After Viscount Bernard was hunted down by the extraordinary, there was no news for half a month. Meanwhile, with the Green City army chasing after the Dark Covenant members, the leaderless Dark Covenant fell into unprecedented chaos and turmoil.
Every day, numerous Dark Covenant gangs were arrested, and their strongholds were destroyed.
Even Grot, who had returned to Green City at this time, was unaware of the true extent of Viscount Bernard's Dark Covenant, which had been operating in Green City for decades.
The Dark Covenant had become a disorganized mess, with no one to take charge of this vast organization, leading to the dark forces being slaughtered like helpless sheep.
The power structure of the Dark Covenant was diverse, consisting of the Bell Church, the Abyss Demons, the Necromancers, the Shadow High Priest Amy, Grot, a northern warrior, and mysterious individuals who had never revealed their true identities.
Consequently, when Grot returned to Green City to rally the remnants of the Dark Covenant, he found himself at a loss for where to begin.
Fortunately, he discovered a previous stronghold and encountered several old subordinates.
In a dilapidated civilian house in Green City West, Grot faced five figures with a solemn expression.
After scanning the room, he addressed the tall and burly 12th-level senior soldier with a beard in the middle.
"Gary, how is the Dark Covenant faring? What about Viscount Bernard?"
Gary, clad in gray warrior armor and with a grim expression, shook his head and responded in a rough voice.
"Lord Grot, the Dark Covenant has suffered heavy casualties under the relentless attacks of the Green City army over the past few days. Most of our underground strongholds have been destroyed, and we are currently down to less than 500 members." Gary's tone was heavy. "There has been no news from the Viscount. The Goddess of Life is our only hope for Viscount Bernard's safe return."
Gary looked at Grot with a blank stare. The Dark Covenant had saved him from the slums and trained him, and his life was forever bound to the darkness.
But with Viscount Bernard missing and the Dark Covenant on the verge of collapse, the faith he had fought for was crumbling, leaving him feeling lost and directionless.
A spark of contemplation flickered in Grot's eyes as he recalled Morgen's explanation. After a moment of thought, he spoke slowly.
"Gary, even though Viscount Berner was hunted down by an extraordinary mage, we must maintain hope for his survival."
He turned around and continued, "But what puzzles me is why did Viscount Bernard suddenly attack the City Lord's manor? Doesn't he know about the existence of the extraordinary?"
Gary shook his head. "I cannot speculate on Viscount Bernard's wisdom. Perhaps there were deeper considerations at play."
Despite his words, confusion was evident in the senior soldier's eyes. Everyone knew that provoking an extraordinary existence was unwise, yet his superior had still chosen to offend them, leaving him perplexed.
Grot shook his head slightly and said solemnly, "However, Viscount Bernard could have informed the Dark Covenant gang in advance and instructed them to go into hiding to avoid the Green City army's encirclement.
But why did Viscount Bernard execute a previously prepared plan and conceal it from our partners?
Ah? This..."
Gary and the four others in the room were equally perplexed. They couldn't help but stare at Grot, eager to hear his explanation.
"Logically speaking, even if the Viscount didn't want to divulge the secret, couldn't he have arranged for someone to notify the Dark Covenant partners to hide after the attack?
Our distinguished Viscount, did you truly consider us? Did you genuinely care about our lives?"
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Grot's indifferent words stung the hearts of the others in the room, and their minds were ensnared by thoughts like weeds.
No matter what they thought, the ultimate truth was that Viscount Bernard had never considered the lives of others in the Dark Covenant.
Everyone knew that the bottom gang members were not valued, but it was still difficult to accept it wholeheartedly.
No one wanted to be treated as a worthless abandoned child, disposable and expendable.
Grot shook his head, his tone laced with pain. "I was the head of Viscount Bernad's bodyguard and have been with him for over 20 years.
But I have always felt that the Dark Covenant is merely a tool for the Viscount, a tool discarded once it has served its purpose."
A hint of emotion crossed his face. "Although I don't want to admit it, I must say that Viscount Bernard may have never genuinely cared about the Dark Covenant or the partners willing to sacrifice their lives for him..."
The realization that Viscount Bernard's disappearance had left the Dark Covenant surrounded and its members panic-stricken struck them like a sharp knife to the heart.
Gary shook his head, his face pale, as the belief he held dear began to crumble.
He didn't want to acknowledge Grot's words, but the facts were undeniable. No matter how hard he tried to deny it, he couldn't escape the truth.
"No, no, Viscount Bernard may just be entangled by the extraordinary mage. He wouldn't abandon us."
Another Dark Covenant gang member spoke with anguish, unwilling to accept the harsh reality.
Grot observed the blank expressions on their faces and continued to press them.
"Abandonment? Yes, in fact, when Viscount Bernard chose to leave Green City without making any arrangements, we were already abandoned.
Don't you remember that our initial goal was the Scarlet Mage Tower?
We spent months preparing for it, but in the end, Viscount Bernard chose to attack the City Lord's manor. Didn't he have time to make arrangements for the rest of the Dark Covenant?
His voice grew colder and colder.
"No, he did. He just didn't care about the lives of all of us in the Dark Covenant. How many of us have died because of Viscount Bernard's actions? Two thousand or three thousand?"
In truth, Viscount Bernard had not intended for the ordinary gangs to participate in this operation. Although he didn't care about these people, he genuinely didn't want them to die.
But that was the reality. Whether intentional or not, the Dark Covenant was now on the brink of collapse under the siege of the Green City army, especially at this critical juncture when all the high-ranking members of the Dark Covenant were absent.
Amy, Grot, the captured Stanley, the undead mage's skeleton, and the deceased Cologne.
These five individuals comprised most of the Dark Covenant's top combat strength, while the eight-armed snake demon Roy and Viscount Bernard had left Green City, their whereabouts unknown.
The remaining mysterious individuals seemed completely indifferent to the Dark Covenant's fate, showing no signs of intervening even as it teetered on the brink of collapse.
As a result, the Dark Covenant currently lacked leadership, and all the goodwill it had accumulated over the years had vanished. It was no wonder that they were besieged and collapsing like a plate of scattered sand.
"Lord Grot, what do you suggest we do?"
Gary asked with a trembling voice, his eyes filled with hope, as did the others who looked at Grot.
Few individuals who managed to survive in the underground forces for so many years were genuine fools. Now that the other high-ranking officials had disappeared, the only powerful Northern Warrior before them could potentially salvage the Dark Covenant.
Grot had a solid reputation within the Dark Covenant. He was respected due to his bold personality and formidable strength.
Therefore, after he pointed out the Dark Covenant’s predicament, several middle-level members immediately transferred their hopes to him.
A level beta plus northern warrior, a powerful professional, could undoubtedly secure a place for the Dark Covenant.
It was human nature, and indeed, the nature of all life.
Grot's gaze was sharp, piercing through them like a hawk's.
He uttered a single sentence that instantly changed their complexions.
"Although Viscount Bernard has abandoned us, I will not abandon my comrades who have fought alongside me.
I will take control of the Dark Covenant and carve out a path for everyone!"
His tone was resolute and powerful, exuding unshakable firmness.
No one present was a fool. They recognized the determination in Grot's eyes and instantly understood the plan of this formidable northern warrior.
They exchanged glances, their hearts filled with trepidation.
Grot noticed their hesitation and a faint smile played on his lips.
"If you do not wish to be a member of the New Dark Covenant, you are free to leave now."
This statement stirred the emotions of the others in the room, but no one dared to make the first move. People who survived in the dark world weren't devoid of brains.
After surveying the room, Grot spoke solemnly. "If you are willing to join the new covenant of darkness, I promise you in the name of the northern soldiers.
We will become the new masters of the Green City underworld and establish our dominance together.
He paused and looked at Gary directly, enunciating each word. "Moreover, I never abandon any comrade as long as my head remains attached to my neck!"
The promise of the northern warrior moved them. In the underground world, they were mere disposable pawns, their lives and fortunes never truly valued.
However, the tradition of northern soldiers never forsaking their comrades instilled trust in them, and Grot's lofty reputation within the Dark Covenant provided them with sufficient assurance.
Grot's expression relaxed slightly, a hint of deeper meaning in his eyes.
The first step had finally been taken.
Next, he would swallow the entire Dark Covenant.
His eyes narrowed, their sharpness akin to a warrior's blade.
First ancestor, I will take control of the Dark Covenant for you.