Henwell pays no mind to Leom’s eye roll and goes on, “I just help Veil out in pces where it’s inconvenient for them to act directly. That way, the minor pyers Veil supports can better complete the tasks assigned, and I won’t target them either.”

  Leom frowns. “What kind of help is that?”

  Henwell shakes his finger. “You don’t get it. You’ve never been a noble. In the noble system, force isn’t the only tool. In fact, it’s usually the st resort. Most of the time, achieving your goals is about exchanging various interests.”

  ”Veil operates in the shadows. Your assassination and sabotage tactics might work, but they’re not cost-effective. Relying on death threats and violent coercion, Veil will never grow big. I know Veil has huge ambitions. You’ve shown up in several wars, including the bloody alliance I experienced—that was orchestrated by Veil’s higher-ups.”

  ”But from what I know, Veil’s gains afterward were mediocre at best. Worse, it raised the suspicions of Billie and Vorry’s leadership, who have been trying to suppress your power. The royal families of various countries, the Groias Empire, and the Holy Spirit Church are all intertwined.”

  ”So the royals know you’re wanted criminals and can’t openly associate with you. Afterwards, they erase all traces of cooperation with you, let alone give you your due benefits.”

  ”This traps Veil in a vicious cycle: no gains from actions, retaliation against the royals, which in turn increases their vigince and further restricts your activities. And you can’t retaliate fully for fear of provoking a full-scale assault from the Abundant Continent.”

  ”I have a better idea. Veil doesn’t need to obsess over influencing the top tiers or always target the high-ups with terror attacks. Instead, why not support more minor lords? Small gains add up, forming a vast network that becomes the shadow world’s uncrowned king.”

  Henwell pauses, then adds, “I think many in the organization have mentioned this idea before. But you’ve never succeeded, because your control is too tight. People don’t want to be sves, especially nobles. Even the smallest noble doesn’t want to be maniputed. And Veil, hidden in darkness, only makes these minor nobles fearful and wary.”

  Leom looks at Henwell. “So you mean we would help you control these nobles?”

  Henwell shakes his finger. “No, no, no! Not control, that’s a bad word. What I’m talking about is forming a community of shared interests. I lead them, help them grow stronger. I help them solve problems, climb the ranks, and build their territories, step by step making them more powerful.”

  Leom sneers. “Heh… In the end, it’s still about controlling them! Why would the organization put in effort for you? This doesn’t sound like cooperation, it sounds like you’re using the organization!”

  Henwell grabs the wine bottle from the table and pours a gss for Leom. “Supervisor, if I’m not mistaken, Veil’s goal is to strike back at the Abundant Continent, right? And all this time you’ve been stirring things up here, your main focus is on how to ignite war!”

  He pours himself a gss, then says quietly, “Me? I’m a big lover of peace. I want the whole world to be peaceful. But as long as there are nations, there will be war. To have sting peace, other countries have to disappear, leaving only one nation. No more national conflicts, no border disputes—wouldn’t that mean no more wars? So yeah, I have a lot of wars to fight, but it’s all for peace! And that’s exactly the outcome Veil Organization needs!”

  Leom studies Henwell. “You actually have such ambitions? Do you even know what you’re saying? Unifying an entire continent, that’s never been done before. You’re overestimating yourself.”

  Henwell points at himself. “How old do you think I am?”

  “Twenty-four?”

  Henwell corrects him. “I only turn twenty-four this September! And right now, I’m already arm-wrestling and dueling with the leaders of various nations. Ten years from now? What kind of situation do you think that’ll be? I’ll definitely be an Iron Knight by then. My army will be stronger, my territory rger, and my popution greater. I’ll only be thirty-four!”

  ”Tell me, how many national leaders could stand against me? So, instead of Veil wasting effort investing in small pyers, why not bet on me? You want to strike back at the Abundant Continent. Do you really think your trained assassins are enough? Do you underestimate the powers there? If assassins could unify the world, what use would armies be?”

  ”Veil needs an army, a tough, battle-hardened army. And as I conquer the world, I can help you build such a force. My ability to build armies is well known. With Peace Haven’s resources back then, I built three elite legions.”

  ”If you cooperate, building ten elite legions for you won’t be difficult at all. Just imagine—leading ten elite legions back to the Abundant Continent. What a scene that would be!”

  Leom falls silent for a long moment. “Like I said, I’ll report this to the organization. But personally, I doubt it’ll be that simple. Also, why do you support us in striking back at the Abundant Continent?”

  Henwell raises his gss. “Maybe I have enemies there too.”

  Seeing Henwell doesn’t want to eborate, Leom changes the subject. “Let’s talk about other cooperation.”

  Henwell says, “Give me extraordinary supplies—potions, alloys, cultivation techniques, and I’ll pay you. Or you can exchange it for goods you want, like military equipment produced by Peace Haven.”

  ”Veil doesn’t ck weapons, but it certainly cks a steady supply chain for fully equipped arms. That just happens to be my specialty. I can provide a full standard legion’s worth of military gear every year. Each set costs eighty gold coins.”

  ”Since it’s smuggled, it’s pricier than market value, but my products are reliable. What I need are extraordinary supplies. Don’t expect me to ask for too much—take extraordinary potions, for example, two hundred gold coins each. Every year, you supply two thousand body-strengthening potions, and the rest of the payment can be exchanged for other materials.”

  Leom feels tempted by the offer.

  The Veil Organization controls many bck-market industries and has deep pockets.

  But it cks a systematic weapons production capacity, let alone a stable supply source.

  If Henwell can provide a full standard legion’s gear every year, it would greatly aid the organization’s pns.

  Leom suppresses the urge to make a decision on the spot and continues listening to Henwell’s other cooperation proposals…