let you taste them to your heart’s content.
I stroked my chin and fell into thought.
Not only that, there were endless ways to utilize the guy.
For example, entrusting work to the powers of the underworld and assisting them with royal power.
Since I could already tell whether it was successful or not through my memories before the regression, there was literally nothing to hesitate about anymore.
then…….
“Give the first instruction.”
“Please give your order.”
“From now on, I will clean up the dark forces that I am talking about.”
A low laugh came out from between the bandages.
“What should I do?”
“It would be enough to kill all the administrators so that there are no regrets.”
The underworld was clearly a den of criminals.
The information guild and assassination guild they run right now are like that, and the dark guild is also like that.
In particular, some of them are so rotten that they could rot. If we don’t get rid of the cause of the corruption, everything will rot.
“Yes, I will do as the headquarters directs.”
The guy accepted the order without even questioning it.
And then he went one step further and said exactly what I wanted.
“Would you mind cleaning up the dark guild?”
“I like it because the story moves quickly.”
Among the guilds of the underworld, this one is the most money-sensitive.
The guys often lined up with nobles to make money.
‘Like the general manager of an auction house that was supported by Asus.’
The Asus auction items piled up in George’s private room. I smiled as I recalled them.
Those guys were useless and only interfered with the plan. It was enough to put in people who suited my taste.
“We will sort out the dark guild as quickly as possible.”
“good.”
Okay-!
Something slipped across the desk I was sitting on.
Eventually, ‘it’ flew to the guy’s close range and stopped exactly in front of him.
… … It was a correction ball.
“Communication will be one-way through it.”
“It’s a call-to-action crystal. It’s also made so that communication signals cannot be detected.”
“After that, don’t send anyone from this side. The same goes for when you have business.”
“I look forward to it.”
I stood up from my seat and looked the guy in the eye.
It was a moment when an incredible relationship was born between two forces that could never be together: the royal family and the underworld.
* * *
Kesed, a merchant belonging to the Dark Merchant Guild.
He was not only an executive of the guild, but also the general manager who managed the auction house held by the guild.
But even he had never met the head of the underworld.
Rather, it was natural since there were only a few people who had seen that face.
But today, he was on the move after receiving an invitation from such a leader.
‘The opportunity has finally come.’
A look of delight crossed Kesed’s face.
To see his face was, simply put, no different from saying that he wanted to hire you as an executive.
Even though I was quite satisfied with what I was getting from this position, I was given the opportunity to leave the river and go out to the wider sea.
‘It wasn’t a bad position, but it wasn’t safe.’
His face hardened in an instant as he muttered to himself.
When the representative of the 4th Prince from the Federation Empire came to see me, I was so nervous that I thought it wouldn’t be strange if I died soon.
Fortunately, the incident was hushed up, but the shock at the time was so great that I couldn’t focus on anything for a while.
But that was now goodbye as he was promoted to executive position in the guild.
Just by getting the beans that fall purely on you, you will be able to gain more than you do now.
“Hehehehe.”
Kesed stroked his monocle and let out a bitter laugh.
Yeah, if I can just get through this door… … .
And finally, the moment he had longed for came.
Clank-
“Come in.”
A strange voice and appearance.
Kesed flinched, but didn’t show it because he had been warned beforehand.
However, it is truly surprising that there was a leader of the underworld in a place like this.
‘As rumored, the headquarters was in the west.’
Even a mercenary guild! How could anyone possibly discover it?
Just the fact that this secret was shared made me feel as if I had discovered the secrets of the world.
Kesed’s lips rose upwards as if they were torn apart.
But at that moment, he turned his head at the sound of someone behind him.
Clank-
“uh?”
In an instant, the door closed. Then, five or six men blocked the door.
It was natural for them to be there guarding the gate as it was the main base, but this was a different matter.
Those who had just appeared were… … assassins wearing all black attire.
“… … What happened to me?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just wanted to check something.”
“… … .”
Despite Kesed’s questions, the assassins did not move an inch.
To be exact, it was waiting for the next order to be given.
“… … Hmm. You’re the leader of the dark guild.”
And it was a conviction and a command.
The assassins approached him, wielding daggers they had pulled out from somewhere, and only then did Kesed realize that things were going strangely.
But it might already be too late.
“S, explain at least… … Huh!”
Crunch-!
Kesed’s feet, which had been slowly retreating due to the flash of murderous intent, were twisted.
He fell comically into his seat, but managed to get up with surprising speed.
But above it all, a strange, cold voice descended.
“There was one last thing I wanted you to say.”
“Wow, this is the last one… … .”
“I don’t know what that means, but they said you were the fourth.”
… … the fourth?
Phew!
“Ugh─!”
Kesed chewed on the word, feeling the stab of a knife piercing into his body.
But it didn’t mean anything, because it died shortly after.
“I will organize it.”
“hmm.”
Slurp-
The assassins dragged the dead merchant’s body outside.
And even then, the eyes hidden behind the bandages were chasing the merchant’s face.
It was a look of great interest.
