Chapter 58: Kael was none of the three

Chapter 58: Kael was none of the three Upon entering the room, Kael’s view was obscured by thick white smoke that filled the entire space. The air reeked of tobacco and alcohol. It didn’t look like the room of a game master, but rather that of a brothel. "I didn’t expect the young master of the Medici Clan to come to my casino," a deep voice spoke from the back, calm and somewhat arrogant. The smoke that filled the room began to disperse when one of the windows opened, allowing the clean air from outside to eliminate the smell of tobacco. And with that, the appearance of the game master was revealed. He was plump, with short brown hair, several scars on his face, bushy eyebrows, and large lips. In his mouth, he had a cigar that gave off a light smoke. His eyes were light brown. He was dressed like a nobleman, but his clothes were completely unbuttoned, revealing his thick chest covered in tangled hair. Kael took a few steps and sat down in one of the black armchairs in the room. He knew that this casino was a Zu, so he couldn’t let his guard down. However, he also knew that none of them would make a move on Medici Clan territory. "Would you like something to drink, young master?" offered the game master, pointing to his collection of wines and rums. Kael shook his head, crossed his legs calmly, and got straight to the point. "Why did you call me here?" "Hahaha, so you don’t like beating around the bush. I like that." The game master let out a light laugh. "I’m just curious. How did you manage to win all the games?" "Luck," Kael replied simply. "HAHAHA! You say it was just luck? Do you think I’m stupid? Tell me how you cheated in my casino, young master Kael." The game master’s laughter echoed through the room, but his eyes were fixed on Kael’s expressionless face, who seemed unaffected. How can he be so calm? Does he have some kind of hidden card? He thought suspiciously. Kael’s black eyes flashed slightly as they moved calmly. "As expected of a noble from the Lion Kingdom, you are quite barbaric." The game master’s expression froze instantly upon hearing this. Only questions filled his mind: How did he know? Did they investigate? Who else knew? No one could discover his true identity, as he had created this character simply to infiltrate the Kingdom of Aragon. For 20 years, there had never been any sign of suspicion. So, how did a simple young nobleman, who was no more than 20 years old, learn of his true identity? Kael observed all the changes in the nobleman from the Lion Kingdom, named Hudson Garnet. How did he learn about him? It was quite simple, as it was due to an incident that would occur in the future. More precisely, in the tournament that was to be held on Kiran Mountain, there was a wave of beasts during the event, which destroyed ninety percent of the mountain. And the nobleman in front of Kael, at the time, was infiltrating the mountain. He was one of the masterminds behind the near destruction of the Medici Clan, as he caused a huge uproar in the city, causing the security of the walls to be significantly weakened. After that, his identity was revealed, but by the time that happened, he was already being sheltered in the Kingdom of Leon, under the protection of the king himself. Hudson dropped his tobacco and stubbed it out abruptly in the ashtray and began to reveal his murderous intent. "How did you find out my true identity? Tell me if you don’t want to die quickly." His voice was cold; his eyes glinted dangerously. "How can the owner of a casino be so stupid?" Kael shook his head with a sigh. "Why don’t you use your head? If I wanted your head, I wouldn’t have come alone with just two servants. Right now, you’d be surrounded by the clan elders." Hudson narrowed his eyes. Although his suspicions were not entirely dispelled, he couldn’t help but acknowledge that the young Medici’s words made sense. His body relaxed slightly... but his mind did not. "What do you want?" He growled. There was no courtesy in his voice, only mistrust and hidden hostility. Kael smiled. His gaze, as cold as ever, reflected a sinister light. "You’re quick on the uptake. I like that. I just want an even exchange." Hudson snorted inwardly. "An even exchange," he said. Empty words. Since when did foxes teach honesty? "Speak plainly, brat. Don’t waste my time." "A thousand manna stones," Kael said it as if he were asking for a glass of water. Hudson’s face contorted. "A thousand stones?" he exploded. "Are you out of your mind? Even if you are a Medici, I will not tolerate you treating me like an idiot." But Kael did not respond to the insult. He merely smiled serenely. "As I said: it’s an exchange." He paused briefly. "For fifteen hundred mana stones... I will give you valuable information about my clan." Hudson’s eyes flashed with a mixture of surprise and danger. "Son of a bitch! First a thousand, now fifteen hundred... Don’t you have any loyalty?" Kael didn’t respond immediately. His face was a mask without cracks. He only thought: Loyalty? Loyalty is the collar with which dogs console themselves for their slavery. The only thing that broke his indifference was a slight gesture: the slow crossing of his legs. My mother is the only person who deserves anything from me. The rest of the Medici clan... they’re tools or hindrances. Hudson let out a dry laugh, but his jaw was tense. "Ha ha ha... who would have thought. A demon raised by nobles? The world is going to hell." But his mind was racing. What if he was telling the truth? What if he had useful information? "And how do I know you’re not selling me crap wrapped in silk?" He asked. "I’m not stupid enough to buy words without a guarantee." Kael looked at him as if assessing a worthless rock. Then, in a firm voice, he said: "There is a way. We can make a pact in the name of the Old Sun God." He paused, and his next sentence was like a stab in the heart: "But then... it will be four thousand stones of mana." A heavy silence fell over the room. Hudson felt a chill down his spine. Not out of fear, but because of the young man’s brazenness. It was like negotiating with a snake wrapped in velvet. But he also knew one thing: he couldn’t afford to say no. The brat had calculated everything. He knew his true identity. He knew that he couldn’t hurt him within Medici territory. And he knew that refusing would be more costly than paying up. Hudson clicked his tongue, his brow furrowed with suppressed rage. He gestured with his hand, and one of his men appeared like a shadow. He whispered something to him, then, without taking his eyes off Kael, he said: "I’ve sent for the stones. But first, the pact." "And the materials to make it," Kael added, leaning back calmly in his chair, as if the conversation did not concern him at all. Hudson growled and gave another order to one of his subordinates. The hatred in his gaze was as thick as poison, but Kael paid no attention to him. In his mind, Kael had already done the math. Asking for ten thousand would have been suicide. Too much, too fast. Four thousand, on the other hand... it would hurt, but it was acceptable. And the mention of the clan’s information was nothing more than embellished bait. An idiot would ask for something without offering anything in return. A fool would trust in the clan’s protection. A weakling would be content to survive. Kael was none of the three.