Powers All Around

That red mark…

Bain's eyes glowed with a fiery light.

The thin piece of paper was sticking out from underneath several books. He could see particular characters and symbols that, wouldn't you know it, belonged to none other than the Absolutes!

Them again? Bain's interest was more than piqued.

What did they want from the Silver-haired man? Though the man looked trustworthy, the Absolute court was another matter.

Bain carefully moved his hands, still keeping his head stiffly facing the man.

Could he do it? Would he eventually succeed?

~Tack. Tack. Tack. Tack.

The flames once again danced underneath the heated pot.

The space was obviously hot. But when the Silver-haired man spoke, it suddenly grew heavy and frosty.

"Mainland 01… Violence, murder, chaos, and freedom to do whatever criminals want… That's what you ordinary folks think. However, you're all forgetting one simple fact. Even in Hell itself, there are rules."

~Pang!

The Silver-haired man swung his blade once more, giving the illusion he was slaughtering an enemy.

Got it!

Bain finally got the document.

However, he was still curious about his words.

.

"Here, you need to know there are 4 main leading powers that stand above the masses. Their brutality is like no other… They worked themselves to the top, dominating the land and having a force that even those outside the mainland dare not mess with."

The Silver-haired man's face remained expressionless amid Bain's heightened curiosity.

"We in the Mainland call them the 4 Monarchs… There's the Emperor of Spades, Mr. Wang… He dominates over 90% of the Mainland's eastern part, with more men under his wing than you can imagine."

90% of the Eastern regions?

"Kid… Just remember that if you ever see a dark-haired man with an overly large X-cross mark on his forehead, you'd better run as far and as fast as you can. This deadly man is not known for his mercy. Remember that."

Bain repeated his words severally, wanting to burn the information deep in his heart.

Emperor of Spades, Eastern Mainland, Mr. Wang… He didn't think he would be forgetting him soon.

Tilting his head, he gave the Silver-haired man an inquisitive stare. "What about the others?"

"The others?" The silver-haired man cleared the cut-off wheat heads on his table.

"Since you're in these parts, I suggest you also look out for the one they call the Empress of Diamonds... Miss Cecilia Von Fausta the 3rd."

Bain was taken aback. Her name also showed that she shouldn't be someone from his Oven country.

A foreigner? He wasn't too surprised since Mainland 01 housed criminals from every part of the world.

This place should be the most diverse in all of Blue Sails.

.

The more Bain heard, the more amazed he was.

According to the Silver-haired man's words, Cecilia came from a very prestigious home, and her training is like no other.

As for why she got into this place, many think it's because of some noble family scheme that sent her here for life, thinking she wouldn't be able to survive for long.

However, they underestimated her.

30 years ago, she arrived in this hell hole with 15 of her sworn guards. And barely 3 years after her arrival, she successfully killed the former Emperor of Diamonds, claiming the title for herself.

Now she runs 85% of all Western islands and territories.

They say she was even more brutal than Mr. Wang.

Fiery red long hair, always dressed in black or white... This Miss Cecilia wasn't easy to mess with.

As for the other 2 Monarchs…

~Fhee~

The pot began to whistle, cutting the Silver-haired man's sage words and advice short.

"I know you're hungry... Lunch will soon be ready."

"Oh…" Bain replied in a daze, still processing all he heard.

4 Monarchs? Emperor of Spades? Emperor of Diamonds?... Weren't those card suits?

Bain had a hunch the other Monarchs should be the Emperor of Clubs and the Emperor of Hearts.

With Mr. Wang and Miss Cecilia in the East and West, these two should be controlling mist territories in the North and South.

However, the Silver-haired man said they controlled most territories, not all... So didn't this mean that some territories were neutral zones? Or were they just deemed worthless and a waste of time?

More importantly, the place he descended into... was it a neutral zone or one overrun by these monarchs?

Seeing as the Silver-haired man spoke more about Miss Cecilia, could it be he was on one of her territories?

.

Bain knew there was so much he had to learn. However, he first had to determine his situation.

The Silver-haired man had his back facing him, focused on the boiling pot.

Good.

Seeing the coast clear, Bain lifted his blanket.

[Sentence Completed!]

Those were the first words to grab his attention.

So that's it!

Bain felt a little relieved.

The Silver-haired man had completed his 130-year sentence. This was just a letter confirming he could leave anytime he chose.

But according to the date on the letter, he was free to go 56 years ago. Yet he chose to stay in his dangerous place instead. Why?

Bain was about to wrack his brain for more clues when the man's cold voice bellowed.

"Find it interesting?"

Ah-

Like a cat dropped in water, Bain jerked anxiously after realizing he was caught.

"I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy." He tried to explain, watching the Silver-haired man take the letter away.

"It's fine. I always put this away because it brings out painful memories."

Sigh…

The Silver-haired man sighed, sitting beside the table with a stoic expression. However, his eyes told a sad narrative.

"Kid... Would you like to listen to my story?"

…