The Kingmaker System
Chapter 176 - 175. Devil’s Proxy (1)

Chapter 176: 175. Devil’s Proxy (1)

At night, I and Roan got on a simple carriage with no crest and we started riding towards the meeting location which was in Froish city again.

Lord Hawke and Lord Snake must be curious as to why Lord Devil who was allegedly busy would make me his proxy.

Shadowcliff was located in Albagard which was why it was inevitable that Lord Devil would face some backlash because of the arrest of Baron Oberon. I had to make it so that I would keep the two identities of the two apart even in my mind for the time being since Hawke and Snake didn’t know.

"When we reach there, don’t say anything." I instructed Roan.

"We might have some hiccups while reaching there or probably while returning. So, be alert at all times and prioritise your own life."

Roan looked at me before he turned his head to look out of the window. He didn’t respond or say anything even when we were leaving but he was dressed as I had instructed him to. The full black attire with his face covered.

The carriage stopped after a couple of hours long ride and Roan stepped out first before I stepped down and looked around.

I unmistakably spotted two figures at a distance looking at us, I ignored them as I moved towards the inn where we were supposed to go. Roan followed silently, we walked inside the inn and a man stepped towards us as we reached the reception.

"Lord Dragon?" He asked.

I gave him a nod and he gestured me to follow him. We walked up the stairs and went up towards a certain room at the end of the corridor. He knocked twice on the door and waited for a moment.

"He is here," he said and the door swung open inside.

I walked in with Roan and the door closed behind us, I found Hawke and Snake already inside with two of their bodyguards filling the already average sized room. The room felt stuffy because of the men gathered inside with two of them already seated in front of a square table. The air was thick with the scent of tea, sweat and woody incense.

"I hope I’m not too late." I said as I went ahead and took my seat.

"No, we arrived just a few minutes ago too." Hawke said.

Hawke and Snake exchanged looks as I placed my one foot over the other and folded my arms looking at them.

"So, what’s this unofficial meeting about?" I asked.

"As if you don’t know." Snake narrowed his eyes at me and my gaze turned cold.

"Where is Lord Devil?" Hawke asked.

"I thought he had informed you both about it," I said.

"He didn’t make the reason for his absence clear," Hawke said and I sighed.

"So, you want me to explain you two why Lord Devil is busy and why I’m his proxy?"

"Yes! Why would he ask someone like you for help? You’ve just been here for a couple of months and we have been together for years!" Snake seemed agitated.

I hummed with a nod, "Shouldn’t you be asking that question to yourselves then?"

"What do you mean?"

"Would you trust each other with your business?" I asked.

"Exactly, then why would someone like you-"

"Someone like me who took over two Underworld cities and is capable of taking over others," I intercepted Snake making him glare at me.

"Since I’m talking calmly, I hope you also would keep that in mind." I warned.

Hawke sighed, "All right, back to the real reason of this meeting,"

I turned my eyes on him as he asked, "Where is Lord Devil?"

"Lord Devil is currently busy, he told me that since the situation at Albagard is currently very disturbed so, he wants me to look after Shadowcliff since he would be busy with other matters."

"What other matters?" Snake asked.

"I don’t know and even if I did, I’m not obliged to tell you."

"You-" Snake hissed but Hawke intercepted.

"Do you have no idea of where he is?"

"Like I said, I’m not obliged to tell you. If Lord Devil had to let you know of it he would have mentioned it to you himself. He only told me that till he takes care of his business I’m his proxy."

"But why you?!" Snake hissed making me tilt my head slightly.

"And why not me?"

"You’re an outsider, we don’t even know your family roots, you came out of nowhere!"

I snorted and shook my head, "Do you hear yourself? You sound like a child throwing tantrums."

"What did you just say?!" Snake shouted.

"The business between myself and Lord Devil is the matter between us, you two may be his associates but what he does within his personal space is still his business and I don’t think even he’s obliged to tell you everything that happens around him." I said and then chuckled as I saw Snake’s agitated form.

"And to be honest, even if it were me I wouldn’t trust you," I shot a pointed gaze at Snake.

"Your friends won’t go and ask a third person about your problems, they would either wait for you to confess everything or know that they’re not trustworthy enough."

"And you’re saying you’re trustworthy?"

I tilted my head a tad bit as I looked at Snake, "Isn’t the proof in front of you?"

"Just because you took over two Underworld cities doesn’t make you any superior. An opportunistic person like you is not worthy of being in our presence." Snake announced.

"If I were really opportunistic then, I won’t be talking to you, Lord Snake. I would have already emptied your seat long ago." I said making him rise to his feet.

"How dare you!" He shouted, "Kill him! Kill him right now!"

His bodyguard moved on his guard as he pulled out his sword aiming towards me, I sensed movement behind me and in the split second, the bodyguard was slammed on the floor face first with Roan twisting his arm behind him.

"Argh!"

"What the-"

I used my Dragon’s Presence on both Snake and his second bodyguard as they moved and saw as they fell on their knees and writhed on the ground, breathless.

"St... Stop it..." Snake gasped clutching at his chest and I sighed.

"Didn’t I warn you beforehand, Lord Snake? I was talking calmly so, you should know your bounds."

Snake glared up at me and I felt the mana shift in the air around me and the notification of the Shield of Invulnerability being activated flashed before me.

"Your magic will have no effect on me, Snake." I spoke up making his eyes go wide.

"I’m far stronger than the likes of you, and if you won’t know your place then I’d be happy to show it to you." My tone and gaze turned icy as I increased the pressure of my Dragon’s Presence.

He choked and Hawke crouched near him holding his shoulders, Snake looked as if he would pass out any moment.

"Please stop it, Lord Dragon. I request you." Hawke said and I sighed releasing the Dragon’s Presence.

Roan walked over and stood behind me without a word while Snake and his bodyguards wheezed trying to catch their breaths.

"This is my last warning, Lord Snake. I won’t tolerate your audacious behaviour next time."

"Why you-"

Lord Hawke gripped Lord Snake’s shoulder tightly making him swallow his words and the two took their seats.

I waited for a while for the air to settle and looked at the two bodyguards who had also gone back to their places. The one whose arm Roan twisted glared at him and I fixed my glare on him making him flinch and turn away.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?" I asked the two men who had called this meeting.

Lord Hawke glanced at Lord Snake for a moment before he released a deep sigh and with a cautious form leaned ahead towards me.

"Is Lord Devil’s absence regarding Baron Oberon’s detainment?" Lord Hawke asked.

"I don’t know," I lied.

"Did he mention anything about that strange incident about the rogue shifters?"

"If you’re trying to ask me if he’s related to that incident then, no, he’s not." I clarified.

"And we’re supposed to believe that?" Snake asked.

"It’s your choice, I don’t care what you choose to believe."

Lord Hawke steepled his fingers as he leaned ahead, "I will be a bit straightforward about it, Lord Dragon... If Lord Devil is in some kind of trouble then please don’t hide it from us. We’re willing to lend a hand."

"Again," I started, "If he wanted your help then he would have asked you directly, there’s no point in going over this with me."

Lord Hawke sighed and then exchanged a glance with Lord Snake.

"So, you won’t tell us."

"No."

"Then, there’s no point in wasting our time here,"

"Great, so, I have a lot of work to do so, I’ll take my leave first." I announced as I got to my feet.

The two didn’t say anything as I turned and left the room with Roan.

We got inside the carriage and started riding back, I removed my mask and yawned widely as I relaxed in my seat. It would still take some time to reach back so I decided to close my eyes and relax.

"I... didn’t mean to compare you with Lyall." I spoke up.

"He’s in his place and you’re at your own."

There was no response from Roan, I cracked open my one eyelid to see him staring out of the window.

[Giver of Gifts advices you to apologise first.]

[Defender of Divine Glory agrees with Giver of Gifts.]

"But he isn’t even paying attention."

[Goddess of Wisdom says that his ears are open he will listen.]

"I’m sorry," I mumbled, "I... didn’t mean to hurt you."

Still no response.

I sighed and just when I thought of letting it be and think of another way of apologizing the carriage jolted violently shooting me up from my seat.