Underground street, Grove's pharmacy.
Grove listlessly sent away a bruised thug from the Brotherhood and recorded his credit in his notebook. Only then did he sit down lazily behind the counter. He warmed himself with a bottle of wine as he watched his wife take care of the shelves.
Not to mention the occasional street robberies and petty thefts. Even if everything went smoothly, there was basically no profit to be made from opening a pharmacy in Lower City District. But he, the slick Grove, still managed to take root in this notoriously chaotic place. He had been doing business peacefully for more than a decade. This was not something an ordinary person could do.
Aside from the good connections his father had made while he was still alive, his good working relationship with the Black Street Brotherhood was also one of the reasons. Now, in the underground street, he was considered a big shot. Who would be stupid enough to give him a hard time?
Every time he thought of this, Grove felt a little proud, which made him look around his shop even more contentedly. Occasionally, he would take a sip of the warm wine.
'Dad, this business of mine is much better than when you swindled people back then, isn't it?'
The door of the shop was pushed open, and the bell behind the door rang.
And a gust of cold wind seeped in from the street.
'There's a customer.'
Grove shivered in the cold and raised his head reluctantly from behind the counter. 'Don't tell me it's those ignorant thieves. They haven't stopped for more than a decade.'
"It's winter now, and there's a shortage of herbs. We don't have enough typhoid medicine! If you must buy it, the price won't be cheap — "
Grove, who was repeating himself mechanically, was stunned when he saw the customer.
The person who opened the door was a strong man with a stiff expression. He lifted his cloak to reveal the sword hilt at his waist. He looked down at Grove from above.
Behind him was another large man who was about the same size. The latter was unlucky enough to be caught by the doorbell's rope. He was shocked. Then, he held the weapon at his waist and looked around unhappily.
Grove was a little puzzled.
He had never heard of these two people in the Brotherhood.
Were they new?
Or robbers?
Having lived in Lower City District for a long time, Grove's first reaction was to reach for a knife under the counter. But the appearance of a third person made him change his mind.
It was an average-sized man with a childish face. He was clearly a teenager who was still growing.
He lifted his hood and scanned the shop in a daze.
This was strange.
Grove mumbled. He had seen a lot over the years. He had met all kinds of customers: those who were just shopping, those who were sincere in bargaining, those who were poor but pretended to be rich, those who were rich but stingy …
However, he couldn't tell the background of this young man. He couldn't tell if he was a second generation noble from a wealthy family or a commoner from the lower city who was used to living a hard life. He couldn't tell if he was a gangster who had been beaten up and beaten up, or if he was a harmless and adorable hedonistic young master.
The young customer did not pay any attention to him. He just stretched out his hand and stroked the rows of shelves like a wanderer who had just returned home.
Of his two muscular attendants, one was extremely vigilant and kept looking back, while the other lowered his hood and stared straight at Grove, hesitating to speak.
When Grove saw the latter's face clearly, his expression changed drastically.
"F * ck, it's you again." The owner of the pharmacy looked disgusted and annoyed.
"Stupid police officer?"
Cohen, who was about to greet his boss, paused.
"What did you say?"
Grove coughed, but the disdain in his eyes did not diminish.
"I mean … Police Officer Karabeyan."
Cohen's eyes lit up. He ignored the young man who was walking around in the shop and moved closer to the counter.
"Um, I'm here today —"
"Do a good deed, don't come here and stir up sh * t again! I really don't sell any illegal drugs here. "Before he spoke, Grove let out a long sigh." I have nothing to do with those gangsters either … "
* Thud. *
With another arm pushing against the door, a short and stout fatty walked into Grove's pharmacy and looked around with interest.
When he saw who it was, Grove shuddered, and he choked on his words!
"Ah, ah, Mo, Morris?"
Grove stared at the new customer in front of him in horror.
But he reacted quickly and quickly adjusted himself before walking out of the counter. He forced a smile and spread his arms, as if he wanted to hug him.
"Morris, Morris, Morris! Welcome, my good friend! "
But Morris extended his hand mercilessly and pressed down on Grove's chest, preventing him from hugging him.
"Grove."
The leader of the Brotherhood only nodded faintly and pushed Grove back behind the counter slowly but firmly.
The latter could only smile awkwardly and nervously.
Cohen widened his eyes.
"Didn't … Didn't you say that you don't know him? You and this scum of the Brotherhood! "Cohen said angrily.
But the two of them, who were just exchanging pleasantries, ignored him.
"H-welcome, Morris. You, uh … Is there anything special?" Grove looked nervously at the calm-looking fatty. His words were filled with humbleness and fawning.
"Relax." Morris narrowed his eyes and patted the shoulder of the owner of the pharmacy. "Old friend.
I'm here for a walk. "
Grove was shocked when he was patted. Then, he reacted and squeezed out a smile.
"Of course, of course!
Come, take a walk! My dear, clean up the floor! Then bring out your gang! "
Grove's wife nervously grabbed the broom beside the shelf.
But Morris grabbed the owner's shoulder!
"Don't worry about it. Just accompany your friend and leave in a while," Morris said calmly.
But the more indifferent the leader of the Brotherhood was, the more terrified Grove was.
"Okay, okay …" Grove waved his hand to get his wife to go back. He carefully approached Morris, looked at the angry Cohen, then pointed at the dazed teenager by the shelf.
"What … What's going on? Why is there a police officer? And who's that? "
Morris raised his eyebrows and turned around. Glover stood at the door and stared at him. His right hand was on his weapon, and the warning look in his eyes never diminished.
"Bodyguard."
The dignified fatty snorted softly.
"My friend's bodyguard."
Grove was stunned. "Friend?"
"Ah, a little friend." Morris turned to look at the teenager between the shelves. His words were meaningful.
"And a 'big' friend."
Grove blinked, and the way he looked at the teenager changed.
He quickly shouted, "Oh, uhh.
Have a good time shopping, customer! Haha! "
With that, Grove rolled his eyes, rubbed his palms, and giggled.
"Morris, since you're here, I'd like to hand in my money for next month in advance! Yanni, bring me the money bag! "
Morris furrowed his brows.
"Money?" Cohen's reaction was even faster. He immediately said angrily,
"Hey! How dare you ask for protection money in front of me — "
Grove turned to the police officer and said sternly, "What?
"What? What protection fee? Don't spout nonsense! This is money I owe my friend. I'm just returning the money! Do you understand? "
"Returning money? Is there a 'money' for returning money? "
Cohen jumped up and said earnestly, "I'm telling you, don't be afraid.
"I'm telling you, don't be afraid. The police officer is here to uphold justice for you —"
On the other shelf, the shopkeeper's young wife walked over shakily.
"But, dear, didn't you just hand in the money last month …"
Grove seemed to have found a breakthrough. He turned around and said fiercely,
"Why are you spouting so much nonsense, b * tch!"
His wife cowered a little from his roar.
"Morris is our good friend. Why would you be so calculative?"
Grove waved his hand with a look of extravagance.
"Just hand it over!"
He then turned to look at Morris, who had a complicated expression on his face. He became friendly and ingratiating again.
"Hey! Do you think I don't exist! "This was the indignant Cohen.
"But our income this month …" This was the pitiful Yanni.
Bang!
Morris slams his hand on the counter. He suppressed all the voices.
"As I said!"
Morris looked around. This bigshot of the Brotherhood's gaze seemed to have power, forcing everyone to shut their mouths.
"Grove, I'm only here for a stroll."
Morris smiled and placed his palm on Grove's shoulder.
"Relax."
The boss of the pharmacy subconsciously nodded, but he clearly couldn't relax. Instead, he fidgeted uneasily under Morris's palm as he broke out in a cold sweat.
Morris curled his lips and chuckled.
"We have a rule. Since it's next month's money, you'll have to pay it next month."
Grove exhaled a breath of air.
Morris glanced at Cohen from the corner of his eye.
"Or, not pay?"
The moment he said that, Grove broke out in a cold sweat again.
"Ah? That's not what I meant … "
However, Morris chuckled and released him. He turned around and walked between the shelves.
He followed the youth's footsteps.
"Rules?"
Cohen came to the front of the counter and gritted his teeth in disbelief.
"Hey! Grove, you don't have to pay, and you don't have to be afraid of him! I guarantee that as long as you are willing to testify against Morris and his gang for their crimes of bullying and extortion, I'll definitely send him to prison … "
Grove, who was at a loss for words, looked at him in a daze.
At that moment, another figure floated past the counter, but it brought with it a hint of coldness.
Grove shuddered!
"Hi, Layork!"
Grove looked nervously at the back of the person who passed by and forced himself to squeeze out a smile.
"The medicine I sent the other time is still useful …"
However, Silent Killer didn't even look at him. He only walked past the counter and followed his boss.
Grove's greeting hand hung awkwardly in midair.
Cohen looked at Layork's back and then at the petrified Grove. He felt that his previous words had been for nothing.
He chased after Silent Killer angrily.
"No, you did it on purpose, right? Let me tell you, Layork, you still have three unsolved murder cases. Wait until my colleagues gather all the evidence … "
However, Layork didn't even look at him. He was expressionless.
"Excuse me, I want to eat pie in the kitchen."
Cohen was stunned.
"Eat pie? You, you're really here to seize people's wealth — "
However, before he could do anything, Glover, who was beside him, covered Cohen's mouth.
"Ugh! Ugh! No — I want — Ugh! "
The zombie's expression didn't change as he pushed and shoved the police officer into a dark corner.
The shop finally quietened down.
At this moment, the young man who was quietly looking around the Grove Pharmacy on the other side of the shelf suddenly turned around and called out to the owner's wife.
"You're Yanni, right?"
The boss' wife, who was tidying up the shelves with her head lowered after being wronged, was shocked and raised her head.
"Yes, yes. This … customer, how can I help you?"
The youth who was leisurely touring … Thales saw the other party's appearance clearly. It was a young woman with gentle eyes and gentle brows.
"You're a helper here?"
The young boss' wife obviously knew that the person in the shop was someone from the Brotherhood. She had yet to recover from the atmosphere just now. She spoke carefully.
"Yes, I, I've always been a helper here …"
Separated by a shelf, Thales looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar young woman in front of him. There was a moment of confusion in his eyes.
"But the boss called you 'darling' and 'b * tch'?"
Thales felt that Morris was walking towards them through the shelves. The other people in the shop also shifted their attention to their strange conversation.
However, Thales didn't care.
Yanni glanced back at her husband, who was on the counter. Grove was horrified again.
"I … I'm his wife. I married him a few years ago. "
'Is that so?'
Thales looked at Yanni in front of him gently but dejectedly. She was the helper in the pharmacy who often helped child beggars when she was young. She distributed food, medicine, and even warm clothes. She was found out and scolded by the boss more than once.
And that stingy, stingy, vicious, ugly, and smelly pharmacy shop owner.
Thales lowered his head. A gloomy feeling rose in his heart.
"I … I'm his wife. I married him a few years ago. "
Things remained the same, but people changed.
But not all of them had happy endings.
The prince then looked up.
"Do you know, Yanni, you're very beautiful and very young?"
Yanni was taken aback and startled.
"Huh? I … "
But Thales remembered the past. His gaze when he looked at her was extremely warm.
"Gentle, kind, hardworking, and capable."
Yanni blushed at first. Then, she glanced nervously at the people around her and shook her head in panic.
"No, no, I …"
But Thales didn't wait for her to speak.
He continued, "And your husband, he's old and ugly. He has a mouth full of yellow teeth. He's weird and has a bad temper."
When she came here to "do business" when she was young, she was often beaten and scolded by him.
Grove, who was on the counter, heard this and froze on the spot.
Yanni seemed to be frightened as well.
But Thales said to her seriously, enunciating each word clearly,
"Listen, he's not good enough for you."
Yanni's face turned even redder. She lowered her head in panic.
At that moment …
"Hey!"
A wide and plump figure inserted himself between the shelves and interrupted the strange conversation.
"Why don't you clean up the shelves over there, Yanni? It's a little dusty. "
Morris said with a smile.
As if she had been pardoned, Yanni hurriedly avoided Thales' burning gaze and hid to the other side.
The plump man from the Brotherhood watched the lithe lady boss leave and snorted softly.
"I don't think a person like you came here to shop or to flirt with women?"
Thales sighed and turned to face Morris.
"What if it's true?"
Morris' expression changed. He was as passionate as fire.
"Then Lower City District and the Brotherhood will always welcome you!"
"Red Street Market as well."
Morris stopped smiling and his eyes shone.
"After all, not every noble is happy to see their boots stained with mud."
Thales no longer paid attention to Grove and Yanni who were whispering to each other. He replied with the same profound meaning.
"Mud is the foundation of building a house."
Morris picked up a bottle of medicine and tossed it in the air. He shrugged.
"But for some people, building a house is so that they don't see mud."
Thales smiled coldly and decisively snatched the medicine from his hands. He carefully placed it back in its original position.
"Then their house will collapse sooner or later."
Morris was a little surprised by the teenager's actions.
"Please forgive me." The plump man clicked his tongue apologetically.
"My sister's culture, I don't really understand."
Thales suddenly spoke.
"You're not the only one."
Morris' ears pricked up.
"Hmm?"
Thales raised his head and stared at the once familiar, but now unfamiliar, dazzling eyes.
"It was not just you. During this period of time, the Blood Bottle Gang was also tampered with. Many of their businesses were cut off from inside and outside. For example, they relied on illegal alcohol trafficking, smuggling, the food market, and iron smelting. They had a deep relationship with the great nobles and officials. They also had close ties with the open market, so they were affected even more."
Morris' expression became solemn. He turned around and looked at Grove and Yanni, who were watching them from the counter. They shrank back in fear and did not dare to listen anymore.
The plump man then looked at Thales and whispered,
"I don't understand —"
"Of course you do," Thales interrupted him and walked to another row of shelves.
"What did Felicia tell you? Who kidnapped her? "
Morris' gaze froze slightly. He was extremely vigilant.
"So, you're here on behalf of the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department?
"Or rather, this was your idea, and the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department is just following orders?"
Thales smiled.
"See, you understand."
But Morris' expression changed. He stared at Thales coldly and clicked his tongue as he shook his head.
"I'm flattered to receive such favor from you."
The plump man thought silently, 'How did I or the Brotherhood offend this young prince?
Or did Black Sword offend him in Dragon Clouds City six years ago?
Is it worth him mobilizing the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department to seek revenge?
What kind of enmity did they have?! '
Thales shook his head in a relaxed manner when he saw that the effect had been achieved.
"On the contrary." The prince stopped in front of another row of shelves selling typhoid medicine and said seriously, "I'm not related to the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department.
"I have nothing to do with the Secret Intelligence Department. They don't know that I came behind their backs."
Morris' gaze shifted.
"Are you sure?"
The plump man looked doubtful.
"The Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department is all-pervasive —"
"I'm sure," Thales turned around decisively and interrupted him.
"When I say that they don't know …"
The prince's expression became stern and brooked no rebuttal.
"They don't dare to know."
Morris was silent for a while.
"You're very confident." He stared intently at Thales' face.
"Just like the countless opponents who fell at the Black Prophet's feet."
Thales was also silent for a moment.
'The opponents who fell at the Black Prophet's feet …'
For some reason, he suddenly thought of many people: the late King Aydi, Crown Prince Midier, King Nuven …
"I don't know about the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department. I don't know what kind of entanglement the Black Prophet has with your Sleepless Eye, Lance," Thales organized his thoughts and spoke again, but it made Morris frown again.
"But I know that your relationship is complicated, and you're in a delicate situation."
Thales stared at Morris. While he felt the strange change in status between the two of them after six years, he tried hard to dig out something from the Brotherhood's leader's eyes.
"If Lance doesn't like the Black Prophet," the prince said flatly.
"Tell him that I don't like him either.
"This should be the basis of our conversation."
Morris was deep in thought.
Thales turned around and ignored the plump man. Instead, he walked to the counter and resumed the previous conversation.
"Did he force you?"
"Ah!" Yanni, who was by the counter, was shocked. Only then did she realize that the teenager, whose gaze was so intense that she could not bear it, was looking at her again.
Thales stared at Grove, who was behind the counter. He suddenly realized that Grove was looking at him and Morris, who was behind him. He had long since shrunk into a ball out of fear. He no longer had the image of a vicious, ruthless, and petty boss.
"You used to be a helper here, and he was the boss. Does that mean he forced you to marry him? "
Yanni was stunned.
Thales' gaze became stern.
"For example, if you don't marry him, you won't have a job?"
Grove, who was behind the counter, trembled.
"No —"
Seeing her husband's fear, Yanni also snapped out of her daze. She said in a trembling voice,
"Of course I didn't!
"I-I volunteered."
"Volunteered?"
Thales raised his voice and stared at Grove, but it gave him the illusion that he was looking down on him.
"You could have made a better choice."
"It didn't have to be him."
Cohen, who reappeared from a hidden corner, happened to see this scene. He was stunned for a second. "Huh?"
Grove was about to speak, but when he saw Cohen and Glover's size, he was instantly terrified and could not even speak.
Yanni bit her lower lip and grabbed her husband's hand.
"I-I —"
Thales turned around. His gaze on Yanni returned to being gentle.
"It just so happens that I need a maid."
"You can have a better job, a better life, a more respectable environment, and even a better home."
Yanni was stunned.
Grove's face immediately turned pale.
Thales smiled.
"What do you say?"
Cohen realized what was happening.
"Hey, Tai, uh, Wya," the police officer said in a righteous manner with a look of disbelief.
"I'm going to have to talk about it. What you're doing is considered kidnapping —"
But he could not finish his sentence.
With a glance from Thales, Cohen's mouth was once again covered by Glover, who had the advantage of capturing him. He was dragged into a corner and became silent again.
At that moment, the voice of another troublemaker came from behind.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
"King … Tai … Palace … Urk …" Morris coughed. He finally found a suitable form of address after much difficulty.
"My little friend!"
He walked forward with a face full of smiles.
"You know, the customs here are different from those in Northland. We don't do this …"
But Thales ignored him. He only stared at the stunned young woman.
"What do you say?" the prince said softly.
"Yanni?"
Yanni was stunned. Fear, surprise, and countless other emotions flooded her at the same time. She could not seem to react.
Morris frowned. On the other side, Grove was about to cry.
"Don't rush. Take your time to think.
I'll shop for a while more. "
Thales smiled and turned to walk back to the shelves.
Morris frowned and looked at Yanni and Grove, then at Thales.
"Why?"
The fat man followed Thales. His tone was displeased, revealing the displeasure of a boss whose authority was being interfered with.
Thales, who was between the shelves, did not turn his head.
He chuckled and said, "I like it."
Morris took a few deep breaths and his expression returned to normal.
"No, I'm asking …"
The fat man narrowed his eyes, revealing the shrewdness of a businessman.
"Why did the Black Prophet do this? What does the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department want?
"The dignified Kingdom's Intelligence Department did not investigate Eckstedt's military movements or understand the political trends of the Fog Three Kingdoms. Instead, they mobilized manpower and resources to deal with the gang business of a few street thugs?"
Thales turned around and was somewhat impressed by the gang leader's ability to control his emotions. His quality was comparable to that of a high-ranking person.
The prince stared at him.
"You really don't know?"
Morris shook his head.
"Just like how I don't understand why a dignified prince of a country would condescend to a muddy place like ours to 'talk' with us bumpkins?"
His tone revealed his suspicion.
Thales met his gaze quietly and recalled the moment when the man had exposed his identity.
Even if he was born in a humble family and mingled in the streets, there were still people he could not underestimate.
Moreover …
Strictly speaking, this was Black Street Brotherhood.
It was Black Sword's territory.
Black Sword.
Thinking of the man who was strong enough to fight a Mystic, Thales shed his contempt and did not dare to be negligent.
"First of all, although the Black Prophet is still alive, the specific affairs of the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department are no longer under his control."
The prince returned to his negotiating mode and said solemnly,
"The successor is not well-known, but he is young and full of vigor. He is determined to forge ahead and unpredictable."
Morris frowned and rubbed his chin as he began to think.
"Secondly, we all understand that perhaps Black Street Brotherhood rose too quickly, and their members are mixed with good and bad people. Perhaps Blood Bottle Gang is too old to rise again and is not as powerful as before …"
Thales' gaze turned cold.
"But you, both of you are not simple thugs on the streets."
Be it Black Sword or the people behind Blood Bottle Gang. "
Morris' fingers froze as he rubbed his chin.
'This damned prince.
How much does he know? '
"As for why the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department did this and why they attacked the two gangs that are closer to the bottom of society, I don't know either."
Thales stood between the shelves coldly and crossed his arms.
"I neither care nor care about the details of the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department's actions."
He disliked it even more.
Morris' eyes darted around.
"You don't know?"
He sneered.
"Then what do you want to talk to me about? What can you help me with?
"Did you really come here just to say a few harsh words, stroll around, admire the scenery, and flirt with women like an ordinary rich playboy?"
Morris glanced at the counter, and a flash of viciousness appeared in his eyes.
"A day trip to Lower City District?"
But Thales just smiled.
"I'm here to look for medicine."
Morris was stunned.
"What?"
"You know, winter is coming again." Thales sighed.
"Prepare clothes to ward off the cold, and prepare medicine to treat illnesses."
Morris was silent for a moment before he smiled again. He looked tacky, honest, rude, and straightforward.
"Don't talk in riddles. We are really cultured."
At this moment, Thales suddenly raised his head and spoke loudly to Yanni, who was whispering to Grove.
"Are all the typhoid medicine here?"
Yanni and Grove jumped in fright.
"Yes, yes, there are still some in the storeroom …" Yanni said while trembling with fear.
Thales smiled.
"Very good."
The teenager lowered his head again and picked up the goods.
Morris raised his head and furrowed his brows.
"You don't look like you have typhoid."
Thales nodded, then shook his head. "Not at the moment."
Morris snorted softly.
"And there is definitely no shortage of doctors in the palace."
Thales hummed in acknowledgment and suddenly said,
"Why?"
"Over the past six years, you have been growing stronger and winning against Blood Bottle Gang. Have you ever thought about why?"
Morris was stunned.
"You. Black Street Brotherhood rose to power in less than ten years. As a rootless, spontaneous organization, hmm, a civilian organization …" Thales raised his head and put on a pretentious air.
"Why is it developing so smoothly?"
When he heard the news about himself, Morris became serious again. He thought for a moment and sneered. "We are young, better organized, less burdened, stronger willpower, and at the same time, we have a greater strategic vision."
He took a step forward.
"Also, six years ago, we fought a great battle in Red Street Market and defeated Blood Bottle Gang —"
But Thales shook his head firmly and interrupted him.
"No."
Morris was stunned.
The prince also took a step forward and met Morris's gaze. His tone was resolute and decisive.
"Because the kingdom needs you."
Thales said slowly.
"The situation needs you.
The era needs you. "
Morris was stunned.
'What?
The kingdom needs you? '
But Thales did not give him a chance to ask.
He turned around and continued, "As an underground force in the kingdom and a black glove that is not afraid of getting dirty, Blood Bottle Gang has an unclear relationship with many local tyrants over the past decades. The transfer of benefits and the binding of relationships are even more deep-rooted."
When he said this, Thales' gaze became fixed.
"For example, the Iris Family of South Coast Hill, Covendier."
Morris was deep in thought.
Thales stopped and carefully studied a bottle of typhoid potion.
"Yes, between the king and the vassals, between the central government and the local government, between the capital and the entire territory …"
Thales' gaze gradually became absent-minded.
"Blood Bottle Gang, which rose to power by smuggling at the borders, chose to fall into the most influential and deep-rooted party from the very beginning. It was also the most difficult to get rid of them.
"To be the vanguard of others is to be protected by others."
Thales stared at the potion in his hand.
"This is something I only understood after I stepped into politics for many years.
"It is also the reason why they have been able to flourish and stand tall even though they have suffered heavy blows from the kingdom's officials for decades."
Morris did not speak. He only furrowed his eyebrows and pondered deeply.
"Otherwise, you would have seized the entire Red Street Market during the 'One Night War' six years ago. You could have even followed up on your victory and seized more." Thales put the potion back and remembered the experience that changed his fate that night. He sneered and said,
"Why did you have to give up half of the territory you seized and make peace with Blood Bottle Gang, which was greatly weakened? Why did you draw a line between us?"
Morris scratched his chin. His dazed gaze became clear again.
"It's interesting to hear."
"It's more interesting to play with them," Thales said decisively.
He turned around abruptly and looked straight at Morris.
"Although we are both gangsters who live on the streets and fight for our lives, Blood Bottle Gang has a large business and a deep foundation, while the Brotherhood started from the grassroots." Thales' eyes were bright and piercing, as if they were burning the air.
"Logically speaking, you are not their match. When the referee and the banker are on the same side, how can you still play?"
Morris pursed his lips and looked serious.
"But we are winning," he retorted with a hiss.
"Yes," Thales nodded and admitted.
"You are winning!"
But his gaze immediately became brighter. His voice was like a blade, and each word was like a knife.
"Not for anything else.
"It's precisely because of a series of events that happened in recent years …"
The Duke of Star Lake's voice seemed to have magic.
"Because there is already a successor to the throne …
"Because the royal family's rule is gradually stabilizing …
"Because the kingdom's political situation is gradually becoming clearer …
"Because Constellation's national strength is recovering …
"Because Eckstedt's inevitable decline …
"Because the borders are no longer in turmoil, Constellation will be free from the heavy pressure …
"You will be victorious."
Thales said resolutely.
"Six years, or even eighteen years after the Bloody Year, the entire chess game in Constellation will change drastically, and the offensive and defensive positions will change.
"Central, South Coast, Northern Territory, Eastern Sea, Western Desert, and Blade Edge. When the traditional tyrants in these places will either lower their heads and admit defeat, restrain themselves, or fall from exhaustion …"
Morris was a little absent-minded at first, but as Thales went deeper, he gradually became serious.
"When agriculture, sea trade, iron smelting, wine production, salt production, tobacco production, and other huge chains of interest that were once scattered all over the kingdom because the royal family was weak and the kingdom was in chaos, they were reorganized and redistributed …
"When places like Blade Fangs Camp, when the local suzerains, nobles, and officials' power were shuffled again and again with the royal family's regular army and the king's officials stationed there …"
Morris' eyebrows moved back and forth, and he could not stop.
"When Blood Bottle Gang, who had been drawing gray nutrients from these empty spaces, when they lost their local connections and protection, when they lost their source of flesh, blood, and food, when they lost their backing and confidence …
"When the letters they wrote to the Covendier Family for help never came back after the Iris Flowers submitted to the Nine-Pointed Star …"
Thales' voice became calmer and more solemn.
"How can Blood Bottle Gang, the 'gang nobles' who have been at the top for a hundred years, not become weak, not rot, and not fall?"
He stared at Morris' eyes, which had clearly wavered.
"How can you, the new challengers, not win and become stronger?"
Morris gulped. His eyebrows were solemn.
Thales turned his gaze away and exhaled. He stared at the exquisite decorations in the small pharmacy, which he knew was made by the mistress at first glance.
"After the kingdom's war chariot ran over you, Black Street Brotherhood, as the representative of the desire and struggle of the bottom of the kingdom, as a new underground force without roots or foundation, as an external force outside of the official departments that have long been corrupted by the local nobles, as the most unruly force …"
Thales raised his hand and slowly clenched it in the air.
It was as if he was crushing something.
"With the tacit consent of the royal power, it was only natural and unimpeded for you to nibble away at Blood Bottle Gang's body after it fell. When the conditions were right, success would come naturally, and you would be able to destroy it easily."
Morris stared at Thales' hand in a daze.
"This is the truth behind how Black Street Brotherhood was able to completely shake their underground hegemony in the past ten years and usher in a golden age."
Thales clenched his fists, and his voice tightened.
"You won, not for anything else."
The prince's gaze was as sharp as a sword.
"It is precisely because the kingdom needs you."
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