Chapter 234: Sowing Seeds

Despite his apparent gruffness, the prince does not look annoyed by the group's antics, namely Vanessa’s and Neffi’s bickering. Even his soldiers look fairly relaxed, apparently quite familiar with the prince. “I see,” Benjamin acknowledges, briefly staring at Neffi and Vanessa before resting his gaze on Ura. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m frankly quite pleased that you’re willing to meet me. The Kakin Empire does not exactly enjoy... a favorable reputation.”

“Can I be honest?” Auren asks.

Benjamin nods before replying forcefully. “I expect you to be!”

“Your traditions, especially those of the royal family, disgust me. Some of your... siblings are committing the most evil deeds in the open, and nobody is stopping them. The reason I’m willing to meet with you is that you are very different. I heard about you and your accomplishments with the military of your country. With someone like you at the helm... I believe I could talk business with you... especially if it involves a certain continent.”

“A continent?” Benjamin asks, clearly intrigued. “Tell me more.”

He... doesn’t know? Did I... misscalculate?!

No wonder... that means the princes are kept in the dark... not only about Nen, but other matters as well. Benjamin is a strong Nen user, but only because he is a competent prince and martial artist. He earned his knowledge and abilities entirely on his own. He’s actually getting nothing.

“This will be a long talk...” Auren says, smiling meekly.

Auren does his best to provide Prince Benjamin with an easy explanation that doesn’t needlessly go into detail. He talks about the generally known facts regarding the Dark Continent, the dangers, the potential rewards, as well as the five sanctioned expeditions and their disastrous consequences.

“How... could this have been kept from me?!” he asks, almost yelling, clenching his fist before smashing it onto the table in front of him, destroying it.

“I just got this place... don’t wreck it, please,” Auren remarks, not sounding too angry about it.

“I... I am sorry,” Benjamin says. “I just can’t believe this.”

“Well, you and your people should stay quiet about it. If you leak this, you might be hunted, and even your position might not be enough to save you,” Auren cautions him. “Anyway, while I can’t join your... Royal Academy, if you ever need help, I’d be willing to listen. In return... I might have some requests. I’m not quite sure yet, but there might come a time when I need a favor. I’m also willing to offer you extremely valuable advice and knowledge... upfront. As a sign of goodwill.”

Auren pauses for a moment before continuing, “Also, I assume it can’t hurt to be on the good side of the future King of the Kakin Empire, right?”

“Hahaha, indeed. Now that’s the honesty I like. Good... this is a fine proposition, and I’ll accept,” Benjamin replies.

“These people... do you trust them?” Auren asks, eyeing the bodyguards and soldiers standing behind him.

“With my life!” Benjamin answers proudly, not hesitating for even a second.

Good...

“Tell me,” Auren asks seriously. “What do you know about Nen?”

“Whatever do you mean?” Benjamin replies. “I can use Nen. I know what I need to know.”

I am not sure where this leads... but it’s best if I sow a lot of seeds. This guy may think he knows everything, but something tells me that he and the entire Empire and their isolationist policy have led to quite the information gap, especially involving Nen.

“Hehe, Nen is more complicated than it might appear... let me explain,” Auren says with a hint of amusement. He carefully explains the Nen system in its entirety, including advanced Nen techniques, while also going over quite a few different Hatsu he knows of. Of course, he avoids mentioning his own or those of his friends, instead using examples from random individuals, such as participants from Heaven’s Arena 200th class. He even touches on Nen Beasts, Nen Curses, Contracts, and everything else he considers important and potentially helpful.

“It’s best that you strengthen not only yourself... but also your subordinates. Pick as many loyal followers as possible, people you would trust with your life, and teach them early,” Auren suggests. “Do not focus only on unique abilities and Hatsus. You need simple frontline fighters with basic, yet reliable and destructive abilities who can win in direct combat. My own Hatsu, which I assume you have witnessed earlier, is pretty straightforward as well, and look what I accomplished. Simple Enhancers, Transmuters, and Emitters with straightforward abilities are always useful and a threat. These fighters should be supported by others with more unique and versatile Hatsus, of course. There are certain training methods I’ve come up with...”

During Auren’s explanations, not only Benjamin’s eyes, but also those of his subordinates begin to light up with growing intensity.

Auren then demonstrates a few simple training exercises and techniques.

He shapes his Aura into a blade and slashes forward, emits several Nen spheres, then shapes his Aura into sharp edges using transmutation, emits them, controls them, and propels them forward.

“I can use these basic techniques, which are just simple applications of Nen easily, but even normal people with average talent and the right Nen categories can learn them. If you add personal twists and conditions to turn them into real Hatsus, they might become quite powerful. Don’t fall into the trap of gathering too many subordinates with unique abilities with niche uses. You want at least some people who are reliable fighters that can always fight at their best without fulfilling any special conditions....”

The conversation continues deep into the night, with Benjamin and one particular subordinate, a relatively small, brown-skinned, bald man with a scar on the left side of his face, whom Benjamin introduces as Balsamilco Might, asking questions.

Finally, Benjamin stands up, his face filled with confidence and delight.

“I learned more information about Nen than I ever imagined existed. I won’t forget this... with that information, I’ll build myself an army of skilled, loyal fighters,” Benjamin says, his face revealing a downright insane smile, not looking like a grateful person, but a person ready to kill with his brand new weapon.

Finally, he calms down and intently stares at Auren, “It’s no wonder you won Battle Olympia... it seems you have been groomed to become a powerful Nen user for a long time. I am quite impressed. Whatever position or favor you want, I’ll see what I can do... and once I am King, you can consider yourself royalty as well. I can grant you land, a title, whatever you desire.”

“Let’s talk about those things later...” Auren says, remaining calm. “I might need a favor soon, but for now, focus on strengthening your position and garnering as many loyal and skilled followers around you as possible. At the same time, it’s best to actively sabotage your fellow princes and deny them any knowledge about Nen, however you can. When the time for the rumored selection comes, you can also count on me.”

“Excellent!” Benjamin declares, his voice so loud that Neffi can’t help but shriek back a little. “Iiik”.

Saying goodbye to Benjamin, and after exchanging contact information with him and Balsamilco, Auren finally relaxes once the door of his new penthouse apartment closes.

“You... were rather forthcoming,” Ura notes. “A little surprising.”

“I needed to be. This guy... seems cruel and egotistical... but as far as I know, he’s actually one of the most reasonable princes, one of the few who live in reality, and given his position, would actually govern for his people instead of satisfying his own crazy goals and ambitions. If you are honest and reliable, he’ll repay you; that’s the type of person he is. I’ve signaled my trust and honesty, and he knows about my strength. He sees me as an ally now, and whatever we require, Ura, he’ll be able to provide it. That’s your chance....”

“He’s a necessity, someone with the highest authority among the princes without any hidden agendas. He’s the smallest evil... if he’s even an evil at all. Also, I only shared some advanced, non-secret knowledge... anyone truly capable knows these things. I kept my own personal training exercises and knowledge about the more advanced concepts to myself. I only allowed him and his subordinates to catch up with skilled Hunters. I felt there was an information gap.”

“I appreciate it... with a prince on our side, we might be able to change a lot... and if he becomes King,” Ura says thoughtfully. “We could bring down the entire old, archaic structure.”

“Yes,” Auren confirms, grabbing his phone. His eyes twitch slightly as he sees the number of messages.

Too much... way too much. For now, I am just interested in having one more reliable ally. Not just for myself....

“Thirty-one messages...” he notes. “Maybe I’ve shared my personal information with too many people. Rakshala, the rat, sending mostly sparkling emojis, Konrad, Goreinu, Zepile, Leira, Joanne, Jean, Jolt, Marsha, Eren, the kids... even some Elders like Kirda messaged me. Even... Chrollo?”

What does he want?

“Well... Battle Olympia is quite well known,” Neffi says. “It’s not worth as much as ordinary people think, but it’s something, I guess. They must have watched. Probably just congratulations.”

“Maybe,” Auren replies. “Let’s take a look. A simple congratulations, nothing more,” Auren mutters. “Is he interested in Heaven’s Arena? He might be... maybe to hunt for Hatsus?”

“Just stay away from the crazies, they just bring trouble,” Vanessa says dismissively.

You’re one to talk... I should stay away from you.

“I guess... let’s get some sleep and then fly home,” Auren says, shrugging.

Using the luxurious amenities in his new apartment, Auren and the others head to bed, sleeping more comfortably.

The next day, after firmly shutting down Auren’s manager, Jort, and handing him the rights to the floor, including his new apartment, as well as promising to sign up for various commercials through Ura as his agent, the group leaves Heaven’s Arena.

As the airship ascends and flies back toward the Yorbian Continent, Auren stands on the outer deck and watches as the giant tower grows smaller and smaller in the distance.

One goal fulfilled.