The attack on the bases of Black Midas in the capital ended in a success.
Evidence linking the Kelvin family to illegal arms trade, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and assassination of various government officials had been recovered in one of the bases. They even found strong evidence that the Kelvins had been trading in secret with the pirates of the Mullgray Islands.
They also managed to rescue Casius, the leader of the Information Guild Big Mona was associated with.
The next day, King Alvis ordered the royal army stationed in the capital to seize all of the Kelvin family's assets. Moreover, they captured all of the family members linked to the crimes the ducal house had committed.
"What's the meaning of this!" roared Calisto Kelvin.
Dozens of soldiers barged in and took control of their estate in the capital. Their guards couldn't even properly defend and react as they were immediately disarmed by the elite troop of the royal family.
"B-Brother," said Kalavinka. The boy stood behind Calisto, his body trembling in horror.
Calisto placed his hand on top of Kalavinka's head. "It'll be alright," he softly said to his little brother.
"Commander Danack," said Calisto. "Surely, you know the repercussions of this? To think that a mere commander of the patrol dared to barge into a ducal house's territory."
Even under the fierce gaze of Calisto, Danack did not flinch. He said in a calm voice, "We are moving under the orders of His Majesty. Apologies, Lord Calisto, but we are to take control of the estate until the ministers are finished reviewing the documents we've recovered from Black Midas' bases."
For a moment, Calisto stiffened. "Black Midas?" Calisto said in disbelief.
"Yes, Lord Calisto. We've gotten our hands on several pieces of evidence linking the House Kelvin to the underworld syndicate." Danack looked at the boy trembling behind Calisto. "Rest assured, none of the Kelvins shall be harmed until we've finished reviewing the documents. But for now, no one shall be allowed to leave this estate."
A mere soldier dared to dictate whether or not they could leave their estate? This damn arrogant bastard. Calisto finally lost it. He lunged toward Danack in an attempt to pummel him to the ground.
Danack sighed. He effortlessly dodged Calisto's attack, grabbed the noble by his collar, and threw him to the ground. For a moment, Calisto's world turned white from the impact.
Unlike Lancaster Kelvin and Zaask Kelvin, Calisto was not well versed in military tactics and martial arts.
"Brother!" shouted Kalavinka. He immediately ran toward his brother, tears streaming from his eyes.
Calisto groaned and slowly sat up. After feeling the difference in strength with his body, Calisto finally calmed down.
Now that he thought of it, this incident was insignificant in the grand scheme of things. He'd seen the man called Zerachiel for himself. The undisputed strongest leader of the underworld syndicate. The current first division leader of Black Midas.
Even if they seized all of the Kelvin family's assets, as long as the first division of Black Midas stood, they would be able to get out of this incident unscathed, no matter what.
"My father," said Calisto. "What about my father?"
Although his father was locked up in the dungeons, he was still one of the three dukes of this nation. Calisto was confident that his father would have a way out of this mess.
"We are currently investigating the duke for the assassination attempt on His Majesty, several months ago."
Hearing this, Kalavinka's pupils shook.
His father did what?
"After careful consideration, we've decided to move the duke to the royal family's underground prison. He shall stay there, until the royal family and the ministers arrive at a consensus on an appropriate punishment. Please understand that we are trying our best to be as objective as possible on this one, Lord Calisto. Although the crimes he committed are great, at the end of the day, he is still the head of a ducal house."
The underground prison located in the king's castle.
Unlike your typical dungeon, it was filled with various artifacts capable of sealing one's magic. Moreover, it was guarded by elite soldiers and knights. It would be hard, even for the first division of Black Midas, to come and go inside that dungeon.
Calisto glared at Danack.
"How pathetic. Do you even hear yourself?" spat Calisto. "Hah! You make it sound like we're already criminals! This damn commoner!"
Danack stared at Calisto. Since it seemed that he didn't have an idea of what truly happened last night, he decided to divulge some information to the noble.
"I've seen the evidence myself, Lord Calisto," said Danack. "After we annihilated all of the members of Black Midas in the capital, we've managed to obtain not only documents, but even the sigils connecting the Kelvins to the underworld syndicate. The corpse of the man called Zerachiel, the so-called Lord of Death, was bound to the Kelvins using the same artifact."
Calisto's eyes widened.
Zerachiel was dead?
Impossible.
The master of the Magic Tower aside, no one should be strong enough to kill that monster. The leader of the first division was a man with strength way beyond this realm.
Seeing Calisto's dumbfounded face, for the first time, a smile slowly formed on Danack's face.
*** While the royal family and the ministers were deliberating what to do with the Kelvins, Big Mona did not waste time and immediately moved to the next step of his plan.
He went to the office of Lukas Daily, the largest newspaper company in the kingdom. A five-story building in the middle district of the capital.
Although Lukas Daily was well known to be a newspaper company that catered to commoners, in reality, it was run by nobles. Particularly, the Kelvin family.
Duke Kelvin used this newspaper company to twist the truth to his benefit. It was among the reasons they managed to quickly spread the rumors regarding Lark Marcus.
Accompanied by several royal guards, Big Mona entered the building and demanded an audience with the company's owner.
"I need to speak with Lily," said Big Mona arrogantly. "Bring me to her."
The workers of the newspaper company couldn't do anything but comply with the merchant's demand. Big Mona was, after all, accompanied by the royal guards. The merchant probably came under His Majesty's command.
Although hesitant, they brought Big Mona to the room at the topmost floor.
"What brings you here, Mona?" said Lily, a fat, spectacled woman wearing heavy makeup. She glanced at Big Mona, then at the royal guards standing at the back. "Come inside."
Big Mona entered the room. And when the royal guards were about to enter too, Lily spat, "Only you. Those soldiers, tell them to stay outside."
Big Mona rubbed his chin. He looked at the royal guards and said, "Alright. You heard her. Wait outside the room."
The royal guards nodded but didn't utter a word. As expected of elite soldiers, they silently moved back and complied with Lily's request.
After the door was shut, Lily said, "Sit."
Big Mona and Lily sat on the couch, right across from each other.
"It's been a while," said Big Mona. "I should have visited you sooner, Lily."
"Stop with the pleasantries," said Lily. She didn't bother to hide the disgust and irritation within her voice. "I'll ask again. What brings you here, Mona?"
Lily used to work for Big Mona's father, a few decades ago. From an early age, they learned the tricks of the market from the same people, from the same place. But after the death of Big Mona's father, they grew apart and separated ways. Big Mona migrated to Lion City and eventually became the head of the Merchants Guild, while Lily founded her own newspaper company.
Big Mona took a brooch from his pocket and gently placed it on top of the table. Lily's jaw slacked. She had not expected to see such an item to come from Big Mona's hand.
Big Mona grinned upon seeing Lily's reaction. "So, you recognize it, don't you?"
Lily frowned. "How did you get your hands on it, Mona?"
It was the sigil of Zerachiel. The sigil symbolizing the first division leader of Black Midas. They obtained the brooch from the leader's dead body.
"The first division leader of Black Midas is dead," said Big Mona.
"Although it'll be hard to track the remaining members scattered throughout the kingdom, we've managed to annihilate those residing in the capital."
Lily opened then closed her mouth. As one of the people influenced by Duke Kelvin's whims, she knew the significance of that statement. She was among the few who were aware of the real identity of the nobles behind the underworld syndicate.
"Lily, listen." Big Mona leaned closer. "I know the Kelvins are your company's biggest supporter. But it isn't too late to change sides. Leave the sinking ship and join our faction."
Lily knew that Big Mona always moved for the sake of profit.
Although it sounded as though he was doing her a favor, she knew there was an ulterior motive behind it. This offer—it wasn't for free.
"Are they going to execute Kelvins?" said Lily. She managed to quickly put the pieces of the puzzle together. If the leader of the first division was really dead, then it was more than likely that they'd managed to get their hands on several pieces of evidence linking the ducal house to Black Midas.
"I don't know about his sons," said Big Mona, nodding, "But I'm certain that they plan on executing Duke Kelvin in front of everyone."
A public execution of the head of a ducal house.
Even Lily was stunned speechless hearing this one.
"But, Mona, the other nobles won't just sit still and do nothing," said Lily. "Even if His Majesty declares that the duke committed treason, for them to publicly execute him—" "The other nobles will not be a problem. I assure you that," said the fat merchant. "Do you think I would have come here without considering it from that angle?"
The letters Big Mona had sent to the various nobles currently staying in the capital for the coronation ceremony would soon prove useful during the execution of Duke Kelvin. The nobles under the royal faction and the Marcus Faction had already promised to show their support; they'd already promised to show the next king their worth.
Even if the execution was met with severe backlash from the other nobles, particularly those who belonged to the Kelvin Faction, the other powerful nobles of the kingdom promised to quell all unrest and prevent a civil war from happening in the capital.
All that's left was to convince the people, the citizens, that the execution would be held on just grounds. This was the reason Big Mona decided to come all the way here to meet with the owner of the newspaper company.
"Duke Drakus and Duke Youchester have already agreed to this," said Big Mona. "What can the remnants of the Kelvin Faction possibly do at this point?"
Lily fell silent.
Just like before, Big Mona always moved while mitigating all possible risks and danger he would encounter along the way. The way he handled things was really a stark contrast to his naïve father.
After pondering for a while, Lily looked at Big Mona straight in the eye and said, "What do you want from me?"
"Your loyalty, Lily." Big Mona smiled broadly. "Swear an oath to me.
And together with your company, Lukas Daily, help Lark Marcus become this nation's absolute ruler."
Lukas Daily was one of the most powerful weapons used by the Kelvins to manipulate the views of the citizens of the kingdom. As a newspaper catering to commoners, it was easy to twist the truths behind rumors; it was easy to fabricate things to sway the public's opinion.
Big Mona believed that Lukas Daily would become a firm foothold for Lark Marcus once he'd ascended the throne. After all, a king, no matter how powerful, needed the support of his people.
"Do this and I promise you that all of the crimes you and your company have previously committed shall be pardoned by the new sovereign. No one will know. No one will find out that you were moving under the orders of the Kelvins."
Lily frowned. It was a tempting offer, she had to admit. But for some reason, it felt more like a threat than an offer of partnership.
"And if I don't?" said Lily.
"Then I'll just have to find someone else to run the company in your place," Big Mona said without remorse. He had no qualms on killing even a lifelong acquaintance to reach his goal.
Lily looked up and sighed. "You should have just killed me if you're going to replace me with a damn puppet anyway, Mona. Why bother with oaths and contracts? You really haven't changed, you heartless bastard."
"I'm sure you'll do a better job than a puppet, Lily." Big Mona grinned.
"So, what do you think? It's not a bad offer, is it?"
Lily wryly smiled. "It's not like I have a choice, do I?"