Chapter 265: The Indomitability Represented by the Snake - III

Marlina brought her fingertips together and calmly stated:

"Authority."

Bang!

In the increasingly tense moment between Rodent and Vulture, Hyena abruptly plunged a dagger into the table, standing up with a fierce and wildly sinister grin.

"The fact that Hyena has forcefully swept through the slave markets is established; Vulture and Rodent now face two choices: retaliate or accept Hyena's terms."

"If it were me," Marlina began, smiling as her fingers touched, "I wouldn't inform them that I've found a new backer. I'd let them believe this is a desperate final stand before madness... unless truly cornered, businessmen are loath to engage in a fight to the death with a madman."

"Promises of unequal benefits to the splitters."

Rodent and Vulture stared at the gem on the table, silent.

"A thunderous strike without the slightest reaction."

Who could have predicted that someone, seemingly without support and no options left, would suddenly, in a fit of madness, target the slave markets?

"The brutal authority of a madman."

The dagger, nailed to the table, reflected Hyena's fearless, cruel, and arrogant smile.

Marlina exhaled slowly, feeling her blood surge and her heart pound with a tide of pride and satisfaction.

"This is my answer."

The young girl turned to Ansel, her smile radiant as she said, "I have carried out your command, Mr. Ansel. Have I won?"

"Very well, exceptionally well, Marlina."

Even with the support of the Duke of Luminaris, he had failed to consolidate all the slave markets; thus, it was unreasonable to expect a change with a mere "Faust" as his backer. The only opportunity... lay in a gambit so audacious that, coupled with the right incentives, it was sufficient to make Vulture and Rodent stand down.

The cunning of this devastating blow lay in its unexpectedness; no one would have anticipated Hyena to dare such a move. Conversely... if the plan were to become known, it would not only be rendered pointless but would also lead to the decimation of Hyena's vital forces.

Ansel waved his hand dismissively, a light-hearted chuckle in his voice, "No, it's not that you have a traitor; this is merely a..."

"Coincidence."

With a snap of his fingers, an unremarkable man appeared before Marlina.

"Remember him?"

"That's... the seller of that fake gem!"

"After he changed his face and inexplicably began to follow us, I kept an eye on him and took the liberty of reading his mind."

"In essence, as a fence, he was ostensibly working under Vulture. After being astounded by your discernment, Marlina, he sought to win me over, to recruit a client for Vulture, thereby securing a personal profit... And then, he watched as we walked right into Mr. Hyena's slave market."

As Ansel spoke, Hyena, with a visage twisted in disgust, abandoned the precious gem and departed.

"He did not wish for Hyena to grow too powerful, for I might be a person of significance, and thus sought to engage me quickly, to introduce me to Vulture. However, my conspicuous behavior at the auction made him wary of the risk of exposure, and he refrained from doing so."

"Until..."

"Until Hyena, until I arrived," murmured Marlina.

"I was too impatient. The thought of a legendary adventurer arriving here made me determined not to miss the opportunity, so much so that I didn't even invite Mr. Ansel to my office or any other suitable place for conversation. Instead, we spoke directly in the private box, and outside... was the auction hall filled with bidders."

The young girl clenched her fists slowly: "The use of magic for eavesdropping might go undetected, and even if discovered, might not be traced back, provided one has the audacity..."

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