Cyn thought to himself,' It's hard to tell whether there's a traitor among us. In the entire palace, maybe five people know about this.

' Even the information given to them is confidential, but it isn't limited to just the five of us—there are others who know these things as well. With this alone, I can't narrow the circle of suspicion.

'He knows exactly what he's doing—providing information that's secret to the Raging Floods, but not to us. Just wait. I'll catch you.'

Cyn pulled his mind back to reality and asked Tristan, "So then—what about the northern branch of our guild? You killed some people, but you abducted Gilbert?"

Tristan answered, "Ah, about that man! We were planning to kill him too, but he surrendered voluntarily, and it would be useful to keep him alive. That's what Valgean decided."

Cyn simply smiled, as if saying, So that was your plan. Despite his brief encounter with Gilbert and his deep understanding of human nature, he knew Gilbert wouldn't betray them. He wasn't a traitor. The aura of traitors was unmistakable. He would doubt Kassal—but not that man.

Cyn recalled someone else and chuckled lightly. "The white-haired man—do you remember him? He was there when you attacked me. I don't recall his name."

Tristan thought carefully before his face lit up. "Ah! Chevalier D'abbadon! I remember him. He wouldn't stop chewing and praising himself. I wanted to kill him since he was your escort, but the location didn't allow it. The northern sector is close to the knight barracks, as well as a church branch. They were already on their way, close to arriving. Any delay or fight there would've just led to our arrest."

Cyn smiled. It was him—Chevalier. Miguel and Kasall had already informed him that he'd been detained for interrogation. Only the gods knew what he was going through, but this wasn't the time to worry about someone he had no real connection with.

Cyn directed another question at Tristan. "Then what about the laboratory? Were you told anything about it in any of those messages?"

Tristan replied, "There was nothing specific. Even our knowledge of such things was limited. The message used expressions like conducting experiments, dark and bloody matters. From our perspective, we assumed it was a storage site for your wealth—especially after the barony incident. We thought you'd hidden treasures there, so we came with the intention of reclaiming them."

Cyn smiled, imagining Kasall's expression when he heard this. He'd dance in joy and curse them. 'Oh, you fools—did you really think I was one of you, hiding treasures there?'

Cyn began forming plans based on Tristan's answers. He asked about something else concerning the Raging Floods Guild. "So what is this work? Sending mercenaries to war? That kind of business doesn't flourish easily—especially since the Kingdom of Corvanis is neutral. It would cause diplomatic issues with the warring parties, the Church, and the Temple. It might even drag Corvanis into war."

Tristan replied, "That was a major problem, actually. But once we had that person watching from the shadows, things became easy—if you understand what I mean. If you know who to bribe, staying hidden becomes effortless. The roads outside and back into the kingdom are simply paved for you."

Cyn asked curiously, "So what do you gain from all this?"

Tristan answered, "Fame. Of course, we wanted gold and other things—but Chibi wanted fame. To become renowned in the wars there as a commander. Once, I think he accidentally revealed his true ambition to us. He mentioned something about his dream of becoming a king. Perhaps he intends to seize the throne of one of the southern warring kingdoms."

The Scar's voice echoed in Cyn's mind, Well, the big guy always dreams big.

Cyn mocked it internally, Guess who chosed wrong? He refocused on Tristan. "A king? That's what you're saying?"

Tristan spoke uncertainly. "I mean… why would there be written speeches addressed to the people on his desk? It's obvious he's practicing for a speech—for when he becomes one."

Cyn held it in, but the Scar's voice made him burst into restrained laughter. Both of them laughed. "Hahahahahahaha! You're saying he writes speeches to deliver to the masses when he becomes king? Hahahaha! Is that really Chibi? He sounds interesting—yet foolish at the same time!"

"You really made us laugh, Tristan!"

Tristan was stunned, staring blankly. He didn't know what warranted the laughter, but something inside him snapped. He didn't know how the words escaped his mouth—his voice was low, yet audible. "He… he will become a king…"

Cyn stopped laughing and stared at Tristan with a cold, frightening gaze, his tone dripping with mockery. "Oh? You really think he will?"

"I mean, Tristan—your master was going to become king. But in the process of becoming one, he made me his enemy. And for that, he won't live long."

Tristan replied in the same low tone, "I won't allow it… I won't allow you to kill him!"

Cyn smiled. "Cute!."

For Tristan, uttering those brave words meant resisting fear and mental pain. The Scar asked for permission, Shall I do it?

Cyn simply smiled. When Tristan collapsed to the floor, something seemed to possess him. Cyn didn't know how the Scar performed such supernatural feats, but he didn't question it as long as it benefited him, Yet he will Inquire about it sooner or later.

After some time, Tristan regained consciousness. Cyn wanted to know what the Scar had done to him. He asked his name. "What's your name?"

Tristan answered with the same restraint. "Tristan Arrow."

Cyn asked again, "Who will become king?"

Tristan hesitated, as if struggling internally. Cyn mocked the Scar, Seems your methods are useless.

The Scar replied, Then why don't you try yours? You'll just send him to his death.

Tristan seemed to comply slightly. Words began to spill from his mouth. "The Heir of the Sun… will become king."

Cyn mocked the Scar. "What did you do to him? He's rambling on his own."

The Scar contradicted him. "You should be happy. This is better. He'll forget his loyalty—and he'll answer anything else we ask."

Cyn doubted the reliability of the answers. "I mean… doesn't it seem like he lost part of his mind? Is it safe to trust what he says? It might just be delusion."

The Scar reassured him. Relax. The answers will be as we want. I only modified the memories tied to his loyalty.

Cyn thought, If you can do things like this, why not extract everything directly from his mind? That'd be better than relying on him—there's always a chance he's lying.

The Scar replied helplessly, He would die. If I did that, he'd die before I could extract anything important.

Cyn hummed quietly, as if accepting the Scar's words. Now was the chance to ask about something else. He stared at Tristan and brought up the matter of the collections—especially the rumors surrounding the weapon God's False Replica.

"So, Tristan. Did you hear the rumors about the weapon God's False Replica—one of the seven weapons in the Cursed Pacts collection?"

Tristan replied, "Actually, we're the ones who spread those rumors."

This was the greatest shock to Cyn, but he didn't react yet—he hadn't received the full answer. He stared at Tristan, ordering him to continue.

Tristan went on. "We spread the rumors on the orders of the message sender. His message stated that the true location of the weapon must remain secret, and that we'd retrieve it once others discovered its whereabouts. But we had to invest in this information—so we released another rumor and provided a false location. That way, we'd kill two birds with one stone: take the weapon and cause losses to other factions."

Cyn smiled. "So that's how it is. Good thing I don't believe rumors. And good thing I have you here. So then, my lucky charm—tell me where the weapon is."

Tristan answered, "There are two known locations where several cursed pact weapons have been discovered before. So even if you spread a lie about a weapon being there, it would be wise to investigate them anyway."

"I mean, it's better than not going at all—only to hear the next day that someone or some faction retrieved a cursed pact weapon. You'd blame yourself for not going because you thought it was just a rumor. And just like that, you'd miss the opportunity of a lifetime."

Cyn had to admit—it was a solid plan. Even if no weapon existed, most people would still go. There was no helping it. Better to check.

Tristan continued. "The location described in the rumor is the Ruins of the Vault of Sin. In that strange place, several weapons were discovered in the past. That alone would make anyone who hears the rumor go and verify it, no matter how credible it is."

"As for the other location—the one that actually holds the weapon—it's the entrance to the Mausoleum Corridor. In that place, one of the seven weapons was found, currently belonging to the Necromentis Empire—specifically to the Supervisor of the Apostles Club.

Peter The Primus."

The Scar's voice echoed in Cyn's head. So—what's the next step?

Cyn smiled. "To wreak havoc."

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