386 Kaldors Humility (2/2)
Jack nodded but dropped his smile. ”Kaldor, I'm afraid that Golden Haven fell alongside many other guilds in that battle.”
”So it's true…” Clenching his fist, Kaldor's face tightened in rage. ”Since you managed to see it coming, do you know who caused it?”
”I didn't see it coming so soon, Kaldor, we had only prepared for it just in case,” admitted Jack. ”As for the identity of the culprits, I'm sure you could figure that out by giving it some thought. Who other than the Chaos Syndicate could make such a move?”
”Do you know what they were after?”
”I do,” replied Jack, ”but that information is on a need-to-know basis.”
”I must know--”
”You want to know the who and why so you can try to seek out revenge, right?” reasoned Jack, hitting the nail on the head. ”Kaldor, the reason that's on a need-to-know basis is because once you get entangled in this mess, you'll be unable to get out of it. And by yourself, you'll only get killed without bringing a single man with you. I'm sorry but--”
”By the sound of it, you're against them too,” Kaldor interjected. ”If you're against them, then that would mean I can be considered an ally.”
Jack shook his head. ”Right now, a single lv. 72 brawler wouldn't be able to offer me much. I've got people that could kill you with the flick of a finger. In terms of strength, I don't see you as anything worth taking a chance on.”
Hearing that, Kaldor grimaced for a moment before shaking his head.
”Let me be straight with you,” Jack continued. ”I'm surprised you're acting so mature. I thought you would be rampaging and shouting louder than ever about what happened.”
”It's one thing to be livid for losing during an auction, it's entirely different when you lose your guild. I'm far too angry to let it loose. If I did that, I'd destroy a city block without thinking twice,” Kaldor stated with a straight face.
”That makes sense.” Jack nodded and looked Kaldor in the eye. ”Since you're able to remain collected while we chat, then I'll make you an offer. If you become the Treasurer of the Leisure Guild, then I'll let you in on everything, like I did for Argyle. But once you're in, there's no turning--”
”I'm in. Now tell me.”
”But I didn't even finish my warning?” Jack chuckled. ”You don't care that you'll be working under someone else? What about your pride as a guild leader?”
”It's because of that pride that I must avenge everyone who dared stand for me and my guild. Rather than retreat with the little they could take away, most remained to guard what they had no hope of retreating with… That loyalty must be repaid before I dare imagine opening another guild,” Kaldor stated.
”And considering they overwhelmed my guild so easily and forced both Argyle and Hurmot to flee, I'd imagine the attackers came from an organization that even they couldn't measure up to. Then why shouldn't I ally with a stronger power? I don't think you'd mind me opening a subordinate guild under the Leisure Guild, would you?”
Jack shrugged. ”Well… It would probably be fine so long as you train another treasurer to take your place.”
”Then the deal is done.” Kaldor bowed to Jack before asking, ”Now, what was the true reason they attacked? If you could predict such an attack, then there must be some motive you discovered that led you to such a conclusion.”
”I'll keep it brief.” Jack explained, ”The Chaos Syndicate is more than just a shady organization. The syndicate is a puppet organization under the control of the Chaotic Gods and has always been so. They attacked Federal City because that's the base of the Adventurers Association, which is the puppet organization under the Holy Gods. Does that make sense?”
”You mean that after the gods disappeared, they've been waring in secret all along through those two organizations?” Kaldor connected the dots.