novelraw Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Chapter 27. Future Choices
After those words fell, only the howling rainstorm remained atop the tower. The few people present all fell into silence.
“Those are matters for the future. Let’s first talk about how to resolve the current problem.”
It was Robert who broke the silence first. He pointed toward the Duke’s Mansion in the east, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.
As the representative of the Shadow Guild, he least wanted to see the situation spiral out of control—that would affect business.
Several powerful auras were already colliding uncontrollably above the Duke’s Mansion.
The pressure of the elders from various races and the experts serving the Duke’s Mansion formed visible torrents of energy, tearing and crashing against each other in the storm.
“That depends on whether everyone here is willing to part with those blood-stained coins in your hands. Hand over a few scapegoats with enough weight, publicly try the scum involved in the slave trade and the hijacking of caravans, and pay sufficient compensation… the situation might still be calmed.”
Kyle spoke leisurely. He knew these people’s nature well—those words were merely an opening.
“Of course, with the ‘prestige’ of everyone present, the various races should give at least some face, right?”
“Heh! You’re quite good at spending other people’s money!” Bartos sneered, the knotted muscles beneath his leather armor bulging. His murderous aura almost condensed into substance.
“Did you forget that this whole mess was started by that dead fat man? And now you want me to cut off my own limbs to apologize to a bunch of beggars?!”
Claudi Haines and Sarkhad Blackthorn also looked at Kyle with dissatisfaction, though they still maintained a nobleman’s “grace” and did not explode in anger.
“Looks like you’re unwilling to part with it.”
Kyle raised an eyebrow, deliberately dragging out his tone while showing an expression of “just as I expected.”
A performance had to be done properly.
“Then only one path remains.”
He lazily stretched his body. His bones cracked softly, and his golden eyes shone brilliantly through the rain.
“Let’s fight. We’ll decide with our fists—who will write the future direction of Coral Thorn City!”
“Wait! This is your solution?” Gann·Cole, who had been silent until now, finally could not hold back. As the branch president of the Adventurers’ Guild, he could not just watch a group of high-level powerhouses start fighting inside the city.
The consequences were unimaginable!
Kyle understood his concerns, but sometimes violence was the most effective language.
“Of course. Since no one wants to pay with their benefits, then we’ll declare it with force so everyone can calm down.”
“Interesting…” Bartos licked his lips, bloodthirsty light flashing in his eyes. “You want to fight the three of us?”
“Ha, of course!”
Kyle couldn’t suppress the upward curl of his lips. He had wanted to vent for a long time—today he had finally found the chance.
“I’ve tolerated you for a long time. I’ve wanted to stretch my muscles for ages! But—since I’m here for long-term benefits and we all want to make money in harmony, let’s stop at the point of victory, how about that?”
Kyle paused slightly.
“I doubt anyone wants us to end up mutually crippled and let outsiders take advantage, right?”
“The terms?” Blackthorn narrowed his eyes, his shrewd gaze examining the unfathomable vampire before him.
“Simple. If you win, I’ll compensate all your losses and withdraw from the struggle over the core interests of Coral Thorn City. The Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce will also resume cooperation with all parties. But if I win…”
“We’ll bear our own losses!” Bartos interrupted impatiently.
Kyle shook his head. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried unquestionable authority.
“Not enough. You must also abandon the slave trade and the business of raiding trade routes.” He stared at Bartos. “Only then is it fair.”
“Heh.” Blackthorn let out a meaningful chuckle and lightly tapped his cane against the ground. “It seems you’re very confident?”
Everyone present had clashed with Kyle before, but those encounters had only been probing tests—they had never truly fought seriously.
“Fight me and you’ll know. I’m just afraid you won’t dare~” Kyle mocked lazily.
Everyone here had experienced storms and waves countless times. This level of provocation could not stir even the slightest ripple in their hearts.
The three exchanged glances and began communicating with their spiritual power.
“What do you think of his proposal?” Sarkhad asked first.
“This vampire truly has unusual foresight and talent. The changes in Coral Thorn City over these years prove it. If we follow his idea, the city could rise to another level. Giving up some benefits isn’t really a problem,” Claudio replied.
“I think it’s feasible too. The losses would be greater, but still acceptable.” Sarkhad turned to Bartos.
“Hmph! Easy for you two to say! My entire foundation is at sea! Abandon plundering? Unless my losses are compensated elsewhere!”
“Bartos, are you pretending to be miserable? The Silver Sand Coast is such a vast sea—how many sea bandits and merchant ships are under your control? Do you think we don’t know?”
“You’ve already made a fortune from ‘maritime trade’ these years. If you completely turn to legal commerce, how much would you actually lose? Is earning less the same as losing? Besides, once legitimate trade grows large enough, those losses will return in the blink of an eye!”
“And you really believe he can push Coral Thorn City to a higher level? If the city’s profits keep increasing, it might attract even more wolves. At that time, Transcendent—even Legendary—experts might step in. What will you do then?”
The two were momentarily stunned by Bartos’ question.
Yes… if stronger figures set their sights on Coral Thorn City, what would these local powers do?
Suddenly they felt that the current situation wasn’t so bad—there were ample profits, yet it didn’t attract stronger competitors.
They decided to ask the vampire directly.
“How will you ensure that once Coral Thorn City grows stronger, it won’t be coveted by others?”
Kyle rolled his eyes and spoke in a tone one would use when worrying about an idiot.
“So you really plan to monopolize a piece of meat you can’t even defend?”
“What do you mean? You want to share the benefits with outsiders?”
Kyle was completely speechless. Were these people all greedy beasts?
“You all know that a bigger metropolis will attract outsiders’ covetousness. Then why not actively seek suitable, powerful partners to help guard this cake together?! If you want greater profits, you must learn to share! Cooperate! Achieve mutual benefit!”
“New partners are new competitors—but also new protectors. Unless you really intend to cling to this piece of meat until it completely rots.”
“If that’s truly your plan, then there’s nothing left to discuss. It doesn’t align with my interests at all. I can’t be bothered with your nonsense anyway. I’m not the one who will suffer losses. If you have the guts, go kill that fat man—don’t make me look down on you!”
Silence filled the air once again.
Kyle looked at them with disdain. A bunch of idiots who were both incompetent and overly ambitious. Back then, he had chosen this place precisely because of these people’s shortsightedness and their relative adherence to rules. With them standing in front, he could develop more comfortably behind the scenes.
But now he already had some confidence. He could act more freely.
It likely wouldn’t take him long to advance to Duke and become Transcendent—at that point he would truly be counted among the top-tier powerhouses on this continent.
And these people before him?
They would probably remain trapped at the Intent level forever.
Unless they encountered extraordinary fortune—or belonged to special races like magical creatures or dark beings that could advance after meeting certain specific conditions.
For ordinary people to achieve Transcendent, they had to break through the shackles of their own mind and convictions, forging a unique “path” on their professional journey.
If Kyle had wanted, he could have advanced to Duke thirty years ago through the vampire’s most traditional path—the path of “blood and darkness.” Yet he had deliberately delayed until now, finally making progress on a new path more suited to himself.
It wasn’t that new paths couldn’t be developed after advancement.
But advancing to Transcendent was a transformation of one’s life essence—like a chrysalis becoming a butterfly.
It would determine whether one was better suited to flying in the sky or swimming in the sea.
The choice of path had immense influence on the future. Once the direction was set, subsequent development could only proceed in similar directions and domains, greatly limiting possibilities.
Unless one paid a terrible price and completely “destroyed and rebuilt” oneself.
But even then, it would still be better to plan and choose a direction before the “butterfly transformation,” avoiding meaningless waste.