NOVGO.NET Chapter 1523: The Next Step (Part 2)
Chapter 1523: The Next Step (Part 2)
Alen didn’t have much of a reaction when Raze spoke the name. He had expected this. Raze wouldn’t stop at Enaxx, nor at Ibarin. His path had been set for a long time, and deep down, Alen had known it would come to this. He didn’t want to believe that all of the Grand Magus were corrupt, that every last one of them had fallen so far. But after everything that had happened, the revelations, the proof, the deaths, he no longer felt as though he had a choice.
“So that’s your next target,” Alen said at last, his tone heavy with resignation. “It makes sense. The Cerebus Guild holds incredible power, not just here, but across entire districts. They control influence in the police force, even within our own military. If Gizin is removed, that’s one less hand meddling in every procedure when it comes to going after the others. But you should also remember that Gizin doesn’t only control this guild. He is the wealthiest individual in all of Alterian. Maybe that wealth is the real reason why the Cerebus Guild remains so powerful. When money is involved, morals tend to sway.”
Raze nodded, his expression calm, though his eyes remained sharp. “I agree. Which is exactly why I have to work with people like you, and with the Dark Guild. Your morals may not align perfectly, but both of your strengths are unwavering when it comes to this task. And I know you’re wondering why I’m sharing so much with you, but the answer is simple. I need your help if we’re going to move forward.
“The last matter worked because Ibarin was taken down in an open, public space. Everyone saw it with their own eyes, and there was no room left for doubt. But the same strategy won’t work again. If too much information comes directly from me or from the Dark Guild, people will grow suspicious. More trust needs to be built, and I think you’re the perfect person to do it. You carry honor, and the people respect you. You have far-reaching connections. If word comes from you, if you speak to the families of the Central Academy students, if you reach out to those most hurt, then when we expose Gizin, the people will believe it without question.”
At first, Alen had only thought of this as a task he had given to Raze. He never imagined he would become this involved, that he would be swept into the storm. But something had changed. Before, Raze had cared only about killing the Grand Magus. That was his singular goal, his only measure of justice. Yet the act of revealing the truth to the world had awakened something else in him. Showing the public the rot beneath the surface had been more satisfying than he had expected. It had given him a strange sense of relief, as though Sabrina’s death had not been in vain.
“But tell me,” Alen asked cautiously, “does Gizin have more dirt than just the Cerebus Guild’s wrongdoings? He could always pass it off, claim that the guild was acting alone.”
There was a silence. Raze’s eyes lowered, and for a moment, the room seemed to tighten. Then he spoke again, his voice carrying the weight of old scars.
“There is,” Raze said. “The illegal substances Ibarin was receiving came from Gizin. In the past, my late wife discovered that even Idore was involved, and Gizin was the supplier behind it all. She believed, back then, that only Idore was corrupt among them. So she went to Gizin, hoping he would act, hoping he would do the right thing once he knew the truth.”
His words faltered, though only slightly, and when he continued, his voice was sharp with restrained fury. “I don’t need to tell you what happened next. She is no longer with us because of that day.”
The air in the room grew heavier. Everyone listening understood without needing further explanation.
“There will be evidence,” Raze continued, his tone steadier now. “Evidence linking the Cerebus Guild to Gizin, to the spread of illegal substances. I’m not worried about proving it. The Grand Magus have sat at the top for so long, with no one strong enough to oppose them, that they stopped even trying to hide their crimes. Maybe in their own eyes, these aren’t even wrongdoings. And now that they know we’re coming, I doubt they’ll even bother to cover their tracks. They’re confident in their strength. That arrogance will be their downfall.”
In the past, Alen would have questioned this. He would have asked for proof, for assurances that Raze’s claims were true. But not now. Not after everything that had already been uncovered. He nodded in agreement. The story was painful, and the room’s silence made it clear that others remembered why Raze was fighting this war. His pain was not forgotten. His resolve was not baseless.
“I’ll help you,” Alen said firmly. “Because of the situation, and because of everything that has already come to light, there are more loyal people willing to stand with us. People I can approach, people who were skeptical before but who now see what’s happening with clearer eyes. You can trust me to find the right allies.”
“Good,” Raze replied. His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. “But there is another issue. In the past, whenever I, whenever the Dark Magus, attacked one of the Grand Magus, the others always got wind of it. They came to help. That cannot happen again.
“This is why we need one of two strategies. Either we gather a force large enough to eliminate our targets swiftly, leaving no time for interference. Or we split into two forces: one to delay the other Grand Magus, to keep them occupied at all costs, while the second completes the task.
“And that’s why I’m asking you now, Alen. Are you willing to meet with the Dark Guild? Are you willing to work with them, and bring your people to stand alongside theirs?”
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