Episode 366 – Upheaval (4)
As they finished negotiations and stepped outside, Fenry stopped Arthur for a mont.
“Why did you reveal your na?”
“Were you that surprised? You looked just like Elder Halyans earlier.”
The true identity of the Divine Hunter, hidden for so long in secrecy. When Arthur revealed it himself, Halyans’ wide-eyed, stamring reaction flashed through his mind.
He was asked, “Is that really true?” about five tis.
“You’ve been hiding that secret so tightly all this ti, and now you drop it like a casual greeting. Wouldn’t anyone be shocked?”
“This is a formal alliance involving the World Tree. It wouldn’t do for the leader to use a fake na, would it?”
“You had absolute leverage in that deal. Even if you’d sent a fake representative instead of using a fake na, he would’ve bowed and signed the alliance anyway. It was premature.”
“No, this was the right ti to reveal my real na.”
“Right now?”
Arthur nodded.
He recalled how the na Arthur Clayton ca to be.
It was a na that surfaced by chance...
During a banquet with the Mad Butcher Kal, held in the underground prison of Bleyer Castle. Lochter, the knight captain, had also been present at that invitation orchestrated by Kal.
That was when Arthur first t Lochter, and from that fateful connection, the na Arthur Clayton was born.
But ever since, he hadn’t been able to use that na openly.
At first, it was to avoid Kal’s relentless pursuit, but later, it was to prevent his identity as the Divine Hunter from being exposed.
So he continued to use aliases.
To survive, there was no choice.
Survival.
Arthur had long waited for the day when he could proudly reveal his na. He hid his presence ticulously and steadily grew in power.
And finally, after toppling Aintrier...
“There’s no longer any reason to hide my na.”
He realized he had grown strong enough to get what he wanted without worrying about how others perceived him.
He was confident now that he could live using his true na—Arthur.
“If I keep hiding my na, it could eventually cause conflict with Demtor. It’s better to eliminate any potential issues in advance.”
“The na isn’t the problem. It’s the divine title that cos with it—Divine Hunter. That title is the real issue.
With that move, more people will be targeting you. It ans we could be facing more enemies.”
“The Allied Forces are strong.”
“I know. But they still need ti.”
“Even if I hadn’t revealed it, the truth would’ve spread soon enough. That’s another reason I did it first.”
“What do you an?”
“Azonne knew my real na.”
“That bastard? But he’s dead. Dead n don’t talk.”
“Your perspective might change once you learn about Azonne’s hidden identity.”
“Azonne had a secret I didn’t know?”
“Probably.”
Arthur gave a faint smile, then pulled a small bundle of papers from his robe and handed it to Fenry.
Snatching the bundle, Fenry puffed a breath of smoke and examined it. A mont later, her expression hardened.
Plop—
Her pipe slipped weakly from her mouth as she stared at Arthur.
Arthur picked it up, tapped off the dust, and placed it back between her lips.
“That shocking, huh?”
“...Is this real?”
What Arthur had shown her was a certificate of ownership—proof of shares in Aintrier.
“Aintrier’s share certificates can’t be forged.”
“I know that. I an... why is this...”
Fenry looked through the stack again.
Even with widened eyes, there was no mistaking it.
“You’re telling the Black Market’s seal is stamped here?”
“Because Azonne was the Master of the Black Market.”
“You’re insane.”
The share certificates Arthur handed over totaled four sheets.
He now held 20% of Aintrier’s ownership. Combined with the Black Market shares, the implications were staggering.
This was an event that could flip the entire power structure of Hell Gri.
“So when you said you had the grounds to claim Aintrier’s leadership… it wasn’t a bluff?”
“It was the truth.”
“...You actually hold the majority share?”
“When you combine the shares from the Black Market, Azonne, and the Allied Forces, it totals 55%. Aintrier now belongs to the Alliance.”
Fenry let out a scoff of disbelief.
Who else could so casually declare they’d devoured one of Hell Gri’s central powers?
No—The fact that such a person was standing right in front of her was absurd.
“Could sothing like this even happen by coincidence?”
Thinking any further just gave her a headache.
Sighing, Fenry handed the papers back.
“Is there more I’m supposed to be shocked about?”
“I found out Azonne’s hidden secret while searching his library. The Shelter of Darkness—a secret space managed by the Black Market Master.”
“...Go on.”
It was ti to reveal the secrets he hadn’t spoken of until now:
Azonne’s hidden identity, his role as Black Market Master, and the Shelter of Darkness.
Arthur told Fenry everything he’d experienced during his disappearance—what kind of place the Shelter of Darkness was, the etings he had with Black Market executives inside, and—
“An entity from the spirit realm made contact with . I almost died.”
Even his encounter with Makibeldor, the King of Greed.
Arthur shared everything without holding back. Fenry was the symbol of unity for the Allied Forces, the guardian of the World Tree.
There was no reason to keep secrets from her.
Besides, she had been chosen by the Shadow King, Shery von Haus. Since Arthur didn’t fully understand the Absolute Beings, it was wise to start sharing information now
in case he needed her insight later.
“Hm...”
When Arthur finished, Fenry rubbed her chin, clearly deep in thought. The information about the Black Market had given her much to process.
After a mont, her eyes lit up and she asked,
“So that ans you can still control the Black Market, right?”
“I don’t think so.”
“What? Didn’t you say you could give commands via the Shelter of Darkness? Just pretend to be the Master and send orders again—”
“That’s no longer possible.”
Arthur gave a bitter smile as he showed her the broken remains of his bracelet.
The Shelter required a dium—this bracelet. But after regaining consciousness, it had been utterly destroyed.
He’d checked it several tis. It was completely nonfunctional.
“It feels like the entire space was erased. The executives are probably in shock right now.”
“How’d the bracelet get destroyed?”
“I wish I knew. When I ca to, it was already like this.”
If he could ask Reto, he might get answers.
But strangely, no matter how many tis he called, there was no response.
“Could it be related to how I survived?”
The mont he accepted Reto’s proposal to break the wall, he blacked out.
He had survived the fight with Makibeldor, so sothing must have happened within that space—but Arthur had no mory of it.
Fenry furrowed her brow. She could sense the situation had beco more complicated.
“So it’s no longer possible for you to act as the Master?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then what happens to the Black Market? The Master is gone.”
The Master had vanished.
The space used for delivering commands was gone.
How would the remaining executives react?
“With the Shelter gone, the connection between executives is effectively severed. It won’t happen right away, but once they realize the Master is missing, they’ll each start acting for their own survival.”
“You an they’ll splinter?”
“Before that, I need to recruit the useful ones.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It is.”
Arthur had already laid the groundwork. He’d issued orders prompting the executives to make contact with the Allied Forces.
Since they didn’t yet know the Master was gone, they’d naturally reach out first.
At that point, he planned to lure them in with enticing rewards.
Fenry clicked her tongue, exasperated.
Just how far ahead is this guy thinking?
The more she talked to him, the more certain she beca.
This guy has to be the leader of the Allied Forces. No question.
“If things go as you say, the Alliance is going to grow massively. This is a chance to absorb the Black Market’s entire influence.”
“Which is why the return of our allies is more important than ever.”
The Black Market executives had been instructed to contact people like Fenry, Natasha, Karl, and others.
Their planned visit to the Allied Forces was set for three days later.
If you counted the ti that had passed, the others should return within a week at most—but the total radio silence from those who had gone to track Pri Root was troubling.
Fenry, blowing thick smoke, turned her head.
She was looking in the direction of Pri Root.
“We should’ve gone with them, huh?”
“It was already too late to join. Besides, to fully secure Aintrier, so of us had to stay behind.”
“If only we had sent Lochter, I’d feel more at ease.”
“He’s not in any condition to move right now, is he?”
“I know. It just feels frustrating.”
Lochter had suffered a severe chest injury. It wasn’t life-threatening, but he was currently unable to move at all.
Given that his wounds ca from a battle where even Special Chief Richard had died, they considered it a lucky outco.
“I sent the specters in their place. We’ll get word soon.”
“Let’s hope nothing serious has happened.”
Arthur, too, gazed off in the sa direction.
Azolett and Rengua.
He didn’t believe his comrades would be in danger while pursuing those two.
Their power was overwhelming.
Natasha, Dorneth, Karl, Lily, and even Keros.
They had more than twice the numbers. They couldn’t lose.
The only worry was ambition.
Shamans were the witches’ most hated enemies,
and Rengua had been their ringleader.
With Natasha’s fiery personality, she would definitely chase Rengua obsessively.
That might be why they’d lost contact.
If the team had gone deep into the harsh territory of Pri Root, it would be hard to send updates.
But with Dorneth and Karl, they should be fine.
Arthur looked up at the night sky. The moon was rising—perfectly round and shining white.
The full moon would soon rise.
***
Vhuung!
A desolate, snow-swept wasteland. Scattered footprints marked the frozen ground.
And over the snow—
Puuhk!
A chilling sound as blood splattered across the white field.
The pristine snow turned crimson in an instant.
But before the blood had even dried, more presences erged around them.
Kuaaaagh!
Figures staggered in from all directions, shrieking madly.
Their eyes rolled back, completely lost to reason.
In the blink of an eye, over a hundred of them had gathered,
all radiating murderous intent as they closed in on one central location.
At the center, a small squad stood firm.
At the front—A massive shield stood like an unbreakable wall.
“They’re coming again!”
With Dorneth’s shout, Karl and Natasha took their positions on either flank.
“How long is this gonna keep up!?”
“Quit whining and kill them all. We can’t afford to waste ti here!”
“Tch!”
The frenzied attackers knew no fear. This wasn’t the first ti they’d been bogged down by these things since entering Pri Root.
“If that bastard had kept it together!”
“Don’t touch Lily!”
“You’re defending her just because she’s a fellow witch?”
“Shut up and hold the right flank!”
Natasha exploded forward, fists flashing as she cleared out the crazed enemies.
Karl wielded his spirit blades like lightning, his daggers a blur.
He glanced back and sighed.
Keros was licking Lily’s cheek as she lay unconscious.
Their eyes t—Keros growled.
“What? I’m not allowed to look?”
Karl felt wronged.
If Lily had been injured, he’d have done everything to protect her.
But her body was perfectly intact—not even a scratch on her.
[I’m sleepy.]
That’s all she said before dozing off mid-chase—and she still hadn’t woken up, even now.
Another burden to carry.
Clicking his tongue, Karl lifted his daggers.
Like Natasha said, they had to clear out these lunatics—fast.
“Damn old man. Just wait until we catch you.”
If they got delayed any longer, they might lose the trail of Azolett and Rengua.
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