Chapter 359: Justice???
The enormous auditorium gradually became quiet.
Almost four hundred of the underworld’s most influential figures occupied their seats.
Some wore masks.
Some openly revealed their identities.
Some were accompanied by other guests.
Others sat alone.
No matter who they were...
Every single person inside the hall possessed enough influence to change the fate of cities, governments, corporations or criminal organizations.
At precisely eight o’clock...
The lights dimmed.
A spotlight illuminated the stage.
The elderly head of the Krause Family slowly walked toward the podium.
Despite his age, every step remained steady.
The conversations throughout the auditorium immediately disappeared.
He smiled warmly.
"Good morning, everyone."
His voice echoed clearly across the hall.
"Welcome..."
"To the Annual Underground Secret Exchange Conclave."
A wave of applause spread throughout the auditorium.
"I hope your journey to Frankfurt am Main was comfortable."
"As always..."
"Your accommodations for the next two days are entirely within Krause Tower."
"Our family sincerely hopes that you’ll enjoy our hospitality once again."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"There was once a time..."
"When this very tower welcomed nine hundred and forty guests."
A few older attendees quietly nodded.
"That was many years ago."
He slowly looked across the audience.
"But the underworld has always followed only one rule."
"The weak disappear."
"The strong survive."
"Some are replaced."
"Some are killed."
"And those fortunate enough to remain..."
"Eventually gather here."
He smiled.
"That is why this Conclave has never become weaker."
"It becomes stronger."
"Year after year."
He slowly raised one finger.
"This year..."
"Three hundred and ninety guests have answered our invitation."
His eyes moved across the audience.
"Some of you..."
"Are old tigers."
"Others..."
"Are young dragons who carved your own names into history."
The hall remained silent as everyone listened.
"This year also brought tremendous change."
"The Disaster Maiden... was caught."
"And the entire Treasure Hunter Group..."
"Disappeared"
Several whispers immediately spread through the audience.
"So..."
"Someone stronger hunted them."
Many exchanged uncertain looks.
The old man continued.
"Mordecai."
"Our favorite weapons dealer."
"He was captured by the government."
A few people chuckled.
Others sighed.
"The underworld has lost several familiar faces this year."
He smiled again.
"But..."
"It also welcomed old ones back."
His gaze shifted toward one corner of the auditorium.
"After many years..."
"Senior Nine returns."
"As Graveyard’s representative."
Immediately...
Whispers spread throughout the audience.
"I thought Nine retired."
"I heard he was dead."
"So the rumors were false."
"I’ve never seen him before."
The elderly man smiled knowingly.
"I’ve heard some of our younger guests are feeling relieved this year."
"They believe Ghost isn’t attending."
Several younger attendees quietly laughed.
The old man slowly shook his head.
"If that’s what you’re thinking..."
"Allow me to warn you."
"You simply haven’t met Senior Nine yet."
Across the auditorium...
Senior Nine lazily leaned back in his chair.
A faint smile appeared beneath his beard.
The old man continued.
"This year..."
"The WEB officially joins the Conclave."
"Our family stopped sending invitations to them years ago."
"But recently..."
"We received a formal request."
"So..."
"Here they are."
Many guests turned toward the section where Thea sat.
Thea maintained a calm expression.
Inside...
She was anything but calm.
I really hope Headquarters never discovers that the invitation was requested...
I already told everyone it had been officially sent.
If Mother finds out...
I’m definitely in trouble.
Not far away...
Light quietly glanced in her direction.
A faint smile appeared beneath his white mask.
What’s your game, Thea...?
Johanna noticed him looking elsewhere.
"Hm?"
Light calmly looked forward again.
"Nothing."
The old man continued speaking.
"While many familiar players have disappeared..."
"Been captured..."
"Or lost their lives..."
"There is one individual..."
"Who has returned after eleven long years."
His eyes slowly moved toward Light.
The entire auditorium instinctively followed his gaze.
Johanna looked at him as well.
The old man smiled.
"When he first entered this Conclave..."
"He was only twelve years old."
"He changed the way many people viewed the underworld."
"He negotiated like a veteran."
"He planned like a general."
"And he earned a title..."
"The Genius Strategist."
He raised one hand toward the masked figure.
"Welcome back..."
"Light."
For several seconds...
The auditorium became completely silent.
Then...
Whispers erupted everywhere.
"So that’s Light..."
"I never thought he’d actually return."
"He’s much taller now."
"I heard he disappeared."
"Some believed he died."
"The Genius Strategist..."
"He really came back."
Senior Nine looked toward the masked man and quietly chuckled.
"This kid..."
"He really is a genius."
He smiled to himself.
"Commander doesn’t need to hear me saying that."
Several seats away...
Thea also stared at Light.
Wait...
He was only twelve?
She narrowed her eyes.
Why does he look familiar...?
Have I met him somewhere before?
The thought lingered...
But no memory came.
After welcoming several longtime guests and reminding everyone of the Conclave’s rules...
The elderly host finally smiled.
"I hereby declare..."
"The Annual Underground Secret Exchange Conclave..."
"Officially open."
The auditorium erupted into applause.
Almost instantly...
Every digital display inside Krause Tower activated.
The official catalogue went live.
Thousands of items appeared across the encrypted system.
Ancient artifacts.
Military technology.
Rare intelligence.
Private islands.
Confidential documents.
Exclusive contracts.
Prototype weapons.
Historical collectibles.
Black-market patents.
Everything imaginable.
Yet...
Several entries remained hidden.
A single notification appeared beneath them.
Grand Auction.
Live after tonight’s dinner.
Exclusive unveiling.
Excitement spread throughout the hall.
Everyone knew...
The truly priceless items were always reserved for the evening auction.
...
Guests gradually left the auditorium.
Some headed directly toward restaurants.
Others immediately entered negotiation rooms.
Many disappeared into private chambers to begin placing bids.
Kenan adjusted his jacket.
"Looks like we’re splitting up."
Light nodded.
"Good luck with your trades."
Kenan grinned.
"You too."
The two shook hands before heading in different directions.
Light turned toward Johanna.
"Shall we?"
She smiled politely.
"Please follow me."
They entered a private elevator accessible only to selected guests.
The elevator quietly ascended through the tower.
Higher.
Higher still.
Until it finally stopped near the highest executive floors.
The doors opened.
A private corridor stretched before them.
Unlike the lower levels, only a handful of rooms existed here.
Each entrance was separated by thick soundproof walls, ensuring complete privacy.
Johanna stopped before an elegant pair of dark wooden doors.
She gently opened them.
"We prepared a special chamber for you."
Light stepped inside.
The room resembled a luxurious executive penthouse rather than a trading office.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Frankfurt’s skyline.
Natural sunlight filled the spacious chamber.
A large seating area occupied the center, furnished with deep leather sofas surrounding a polished walnut table.
Along one wall stood a private coffee station stocked with premium beans, rare teas and refreshments.
Nearby rested a small library containing books on economics, history, strategy and diplomacy.
Fresh flowers decorated the room without becoming distracting.
The opposite wall was dominated by an enormous ultra-high-definition display.
Every active auction.
Every catalogue entry.
Every bid.
Every notification.
Would appear there in real time.
Beside the main sofa rested a sleek encrypted control tablet.
The device served as the only interface required to participate in every auction throughout the Conclave.
Everything had been prepared with exceptional attention to detail.
Light slowly walked to the sofa.
He sat down comfortably.
His eyes briefly examined the digital display before resting on the control tablet.
Just then...
The chamber door opened once again.
The elderly host entered quietly.
Light immediately stood.
"Mr. Krause."
The old man smiled warmly.
"It’s good to see you again..."
"Light."
The two firmly shook hands.
Johanna respectfully bowed toward both of them.
"I’ll leave the two of you alone."
She quietly closed the door behind her.
The chamber became quiet once the door closed.
An attendant entered briefly, placed a fresh pot of tea on the table, and quietly excused himself.
The old host poured two cups himself.
He handed one to Light.
"I hope everything is comfortable."
Light accepted the cup with both hands.
"Mr. Krause..."
"This is honestly too much."
"I’m not particularly fond of materialistic things."
The old man smiled.
"You truly are unique."
Most guests had asked for more.
A larger suite.
Better wine.
Additional security.
Rare cigars.
Light had asked for nothing.
They both took a quiet sip of tea.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The silence was peaceful rather than awkward.
Finally, the old man smiled again.
"Thank you for coming."
"It’s nice seeing you all grown up."
He studied the masked young man before asking with a chuckle,
"I wonder..."
"Are you planning to get married?"
Light looked up.
A faint smile appeared beneath the white mask.
"I understand why you’re asking."
"But I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you."
"I’m already committed."
The old man laughed softly.
"I figured as much."
"I was simply trying my luck."
"My granddaughter can be a little rebellious at times."
"But she’s fiercely loyal to our family."
"I hope the two of you become friends."
Light shook his head with a smile.
"You flatter me too much, Mr. Krause."
He placed his teacup back on the table.
"Can you really trust a stranger like me?"
"You’ve never asked about my background."
"My identity."
"My past."
The old man leaned back comfortably.
"You disappeared for over a decade."
"And suddenly returned."
"That alone tells me your background is extraordinary."
His eyes became thoughtful.
"What I truly wonder..."
"Is which side you’ve chosen."
Light tilted his head.
"Which side?"
The old man nodded.
"You were active only briefly as the Genius Strategist."
"And I don’t believe you intend to become Light again after this Conclave."
Light smiled.
"You’re right."
"So..."
"You mean good or evil?"
"Yes."
Light remained silent for several seconds.
Then he calmly asked,
"Mr. Krause..."
"As a grandfather..."
"Tell me honestly."
"Which side would you want Miss Johanna to choose?"
The elderly man’s expression slowly changed.
He immediately understood what Light was really asking.
After a long silence, he answered quietly.
"I wish..."
"She could live a normal life."
Light nodded.
"So..."
"You don’t want her involved with evil."
His calm voice continued.
"Does that mean..."
"This really is the final Chapter of the century-old Conclave?"
"You wanted to know which side I stand on..."
"Because somewhere in your heart..."
"You wondered whether I could take over after you’re gone."
The old man looked down at his teacup.
"...Perhaps."
He slowly nodded.
"I never truly admitted it to myself."
"But yes..."
"Maybe that was one of the reasons."
Light smiled gently.
"Do you know where you made the biggest mistake of your life?"
The old man looked surprised.
"We barely know each other."
"And yet..."
"You can already tell?"
Light quietly met his eyes.
"Are you certain..."
"That I don’t know you?"
The old man laughed.
"You continue surprising me."
"Even after all these years."
"Go on."
"Enlighten me."
Light’s expression remained calm.
"You were greedy."
The room fell silent.
"For power."
The old man did not become angry.
Instead...
He smiled bitterly.
Light continued.
"Life gave you a second chance."
"But even after surviving..."
"You never truly asked yourself which life was worth living."
"The side of good."
"Or the side of evil."
He looked around the luxurious chamber.
"The family rules..."
"Weren’t they simply convenient excuses?"
"You were the head of the Krause Family."
"You possessed the authority to change those rules."
"You could have walked away."
"You could have lived peacefully."
His voice remained gentle.
"But instead..."
"You chose to protect power."
"And now..."
"You carry a tumor inside your brain."
"A reminder that life can end at any moment."
The old man’s fingers tightened slightly around his teacup.
Light continued.
"Tell me honestly."
"During these past eleven years..."
"Was there even one day..."
"When you truly sat in peace?"
"Perhaps..."
"Fishing beside a quiet lake."
"Watching the sunrise."
"Enjoying life with your family."
He smiled faintly.
"Or..."
"Do you believe listening to the same opera every evening is what peace looks like?"
The room became completely silent.
After nearly a minute...
The old man slowly sighed.
"You’re right."
"My life..."
"Has remained exactly the same."
"The family rules were nothing more than excuses."
He looked toward the city outside.
"I kept telling myself..."
"If the Krause Family lost its influence..."
"It would slowly disappear."
"I feared becoming the generation that ended centuries of history."
A bitter smile appeared.
"But now..."
"I’m approaching my deathbed."
"And I realize..."
"I may never receive another second chance."
Light quietly nodded.
"Then..."
"You understand what I meant."
The elderly man slowly laughed.
"Your words..."
"Are strangely enlightening."
"You don’t speak like a strategist."
"You speak like a saint."
He looked toward the young man sitting opposite him.
"We still have plenty of time to talk during these two days."
"But before I leave..."
"I have one final question."
Light nodded.
"I’m listening."
The old man’s eyes became serious.
"If I handed next year’s Conclave to you..."
"And asked you to organize it..."
"What would you do?"
For the first time since their conversation began...
A mischievous smile appeared beneath Light’s white mask.
"I would organize it better than anyone before me."
"I’d invite every participant."
"I’d fill this tower to its maximum capacity."
The old man listened quietly.
Then Light calmly finished his sentence.
"And afterward..."
"I’d burn the entire building."
"Ending every evil gathered inside..."
"Once and for all."
Silence.
The elderly man’s eyes widened.
He had expected many answers.
But not that one.
Several seconds later...
He slowly smiled.
"So..."
"You’ve chosen justice."
He nodded with genuine respect.
"Thank you."
"That answer tells me everything I wished to know."
He stood up.
Looking at the young man before him, he spoke softly.
"You’re like a Buddha..."
"Holding a sword."
"You seek peace."
"But you’re prepared to fight for it."
He smiled sadly.
"You’ve lost many things in life."
"And you’ve gained many as well."
"At your age..."
"You already understand truths..."
"That escaped me for an entire lifetime."
He walked toward the chamber door.
His hand rested on the handle.
Just before leaving, he spoke without turning around.
"The treasure map..."
"It will appear tomorrow night."
"It will be the final exclusive item of the Grand Auction."
"So yes..."
"It truly has value."
"It isn’t fake."
"The man himself..."
"Will personally present it."
He remained silent for a brief moment.
"I cannot tell you anything more."
"I’m still bound..."
"By the rules."
Light inclined his head.
"Thank you, Mr. Krause."
The elderly host quietly left the chamber.
Outside...
Johanna immediately stood.
Her grandfather looked at her.
"Make sure..."
"The atmosphere here never makes him uncomfortable."
Johanna nodded respectfully.
"Understood, Grandpa."
The old man smiled one last time before walking away, leaving Johanna standing quietly outside the chamber door while countless thoughts filled her mind.