Chapter 91: It''s Not Exactly As It Seems

    Arkanos paused, staring out over the city, his eyes hardening.

    The problem was clear: the guilds were vulnerable, and their absence would leave a gaping hole in the empire''s infrastructure. This could cause disorder, but Arkanos was not one to let such matters linger.

    With a determined stride, he turned back toward the desk. "This is a simple issue to resolve, Arvel."

    "I will establish a new guild."

    Arvel blinked, his monocle tilting slightly as he processed the sudden shift in strategy. "Come again, my lord?"

    "A new guild? But—"

    Arkanos raised a hand to silence him.

    "Yes, a new guild. The old ones are either too fractured or too distracted by this hidden organization. We can''t wait for them to get back on their feet. We''ll create a new order—one that is directly under our control. It will focus not only on the traditional tasks of monster slaying and resource gathering but also on maintaining the empire''s logistics, ensuring trade routes remain open, and ensuring the stability of the economy. This new guild will serve as an extension of my will, directly accountable to me."

    Arvel''s eyes widened, his initial shock quickly transforming into realization. "So, you plan to centralize control over the adventurers? You will oversee their operations directly?"

    "Precisely," Arkanos said.

    "The guilds have become too decentralized, too susceptible to outside influence. A new guild, one formed under our direct influence, will not only bring order back to the adventurer community but will also ensure that the empire''s needs are met without delay. We can''t afford the luxury of waiting for the current guilds to unravel themselves."

    Arvel''s eyes widened slightly, a look of hesitation crossing his face as he processed Arkanos''s words.

    "But my lord."

    "We''ve already made an agreement with the current guilds. Establishing a new guild would be seen as a direct breach of that contract. The empire''s reputation could suffer. The other guilds across the continent might see this as an insult, and the common folk could grow disillusioned with our leadership."

    Arkanos slowly turned his gaze toward Arvel.

    "If I am correct..."

    "The contract stipulates that the guild is to organize the labor of able-bodied individuals for the benefit of the empire, while also taking a portion of the benefits for themselves. This contract also dictates that no other such organizations may be established, granting them the monopoly on such operations. Is that correct?"

    Arvel swallowed, adjusting his monocle once more, his voice resigned. "Yes, my lord. That is indeed what the contract specifies."

    "Good," Arkanos said.

    As Arvel prepared to leave, he paused at the doorway, his hand resting on the door handle. His gaze lingered on Arkanos, curiosity and caution in his expression.

    "My lord."

    "if I may ask... doesn''t this situation strike you as peculiar? Even if the guilds truly wanted to investigate the deaths of their members, wouldn''t it have been more logical to send a portion of their forces while continuing their operations? It seems improbable that they would dedicate all their manpower to such an investigation. The losses they would incur from halting their duties entirely would be immense. It feels less like an investigation ... and more like an excuse to halt their services, and for that to be the case then... they''ve been threatened."

    Arkanos smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing with a look of satisfaction. "So, you see it as well, Arvel. I suppose you aren''t an advisor for nothing."

    Arvel straightened his posture, a small smile of pride crossing his lips. "You flatter me, my lord."

    Arkanos stepped closer to his desk, his tone firm but contemplative. "This is precisely why we need our own guild, Arvel. Whoever this hidden organization is, they''ve clearly managed to unnerve the guild''s leadership. If they''re bold enough to disrupt the adventurer system, their ultimate goal must be to drive my empire further into chaos. I will not allow that to happen."

    Arvel nodded, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "I understand, my lord. Your foresight is unmatched, as always. I''ll see to the preparations immediately."

    He inclined his head respectfully before saying, "Do have a good day, my lord," and stepped out of the chamber, closing the heavy door behind him.

    As Arvel''s footsteps faded into the corridor, Arkanos leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. His voice, soft yet filled with disdain, broke the silence.

    "The Angels of Ruin," he thought aloud. "I wonder why such powerful fallen don''t even have the courage to confront my empire themselves. How... interesting. Perhaps there''s much I still need to learn about my bloodline."

    His gaze drifted toward the window, his tone turning colder.

    "And who better to ask than my mother... The tomb of my ancestors may also hold some answers I seek. But raiding it won''t be a simple task. I can''t afford to rely on just myself and Seraphine, the heroes each are on duty. No—I''ll need to wait until my men are fully prepared. Only then can we brave what lies within, besides I''m itching to lead my men into battle."

    Before his thoughts could linger any longer, a sharp notification echoed in his mind, accompanied by the familiar green system window appearing in his vision.

    ? ? Notice: The knights are crossing the last zone ? ?

    Arkanos''s lips curled into a faint, predatory smile.

    "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear," he murmured to himself. Rising from his seat, he began to stride toward the door.

    "Suppose I should get ready to welcome them," he said, with satisfaction. His empire''s future was beginning to take shape, and the pieces were falling into place.