Endless Debt-Chapter 882 - 29: Game of Wits (Part 2)
"Whether it’s you, him, or the Order Bureau, you all have your own considerations, fearing the depletion of your power, so you hesitate. But I am different. I won’t hesitate like you because my born mission is to destroy her!
Do you understand that? It’s not that I need you, but that you need me."
The Shadow King’s voice turned hoarse, like an injured beast full of fury.
"It is you who need me, this returning, mad Blade, to fight and kill for you."
At this, the Tyrant remained silent. He could not refute the Shadow King’s words. Compared to the conspiracy hidden in the shadows, the ever-growing strength of the Crimson Queen was the overt threat. Judging solely from her surface strength, she was already the strongest among the many blood kindred.
As for Belphegor, standing behind the Order Bureau, he could not dictate the will of the Order Bureau.
The Tyrant meticulously calculated the gains and losses, pondering how to choose to maximize his benefits in this event. After numerous possible deductions, he arrived at a single answer.
The Tyrant reorganized his stance, abandoning the haughty demeanor of a Devil, and directly said to the Shadow King, "Sorry, I was too greedy this time."
"I will continue to support you, Shadow King, whether you can reclaim Xilin’s body or fulfill those promises."
Currently, the objectives of all parties remain unclear, especially the one standing behind the Shadow King and Bologue, the figure that the Tyrant dreads.
In such circumstances, the optimal solution the Tyrant conceived was to further complicate the situation, dragging more people into the quagmire of war while he seeks opportunities to gain the greatest benefits.
The Tyrant has done this many times; he is more than adept at it.
"The new batch of Alchemy Armament from the Gray Trade Association is on its way, as for the Decay Plague you desire..."
The Tyrant paused, replacing his words with terrifying laughter.
The Shadow King needn’t offer anything; as long as what the Shadow King does aligns with his interests, it’s enough.
Gray’s hand suddenly swung uncontrollably, a crimson scar slashed open out of thin air. Without a trace of reluctance, the Tyrant stepped into the winding path, followed by Gray. After a squirming red light, both vanished from sight.
The Shadow King watched the departure point of the two, letting out a long sigh, his mind filled with exhaustion.
The Third Seat supported the Shadow King, and only then did he finally have the chance to inquire about the Shadow King’s outcome, "What’s Nathanael’s attitude?"
"He refused me," the Shadow King said, "as expected."
The objective of using the Silent Legion for the attack wasn’t to hinder negotiations, but to facilitate an unobstructed meeting between the Shadow King and Nathanael, away from multiple scrutinies. Hence, within the sealed building, there was a room blocking all eavesdropping.
The Shadow King must deceive the King’s Secret Sword and the Tyrant; he never intended to submit to anyone.
The Third Seat said, "Then what should we do, really rely entirely on the Tyrant?"
Among the Devils, the Tyrant is the easiest to communicate with, yet because he is too easy to communicate, too familiar with humans, this Devil has become difficult to gauge.
"No, Nathanael’s attitude is not important."
The Shadow King shook his head and revealed the true purpose of this trip in a low voice.
"The important thing is the Decision Room."
Nathanael will not hide the negotiations with him from the Decision Room, and the Shadow King believes that the Decision Room will make the wisest decision.
Conveying his intentions to the Decision Room is where the Shadow King’s agenda lies.
...
After the crimson light went out, Gray returned to the dim, narrow living room, where the Tyrant sat on the sofa as usual, this time deep in thought rather than watching TV.
"What exactly are you planning?"
The Tyrant’s mind conjured the image of that awkward, bizarre diver suit.
Since the Fall of the Holy City, the person had been continually donning that peculiar attire, sealing both form and thought within.
For years, not only were traces of Astronauts rare, but even his earthly territories were entirely undiscovered, let alone organizations that worshiped Astronauts.
The Shadow King and Bologue are the only two people the Tyrant found in recent years linked to Astronauts, both bearing the Protection of Astronauts, as Debtors.
Just these two walking Debtors, prominent in their identities, inevitably render the Tyrant vigilant.
In the past, the Tyrant’s response might not have been so strong, but with the approaching turmoil, negotiations with the King’s Secret Sword, the rise of the Shadow King, and other events, inevitably prompt him to focus on the world’s changes.
Of course, what genuinely disturbs the Tyrant is the intelligence from the Joyous Desire Witch not long ago.
Conflict between Asmodeus and Belphegor has a longstanding history, and the Tyrant, stationed within the Great Rift, knows this well. Recently, the two engaged in a series of extraordinary clashes, even causing a fracture in reality.
This incident concluded with the victory of the Order Bureau. Afterward, Asmodeus suddenly vanished, and the Joyful Garden sailed out of the Tyrant’s sight, disappearing altogether.
This shouldn’t be.
The Tyrant knows Asmodeus’s temperament; with the power she barely grasps, how could she endure? Even if she manages to hold, how can Belphegor cease his revenge against her?
Unless something occurred during this series of conflicts.
