Within a day after Jacob entered the Dark City, the news reached all the dark nobles above the upper dark noble ranks. After all, a Dark Viscount was still a middle-rang dark noble within the unique dark city, and there were only 48 of them, including Jacob.
As for the dark earls, there were 23 and 2 Dark Marquises with the highest authority within the Dark City. Most of the dark nobles were under these two dark marquises or had some connection with them.
As for the position of the Dark Administrator, the Unique Dark City didn't have one because there was only one Dark Administrator of the Unique Plains, and that person was within the territory of the Dark City, the Dark Duke!
At this moment, within the Dark Marquis Estate of Dark Marquis Jethro, which was ten times bigger than a Dark Viscount Estate and far more lavish. There were only five such estates in the entire unique dark city.
Sixth cloaked figures were sitting in a meeting room in front of a burly barbarian with runic tattoos on his face and long blond hair. He was clad in black robes, and his aura was completely hidden; he was Dark Marquis Jethro—one of the two highest authority dark nobles within the unique dark city.
Dark Marquis Jethro was holding a wine glass in his hand. The look in his fierce eyes was sharp as he looked at those six cloaked figures.
"So, you want me to help you grab this new Dark Viscount within his estate? Do you take the Dark City as a place where you can grab anyone like some slums?" His cold voice was filled with ridicule as he sneered.
The tallest among the cloaked figures, who was also a barbarian, replied coolly, "Brother Jethro, don't worry; you should know as part of the organization, we always take precautions. Although it would be slightly difficult, it's not impossible."
His voice suddenly turned cold, "Besides, this is the order from the top, and as a fellow member, you are obliged to help the organization whenever it needs you. Or do you think all those resources and benefits you have been enjoying for decades are free? Don't tell me your loyalty is faltering after all these years of a comfortable life of luxury within the Dark City?"
Dark Marquis Jethro's eyes flashed with chilly glint when he heard those words. He knew his status was all thanks to the organization's help, or with the competition and the tight grip of the Dark City's three duke clans, it was very difficult to ascend to the Dark Marquis position without pledging their loyalty to a Duke Clan first.
Dark Marquis Jethro was one of the few who could still remain independent and got his position despite not joining a Dark Duke Clan first. It was all because of the organization behind him.
But this is as far as he could go because he needed to go against all three Dark Duke clans to become a Dark Duke, which was nearly impossible. They left him alone because he didn't show any ambition, or if he had dared to show interest in increasing his rank further, who knows what kind of 'accident' he had met.
Still, Dark Marquis Jethro enjoyed a very high status, and the resources of the Dark City were abundant, especially the allure of the Dark Battle Arena. That place was excellent for becoming strong and increasing combat capabilities.
He wasn't ready to give up on the Dark Battle Arena, but he knew if he refused, within a few hours, his status as a spy and not just any spy, but the spy from the ATLAS would be revealed.
After that, not to mention the Dark City, all the powers within the Unique Plains would hunt him down like a rabid dog, including ATLAS, whom he betrayed.
This is the biggest reason ATLAS was never worried about their members betraying them because by associating with them, they would become the enemy of the Star Network by default, and they also made sure to keep proof of it.
Dark Marquis Jethro was now in a similar situation; either he helped them, or he could kiss his kingly life goodbye. At least if he complied, he would still be a member of the ATLAS, and they had terrifying means to change his identity as well.
So, it wasn't so bad to give up on his current identity as long as he could keep living. He can always start anew with a new identity.
Gritting his teeth, Dark Marquis Jethro replied, "I would never betray the organization and the kindness they had shown me. My everything belongs to the organization. What do you need me to do?"
Faint snickers filled with mockery were heard from the six cloaked figures as if they were expecting this.
The barbarian smiled faintly as he said, "Why do you look so gloomy, brother Jethro? If our first plan works, you might not lose your position at all. I've heard that a Dark Noble can issue a Dark Mission to someone two noble ranks below him, and that person can't refuse either.
"So, isn't this all too simple? Just issue him a dark mission to go to a certain place, and we'll arrange an ambush for him there. This way, both sides will be happy, no?"
"If it was only that simple." Dark Marquis Jethro sighed ruefully, "You are indeed right. But this rule only applies to outer members, not core members. From my investigation, this Dark Viscount Faceless Ancient is a core member, so unless I'm the City Administrator, I can't issue him any mission or order him to do something against his own will.
"Furthermore, I've already sent an envoy to invite him, but his butler stated that he's in retreat in the Dark Room and specifically ordered him not to be disturbed until he comes out on his own. This is the same case for others as well. So, no one gets a meeting with him."
Although Dark Marquis Jethro was talking about the dark room, they were all sitting within a special barrier of the ATLAS that blocked any AI or eavesdropping. Furthermore, no one was wearing star watches, and they all had Offender Rings.
So, as long as Dark Marquis Jethro didn't reveal core information, the Zodiac Oath Contract can't do anything to him. This was the scariest part about the Zodiac Oath Contracts; even if he changed his star ID, the contract wouldn't be canceled until he could become a completely new person.
That's why the core secrets of the three factions were always guarded by the Zodiac Oath Contract, so even if some spies managed to enter the core of the power, they wouldn't be able to reveal them or take personal action against them unless they wanted to end up dead the moment they open their mouth.
The same rules apply to Dark Marquis Jethro; even with ATLAS support, he can't reveal too much or personally harm the dark city, or he'll perish. So, the six people didn't push it either since they also knew about this.
The barbarian frowned as he didn't know too much about the dark city's personal member rules.
"Then I guess the second plan it is. We have to grab him in the dark city. Since you're not harming the Dark City directly, it'll be fine, and you won't suffer a backlash from the contract, either.
"Furthermore, as long as we remained hidden from Dark Rose, you will have nothing to worry about. So, I want you to tell me if you have a way to go around the defenses?" He asked.
Dark Marquis Jethro frowned as he knew he can't back down, he had to take the risk, "I have a way, but you need to give me the Anonymous Scroll. To make it work, we need to enter the Dark Room, to which the Dark Rose pays the most attention.
"Even without wearing a star watch, Dark Rose could still detect my life signature there because there are many security features. Furthermore, we need to be quick since the moment we barge in; the entire dark city security will be there within a minute.
"So, I need the anonymous scroll to hide my life signature and more men, or you six can go alone, and I can give you the details about how to break open the Dark Room." He stated in an irrefutable tone.
The barbarian looked deeply at Dark Marquis Jethro before he nodded, "Consider it done!"
