Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 246: The Dark Guild Strikes

There is initially some stillness in the hall.

After the declaration from this mysterious body known as the Dark Guild, most of these people have conflicting emotions.

On one hand, they are wary.

How could such a small group of a few dozen people make it past their airtight security?

No... how did they even know to come here?

This is a secret party.

Invitations were given out to a select group of people who know better than to open their mouths about it in public.

Yet these people found out their location and managed to get in.

This is naturally a cause for concern.

However—

’So they’re not Freedom Fighters...’ The leaders of the Nine Major Corporations have a look of relief on their faces. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Although this group is certainly impressive, they do not possess as much of a threat as the Freedom Fighters. These newcomers have no reputation to their name, thus there is still some room for opportunity.

’It we were dealing with the Freedom Fighters and they found out what we were planning... It’s clear they’ll want us to stop or they’ll resort to violence.’ One thinks to himself.

’But we’ve made sure they never suspect us by using indirect channels. We’re also contributing heavily to their Great Bridgeworks project. This shows goodwill...’ Another one tells this to herself.

Of course, even their involvement in The Great Bridgeworks isn’t altruistic.

Apart from hiding their tracks using this means of charity, they also intend to spread their influence to other unsuspecting Great Nations and systematically take them over through their unmistakable commercial power.

If left unchecked, it will only take a few decades before the Nine Major Corporations rule over all the Great Nations of the known world.

This can be considered their endgame.

However, with the Dark Guild currently before them, considering matters like that can wait.

Firstly, they have to squash their opposition.

"Kill them all."

The order is sent instantly.

All of the armed security officials close in on the few dozen people, their Armaments sparkling with great power.

These Armaments are simply referred to as Special Weapons, while their Potions are regarded as Supplements.

The Dark Guild members also appear to possess their own share of Armaments, but being cornered by about a hundred guards, a number more than thrice of theirs, the difference is extremely clear.

All the elite watch this with some measure of assurance.

The intruders will be dealt with and the party will resume. In the end, this will simply be remembered as nothing but a slight inconvenience.

At least, that is what they thought.

Until—

"Urgh... argh... guhh!!"

The armed officers start to make choking sounds, their bodies convulsing violently before eventually falling to the ground.

A few seconds later, they are confirmed dead.

"W-what? What just happened...?!"

"They died?!"

"Just like that? But how?!"

"Hehehe..." The purported leader of the Dark Guild chuckles loudly as they step forward.

Their voice remains distorted, but its greatly exaggerated tone shows a hint of both amusement and mockery.

"Black Heart Poison. We already had all of you ingest it. With enough of a dosage to kill you if you defy our will or try to harm us."

Faces begin to twist in confusion.

Black Heart Poison?

What is that?

Many have never heard of this poison before.

While everyone is still recoiling in confusion, the Dark Guild Members begin to plunder the Armaments and Potions off the limp corpses of the guards.

The elite can only watch in horror as this happens.

Their protectors had all died in an instant, and while they also possess hidden Armaments and Potions for self-defence, they have just been told what fate awaits them if they try."

"Was it the smoke from earlier?" The apparent leader of the Nine Major Corporations asks, his eyes narrowing as he speaks.

Why does he wish to confirm?

Well, not everyone inhaled the smoke.

Unlike others, he is rather cautious and also asthmatic. He avoided the smoke from the blast altogether.

Even traces did not reach his nostrils.

Thus, there is a high chance that he wasn’t affected by the so-called Black Heart Poison.

"Yes, the poison was in the smoke..."

’Hehe! You fools, I will—’

"But it was also in your food, your drinks, the air filtration system and conditioner, and so on. We already poisoned everything before you all even arrived."

"W-what?!"

"Think about it. If we already knew the venue before today, and we could intrude when security is so high, wouldn’t it be a cakewalk to invade this place a day before? A week before? Hehe... You all had no idea until it was already too late."

At this point, everyone’s faces have turned ugly. Grim expressions fill the hall.

The arrogant laughs and confident smiles have now turned into fantasy, as the weight of death now hangs heavy above their heads.

Any moment now... and they could also die.

"The Black Heart Poison won’t kill you all if you don’t defy us. As long as you don’t try to attack us or escape, and you listen to all of our instructions, you may survive."

"Okay..." One of the Nine Major Corporation Heads mutters meekly.

"W-what do you want?" Another responds.

"We will cooperate." The final one speaks.

Of course, this is not their true intentions.

A wise man submits to circumstance. They already know how terrible their situation is, so it’s best if they pretend to cooperate for now.

Once they return to their residence and use some of their more powerful Potions to detoxify the poison in their system, they will turn the tables on these people.

As expected of the ones who truly control the western continent.

Their resilience is formidable.

But... Why would these meticulous invaders not have foreseen such an outcome?

"All nine of you are useless to us. Your heirs will be far easier to control. Besides, we need to set examples anyway."

"Wait... What?"

The apparent leader of the Dark Guild suddenly snaps his hand, and the nine begin to writhe in pain.

They foam in the mouth, screaming and begging for mercy.

"M-money... I’ll give you all my money!"

"We can just take it." The Dark Guild members respond coldly.

"I have a ton of influence! They will all be yours! Please spare my life!"

"We have influence of our own. We have no need for yours." They reply yet again.

"P-please... mercy. I have a family. A wife. A daughter. Please... I can’t die like this."

"Your family will live on for your sake." With this, the last of the nine perish, unable to preserve their lives with any of the numerous things in their possession.

Like helpless, pathetic children, they meet their end to a group of complete strangers.

Upon seeing the demise of their masters, these elite quickly realize something that they should have known a long time ago.

The Dark Guild... is far worse than the Freedom Fighters!

At least, the latter operates in a direct manner.

They barely scheme and they also offer the opposition a chance to surrender.

Their ruthlessness dwells in the battlefield, but mediation and compromise is always possible so long as one gives in to their demands.

These people, however...

If they want you dead, struggling is pointless.

They already have the lives of everyone present in their hands, and by killing the nine most powerful people on the continent, they have clearly shown that they aren’t averse to eliminating anyone.

This means all of these people will have to be useful and compliant.

Or else...

... Death awaits.

’S-so merciless!’ The people think to themselves, gulping and shrinking away.

"Now listen carefully..." After moments of dreadful silence, the apparent leader begins to speak yet again.

"We will be absorbing the wealth of these nine and use those resources as a foundation for the world’s advancement. Holding onto so many numerous assets rather than using them in productive ways is childish. By effectively controlling the resources of the Nine Major Corporations and everything under them, we can create a much better world."

All who listen shudder.

They are face-to-face with their new masters.

Of course, there will be resistance to their reign, especially legally. However, all they really need for legitimacy is the cooperation of the heirs of these Corporations.

Having something like that won’t be too difficult for these people. In fact, it won’t be surprising if they already possess that.

"We will do what the Freedom Fighters cannot achieve. We will create a stable world without war or chaos..." The ominous Dark Guild members all shout in unison.

"... A world without fear and destruction..."

Without realizing it, everyone begins to bow down. Their expensive suits are stained, and their pristine gowns sweep the ground.

But they don’t mind.

Their lives have been spared, and so they bow under the sound of their oppressors’ voices.

"... A world without Freedom Fighters..." At this point, their ominous intention grows even clearer.

"... A world without Kalakuta."