"So those 60 Awakened Mercenaries you had me leave at your Citadel, are just…on their own?" Cor asked in disbelief.
"Well, Caster's there too. They probably won't die so long as he's around. That is, unless they purposefully go looking for Corrupted creatures. But at that point it's their own fault," Gehrman walked casually through a street in the Outskirts. He was not actually on the New Workshop grounds, instead he was paying someone a visit.
"Oh, and it's 57, those 5 Valor Squires got the privileged treatment," he added.
Cor let out a long sigh into the communicator.
"I don't think you realize the gravity of the situation. The Government's stance on neutrality is not something that can be changed lest the world fall into a chaos. The balance of power right now is already straining, something like this could very well end up being the thing that sends them over the edge."
It was no surprise who Cor was referring to. Now that the Great Clans were involved, things could escalate very quickly.
That was because there was a very particular system of checks and balances on the world powers. The Government only had two Saints (and the one who was not Cor had was a non combatant for the most part). So against the forces of Song and Valor, even without their Sovereigns they could easily topple everything.
The problem was, if they did go after the Government, then the final Great Clan, the Clan of Night, would oppose the aggressor. And unlike the Government, the Night Clan had more than enough Saints to tip the tides against whoever dared to provoke the neutral party.
But tensions had grown far too strenuous over the years. After meeting Ki Song, Gehrman was sure that there would be a true conflict. But it would likely play out as a private war with neither side attempting to get the Government or Night involved.
…But Valor had made a play at Gehrman.
However, they had been clever about it. Since the New Workshop was technically a private endeavor, not sponsored by the Government, an attack on it could only result in certain sanctions. And even then, the Government wouldn't want to retaliate in a way that would accelerate a war between Great Clans.
On top of this though, Valor could quite easily deny all claims of assault. That was because they used a figurehead: Caiman.
In truth, this was never about Soul Shards, but always about getting Gehrman alone and either forcing him to join Valor…or getting rid of him.
They had only made a play at the New Workshop in order to take control of it and likely use it as leverage against Gehrman. Though Gehrman's stash was impressive, it was nothing that the Legacy clans couldn't acquire with their own considerable power.
This left Gehrman and the Government in quite an awkward situation. Cor especially seemed exceptionally stressed over this. On one hand, the New Workshop and Gehrman had already proven to be an invaluable resource. It was obvious that he wanted to take measures to ensure this wouldn't happen again.
But in order to do that, Gehrman had to publicly announce himself, his allegiance to the Government, and make the New Workshop an official subsidiary under their protection. This would dissuade any further attacks, but this also came with its share of issues.
For one, both the Government and Gehrman were inclined to keep the New Workshop as a semi secret operation. It was natural that the Great Clans were aware of it, but it was also clear they had no idea what occurred there. This was optimal, but also dangerous. The recent incident was evidence of this.
And even more distressing was the fact that Valor might take the official addition of the New Workshop to Government as a breach in their neutrality. It was a bit of a leap, but if Valor decided that the capture and injuring of their Squires (no matter how at fault they were) they could gain a reason to destroy the Government.
Not only that, if they played it right then the Clan of Night might not even get involved, since it would appear to be a personal conflict.
Of course, it was doubtful that they could pull this off, but with how much Valor and Song appeared to be itching for a war, it was a possibility. A small possibility, but one that would spell a true cataclysm.
Gehrman let out a sigh as he approached a large building that stood out like a sore thumb amongst the rickety infrastructure of the Outskirts.
"...Let's try for some middle ground," Gehrman mused. "I think I have an idea of how to deal with this but I gotta talk to a guy real quick. While I do that though, contact the highest figure in the Night Clan that you have access to. I'd like to discuss something with them before we go any further."
…
When Gehrman found Caiman, the old man was lounging in a large leather chair sitting behind a wooden desk. Though it might have appeared normal on the surface, this was actually a sign of ridiculous luxury. Both of those resources were effectively extinct, so it was an ultimate show of wealth to possess them.
Caiman sat genially and calmly. His wrinkles were relaxed and he appeared at peace. But that quickly changed when he opened his eyes and saw Gehrman grow closer. The effects of [Cainhurst Knights Attire] took effect. And a feeling of overwhelming subservience was implanted in his heart.
Even so, the man fought it off just as well as Oskar had. Actually, it was even better. Because even as the old man's gaze wavered, he still met Gehrman's eyes.
"Come to kill me?" Caiman asked simply.
"I haven't decided yet," Gehrman crossed his arms and let an amused smile spread across his face.
"For the most part, I don't blame you too much for this."
Caiman blinked slowly, the only indication of his surprise.
"So you figured out who was pulling the strings then?"
"You know, they won't kill you if you say their name. I already met one of their Saints and he made it clear he was from Valor."
Caiman shivered and let out a hoarse laugh.
"You met a Saint, and yet you still live? You're even more of a preposterous entity than I had thought."
Gehrman tilted his head.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Caiman grunted in reply.
"So what's our business then? Do you want control over the entire Outskirts? All my resources? I hate to tell you but that's no longer in my power. After being forced to do this stunt no District Boss will respond to me. Most of them broke their bank to hire Mercinares, and they are probably getting overthrown right now. In fact, the only reason I'm still alive is because I demanded payment up front."
"Hmm, clever," Gehrman said.
"But that isn't why I came here. I wanted to see if you were a beast."
Caiman furrowed his brows.
"I…am quite sure I am human. No claws or fangs to speak of I assure you."
Gehrman shook his head and let a trickle of murderous intent spill outward. Caiman stiffened in response, his face paled and his hands started to shake under the desk.
"That is besides the point. You see, I don't care much for killing humans. But I am a Hunter who is both obligated and inclined to kill any beast that crosses my path. And those who cause unnecessary pain and suffering, even if they walk and talk like humans, are without a doubt beasts."
"Valor…made me."
"True, I don't doubt you had no choice in the matter," Gehrman acknowledged.
"But why have all those District Bosses got involved? Why sow chaos throughout the Outskirts?"
"The…Mercenaries," Caiman let out a strained growl. "The mercenaries would get suspicious. I have resources, but not enough to buy out all that I need."
"No, that's not true," Gehrman approached the desk and loomed over him. "You didn't need those 50 fodder mercenaries to attack me, it didn't even cause me to break a sweat. You didn't need to stall me until the Saint could arrive, he would have met me directly after the Gate Crisis with no issues."
Caiman was now letting out pained groans, his body feeling crushing weight under Gehrman's presence. Still, The Red Judge continued.
"You only needed 7 of them to help blend in with the Valor Squires. And as I recall, you had even more than that when you called that meeting of District Bosses."
Caiman was shaking now.
"P-please, I…just thought that Valor would treat me better if I actually got you tired beforehand. I really thought 50 Awakened would be enough. I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. Please."
Gehrman restrained his presence. But he did not remove the [Cainhurst Knights Attire].
Caiman kept his head bowed.
"Take what you want. Take everything I have. Just let me live."
A violent silence gripped the room. Then, Gehrman's voice shattered it, cutting like rusted metal.
"I…am no beast. I do not kill unnecessarily."
Caiman let out a huge sigh of relief. But it was quickly replaced by overwhelming dread as The Red Judge continued to speak.
"If you die, the Outskirts will suffer even more than they are now. So…for one year you will live. You will clean up your mess and restore some semblance of order to this place."
Gehrman turned to leave. To Caiman, his back looked like an insurmountable mountain. An unknowable and peerless power.
"Do this and you may prove you have fought off beasthood…but if you refuse, or try to squirm your way out of this, if you try to flee. I will find you, and I will slaughter you."