Captain – Chapter 240 – Negotiation

“There’s a problem within the organization. Although it’s been well hidden, there are no walls without cracks—especially not from the Black Raven Society. So after a great deal of effort, we unraveled the threads and finally found the root of the problem.”

Under the escort of the “soldiers,” the carriage set out once more.

Its interior was spotlessly clean, with amber-colored grape wine and a quietly burning oil lamp on the white-draped table. Apart from the person sitting across the table having been replaced, everything seemed much the same as before the ambush.

Roy took a small sip of wine, unable to hide her delighted expression. But after hearing Black Raven’s explanation, she forcibly pulled herself away from the wine’s temptation and raised her hand to interrupt him.

“Wait, wait, wait. The Black Raven Society has internal problems—what does that have to do with an outsider like me? This Captain is very busy and has no time to deal with your family affairs.”

The raven pecking at an apple on the table raised its head and echoed: “No time! No time!”

“Since we’ve approached you, naturally this matter involves you too, Captain. Surely you wouldn’t want to be stabbed in the back by the organization while you’re doing your real work?”

Black Raven wasn’t bothered by the girl’s reaction and continued unhurriedly: “Imagine facing Robert when suddenly hundreds of assassins from the organization pour out from every corner of that mansion. What a scene that would be.”

Hearing this, the Captain’s eye twitched as she said through gritted teeth: “Don’t tell me all the Black Raven Society’s assassins have rebelled.”

“Of course not.”

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Hearing Black Raven’s casual answer, Roy had no time to feel relieved before his next words left her speechless.

“Only about three hundred of them.”

Finally recovering, Roy asked incredulously: “Th-three hundred? Doesn’t the Black Raven Society have fewer than two hundred assassins? And most of them were lost on Frans Island. How have another three hundred suddenly appeared like goods from a warehouse?”

Black Raven waved dismissively and explained: “Those are just inferior products hastily trained to quickly replenish the organization’s fighting strength. They might fool those who don’t know better, but in the past, they wouldn’t have qualified to become the organization’s blades.”

“Inferior products?” the Captain repeated with a frown.

“Yes, inferior products.”

Black Raven nodded slightly: “It’s like the difference between assassins and killers. I still have sixty assassins left by Viper. They’ve all undergone years of rigorous training—their will, reflexes, and physique all surpass ordinary people. They only become troublesome when facing monsters like you.”

Not particularly fond of the term “monster,” Roy leaned against the carriage wall and said: “The assassins trained by Duke Darren are indeed elite among the elite. I can handle a few of them, but if there are more than twenty and they’re prepared, I’d have no choice but to flee.”

“These children were cherished by Viper, who trained them with all his heart. After countless brushes with death, those who finally survived possess truly terrifying qualities. Only they deserve to be called Black Raven Society assassins—assassins among assassins.”

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Refilling half a glass of wine for himself, the man shook his head somewhat contemptuously: “As for those manufactured as tools, they’re merely obedient killers, not fundamentally different from Auran’s crude imitations.”

Hearing this, the Captain finally understood and said: “Fine, so according to you, the root cause of the Black Raven Society’s internal problems is Tomb Bat, who controls at least three hundred… inferior assassins and an unknown number of information channels, right?”

“You could say that.”

Black Raven tasted his wine and smiled: “This is the resistance from the organization you’ll face when directly confronting Robert. So now, Captain, do you still think the organization’s problems have nothing to do with you?”

Hearing this question, the girl was furious: “The Black Raven Society can’t manage its own people, and that’s somehow my responsibility?”

“No, of course not. We’d like to solve the problem ourselves, but we lack sufficient strength, which is why we seek your help, Captain.”

Seeing the Captain’s disbelieving expression, the man smiled wryly and said: “I know it’s hard to believe, but that’s the reality.”

“If that traitor were on Federation soil, I’d have at least a hundred ways to eliminate him. But now he’s in Auran territory, where my deployable forces are very limited. Add to that the involvement of that Governor, and the matter becomes even more difficult to handle.”

“With just sixty remaining assassins, we cannot overcome the numerous obstacles to eliminate Tomb Bat, who remains constantly vigilant. So after an emergency meeting within the organization, we decided to place our bets on you and…”

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He paused momentarily, then sighed somewhat enigmatically: “The Howard father and son. Meanwhile, we’ve also negotiated with that old fellow in St. Caloie.”

Blinking, Roy took a moment to digest what he’d said, then suddenly raised her voice: “Have you gone mad?”

In the girl’s view, the organization’s actions were truly incomprehensible.

Seeking cooperation with her was one thing, and even being willing to help Naren and his son, with whom they once had a blood feud, was understandable for the sake of eliminating a traitor. But negotiating with the old Emperor of the Empire was simply courting destruction.

Everyone knew that the old Emperor had always regarded the Black Raven Society as a thorn in his side and longed to uproot this destabilizing factor that might affect the Alexander family’s rule. How could he possibly be willing to negotiate calmly with the organization?

“Captain Roy, you should know that at the pinnacle of power, there’s never such a thing as eternal hatred. Even various forms of emotion sometimes must give way to interests.”

Black Raven remarked rather emotionally, then added with a smile: “Of course, I’m an exception.”

“So you’re saying the negotiations were successful?”

Roy frowned thoughtfully and asked, feeling it highly surreal.

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“If they hadn’t been successful, how could I appear in person? It’s precisely because a person of sufficient stature was needed to make a statement that I’ve set foot on Imperial territory again after more than a decade.”

Black Raven smiled, gazing at the girl: “So in fact, coming to rescue you and cooperating with your upcoming plan is not just the Black Raven Society’s intention, but also that old fellow’s.”

Her gaze flickering for a moment, Roy said softly: “Fine, I can believe your words and accept this fact, but before that, I have one more question.”

Black Raven gestured for the girl to continue.

Seeing this, the Captain asked slowly: “Why would the Auran Emperor be willing to negotiate with the Black Raven Society?”

This was the most crucial question, because without that Emperor’s permission, the organization’s people couldn’t even approach him. In that case, forget cooperation—negotiations wouldn’t even be possible.

So what reason could have made the old man set aside his prejudices and agree to meet with visitors from the Black Raven Society?

Guessing the girl’s thoughts, Black Raven shook his head gently and said seriously: “That old fellow has never been willing to say much to the organization. The reason he changed his attitude this time is because he wasn’t negotiating with the organization at all, but with…”

“The Founder.”