Chapter 67 - The Five Houses

There are five great gangs that are spread out in the country. These major groups are big enough not to be called just "gangs", more appropriately, they should be called "clans" instead.

Why?

It's because their roots originated before modern times. Spirits have been known since the first record of history. Big families monopolized these records not to let the public know, or else, they would have less power.

The surface world's governments began forming. They are the ruler of the common people in the eyes of the big families, thus, they were nemeses. Slowly, as time enters the modern period, the government gets a hold of a great pile of information about Spirits and their existence.

With governments from neighboring coutnries helping one another, the independent families began to be on the losing side and thus, were simply labeled as "gangs" As a sign of defeat, the families accepted the name on the surface, however, the workings as a clan still continues internally.

At the Drago House, Eron finally went back and reported the news to his second brother, Ivan, now acting as their leader.

"Deflect the other houses' 'harassment'? What are we a service?"

Ivan, who sat in his office, frowned at Eron's report. After further reading the report, he called out to Eron.

"What's the meaning of this? Three men killed just like that? They have the Spirit of Flight, at the very least, why can't you order them to escape!?"

Ivan shouted. Among the three brothers, the second brother has the least amount of patience and tolerance, making him hot-blooded.

"Wait, Ivan, don't you forget that we're dealing with the Devil Himself here."

But Eron didn't just take the shouting passively. The two are blood-related and had been together since birth. They are close enough to have small bickerings.

"Ivan? Aren't you forgetting that I'm the leader now?"

"You're just a year older. I'm trying hard to lower my head to you since you're officially, even if temporarily, the leader." Eron rebuked Ivan's words.

This made Ivan just snicker and whispered.

"I'll just have you responsible for those three deaths. You know what to do."

Eron didn't answer, suggesting he had no problem with it.

"But the problem is... how can that man know all of this information?"

Ivan scratched his head. He didn't think that Eron would betray them. Even if he did, why would he put it in the report?

"This is bad. If the Serpen House gets a hold of this information, we will be put into a tight spot. But since the Devil Himself agreed, I think it's worth it..."

Eron frowned. Ivan seemed to have agreed to this but he knows for sure that this was not the best result. No, it's far from the best since the Devil Himself basically has control over the deal.

"After just our first interaction and he already has us at our necks. What a terrifying guy...!" Ivan's tone changed before he ripped the paper into pieces.

"Fuck!" he sharply cursed.

"How is this good!? There's a great chance that he wouldn't uphold the promise. Does he thinks we're children!? You might have a brain of a child but the rest of us don't!" Ivan glanced at Eron which made the latter roll his eyes.

"If we don't secure him here, have something that will entice him, or have something to blackmail him, this would've been fine but none! We have none of those!"

"So what do you plan to do?" Eron butted in.

"Obliterate him?" Ivan tilted his head but soon shook it, "If that's so easy, the SSDA should've done it a long time ago. Do we have to get help from the Titanes House?"

"That would be bad. They are too quiet and unpredictable. We can't rely on them." Eron reasoned which Ivan nodded.

"But the Solari and Lunari Houses will surely not help us here... I guess we have no choice but to deal with this devil ourselves. Since he had already agreed, we just have to subtly spread this fact to scare them off. So if we agreed and help him deflect, it's the same as saying we're on the same team."

Ivan said his plan which Eron criticized.

"But to offend three more Houses, is that fine? Also, we have to expend more manpower for that. Finally, subtly spread? What if they just see this as us attempting to gain favor in the hope of gaining the devil's trust and not having allied yet."

Ivan pondered for a while. He accepted Eron's critics and replied.

"No, we are only going to offend two more. I think, and hope, the Titanes House is too proud to seek help and they don't have the means to be inconspicuous as well. They are strong and brave, yes, but that won't help them to deal with the Devil Himself. As for the Solari House, as the richest house, they surely have the assets but that is not enough to entice the devil. The Lunari is oppressed by the Solari, as usual, I think they will either give up on reaching the devil or become more desperate. Lastly... the damnable Serpen House will surely stalk the devil in hopes of finding a flaw or something to blackmail him."

Ivan continued to analyze while Eron nodded in his every single sentence. After pondering it for a moment, Eron also reached Ivan's conclusion.

"So we will let the Serpen House stalk the devil. And once, the devil notices it, we will barge in. This will let us gain the help of the Devil Himself! So we wouldn't expend too much manpower! Furthermore, this will be a clear indication that we're trustworthy. As for subtly spreading it, we will be in the gray area, or else, the SSDA's attention will be focused on us. The simple chance that we've already allied with the devil may stop the other houses' pursue. A win-win!"

Eron clasped his hands which Ivan agreed as he smiled.

"Good thing we have Spirit-Embedded Clothing or else, this will be harder."