Madame Xing grew terrified of what she learned. The two thousand people that died in Anvil were part of local hegemonies. The war for just one position would involve a bloody takeover that would necessitate the sacrifice of even more lives.
And the number of ambitious people that would rise to capitalize on this unique period would do so with a ferocity unheard of. Local gangs normally only focused on their affairs to slowly get stronger. Usually, the next-level groups would hold them in check. Like a pyramid, the underworld had its own hierarchy.
But what kind of chaos would ensue if the ones to hold you in check would also require restructuring? Alliances, betrayals, traps, and plots would happen en mass to create a bloody climb to the peak. If you then add the allure of monster materials for better equipment and weaponry it would be like throwing a busty virgin into a den of sex offenders.
The woman who had a background in espionage knew the dark side of humanity, most would trade the lives of others for their own gain. Yet this one event had no merit other than mutual annihilation. Shivers went up her spine. The man before her recognizes not only the vile nature of humans, he understands it well enough to use it for his purposes.
Anyone who could do such actions was no saint, the number of innocent lives that would be ruined would climb to hundreds of thousands. But the smile from the man before her gave the impression Hiro neither cared nor even felt saddened by the loss of life.
'A monster. No, a demon. A shell of a person who threw away his humanity.'
As Alan praised Hiro's plan Xing felt her heart in disarray. This was far too much. Wasn't this man supposed to be their savior why was he committing atrocity after atrocity without remorse? The butcher who noticed the fear and disdain in his subordinate held his up to stop Allan from talking and asked her.
"You seem unhappy with my short-term plans Xing? Do not be afraid to tell me what you think."
The owner of Arcus kiss gripped her fist as she walked forward. "Master, I respectfully beg you to reconsider. The chaos that would ensue once your monster materials come out would cause so much death and destruction it frightens me. There must be some other way."
Alan who knew how kind-hearted his woman was remained silent. Despite being joined at the hip, one needed to fight their own battles. If he intervened Xing would never follow Hiro out of her own heart. Hiro then had a stoic face devoid of emotion and said one reply.
"Why does it matter?"
Xing grew stunned at the answer, he neither said she was wrong nor got furious at her insolence. Why. The woman tried to think back, why does she care? Was it her soul telling her to cherish life? No, Xing killed a lot of people over the years, she had no right to appeal to such purity.
Unable to answer Hiro then stood up and explained. "The invasion would arrive in ten years. If we allow these groups to manage themselves they will be annihilated when the time comes. Not only them, but the ones under their protection would also similarly perish.
"The fastest way to get their cooperation is to annihilate the top brass, the ones to replace them would learn from the example. I cannot spare the time to go to each and every corner and each and every sewer." He then continued as he looked out of the window.
"My actions would be equivalent to murdering the innocents myself. Yet, this would at least make their leadership malleable enough for the kingdoms to try and get them in line. I do this for my family Xing. Truthfully I care not if any of them survive.
"Regardless of what happens I just need them to malleable enough to use when the time comes. Redeemed is tasked to swoop in and take hold of those that survive. In this manner, I will unite the underbelly of the continent. I will grant them five years. If they cannot be united then they will be eradicated.
"The battle I am trying to win cares not for their plights, only their strength. If they cannot aid me. Then they will do so as EXP for my forces. I will plant the seeds among them, by the time I reap, those that bear no fruit will all die."
Terrified at the notion of treating human beings as EXP Xing's voice continued to shake. "E…EXP? My lord the odds that they would fall in line just because you say so is slim to none! Even the empires could not force them to follow the rules."
Xing and Alan began to understand the mentality of the man before them. Unlike the empires, he had a bottom line as sharp as a blade. He did not hide behind facades of righteousness nor veneers of mutual cooperation. No, Hiro stood as a tyrant. You either bowed down in one piece, or you will bow with your head in pieces.
The sharp contrast between his loving face with his women and the one devoid of any emotion went beyond night and day. Hiro knew how history would see him if the world survived. But he didn't care. He made the decision due to it giving him the highest chance of success. It wasn't like he had no other option. Hiro just didn't want to waste time.
The Srayver couple became silent. In five years the power of this man would already be unfathomable. Would staying under a dictator for survival be better than freedom in death? They didn't know but Xing felt like she had to do something.
"I will make sure they never reach that point, Master!"
"…" Hiro said nothing and stared at Xing as a wolf would look at a rabbit.
"I…As the spymaster of Redeemed, I vow to forge them into a force worthy of your command in five years!" Xing inwardly couldn't believe herself. 'Why the hell am I standing up for these people? This doesn't even concern me! But they don't deserve to die without reason. AHHH!! whatever let's see what happens next!'
"Then so be it, you have five years. I grant you authority over this matter. Whatever funds you require I will provide for you. If have targets that need to die, tell me I will assign blades for your purposes."
Xing saluted and shouted. "Yes, Master! But can I ask for something in return?"
"Speak? What do you wish for?"
"Allow Alan and I, our family, our people to enter your battle harem. I do not request to be one of the early generations. What I wish for is your word. As a reward for my efforts, you will protect me and my family when the invasion comes,"
Xing despite her hesitation intended to do her very best, all so that the reaping Hiro promised would never happen. She had the chance to come under Hiro's umbrella of protection. For her future family, she will not fail.
This single decision will transform the woman before Hiro into the most feared matriarch of the Valorian underworld. But she would rise to prominence for another matter. Xing would be known as Venus the golden star who saved the underworld from annihilation.
And along with Midas would be known as the golden pair of Heavenly sword.
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