Chapter 38: From Now On...

"As you command." Jack seemed slightly surprised by what Caelan commanded, but he still quickly lowered his head.

"The Night has existed for several decades. As you already know, we specialize primarily in gathering information and doing things that normal people can’t."

"So how exactly does everything work?" Caelan spared a glance at him.

"As I mentioned, the Night is currently divided into three branches. However, the branches are not separated merely by location. Instead, each one serves a different purpose."

That information caught Caelan’s full attention.

"The First Branch is the central branch. It is based here in the capital but we move to different locations from time to time. We handle the majority of the Night’s internal affairs."

"So that’s the one you manage, right?"

"Yes, my lord." Jack nodded.

"The First Branch manages our funds, records, safe houses, equipment, communications, and assignments. We are also responsible for coordinating between the other two branches."

Caelan slowly nodded. It totally made sense.

"However, the Second Branch is different," Jack continued. "Its members are scattered throughout the capital and several surrounding cities. Unlike us, most of them do not openly operate as members of the Night."

"What do you mean?" Caelan’s eyebrows rose slightly.

"They live as ordinary people, but their occupation is what allows them to hear and gather information without attracting suspicion from people."

"So they’re our spies?" Caelan’s expression slowly changed.

"Some are, but informants would be a more accurate description for most of them." Jack respectfully corrected him.

"They listen to rumors and gather information that may be useful to the organization. Some of the members have also spent years establishing themselves in their respective positions."

"Do they know each other?"

"Most do not."

"Oh..." Caelan was a little bit confused at that. He thought it would be easier if everyone just knew each other. But maybe that was wrong.

"Secrecy is important in the organization. Only the First Branch members know each other while the others are kept separate. So if one member gets caught, they can’t reveal the identities of the other members they don’t know."

"I see..." Caelan had to admit that was a smart choice.

"The Second Branch also handles most of our clients," Jack continued.

"Clients?"

"Yes. The Night is not funded solely through our own activities. We also accept requests from individuals who are willing to pay us."

"What kind of requests do we take?" Caelan’s forehead creased.

"Information gathering, locating individuals, stealing objects, and assassination. It’s mostly dirty work."

"Ohhh," Caelan wasn’t surprised anymore. After all, they were almost killed too.

"And the Third Branch?" Caelan asked.

"The Third Branch is quite different from the first two." Jack’s expression became slightly more serious.

"It is made up of the most skilled fighters and assassins within the Night. They are the ones sent to handle missions that are too dangerous or difficult for ordinary members."

"So they’re basically our strongest members?"

"Yes, my Lord. However, even we don’t know where most of them are."

"You don’t know?" Caelan raised an eyebrow.

"The Third Branch’s members are scattered across different cities and territories, and they rarely stay in one place for long. Some of them may even be outside the kingdom right now."

"Then how the hell do you contact them?"

Jack became quiet for a moment. "That would be through you, my Lord."

"..." Caelan stared at him.

"What?"

"The Third Branch answers directly to you. Their locations and the methods used to contact them are information only you are supposed to know."

"..." Caelan didn’t know what to say.

How the fuck was he supposed to know that?

He had only been their lord for four days, and he had spent all four of those days unconscious.

"I see..." That was the only thing he could say. He would look at it next time or maybe talk to the system about it.

However, after hearing all of that, he realized one thing. What was the reason why are they attacked in the first place?

"Wait." Caelan suddenly looked at Jack. "Speaking of that, why did you guys attack us then?"

Jack suddenly became quiet. Caelan noticed the change in his expression immediately too.

"What?"

Instead of answering, Jack suddenly dropped to one knee and lowered his head.

"What are you doing?" Caelan’s lips parted.

"Please forgive us, my Lord."

"For what?"

"The attack on your carriage was not a request from a client." Jack remained kneeling as he started to explain.

"Then why the hell did you attack us?"

Jack hesitated for a moment before finally answering. "For money."

"Money...?"

"Yes, my Lord." Jack lowered his head even further.

"For the past few months, the previous lord has ordered us to gather more money. He told us to target wealthy travelers passing through the woods outside the capital. We would mark carriages during the night and attack them once they reached a more isolated area."

"You were robbing travelers?" Caelan’s expression slowly changed when he heard that. So that was the mark Eveline found on the wheel.

"Yes, my Lord." Jack didn’t even try to defend it. "We would take their coins, valuables, supplies, and anything else that could be sold."

"Then what about killing them?" Caelan stared at him.

"We were ordered not to leave witnesses."

"..."

Caelan’s expression immediately darkened. Now everything finally made sense in his mind. Caelan didn’t know whether his honesty made him thankful or annoyed.

"..." Caelan rubbed his forehead. He didn’t even know how he was supposed to react to that. But one thing was for sure. They almost died just because their stupid leader wanted some money.

"Please punish me as you see fit. As the acting leader of the First Branch now, I take responsibility for what happened.

"Did you give the order?" Caelan looked at him.

"No, my Lord."

"Did you attack us?"

"No."

"Then stop kneeling." Caelan sighed. The guy who ordered it was dead now, so punishments were not necessary.

"My Lord?" Jack slowly raised his head, the surprise in his eyes was evident.

"I said get up."

Jack hesitated for a moment before finally standing.

Caelan let out another sigh as he leaned further against his pillow. He was definitely going to have to change a few things about this organization.

"From now on, we’re not doing that anymore."

"My Lord?"

"From now on, we’re not doing that anymore. We won’t attack random travelers, rob carriages and we won’t definetely kill people just because they have something valuable with them. If the Night needs money, then we’ll find another way to earn it."

"We will follow you, my Lord." Jack stared at him for a few seconds before placing one hand over his chest.