Chapter 1293 Plots and Schemes
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Sacred Light Kingdom.
One of the fallen capital cities of the kingdom that had become a Corrupted Nest.
Paimon was currently sitting across three individuals who were glaring at him sharply. These three seemingly wanted to kill Paimon with their gazes, but after seeing the two guards behind the latter, the three understood that it would not be possible.
Moreover, Paimon himself was not weak either. He even had the most dangerous scent among the people inside the room. It was very clear that he was the most dangerous man among everyone present.
The trio were the leaders of the three biggest and most powerful guilds stationed in the Sacred Light Kingdom. They were also the most influential guilds stationed here, but after the recent incidents, their reputation had hit rock bottom and could not be recovered easily.
And the very reason for their downfall was sitting right in front of them, yet they could not do anything about him.
What was even more frustrating about this situation was the reason why they had been invited here. Paimon wanted them to join him and the Evil Faction, particularly the Demonic Churches.
Paimon was very straightforward and did not bother to hide his intentions. He directly invited them without batting an eye despite knowing that he was the very reason why they were in their current predicament.
Fenix, the Guilder of the branch of the Golden Dawn here, was glaring fiercely at Paimon as he felt that they were being mocked by the guy.
But despite the sharp glares and unfriendly gazes that were directed at him, Paimon remained quiet and waited for their response with extreme patience. He was not in a hurry to negotiate with them as he knew that he was not in any kind of disadvantage. In truth, he was the one with the upper hand in this negotiation.
He was just 'extending an olive branch' to them in their time of need. He was their 'savior' in a sense.
After being silent for a long time, Fenix finally opened his mouth. "And why do we have to accept your offer? For all we know, you are the very reason why are in our current position."
Paimon smiled calmly in response. "That's that, but it is already in the past. I am just doing my job and dealing with the obstacles that will hinder our plans. But this is now, and this is business."
"What I am offering to you is an opportunity – an opportunity to take back what is yours but under a different banner. You will be leading your guild the way it is, and you will become the overlords of this kingdom once again."
His tone was like a devil's whisper in their ears as he was offering them a very tempting offer. It was true that they wanted to regain their footing, but the extra condition made them hesitant to accept.
"But it is not under the name of your previous factions. You must follow ours. You can think of it as if you are working under a different master."
The three guild leaders did not like how this condition sounded, especially Heckles, the branch leader of the Mythical Guild and a Maverick God with the title of Nightmare Swordsman. This condition did not sit well with him, so he was the one who was strongly against the offer.
He smirked. "You make it sound glorious as if working under the Pandemonium Descendants is some sort of achievement. Are you just an emerging force that appeared just recently? I don't think you are any better than any other Powerhouse Guilds within that game that have a very solid foundation."
"I am already a branch leader of the Mythical Guild. I don't think that I have to change my master now and become someone else dog," he added as he shook his head.
Surprisingly, Paimon did not refute those words and even nodded his head. "You are right. Our organization is still quite new in the circle and doesn't have much influence compared to the already established guilds just like the Mythical Guild."
But what came out of his mouth next was like a poison or a venom that made Heckles realize his approaching 'death'. "But do they have the power to change your situation right now? I don't think so."
"And what do you think will happen to you, a branch leader, when they learn what happens in the area that you are managing? As you have said, you are nothing but a dog. I wonder what will happen to a useless dog that can't even protect his territory?"
"Will you retain your position and continue to be the leader of this branch, or will you be abandoned and cast away mercilessly?"
"I wonder. Will you enlighten me about the answer?" he asked, pointing out the real position that Heckles was in.
Hearing that, Fenix and Heckles could not help but feel a shiver running down their spine. They now realized how scary this person was. Everything was under his control from the very beginning. No matter what decision they made, the outcome would still be the same – and either would still be favorable to the opposing party, nevertheless.
On the other hand, if they did not accept the offer, then they would most likely be cast out by their current masters and become abandoned dogs, which was the worst-case scenario for them.
All of these were already clear to them, yet Paimon had yet to reveal all his cards.
Paimon smiled mysteriously before turning to Kellin, who had yet to say anything up until now.
When the two turned their heads, they could not help but tremble as they saw this sly guild leader of the Clear Water Guild seemingly contemplating on something.
It was at that moment when Fenix and Heckles realized that Kellin was unlike them.
The Clear Water Guild was an emerging force within the Sacred Light Kingdom. They had built their guild from scratch and rose into their current position, which could now rival a branch build of an established powerhouse, with the help of the corporation backing them from the real world.
When the two other branch leaders thought about this, they realized that the Black Water Corporation backing the Clear Water Guild was a business corporation. They were nothing but a business, so they would most likely accept the side that could benefit them the most.
Moreover, the Clear Water Guild was only stationed in this kingdom, which was now on the brink of collapse. If the kingdom was destroyed, then the business opportunity that the Black Water Corporation had would have gone to waste. But if they accepted this offer, then they could still make a comeback and save their business.
Just look at this from a businessman's perspective, it was clear which decision was the most logical to make.
After weighing the pros and cons, it would not be hard to think of the answer.
When Kellin thought all of this, he started grinning slyly before raising his head. He briefly looked at Paimon and could not help but admire the latter. Everything was set up by this guy and all the choices seemed to lead to him and solely him alone.
All the choices had a trap hidden behind them, yet everything would still end up being beneficial to Paimon and Pandemonium Descendants.
After realizing that they did not have the choice to begin with, Kellin turned to his 'former' partners and said. "I suggest that you make the same decision. It is already clear what outcome is going to happen to you if refuse."
Seeing that Kellin had already made his decision, both Fenix and Heckles felt another shiver on their back. It seemed like they had been cornered since the time they stepped into this place.
Paimon did not say anything and remained silent, letting the three discuss themselves. It was clear that he already expected this to happen.
His goal was to invite these three, but he did not have to convince all of them. Anyone of the three would be more than enough for his plan, and he was clear that Kellin would most likely accept his offer since there were more benefits to it than refusing.
After seeing Kellin planning to accept, Fenix and Heckles fell into deep thought. They were already somewhat convinced when Paimon pointed out what would happen to them after the main branches of their learning about their failure.
Sighing, the two finally surrendered.
They closed their eyes as if bracing themselves for their decision. When they re-opened their eyes again, they looked at Paimon and asked simultaneously.
"What do we need to do?"
"Tell us the next plan."
Paimon grinned with satisfaction. "Before anything else, how about we sign a virtual contract first? It is not like I don't trust any of you, but it is to establish a 'real' trust from a business perspective."
After that, a pillar of light suddenly fell from the sky before forming a golden floating scroll in front of each of them.
The three guild leaders skimmed through everything briefly before signing their names on it.
Paimon did the same before letting the system keep them. After that, he stared at the three before saying while maintaining his grin. "So, let's discuss how are we going to move forward?"
…
A few moments later, Paimon walked out of the room alone. The three had already activated their respective return scrolls to proceed with the plan and complete the tasks that Paimon had given them.
Paimon paused for a moment and turned to the side. "I have already done my side. Now, everything is in your hands. Whatever the outcome is, it will no longer be my concern."
From the shadows behind the stone pillars, a figure walked out. This person was the representative of the Corrupted Cult for this mission.
He squinted his eyes with suspicion and stared at Paimon for a few moments. A moment later, he nodded his head. "Then I must thank you for everything. I will handle the rest."
He then paused and extended his hand. "But before you leave, pass the crown relic to me first. I still need it for the next part of the quest."
Paimon smirked as he could tell what this guy was planning. But he still took out the relic from his inventory and tossed it. He had already gotten what he wanted from that crown, so it no longer any point in holding onto it.
The representative of the Corrupted Cult caught the crown and looked into its details before nodding his head and keeping it. He then turned to Paimon and warned. "Everything will be under my command now, so you better get your hands off on this matter."
Paimon smiled mysteriously and said. "That is the plan, so I will not bother you with it."
He then turned around and started walking away. "Me and my people would be moving now. I will leave the control of the Demonic Monsters over to you as a gift."
"I wish you luck. I hope that you will achieve success this time," he added as he disappeared into the corridor of the former castle.
The representative of the cult fell into deep thought after hearing those words before shaking his head. "It is not important right now. What I have to do is spread as much corruption as possible."
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Outside the castle, Paimon was greeted by Amon and Mephistopheles, who were waiting for him up until now.
"How is it?" asked Amon.
Paimon gave him a knowing look before asking. "Who do you think am I?"
He then shook his head and answered. "Of course, I have handled everything well. I also have gotten the item, so we can leave now. Let's go back to the headquarters and report to the leader so that we can proceed with the completion of our Promotion Quests."
Amon did not say anything and just nodded his head.
As they were walking toward the portal in the distance, Paimon suddenly asked the two. "How are the things on your side? Have gotten anything good?"
Amon thought for a moment and answered. "Diablo has grown stronger. It seems like he has completed the 'Demon's Eye' that he has been working on."
"I have not exchanged blows against him, but I can feel that I am in a constant watch of his Demon's Eye. The pressure that it has is much greater than what I can remember," he added with a solemn tone.
Paimon clicked his tongue and nodded. "It looks like he will be more troublesome now."
He then turned to Mephisto. The latter shook his head and said. "Tier 3 Class sure is quite hard to deal with, but that guy is much more interesting than what you have told me. I want to play with him for a while longer, but you summon me when I am about to reach the most exciting part."
Paimon smirked. "It is because I am afraid that you will go off the rails again. It is better to prevent you from going on a rampage again."
"But that guy possesses quite some tasty friends," mumbled Mephisto while licking his lips.
"Forget about it. You will get another chance when 'that' time comes. Have you recovered everything?" said Paimon straight to the point, no longer wanting to beat around the bush.
Mephisto glared at Paimon before nodding his head. "I have gotten it. I will give it to the boss when we get back. Don't worry."
Paimon was finally able to relax as he had gotten everything that he needed. He then led the group of people from the Pandemonium Descendants to enter the portal and leave this place.
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