Meanwhile at the royal palace at Jacobstadt that was at the center of the capital. It was a large building located on top of the hill, like it was watching over the entire city, but was now more like looking down on the other districts. The current king of the Jacob kingdom Royce Jacob the 24th king of the Jacob dynasty was talking to prominent noblemen and ministers of the kingdom. They were having a meeting at the throne room where the king sat on his large stone throne.

"Has there been any news on the disappearance of Adolf Blausaber since his disappearance over a month ago?" asked the king.

"My king what my informants have told me is that Mr. Blausaber had decided to elope with some foreign noblewoman," said Reiner Lehder the minister of intelligence of the kingdom of Jacob and also a prominent nobleman.

"Hmmm…. Well, that is a surprise. Anyway, keep the search up. We must make sure he is okay. To show unity among us nobles," said the king

"Of course, my king. That is indeed wise," Reiner Lehder answered and bowed.

"Aaaaah unity. Truly one of our backbones of our kingdom, right father," said prince Markus Jacob sarcastically.

Markus Jacob was the first-born son of the king. He was an extremely handsome man with golden blonde hair and a tall figure. With him came two of his aides, a woman with blonde hair dressed in a toga style dress, the other a man clad in thick plate armor who stood two meters tall. Unlike the king who was old-looking and had the aura of stagnation on him, the prince had an aura of renewal and was brimming with energy.

"Prince Markus, I have told you so many times. When I am sitting on this throne you do not call me father. I am a king and that goes to you two," said the king to his son.

The prince immediately bowed down.

"I would also like to give a topic of discussion to this meeting. Only if the great king allows it," said the young prince bent on one knee being again obviously sarcastic when showing respect.

The other nobles looked annoyed by just the sight of the prince. None of them seemed to like him.

"I will allow it," said the king who didn't seem to care about the prince's attitude.

"I have heard that the infamous sons of the red moon have been disbanded. It seems that the black rat gang, previously only known for their thieving and burglary way have overtaken them. Is there an opinion or a verdict on this your highness," asked the prince?

"Why should we do anything," said one girl.

"Yes why should we care." said another girl who looked just like the first girl.

They were the Milene twins Ana and Ene. Both were only 17 years old but were both prominent nobles and both had a powerful divine power. The twins had identical clothes and hair and even their faces were completely identical with a creepy grinning smile.

"Crime keeps the common folk preoccupied," said Ene.

"That makes sure that we have enough time to think about what really matters when they don't get in our way," explained Ana.

"Crime will always exist and dealing with it is just a loss of resources," said Ene.

"Eventually a new gang will come and swallow it up or it will splinter again," said Ana.

Prince Markus chuckled.

"Well if gangs come and go also the green twin mantis gang will also vanish in time?" prince Markus asked.

Both Ene and Ana stood silently for a moment, but still had a large, creepy smile on their face.

"Eventually maybe," they said in unison.

The king rose from the throne with everyone bowing as he did.

"Well, then I think that settles it then. my verdict is simple. NOTHING! As the Milene twins said, these gangs keep the masses preoccupied. When they are occupied, they will not try to meddle in governing or our daily jobs. It's just better for them of course. It's obvious, "stated the king.

Everyone started to rise from a kneeling position and started to cheer and congratulate the king as a way to suck up to him. As the prince was rising, he instead had a small frown on his face, but immediately turned it into a smile and joined in on the applauding.

After the meeting, the prince left the chamber. He was joined by the same two people who had walked with him into the throne room. They stopped in the hallway next to large decorated windows.

"My prince why did you ask about the gangs. You had been collecting intel about them for a while now and you directly ordered to keep this project hidden from the rest of the nobility and royals," said August Moldav the adjutant of the prince.

August Moldav was the adjutant of the prince. He was a stern person who was extremely loyal to the prince and only the prince.

"Heh. Maybe I just wanted to make sure that I hadn't been caught," explained the prince and laughed.

"Are we still going to continue collecting intel my prince," asked Doreen Lykaios the prince's loyal assistant and secretary.

Doreen Lykaios was known for her constant professional attitude and her exceptional wisdom. Always extremely professional and straight to the point.

"Hmm. What do you think?" asked the prince again with a charming smile.

"I think there is no more intel needed, but I do believe you already knew this and had made up your mind," said Doreen.

"Ding ding ding, we have a winner, and you get extra points for being such a good assistant who knows their boss so well," said the prince playfully.

Both August and Doreen laughed.

"Haaah. This kingdom is like a sick animal. It's dying and by dying, I mean its people are suffering. In many parts of this kingdom people are starving, and my father doesn't want to do anything about it. The nobles in this country are so inadequate and so corrupt that no wonder this country is a mess," explained the prince.

"That is why we serve you. You are the most capable person to lead this country," said August and bowed his head slightly.

"What is the funniest thing is that the so-called minister of intelligence hasn't still realized what happened to Adolf Blausaber. I gave them right now all the pieces of the puzzle, but they still were not able to figure it out," Markus laughed.

"Are you planning on still meeting with this boss of the black rat gang? Even I can't tell why you would want to meet up with such a person?" asked Doreen.

"Haaaah. You are truly smart Doreen. You possibly have the greatest potential of a person I've ever seen, but you still haven't realized it. This person will be the key to my mission. He will help me, accomplice, it."

"Priiiiince," yelled an extremely attractive girl who jumped and hugged the prince from behind,

"I've missed you. Why did you have to leave our place so early? My parents don't mind your nightly visits to our place. They welcome it. They would just ask you to use the front door instead of climbing through the window," the girl whispered with a cheerful smile.

This woman was Emilia. She was a minor noble but was in more ways than one an important person to the prince.

"Your parents should be the real god and goddess of this world. Truly such great parents. I will join you later. We will go riding some horses for example near your family villa. Wait for me in my carriage" the prince whispered back.

The prince kissed Emilia on her forehead.

"You will have to endure with just that for now. People are watching," whispered prince Markus to a blushing Emilia's ear.

Emilia started to walk away, and prince Markus smiled as he watched her.

"She truly is one of a kind. Her parents are not looking for any chance to move up the social ladder. They just care that their daughter is happy," said August to a happy prince.

"Is that also the reason why you will not let her in into your dealings?" asked Doreen.

The mood around the prince suddenly went darker.

"Ahh yes. Cause she should never see any darkness, especially my darkness. Schedule a chance to meet up with this Rufus."