Published at 23rd of September 2024 7:02 pm

Chapter 2238 Subterfuge

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Four days prior, when battle communications with the fleet had been cut off, Emery convened a meeting with Lord Hassa Karat. Their discussion revolved around the critical information extracted from Ishtar. Despite the tense atmosphere, their findings were both revealing and disappointing.

The supposed activist attack, which had initially seemed to pose a significant threat, was discovered to be far less dangerous than anticipated. It appeared to be a strategic move aimed more at swaying public opinion rather than causing any substantial harm.

This realization, however, did not sit well with Emery. He was convinced that something more sinister lay beneath the surface, suspecting their confidence toward the Nephilim indicated deeper, hidden plans.

Lord Hassa Karat, agreed with Emery's assessment. He had observed an unsettling pattern of suspicious activities within the three main factions: the Qin, Croft, and Hauten factions. There had been a marked increase in transportation movements and a significant amount of financial resources had mysteriously vanished, pointing to large-scale covert operations.

Despite their suspicions, Ishtar could provide no further useful intelligence and they found themselves at a dead end with no concrete evidence to act upon. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Lord Hassa devised a daring strategy. He proposed a bluff, aimed at exploiting the internal tensions and insecurities within the three factions into unearthing the truth by targeting the weakest link among the three. Dean Hauten, the patriarch of the Hauten family. Lord Hassa brought Emery into a secret meeting with the Hauten patriarch, bringing exaggerated and strategically crafted news. He claimed to have witnesses—specifically, a Nephilim noble—who had provided testimony that implicated both the three families; Qin, Croft, and Hauten families in collusion with the pirates. The urgency in his voice was palpable as he delivered an ultimatum to the Hauten family: reveal their plans or face the consequences of being associated with traitors.

At the same time, he offers an enticing opportunity for the Hauten family to become Karat's main partner and ascend to the position of the second most powerful family in the Golden City.

"Why settle for third among traitors, when you can be second among the righteous?" Lord Hassa pressed, his eyes boring into the Hauten Patriarch.

Dean Hauten's face was a study of conflicted emotions. The proposition was tempting, but the stakes were incredibly high.

Before they could finalize an agreement, a sudden interruption occurred. Lord Hassa was forcefully summoned to a hearing at the capital, leaving the negotiations in a precarious state. The responsibility of finalizing the deal fell on Emery and Tessa. They knew the importance of securing the Hauten's allegiance and worked tirelessly to keep the discussions alive.

To Emery's surprise, a pivotal figure emerged to aid their cause: Eugene Hauten, the apothecary master who once lost a bet to him. Eugene had a significant influence over his father, and his presence in the negotiations was a turning point.

"It's no use. You're too late. By now, the fleet should have been destroying each other already... I have no other way to contact them anymore," Dean Hauten lamented, frustration etched on his face. The revelation that the three families had secretly built fleets to attack one another was a staggering betrayal.

Fortunately, Emery had a plan. Without wasting a moment, he activated the Khaos Gate, swiftly connecting with Grand Magus Anpu.

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At that same moment, the pirate battle grew increasingly dire. The allied forces were thrown into shock by the sudden arrival of ten mysterious warships. These ships had the potential to tip the battle in favor of the pirates, or at least deal massive casualties to their rank.

Emery's precise instructions reached Thrax, who was amidst the chaos of battle. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Thrax made a bold decision. He ordered the Gilgamesh ship to disengage from its current skirmish and head directly toward the incoming fleet of ten warships.

The Gilgamesh ship, battered and battle-worn, surged forward, a lone vessel charging into overwhelming odds. The sight of one damaged ship advancing fearlessly toward ten enemy warships was a display of unparalleled bravery. This act of valor left a profound impression on all the fleet commanders watching the scene unfold.

"Commander, the shield is gone!" Magus Camilla's voice rang out over the comms.

Thrax remained resolute, his eyes blazing with determination. "We don't need weapons. Divert all energy and backup power to the shields! Push through! Full speed ahead!"

The Gilgamesh seemed to be on a suicidal course, its hull groaning under the strain as it plowed toward the enemy. The ship was perilously close to breaking apart when two figures managed to fly into the leading enemy ship—Anpu and Fantasme. They carried the secret code provided by the Hauten family.

With no way to verify the code with the Qin or the Croft, the warships filled with mercenaries had no choice but to obey the new orders. Their guns, previously aimed at the Golden City's defenders, swiveled to target the pirate ships instead. Chaos erupted among the pirates as their supposed allies turned against them and the tide of the battle shifted dramatically leading to the pirates' defeat.

#####

Back at the Golden City,

With the Hauten switching sides, Ishtar's testimony no longer held the same weight; however, Emery had a personal request: to take the Nephilim issue out of his hands. Recognizing Emery's significant contribution, Lord Hassa was more than willing to assist.

Emery strategically used his spy, Magus Klein, to provoke the Nephilim emissary, revealing Ishtar's situation and Terra City's situation to ensure the emissary would come and take Ishtar away. Concurrently, Lord Hassa divulged the true situation in the Golden City to the Nephilim faction, sharing his knowledge of Ishtar's involvement and his concerns that the Croft would attempt to harm her.

The Croft forces' dramatic rescue of Lady Ishtar was observed by numerous witnesses, creating an undeniable record of events. This left the Nephilim with no choice but to acknowledge Ishtar's association with the Croft, thereby affirming Emery's earlier decision to capture her, which had been framed as a precaution for the Golden City's safety.

As the political landscape shifted, the Qin, quickly negotiated a deal with both the Nephilim and the Hauten while letting the Croft take all the fall. This maneuver allowed them to distance themselves from the crimes, although it came at a significant cost. From his vantage point, Emery observed the unfolding chaos with a mix of fascination. The intricate dance of diplomacy and the underlying currents of greed among the factions were both enlightening and daunting. Emery marveled at how deftly the right words and strategic actions could reshape alliances and influence outcomes. The art of persuasion, he realized, could wield power even surpassing that of a supreme magus figure.

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