Chapter 43 - Wesley's Temperament

On the highest floor of the Seventh District Lord's mansion, two figures were talking in a semi-lit room while looking down at a nameless map. One of the figures was a dark-clothed person, with a hood covering his face and a small dark sword on his hip. With his slim body and small stature, he exuded a youthful air.

The other person was a bearded man with broad shoulders and stern eyes. His face suggested he was in his late forties, but his strong, vigorous body, coupled with his pitch-black hair, made him seem like a man in his prime.

As the two figures stared at each other, the bearded man was the first to speak:

"Is it done?"

"Yes."

"How did it go?"

"Entering wasn’t too hard, and exiting wasn’t hard either. I just had to make it look like I fought my way through, leaving a few guards dead here and there."

"I see. Well, rumor has it that the Wayle family head hired an assassin to kill the Ranes family head. The rumors should gain some traction in the next few days."

"Haha, is that so? Let’s give it a day or two to grow nicely. For now, I have something for you."

The dark-clad person extended his hand. In his hand was what seemed to be a folded parchment. The bearded man looked at the parchment suspiciously, then took it. He immediately unfolded the paper and stared at it. As he stared, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows slightly and spoke again:

"I don't know what this is."

"Haha. It’s a treasure map."

The bearded man furrowed his brows further at the words 'treasure map,' causing him to scrutinize the parchment even more. However, no matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t make out where exactly this map led. In fact, the entire map appeared to be a bundle of crisscrossing lines with a single red line.

"A treasure map that leads where, exactly?"

"Before I tell you that, Neal, let me ask you—exactly how rich do you think the four families are?"

Neal couldn’t help but frown at the question. The four families ruled over Blackreach City, one of the richest cities on the continent, for almost a millennium. Imagining the amount of wealth they had accumulated over the years required great imagination, and even then, it would be a modest estimate.

Neal simply shook his head, unable to calculate it or even imagine it, and spoke resignedly:

"Innumerable. That’s all I can say."

"Haha. Indeed. But when I went to the Ranes Family treasury, the amount I found was simply too small. I also found this little parchment. So, tell me, where do you think this map leads?"

After hearing these words, Neal’s eyes lit up, and a look of excitement flashed across them. He looked at the parchment in his hand and then back at the figure standing across from him. He spoke again, his voice filled with excitement:

"Wesley... Are you saying…?"

"Haha. Indeed. I believe this map leads to some sort of treasury where the four families hoarded all their accumulated wealth. Unfortunately, the Ranes Family head was already dead by the time I found this, so I couldn’t verify it."

"What now?"

"Now? Now we proceed with the original plan. I don’t know where this map leads or where it is exactly, so I’ll ask the Wayle Family head soon."

"I see. Did you find anything else that might be of use?"

Neal's voice, though tinged with excitement, still maintained a dignified tone. This caused Wesley to laugh inwardly. He knew the allure of such enormous wealth was not small, and even Neal was not immune to it.

"I didn’t find anything as great as the map. But I did learn one things that make our lifes much easier."

"What?"

"Well, it seems that the four families have completely buried any evidence that they were involved with the Black Family killings. Now, aside from you, me, and the heads of the four families, no one knows what truly happened."

After Neal heard Wesley's words, he couldn’t help but become furious. He slammed his hand down on the table in front of him and spoke:

"Those bastards. They kill without remorse, and then distance themselves from association. How exactly is this good for us?"

Neal wasn’t an easily excited person so there are very few things that anger him, but seeing the four families act like nothing happened after killing almost a dozen of his relatives was enough to push anyone beyond their wits.

"Relax Neal. This indeed would have been bad for us if we wanted to shed light on the whole matter. But, am sure your Black Family would get the worst of it."

Wesley's words were, admittedly somewhat insensitive and blunt, but still held some truth. If the general public were made aware of the four families' actions, then there would be very little Wesley and Neal could further. The wealth and influence of the four families is so much, that they could kill the Black Family ten times over and no one could do anything to them.

Furthermore, if the conflict between the four families and the Black Family was made known to the whole world, then it would not be long before the true identity of the Black Family is discovered. If that happened, then the four families would be the least of their worries. Wesley continued speaking:

"Also, we have already decided to settle your debt in blood and in the shadows. The less people who know of our conflict with the four families, the less people I have to kill, and the less repercussions we'll face after everything is done."

Neal was quiet for a moment. Then he lifted his head up and spoke with a slightly resigned voice:

"I know Wesley. No need to lecture me."

"Good, Good. I will head home for now. Come visit me tomorrow, I'll have the gold I received from the Ranes Manor ready for you."

"When are you planning on moving against the Wayle Family?"

"Hmm, I'll give it a few days. Every noble in the city would be on edge for a few days after they hear of the Ranes' tragedy. It will also give enough time for your rumors to spread nicely."

Neal thought for a moment and then spoke:

"What will you do if the four families meet again. This entire plan could fall apart if they discuss the matter."

"Haha. It would indeed be troublesome if the new Ranes Family head talks to the other family heads and they realize what happened was a ploy by a third party. Fortunately, that would never happen."

"Why not. The four families have always been close, and I don’t think a few common folk rumors could change that."

"Haha, I know the four families are close. But the seed of mistrust have already been planted. Also, if the Wayle head is confronted he will definitely deny any involvement, which is exactly what he would have done if he was guilty."

"Wesley. You count too much on happenstance and chances. Your strategies are indeed impressive, but as they are, they can be seen through easily."

"Haha. Neal, for as long as I can remember, I was taught about politics, intrigue, duplicity, and many other things, I can compete with the best of them when it comes to subterfuge and planning. Do you know what the greatest lesson i learned is."

"What?"

"Haha. I learned that humans are very simple creatures. Faced with the same situation, nine out of ten react the same way. This makes it very easy to predict human behavior."

Neal was surprised by Wesley's words. He knew that Wesley was not like other children his age. He seemed too cold and calculating, but also more mature. Now, hearing Wesley talk about his childhood education, he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life this youth had led that made him the way he was.

"I understand, Wesley. Just be careful. If any of your plans fall short, you risk walking right into a trap."

"I got it. I got it. Neal, try figuring out where that map leads. I'll get going."

Wesley immediately walked to the exit of the small room and promptly left, leaving Neal standing there alone. Neal was not stupid; he realized that Wesley was not as simple as he seemed. In fact, if one took into consideration his age, his ruthlessness, and his mysterious background, it wasn’t too hard to catch a glimpse of Wesley's true nature.

Neal couldn’t help but wonder if it was a good idea to get involved with him at all. Unfortunately, he needed Wesley for his revenge, and Wesley seemed to genuinely care about his nephews, so there shouldn’t be any problems.