"No, you'll agree."
Hernandez smiled, a cunning expression appearing on his already withered, bark-like face. "Since I made this proposal, it means... I'm absolutely certain you'll agree."
Alvin raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue.
"Have you ever considered who would replace me if I fell now?"
An unsettling glint seemed to flicker in the depths of Hernandez's eyes.
"The Rift Sigil Conspiracy Group?" Alvin thought for a moment, then said, "Or perhaps the Final Grudge Conspiracy Group?"
The two major conspiracy groups he had mentioned were second only to the Iron Thorn and Black Heart Conspiracy Groups in power.
Yet throughout the great chaos in Commorragh, the Rift Sigil and Final Grudge Conspiracy Groups had never shown themselves, watching from the sidelines like ghosts.
In other words, they had preserved their strength intact and were the most likely forces to replace Iron Thorn.
"Heh, wrong."
Hernandez let out a cold laugh and slowly leaned back in his chair, his lips forming two icy words: "Black Heart!"
The Black Heart... Conspiracy Group?
Seeing Alvin's slightly strange expression, Hernandez said coldly, "Don't think I'm lying to you. After Viktor fell, his Black Heart Conspiracy Group didn't disappear. It merely went into hiding in the shadows of Commorragh, waiting... for the chance to return to power."
"All right."
Alvin reluctantly accepted that explanation, but tilted his head. "But the problem is, from my perspective, everything you've said seems to be good news, doesn't it? After all, I came to Commorragh to see Viktor. If that's the case... wouldn't it be better to force you out sooner and let Viktor take power again? That seems more in line with my interests, doesn't it?"
"Do you really... think so?" Hernandez spoke with deliberate implication. "I am indeed a tyrant in the eyes