The Deep Shadow, the name of the underworld, was an underground city where clandestine and illegal business flowed freely, an intricate web that expanded beneath the imperial capital of Roveaven. In the dark and covert confines of that dark domain, the slogan was ambition: many wanted to influence the three great names who controlled the underworld. In their solid positions, these three were unshakable, maintaining dominance with a network of information and influence that made them untouchable to "those up there".
For the more daring, winning the favor of these names was equivalent to conquering a position of significant power within the Deep Shadow. And there was only one person who managed to close deals with the three.
The Grand Duke understood the weight of this influence, securing his own space within the Underworld. Since he closed deals with the three names — Ferdinand Brighton, Baroness of Jewels and Captain Rayland — the name Grimwood had become synonymous with authority there as well. For those three names, Magnus was their "hen of golden eggs", since he thrived well with his husband.
"I'm not here to seize the goods or control what they sell here," Magnus commented coldly, watching Ferdinand with sharp eyes. "Even if I did, you would just move somewhere else. Waste of time."
Ferdinand opened his characteristic beastly smile, barely disguising the pleasure he felt in seeing Magnus. Now, any second-class ambitious who wanted to grow up in the Underworld knew he needed the approval of the three bosses... and, by extension, the permission of Magnus Grimwood.
Magnus, sitting in the carriage next to Lucian, watched the details with interest. Ferdinand, known for his arrogance and insatiable ambition, was one of the central forces in the underworld — and an unlikely business partner for the Grand Duke. Since they were associated with the clandestine casino, Magnus had heard countless gossip circulating in the Deep Shadow, many of which fed rumors about the presence of the Grand Duke in that den of illegalities.
"It seems that some of my debtors are venturing into new business" explained Ferdinand, casually. "Some decided to diversify and went to areas... say, less lawful."
Magnus leafed through the document, evaluating the detailed content about suspicious activities.
Lucian, next to the husband, peered over the document on his shoulder in a mixture of curiosity and aversion. It was striking how many people seemed willing to corrupt themselves and submit to degrading things in order to feed vices and greed.
"Apparently, someone hired them to work as warehouse guards and goods escorts" Magnus commented aloud as he turned the pages.
"Exact," Ferdinand stated, pleased with the attention of Magnus. "We combed through the usual debtors and found that many of them are connected to a new mercenary market. In three months, they have paid large sums of gold, but remain deeply indebted."
"They are paying very well, it seems." Lucian commented, his gaze fixed on Ferdinand, who seemed content with the game.
"Well said, Your Highness." Ferdinand nodded, the gleam satisfied in his eyes hidden by the mask, before continuing. "And from this information, there are indications of new "managers" assigned to some warehouses. Interestingly, they have sought to camouflage operations under the guise of legitimate businesses."
Magnus turned to Ferdinand, a slight gloomy smile appearing on his lips.
"I don't care if you're into smuggling, but I want one thing clear: I will not tolerate Geledel products in the Deep Shadow."
"Sure, Your Grace. I'll make a point of sticking to what we discussed."
In the report, there were details about some "managers" in charge of the warehouses where Geledel's goods were stored. Apparently, they needed to build "respectable appearances" and stable reputations. Ferdinand confirmed.
Magnus examined the page thoroughly, absorbing the details.
"Did any of these managers approach you?"
"They had the audacity to try to sell me drinks." Ferdinand laughed "A mistake that soon realized."
Lucian nodded, and Magnus followed him with an attentive look. They knew that Ferdinand had been right to refuse. Had he accepted, he, and by extension, Magnus, would have been potentially framed as accomplices in the smuggling trade, an involvement that Cadec would eventually investigate.
A shadow of a cold smile appeared on Magnus' lips as he pondered the movements of the underworld. In the story that Lucian knew, this was the exact point where Maverick Sageclaw, another name involved in the investigation, would have discovered Magnus' involvement with the underworld, leading to his arrest on suspicion of complicity.
Magnus' arrest would be the opening necessary for Lucian to be instigated to murder him. Magnus' innocence would be proved only at the end, but it would be too late.
The prince sighed deeply, his eyes turning to the passing landscape, lost in thought. Magnus would not be arrested... and Lucian would not kill him. There, with the security of a solid alliance with Ferdinand, he had the tools to prevent any repetition of the past.
Magnus leaned forward a little further, with the same astute and confident smile as ever.
"As long as we don't see Geledel's goods in the area, I don't see any problems with some mercenaries "having fun" with trivial activities." He spoke with disdain, crossing the crimson look with that of Ferdinand. "But Geledel infiltrated here, history changed. I will make sure that the warehouses disappear without a trace."
Magnus remained confident and direct, the authoritarian aura unshakable. He made it clear that at the slightest sign of enemy invasion, the warehouses would be burned. For him, the question was as simple as eliminating competition. Lucian admired the calmness of Magnus, who dealt with the complexity of dark politics as calmly as someone writing a letter.
"Remember, everyone must attack at the same time" instructed Magnus, firm.
"I intend to plunder what I can from these deposits. It is, after all, an investment" replied Ferdinand, smiling.
"As long as everything is destroyed in the end, you can take whatever you want."
Magnus said that with naturalness, but Lucian raised his face, surprised by Magnus' declared intention to destroy all the warehouses.
"I thought some of the weapons would go to the Imperial Palace." Lucian murmured.
"What is in the shadows must remain in the shadows. Let the prince and the Empire deal with the rest."
Lucian observed Magnus, a mixture of pride and fascination filling him. There was something irresistible in the Grande Duke's firm confidence, something that made him almost forget the danger they were both in.
As soon as they reached the Deep Shadow, Lucian accompanied his husband through the narrow and winding streets, listening to the murmurs of a city full of secrets. Magnus kept his eye on the pocket watch, synchronizing his steps. As the pointer marked two o'clock in the morning, the underground city was seething. It was the exact moment when the attacks on the warehouses had been ordered.
"They really started early." Lucian muttered as he watched the movement.
The noise of hasty steps and screams of surprise filled the alleys, and the Deep Shadow seemed to be taken by a controlled chaos. Ferdinand's men and Magnus' allies were tearing apart the resistance of Geledel's mercenaries, attacking warehouses at multiple strategic points at once.
Magnus guided Lucian and Ferdinand to a forgotten construction, an old building from which they had a panoramic view of the tumult. The flames began to rise at the attack points and illuminated the underground city with a red and yellow light.
Lucian watched, puzzled, while Magnus stood still, the smile of pride painted on his face.
"Nothing like a good chaos to wake up the city" commented Lucian, with a touch of admiration.
Magnus smiled with a cold and malevolent confidence.
"Let them have fun" he replied. "This is the kind of freedom that always brings great results."
"You should join them, Your Grace. It looks like you're missing the better part."
Magnus gave Ferdinand a look that conveyed the most refined arrogance.
"Why do the dirty work when I can just watch the show?"
The destruction was watched by those three with calm as if they were in an art gallery, the warehouses being looted and the goods scattered like leaves in the wind were worthy of a chaotic painting. Sparks of fire lit the sky above the underground city, while chaos took hold of the narrow alleys and worn stone pavement. Men ran in a hurry, carrying boxes, rolls of cloth, weapons and smuggled items — the night had become a scene of urban piracy.
Lucian, next to the husband, watched with almost carefree fascination, his eyes shining as he saw the scene unfold.
"It's quite a spectacle" he commented with a smile on his lips "It must be liberating enough to just... destroy."
Magnus laughed low, like sharing a secret.
"Liberator, yes. But I prefer to see the work done."
Lucian leaned a little closer to his husband, the warm and dense breeze of the underground city carrying a trail of smoke and chaos around the two.
"In fact, you appreciate much more... observe" he commented, throwing an intentionally provocative look at the Grand Duke "However, I confess that there is something fascinating about men wielding swords, facing danger directly."
The suggestion in Lucian's words hit Magnus in full, and he could not avoid the shiver that ran through his spine. He looked at the prince, narrowing his eyes trying to decipher the tone of that remark. Lucian knew well what he was saying and how, for Magnus, jealousy was an inescapable reaction.
"Fascinating, you say?" Mumbled Magnus, with a dangerous half smile. He lean his face very close to that of Lucian "Well, I suppose I can show you how fascinating I can be with a sword in hand."
Lucian raised his eyebrow, a visible satisfaction showing through. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Magnus did not hesitate. Without a word, he took off his coat, dropping it at Lucian's feet before walking towards the action. Lucian watched with keen curiosity, almost triumphant, as Magnus headed for the makeshift battlefield, where men exchanged blows and protected goods.
As soon as Magnus got into the fray, the surrounding chaos increased, and his presence imposed a new order on the disorder. He moved with a precision and ruthlessly, as if in a choreographed rehearsal. In a quick blow, disarmed one smuggler, then turned and hit another. The agility of his movements, the firm posture and the intense look transmitted a devastating force.
For Lucian, it was as if Magnus was displaying exactly what he had deliberately asked to see: power, precision and a mastery that made Magnus both irresistible and dangerous.
Finally, the Grand Duke stopped, panting, his eyes still shining with the ecstasy of someone who has just taken over an arena.
Magnus cleared the blade, the piercing gaze placed on Lucian, who watched him from above, his face illuminated by an expression of pure satisfaction.
"So, what did you think, my prince?" said Magnus, a malicious smile sprouting on his lips.
Lucian just bowed his head, the satisfaction overflowing.
"Definitely worth it."