Reborn as the Third Prince: To Build and Conquer my way to Royalty.-Chapter 67: The red viper.

’A gang?’

Sylus looked straight at the man.

"Pardon, what are you talking about? High rank? Are people here classified into ranks?"

The bartender had a dismayed look on his face, as though Sylus had just said something horrendous.

"Wait, are you not from around here?" he asked, whispering.

To which Sylus shook his head.

"I am a traveler, just exploring this side of the kingdom."

Hearing the masked man’s response, the bartender glanced towards the side of the tavern and noticed the men there, who were drinking and eating, had their attention on them.

"A traveler, huh? We rarely get your kind around here. Makes sense why you tipped me with an extra gold coin."

’I see, so they also don’t get visitors. I’m going to assume that doesn’t apply to merchants.’

Sylus chugged down some of the beer; it was warm.

"So, who are these high ranks you mistook me for?"

A question was thrown.

The bartender once again threw a glance towards the side of the tavern; the men there were still paying close attention.

"I’m sorry, I can’t say anything on that. If you want another beer, I can—"

Sylus reached into his pocket and placed a platinum coin on the table.

"I’m willing to pay for any information you have."

Seeing the coin, the man nearly hollered. His eyes said everything.

A platinum coin was considered the highest value of money in the entire continent; its value was about 100 gold coins.

Just having one would make you set for half a year, tops.

The man gulped down his saliva, knowing it would be a waste not to accept the money, but at the same time, he didn’t want to lose his life over a rich stranger he had just met.

Actually, the fact that this man had something like a platinum coin already made him suspicious.

While he was still contemplating his decision—

<You don’t have to worry; we can communicate like this.>

The bartender was even more dumbfounded.

<No way... You’re one of those star-blessing users? Or is this an artifact?>

<I’m afraid not. I don’t think there’s an artifact that can allow mind-to-mind conversations. We can speak freely like this, and no one will know. Just keep serving your customers, and I’ll keep buying your beers. It’s a win-win for both you and me.>

The bartender sighed and then stylishly grabbed the coin and hid it, making sure no one saw him.

<I don’t trust you, but I trust money.>

<Fair enough.>

<So, what is it you want to know? I’ve got eyes and ears around the lower city, so you can pretty much count on every bit of information I give you.>

It’s the same everywhere; those who run taverns and bars often know too much from engaging with so many people. It comes with the business.

Sylus watched as the bartender attended to other customers, playing his part almost perfectly.

So much so, the people who were keeping an eye on them earlier had turned their gazes away.

Finally, he replied,

<Everything about Linye. Starting with, who are these high ranks you spoke of earlier? Are they some kind of gang?>

<Damn straight they are. Red Vipers—that’s what they call themselves. A powerful organization running the entire lower city. No one can oppose them. Not even the royal guards.>

<Who’s sponsoring them? The Count?>

<No one knows. All we know is you are not to mess with them, or it’s wraps for you. They don’t take people who rebel against them lightly. The other day, a man who was supposed to give 50% of his income to them refused to do so, and he was struck down. Locals found his severed head on a farm.> frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

’So they’re some kind of terrorist group.’

<What else do they do?>

<Pretty much anything they want. They take money, wives, children—hell, even this bar. They own almost all of the income I make today. I know I’d be as poor as the other locals if I didn’t convince them to let me keep enough to keep ordering beers and supplies.>

Sylus’s eyes narrowed.

<Are the lower cities the ones suffering from this?>

<For the most part, yeah. Although there have been cases of noble houses getting eradicated, without any warning whatsoever.>

With just these conversations, Sylus was able to learn three main things:

One, someone is deliberately controlling how the county operates from the inside, and these terrorist groups are their pest control.

Secondly, the county can’t grow because those who intend to make it better are probably killed by these same groups.

And lastly, the Count of Linye was as useless as he expected.

He slowly raised his head.

<Has the leader of this group been confirmed? And where is their hideout?>

<Only the name of the leader is well known: Kung the Slayer. Some say he’s so strong even knights stand no chance against him. But no one has really seen his face and—well, survived to tell the story at least. There, take a look to your left. You see the dude in green?>

Sylus turned his gaze to the side, focusing on the man in green sitting next to the other group of men.

<Who is he?>

<He’s the leader of one of the factions. His name is Liak, and he’s pretty strong as well. No one messes with him in this part of the kingdom.>

<He knows who the leader is, correct?>

<Yeah, he should. Why are you asking?>

<Thanks.>

Sylus dropped five gold pieces on the table and stood up from the chair.

Packing the money, the man watched as Sylus approached the gang, right where they were sitting and having their drinks.

<Oi! Don’t do that!!!>

Standing right in front of their table, Sylus turned his attention toward the man in green.

From how he looked, he should be around the age of thirty or higher.

"Liak, I presume? You and I need to have a talk."

...

[Sylus’s copied abilites.]

- Queen’s hand.

- Queen’s commnad.

- King’s command.

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