The changing tides at sea had a considerable impact on NESTS.
But its plans for the future had not changed.
Chaos was a ladder. If NESTS wanted to become the hidden ruler of the seas, it could play an even greater role.
Sow chaos. Stir up wars.
The navy could suppress pirates, but there were things it simply could not control.
Underground forces and gangsters were not the navy's responsibility.
And which gangsters did not have close ties to local nobles, royals, or officials?
Gangsters were their tools. They had their uses.
They could not be eradicated. Even if one group was wiped out, another would soon take its place.
Without the threat of pirates, oppression by nobles remained. So did plenty of illegal business.
That was how society worked.
Even where the Slave Trade had been abolished in public, it persisted in secret.
As long as there was demand, profit, and someone powerful to provide cover, a chain of illicit business could flourish without being discovered.
NESTS had now become a key force in maintaining chaos across the seas, casting a shadow over them all.
It was the source of countless forms of contraband, Painkillers, addictive drugs, and the Berserk Agent.
Only the Kronos Kingdom knew it existed.
And knew its true name.
Ignis did not stay on Paros Island for long.
He left Salama and Jaeger there to enjoy themselves on Paros Island.
NESTS had a dedicated base on Paros Island, so there was nothing to worry about.
Salama was fine. No one knew his identity, and taking off his black robe would reveal nothing.
Besides, this was not his first visit to Paros Island.
As for Jaeger, he wore oversized sunglasses that covered half his face, slicked-back hair, and a black suit. No one would see any