A Dangerous Proposition

“It seems my cue has arrived, wouldn’t you say?”

Apparently to convey his sincerity, Nazareth pulled back his grey hood, letting a wild mane of disheveled hair seem to claw at the air around him.

“I wish to confirm once more with Lady Hillburg—no, with Miss Black Witch—that it is indeed you who invited me to collaborate with Commander Saranya, so that we may each contribute our part to our shared endeavor in Vero, correct?”

“Absolutely, without a doubt.”

“Commander? Black Witch? You two are—?!”

Aivy’s eyes widened, a flicker of panic crossing her face, and she subtly took half a step back.

Observing Aivy’s reaction, Kaelan covered her mouth with a delicate hand, a playful taunt lacing her tone:

“What’s wrong, Miss Aivy? Do you believe knowing things you shouldn’t will bring about calamity? Rest assured, I invited you here precisely because… I consider you one of our own, darling.”

Aivy bit her lower lip, her emerald eyes darting about before she swiftly assessed the situation, her expression settling back into its usual composure:

“I don’t suppose I have much of a choice, do I?”

“Indeed, you don’t.”

“…Then, why don’t you tell me what you intend to do.”

As silence descended upon the group, Nazareth spoke again, his gleaming, metallic prosthetic eye swiveling, its gaze lingering momentarily on Saranya.

“I proposed this collaboration to Commander Saranya privately quite some time ago, and even offered her some personal advice, hoping she might… gain a greater degree of initiative in front of Miss Kaelan.”

“Personal advice? Are you referring to that secret meeting you and Saranya had after the privateer conference?”

Kaelan scoffed at Nazareth’s assertion.

“Hmph, but you didn’t anticipate, my dear Saranya, that her loyalty to me is unwavering, and that very evening, she meticulously recounted every detail of your conversation to me… Despite this, she still couldn’t escape my punishment. Your petty schemes, it seems, only caused her considerable grief.”

“Ah, you’re quite right to mock me. At the time, I didn’t realize Miss Kaelan was the infamous Black Witch. However… Saranya, the fact that Miss Kaelan has sought me out again, allowing you to freely establish a partnership with our Shadowscale Gang, suggests my advice to you was somewhat helpful, wouldn’t you agree? At the very least, she’s now considering sharing power with you, isn’t she?”

“Oh…”

Kaelan raised an eyebrow, turning an displeased gaze upon Saranya.

“Is he right?”

“This, this…”

Finding herself addressed by both her mistress and Nazareth, Saranya’s face crumpled in fright, and she promptly chose to lavish praise upon her mistress.

“No… no! Nazareth, don’t speak such nonsense! My mistress is vital to me. Without her, I, I am nothing…”

She understood that the Shadowscale Gang’s true interest lay in her, or more precisely, in her reputation and political value as a commander and knight captain. In the fractured and slowly dying Olavi Empire, these assets would greatly bolster her legitimacy, granting her the right to stand above all others, to become the leader of a faction, and even to contend for imperial power.

For a politically ambitious force like the Shadowscale Gang, the allure of backing such a claimant far outweighed forming an alliance with a witch like Kaelan, or merely controlling the small Redwater Gang within Vero City.

For this very reason, the Shadowscale Gang hoped she would be independent of Kaelan, or even, conversely, to firmly dominate her. This way, they could minimize their risks; she would become a purely functional, outwardly splendid façade, wholly dedicated to serving as their political pawn.

The path of cooperation, while seemingly serving the immediate interests of both Nazareth and Kaelan, would inevitably lead to a point where, should Vero fall into their hands, she would be forced to choose between them. Would she become the Shadowscale Gang’s political tool, an empty noblewoman, queen, or even the first female emperor in imperial history? Or would she forever revolve around Kaelan, offering her body and mind at any moment to fulfill Kaelan’s seemingly idealistic demon plague sanctuary project?

Neither of these futures appeared particularly bright.

Within the confined space, Nazareth’s voice buzzed with a low hum, uttering nothing but dangerous pronouncements:

“Let’s start with some good news. As you all surely know, Emperor Olavi IV incorporated Vero into the imperial domain through peaceful negotiations, contingent upon granting the city autonomy.”

“Now, the Shadowscale Gang has gathered sufficient materials. By scrutinizing the original negotiation documents, we can fabricate evidence to challenge the legitimacy of Vero’s City Council government. Once our righteous Grand Commander Saranya raises her banner and issues a rallying cry—”

‘This is… this is rebellion?!’

Saranya’s heart fluttered with apprehension.

“Wait, that’s too far-fetched. Where is the legal basis for that? You yourself said that autonomy was the fundamental precondition of those peaceful negotiations. If we were to raise an army and demand its annulment, reclaiming Vero’s jurisdiction for the Empire… I fear we would not only fail to gain support from the imperial center, but might very well be branded as rebels?”

“You are correct, but you misunderstand. Autonomy is not what we are fighting against; the City Council is.”

“Are you saying we find a reason to overthrow the City Council—”

“And replace them. Clever, as expected of Commander Saranya.”

Saranya fell silent.

‘Even with the Shadowscale Gang legitimizing her claim to Vero, this would be no easy task…’

Kaelan, however, still lacked the finesse of a true conspirator, seeing only the immediate gains. At this moment, her eyes gleamed, her entire being alight with excitement.

“This… this is good… How do we do this? Can it be fast? Where will our troops come from?”

‘What a power-hungry little witch… At this rate, my mistress will be led astray by Nazareth.’

‘Kaelan’s shortcomings, then, would be hers to compensate for.’

“The Redwater Gang.”

Saranya’s gaze sharpened, and she took up the conversation with renewed vigor.

“Don’t just paint us grand pictures, Nazareth. What you speak of is too distant. For now, you must first help us expand the Redwater Gang. For example… you must provide me with a vulnerable target industry, and tell me how to sink our teeth into that lucrative prize.”

Across from her, a cunning smile played on Nazareth’s lips.

“Certainly, no problem. Have you heard of the Tidesong Sisterhood?”

“The one that runs brothels?”

“Ah, let’s not be so vulgar. They’re called ‘high-end clubs’. The Tidal Mirror Hall—that’s a fine establishment indeed: luxurious decor, spacious rooms, and the women are…”

Nazareth smacked his lips, as if recalling a particularly pleasant memory. His expression then sharpened, like a leopard locking onto its prey.

“Do you know… how much money they rake in daily?”

“No, I have no interest in running a brothel.”

Saranya pursed her lips, her response decidedly frigid. It was Kaelan, once again, who couldn’t contain her impatience, parting her lips slightly and, with a hint of eagerness, posed the question:

“How much money?”

“Hoho, you’ll find out once you become the boss…”

Kaelan blinked, pressing further:

“And are there many non-human races, the kind that can use magic?”

“Uh, yes, that’s precisely what they’re famous for—their exotic courtesans.”

Watching her mistress’s eager, almost zealous expression, Saranya felt a surge of worry:

“Kaelan, we must consider the risks in our endeavors…”

“I don’t care. That’s your concern, Saranya. I want that Tidal Mirror Hall, and you will go seize it for me.”

“No, mistress…”

“Enough chatter! It’s settled! Nazareth, tell her your plan.”