WebNovels

Chapter 34 - Chapter 34:Hands of the Controller

The silence between Yukon and Marugen lasted for several minutes, sharp glances exchanged like a silent war between two titans of the world.

Then Yukon breathed slowly and said,

— "So… you're offering me to join the faction you follow, aren't you?"

Marugen laughed lightly, his tone full of confidence.

— "Hahaha, not exactly. At first, I thought the faction I belonged to was the strongest, but after today's incident… it seems the balance of power between all factions will change radically soon."

Yukon replied in a calm yet threatening voice,

— "You may be right about that. As you know, there are more than ten factions now, but only the four major ones are at the heart of this conflict."

He took a step closer, and the air around him began to vibrate with the heat of mana.

— "The first of them… the Northern Faction. It includes the Magic Tower, the Frenost family, and the Allgrid family.

Although they have fewer members than the others, they possess the greatest number of grand magicians and rare magical equipment. They are the backbone of any war that relies on pure magical power."

Marugen smiled.

— "True, and you know they're one of the most arrogant factions."

But Yukon continued indifferently,

— "The second faction… the Southern Faction. It houses the Chemistry Department and four elite families: the Amantis, Mirallos, Vedran, and Levander families.

They were recently joined by the Safris family, which used to be one of the elite families before I destroyed it with my own hands.

This faction possesses the largest resources in the world—from gold to raw mana—but they are weak in combat strength. They have only one of the Eleven Disasters, and that's their greatest flaw."

Marugen raised an eyebrow and said with a mocking tone,

— "You remember quite a lot of details, Yukon… have you been studying us all these years?"

Yukon smirked.

— "I watch everyone. Anyone with ambition is a potential threat to my family. I must know my enemies before I know my friends."

Then he continued,

— "The third faction… the Faction of Planners—your faction.

It's led by an alliance between the Greville, Dragen, Phuniq, and Morgand families.

It also includes the Rune Department and the Advanced Industry Department.

This faction is the strongest in terms of organization and coordination, especially with the union between Greville and the Runes.

You don't rely on raw power but on reason, planning, and innovation. That's why you are the most dangerous faction, even though your numbers are less than half of the Southern Faction."

Marugen laughed softly, a hint of admiration in his tone.

— "Haha… it seems you know us better than we know ourselves, King of the Fist."

But Yukon didn't laugh. His voice was cold.

— "And finally… the Royal Eastern Faction.

It consists of the Valerian Imperial Family, the Alexander family, and the Seraphil family.

This faction is the most mysterious—not because of their power, but because no one knows their limits.

What truly makes them dangerous is their unity under one banner—the Royal Family itself.

While other factions act for personal interests, this one moves as a single nation.

They control the entire Eastern Continent, with three elite families, nine sub-families, and over a hundred noble houses.

Even most of the politicians there submit to them."

Marugen clapped mockingly.

— "Excellent analysis… I didn't expect such attention from you, Professor Yukon."

Yukon glared at him.

— "I know you too well, old fool. If I hadn't shown that, you'd have started reciting that lecture I've heard for twenty years."

Marugen laughed heartily.

— "Hahahaha! Still as irritable as ever. But you've forgotten a few important things."

Yukon raised his hand threateningly.

— "If you try to explain one more thing… I swear I'll kill you here."

Marugen quickly raised both hands.

— "Lalala! This time I'll be brief—just five minutes, I promise!"

Yukon was silent for a few seconds, then said coldly,

— "Five minutes. Then you disappear from my sight. I have more important matters than your gossip."

Marugen smiled and spoke quickly,

— "Alright! You mentioned the four major factions, but there are three others that have started to move quietly in secret.

The first is the Western Faction, represented by two elite families: the Nevarus and the Kremar families.

They control the ports and trade routes connecting the continents.

This faction has been trying to recruit the Evanhart family for five years now."

Yukon's expression hardened.

— "I know that. I rejected their offer myself."

Marugen nodded.

— "Just as I expected. But they haven't given up, and they're expanding rapidly, especially after forming alliances with several naval groups.

The second is the Nobility Faction.

Unlike the Eastern Continent, where nobles are united under royal rule, in the West they remain scattered but numerous.

As of now, this faction includes over three hundred and twenty noble families—enough to ignite chaos in any political war."

Yukon replied coldly,

— "Just mice running between lions' feet. They have no place in the real equation of power."

Marugen shook his head slowly.

— "Maybe. But mice steal food, gold, and information.

They hold money, control trade, and even intercontinental intelligence.

In other words… they're the blood that runs through the veins of all elite families.

If one faction controlled the nobility, it would gain financial power equivalent to the Greville family itself."

Yukon's eyes narrowed slightly.

— "So… what you're trying to say is that you want me to help you take control of the Western and Nobility factions together?"

Marugen gave a small smile.

— "No, not exactly. The eldest elder of the Greville family is already moving in that direction himself.

What we want from you is different."

He paused, then continued,

— "We just want you to stay neutral. Don't join any faction.

Your presence on one side would immediately tip the balance, and we don't want to trigger an all-out war just yet."

Then, in a low voice, he added,

— "And even worse… if they were to join you."

Yukon's face froze. The silence grew heavy, like a storm about to break.

Then he said slowly,

— "In other words… you're asking me to stand aside while you move in secret?"

— "Exactly," Marugen replied with a sly smile.

"Believe me, Yukon, this is advice more than a request.

If you try to join any faction now—especially with those people—we won't be the only ones opposing you.

All factions will unite against you.

Because everyone fears what would happen if the oldest existing family joined one side.

You are not just a name in history anymore, Yukon… you're a threat to the world order itself."

Mana surged violently around Yukon. The air cracked, and the runic barrier trembled.

Then his voice exploded like thunder:

— "Do you dare to threaten me?!"

His tone alone shattered Marugen's vocal barrier. The runes cracked and disintegrated into dusts of light.

Everyone outside felt an overwhelming pressure that made the ground itself tremble.

Yukon took a step forward, roaring,

— "Do you think I'm afraid?! Even if all factions and all Eleven Disasters united, no one could touch a single hair of the Evanhart family!"

His face was as dark as night, and the air around him boiled with mana.

But Marugen remaine

d standing, a faint smile on his lips, and said with deep calm,

— "Do you really think you can fight the entire world, Yukon?"

More Chapters