Outside the mansion the air was still, almost unnaturally silent. Vaelor and Robert remained hidden behind the thick tree in the garden, eyes fixed on the entrance where Perun in Raven persona and Lukman disguised as Arthur Conan had just entered. Vaelor's thoughts were racing—what is Perun doing with them?
Suddenly Robert stiffened. "Wait… someone else is here."
Behind Vaelor, three more figures approached confidently. The moment Vaelor saw the face, a sharp flashback struck him—the dim lights of Kaspus Bar, cigar smoke in the air.
Ricardo Williams. Behind him walked James, Saggy, and Simpson.
Vaelor's jaw tightened. What is Perun doing with them?
Robert whispered urgently, "Aren't they the rich tycoons? The ones buying properties everywhere? And now I remember—those two guys gave signals to Perun and Lukman at the port. They're the travelers who took authority of Indus City seaport. It was in the news."
He glanced at Vaelor. "What do you think? Are they involved with the Three Families too?"
Vaelor knew the truth—Perun and Lukman were not enemies. But defending them now would expose himself.
So he replied calmly, "Looks like they are in some kind of party."
Ricardo and his men entered the mansion.
From their hiding spot, Vaelor and Robert shifted slightly closer to the wall. Through a slightly open side window they could hear fragments of conversation.
Only broken words reached them: "Deccan… Three Families Union… invasion… take down Senate… Senate on authority's side…"
Robert's eyes widened. "Did you hear that?"
Before Vaelor could answer, more footsteps approached. Instinctively, both hid again behind the tree.
This time it was Junwell and Caeson. They looked furious.
Caeson's voice was sharp. "How can he say he wants to hold the work of our union while doing other shitty things? First he disappears without any information—and now this?"
Junwell remained calm. "Maybe he has his own reason. Let's not disturb him. If we need him, we can call him."
Vaelor observed carefully. No Alfred.
Junwell and Caeson entered the mansion.
Inside, voices overlapped as greetings were exchanged in normal tone. The discussion soon shifted.
"The Indus seaport is ready," someone said. "You can deploy your people."
Lukman added carefully, "What about your third partner?"
Caeson gave him a sharp stare.
Junwell quickly lightened the atmosphere. "He's handling preparations."
Then Junwell continued, "Tomorrow our people will arrive at Indus Port. They're already sailing, waiting for instructions."
Suddenly, a landline rang.
Junwell picked it up.
"Vice Chancellor Adolf Benzamin."
Vaelor and Robert leaned closer but they can't hear the call at from distance that was natural not possible.
Junwell listening whole talk of vice-chancellor that how two governors had refused Adolf's offer—Belen Governor Kettle and Luonsa Governor Alex. They were close to the High Chancellor. The Senate was protecting them. Though they hadn't revealed secrets, they were demanding money to stay silent.
Adolf's voice, tense and urgent: "Can you get them out of the way?"
Junwell hesitated. "Our people haven't arrived yet."
"This must be done," Adolf insisted. "If they open their mouths, I'm finished. And so are you. Ask Ricardo for help. I'll send some of my men."
The call ended.
Ricardo asked, "Who was it?"
Junwell explained everything—including Adolf's demand to eliminate Kettle and Alex.
He said it openly. In front of Perun and Lukman. Unaware that Ricardo had not told them about his deeper involvement with Adolf. Inside his hat, Perun's hidden recorder captured every word. A tiny spy camera embedded in his suit button documented everything.
Ricardo nodded. "James. You'll go with them."
James stepped forward immediately.
Junwell said, "Fine. Me, Caeson, and you James."
"Alfred?" Ricardo asked.
"He has other duties," Junwell replied.
Ricardo then asked, "Where are those two governors now?"
Lukman, still in Arthur Conan persona, answered smoothly, "Second division of the Senate."
Perun's in shocks stares at him and thoughts spun. Why is he lying? If they go there, won't we get exposed? But another darker thought followed. If they clash and destroy each other… that might be better.
Ricardo narrowed his eyes at Lukman. "How do you know that?"
"I have connections," Lukman replied calmly. "You can trust that."
Ricardo looked at Junwell. "You heard him."
After final nods, they began leaving the mansion.
Outside, Vaelor and Robert heard doors open and footsteps approaching.
Robert whispered, "They're moving."
Vaelor's expression hardened. "We are following them now."
The conspiracy was no longer rumor.