Deep within a dense forest stood a massive stronghold.
The Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
Blood dripped onto a dark cyan metal compass, and the intricate patterns instantly absorbed every drop.
A soft clicking sound rang out. The center of the compass suddenly opened, revealing a strange pale cyan vertical eye that slowly blinked open.
The eye began spinning violently, and the pointer wavered repeatedly between the sections marked Neutral, Fortune, and Misfortune.
The elderly man with short white hair and a trimmed beard looked at the compass in his hand, surprise flashing across his face.
"The Imperial Capital? How strange. This is the first time the Axis of Fate has produced such a divination."
Suddenly, the pointer stopped. The old man's face turned pale, and he coughed violently.
"Whatever the case, it signifies an uncertain person or event. I should inform Najenda."
...
Imperial Capital, inside a luxurious European-style manor.
The scent of burning tobacco from a cigar lingered throughout the room.
A maid knelt on the floor, respectfully presenting the cigar in both hands to the man before her.
Uesugi Ryu casually examined the room's furnishings. A broad silk robe draped over his body.
Mephisto had already melted into the shadows the moment they arrived.
The room was completely silent, making the glowing ember at the tip of the cigar seem especially bright.
Uesugi Ryu took the cigar with his left hand and placed it between his lips as he slowly rose from the sofa.
On the large bed behind him lay a pair of white-haired twin sisters.
Their eyes were tightly shut, their long eyelashes trembling slightly.
Hearing Uesugi Ryu stand up, their bodies tensed. They had clearly already anticipated their fate.
Naturally, Uesugi Ryu had sensed their presence from the start. He quietly gazed out at the crescent moon beyond the window.
"Take them away. Send Gore to see me."
The maid immediately stood up, bowed respectfully, and replied at once.
"Understood."
She then led the twin sisters out of the room.
Uesugi Ryu set the cigar aside. He did not actually smoke.
A helpless expression crossed his face. He had assumed that, as a wealthy merchant, Zibul would possess considerable assets.
Only after reviewing his memories carefully did he realize Zibul was not nearly as rich as he had expected.
Sixty percent of the pleasure district's profits had to be handed over to Prime Minister Honest.
The Imperial Guard also needed regular bribes.
After operating costs, wages, and various miscellaneous expenses, the pleasure district's earnings were actually fairly average.
Even squeezing out a twenty percent net profit required ruthless exploitation.
Zibul's role in the Imperial Capital had always been that of a smooth-talking merchant.
The pleasure district served as both his social currency and his primary tool.
His subordinates scoured the slums and incoming migrants for attractive women.
Zibul then used those women as gifts to curry favor with nobles and officials.
Through this method, he had built an extensive network of connections, allowing him to enter the underground trade.
That underground business was where his real profits came from.
Reselling military supplies and other contraband generated enormous gains.
Uesugi Ryu was no merchant, nor did he have any business experience.
He decided to abandon the pleasure district entirely.
He had no talent for that kind of false flattery.
Besides, wealth was incredibly easy for him to obtain.
"There are only two truly profitable businesses in this world. Monopoly and robbery."
One lets you set any price you want.
The other requires no capital at all.
Of course, both shared one prerequisite: Overwhelming strength.
A smile curved Uesugi Ryu's lips.
"Looks like robbery suits me better."
Knock. Knock.
A soft knock sounded at the door. A muscular middle-aged man entered.
He walked to a spot two meters behind Uesugi Ryu and bowed slightly.
"Lord Uesugi."
Gore stood nearly two meters tall, his body packed with solid muscle. He waited there respectfully.
After more than a year of travel, Uesugi Ryu's aura had stabilized considerably.
Combined with his deliberate practice in controlling his presence, neither the maids nor Gore had noticed anything unusual.
That was partly because none of the servants dared look directly at him.
Gore, age thirty-three.
Ninth Dan of Koshin Temple.
He was the son of the previous butler and had been sent to Koshin Temple for training from a young age.
Ordinarily, a butler's son would never qualify for such an opportunity.
The family had personally funded his education.
After completing his training, Gore returned to the Imperial Capital, succeeding his father and continuing to serve the family.
He was less a butler and more the chief of security.
He had personally trained a capable group of guards.
His primary duty was protecting Zibul, now Uesugi Ryu.
Without turning around, Uesugi Ryu asked softly,
"Tell me about Night Raid's recent activities."
Gore lowered his head, staring at the carpet.
For some reason, he felt that Uesugi Ryu had changed.
After thinking for a moment, he answered.
"According to the Guard, Zank the Beheader was recently killed by Night Raid."
"Captain Ogre was also assassinated. That was their doing as well."
"Is Lord Uesugi concerned that Night Raid may target you? I'll strengthen the security immediately."
"The newly appointed Guard captain, Nair, is a useless fool."
"Still, with enough money, we could probably persuade him to assign patrols around the estate."
Uesugi Ryu turned and studied Gore.
"What do you think of Night Raid? In terms of strength."
The moment he realized Uesugi Ryu was looking directly at him, Gore felt a chill run down his spine.
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple, and his massive muscles tensed instinctively.
Questions regarding Night Raid were extremely sensitive.
Only after realizing Uesugi Ryu was asking about their strength did he finally relax.
"Very strong. I've heard every member is a Teigu user. I once sparred with Ogre..."
His expression turned serious, and he paused before continuing.
"I was slightly inferior. I wasn't his match."
"Anyone capable of killing Ogre would not be easy for me to handle."
Listening to Gore's answer, Uesugi Ryu nodded inwardly.
Gore was fairly honest. That alone made him useful.
If he had started boasting, Uesugi Ryu would have considered replacing such a foolish butler immediately.
"Tomorrow morning, choose several of the strongest guards."
"Bring them to the training grounds and wait for me."
Hearing this, Gore's suspicions were confirmed.
Naturally, he assumed Uesugi Ryu intended to inspect the guards' abilities.
Confidence flashed across his face as he answered firmly.
"Understood!"