Chapter 267

Chapter 267

[I have confirmed that there was no contact with the other four families, as you mentioned.]

I see.

[On the contrary, the Yookryeong side is expressing their injustice at their representatives disappearance. They say it was never their intention]

Well, I can understand that much.

The voice also picks up information about well-known freelancers from the outside.

Mad Manson, a freelancer known for being quite out of his mind, is understood to have some connection with a mage called Jianlei.

Its hard to accept that Manson disappeared as soon as he contacted Jianlei, but if their relationship was not just a friendship as publicly known but a strict hierarchy, then it could be explained.

And if the voices speculation is correct, there might be a need to be even more wary of this mage called Jianlei.

Jianlei Ji, Jianlei

[]

Hes a tricky one. Did he know it would come to this from the start?

Gathering information about a mage who has faced off against the cartel and effectively won wasnt difficult.

Even after becoming an external director, no one thinks Jianlei lost to the cartel, which in itself proves the mages skills and status.

The mix of illusion, awe, and fear creating countless stories was natural.

However, among the information the voice gathered, there was nothing true about Jianlei.

Identity, origin, past, and inside story. Not a single fact was properly known, only filled with absurd rumors.

The only officially confirmed information was about moments Jianlei wanted to reveal himself.

In a field filled with informants and tricksters, the extent to which Jianlei has cunningly and thoroughly controlled information about himself was admirable even to the voice.

There must be a reason he set foot in the fortress now, and he cleverly hid his destination amidst it.

[We can make up any justification]

Theres always a specific opponent for forced arguments.

The voice stated flatly.

What would the atmosphere be like if rumors spread that the cartels external director was snubbed and kicked out? He knows that well, which is why he boldly entered the fortress.

[Thats]

Having climbed up from the bottom, it seems he knows how to use his position and authority well.

The tone turned chilly.

But the game is almost entirely set. Hes come too far to muddy the waters alone. Lets see how far his arrogance can take him, Ill be watching.

* * *

No need for hesitation once the decision was made.

Explaining how he ended up getting the ticket through Chens half-sister wasnt difficult.

The woman with deep navy hair tied back looked down at the ticket for a while.

Ive heard the story.

It didnt take long for a bitter smile to appear on her lips.

The father, consumed by his desires, even sold the right to appoint the familys representative. Who would have thought it would come back in this manner.

The woman looking down at the ticket stood up and turned her back.

Im sorry for making you come all this way, but lets pretend this never happened.

Su, Sister Suryeon!!

Chen, surprised, grabbed her shoulder as she turned around.

You cant give up. This is practically a miracle.

Im not sure why hes offering to help us, but that man is from a completely different world. Hell definitely be able to break this situation!

A different world

Although Lennok understood the excitement upon hearing his words, even in the most favorable light, it seemed like an overstatement.

Lennok frowned at the praise that made his face hot, and Manson laughed heartily.

Chen, you really know nothing.

However, the woman called Suryeon frowned and brushed off Chens hand.

We cannot accept that mans offer because we do not know his reasons.

That is

Ive heard about that man too. What could a skilled and capable mage, who has a place in the cartel, possibly lack that he wants to help us?

Suryeons gaze sharpened.

After father died and the family members scattered, if I cant even protect whats left in my hands, Id have no face to show to our deceased mother.

Chen couldnt rashly continue speaking in response to Suryeons stern words.

It wasnt just a matter of pride; her rebuttal was likely the result of choosing the best reality from her perspective.

Lennok, too, could understand her position.

Given her lack of knowledge about Van, it would be difficult for her to trust him rashly, especially when help was so desperately needed and the timing of his appearance seemed too good to be true.

Lennok chose his words carefully before speaking.

I wont deny that my goals lie elsewhere.

That is!

But if I thought I couldnt properly fulfill the role of a representative, I wouldnt have sought you out from the start.

The atmosphere quieted down with Lennoks gentle words.

If youve heard of my name, youd roughly know what Ive been doing outside.

The only guarantee of trust for a freelancer is always the request and the contract.

Lennok looked at Suryeon and smiled faintly.

If we can clearly define what each of us wants, perhaps we can have a more constructive conversation?

It all comes down to trust.

While Lennok, who is following the traces of the Guido sect, is sure that the Oryun family is not connected to the sect,

Suryeon, on the other hand, would find it hard to place such trust in Lennok.

Lennok knew all too well that he was not that great or talented.

He was merely struggling to survive every moment, not knowing what his future holds.

And because he acutely realizes this, he is not afraid of those expectations and gazes.

What needs to be done has always been clear.

The determination held in his heart has never wavered.

He might stumble and struggle, but he will never sit down and give up.

That was all Lennok could answer to himself.

Wait, just a minute.

Chen, who had followed him down belatedly, called out to Lennok in a hurry.

So, where are you going?

A proxy war to decide the master needs the right number of participants, doesnt it?

Lennok answered.

Among the five families attached to Ilwon, the representative of Yookryeong is already on our side. If we can win over Paldoon and Samyeong, we can balance it out.

Becoming the representative of Oryun doesnt mean the work is done.

No matter how much Lennok believes in his own power, facing the representatives of the other seven families alone is inefficient and reckless.

Fortunately, Ilwon seems to think the game is over once more than half of the five families are convinced, but Lennok believed there were still opportunities left.

Chen said with a bewildered expression, Paldoon and Samyeong have completely different circumstances from us. Paldoon is not popular within the fortress, and Samyeong, on the contrary, has a powerful presence that made us hesitant to approach them, but they are indeed powerful.

It doesnt matter.

Lennoks eyes shone sharply.

His left pupil rotated, emitting a vivid purple light.

Just going to see them will give us an estimate.

* * *

The eight families of Eightfold Fortress each engrave a number in their family name.

At first glance, it might seem like a simple identifier, but it represents the order in which the families joined the leadership of the fortress.

It was natural, then, that Paldoon, the last to be incorporated, had a relatively low status.

The problem was that even this relatively low status was incomparable to Oryuns situation.

Quite grand.

Lennok muttered as he observed Paldoons mansion through a scope from two blocks away.

The mansion was similar in size to Oryuns, but the density of people was on a completely different level.

Easily over a dozen mana users. All of them are warriors who have undergone intense training, with only a couple of sorcerers to support them.

On the top floor of the mansion, there are two ancient magical forces and one emitting an exceptionally strong vitality.

Likely, these belong to Paldoons head of the family, the direct bloodline, and their representative.

Can you do it?

Chen, looking tense, and Manson, who had lazily followed Lennok, muttered in a bored tone.

[If all else fails, just taking the representatives authority would be fine but that would mean wed have to knock down Paldoons entire force.]

A familys representative is literally an entity that acts on behalf of the familys will.

However, its possible to usurp that qualification through a duel between representatives.

This is because the existence of representatives was created to smooth over internal conflicts within the fortress.

To avoid direct descendants of the eight families getting killed in disputes, a symbiotic relationship was established where benefits are shared through representatives.

The reason Lennok hasnt been too concerned about Yookryeong since meeting Manson is that once a representative is decided, the decision cannot be reversed for a month.

Considering the proxy war to decide the master is in two weeks, Yookryeong, like it or not, will have to fill their numbers.

Yookryeongs misstep in trying to elevate their prestige by employing a capable freelancer like Manson.

They likely didnt anticipate Van holding Mansons leash.

As soon as Manson spoke, Lennok stood up from the top of the stone wall.

With these conditions, we have more than enough.

Whiiiiiing!!!

The flow of mana rapidly gathering between his five fingers.

Chen and Manson, realizing his intention too late, turned pale.

Wait, just a?

[What are you trying to do?]

The moment Manson sided with me, it was as good as started. If were going to make a move, might as well go big.

Lennok answered.

At the same time, he released the compressed wave of mana from his grip forward.

Shockwave-type general magic

[Shock Buster]

Kwaaaaang!!

A powerful shockwave exploded in front of Paldoons hefty iron gate.

The thick steel bent and tore away instantly under the attack, far surpassing ordinary physical force.

Woojijijik!!

The, the gate!!

Who the hell is it!

Chaos ensued in Paldoons front yard as warriors rushed out.

And the expressions of Chen and Manson, mouths agape.

Lennok stood up with a smirk.

I hope you liked my greeting.

The proxy war had begun.

(To be Continued)

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