Subjugation[1]

As X entered the office, the atmosphere became very tense. A palpable weight was settling over the room like a heavy shroud. 

His demeanor suggested he was ready to fight at any moment.

The masked figure nodded to his guests, then scanned the room before speaking.

"Hello, I am X, the current head of the Shadow Guild. "

X's words reverberated through the vast room.

Immediately after that, he moved at breakneck speed, leaving behind an afterimage in his previous place to sit elegantly on his gray desk. His movements were precise and controlled.

Then he fixed his sharp gaze toward his uninvited guests who sat before him, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous intensity.

"So, what shall I call you? Guests or intruders. What do you prefer?" he inquired, his voice cutting through the tense silence like a blade.

"We just want to make a deal. But things could change depending on your answer."

X's swift movements did not surprise Samuel.

He is just an ordinary person facing ...

A seven-star knight.

He replied to X's direct question honestly, knowing that things could escalate at any moment.

" A deal . "

X paused, his eyes scanning Samuel's body intensely. He figured Samuel must be the group's leader.

"Interesting," X said, his tone growing more intimidating. "You come into my territory and still try to threaten me. That takes guts."

X's words gradually became suffused with a stifling aura, causing Samuel's body to tremble slightly as he tried to discern his intentions.

"Do you think you can mess with my guild and get away with it?"

X continued, his aura becoming even more intense. "Do you know what happens to our enemies?"

-Rumble

A deep rumble filled the office as X's red aura expanded, directed at Samuel to test him.

- Traaa.

In an instant, Magnus' fingers moved swiftly, forming a bright white shield around Samuel to protect his weak and untrained body from the aggressive aura.

Meanwhile, Aaron and Magnus released their pent-up mana, surrounding themselves with mana, causing their clothes to continuously flutter.

A 7-star magician facing off against a 7-star knight—it's quite the intriguing match.

Imagine if it took place in the arena, it would surely capture the interest of thousands.

Samuel grinned silently, watching the subtle interaction between Magnus, Aaron, and X with anticipation.

X tapped continuously his desk with his index finger, gradually withdrawing his suffocating aura from the room.

"Why would two powerful magicians like yourselves—"

X muttered coldly, pointing at Aaron with a piercing stare, then shifting his gaze to meet Magnus's eyes.

" ... Be following an ordinary person? "

 X added, scanning Samuel from head to toe.

"At first, I couldn't believe it, but it seems you truly are their master."

"Not really," Samuel replied before the others, his expression relaxed.

He smiled at the masked figure and quickly got to the point. "Let's not waste time. Since you're here, let's talk business. We need this," he said, handing a folded paper to X.

With a quick look, X examined the paper. 

"I need this information... and I also need all of your supplies of this item. I know you have a large stock," Samuel said casually, reclining on the sofa.

X felt irritated by Samuel's demeanor but kept his composure. 

All he could think was, 'What should I do?'

Since meeting these guests, he had felt a bad feeling in his heart, and most of the time, his feeling was right.

After a brief pause, he broke the silence, saying, "So... you're asking me to gather information about the previous emperor's death."

 "Indeed," Samuel replied with a slight smile.

 "And what about your request for such a huge and unreasonable amount of..."

Upon hearing this, Samuel couldn't help but chuckle before adding, "You don't need to know about it."

After that, Samuel adjusted his position, crossing his legs, and awaited X's response.

"Sorry. However, we cannot accept your request."

X said, after pretending to consider the request for a few moments, giving a straightforward refusal.

"Why?!! I am willing to offer a generous payment." Samuel tilted his head slightly, appearing puzzled.

"Wasn't the fundamental principle of your organization: 'For the right price, we can resolve any issue.'? So, why are you rejecting my request?"

"Because we are not capable of fulfilling such a request, young master," X replied calmly.

X thought the person in front of him, with two powerful magicians as guards, must be a young master from one of the ancient clans outside the empire.

Samuel's expression remained inscrutable. "You're not that capable..." he echoed, seeking further clarification.

"Yes"

"Can you explain more why you refused my request?"

"Investigating the former emperor is truly beyond our ability and involves significant risks," X explained.

"Ah!!" Samuel nodded, understanding the reasoning.

"..."

"I can overlook the first request... but you'll provide me with what I want... won't you?" Samuel inquired, his tone shifting subtly.

"I'm sorry, but your information is incorrect. We don't have the supplies you're seeking. Even if we did, I wouldn't give them to someone of questionable character like you, as it could lead to trouble," X replied firmly.

X refused to give the dangerous items to Samuel. He declined for the second time.

"You rejected me for the second time... Are you sure of your decision?" Samuel questioned.

" Yes, I'm sure."

"But I know what I want is here... and I'm not someone who gives up easily. So what should I do?" Samuel's smile turned into a more sinister expression.

"Are you threatening me?" X's eyes flashed with a warning light.

"No, I just need what you have... That's what I'm trying to say. I'm a very nice person who won't resort to violence easily…" Samuel replied calmly.

On the sofa nearby, Aaron stared at Samuel with a dumbfounded expression, showing his confusion and shock at Samuel's deceitful behavior, as he already knew that Samuel was only looking to provoke a conflict.

[Teacher, did he say he's kind and nice, or is my ear playing tricks on me?]

He sent a telepathic message to his teacher, 

[To think he described himself as nice. Has he looked in the mirror recently?]

[Teacher, can you hear me?]

[Teacher...] 

Aaron continued to send messages to his teacher, who remained silent despite the constant pestering.

[Aaron, as I said before, do not provoke him so that you do not suffer from what I suffered in the past days.]

[Discussion over]

Magnus severed his connection with Aaron and focused on the discussion with X and the Emperor.

"So, what do you think?"

Turning his head to the side, X stated firmly, "I'm sorry, but I won't change my mind."

"Are you sure?" asked Samuel.

"Yes" X replied.

Samuel's eyes brightened upon hearing X's answer.

He looked at Magnus with a cunning smile and said, "He refused..."

"Huh" Magnus sighed.

"This means..."

"It didn't work. Trying to convince him didn't succeed."

"Huh... Didn't you want the negotiations to fail from the beginning? You only spoke to him to please me," Magnus calmly remarked.

"You wanted us to have a peaceful conversation. I did it perfectly."

"Huh?"

Looking at the talking pair in front of him, X felt confused behind his mask.

"Make him happy... peacefully."

He didn't get what the couple in front of him meant.

Samuel's cold voice interrupted his thoughts, adding,

"Well, since you didn't agree to our simple requests, the only option left is to force you to agree, but with a twist, haha."