Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 87: [86] The Serpent’s Coil

-Third Point of View-

To be honest, Arkan had sensed that something was wrong for a while now. It was as if his instincts were trying to warn him to stay vigilant. And now, after Florence confirmed the conversation between Cecilia and that mysterious man, everything started to make sense.

The enemy lurking in the shadows... was the Evil God Sect.

A fanatical organization that had remained hidden behind the veil of history. Their goal was singular: to resurrect the Evil God into this world. In many fantasy novels, such cults often served as the main antagonists, but what set them apart from ordinary dark sects was the way they operated.

They weren’t reckless zealots who burned villages or kidnapped children for their rituals in broad daylight. No, they were far more cunning. They infiltrated governments, controlled nobles, manipulated political decisions, and corroded systems from within—like a disease slowly consuming the empire from the inside.

In the original novel, the Evil God Sect was responsible for many of the tragedies that shaped Rainer’s journey. They instigated civil wars, unleashed ancient demons, and even managed to topple entire kingdoms without ever drawing a sword themselves.

And now, Arkan was certain that they had set their sights on his territory.

’The Rune Stone mine... that’s the key.’

In the novel, the Rune Stone mines were one of the sect’s foundational sources of power. These stones weren’t just valuable materials for crafting magical artifacts—they were also crucial in their sacrificial rituals. If the sect secured control over a Rune Stone mine, they would have the resources to fund their long-term plans and fuel their growing influence.

In other words, if the mine truly existed within Lawrence Territory, then Arkan was sitting on a viper’s nest.

He let out a long sigh, his hands clenching into fists on the table. This was no longer just about political intrigue with Cecilia. His real enemy was not some greedy noble or a scheming ruler—it was an ancient cult that had brought entire kingdoms to ruin.

’I can’t let them move unchecked.’

Now, his greatest challenge wasn’t just defending his land from Cecilia’s ambitions, but ensuring that the Evil God Sect didn’t get what they wanted. And for that, he would need to play a smarter game than them.

The sound of waves echoed in the distance, the sea breeze carrying its distinctive salty scent. Arkan walked toward the three individuals waiting for him in this secluded location—a rocky area near the coastline, far from any settlements. With a calm movement, he loosened his cloak, letting the night wind tousle his hair.

"Apologies for the delay," he said casually, though his sharp gaze scrutinized the people before him.

One of the men, short-haired with piercing eyes, crossed his arms. "Hmph. No problem."

The taller man, with a more composed demeanor, nodded. "I just arrived myself."

Meanwhile, the woman standing between them remained silent, observing Arkan with calculating eyes.

Arkan allowed the silence to stretch for a moment before speaking. "I sent letters to several important figures, yet only three of you have come. That means you’ve already considered what you stand to gain." He swept his gaze over them. "Now, I wonder... who was sent by the Duke?"

No one answered immediately. The short-haired man raised an eyebrow lazily. "You want to know who the Duke’s representative is? Maybe you should confirm first whether we’re even here to help you."

Arkan smirked faintly. "If you were only here to play games, you wouldn’t have bothered showing up."

The taller man chuckled. "Fair point."

At last, the woman spoke, her voice cold and precise. "The Duke didn’t send an official envoy. I came by my own decision."

Arkan held her gaze a moment longer. Interesting. If she had come on her own, it meant she had enough influence to act independently, or... she had an objective she wished to achieve without directly involving the Duke.

"Very well," Arkan exhaled. "Let’s get straight to the point. I assume you all understand the situation in my territory. I didn’t summon you here without reason."

"And what reason is that?" the short-haired man asked skeptically.

The sky darkened further, the coastal winds growing colder. Arkan stood before these three envoys, each representing different factions with their own agendas.

"I’m like a man backed into a cliff’s edge," he stated, his voice steady despite the tension underlying his words. "Lawrence is being targeted by Marquis Arleon. I have already confirmed it. That’s why I need the support of other territories to secure its defense."

The short-haired man leaned against a large rock, his expression skeptical. "And why should we care about your problem? I can see that you have resources, but that alone isn’t enough for us to risk our own positions."

Arkan’s smirk deepened. "True. If it were just about resources, I wouldn’t have called you here so urgently." He crossed his arms and looked at each of them in turn. "More than gold or trade goods, I’m offering something far more valuable."

The tall man narrowed his gaze. "And that is?"

Arkan took a slow breath before speaking, his tone heavier. "Information."

For the first time, the woman showed genuine interest. She leaned slightly forward. "Go on."

Arkan nodded. "I have intelligence on the Northern Empire’s military movements. They are in the final stages of assembling a large force—and their target is this neutral kingdom."

A brief silence fell over them.

The short-haired man let out a low chuckle. "That’s a bold claim. Do you have proof?"

Arkan pulled a sealed scroll from his pocket and tossed it to the tall man, who caught it with swift reflexes. He unrolled it and began reading, his expression slowly shifting from curiosity to grim understanding.

"This... this is a military report," the man murmured. "Sourced from an intelligence network?"

Arkan nodded. "And that’s not all." He lowered his voice slightly, pressing his words with weight. "I can confirm that within a year, this kingdom will become the battlefield between two great powers. The Empire will not allow it to remain neutral forever. They will conquer it... or destroy it."

The woman tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If that’s true, then what’s your plan?"

Arkan met her gaze. "Do you know Cecilia Arleon?"

The woman froze as if the name had struck a nerve. "Wait, you mean she’s back!?"

Arkan frowned, studying her reaction with curiosity. Why does she seem so personally involved with Cecilia?

"Yes," Arkan confirmed, his gaze sharpening as he tried to read her thoughts. "According to my people, something is off with Marquis Arleon. It looks like Cecilia has seized power." He leaned forward slightly. "But what interests me more... is why you seem to know her so well."

The woman’s eyes flashed, but she let out a quiet scoff.

"Hmph. That’s none of your business." Her voice was sharp, but something was definitely being hidden. Crossing her arms, she added, "But one thing I can tell you... your territory is in serious trouble."

Arkan narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

The woman smirked, as if enjoying her upper hand. "I’ve heard that you were once quite the successful merchant. I’m curious—how did you end up in this position?"

Arkan took a slow breath, keeping his emotions in check. "That’s true. I focused on economic growth first. Before I took over, this land was on the brink of collapse. I rebuilt it... but that also means I don’t yet have the military strength to withstand political pressure."

The short-haired man, who had remained mostly silent, suddenly interjected with a skeptical tone. "So, you’re just relying on money? Hah, that’s not a great strategy in this world."

Arkan smiled faintly. "I’m not only relying on money. But I also won’t pretend that I have an army strong enough to fight an unavoidable war."

His gaze swept over the three individuals before him, observing how they weighed his words.

"And that," he said, "is why I invited you here."

The three took a moment to process everything. While the Northern Empire’s invasion plan had been shocking, they still needed to make a wise decision.

"Alright," Arkan finally spoke again, his tone brimming with confidence. "Let’s make this fair."

Their eyes sharpened with interest.

"In addition to information about the Empire’s military movements, I propose a partnership between the three of you to establish a new trade route." He let the words settle before continuing.

"This trade route wouldn’t just boost Lawrence’s economy—it would open up new opportunities for all of you. By connecting key economic centers, we could create a more efficient and profitable supply chain."

Their expressions shifted. Interest flickered in their eyes, but Arkan wasn’t finished yet.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out another document, setting it atop the large rock between them.

"And this... is a report on the latest harvest yields using a farming method I designed myself."

The tall man picked up the scroll and began reading. Slowly, his expression changed from mild curiosity to genuine shock.

The woman stepped closer to see for herself, while the short-haired man, who had been indifferent earlier, now narrowed his eyes and read carefully.

In the last five months, Arkan had increased his region’s agricultural output by over 40% compared to conventional farming methods.

"This technique isn’t just about planting more," Arkan explained, his voice steady but filled with conviction. "It’s about efficiency. With this method, we can produce more with fewer resources. And if you choose to work with me, I’ll share this technology with your territories as well."

A heavy silence filled the air. They didn’t speak, but their expressions said enough.

This wasn’t just a simple trade agreement.

This was an opportunity.

The tall man was the first to break the silence, his voice now far more serious than before. "So, you want to establish a trade route and provide us with this agricultural method... in exchange for our support?"

Arkan nodded. "Correct. With this system in place, our profits will skyrocket. Even when war breaks out, we’ll still have economic stability. Food supply will be the most crucial resource during a major conflict—and we’ll be the ones controlling it."

The woman crossed her arms, her gaze calculating. "It sounds promising, but I have one question, Arkan..."

He met her eyes. "What is it?"

She narrowed her gaze. "How certain are you that you’ll survive once the war truly begins? We’re not interested in investing in someone who will collapse halfway through."

Arkan didn’t blink.

"I won’t collapse."

He took a step forward, locking eyes with her.

"I built this land from nothing. I endured ridicule, threats, and pressure from nobles who wanted to see me fail. But I’m still here. I may not be a warrior on the battlefield, but I am a merchant. And a merchant knows one thing—"

A slow, confident smile crossed his lips.

"In war, those who control the economy... are the ones who win everything."

The air grew tense.

Then, suddenly—

The short-haired man let out a low chuckle. "Hah... interesting." He glanced at his companions. "I can see why you’ve lasted this long, Arkan. You really know how to sell something."

The tall man nodded slowly. "I have to admit, this offer is very tempting."

The woman remained silent, assessing Arkan one final time before a small smirk appeared on her lips.

"Alright," she said. "I’ll agree to this partnership. But on one condition."

Arkan waited.

She continued, her voice sharp. "I want proof that this agricultural method can be applied to my territory before I allocate any major resources. I’ll be sending my people to inspect your land."

Arkan nodded. "That can be arranged."

The tall man spoke next. "I want guarantees that our trade routes won’t be disrupted, even if the political situation changes."

Arkan smirked. "As long as we maintain balance together, there will be no reason for anyone to interfere. I have ways to ensure that."

The short-haired man scoffed. "And I want a fair share of the profits. I won’t work with you if I’m only getting crumbs."

Arkan studied him, then smiled slightly. "Profits will be divided based on contributions. You can increase your share—if you bring in more resources to the alliance."

The man grinned. "Good. At least you’re not naive."

Arkan looked at all three of them.

"So... do we have an agreement?"

They exchanged glances before, one by one, they nodded.

The woman was the first to speak. "I’ll send my representatives to Lawrence to ensure everything runs smoothly."

The tall man added, "I’ll handle the distribution network. But don’t make me regret this, Arkan."

The short-haired man scoffed. "And I’ll be keeping a close eye on you. If you screw up, don’t expect me to stick around."

Arkan’s smile widened.

"Then... we have a deal."

Their hands clasped together, sealing the agreement.

The sea breeze howled through the cliffs, as if bearing witness to the formation of an alliance that would shake the kingdom’s balance of power.