An Extra’s POV

'Adrien Chase… it all makes sense now.'

As Rey's thoughts trailed, he wondered why he never pieced together all of the information beforehand.

'Back then, when I first saw him standing behind Scylla… I instantly knew he was involved. I just didn't know why…'

However, now that they were standing opposite each other, Rey had a good idea of what was going on.

"Did you manipulate the events thus far? Pretending to be a part of the Criminal Underworld… acting like someone you're not… just to gain all the benefits?"

Rey thought along these lines because they were the kind of things he had done and would do in order to get what he wanted.

What were the chances that Adrien had a similar thought pattern as him?

'He has been controlling Scylla without her knowledge. He probably wants all the resources of the Underworld for himself.'

This was an elaborate way to set things up, but he was able to orchestrate the events thus far.

'Or am I the one overthinking it?' Rey thought to himself.

"No, you're not overthinking things."

The moment Rey heard Adrien's voice and saw the boy move, Rey instantly took an offensive stance.

"Relax…" Adrien reached for his mask and began to pull it away.

"… I don't want to fight."

As Adrien revealed his face to Rey, it precisely matched the smiling boy who turned back back then.

His black hair swayed as his blue eyes gleamed with some sort of hidden motives.

He instantly got shivers when he remembered that event, but [Dead Calm] suppressed everything in an instant.

"I know what you're thinking, and you're not completely wrong… but you're not completely right either."

still maintained his offensive stance as Adrien began to

personal gain. I mean, look at the results? The Black Market, the Mercenary Gang, and the Slave Union…

"And?"

the perfect conclusion?" Rey narrowed his gaze as he listened

a single

was here to ensure whatever plan you cooked up didn't

response to Rey's words,

didn't account for your presence at today's

"What?"

you're the main player

any longer. Adrien was skirting around

only set the

you truly wanted to reap the maximum profits, you wouldn't have involved

But, like I already said, I did all of this

was obvious

the way of the Alliance's progress in the long run." Adrien drew even closer, until he got to the

at this Nation's resources and potential. They're a detrimental force… an overall liability

and instantly turned into a bloody

had to

Rey had already had the exact same thought about the Criminal Underworld some time back, so he knew Adrien wasn't lying about

best distributed to the Alliance in order to improve its economic state and ensure better social

special items would be more helpful in the mainstream market—especially in times of scarcity

profiting from it would disagree, but if the Underworld kept hoarding things

Trade was also incredibly vile, and the Mercenary Gang also committed atrocities for the other

that would eventually burn itself out and eat

was just

enterprise isn't sustainable.' Rey

However…

to believe that you did all of this

a blade from seemingly nowhere, Rey

an idiot and just accept

a heartless killer as Ralyks, then it was possible for Adrien

such a low

do.' Rey gritted