Slaughter

The banquet mattered too much for Hades to show his hand. He sat at the head of the table, maintaining his haughty air.

He accepted every treasure the representatives of the various factions brought him.

A hint of something deeper lurked in his calm, unfathomable gaze, as though he were looking at a room full of dead men.

The only person among them worth his attention was the head of the Iskanbel Family, Mayor Keno.

For now, they were partners, though the mayor was also subordinate to him.

As for how many of these factions would survive, that was up to Gino.

At some point, Hades and Mayor Keno had exchanged intelligence, giving Hades the list of their targets.

Night deepened. The banquet ended, and everyone returned to their respective quarters.

In the area assigned to the Pluton Pirates,

the officers were wide awake, wiping down their weapons. They knew the banquet's true purpose.

That was why they had restrained themselves during it.

They led the members who were still sober in waking the drunken or sleeping pirates. It was time to move.

"Everything rides on this!"

Despite knowing the operation was certain to succeed, Gino still felt nervous.

He was not alone. The other members of the Iskanbel Family felt it too.

The Royal Guard also sprang into action. Some sealed off the port, others watched the various factions, and the rest served as guides for the Pluton Pirates.

All two thousand guards had been carefully selected and trained by the Iskanbel Family.

Their loyalty was beyond doubt.

The other city government employees, meanwhile, were being watched in secret.

Who knew whether other factions had planted spies among them?

To be safe, they trusted no one outside the Royal Guard and the Family.

It was bound to be a