Charging fees for rescue—what did this mean?

  Those unfortunate souls fleeing to Tiebo would face crushing life-saving fees when the Reiser family intervened against the beast tide.

  Out of the wolf's den, into the tiger's mouth.

  Human life's value was immeasurable, but when death loomed, that price would skyrocket beyond reason.

  The Reiser family could name any price they wanted.

  Those refugees, having "reasonably" incurred such massive debt, would be trapped in Tiebo forever.

  Drowning in debt, escape was impossible.

  They'd remain in this advanced city as cheap labor, working day and night for the Reiser family.

  Every last drop of value squeezed from their bones.

  Tiebo was an advanced city—its cost of living spoke for itself.

  One phrase summed it up perfectly:

  Hell for the poor, paradise for the rich.

  Living in Tiebo while paying off debt and having money left for expenses?

  Pure fantasy.

  In such an advanced city, ordinary workers for the Reiser family could barely afford basic survival.

  They'd never save a single penny their entire lives.

  These forced refugees from Godinlima would become lifelong slaves to the Reiser family.

  Everyone suddenly understood Rippert's true intentions.

  Bodies trembling, they couldn't imagine the tragic fate awaiting those people.

  In an empire without slavery, Rippert had cleverly created his own twisted version for profit.

  These people weren't slaves in name, but once Godinlima fell, their fate would be identical.

  Unless they died in the adventurers' city during the beast invasion.

  But who would choose death over survival?

  He exploited their desperate hope to live, viewing each person as nothing more than a profit-generating tool.

  Rippert's vicious cruelty ignited everyone's fury.

  One noble couldn't contain his rage. Blood surging, veins bulging, he cursed:

  "You... beast!"

  Rippert simply smiled and turned, those mysterious golden-sand eyes fixing on the angry noble.

  The man's rage instantly transformed into trembling terror.

  As if sensing some dark presence, he couldn't utter another word.

  But he couldn't silence everyone's anger.

  All eyes focused on Rippert, countless flames of rage threatening to consume him entirely.

  Yet Rippert remained leisurely, composed and unhurried:

  "Merchants pursue profit and perish for profit."

  "With such opportunity before you, I doubt you could resist your own desires."

  "Bullshit! We'd never do such things!"

  One noble exploded, unable to control his inner rage.

  But Rippert's gaze remained calm. Those golden eyes slowly swept over everyone present, smiling:

  "Because you lack such opportunities."

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  Everyone froze again.

  Meanwhile, Lia sat nodding in agreement.

  Deep down, she believed she'd never commit such inhumane acts.

  But as Rippert said, human desire was insatiable.

  Especially for merchants.

  If instant extreme wealth appeared before them, who could guarantee they wouldn't succumb to temptation?

  Moreover...

  "Opportunities must be created, mustn't they?"

  Rippert finally revealed his arrogant smile, eyes wide, mouth corners stretching to his ears.

  Unfathomable fanaticism flickered in those golden orbs.

  The nobles stood like statues, completely numb and motionless.

  Perhaps they finally understood.

  Why had Rippert supported the First Prince?

  He was a merchant—the empire's shrewdest merchant.

  His greatest deal? Marrying the previous emperor's daughter.

  That earned him the title "Empire's First Merchant."

  And merchants never accepted losses.

  So Rippert chose the empire's south as Reiser territory—the southernmost position except for Godinlima.

  Tiebo perfectly surrounded Godinlima.

  If the First Prince became emperor, the Reiser family would receive continued royal support, strengthening their power further.

  If he failed, the result would be exactly this.

  The Reiser family would expand monster rift threats, forcing residents to seek shelter—and profit enormously.

  Once rifts erupted, southern residents would panic, and the nearest shelter was Reiser-controlled Tiebo.

  Either request Reiser assistance—pay enormous sums for them to crush the beast tide.

  Or flee Godinlima, forced to escape to Tiebo.

  Either way, they'd pay.

  Otherwise, they'd become slaves.

  No matter the choice, Rippert profited massively.

  This was his carefully designed contingency plan.

  Some nobles, realizing this, became dazed, lowering lifeless eyes and muttering:

  "Merchants... ruin nations..."

  Fortunately, crisis had been averted.

  The First Prince had requested Kravina assistance in advance.

  The Kravina family's powerful demi-human forces had protected Godinlima, stopping Rippert's ambitious scheme.

  Now Gwen, having heard everything, drew her silver sword crackling with piercing cold.

  Whoosh!

  Steel gleamed, blade aimed at Rippert.

  Her eyes blazed with cold determination, raging like northern gales.

  "Rippert Reiser."

  Gwen's voice rang with judgment:

  "You disregard human rights, despise life, and endanger imperial security."

  "I arrest you for crimes against the empire and violations of citizens' rights."

  The nobles erupted. Hands raised high, fists waving, voices roaring:

  "Arrest him! Arrest him!"

  "Throw him in prison!"

  "Execute him! Execute him!"

  Amid the indignant chorus, only the First Prince stared at his palm, vision blurred, struggling to believe.

  Rippert cooperatively raised both hands overhead, as if surrendering.

  Knights surrounded him, preparing restraints.

  But suddenly, Rippert spoke again:

  "Wait. Don't rush."

  Everyone froze, confused.

  What could he possibly say now?

  Rippert turned toward Viktor, golden pupils boring into Viktor's deep black eyes:

  "Mr. Viktor, unfortunate you discovered me, but..."

  Viktor casually pocketed his hands, calmly observing his condemned opponent.

  Rippert suddenly squinted, revealing a relaxed smile:

  "Don't you want to see these sanctimonious hypocrites when desire takes hold?"

  The instant his words fell, a vast surging abyss erupted in the grand hall.

  Black waves rose from all directions, threatening to submerge everything.

  The ground shook violently. Nobles could barely keep their footing.

  They looked around frantically, confused by this sudden earthquake.

  What was happening?

  The bewildered elves caught intense dangerous scents.

  Terrified, they scattered, desperately seeking shelter.

  Cocotte snapped alert.

  She straightened, expression grave, brows furrowed:

  "Ugh... what a revolting aura."

  In rising abyssal whirlpools, ripples spread outward as a noble figure gradually emerged.

  Black seawater cascaded from his shoulders, returning to dark currents. Silver hair shook free of pitch-black viscous liquid.

  He wore a composed smile—one hand behind his back, one at his chest—radiating elegant menace.

  The Second Prince stood upright, slightly bowing to Aubrey:

  "Long time no see, brother."

  Seeing Owiser's sudden appearance, Aubrey's body surged with violent discomfort.

  Dizziness and agony overwhelmed him, as if crushed by invisible force.

  Owiser straightened, calmly surveying surroundings. His gaze swept over everyone—even the elves.

  Suddenly, he inhaled deeply and smiled.

  With his laughter, a gigantic toad burst from the abyssal whirlpool, massive body nearly blocking out the sky.

  This demonic toad opened its colossal maw—half the banquet hall vanished instantly.

  Jaws snapped shut. Half the golden hall disappeared along with countless thick trunks and flower seas.

  Foul stench spread rapidly. Greenish aura reflected in nobles' eyes like dense fog.

  Almost simultaneously, azure teleportation magic descended from above.

  Brilliant blue patterns gathered skyward, forming a dazzling light pillar.

  The formation dispersed—Viktor appeared in the courtyard beyond the hall.

  Light scattered. His black windcoat fluttered down behind him.

  Countless nobles and elves stood safely in the courtyard.

  Opening their eyes, they found themselves surrounded by darkness.

  Only faint lights flickered nearby. Above stretched a profound, star-filled sky.

  Before them, half the enormous hall still radiated dazzling golden light.

  Shock froze them in place, motionless.

  Only the black crow on Viktor's shoulder squinted ahead.

  Its profound single eye assessed the enormously foul giant demon.

  The sky-blocking toad demon ground its mouth, chewing the half-hall it had devoured.

  Rumbling mixed with crushing teeth, echoing constantly.

  The Second Prince stood atop this giant demon's head, mouth twisted in deformed grin, eye sockets wide with bright red vessels.

  Under pitch-black sky, accompanied by foul sharp winds, snowflakes and ice crystals danced through air, falling earthward.

  "I'm back."

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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