CHAPTER 171: DIRECT THREAT

Upon returning to the guild, Elliot reviewed the information in all the documents he had stolen.

There was all kinds of information, from organizations they worked with to key people for each organization, allies, enemies, the Misfits, and code names.

Information about the government and even some missions.

Many of these documents bore Clark’s official seal.

There was even information about things exchanged between them and the House of Fire, but he couldn’t read it because the documents were encrypted.

He would have to take time to decipher each message.

All of them were documents that proved the facts, so they could be used against the Clarks.

The problem was that they had powerful backing.

The Secretary of Government.

With that man supporting them, it was too difficult for the government to do anything in this case.

’I don’t have any contacts among those important people who make the laws, so it will be complicated. The world of politics is stressful, after all.’

Even his sponsors, with whom he had some occasional contact, didn’t seem to get along very well with politicians, even though they occasionally needed them.

And the Secretary of Government is not only the highest-ranking politician in the city, he is also the one who is awarded as the most powerful. He has an important family backing him, and he has recently accomplished great feats in the last Guild War that took place between the Runic Kingdom and the Arce Kingdom.

Attempting to attack someone he supported was almost suicidal at present, when the king was most pleased with him.

Furthermore, the main issue is that the Clarks had alliances with the House of Fire, which was created by that minister, who is a high-ranking official feared throughout the nation.

The person behind all these atrocities being committed by these guilds may be the same individual. And if it has risen so high, it is not impossible that even the king himself is colluding.

The difficulty of this increased because of it, but Elliot was not going to lose sight of his vision.

’It’s difficult, but not impossible. I just need more contacts. And I think I have a way,’ he thought.

He remembered the Ann Family. That mythical local family that was always involved in politics.

They are one of the longest-standing families in Clark City, dating back more than 150 years. Throughout all these years, their members have been powerful politicians.

There have been 27 Secretaries of Government, the last one holding the position before this new one.

Mr. Ilsen Ann.

’But getting in contact with him is complicated. He is rarely seen, even though the population likes him quite a bit. Maybe I should first win the Leveled Leagues that.’ He thought.

The problem was time. If he needed to win the Leveled Leagues to contact that person, they would miss the best opportunity to attack and end up embroiled in a longer political intrigue.

That’s not something he wants.

’I’ll have to ask Lord Steward and talk to him a little about this.’ Having made up his mind, he decided to watch the next day’s combat.

So, he went to sleep.

--

The next morning, the city was full of cheers, as always on a tournament day.

Those celebrating had won the day before. The Angelic Wave team. The Elemental Academy team and the House of Fire team, the latter coming as visitors.

That’s because the first game against Angelic Wave would be in Loen, at the Combat Arena.

Both teams arrived very early at the designated location, and people quickly began to arrive.

In the dressing rooms.

The members of Angelic Wave were studying strategies, staring intently at yesterday’s combat from the House of Fire.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and they turned around curiously.

Who dared to open the guild door like that at such an important moment?

When they turned around, they realized it was House of Fire.

Steward stood up and looked at them.

"Opening the door of another guild like that is the most rude thing there is. I didn’t think the House of Fire was a guild of mindless apes," he said, stepping forward alongside the Second Guild Master.

The House of Fire’s leaders were four Masters, so they were in the majority. All the team members were also present, and they were strong.

"Hmph. I’m just here to ask a question, Master Steward."

"Heh. I have questions to ask, too, but that doesn’t mean I barge into other guilds’ rooms. That’s against the rules."

"Some things your members do that also go against the rules, but I’m not going to report them for that."

Steward stared at him. "Do you want to see which guild breaks the rules more, Mr. Lacwise?" he asked sarcastically.

This finally silenced Lacwise, the current leader of the House of Fire.

He realized it was difficult to win a war of words against this guy, so he focused on what was coming next.

He looked at Elliot.

"Elliot Clark, I heard you recently visited Agora."

Elliot looked up and smiled at him. "I visited Agora? Wow, that’s interesting. Could you tell me what I saw?"

"Tsk, so you want to play dumb."

"Haha, Mr. Lacwise, don’t be angry with me. I respect you for your status, but I must tell you that you need better informants. Some people will sell you any strange information just to get on your good side."

"Hehe. So you’re an eloquent boy." Lacwise said, mockingly. "No wonder then that you turned my House of Fire upside down. I just came to tell you one thing, Elliot Clark."

"Your journey will soon come to an end. You’ve stepped into a trap that takes time to activate, but there’s no turning back once it does. So I wish you luck. I hope you can enjoy your life, because it will be very short." After issuing that direct threat, Lacwise turned and left the room.

Steward didn’t stop him because what he had said was dangerous.

He glanced sideways at Elliot, who didn’t seem concerned.

But that direct threat had a name and surname. Could he really turn a blind eye?

Even so, Elliot seemed very calm. He sat back down and looked at the teachers.

"Go on, teachers. It was just a little ant that wanted to sting a little. It will be crushed later," he said, joking a little.

The teachers stared at him briefly before continuing on Steward’s orders.

However, that had broken everyone’s spirit, and their concentration was gone.

Because of this, Steward knew he had to do something.

He had originally planned for them to go out with Chris and Rich, to finally complete the mission of playing and winning twice with the younger team. But they were facing a guild that had just threatened to kill one of their members.

Deaths in System Tournaments are also allowed, although they are generally frowned upon and give the guild responsible a bad reputation (a very bad reputation, in fact). Still, there are times when they bring good fame, such as the fame Elliot received after killing the entire Clark team and several members of the Elemental Academy.

The problem was not the good or bad reputation they might receive for killing, but the problem was that in the face of death, there are no alternatives.

Steward couldn’t let Elliot or Jenna die.

So he made a decision.

"We’ll go in with the Thoran Twins this time," he said.

Elliot glanced at him sideways, instantly noticing his concerns.

He nodded, followed by Jenna.

Even Chris understood the reasons, so he didn’t object, and Rich simply followed Chris’s lead and remained silent.

The tension in the air was palpable because of what had just happened.

The Thoran Twins were the only ones who smiled and nodded.

"We won’t let you down, Mr. Steward. That House of Fire is going to eat its words," they both said.

Steward nodded at them. "I trust the team," he said and looked at Elliot.

"Can we talk for a moment?" he asked.

Elliot nodded, and the two of them separated from the group.

"What exactly is the feud with the House of Fire?" he asked.

Elliot didn’t hide it from him. Since he was trying to protect him, he had to know.

"The things that happened to them recently were because of me. I also killed several of those who were going to participate in the Leveled Leagues. Apparently, they were very talented, so they’re angry."

"How did they find out about you?"

"Some camera, maybe. Or just by choice. They realized that I traveled to Agora right around that time and left right after."

Steward nodded. That made sense. "Is the root of the enmity because they participated in the tragedy of your family?"

"Yes. Several of them were intellectuals. But it’s also because they are allies of the Clarks and the organization that was possibly the real cause of my father’s disappearance."

Steward looked at him in shock. "Your father’s disappearance?!"