novelraw Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Chapter 26. Contradictions
“Big news! Have you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“The Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce branch in Coral Thorn City has fallen out with the headquarters! Even the Duke’s Mansion and a large number of nobles have been put on the blacklist!”
“Hiss! That ruthless?! Offending so many people in one go? Are these lords preparing to start a war?”
“Of course! And there’s something even more explosive!”
“What? There’s something even bigger?”
“Merchant groups of various races somehow obtained detailed intelligence about some of their caravans being hijacked! The elven merchant group even discovered enslaved elves in the underground black market. Now the elders of several races have already stormed into the Duke’s Mansion!”
“Is that real?! How could something this huge happen without any commotion?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Some big shot must be suppressing the news! I only heard it from a friend working in the wealthy district. The streets over there are extremely quiet now—those noble lords are probably hiding in their homes and don’t dare show their faces!”
***
“Has that damn fat man gone mad?!”
Willie Blackthorn’s face turned ashen as he listened to the intelligence report from his subordinate.
They had already given that dead fat man plenty of face. Even the matter of the Greenfield Trade Route had been approved by the Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce headquarters. Even if something went wrong, the responsibility wouldn’t fall on that fat man’s head. What else could he possibly be dissatisfied with?
Yet that fat man had pounced like a rabid dog and started biting people without any warning!
Was his desire for revenge really that strong?
Completely incomprehensible!
“Go! Gather the other families and the Duke’s Mansion—…forget it, leave the Duke’s Mansion aside for now. Just have the representatives of the other families come!”
Going to the Duke’s Mansion now would simply mean inviting more trouble onto himself.
***
Kyle was also astonished by how quickly the situation had developed.
“Did that fat man take the wrong medicine? When did his courage become fatter than his waistline? Is he tired of living?”
What Kyle did not know was that the intelligence he had provided—along with the existence of him and O’Brien—had caused Mills to grow somewhat overconfident. Combined with the anger of being ignored and long-suppressed dissatisfaction, it had finally erupted, flipping the entire table.
At this moment, Kyle still had no idea that the fat man was planning to consult him about how to resolve the trouble with the Greenfield Trade Route. Otherwise, he would definitely have checked whether the fat man’s brain had been eaten by mind-devouring worms.
You offend everyone first, and then ask him how to solve it?
“This time, those old fellows behind the scenes probably won’t be able to sit still anymore.”
“Mills, you fat man really know how to stir up trouble!”
Fortunately, several of his capable subordinates were now present, and the strongest among them, Alvaro, had given him quite a pleasant surprise.
“Isos,” Kyle’s voice echoed through the vast cavern, “come take over my position. Just stabilize Adrian’s current state for me. I’m going to deal with some trouble.”
“Yes, my lord!” a hollow voice responded from the shadows.
“Alvaro, come with me.”
“As you command, my lord.”
***
At the top of the tallest tower in the center of Coral Thorn City.
Howling winds whipped past five silent figures. Below them, the city lights flickered in the storm like an uneasy sea of stars. Kyle’s figure silently appeared at the edge of the tower.
“You’re here.”
Kyle’s gaze swept across the five figures waiting atop the tower.
“Yeah. If I didn’t come soon, you’d probably explode.”
“What’s going on with that dead fat man? This shouldn’t be your doing, right?” Sarkhad Blackthorn’s cold face showed no expression, but his tone was chilling.
“Of course not. I’m not crazy.”
“This incident has had a very bad impact. How do you plan to handle it?” Claudi Haines was clearly dissatisfied. His family’s main business was the trade of people, and Mills’ exposure had brought enormous trouble to his family—especially from the elves.
“Are you questioning me?” Kyle’s expression also turned cold.
“Alright! Everyone calm down! We’re all respectable figures here. Whatever the issue, we can discuss it slowly!” Robert Zorn quickly interrupted with a smile, preventing the atmosphere from worsening.
“Heh! Robert, your Shadow Guild spread the news everywhere and fanned the flames, and now you’re pretending to be the good guy?” Bartos, whose face bore a massive claw scar, sneered. His Deep Sea Union’s intelligence related to plundering and smuggling had been completely sold out. If he didn’t lack an obvious base, the place being surrounded wouldn’t be the Duke’s Mansion.
Robert Zorn’s smile faded slightly, but he still maintained his composure.
“My subordinates were careless. As their superior, I can only try to act as a mediator. Let’s talk about how to deal with the matter first. If we don’t come up with a solution soon, the Duke’s Mansion will probably be torn apart today.”
The Duke’s Mansion served as an important buffer that maintained surface-level order and eased conflicts among all parties. If it disappeared, finding another suitable replacement wouldn’t be easy.
Everyone’s gaze once again focused on Kyle.
After all, everyone present knew very well that the fat man counted as Kyle’s person. Although the Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce itself was powerful, its true influence was mainly in the imperial capital.
In Coral Thorn City, these local powerhouses were the real rulers. Without Kyle’s intervention, the Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce would never have reached its current position.
Facing everyone’s gaze, Kyle slowly spoke. His voice wasn’t loud, but it clearly carried over the howling wind.
“What Mills did this time was indeed excessive, but that doesn’t mean it brings no benefits.”
“Benefits?”
The others remained noncommittal, waiting for him to continue.
“Since everything has already been dragged into the open, then we’ll resolve it openly. If Coral Thorn City wants to continue developing—if it wants to become the true center of the Silver Sand Coast and even a broader region, instead of a filthy gold-devouring den—then some things must be cut away!”
Kyle glanced toward Claudio Haines and Bartos.
“The population of Coral Thorn City is already large enough. Bringing in more low-level laborers is useless. These ‘black industries’ will only limit the city’s potential! The petty profits they bring are insignificant compared to the chaos, hatred, and potential destruction they bring to the city!”
Kyle looked around at everyone, his tone icy.
“What this city needs is order, safety, prosperity, and genuine attraction! It needs an environment where merchants, craftsmen, and scholars of all races can settle and develop in peace! Not more bloodshed, fear, and endless revenge!”
Originally, he had planned to slowly dig out these tumors after O’Brien entered the Artisans’ Association. Unexpectedly, Mills had detonated everything ahead of time.
Human plans truly could not match the unpredictability of fate.
Since things had already reached this point, then everything should be made completely clear.
“If you still cling to those rotten, foul-smelling chains of benefits and refuse to let them go…”
“Then as this city inevitably expands and upgrades, the contradictions will only deepen. An outbreak of conflict will only be a matter of time.”
“When that time comes, either take your filthy ‘profits’ and get out of Coral Thorn City!”
“Or wait for this city to be smashed into ruins amid complete chaos and fighting!”
“There will be no third outcome.”