Chapter 196: The First Step in Absorbing the Dark Pact

Words : 1840 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

The Dark Pact was in chaos. After Viscount Berna was hunted by a Transcendent and went missing for over half a month, and with Green City's army relentlessly pursuing members of the Dark Pact, the leaderless organization fell into unprecedented turmoil and disorder. Every day, large numbers of Dark Pact members were arrested, and strongholds were being destroyed one after another. Even Grote, who had now returned to Green City, did not truly know how powerful the Dark Pact, which Viscount Berna had built over several decades, actually was. But now, the Dark Pact had collapsed into a pile of scattered sand. No one stepped forward to take command of this once-mighty force, and as a result, the organization had become lambs awaiting slaughter. The strength of the Dark Pact had always been fragmented, composed of the Evening Bell Church, Abyssal Demons, Necromancers, and Shadow High Priest Emi, along with Grote, a Northern warrior, and a mysterious individual who had never revealed their true identity. So when Grote returned to Green City to gather what remained of the Dark Pact, he found himself at a loss for where to begin. Fortunately, he found one of the old hideouts and met with several of his former subordinates. Western District of Green City, in a dilapidated civilian residence. Grote stood before five figures, his expression slightly grave. After a sweep of the room, he spoke to the burly, full-bearded man standing in the center, a Level 12 Advanced Warrior. “Gary, what’s the current state of the Dark Pact? What about Viscount Berna?” Wearing gray warrior armor and with a weary expression in his eyes, Gary shook his head. His voice was rough and gravelly. “Lord Grote, the Dark Pact has suffered heavy losses under the assault of Green City's military these past few days. Over half of the underground hideouts we've established have been destroyed. At present, the remaining members likely number fewer than 500,” Gary said in a depressed tone. “There’s still been no word from the President. May the Goddess of Life watch over him and bring Viscount Berna back safely.” After speaking, he looked at Grote with a dazed expression. It was the Dark Pact that had rescued him from the slums and raised him up. His entire life had been given to him by the Dark Pact. But now, with Viscount Berna missing and the organization facing near destruction, the very faith he had fought for was about to collapse. He had lost all sense of direction. A thoughtful look flickered in Grote’s eyes as Li De’s instructions echoed in his mind. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly. “Gary, even if Viscount Berna was hunted by a Transcendent Mage, we must believe that he managed to escape.” Then, he abruptly shifted the subject. “But what puzzles me is, why did Viscount Berna suddenly attack the City Lord’s Mansion? Didn’t he know that a Transcendent was there?” Gary shook his head. “Viscount Berna’s wisdom isn’t something I can fathom. I think... maybe he had deeper reasons.” Though he said this, the Advanced Warrior’s eyes remained clouded with confusion. Everyone knew that provoking a Transcendent was courting death, and yet under such circumstances, their boss still chose to offend one. It was incomprehensible. Grote shook his head slightly, his tone turning serious. “But Viscount Berna could have at least warned the members of the Dark Pact in advance, told our comrades to hide and avoid the military’s purge. Why would he go through the trouble of preparing such a massive operation, only to keep it secret from the rest of us?” Huh? Gary and the other four people in the room all looked visibly puzzled, their eyes wide as they stared at Grote, waiting for him to explain. “For something so important, even if the President didn’t want to risk leaking information, would it really have been difficult to assign someone to notify the Dark Pact members to hide after launching the attack? By the Goddess, our esteemed President, did he ever truly care about us? Did he really value our lives?” Words meant to kill hearts. Grote’s cold voice darkened the faces of the others in the room. A flood of unsettling thoughts began to creep through their minds like wild vines. No matter how they thought it through, the answer they came to was the same. Viscount Berna probably never considered the lives of anyone else in the Dark Pact. Everyone had always known that low-level members weren’t valued, but thinking it through now, it was still difficult to accept. No one wanted to be treated like a disposable pawn, someone who could be sacrificed or discarded at any time. Grote shook his head, his expression filled with pain. “I was Viscount Berna’s Chief Guard. I’ve followed him for over twenty years. But I’ve always felt that the Dark Pact was nothing more than a tool to him, once it had served its purpose, it would be thrown away.” A look of bitter emotion appeared on his face. "Though I hate to admit it, I have to say, perhaps Viscount Berna never truly cared about the Dark Pact... nor about those of us who were willing to give our lives for him." These words, spoken just as the Dark Pact was under siege and its ordinary members were gripped by fear, stabbed into the hearts of those present like a sharp blade. Gary’s face turned pale as he shook his head, the faith in his heart seemingly beginning to collapse. He didn’t want to believe what Grote was saying, but the reality was right before him. Whether he wanted to or not, he couldn’t deny it. “No... no, that can’t be. Viscount Berna must’ve been entangled with the Transcendent Mage. He would never abandon us.” Another Dark Pact member spoke in agony, unwilling to accept the truth. Seeing their dazed expressions, Grote continued pressing. “Abandon us? Yes. In fact, the moment Viscount Berna left Green City without making any arrangements, we were already abandoned. Is everyone forgetting what our original target was? The Crimson Mage Tower. We spent months preparing for that mission. But in the end, Viscount Berna chose to attack the City Lord’s Mansion. Are you saying he had no time to inform the rest of the Dark Pact?” His voice grew colder and colder. “No. He had time. He simply didn’t care about the lives of anyone else in the Dark Pact. How many of our brothers and sisters have died because of his actions? Two thousand? Three thousand?” In truth, Viscount Berna hadn’t mobilized ordinary members for that operation. He didn’t necessarily value them, but he hadn’t deliberately sent them to die either. Still, intentions aside, the outcome was clear: whether by design or neglect, the Dark Pact was now crumbling under Green City’s military crackdown. Especially at such a critical moment, none of the upper ranks were around. Emi, Grote, and the captured Stanley and the Necromancer Witherbone, plus the slain Cologne, these five constituted most of the Dark Pact’s high-end combat power. The eight-armed Serpent Demon Roy and Viscount Berna had both vanished after leaving Green City. The mysterious figure who had never revealed their identity seemed completely unconcerned. Even now, with the Dark Pact on the brink of collapse, they hadn’t shown themselves. Which meant, in the current situation, the Dark Pact had no leader, everyone who could speak for it was gone. It was no surprise it had fallen apart like loose sand. “Lord Grote... what are you planning?” Gary asked with a quiver in his voice. The others looked toward Grote as well, eyes filled with hope. There were few fools who had survived for so many years in the criminal underworld. With all the other leaders gone, the only one who could hold the Dark Pact together was this powerful Northern warrior standing before them. Grote’s reputation in the Dark Pact wasn’t weak. In fact, thanks to his forthright Northern nature and formidable strength, he was well respected. So the moment he revealed the truth about the Dark Pact’s current crisis, these mid-level members instinctively transferred their hopes to him. A Level 16 Northern Warrior, a powerful Professional, surely he could carve out a way forward for them. To follow the strong was human nature. It was, in fact, the nature of all living things. Grote’s gaze sharpened, like a hawk locking onto its prey, and he spoke a sentence that made the others’ faces change instantly. “Viscount Berna may have abandoned us, but I will never abandon those who once fought beside me. I will take control of the Dark Pact, and win a path of survival for everyone!” His voice rang with firm conviction, leaving no room for doubt. None of those present were fools. The moment they saw the gleam in Grote’s eyes, they instantly understood this powerful Northern warrior’s true intent. They exchanged glances, their hearts churning with uncertainty. Seeing this, Grote’s lips curled into a cold arc. “If you’re unwilling to join the new Dark Pact, you’re free to leave.” His words stirred some hesitation among the others, but none dared to act first. In the world of darkness, anyone without a brain wouldn’t have survived this long. Grote swept his eyes over them once more, his expression solemn. “If you’re willing to join the new Dark Pact, then I swear upon the name of a Northern Warrior: We shall become the new elite of Green City’s underground world, together we will command the order of the shadows.” His voice paused as he looked straight at Gary, pronouncing each word clearly. “And I have never abandoned a single comrade beside me, unless my head is taken by the enemy.” The room fell into instant silence. One pair of eyes after another stared at Grote, a strange emotion brewing within them. At last, the burly warrior Gary gritted his teeth, a glint of fierceness flashing in his eyes. He stood up and dropped to one knee before Grote. “Lord Grote, Gary is willing to serve you!” The others watched, their expressions shifting again and again. Finally, after exchanging looks, they too knelt without further hesitation. “Lord Grote, we are willing to serve you!” The promise of a Northern warrior moved them. In the underworld, they were nothing more than disposable tools. Their lives and fortunes had never truly mattered. But the Northern tradition of never abandoning comrades inspired a deep sense of trust. Coupled with Grote’s respected standing in the Dark Pact, they now had the confidence to believe again. Grote’s expression finally relaxed, a thoughtful look flashing across his face. The first step had been taken. Next would be swallowing the Dark Pact whole. His eyes narrowed, gaze as sharp as a warrior’s blade. Lord Progenitor... next, I shall seize control of the Dark Pact for you.

Chapter 196: The First Step in Absorbing the Dark Pact

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