Inside a dimly lit, makeshift dungeon, Vega sat on a plush leather sofa. His expression was unreadable as he casually nibbled on pastries and sipped tea.
From the adjoining interrogation chamber, the echo of agonized wailing cut through the silence like a dull blade. But Vega remained unfazed.
Soon, Kevin emerged hurriedly from the room, holding two sheets of paper in a tight grip. His face was pale—marked by apprehension, anxiety, and something close to fear. He glanced at the documents again and again, visibly unsettled by what they revealed.
Vega placed his teacup on the table and raised an eyebrow. "You look like you've seen a ghost. What's on those papers?"
He already knew the answer. The screams had stopped. That meant the interrogation was complete—and whatever intelligence those captives had about the Ten Elders must've finally come out. But judging from Kevin's face, the news wasn't good.
Kevin stepped forward, voice low and grim. "Master, the intel we obtained... it's worse than we imagined."
"I had both men interrogated separately to ensure consistency. While there are some minor discrepancies, their core information matches—unfortunately."
He hesitated, then handed the documents over. "The strength of the Ten Elders, especially the Monroe family, is frightening."
Vega glanced over the files. "So the Monroe family is just one of the Ten Elders… yet they alone hold this much power?"
Kevin nodded gravely. "Tens of thousands of armed subordinates. Their own fleet of airships and armored vehicles. They control a vast territory—millions of people live under their rule. It's practically a kingdom."
"Our Pengellet family, by comparison, can barely field a thousand fighters—many of them recent recruits with no loyalty. If the Ten Elders move even a fraction of their force against us, we wouldn't stand a chance."
"Even worse, in the face of that kind of pressure, how many of our men would break ranks? Or defect entirely?"
Kevin's voice shook slightly. "We need to start planning, Master. as soon as possible."
Vega was quiet as he read through the intel again, his eyes scanning every word with clinical precision. When he finished, he chuckled softly and set the papers aside.
"No wonder they're called the overlords of the underworld," he mused. "And this is just one family among ten."
He leaned back and tapped a finger thoughtfully against his temple. "So this is the kind of power it takes to crush the Phantom Troupe…"
Despite the bleak implications, Vega felt a strange exhilaration. The stronger they are... the more experience I'll gain when I tear them down.
Kevin was still visibly uneasy. "Murphy, the fourth son of the Monroe family—the same one who's crossed us twice—he's in the Heaven's Arena right now."
Vega's interest immediately sharpened. "You're sure?"
Kevin nodded. "Yes, Master. Both captives confirmed it. We cross-verified every detail and even used truth serum. The story holds up."
"Murphy's in the arena recruiting fighters to support him in the succession war for the Monroe family."
Vega's lips curled into a cold smile. "So he's out of his fortress, exposed and unaware that his men have already been dealt with."
"That gives us a window. If we move quickly and quietly, we can catch him before word spreads."
He stood abruptly, the air around him shifting with purpose. "Prepare the airship. We leave for the Sky Arena immediately."
Kevin saluted. "Understood."
"One more thing—" Vega's voice turned sharp. "Lock down all information about today's battle. Not a single whisper leaves Nacro city."