Endless Debt-Chapter 867 - 17: Overlapping Conspiracies

Because of the ownership issue of the body of Overlord Xilin, no one thought the negotiation would go smoothly. A few days after being appointed, Bologue received a detailed report, detailing the location of the first negotiation and the content of the security work.

A week passed quickly, and the negotiation was imminent.

Bologue and Palmer sat face to face in the swaying carriage. The subway swiftly traversed underground in Opus, heading towards the city’s edge.

The location for the first negotiation was set in an industrial zone on the city’s edge. The Order Bureau had sealed off this area a few days earlier, and since it was far from residential areas, sparsely populated, any unexpected incident could be controlled.

Palmer squinted as if asleep, leaning against the side, while Bologue remained highly tense, repeatedly checking his armament before reaching the destination.

At this moment, Bologue was fully armed. The Face of Horror was on his face, a Phantom Dagger was strapped to his arm under his sleeve, Deceitful Snake Scale Liquid quietly moved under his attire, and the deadly Grievance Bite was slung on his back, like an unarmored swordsman.

"You know what to do next, right?"

Bologue spoke, his voice booming, distorted by the Face of Horror.

Palmer opened his eyes; he wasn’t asleep. "I know, I know."

Unlike others, Bologue and Palmer did not have fixed positions; they were responsible for patrolling the entire industrial area, reportedly an arrangement by Deputy Director Nesanel.

"This negotiation is very important and extremely dangerous. We may have opportunities for cooperation with other organizations, but not with the King’s Secret Sword."

The opposition between the Order Bureau and the King’s Secret Sword could escalate into a conflict between the Rhine Alliance and the Kagader Empire, a strife that began with the Scorched Earth Fury decades ago.

Blood stained the years, turning into an irreconcilable blood feud. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Nesanel was very worried, always feeling that a slight mishap in this negotiation could lead to a great war, possibly escalating into an extraordinary war.

What worried him even more was that the Devil would definitely not miss this opportunity... Nesanel suspected that the Devil might be scheming behind this negotiation.

The world was like a giant chessboard, and the Devils were the Chess Players outside the board. Sometimes they didn’t care about interests, just about having fun.

"Your task is simple, patrol, or rather wander around, using your umbilical-like connection with the Devils to guard against their intervention."

This was the entirety of Bologue’s job.

The shaking of the subway came to a halt, indicating they arrived at the station, but there was still a distance to the industrial area. They had to walk the rest of the way themselves.

The sound of the subway doors opening could be heard, and the Sixth Group poured out in swarms. This bunch of Origin School Condensers could easily subdue any attackers.

The empty platform was filled with the Sixth Group in their gray-white uniforms, with Hart’s figure being the most conspicuous, carrying a heavy shield like a high wall.

The others had already moved out, but Bologue and Palmer still hadn’t, as they were waiting for someone else.

After a while, the next carriage opened, and a slender black figure approached them, shrouded in steam, emerging from the smoke.

Aimou stretched her body, gracefully like a dolphin leaping from the waves, with a black Second Skin clinging tightly to her body like a bodysuit, completely wrapping her with a faint glow on its surface, reflecting hive-like patterns.

With adjustments from Belli, Aimou’s figure was shapely and perfect, full of Belli’s craftsmanship spirit. Belli often sighed, wishing she could be like Aimou, able to change her physique without dieting or exercising.

Bologue’s tranquil heart rippled slightly. He clearly sensed his change, both surprised and afraid, becoming somewhat bewildered.

"I am ready."

Aimou’s eyes filled with a deep blue glow.

Bologue dismissed the turmoil in his mind. Aimou grabbed his wrist, and the two seemed to collide, but at the moment of collision, Aimou dissipated like a blown-away mist, with golden light particles, vanishing before Bologue, while a golden ring appeared in Bologue’s green eyes.

The doubled Ether filled Bologue’s body, giving him a sense of power, sharpening his senses, and clarifying the previously indistinct Ether flow.

"Let’s go."

Bologue said as he stepped out of the subway door, only now was he truly fully armed.

With Aimou’s Prayer Level Ether enhancement, various Ethereal Skill augmentations, combined with Bologue’s Contract Objects, Alchemy Armament, and Gift of Immortality.

Without the opponent knowing his intelligence, Bologue was confident he could spar with the Negative Power User and even have a chance to slay his opponent.

Others on the platform had already departed one after another, with Palmer following behind Bologue. Bologue had always been the brain of the team, responsible for giving orders.

The specifics of the negotiation content and process, Bologue was not familiar with; his job was only security. But he knew that once the negotiation reached a consensus, those mysterious Contract School Condensers would appear as witnesses to bind the oaths with the power of the Devil.

Bologue, accustomed to fighting, realized that many things were far more complex than he imagined, and again realized the limitations of blades and swords.

Boarding the special car, a few minutes later it arrived at the industrial area. Winter snow piled on the ground, with nothing but an endless expanse of gray white.

Bologue tried to unfold his Ethereal Perception, and with Aimou’s enhancements, his radiation area expanded several times, although the perception became more blurred.

In places farther beyond the industrial zone, Bologue vaguely sensed some weak Ether reactions, as though aware of his probing. One faint light suddenly ignited, bursting into a glare sufficient to blind the eyes.

Bologue felt a sharp pain in his mind, his Ethereal Perception crumbling instantly, all perception being retracted, and his breathing quickened slightly.

"What was that?"

Bologue’s voice echoed in his mind, and after a few seconds, Aimou’s voice sounded.

"Another Ether reaction... an extremely powerful Ether reaction."

No need for Aimou to continue, Bologue had clearly perceived that strength and change.

Defender.

With such a strong Ether reaction, the other party was undoubtedly a Defender, not situated within the industrial area, but observing from a farther place, as if vigilant of this place.

King’s Secret Sword.

Far away, Red Dog stood at a high point overseeing the industrial zone. He wasn’t fit for the direct stage, as going further would fully step into the Order Bureau’s field. Hence, for this first negotiation, he wouldn’t personally take action but would send a representative instead.

Standing there, Red Dog represented not only the will and martial prowess of the King’s Secret Sword but also vigilance against other powers’ interference.

"That guy is getting more and more impatient," Red Dog muttered to himself. "He probably won’t live long, hence his urgency?"

No one answered his words, nor did anyone dare. Among the Secret Swords, only such a rebellious one as Red Dog would show no respect for that terrifying royal authority.

"Do you think this negotiation will go smoothly?"

Finding it pointless, Red Dog asked the attendant behind him a different question. The attendant didn’t know how to answer. The forces of both sides were terrifying; would anyone dare to risk their life to intervene?

Without waiting for a response, Red Dog chuckled to himself and said softly, "They will not miss this opportunity."

The attendant understood what Red Dog implied; those traitors from the King’s Secret Sword viewed Xilin as a heretic of faith, and they would not allow the negotiation, regardless of the consensus.

Suddenly, the attendant realized something: Were they really here to trade Xilin’s body?

Or was it that the surface trade of Xilin’s body was actually a means to force the King’s Shield Guard to emerge from the shadows?

The Order Bureau would never agree to hand over Xilin’s body, but if compromised, the possibilities greatly increased.

The winter wind swept by, causing the attendant to shiver, and the icy snowy world before him gradually warmed. It was about to be drenched in hot blood, transforming into a scorched battlefield littered with corpses.