'Looks like we're ready to begin.'

Rey took a deep breath as he looked at everyone within the tense room. His eyes darted towards Kara, who gave him an inconspicuous nod.

'Seems like she has primed them before my arrival. That's good…'

"So, have you concluded your strategy against the Triumvirate?" Rey asked the Royal Council, donning his usual Ralyks tone.

"Indeed we have." Conrad smiled and nodded.

"I see. And you're sure you want to discuss the details before her? She belongs to the very underworld you desire to tear down, don't you?"

As Rey asked this question, he clasped his hands and rested them on the table.

"What is your rationale?"

This time, it was Vida who spoke up.

"The Verte family has always mentioned some kind of balance despite being a criminal family. They often cooperated with our efforts."

"That can't be all, surely." Rey said, narrowing his eyes in Vida.

She expressed intimidation, something he personally enjoyed, but she quickly pulled herself together.

"O-of course not. The truth is that her entire family was killed off by the new head of the Slave Union and her New Order. She's no longer affiliated with them, and they're as much of an enemy to her as they are to us."

Surely, Vida's explanation made sense.

Rey also knew this was the truth because he had firsthand knowledge of the whole thing. He only chose to act ignorant of the entire events because it was more in line with his character.

… As well as the plan.

"I see. I'm still skeptical, but I trust your judgment."

"What will it take for you to trust me?" Kara suddenly blurted out a question, her gaze resting on none other than Ralyks—or rather, Rey.

"Hmm. If I was to say, I'd say I'll have to closely monitor your actions. You don't mind, do you?"

"I have nothing to hide." Kara responded with a wry smile.

To those words, Rey chuckled.

His deep, dark laughter echoed throughout the room, and everyone kept quiet until his voice grew solemn.

"Without exception… everyone has something to hide."

No response was given to his words, but Kara did appear unnerved as he said this.

"I'll choose to trust you, at least for now." Rey said, before turning his focus back to the Royal Council.

"Now where were we? Ah, yes… the plan."

********

"So far, we know the Dark Gathering will be taking place in the dead of night, so we plan to enact the plan and encircle the entire city before that period."

Since this event was happening the next day, they also had to make their move then.

If they acted too early, it could tip off the enemy, but if they acted too late, they risked their plan taking a plummet into nothingness.

There was a fine line tha determined when to act, and Conrad was confident that he and his team had cracked it.

"If we encircle the city, they can't escape through conventional means. Of course, it's very possible that they escape through secret exits, so we'll be on a lookout for that during the Full Sweep."

The Full Sweep meant just what the name implied: a thorough investigation of the Merchant City.

The Merchant City was a lot larger than the Capital, so something of such a scale would take a lot of time and manpower.

They had prepared enough manpower for the occasion, and with Conrad's roster, it was very possible to investigate the entire city barely into nightfall.

"We still do not know where the Dark Hall that will be used for the Dark Gathering is situated, so the best we can do is narrow down the location while cracking down on all the other illegal activities that are going on in the Merchant City."

"I'll carry out my personal investigation to seek out the place." Ralyks suddenly spoke up, causing Conrad to cease his words instantly.

"Really, Sir Ralyks?"

The Dark Adventurer nodded, though his eyes darted to the only girl with glasses in the room.

"I'd like Kara Verte to accompany me on this investigation… if she isn't otherwise occupied."

Conrad shot a pained look at Kara and strained a smile.

He already knew Kara was not on the enemy's side. Not only because of her unfortunate circumstances, but also due to her completely passing the tests they gave her using the Truthseeker.

She was genuinely on the side of the Royal Council on this matter.

Still, Conrad could understand Ralyks's suspicions.

Too much was at risk.

"I understand. I'll cooperate with you." Kara's response eased both Conrad and Vida's hearts, causing them to shoot relieved glances at each other.

'I didn't have to coerce her… thankfully.'

With that going on in his mind, Conrad smiled and nodded in agreement to the arrangement between Ralyks and Kara.

"While I personally investigate the city for the Dark Hall, focus your efforts on the other establishments that are associated with the underworld."

Stalls, shops, warehouses, abandoned places… the criminal underworld had stuck its grimy tendrils into every aspect of the Merchant City.

It was also open as Noir's Territory.

"Lord Noir is said to be the most ruthless and most thorough of all the members of the Obsidian Council. Please be careful in your search." Kara added, her tone indicating genuine concern and worry.

"Noted." Conrad responded, while Vida simply nodded.

All of them then returned their attention to the massive map of the Merchant City that was placed on the table.

Everyone could see just how much ground they had to cover within the very limited period of time.

"It's going to be very tasking, but we're willing to do whatever it takes." Conrad said with resolve.

Ralyks nodded at him and they shook hands, each man tightening his grip on the other's hands. As they did this, the women went for a simple hug, and in no time they were done.

Even then, Ralyks and Conrad still had their hands stuck with each other.

Not until Ralyks repeated the words.

"Wherever it takes."

*

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Thanks for reading!

Preparations complete. Ready perfectly. We're getting closer and closer to the final act of this Arc.

Hope you're excited!