The Way of a Demon Lord

The man frowned.",

"The Rebellion is a faction that is heavily depended not on the leadership." Adrian said. "If you can cut the head, the whole organisation is as good as destroyed."

"I can understand. But the high level circlers of the Rebellion are masters at the art of concealment. It's not easy to defeat them."

"It is. It's just that the Imperial family cares little about these pests."

"Exactly. This is the reason the war will be over soon, with the leaders getting away unscathed again."

"It would have been the case." Adrian arched forward and smiled. "If the High Table did not decide to step into the game."

The man knitted his brows further. "The High Table? The members reveal themselves if, and only if, calamity or higher class enemies appear. Why would they reveal themselves now? The only calamity class member of the Rebellion died years ago."

Adrian only smiled in response.

The man's eyes furrowed further. Suddenly, he gasped. His eyes almost popped out from his sockets. "That lady… she is a calamity class?!"

"Think whatever you want. Now that you know that the Imperial fogeys are going out on a hunt, you can put yourself at rest."

The man sighed and poured another round of wine in his chalice. He turned to Adrian, and put the bottle on the table. Adrian's cup was still half filled. The man took a sip. "Indeed. The High Table members are stubborn. They won't rest until they hunt down the ones that threat the sovereignty of the Imperial family." He gave Adrian a look. "You and that lady should be careful."

"They will find us alright." Adrian said in a carefree tone. "But by the time they do, it will be already too late- for them, and the Rebellion."

"I don't know about them, but in case of the Rebellion- I agree." The man nodded. "The High Table will not leave any stones unturned to get you. They will go after every one of the rebel leaders. The only thing you have to be wary of is-"

"The Church." Adrian interrupted.

"Yes. Their divination magic is troublesome."

"You don't have to worry about that." Adrian smiled. "You can see everything with light, except darkness."

"If you are saying that, maybe I don't have to worry at all." The middle aged man took another sip.

"You are quite carefree, aren't you?" Adrian smirked. "They will discover you sooner or later, along with the fact that you are the one who recommended the calamity class."

"Why would I care." The man shrugged. "I am your subordinate now. It's your job to protect me."

"Indeed." The smile on his face got brighter.

"Thanks to whoever kidnapped the Princess. My job got easier. The Imperial family sent a few sentries to investigate, pressuring the Raymond House in the process. I can easily manipulate the lower and mid tiers of the organisation, while the higher levels have to stay on the back foot, fearing the sentries."

"You're welcome." Adrian twirled and sipped the wine. It had been months since he tasted a beverage this good. After all, behind enemy lines he was not the same Royal Advisor of the Kingdom of Nemphis, nor the son of Emilia Darkheart. He was nothing more than the kingpin of a small Syndicate.

The man widened his eyes again as he looked at the youth before him. He scanned this new 'employer' of his before heaving out another sigh.

"The more I get to know you, the more mysterious you become."

Adrian smiled in return.

"Anyways, what are your next orders." The man's eyes became serious.

"Go on with what you are doing- weaken the defence of Edenshield as much as you could. I will look for an opening and strike at their very heart."

"The Rebellion can only affect the aristocratic faction. And the defence of Edenshield is more than just them."

"I know." Adrian took another sip. "I will take care of the other two- the Church and the Underworld."

The man reached his chalice forward. "To our victory."

Adrian followed as well. "Victory,"

*Clink*

******

The same carriage which dropped Adrian at the Dreamscape Castle was moving towards the outer district.

Though many of the roads were blocked or deemed unsafe because of the Rebellion, the regions dominated by the commoners were safe- at least to other commoners.

Adrian was sitting inside, resting his back against the cushiony seat with his eyes closed. Eustace was just before him.

"Do you want to say anything?" Adrian said, his eyes still closed.

Eustace took in a deep breath. "During my stay at the Pink Willows, and from my own connections, I managed to get some information. But these are just rumours. And I was not able to confirm anything."

"There is no smoke without fire. Go on."

"I think the Black Skull Syndicate and the Flying Bull Syndicate- the two strongest gangs in Edenshield- caught wind of our existence and decided to team up."

"A wise decision indeed. Between the strong and the unknown, the latter is more dangerous."

"So…"

"Let them be." Adrian opened his eyes. "If they join together, it will be easier for us- easier to fell them down that is. One stone, two birds."

Eustace took in a deep breath. Only his boss could think of saying such things despite knowing the strength of those two forces. "And I think their first target is the Pink Willows."

"Nothing surprising here." Adrian said nonchalantly. "The one to get the most benefits out of the destruction of the Grand Pearl was the Pink Willows. It's customary that they suspect the whorehouse to be an outlet of the culprit forces."

"What shall we do?" Eustace asked. He was really worried about the brothel. It was more profitable than his last business and he was planning to set a gambling den in the establishment as well.

"Just let them make the move." Adrian closed his eyes again. A smile formed on his face.

"And let them know how futile it is."