The truth is, I have involved Leon and Uncle Damon with the Dark Guild.

It was inevitable.

I don't trust Freya and Jasper enough to handle everything involving the resources within the Dark Guild, as well as remnants of Count Kaelen Thornvale's wealth.

That's right!

Not only did I gain everything he had laundered from the Fargos scheme, but I also plundered everything of worth within his manor, as well as other valuable movable assets in his estate. All that had worth was taken by me.

Of course, things like these require time.

It's one thing to steal all of these things, but it's another thing to translate them to real wealth.

As such, I needed time to properly digest my gains.

I also need proper managers to handle the process while I occupied myself with the other issues in my life, some of which I still haven't resolved.

Jasper and Freya are capable, and their experience on the job makes them indispensable to me.

But they're criminals in the end.

Although I've managed to reel them in with benefits and threats, using both the carrot and the stick, it's clear that both of them will betray me if given the opportunity. Thankfully, Jasper was able to recreate the Dark Guild's poison antidote for Freya, which means both of them can freely operate without fear of being killed by the poison.

I can also use Jasper for my Potions and Freya for Divination, so they're valuable assets.

But, Leon and Uncle Damon are trustworthy ones.

That's why I had to bring them into the fold—using them as my true eyes and ears.

The good thing about this arrangement is that I can funnel a lot of these resources into my dying business and completely rejuvenate it. In fact, I can expand and obtain more profits than ever before, allowing me to surpass my peak achievement.

Not only that, but through the Dark Guild's channels, I can sell off all the useless stuff I need, while keeping the Potions, Armaments, and Special Resources that I require for myself.

With all of these issues resolved, I'll be back on the green.

I'll be able to brew as many Grade 3 Potions as I need, and I won't have to worry about my finances for the time being.

It's selfish and self-serving, I know.

But it's the most practical solution to all my money-related problems.

"The absorption rate has improved ever since we set up subsidiary businesses all over the Kingdom. They were all made using the connection of the Dark Guild and cannot be easily traced back to the main business. With these channels, we'll have avenues to distribute the assets for more liquid options like cash or the Special Resources that you require. Also…"

I listen carefully as Leon succinctly reports the details of all the commercial activities and internal affairs that I asked him to take note of.

It appears everything is going just as I planned, which is a relief.

"What about those two?"

"Mr Jasper and Miss Freya are surprisingly well-behaved. They do their jobs without complaining, and they've also rendered helpful advice many times. We've followed your instructions and barely relied on their counsel, since they could be hidden traps, but we've seen no sign of betrayal thus far. In the meantime, we're also going through the records, per your instruction, to see if we can find the recipe for the Dark Guild's Poison Potion."

"Good… good." I nod slowly.

If I can get that Potion, I'll be able to enforce obedience from those two, and my heart will be at more ease. Even if the Antidote completely removes its effects, by studying and reverse-engineering the Potion, the possibility of brewing another Potion with identical or superior effects will increase.

Without a doubt, getting that recipe will help me out greatly.

Unfortunately, we haven't gotten a single clue where it is. It's also a shame that Esther's Grimoire doesn't have anything of use, though I shouldn't expect too much from it. If it had solutions to all my problems, then that would be quite suspicious.

It's strange…

In the past, I would have felt guilty about what I'm doing; taking all the Count's resources for myself, even the laundered ones, and colluding with the Dark Guild… but now I don't even feel the slightest bit of heartache.

It is true that I am dabbling very deeply in illegal waters.

But I have long accepted this outcome.

I am selfish.

I will make selfish decisions like these to ensure progress in my plans, while doing my best to avoid causing direct harm to those around me. It's quite hypocritical that I still show some measure of consideration to people, since it shows I am still taking half measures and can't go all the way in my vile actions.

But it's okay… I accept that part of myself.

"How about the other matter? Have you been approached by any Dark Guild member from another Kingdom's branch?"

"No. Not yet, Lord Javier… but we are on the lookout for any."

'How disappointing…' I sigh deeply.

"Okay. Keep your eyes out and inform me as soon as you come into contact with any of them."

"Understood!"

It's inevitable for contact to occur… I just need to give it time.

Business has to flow through the Dark Guilds of each Kingdom, and with the Randalorion Kingdom's Dark Guild now compromised, it's clear that the order has been affected. They'll likely send someone to rectify it.

My only hope is that the Dark Guild approaches this with tact.

'The most advantageous thing will be a friendly outreach to my current operations. In that case, we can cooperate and reach a consensus on the commercial activities that will take place in the Randalorion Kingdom.' I slowly nod while keeping my gaze on Leon.

This is a rather dangerous venture.

I already informed Leon and Uncle Damon of this, and I gave them the choice to bail out at the very start. However, since the two of them have taken on this task while being aware of the risk, I no longer feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility for them.

In the end, this will benefit all of us.

'I'll control the Royal Family to rule the Randalorion Kingdom in the light, while manipulating the Dark Guild to run its affairs in the shadows. It's a complicated way of doing things, but that way, I can secure benefits while having the channel to utilize my resources as I see fit.'

All of these have been carefully considered by me.

Of course, this means the Dark Guild's normal operations will continue without any disturbance, especially if I wish for the other branches to cooperate with mine.

The big question, though, is this—

'Will I encounter a Leviathan in the process?'

The most straightforward answer I can think of is "Yes. It's very likely."

Why?

Because Zarius was in charge of the Dark Guild affairs of the Randalorion Kingdom. It's highly likely that the Dark Guilds of other Kingdoms are also ruled by Leviathans. As such, if the Dark Guild finds such a drastic takeover in the Randalorion Kingdom, it's only fair to assume that something happened to its overseeing Leviathan.

That way, isn't it quite natural for another Leviathan to appear within the Randalorion Kingdom to investigate this sudden change?

It's either that or the Dark Guild abandons its business in the Randalorion Kingdom.

But I doubt that will happen.

Actually, a Leviathan coming from another Kingdom is exactly what I want to see.

After living as a Leviathan for half a year, I've come to realize how extremely difficult it is to navigate this path on my own. At first, I planned to avoid Leviathans entirely, but it will actually profit me more if I interact with another.

Especially if we are connected by business, that would be the best.

If I can work a deal with a Dark Guild Leviathan as part of negotiations, then I don't think there'll be much of a problem.

Both sides ultimately win, and business runs smoothly.

'Meeting Lady Anastasia for answers would have been the best, but I would have to undergo Apotheosis for that. I don't even know how to do so, but even if I could… I'm certainly not ready for that. It's too risky…'

Taking this method with the Dark Guild is also risky.

Especially if a Rank 2 Leviathan appears.

But…

'Since Zarius was able to properly maintain his position in the Dark Guild as a Rank 1, and even give authority to Kaelen, just as I have given to Leon and Uncle Damon, I reckon that a Rank 1 Leviathan is likely the benchmark for leadership in the Dark Guild.'

There's no way to fully confirm this, though.

It's all a risk.

But I've run out of most options.

I'm desperate myself.

If things don't work out as I hope, I might have to give up my current identity and run away.

Leon and Uncle Damon could also die in the process.

But this is a risk I am willing to take.

'If someone like Zarius was allowed to run the Dark Guild, then why can't I? And if he was allowed to use a proxy, why can't I? As long as the Dark Guild is interested in business, then they wouldn't perpetrate unnecessary bloodshed and simply cooperate.'

This is the best route for mutual benefit.

However, with so much I don't know about the Dark Guild and even the world of Leviathans, I won't be surprised if there is a curveball and all of this planning ends up in vain.

But I have to hope.

Hope… that it all ends well.

"You can leave. Thank you for the report and all your hard work, and send my regards to Uncle Damon as well."

"It's my pleasure, Lord Javier."

I had Leon most of the goods I got from the Royal Palace, including the Thorn Overseer Vine's Golden Core, among other miscellaneous ingredients. It's not like I can store all of them in my premises, after all.

I considered making a copy of the founding Leviathan's notes to give Leon so they can investigate on their end, but ultimately chose not to.

This is sensitive stuff, and it could contain information forbidden to humans.

Until I am absolutely certain—or desperate—I won't expose it.

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