Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

Hansen was intimidated by JJ's presence.

Individuality plays a significant role in Sage's rank. And Hansen could tell that JJ's individuality was more potent than Gregory's.

Yet, Hansen couldn't back away from a direct confrontation with the Sage. He needed to find an alternative. A way that would not ruin his image in front of Edinburgh's younger generation.

Hansen clenched his fists and looked at Gregory with a gaze that hurled accusations.

"Greg, are you willing to watch from the sidelines as this abomination interferes with our matters? The Anfang Alliance will hold Layos accountable if you don't support me in getting rid of these wretched demons."

Gregory was shaken from the inside out after hearing the term Anfang Alliance from Hansen's mouth. Still, he had already considered the consequences of his under-the-table deal with Demonmir and decided to stick with it for the greater good.

"Haah! Don't bring me into this, Hansen. I will not side with those demons but I'll also not side with you or the kingdom of Edinburgh.

I am neither an ally to the Last-Blood Bastion nor an emissary of peace for both our kingdoms."

Gregory spoke his bullshittery with confidence. He briefly looked at Demonmir before continuing.

"As for partnering up with Demonmir who has turned rogue for the Anfang Alliance. I have to admit that he betrayed us. I, on behalf of Layos, break all ties with Demonmir.

My kingdom will issue a search-and-kill mission targeting Demonmir to all kingdom-sanctioned guilds currently active within our borders. Layos still stands with Anfang Alliance and will support its cause. But that's a separate matter."

Gregory made Demonmir excommunicado on the spot, if only on paper. Of course, it was a way for Layos to shirk all responsibility for Demonmir's actions.

Demonmir chuckled when he heard Gregory's speech. He had to say that the old man knew how to use his brain once an idea took root in his head. Of course, Demonmir expected such repercussions for his actions in the first place. So he wasn't intimidated.

Gregory watched with glee as Hansen's face showed the rage he felt in his heart. The elf Sage narrowed his eyes to the young rankers behind Hansen briefly before speaking up.

"Hansen, you can't expect me to help you retain the Sansara World for you when it was something my side wanted in the first place. If Layos can't have it, let it be destroyed."

JJ looked at Gregory with a threatening expression when the former talked about Sansara World's destruction casually. However, he considered it a figure of speech and let it pass. Gregory didn't know JJ's anger was directed at him. He spoke with a certain playfulness in his voice.

However, there's a way to decrease your troubles. How about I pull out of the battlefield and let you two settle your conflict?"

Hansen's expression changed shades. He looked confused before a hint of temptation to accept Gregory's offer was reflected in his eyes.

Gregory's exit was the next best thing Hansen could have asked for at this point. He wanted to avoid a two-sided attack.

Gregory wanted to avoid more casualties. And Demonmir had already assured him that Layos would get Beelzebub's altar. He planned to let Last-Blood Bastion do the heavy lifting while he waited for the rewards of their efforts from the sidelines.

"What do you have in mind?"

Hansen asked Gregory worriedly. JJ's interest was also piqued. He knew such politics between the two kingdoms was a norm even though they were at war against each other.

Gregory scanned the crowd standing behind Hansen and found his target. With a peal of laughter coated with cruel intentions, he spoke up.

"Hehe. My demand is simple and one which I think the kingdom of Edinburgh can fulfill easily."

The butcher had an uneasy feeling when he heard Gregory's words. That's because just a moment ago he experienced his mana sense wash over him, trying to silence him.

Gregory's voice turned grim as he spoke his next words.

"Hand us Eren Elijah Idril. This little shit has killed Layos' royal scions and made grotesque pillars from their body parts. Who does he think he is?

We will teach him humility. Something he could never forget even after his death."

Eren was too stunned to speak at this point. He wasn't sure what Gregory was talking about. He looked at Nina for help, who was standing close to him. The Master-ranked healer explained over the voice communication channel.

'Eren, it seems that Kirin and Argo did what you told them to do. They used Shandil to lure out the rest of Layos' royal scions in one place before killing them all in one go. But… I think they went overboard after that.

Let's say that your Grim Pillar Town has new pillars. And these recent additions are even more... "artistic" than before.'

Saying this, Nina shared some pictures with Eren through the spectral interface. Argo sent these pictures to every key figure in the White Raven Guild, showcasing his talent in the niche field as well.

Only now did Eren realize what Gregory was talking about. It seemed that his plan worked too well. Argo and Kirin had managed to handle every potential terrorist who had or would have intended to harm his city.

It was just that the cure was more dreadful than the curse.

Eren had disappeared inside Sansara World, preventing him from guiding Kirin or Argo in their actions. If it was up to him, he would kill Layos' royal scions given the situation. However, he would have treated their bodies differently post-mortem.

That being said, Eren didn't regret Argo and Kirin's actions. After all, he would be targeted by the Midnight Moon and the royal scion of Layos behind them anyway because he had assimilated Healers' Nirvana into his guild.

So it was better to create terror in terrorists' minds, giving them a taste of their medicine. If staying under the veil didn't work, he was ready to come out as the "monster" he was.

'Your wife and Argo really caused a commotion, didn't they?'

Alephee's voice was heard in Eren's mind. The latter flashed a cunning smile looking at the pissed-off Gregory before replying.

'Keke. I guess I'll have to give them their due rewards for a job well done.'