Houdini Warsmeich, the president of one of the departments of the Rukon Chamber of Commerce now stood rooted on the spot as if he had seen a ghost.
"W.. What do you mean?" he asked the semi-saint archer in front of him.
Instead of replying, Zeus took out an intrinsically carved wooden box. The next second, Omega walked in front and took out a silver lighter from his pockets.
Zeus took out a cigar no small than a cuban cigar from Earth. Omega then lighted it up and Zeus smoked it leisurely.
"Don't be so surprised, Warsmeich. I knew none of you had the balls to actually go against my company after the previous warning. And before I killed them.. I interrogated them all.
And every single one of them told me that they didn't want to go to these extreme measures at all. That it was you who forced them to collude in hiring that organization." said Zeus as he reveled in the zesty taste of this expensive cigar.
"I am sorry Mister Zeus.. I don't know what you're talking about. I only agreed to this meeting because I wanted to offer my apologies. I will give you any amount of money you want." spoke the Snakekin in a scared voice.
"Oh.. Has your backer thrown you away after you lived out your usefulness?" asked Zeus.
He currently looked like an Italian Mafia boss conducting usual business.
"I understand that you don't want further trouble & only wish to solve these matters before things escalate even more as you no longer have someone to protect you." said Zeus and continued his carefree tone as he released half of his aura and froze the surroundings again.
"You made a good living. Had protection from authorities and there were courts of law.
You want me to spare your life but you don't ask with respect.
You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me 'Sir'." spoke Zeus as he returned to his calm demeanor.
Houdini was sweating heavily on the other end. He thought offering an exorbitant amount of money may help him worm out his way and continue living his life without losing everything he built over the years.
Zeus got up from his chair and looked at the snakekin as if he felt wronged.
"Warsmeich, Warsmeich."
"What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully?"
Asked Zeus in his mature and kingly voice as he walked closer to Houdini and placed his hand on the snakekin's shoulder.
"I understand that someone has been using you as a proxy and pulling the strings behind the curtain. Give him up, and work for me from now on. Otherwise, you know very well that people like me do not prefer to have loose ends.." proposed Zeus.
The next second however, Houdini dropped on the ground.. Even more terrified than before.
"You.. You don't understand, Sir. Those people are not someone even you can mess with. The person who ordered me to do all of this is a First Stage saint.. I'd rather have you kill me than him." revealed the snakekin.
"And what if I told you that I have means to get rid of this person? Will you still not talk?" said Zeus.
"Are.. Are you sure? I don't want to die." asked Houdini in a jittery tone.
"After the recent events.. Your backer would think that I will kill you anyway. But if you give up his name.. You at least have a chance to stay alive." replied Zeus.
Houdini nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. This was one of the reasons why he had no choice but to attend the meeting.
For reasons unknown, his backer suddenly absconded and gave up on him after Zeus killed the other members.
Houdini knew that there was no way for him to get away at this point. He could always run away but then will have to look over his shoulder even in his sleep for the rest of his life. But here.. He could at least try to make amends.
"I.. I will tell you everything. But you have to promise me that neither you, nor any of your allies will kill me." he said and took three round-shaped metallic artifacts out of his space ring.
"If you do.. I will tell you everything without holding back. Or you might as well kill me already." spoke the snakekin as he took a deathly gamble for his life.
"What is this?" asked Zeus.
"A Blood-oath token. It is used to make extremely important contracts. If either side breaks the contract, they will die in 10 hours." revealed the snakekin.
"Fine. Have it your way.." quickly agreed Zeus.
After the blood oath was commenced between Kahn, Omega, Jugram & Houdini as they all pierced their thumbs on the needle present at the center of the artifact.
Houdini then spilled out all the beans. He was also surprised how quickly Zeus & his underlings very quickly agreed to the demands than hurting him or torturing him.
He felt like they too were very desperate to get rid of the person who got him mixed in these matters in the first place. And if he didn't comply with Zeus.. He'd die anyway. So betraying his backer seemed more logical than dying as collateral damage.
---------------
When the midnight moon shone brightly in the sky over Rathna.. There was a large mansion that was situated near a waterfall and completely isolated from the normal populace.
One would have to travel very deep in the dense and forested area situated at border of the Rukon district to reach this place.
At this very moment.. This entire mansion was being surrounded from nearly 5 Kilometers by over Ten Thousand soldiers dressed in white and golden attires. Their batallions had taken for sides and even the flying battleships were hovering over this force.
There were thousands of warriors, mages, assassins and archers. And among these soldiers.. There were nearly a hundred Grandmaster Rank people.
The most common trait of these soldiers was their white hair, long ears and their glimmering red eyes.
The force was something Kahn had seen and even fought against before. But now.. They were his allies in a sense. The force these people belonged to was none other than..
The Vandereich Clan.
