Chapter 90: Complications

    The daylight poured into the study through tall, arched windows, bathing the room in a soft, golden hue.

    Arkanos sat at the grand wooden desk, his fingers delicately tracing the edges of a stack of documents.

    He was calm, his gaze sharp as he reviewed the latest reports. Although he seemed focused, his mind raced with the words Abaddon told him two nights ago.

    "The angels of ruin were once made up of the seven sin fallen arc angels, Lucifer sin of Pride, Asmodeus sin of Lust, Leviathan sin of Envy, Beelzebub sin of Gluttony, Mammon sin of Greed, Sataniel sin of Wrath, and Belphegor sin of Sloth."

    "They had all come together and decided to plan an ultimate revenge against the heavens, to bring all the realms to ruin... Although none among the fallen were sure on how they were going to pull it off but they all followed them due to their immense strength... Except for me and a few others."

    "Their little cult was also soon filled with humans who worshiped them as gods and also did their bidding."

    "That''s all I know."

    ...

    Arkanos'' thoughts raced in the present, ''An organization controlled by fallen angels huh... I''m sure the reason they aren''t simply doing things themselves is to orevant the gods from noticing their plans... But how does the Bloodbane Empire even fit into the picture?''

    Arkanos smiled, ''Turly a mystery indeed... One of the reasons I loved this game.''

    Across from him stood Arvel. The advisor''s monocle shimmered as he adjusted it.

    "Lord Arkanos, I have an update on Lady Sephira''s progress with the construction of the new train tracks," Arvel said.

    Arkanos gave a slight nod without lifting his eyes from the documents. "Go on."

    Arvel cleared his throat before continuing. "The construction is proceeding, but several unforeseen issues have arisen. Specifically, the materials required for the trackbed have proven to be more expensive than initially estimated. We require an additional supply of reinforced iron beams and high-quality stone ballast to ensure the durability of the track. The region''s current sources of stone are limited, so we''ll need to import them from the eastern quarries. That will increase the overall cost by about fifteen percent."

    Arvel shook his head. "It''s not that they''re looking down on us, my lord. The issue lies with the miners. They are struggling to meet their production quotas due to the dangerous nature of the firecrystal veins. The merchants can''t afford to purchase the firecrystals at a loss, as it would hinder future production and business. They are merely protecting their interests."

    Arkanos considered this for a moment, his lips thinning. "I see. It''s a matter of resources, then. They''re not trying to squeeze us for more gold, they simply need more to maintain their operation. In that case, I understand. We can send them the additional sum. It''s not like we lack the coin."

    "Indeed, my lord," Arvel agreed. "I will instruct the treasury to release the necessary funds immediately."

    "Good," Arkanos said, his voice firm. "Let the merchants continue their work, and let the nobles have their little slice of the pie. But in the end, it is our empire, and they will all know their place when the dust settles."

    Arvel then relayed the next matter that had begun to trouble the empire. "My lord,"

    "there''s also the issue with the guilds shutting down across the empire. It has caused a great deal of unrest among the common folk. Logistics that adventurers once managed through guild-issued quests have come to a halt. Those who relied on them—traders, farmers, merchants, and others—are beginning to feel the strain. People are suffering."

    Arkanos''s brow furrowed, but he did not immediately respond. He looked down at the reports in front of him, his mind calculating the implications. Adventurers had long been an integral part of the empire, not only for their contributions in combat and exploration but also for their logistical assistance. With the guilds faltering, a ripple of unease would spread quickly, particularly in the empire''s more rural areas.

    "And why exactly are these guilds shutting down?" Arkanos finally asked, his voice filled with curiosity. "What has led to their disbandment?"

    Arvel adjusted his monocle once again as he relayed the difficult news. "I''m afraid the exact cause is still unclear, my lord. However, reports from various sources indicate a strange and highly organized group targeting guild officials across the empire. There have been several incidents in which key leaders and influential members of the guilds have been found dead or missing. As a result, the guilds have been forced to shift their focus entirely on identifying and eradicating this unknown organization, which has caused them to suspend all other activities—including monster slaying and resource gathering quests."

    Arkanos remained silent, a deep frown slowly creasing his face. The weight of the situation began to settle over him. This mysterious organization, whatever its intentions were, could prove disastrous for the empire. With adventurers unable to fulfill their usual tasks, the ripple effect on both the economy and security would be significant. The guilds were not merely a convenience; they were a backbone of the empire''s functionality, keeping trade flowing, ensuring monsters were slain before they could terrorize villages, and gathering vital resources that were critical to the empire''s survival.

    The thought of this organization slowly pulling the strings, destabilizing one of the empire''s most vital industries, made Arkanos'' lips tighten.

    His hand clenched into a fist as he stood and moved to the window, staring out at the distant sprawl of the empire he ruled over. "This could lead to chaos," he muttered to himself, his voice almost lost in the deep rumble of his thoughts.

    "If the guilds continue to shut down, and adventurers stop taking on quests, the empire''s economy will take a significant hit. The resources we rely on, from monster pelts to precious ores—these are the lifeblood of our trade. We cannot afford to let this spiral."

    Arvel stepped forward, his normally composed demeanor tinged with concern. "Indeed, my lord. We must act swiftly. If the guilds do not recover, the economy will begin to buckle under the strain. We risk a downturn, and with it, a loss of public confidence."