Chapter 135: Plots Upon Plots of the Helmsley Regime 2
"My children—each of you excellent in your own way—I thank you for coming."
Duke Jabok's voice was calm but carried weight. "Let us get straight to the point. I wish to address certain movements within our kingdom… as well as those taking place beyond its borders."
The topics that followed would have been deemed dangerously subversive if heard by outsiders. As the duke of a powerful noble house carrying royal blood, Duke Jabok Helmsley spoke with no restraint.
Jacob, listening intently, could only shake his head internally. His father was growing more reckless. Their duchy, though a formidable force within Brawlmanica, had suffered heavy losses during the war. Plotting so ambitiously at a time like this could only lead to further disaster.
But it was the next statement that made Jacob's blood run cold.
"In my view, the White Star Radiance has accumulated far too much influence across multiple nations. This sets a dangerous precedent. While I believe they can still be managed, there lies a pressing issue… Within their ranks exists the so-called Black Reaper Corps. As far as I'm concerned, they are little more than a collection of scum from the expelled Night's Light Devouring Church—an evil sect still festering in other nations."
A tense silence fell over the room.
Then, with an intense glint in his eyes and a sinister smirk curling his lips, Jumanga Helmsley leaned forward, licking his lips slightly.
"Lord Father… What exactly are you proposing by bringing them up?" he asked, voice low and eager.
"I'm saying this plainly—there may come a time, for the sake of the kingdom, when we must deal with them… permanently."
Several of his children immediately stood, stunned.
"Lord Father!" cried the third son, born of the duke's first concubine. "With all due respect, this is far too hasty a decision."
"On the contrary," mused one of the daughters thoughtfully, "Father may have a point… Their power is growing unchecked."
The chamber quickly became divided. Voices clashed. Some aligned with the duke's suspicion, others cautioned restraint.
"I believe Father's words hold weight!" Jumanga bellowed, grinning wildly. "They should be eradicated before they truly become a threat. What say you, brother Jerome?" he added, directing his words with pointed arrogance.
Jerome Helmsley, calm and unmoved, waited a few seconds before replying.
"Observe them for now," he said plainly. "Prince Hunter has ties to the White Star Radiance and is counted among their members. Attacking recklessly will only turn eyes toward us. That would be unwise."
The room quieted again. His words, calm and rational, were hard to refute. But then he turned, casting a sharp gaze across the chamber.
"And you, Jacob… I'd like to hear your opinion."
All eyes shifted.
Jacob exhaled slowly, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He could lie—but the truth-detection magic woven subtly into the chamber would betray him. Dodging the question wasn't an option either. If he was to preserve face and safety, he'd need to speak carefully—truthfully, but without taking a direct stance.
"…My opinion likely holds little weight here," he said, voice calm but firm. "But I will say this—if we are to provoke Daoist Black Devil Blades, we must understand what we're inviting. Three years ago, he was a Gold tier 3 capable of fighting a Golden Lord… and that was then."
The weight of his words fell on the room. Even those eager for bloodshed seemed to pause, digesting the implications.
Then, breaking the silence, one of his half-sisters scoffed, a mocking smile tugging at her lips.
"So, you're suggesting we huddle like cowards instead? Typical."
Jacob ignored his half-sister's remark and withdrew into his own thoughts. He had long since grown used to this kind of provocation.
Jerome, meanwhile, remained unreadable—his expression offering no clues as to where his thoughts lay.
Jumanga, by contrast, wore a large sneer. But Jacob could tell—despite the bravado—that it was at least partially a front. Jumanga was far more calculating than most gave him credit for.
At the head of the room, Duke Jabok Helmsley swept his gaze over his assembled children, silently measuring each of their responses.
"Then we shall begin preparations," the duke said at last, his tone neutral but dangerous. "Should the time come, we will act decisively. Perhaps this can serve as leverage against Prince Hunter… and push the Michaels family to move sooner."
Jacob nearly facepalmed on the spot. The sheer short-sightedness of his father's words made his stomach churn.
Does he truly believe targeting the Black Reaper Corps of the White Star Radiance won't trigger a large response from various powers?
He had thoroughly studied the information detailed in the intelligence compendium he had just read—and it was deeply unsettling. Every piece of it painted the White Star Radiance as a sprawling network of fearsome talents and international influence. They were entangled in too many factions, too many alliances, and too many deadly individuals.
A cold realization crept over him.
Most likely… a large enough portion of this entire web of power has been orchestrated by that terrifying man—Prince Hunter.
Jacob clenched his jaw.
Prince Hunter was not only a cultivation genius on the brink of being crowned King of Brawlmanica, but he had also recently ascended to Gold Tier 5—in his early twenties. It was unheard of.
Jacob couldn't help but compare this with his own kin.
Duke Jabok had broken into the Mortal Lord realm over eight years ago—after recovering from war injuries sustained in conflict with the Fighting Brawlman Sect.
Jerome and Jumanga had only just recently reached Gold Tier 5, despite being in their late twenties.
But Prince Hunter had accomplished it younger—and likely with far more terrifying combat capabilities.
And if that wasn't enough to stir anxiety, there were the figures within White Star Radiance—those whose mere rumored presence sent chills down the spine of seasoned nobles.
The true identity of Daoist Heavens Star Eyes, her friendly ties to Daoist Black Devil Blades, and especially the White Flame Magi—the latter heavily backed by the Soloman Clan—were all names that no one in power dared to provoke lightly.
These are not enemies you just "deal with" casually, Father.
Jacob sighed under his breath, deeply uncomfortable.
And yet, in the midst of his inner turmoil, he remained unaware of two intense gazes locked onto him from across the room.
Jerome and Jumanga.
Whether their father noticed or not was uncertain as Jacob had just revealed more about himself than he realized.