Gathering Intel

"Just like you have your sources, I have mine." Minos smiled.

"... Fine, what do you want?"

"I want all the information you've gathered, and if you hide anything from me, I'll make your association with the Sixth Prince clear to all ears, even the deaf ones."

"Very well, but you should understand for obvious reasons that I can't supply you with any news about the Sixth Prince."

"I understand as much, just give me what you have." Minos replied, not pushing too hard.

Nodding, the old man headed to the back of the storage room before hulling out a large file storage box.

"Go ahead, everything you need is in there…"

"Watch him." Minos said to the others, turning his attention towards the thousands of files.

Walking over, Minos took the lid off before activating his Omniscient Eyes, scanning everything down in less then a second.

But to seem more normal, he proceeded to go through the files one by one, though internally he was already thinking over the information he gained.

'The First Prince, real name, Nufes Ninetails. Third born son of the current king, but due to 'complications' his two elder brothers died before adulthood. His mother is the younger sister of the First Imperial, hence the power and influence in his hands is palpable.'

'The Second Prince, real name, Suki Ninetails. While he is the second prince, his mother is only an auxiliary clan member of the Eighth Imperial Clan, supposedly only chosen into the harem due to her tremendous beauty.'

'The Third Prince, real name, Orino Ninetails. His mother is a direct member of the Third Imperial Clan, but more than that, his great uncle is the man behind the Fish-Whisker Restaurant chain, meaning his economic means shouldn't be underestimated.'

'Fourth prince. Fifth Prince. Seventh Prince… Interesting…' Minos smirked, closing the file box back, satisfied with the intel.

"So, what did you read?" Tylia asked.

"Go ahead and have a look for yourself." Minos said.

Nodding, Tylia took this chance to go through the files quickly, though even at her fastest she was much slower then Minos.

It took nearly an hour for her to absorb everything, but she didn't feel like the time was at all a waste.

"Looks like we've got some tough competition." Tylia said, placing the last file away as she walked back up to Minos.

"Good things never come easy." Minos smiled.

"You're right, but that just makes it more exciting!"

"Haha, that's true. Anyways, let's head out, we've still got work to do." Minos said, not forgetting to pat Domo heavily on the shoulder before heading up the stairs with his entourage.

Letting out a sigh of relief as Minos headed back outstairs, Domo was just about to get back to work, but a sudden influx of energy hit his brain, completely wiping the memories of the past half hour.

"Huh, what was I just doing? And why am I down here?" Domo asked himself curiously, swearing he was just upstairs by the front desk.

"And I swore I hid this box away, why is it out now? Man, I need to get some proper sleep…" Domo sighed, pushing the file storage box back into its hiding place before heading back upstairs.

…

"What do you think of Domo?" Minos suddenly asked as they re-entered the busy streets.

"That old man from before? Useful, but average." She answered, Minos aware that her answer was reflective of both her own opinion, and her Aptus's results.

"Compared to him, our upcoming competition is much more noteworthy." Tylia said.

"Tell me what you think." Minos said, wanting to hear her opinion on the matter.

"Well first of all, we've got the obvious ones, such as the First Prince, Third Prince, Fourth Prince, Sixth Prince, Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince."

"The less known but still powerful one's are the Eleventh Prince, the Thirteenth Prince, the First Princess, the Eighth Princess, the Tenth Princess."

"The rest aren't much of a threat, but my instinct tells me that the Fifth Prince and Tenth Prince may be more troublesome than first expected."

"With all things in mind, I think they are the ones we should focus on before the inheritance battle begins." Tylia finished.

"Good analysis, but attaining information takes men, and currently, we have no one in our corner."

"What do you suggest?"

"There's no time to build a force of our own, so instead, it's time to find a trustworthy partner." Minos smiled.

"Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Who could be a better partner than a prince themselves?"

"A prince? Don't you think that's a bit risky?"

"Of course it is, but we no longer have the privilege to avoid them. Besides, I'm not thinking of just any prince, but the Second Prince himself."

"Second Prince…? But what help can he give us? He can barely survive as is."

"That's exactly why he's so useful. Do you recall his nickname by any chance?"

"Nickname? You mean the Rotten Rose?"

"That's right, born incredibly sickly, so much so that he is incapable of cultivation, though in exchange, it is said his beauty is so transcendent that there's never been anyone like him."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Beauty is an asset itself, and if used properly, its value is immeasurable."

…

"This is the place… It's said ever since his mother died, the Second Prince moved out of the palace and began living here in seclusion." Tylia said, looking up towards the large estate ahead of her.

Even a so-called discarded prince was still capable of living in such a nice place without lifting a finger, it just went to show just how different a world the nobles lived in compared to the commoners.

"Let's hope he's home."

"Where else could he be? He doesn't sound like the type who would move around much." Tylia said with a giggle.

Ignoring her, Minos headed up to the door and knocked heavily twice, waiting patiently for a response.

Fortunately, after less then a minute, the door finally opened, an old butler standing on the other hand.

"How may I help you?" He asked curiously, knowing that his master didn't have any visitors booked for today.

"I'm here to talk to the Second Prince about the inheritance battle." Minos said succinctly.

"Inheritance battle? My master has already made it clear that he won't be participating. Please stop harassing him." The butler said annoyedly, about to slam the door shut.

However, before the door could shut completely, Minos wedged his foot in between the gap, leaving a small slit open.

"Hmph, what do you want!"

"Like I said, I want to talk to your master."

"And like I said, he doesn't want to talk about such nonsense!"

"Nonsense? I didn't know his health was nonsense."

"Health? What are you talking about…?"

"I may be able to heal him."

"Heal him? Do you know how many charlatans have come here making the exact same claim? Please leave before I call the guards."

"I can leave, but just remember, if I'm lying it's a moment lost, but if I'm telling the truth, it's your entire master's future lost."

"... Hmph, wait here!" The butler said in frustration, Minos's words having struck a soft spot in him.

"Take your time." Minos smiled, sending him off as he waited for the result.

As he expected, it didn't take much time for the butler to head back down, letting out another harrumph as he let him in.

"Only you can come, your associate has to wait outside." The butler said as Tylia was about to step inside.

"She's my partner, she goes wherever I go."

"Hmph, fine, but no looking, no touching, not even any thinking. You'll see the Second Prince and that's it!"

"Naturally."

"Then follow me, he's on the second floor."