"Finally... I can focus on wiping out those rotten, filthy pigs!"
At that moment, he held the phone in front of him, his expression twisted with feral intensity.
"Shiver in your sleep, Benjamin. I will be king! Hehehehehahaha!!"
From the other end, Benjamin ignored the deranged laughter. He only tightened the muscles in his arms and growled:
"You actually think you've won? What, are you high on something again?"
"It's only natural. Have the others gotten the news yet?" Tserriednich's laughter cut off as he asked bluntly.
"The old man should be sending out the official notice soon. But I wanted you to know first."
"I'm going to kill you, Tserriednich. With my own hands. I'll grind every last bone in your body into dust."
"Ooooh, I'm terrified. Please don't call me again! Bye-bye~"
Click.Thud.
The call ended at the same time Benjamin slammed the lifeless body of the lion he'd just strangled to the floor.
Tserriednich tossed the phone aside, lifted a crystal goblet filled with fine wine, and swayed over to the tattoo artist. His eyes locked onto the vague silhouette of a female form with unsettling fascination.
"...So beautiful~"
Brrring~
Before his trance could deepen, another phone on his desk rang.
"Hey. What's the status?"
"All five of our people passed—thanks to the extra 'arrangements'," came the respectful voice from the other end.
"I figured as much." Tserriednich smirked. "Now that Kakin is officially part of the V6, and the Hunter Association is technically a subordinate organization, this whole exam was rigged from the start."
"Only fifteen attendants per prince, huh? That new rule from the Association allowing Hunters to board the ship... couldn't have come at a better time."
"Yes, though... it seems some of the other princes had the same idea. I saw quite a few of their subordinates during the test."
"Anyone with a brain would. Reliable allies are crucial. Especially since we're all going to be trapped together on that ship for two whole months."
...
The Kakin Empire's rule was simple: each prince could bring only fifteen attendants aboard the Black Whale. So, to gain an edge, the princes took advantage of the Association's new policy.
Their solution? Have their loyal subordinates take the Hunter Exam and become licensed Hunters—thus earning the right to board the ship legitimately, whether as bodyguards or hired personnel.
Of course, the exam required total honesty.
Lying wouldn't cut it. So they came clean: they were joining the Association solely to protect their respective princes and posed no threat to the organization itself.
From the Hunter Association's perspective, it was fair game—no deception, no hidden hostility, and no criminal background. Why deny them?
Besides, anyone with half a clue could dig into the royal power struggle. The Association simply turned a blind eye.
...
"So, if our people passed... someone must've failed, right?"
"Yes. The Seventh Prince's entire security team failed. Word is, there was even a conflict with the Association afterward."
"Hahaha... classic. Let me guess—they were under orders to assassinate another prince before taking the exam. And since they couldn't admit it, they had to lie. And if you lie... well~"
Tserriednich took another sip of wine, sneering.
Then he paused, as if remembering something.
"Only the First Prince and Sixth Prince didn't send anyone to take the exam, correct?"
"Prince, could you share how you deduced that?"
Even though she knew Tserriednich couldn't see her, she still bowed slightly, instinctively adopting a deferential posture.
"Because of arrogance and jealousy," Tserriednich replied coolly.
"Brother Benjamin would never let the Hunter Association evaluate his elite soldiers. Too proud."
"And my dear brother Tyson? He wouldn't let his precious little pets go wandering off to 'charm' others."
Tserriednich set the goblet down and stood up.
"You've done well. When you return, continue your duties as my guard. I'll personally inform you of the ship's internal security layout and your assigned responsibilities."
"I'll also send you the schematics for the Black Whale BW. Study its structure—every shortcut, blind spot, and dead zone. Be ready for anything before we set sail on September 1st."
"Understood!"
...
After hanging up, Tserriednich walked over to the nearly completed tattoo.
His face was no longer calm or intoxicated. Black lines—like the manifestation of his twisted aura—seemed to dangle from his forehead.
"The seven deadly sins are incomplete... because they lack ignorance. Those fools who don't even understand themselves are the most vile of all."
"None of those pig scum deserve to be king! Not a single one!!"
...
Not long after the Fourth Prince finished speaking with his elder brother and loyal subordinates, the royal steward of the Kakin Empire began formally meeting with each prince, outlining the conditions for the succession war.
"Only the legitimate royal heirs of King Nasubi Hui Guo Rou who attend the BW Black Whale's departure ceremony on September 1st will be eligible to participate in the succession battle."
That was the declaration presented to the Fourth Prince.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)