Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2533: Chapter 2534: So-Called Justice

"What is the stance of the Barbarian Cave?" Ironclad Granny took a sip of tea, looked at Angel through the rising steam mist: "What do you think?"

"I don’t know."

Ironclad Granny put down the teacup: "Then let me ask you in another way. When Monty caused a commotion in Lassudral back then, you were present. What stance do you think the Barbarian Cave took in the Lassudral battle?"

Angel recalled his journey to the Abyss back then.

Although he wasn’t at the forefront of the battlefield at that time, he witnessed the battle between Wizards and Abyssal Demons through Fafner’s eyes.

From his perspective, Sanders’ exceptional combat power played an indelible role in the confrontation.

From this vantage point, it’s clear that the Barbarian Cave put a lot of effort into the Lassudral event.

This means the Barbarian Cave definitely held the same stance as Lord Monty in that battle. In fact, all the organizations and alliances involved in the battle stood on Lord Monty’s side, although the degree varied.

Angel voiced his judgment.

Ironclad Granny: "So, do you know why we chose to help Monty back then?"

Angel: "Maybe Lord Rhein also wanted to see if the legendary barrier could be broken through this opportunity?"

Ironclad Granny: "I don’t deny Rhein had such thoughts, but the main reason was because we had core interests in the Abyss."

"The Abyss seems barren, but in fact, it contains abundant benefits."

Angel had no objections to this; having been to the Abyss, he naturally understood that beneath its barren exterior, there were treasures to be mined everywhere. Even if one couldn’t find these treasures, they could kill demons, extract their bones and blood to sell, still obtaining considerable profits.

Moreover, the Abyss region corresponding to the Southern Domain was the poorest part of the Abyss, making it evident how rich the Abyss truly was.

Precisely because of such immense interests, various Witcher Organizations established strongholds in the Abyss; even if surrounded by danger, they sought a place in the Abyss.

"Currently, among the major human forces in the Abyss, the Frostmoon Alliance is the leader. Almost over seventy percent of the strongholds and supply lines are controlled by the Frostmoon Alliance, making it impossible for human Wizards to avoid this giant if they wish to survive in the Abyss."

"So now you should understand why Rhein chose to help Monty in the Abyss. That’s the reason."

The Frostmoon Alliance’s dominance in the Abyss led Barbarian Cave and other Witcher Organizations to join Monty’s plan even if it meant compromising.

"However, it’s different in the Southern Domain. Although Monty led the matter regarding the Gumman Kingdom, he dared not issue orders forcefully like he did in the Abyss. Hence, Monty could only use shared profits to coax Witcher Organizations into reaching a mutual understanding."

"Regardless of other Witcher Organizations’ thoughts, from the Barbarian Cave’s perspective, does the Gumman Kingdom hold core interests for us like the Abyss does?"

Angel thought for a moment, then shook his head. The Gumman Kingdom has interests, but they haven’t reached the importance of core interests.

"Exactly, which is why we didn’t dance along this time." Ironclad Granny: "But since King Gumman has reached the final steps of his secret ritual, breaking the dangerous balance of the Gumman Kingdom now could lead to even more terrible disasters. Therefore, even if we don’t dance with Monty, we must at least appear non-oppositional on the surface."

Angel: "So, is this the stance of the Barbarian Cave? A position of cold observation? I feel like this stance is somewhat similar to the Frostmoon Alliance?"

Ironclad Granny shook her head: "On the surface, yes, but in reality, our stance is quite different from that of the Frostmoon Alliance..."

As Ironclad Granny explained, Angel’s confusion gradually dispelled.

The reason the Barbarian Cave currently needs to maintain balance is that King Gumman is the ruler of a kingdom, possessing power and authority. His Abyssal secret ritual is based on authority; if backfired, it would affect not only King Gumman but also the kingdom’s citizens.

The consequences of such a disaster could be no less than those of the Eternal Night Country, perhaps even worse. At least many ordinary people in the Eternal Night Country managed to escape. In contrast, the secret ritual’s backlash in the Gumman Kingdom could directly claim a large portion of its citizens’ lives.

Thus, the Barbarian Cave aims to maintain balance to prevent such a disaster.

By maintaining balance, the Barbarian Cave’s stance seems similar to the Frostmoon Alliance on the surface. But Monty’s priority is the outcome of the ritual, while the Barbarian Cave is more concerned about averting disaster.

Therefore, outwardly, the Barbarian Cave appears as a "cold observer," but secretly Rhein and other Witcher Organizations remain connected, sending people to the Gumman Kingdom to investigate the ritual.

If possible, they would choose to disrupt the ritual at an opportune moment. Even if unable to completely destroy it, they aim to reduce the level of disaster caused by the ritual.

On the other hand, the Frostmoon Alliance does not wish for the ritual to be destroyed; they might even protect it until it reaches its final steps.

Thus, differences in stance emerge.

The Extreme Sect side is resolute in wanting King Gumman dead. But killing King Gumman would instantly provoke the ritual’s backlash, leading to terrible consequences.

King Gumman’s side seeks to maintain the ritual to achieve King Gumman’s ultimate goal. But to prevent intrusion by the Extreme Sect, King Gumman can only drive out a wolf by introducing a tiger.

The side led by Monty is the "tiger" brought in by King Gumman to block the "wolf" of the Extreme Sect, ultimately to extract "the answer" from King Gumman.

Currently, it seems that most Witcher Organizations stand with Monty’s side. However, within this group, there are two main factions: one supports Monty’s approach, aiming to maintain balance until the ritual concludes; the other hopes to maintain balance now,

We can say that the stances involve multiple relationships. There’s mutual opposition and support, opposition within opposition, and support within opposition.

Even within opposition and support, there’s a commonality. For example, Monty’s camp and the Extreme Sect’s camp currently seem like two extremes, but they share a consensus: King Gumman must die.

It’s just that the Extreme Sect wants King Gumman dead now, while Monty prefers to wait for the answer to come before ensuring King Gumman’s demise.

In summary, the complex multilateral stances form the chaotic waters of the current Gumman Kingdom.

However, once clarified, it becomes quite understandable. In fact, you can easily discern the reasons behind each party’s actions. The Extreme Sect is rallying under the banner of "World Will"; Monty is eager to find the breakthrough crevice, even at the cost of being used by King Gumman; as for Witcher Organizations like the Barbarian Cave, they are compelled to join this conflict to prevent the disaster caused by the ritual’s backlash.

Angel: "From the overarching perspective, the stance of the Barbarian Cave seems to have become the most righteous side."

Ironclad Granny: "Righteousness is just about the outcome, but fundamentally it’s due to geographical relations. The Gumman Kingdom is too close to the Barbarian Cave, and it has control over the southeastern coastal ports. To reach the Barbarian Cave from the Outer Sea, one must pass through the Gumman Kingdom."

"If a catastrophic disaster occurs in the Gumman Kingdom, many plans based on geographical relations need to be redrafted. Moreover, the neighboring Arius Principality might also face turmoil due to this, which would impact the Barbarian Cave as well."

"That’s why Witcher Organizations affected by geographical proximity mostly stand with the Barbarian Cave. For instance, Sky Mechanical City."

Sky Mechanical City has influenced the continent since the steam train era, so its most important consideration is geography and transportation, and the Gumman Kingdom is a key point in both land and sea routes.

This also results in Sky Mechanical City suffering the greatest losses once chaos breaks out in the Gumman Kingdom. Companies like White Shell Sea Market and the maritime shipping companies here would be affected as well.

Angel: "This reasoning makes sense, but from the outcome, it’s relatively righteous. At least, future individuals wouldn’t face a value shock because of the Barbarian Cave’s stance."

Ironclad Granny: "Certain individuals? You mean..."

"Like White Bear."

Angel’s sudden curiosity about the Barbarian Cave’s stance actually stems from thinking about Maya the Witch’s other student, ’White Bear’ Hobson.

White Bear was persecuted by King Gumman, nearly leading to his family’s extinction. After enduring hardships for years, he eventually found his way to the Barbarian Cave.

Angel had considered whether White Bear, upon learning that the Barbarian Cave was actually involved in the murky waters of the Gumman Kingdom, even playing a part behind the scenes, would feel his values collapse.

Now it seems that those like White Bear, who suffered persecution from King Gumman and ultimately joined the Barbarian Cave, their values will not be shaken.

An outcome of justice is still justice, isn’t it?