The Devil’s Cage

The wagon continued forward steadily.

Around 15 minutes later, the wagon stopped at the entrance of White Deer Restaurant of the Upper Seven Ring.

Kieran selected the venue, Silent Night Secret Society picked the time.

Both picked a criteria for the meeting, it was fair, wasn’t it?

“Your Highness, we are here.”

The royal guardian captain who escorted Kieran to the location knocked on the window to inform him.

Monte jumped down from beside the wagoner, making sure it was safe before he opened the carriage door.

“Your Highness, please be careful.”

Compared to before, the vassal was more attentive than ever.

After the conversation he had with Edatine VI before this, abelt the king did not promise him anything, he understood the king’s intention.

After the prince before his eyes ascended to the throne, he would be named honorary minister, appointed by the late king to help the new to rule over the kingdom.

Not the only one, but one of the few, it was still enough for Monte though.

It was an identity that he dared not even dream of.

Do note that he was just a vassal, a role similar to a royal clown, and his role was quite well known.

Now, he managed to use his identity of vassal, a royal clown, to obtain the title of honorary minister. It wasn’t just a title change, it changed his identity, status and dukeship altogether.

And in order to make sure that there were no mistakes, Monte was extra vigilant and careful.

It was without a doubt that Monte would take a stab for Kieran without a second thought now.

Likewise, Kieran’s enemy would be his enemy too.

Therefore, when he saw the representatives of Silent Night Secret Society, Horlaika and Horfe, the vassal’s eyes showed vigilance as he sized them up. It wasn’t until he got confirmation from the secret agent who followed them that the area was safe did the vassal retreat behind Kieran.

“Sir Colin.”

Horlaika and Horfe bowed to Kieran.

Horlaika looked calm, there was nothing unusual with him, but Horfe was a little unnatural.

As a member of Silent Night Secret Society, other than the councilman he served, Horfe rarely bowed to others. Even if he would bow, he bowed at the higher-ups of the same organization.

Bowing to another organization’s representative? This was his first time.

It was an unfamiliar feeling for him and it felt… miserable!

Although the councilman didn’t say anything, Horfe wasn’t an idiot, he had his own guesses at the situation.

The situation was not kind to Silent Night Secret Society as they were in a disadvantageous position.

‘I Hope everything can go well!’

With the prayer in heart, Horfe cursed his several dead companions once more deep down in his heart.

If it wasn’t for those three bastards who couldn’t set their priorities right and be considerate of the situation, how could they be on such a passive side?

Damn it!

Another curse from the bottom of his heart later, Horfe turned around and walked into White Deer Restaurant beside Horlaika.

The entrance of the restaurant was a wooden door that opened both sides. The floor was similar to the signage, clean. It seemed like they were intentionally cleaned up, similar to the chefs at the restaurant, all of them were wearing fresh new attires.

However, the most concerning was the food on the table.

A big oval table that could sit 20 people was placed in the center of the restaurant, filled with food.

Golden bread, fried potatoes, and roasted venison and bear meat were all put together.

Jade and scarlet colored fruits were on one side and a liquor of barrel color was on the other side.

Following the identity of the heir being made known to all higher-ups of Edatine Castle, his love for food also came under the spotlight.

Kieran didn’t conceal his hobby, at least he didn’t think he should.

First, he loved the taste of food, it was real.

Second, he needed another point to easily garner attention.

Rather than planning and grinding his gears when his other sides were revealed under the spotlight, might as well take the initiative and reveal it, at least he had a natural advantage in terms of eating.

Of course, he would not take the initiative to show it.

He walked into the restaurant in silence. The old Demon Hunter, Anderson, who had been waiting for his arrival, snuck into the line behind Kieran in a flash. Monte caught a glimpse of the old Demon Hunter but he didn’t say anything.

The special identity of the prince he served would definitely attract some other people with similar identities.

With Anderson the old Demon Hunter around, he was much more reliable than the royal guardians in terms of security.

Though he did not lose his guard because of it. Taking a step ahead, he went to check the food on the table, the royal guardians even stood guard at every entrance and exit, the security tight.

Although it was checked before, Monte dared not to be careless in such timing.

There were far too many cases of poisoning at the very last moment, Monte didn’t want anything bad to happen to the prince.

A whole five minutes later, the vassal turned around and signalled to Kieran that the food was safe.

While the vassal signaled Kieran, Horlaika and Horfe placed crystal after crystal at a side of the table.

At the next moment—Buzz!

Following the buzz in the air, the projection of Kurtzargert and the 14 councilmen of the south all appeared in Kieran’s sight.

“Good afternoon, your Highness Colin.”

The moment they appeared, the friendly voice of the southern councilmen spoke first.

As the person in charge over Edatine Castle, Kurtzargert kept quiet.

“Councilman Eindefern?” Kieran confirmed the voice’s identity.

“The intelligence personnel of the royal court are much more capable than I expected. Of course, it might also be… from Snake Sect.”

Laughs came from underneath his hood.

Monte, on the other hand, slightly frowned at the laughs.

The vassal sharply realized that this Eindefern, the southern councilman, was testing Snake Sect and Edatine’s royal court, or in short, he was trying to sow dissension between Snake Sect and the royal court.

If something went wrong in between the two, it would further exacerbate like gasolene added into fire.

If nothing happened? That would be fine too.

Many a little makes a mickle, quantity causing qualitative change was also a viable option.

The vassal was sure that Eindefern had planned as such.

He proposed a meeting yet held ill intentions here…

The vassal started to wonder and almost instantly, he shifted his attention to the quiet Kurtzargert.

As the person in charge over Edatine Castle, him being silent was strange.

Could it be…

The vassal quickly thought of something and his eyes gleamed sharply.

Monte subtly signalled to Kieran with a meaningful gaze and after a nod from the latter, he walked out slowly.

“Greetings, Sir Eindefern.”

As the representative of the heir to the throne, Monte did not shame himself or his prince, bowing before saying slowly, “His Highness, as the heir to the throne and at the same time Snake Sect, regardless of what his intelligence sources are, what difference does it make?”

It seemed like Silent Night Secret Society did not get the news that Colin was the heir to Snake Sect, hence after Monte revealed it, all the southern councilmen were stunned.

Though Kurtzargert wasn’t moved by the words.

The contrasting reaction from the one and the 14 others fueled Monte’s confidence.

Kurtzargert wasn’t on the same boat with the other 14 southern councilmen!

‘This is great! An iron plank might be hard to break but with cracks? Hehehehe…’

The vassal laughed cynically in his heart, this was his forte after all.

“What’s wrong? Oh, you didn’t hear about it, Sir Eindefern? I thought Sir Kurtzargert had informed you,” said the vassal exaggeratingly.

Eindefern glared at Kurtzargert sharply.

Even through with the hood over his head, one could easily feel the coldness in the glare.

Einderfern knew this would allow the vassal to grasp more behind the scenes truths of Silent Night Secret Society.

He was frustrated about Kurtzargert hiding it, how could he conceal such important information from them?

The other 13 councilmen shared the same feelings and thoughts, glaring grudgefully at Kurtzargert.

As the confirmed heir to the throne, Colin as a member of Snake Sect and as the heir to the entire Snake Sect were two entirely different concepts.

The former could be considered as a close working relationship.

The latter, they might as well view him and the organization as one!

Judging from this point, would there be any other Snake Sect members inside Edatine royal court?

Could there also be Snake Sect members in the military? The secret agents, the servants, the maidens?

Was Snake Sect born from within Edatine royal court?! Or the other way around, did the sect give birth to the royal court?

Otherwise, how could Snake Sect go completely silent in the past with no written or spoken record of them?

There must be a bigger organization concealing their existence!

Excluding Wolf Sect, who was blinded, who else was more suitable than Edatine royal court?

Just think about the occasional unreasonable performance from the king and the royal court…

Instantly, everyone present at the restaurant changed looks, their eyes on Kieran growing even stranger.

It was obvious that Snake Sect and Edatine royal court had reached an accord, hence promoting an heir that would succeed both.

And when the heir ascended to power, the situation of the whole Northern Lands and Southern Lands would change drastically.

Such an heir should not be allowed to exist!

Instinctively, the thought appeared in all 14 councilmens’ heads, but at the next moment, they remembered the situation that they were currently in.

That unknown existence! That demi-god or already God who hid in the dark, and the Mist who was operating on the bright side!

Damn it! Since when did the situation in Edatine become so complicated?

The southern councilmen had no questions about the hidden existence in the dark.

Since it was able to convert a believer with beliefs as strong as a monolith, it must have existed.

As for the inconspicuous reputation before?

Just look at the mist!

Before the battle in Sicar happened, who had heard of the Mist?

It was obvious that that existence was similar to the Mist, expanding its strength and influence quietly, waiting for the day to finally astonish people.

But… they ruined the plan.

Eindefern could only imagine how furious that existence was.

Colin shouldn’t be killed just yet, it wasn’t time yet! The unknown existence behind him was the priority!

“Colipo’s death and Ludus’ absence exhausted Kurtzargert, forgetting some things is only normal,” Eindefern said, then looked at Kurtzargert once more.

His gaze had a very obvious meaning: play along or break up.

Eindefern wasn’t worried about this though.

If Kurtzargert wanted to break up, he wouldn’t have waited until now.

As expected, Kurtzargert nodded a second later.

“Mm,” the nasally voice sounded dull without any extra expression as Kurtzargert nodded.

Although everyone present could tell how fake he was, no one burst his bubble.

They turned a blind eye and acknowledged it tacitly, including Monte, the vassal who spoke up on behalf of Kieran.

It wasn’t a suitable time to pursue the victory, the necessary step at the moment was to seek compensation!

The vassal cleared his throat after he got some hints from Kieran, he said, “Sir Eindefern, we aren’t too convenient to know about your family matters, but your men invaded without a reason, and that, I think, we should have a talk about.”

“Of course. We are also here because of that unfortunate incident. After all, it’s not time for an internal conflict.”

Eindefern did not spare ground for the vassal to interrupt, continuing straightforwardly, “280 true magical equipment and items. We are trading them away for the forgiveness of Snake Sect and Edatine royal court.”

280 magical equipment and items?!

Monte was stunned on the spot when he heard what Eindefern said, his jaw dropping.

Despite the fact that he was more of a clown, Monte was quite wealthy himself.

He might not be as rich as those families with a long lineage, but he was almost 10 times richer than common knights and other similar ranks.

Yet even with his level of wealth and his own value, all he could purchase were three to five magical items and equipment at most.

Therefore, it was natural that Monte got stunned.

The other one who was stunned was… the old Demon Hunter, Anderson!

Anderson was a man who had seen many things, but what the councilman offered was 280 magical items and equipment! True items and equipment, not those made for tricks and shows!

If used properly, not all were needed, only a very small portion of the 280 pieces could help Anderson reform Wolf Sect in one or two years of training.

The old Demon Hunter was quite reluctant to join this meeting before this and almost instantaneously, the reluctance was gone. Ge started to think how he would ask for a share of the compensation from the heir of Snake Sect.

His flying knives technique was taught, what else could he use as a bargaining chip?

Though the iron cock personality of the heir made the old Demon Hunter lock his brows tight.

“Deal,” said Kieran. He accepted the proposal swiftly, there was no negotiation at all.

It made Monte, who had just regained his senses, anxious.

Since the councilmen had offered such a high number, that meant that they still had a lot more behind them, and with some simple techniques, the gains would surely have been a lot more!

‘Damn it! Damn me! I’ve made his Highness suffer such a heft loss!’

As a future honorary minister, the vassal, who was already in character, was eager to slap himself, but it was already too late to say anything.

Damn it!

A bunch of bastards who bullied the loyal, honest, and naive side of his Highness!

The vassal glared at the southern councilmen, listing all 14 of them on his own blacklist.

Eindefern and the others also sensed the grudgeful glare from Monte, but none of them cared.

They were much more concerned about how clean Kieran was in making the decision.

They would not believe that the quick decision was because of Kieran’s youth, neither would they believe that Kieran was blinded by impulses after hearing such a huge number.

As for Kieran knowing their bottom line from the very beginning?

Utterly impossible, unless there was a traitor among them.

They might always fight and deceive each other, but it was the internal conflict of Silent Night Secret Society. Even Kurtzargert wouldn’t involve an outsider in all this.

Therefore, there was only one explanation left.

Not only had Silent Night Secret Society noticed the unknown existence, Snake Sect had noticed it too.

With that thought in mind, the southern councilmen exchanged gazes, then turned their attention to Kieran at the same time.

“Compensation aside, I think we can work together very closely in the future. What do you say, Prince Colin?” Eindefern asked, attempting to test the water.

“Sure,” Kieran said as he waved his hand.

Right away, other than the old Demon Hunter and the vassal, everyone went out.

Eindefern also ordered Horlaika, Horfe, and the others to go out.

Soon, the whole of White Deer Restaurant was left with only Kieran, Anderson, Monte, and 15 projection images.

After some slight thoughts, Kieran spoke.

“All of you noticed ‘him’ too?”