Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 436 - 437: Ghostly Flame Organization (2/2) [1/3]

Fortunately, this awkward atmosphere didn’t last long…

Accompanied by a surge of blue lightning, a bolt of electric blue raced in from the distance, hitting the sixth-level armored knight square on the head. As the lightning and magic faded away, a young man with light blue short hair and a single ponytail appeared in front of Yumo.

Though young, the demonic symbol on his uniform made it clear he was also a member of the Ghostly Flame Group. What’s more, his magical aura, which was close to level 7, and his well-made uniform suggested he held a fairly high rank within the group.

The young man, out of breath, immediately started bowing and apologizing as soon as he saw Yumo. "I’m really sorry, Big sister! I lost track of my men and let these big guys go off and do their own thing! I’m genuinely sorry!"

As he apologized, the young man occasionally shot angry glances at his steel-clad subordinates. He seemed quite dissatisfied with their rash actions.

"Please forgive them Big sister. They just wanted to make a good impression on you... so in a fit of enthusiasm, they caught a gang of bandits nearby to stage this performance."

"A performance?"

"Yes, I’m really sorry! Lady Kalina specifically instructed us to treat you ’honestly’ and these tin cans decided to start off by deceiving you with this act! I’m very sorry, I will give them a stern lesson immediately!"

As he spoke, the young man with blue hair suddenly burst into dazzling lightning, transforming it into a sword full of killing intent. This frightened the armored warriors, who nervously sat down. Although their faces were hidden behind masks, it felt as if one could still see their terrified expressions.

Just when the blue-haired young man was about to deal with his ’overzealous’ subordinates, Yumo waved her hand in resignation,

"Forget it, They were just trying to make a good impression, and their acting was so bad they didn’t fool me anyway. Plus, there are kids around. Let’s not get violent."

"Huh?!"

Upon hearing this, the young man had a sudden realization. After glancing at Yuan’er, who was behind Yumo and looked as curious as ever, he quickly dissipated the lightning power in his hands,

"I’m sorry Big sister, I shouldn’t have been so impulsive, especially with Miss Yuan’er here..."

"It’s fine. What’s your name, anyway?"

"Oh, sorry! I can’t believe I forgot to introduce myself!"

The young man began bowing frantically once again, at a rate that could be likened to a machine gun. After a series of bows, the young man, whose hair now looked quite windswept, formally introduced himself to Yumo,

"Hello, Big sister! I am the captain of the Ghostly Flame Group’s third squad! You can just call me Mr. Three!"

"Hmm? Mr. Three?"

"Yes."

"Why is your name is Mr. Three?"

"Ah, well, it’s kind of a tradition in our Ghostly Flame Group. All our squad leaders have names like this. But mostly it’s because Captain Kalina doesn’t want to remember so many names, so she named us this way," the young man named Mr. Three said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Sorry to make you laugh"

"No need to keep apologizing. You sound like a broken record. It’s a bit awkward."

"Ah? Is that so? I’m really, really sorry!"

"Ugh. By the way, Why do you all keep calling me ’Big Sister’? What’s up with that name?"

"Huh?"

Mr. Three tilted his head in confusion and replied, "Isn’t it obvious? Captain Kalina is our ’Big Sister’ and you are Kalina’s ’Big Sister’ so doesn’t that make you our ’Big Big Sister’?"

"Exactly, exactly, Big Sister " a few armored warriors behind Mr. Three chimed in, nodding earnestly as they looked at Yumo with innocent eyes, ignoring the fact that they were covered in nauseating bloodstains.

" (-_-;)???"

Yumo was at a loss for words. The title ’Big Sister’ was too much for her. "Can you guys not call me that? It feels weird."

"Ah?!" Mr. Three looked visibly distressed and immediately started bowing frantically again.

"I’m so sorry, Big Sister!"

"..."

On the other side, Sebastian, who was seated on the carriage, narrowed his eyes as he thoughtfully watched Mr. Three turn into an apologetic ’little prince’ Knowing the young man’s true character, his current act seemed quite deceptive.

’So, these Ghostly Flame people want to create a simple and honest image in Milady’s mind?’

’To later use this impression to manipulate her?’

’An unscrupulous killer, a deceitful liar... pretending to be simple and honest?’

’Please!’

’How shameless and dishonest’

Feeling disgusted, Sebastian rolled his eyes at the blue-haired young man. The Black Rose Knights behind him seemed to understand what their leader was thinking. After a brief moment of eye contact, they gave Sebastian a complex look.

’That being said, Boss...’

’You’re not one to talk, are you? You spend all day acting like a harmless old butler...’

The Ghostly Flame Group originated as an organization led by Kalina during her days as a mercenary and adventurer. Initially, it was just a regular adventurer team, but under Kalina’s leadership, it gradually expanded from a small squad of ten people to a mercenary group of nearly a hundred. Now, it boasts around 70,000 mercenaries. Of course, this is just the official number. How many people are actually in the Ghostly Flame Group is something perhaps only Kalina knows.

Regardless, the group has grown from a small adventurers’ collective to one of the continent’s top mercenary groups, a development that has been nothing short of breathtaking. Due to their impressive capabilities, swift mission execution, and effective demon extermination, many countries in the central and eastern parts of the continent have given high praise to Kalina’s Ghostly Flame Group. They frequently hire the group for missions, and some smaller countries have even outsourced their national defense to them.

Now, whether this is genuinely voluntary—given the "honorable traditions" of Winter Forest—is something Sebastian isn’t sure about.

Unlike Black Rose Family, Ghostly Flame Organization does not engage in any business management or have taxable territories. Their finances mainly come from adventurer mission rewards, employer payments, and ’voluntary’ support from various sponsors.

Although the composition of Ghostly Flame Organization is a mix of all sorts, Sebastian knows well the group’s strengths. Their top-tier combat capabilities are in no way inferior to Black Rose Family, whose strength originates from innate talent and hard training since childhood.

So, what do the members of Ghostly Flame rely on? The answer is a ruthless internal competition model. Lady Kalina, although masquerading as a human within human empires, is fundamentally a demon king. Besides her demon companions, the members of Black Rose Family, and a few others she acknowledges, she looks down on all other life forms.

Whether they’re humans, elves, or dragons, their deaths wouldn’t make her blink an eye. To better serve Her Mother, Lady Kalina has implemented a cruel promotion system within Ghostly Flame Organization. Within the group, apart from the vice-leader, Lady Kalina does not officially recognize any positions. The leaders and vice-leaders of the nine squads within the group are elected internally, and the criteria for promotion is pure strength.

To gain the approval of the rest of the team and become a leader, one must possess ample strength to convince them. And even after becoming a leader, one can’t rest easy. Leaders must always be wary of other team members, as everyone has the right to challenge the leader. Winning means becoming the new leader and gaining enormous rights, a huge amount of money, and valuable resources for cultivation.

As for the ways to challenge for leadership, there are no rules.

No matter how despicable the means, it doesn’t matter.

Things like poisoning, assassination, and seduction tactics are commonplace when choosing a team leader within the Organization.

The reason Lady Kalina names the leaders of Ghostly Flame as Mr/Mrs. One, Mr/Mrs. Two, Mr/Mrs. Three, and so on is mainly due to the frequent change of leaders due to intense competition in the past. Instead of remembering the names of these leaders, it’s easier to simply use code names.

This situation has persisted for decades.

It wasn’t until recent years that the nine team leaders of Ghostly Flame have become somewhat stable, and there haven’t been many changes since.

Anyone who can become a leader under such a system can’t be a pushover. Not only must they be powerful, they also need to be intelligent and ruthless.

Therefore,

When Sebastian sees Mr. Three, a seemingly naive and apologetic young man, he directly concludes that he is acting.

However,

’Acting like this? What for? Is he trying to deceive Lady Yumo? With their level?’

Sebastian narrows his eyes slightly, pondering as he glances at Mr. Three, the young man with blue hair who is riding a war horse and communicating with Lady Yumo.

...

...

On the other hand, Mr. Three was enthusiastically telling Yumo about some interesting recent events in Red Leaf Empire, as well as some topics concerning Kalina. After successfully communicating with the stunning black-haired young girl for a while, especially after noticing the smile at the corner of Yumo’s mouth, the corner of Mr. Three’s mouth lifts unconsciously,

’Hehe~’

’The plan’

’Is going very smoothly~’

Mr. Three looked quite pleased with the current atmosphere, a hint of smugness appearing on his face.