When my father and grandfather returned from the East Gorteau Republic and learned the truth about the Ant King's death, they fell silent for a long time. In the end, they said only one thing:
"If you can avoid provoking that person, then don't. And if he ever gives you an order—don't accept it."
Coming from the Zoldyck family—professional assassins who value strength above all—those words were the highest praise imaginable.
The warning was passed down to every younger member of the Zoldyck family… except the fourth child.
Killua and Milluki, both familiar with Ronnel, had no doubts. Only Kalluto, who had never interacted with him, remained curious.
Even the leader of the Phantom Troupe never received such recognition. So why would someone so low-profile—someone most people wouldn't even notice—be spoken of with such reverence?
Kalluto didn't understand.
But Illumi did.
He understood Ronnel's terrifying potential all too well.
As a cautious killer, Illumi never let his guard down around him—not once.
...
"You too, Illumi? You joined the Troupe? What's going on?"
Ronnel already knew the answer, but he teased him anyway.
At that moment, a glimmering ring appeared in his hand—a keepsake taken from Hisoka's corpse.
"So, you know why I'm here."
Illumi was silent for a moment, then said solemnly, "Hand it over, and I'll give you a reward you'll find very satisfactory."
"Such as?"
"Ten gemstones. Each one worth dozens of times more than that ring. Your master and your girlfriend would be thrilled with a gift like that."
Ronnel smirked.
"You know me well~"
Without hesitation, he tossed the diamond ring to Illumi.
"Deal."
What if Illumi knew everything about him? It didn't matter. Ronnel wasn't worried that the Zoldycks would harm Shizuku, Bisky, or the others.
If the Zoldycks had just borrowed a little more courage from their pride, they wouldn't have died such pointless deaths in the past.
The ring had no sentimental value to Ronnel anyway—it was, after all, a love token exchanged between two men.
If he could trade it for something better, why wouldn't he?
"Thank you."
Illumi accepted it with both hands, treating the transaction with the ceremony of a contract. Then he pulled out his phone and gave instructions to the butlers at home.
After a few more words, the two agreed to meet again on the so-called "New Continent," and Illumi vanished into the crowd.
...
Later, Ronnel also met up with Ging and Pariston, who were now part of Beyond's team.
The two were hiding in plain sight on the fourth floor—an area teeming with passengers.
After some exchange of updates, he found they were actually living fairly peacefully. With no attention on them, and the local gangs fully occupied hunting the Phantom Troupe, they'd been able to rest easy.
They were just waiting—waiting until the moment they reached the edge of the so-called "New Continent," where they'd reunite with Beyond and head for the true Dark Continent.
All they needed to do was bide their time.
With the groundwork laid, Ronnel turned his focus to the upper echelons. The succession war had dragged on long enough. It was time to end it.
His new Nen ability was nearly complete. He might as well handle everything all at once and get it over with.
Starting with tonight's royal dinner.
It was going to be a night to remember.
...
On the upper deck of the Black Whale, the second royal dinner hosted by the Kakin royal family began on schedule.
The host opened with a brief summary of the current state of affairs and offered apologies for Prince Salé-salé's absence, citing health concerns.
The guests, however, barely registered the Eighth Prince's name. After nodding politely, they promptly forgot him.
And honestly, given a little more time, they probably wouldn't remember there even was an Eighth Prince.
The other princes understood this unspoken truth and didn't mention him either. Instead, they carried on as if the previous week—filled with death, crossbow attacks, and spilled brains—had never happened.
Particularly noticeable were Prince Benjamin and Prince Halkenburg. They sat side by side, chatting and laughing as if they were the best of brothers. Their cordial behavior and mutual respect drew approving nods from the bystanders.
What a pair of closely bonded siblings!
In contrast, Camilla stood out in all the wrong ways. Her arrogance, her poor acting, and the naked hostility in her eyes toward Benjamin made the other throne contenders scorn her.
Nearby, Fifth Prince Tubeppa and Fourth Prince Tserriednich were deep in quiet talks about their alliance.
They'd agreed to collaborate during the previous banquet. This time, they were finalizing the details—and it all seemed to be going smoothly.
But one thing puzzled Tubeppa.
Tserriednich, already arrogant to begin with, seemed even more insufferable than usual. The way he carried himself during their conversation—like some kind of superior being—left Tubeppa confused and irritated.
Was something wrong with Tserriednich… or had something changed in Tubeppa that made him feel suddenly small?
Either way, Tubeppa's patience was wearing thin.
...
Elsewhere at the banquet, the king wore a smug smile. Watching the lavish event he orchestrated unfold before him filled him with pride.
He was especially pleased to see Prince Halkenburg—previously lost in shadow—start to master his disguise. He now mingled easily, smiling and chatting alongside the very prince who wanted him dead: Benjamin.
The king nodded, clearly satisfied.
But his peace didn't last.
Seventh Prince Luzurus, clearly anxious, approached with a folded sheet of paper in hand.
"Father."
Luzurus bowed nervously.
Normally, he wouldn't be this hesitant—but before the banquet, Clone No. 2 had handed him that very paper.
Its contents had made Luzurus break into a cold sweat.
Though it had nothing to do with him directly, Luzurus knew that if what was written there were to be revealed, it would shake the entire succession war to its core.
Even he had trouble processing it.
But for the king—their father—it would be something else entirely.
Because what was written implicated him… and in a very delicate way.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)