Chapter 13
716words
I was performing my routine meditation in my dormitory at the Demon King Academy, attempting to tame the savage Shadow Magic within me—power that belonged to the demon race—to better conform to my will.
Suddenly, a tiny, almost imperceptible paper crane penetrated the defensive barrier of my room and floated gently down in front of me.
This was Kanon's highest-level encrypted communication method.
I extended my finger, and the crane transformed into starlight motes, her voice resonating directly in my mind:
"President, the black market has sent an unexpected 'gift.'"
"A gift?"
"Yes. A list, and a request."
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Half an hour later, I arrived at Green Leaf Village via our secret teleportation array.
The base had transformed since my last visit—new watchtowers and training grounds stood completed. Tsukishima's illusion barrier around the perimeter had grown more sophisticated. From outside, this place still appeared desolate, but inside it thrived.
In the meeting room, all core members had assembled.
Kanon placed a black scroll on the table.
"The black market's gift," she explained. "Red Tail personally delivered it to our Dorn Trading Company contact point last night, then vanished."
I unrolled the scroll, which contained detailed information on over a dozen individuals.
"This is..." My eyebrows rose.
"The complete roster of the bandit gang that attacked Dorn Trading Company, plus their mastermind," Kanon said seriously. "As we suspected, it wasn't random."
Ando adjusted his glasses, examined the list, and analyzed: "The mastermind is the Iron Wolf Mercenaries—a mid-tier group in Aruba. They've long envied Dorn's business and orchestrated this attack to seize the trade route. The one-eyed leader was merely hired muscle. And there was indeed an insider—a distant Dorn relative who leaked the caravan's schedule."
"Why would the black market give us this?" Iron Fang asked gruffly. "Goodwill? Weren't they trying to muscle in just days ago?"
"That's precisely their cleverness," I explained. "They know we'd uncover this eventually. By providing it proactively, they both apologize for their previous offense and demonstrate their 'value' and 'sincerity.'"
"Exactly," Kanon nodded, producing another parchment. "Besides the list, they've proposed new terms."
"Free intelligence about this trade route for three months. After that, if we're satisfied, we discuss further cooperation. They promise we dictate terms—they only request a small share of the Golden Road."
This move could be described as adopting the most humble posture possible.
From aggressively demanding a ten percent share to now humbly requesting cooperation, it sufficiently proves that my "warning shot" the other day had a decisive effect.
"Your thoughts, President?" Ando looked to me.
I considered carefully.
Dealing with tigers for their pelts had risks and rewards. The black market connection could be either a valuable dagger for penetrating Aruba's underworld or a double-edged sword that might turn against us.
"Accept their offer," I decided.
"But we cannot passively accept their intelligence," I said, turning to Kanon. "Use this opportunity to infiltrate their network in reverse. I want to know how they gather information, how deep their connections reach, and who their key members are. Let them believe they're 'feeding' us, while we quietly map their entire structure."
Kanon's eyes lit up instantly, gleaming with excitement like a hacker discovering a new challenge.
"I love it! Leave it to me, President!"
"As for this list..." I pushed the scroll toward Iron Fang. "The Iron Wolf Mercenaries must disappear. But not by our hands."
I turned to Ando: "Send this list anonymously to the Dorn Trading Company. Make the evidence about the mole look 'accidentally' discovered. I want their president to clean house himself and owe us a major favor in the process."
"Simultaneously, 'accidentally' leak news that Iron Wolf Mercenaries face imminent disaster to other Aruba mercenary groups. Let them fight among themselves for Iron Wolf's territory."
"Remove the firewood beneath the cauldron, kill with a borrowed knife," Ando smiled appreciatively. "Understood. This performance will be spectacular."
"Good." I stood up. "Everyone, our chessboard now extends beyond this small village."
"From today, the Crescent Moon Society's influence will reach toward those self-important 'power players' for the first time."
Outside the window, sunlight pierced through clouds, illuminating the determination burning in every member's eyes.
A current of change, initiated by us, was about to surge through the entire underworld.
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