Three hours later, Morgen left the Drucker Tavern with a satisfied smile.
The formidable Heart Eater Wales, the beta plus-level demon with a devil's heart, had just bid him farewell with utmost respect.
This meeting, which Morgen had anticipated to be a fierce battle, had surprisingly concluded in a beautiful and harmonious manner.
Upon returning to the Dark Covenant's temporary manor, Morgen couldn't help but feel a surge of joy in his heart.
Even though he had previously seized control of the Dark Covenant, Viscount Bernard was still recognized as its nominal master in the underground world. As long as Viscount Bernard made an appearance, he would remain the Covenant's leader, regardless of Morgen's claim to power.
However, the situation had now changed drastically. The influential forces had acknowledged Ilo, the new master of the Dark Covenant, and Viscount Bernard's return would no longer shake Ilo's position as the president, unless he chose to eliminate Ilo by force.
Gaining recognition often took the longest, and Morgen had been prepared for a protracted war. However, he had managed to accomplish this critical step in a single move, a development that filled him with both surprise and delight.
The driving force behind this remarkable achievement was none other than Heart Eater Wales, the possessor of the demon's heart that had swayed the outcome.
As one of the three giants of the Green City underworld, Wales's recognition of Morgen's status effectively elevated Morgen to the same level of influence. With Wales's prestige, Ilo's identity as the leader of the Dark Covenant was promptly recognized throughout the underground world.
"This heart-eating demon isn't so terrifying after all. Praise the goddess~"
Morgen's smile broadened as he contemplated the benefits of this unexpected turn of events. Not only had he resolved the Dark Covenant issue, but he had also managed to pull the powerful Heart Eater Wales into his camp, effectively eliminating his immediate worries. It was a near-perfect execution of his plan.
However, Morgen was aware that there were risks involved. If Heart Eater Wales discovered that he had been deceived, the powerful demon with half-demon blood could potentially wreak havoc on the Dark Covenant.
Underestimating the capabilities of a giant was never wise. Nonetheless, Morgen remained confident in his abilities. As the king of routines, he was not easily deceived. Besides, if given time to develop, Heart Eater Wales would become insignificant compared to the boundless potential of the City of Dawn.
In just over half a year, Morgen had transformed from a destitute individual to a force capable of challenging Heart Eater Wales. What heights could he reach once the City of Dawn fully matured?
"Ancestor, your wisdom is truly divine. Even the Creator would admire you," Amy remarked with heartfelt praise upon Morgen's return to the manor.
He had witnessed Morgen's remarkable growth firsthand. From being the top combatant to now having Betty, Grot, and even Stanley surpassing him in strength, the City of Dawn had experienced an astonishingly rapid expansion.
Amy was deeply impressed by Morgen's leadership and decisiveness in the face of various challenges during the development of the City of Breaking Dawn.
Morgen responded with a slight shake of his head.
"No, it was merely a fortunate coincidence. If Heart Eater Wales hadn't overthought the situation, we wouldn't have achieved such a favorable outcome."
Morgen understood that if Wales had been a reckless individual, tonight's events would have unfolded differently. Wales, with his half-demon blood, had inherited the devil's innate suspicion. The alignment of so many coincidences made it unlikely that a similar situation would occur again.
"From now on, everyone in the Dark Covenant will address me as 'real name' Ilo, regardless of whether outsiders are present," Morgen instructed, reiterating his earlier directive to avoid confusion.
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"Yes, Mr. Ilo," the others responded promptly, understanding the importance of this change.
Only Betty sat in her chair, bored and uninterested in the proceedings. As a mercenary temporarily employed by Morgen, she only appeared for significant events and had no desire to participate in the internal affairs of the Dark Covenant.
Morgen did not mind her aloofness. As his top combatant, she enjoyed certain privileges as long as she remained loyal at critical moments.
"Stanley, from today onward, you will manage the Dark Covenant alongside Grot, with Amy assisting you. There are three primary tasks that require your immediate attention," Morgen stated, moving on to assign responsibilities.
With the Dark Covenant now recognized by the system as his own, Morgen was determined to transform it from a loose confederation into a cohesive force, a sharp blade that could be wielded against his enemies.
"Firstly, stabilize the Dark Covenant's interests.
The recent attack by the Green City army has resulted in the loss of many of the Dark Covenant's strongholds. However, with the addition of the Devil's Heart, our power will be bolstered. Therefore, in the short term, I need you to consolidate the Dark Covenant's operations and secure our existing interests.
Morgen wasted no time in getting down to business, outlining his priorities for the Dark Covenant.
"Secondly, establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the Devil's Heart.
The Devil's Heart will be a valuable ally to the Dark Covenant for the foreseeable future, and you must learn to leverage this alliance effectively. I will provide you with a batch of magic scrolls in secret, which you can exchange with the Devil's Heart for a share of our interests.
Morgen had a clear understanding of the Devil's Heart and was well aware that their promises were not absolute guarantees. Even contracts could be broken if it suited their interests. This was a world devoid of the pervasive light of morality, where trust and betrayal were often intertwined.
To restore the Dark Covenant to its former glory, substantial investments and the support of the Devil's Heart were necessary. Fortunately, the presence of Heart Eater Wales would facilitate this alliance, but forming a tangible web of shared interests would provide even greater stability.
Magic scrolls were a powerful tool in Morgen's arsenal, capable of tempting even the most steadfast individuals.
"Thirdly, expand the Dark Covenant's intelligence network.
I need the Dark Covenant to serve as my eyes and ears, providing me with timely and accurate information whenever I require it.
The Scarlet Mage Tower's role and connections limited its ability to gather useful intelligence. Partnering primarily with chambers of commerce and nobles, the Mage Tower often lacked access to valuable information that Morgen sought. Even if they managed to obtain such information, it might not align with his specific needs.
The Dark Covenant, on the other hand, operated in the shadows, delving into the hidden corners of the city. Casinos, pubs, brothels, and hotels were fertile grounds for gathering information.
The Scarlet Mage Tower's presence in Green City was still in its infancy, and without Amy's timely intervention, Morgen would have remained oblivious to the recent events. This incident served as a wake-up call, prompting him to take decisive action to rectify the situation.
"Yes, Mr. Ilo," Stanley and the others responded in unison, acknowledging their ancestral leader's commands.
Morgen looked at Stanley with a sense of satisfaction. Though once an adversary, Stanley had proven to be a valuable asset after his transformation into a dark sacrifice of the Late Bell Church.
"You must also review and reorganize the existing power structure and business operations of the Dark Covenant. Eliminate any excessively evil or illegal activities.
I envision a Dark Covenant that focuses on legitimate businesses such as pubs, brothels, hotels, and casinos, enterprises that are commonplace in the West District.
"Additionally, I will provide the Dark Covenant with a separate batch of magic scrolls.
I expect you to expand our operations as swiftly as possible.
Morgen's gaze swept over Stanley and the others, his eyes conveying a sense of purpose and determination.
Three years ago, Morgen was but a feeble human, barely scraping by on the borderlands. He couldn't safeguard even himself, let alone those dear to him. As he faced imminent demise, a bewildering twist of fate occurred, and his soul found itself reborn within the lineage of a blood clan, bearing the name Morgen.
From that moment forth, he was granted a second chance at life, albeit no longer as a mere human. With this rebirth came a newfound duty to safeguard the blood clan's descendants, including Isa, Betty, and others he held dear. Determined to amass strength, he embarked on this journey anew.
The Scarlet Mage Tower would operate in the open, the Dark Covenant would lurk in the shadows, and the City of Dawn would serve as their fortified base camp. This was the comprehensive system he had envisioned, a structure that would enable him to confront any threat that came his way.
The Dark Covenant's existence filled a crucial gap in the Scarlet Mage Tower's capabilities, providing a robust shield to protect Morgen's financial resources. With Spark's patronage, Betty's deterrent power, the Dark Covenant's protective embrace, and the potential alliance with the Devil's Heart, the Scarlet Mage Tower stood firm, a deep-sea predator patiently awaiting the emergence of its prey.
Unbeknownst to the city's inhabitants, the owner of the Scarlet Mage Tower, Spark's disciple Morgen Kachar, a senior mage renowned as a genius, had quietly risen to become one of Green City's most influential figures. The true strength of the Scarlet Mage Tower, hidden beneath the surface, was enough to astound and intimidate anyone who dared to challenge it.
Today marked the official emergence of Green City's formidable black-and-white overlord.