Levi revealed his grandiose wants without an ounce of hesitation... he got into this conflict for the sake of the Zen Relic Store, but then he realized that he could seek to claim everything if he saved House Zen!!
In his eyes, House Zen was so desperate for a solution that would help them maintain their noble status that they might not care about anything else.
After all, losing the noble status meant the collapse of House Zen forever... on the other hand, Levi was aiming for House Targon’s estate, which they didn’t have any claim over with their current weak case.
As for the store? That was the real payment from House Zen for his services... House Targon’s estate was his rightful conquest if he managed to get the bulletproof evidence that would expose all of their illegal trespassings.
As expected... Brahmin didn’t seem to care much about House Targon’s estate. He was never a greedy person, nor most of his kin.
All they ever wanted was to make enough money to keep their estate stable and citizens content... nothing more, nothing less.
"You want our most prized property?" Brahmin said. "Young man, you are a nobody in my eyes. I do not know your name, your lineage, or your history... why would I trust a stranger with the fate of my house? More importantly, what capabilities do you possess to take down a Noble House on the verge of promotion?"
The old monk leaned forward slightly and continued, his tone stern.
"Silas Targon... the Soul Weaver... is not a weakling, nor is he careless. He has covered his tracks for decades. Do you truly believe you can achieve what we have failed to do for our own survival?"
Brahmin was right to doubt Levi’s capabilities... he had dealt with Silas Targon for decades and used every trick or plot to set him up, yet nothing. Every move that Silas made was calculated to perfection, never backfiring on his lineage.
In response, Levi released his aura smoothly to not disturb the peace... yet, it was thick and overwhelming enough that it turned the small office into a pressure cooker.
What surprised Brahmin most wasn’t the raw power of the aura, but Levi’s terrifyingly precise control over it. He watched as the tea rippled with perfect uniformity within the cups; it was as if Levi were manually evening out the pressure in every corner of the room to ensure not a single piece of furniture was disturbed.
Such fine control was far superior to a wild release of energy, which was something any amateur could manage.
"I am a Baron-ranked Rifter," Levi shared, "And I have the tools to get the concrete evidence you need... I have a plan to lure them out of the shadows, but I need your help to execute it."
Hearing this, Brahmin stared at Levi for a long moment... despite the display of spiritual aura and baron rank, the old man still shook his head.
"A Baron rank is impressive, but it is not enough... the risk is too high, and the price is our legacy. I cannot trade the store on the word of a Rifter I met five minutes ago."
Levi wasn’t surprised by his response... he predicted resistance. Although House Zen was desperate, it didn’t mean that they planned on throwing away their last three months by betting on a stranger.
He was certain that they already had a task force working tirelessly on the case in the shadows... by adding him without much research, they would be jeopardizing their plans.
Still, Levi came prepared for every possible rejection.
Levi’s expression shifted a little as he curled his lips downward, and the released aura caused the temperature in the room to drop slightly.
"I thought better of you, Brahmin..." Levi said, his voice oozing with icy pragmatism. "I expected a man in your desperate state to be more rational... You are on a sinking ship, and day by day, the news will spread further."
"In three months, the System will strip your noble title... Your citizens... your Runehoof kin... will be kicked out of the Expanse as refugees with nowhere to go unless you sell everything to invest in their survival in the realm."
Levi reached out for the cup of tea with his spiritual will and lifted it... he poured it in the air and used the floating tea drops to paint him vivid scenes of what awaited his citizens in the merciless environment of the Boundless Expanse after his money ran out.
Drug dealings, prostitution, torture, homelessness, and just being led astray from their path for the sake of earning money to remain in the realm.
Brahmin showed a soft, heartbroken smile as he watched the images... to know that only three months separated their estate from such a fate fazed him more than he showed. Especially when most of the citizens had no clue what was going on outside.
Unlike many races, the Runehoof Kin didn’t have many desires... they only sought peacefulness. After their home was destroyed and stranded them here, the mountains were all they had, and they were content with it.
Now, after finally beginning to feel like they had a new place they could call home, they were about to become refugees... only this time, there wasn’t any noble in the family to lift them and give them a place to call home.
"You’re hesitating over a store when the alternative is the extinction of your people’s future. If you accept my deal, you keep your territories and obtain another chance at reclaiming your noble status... If you refuse because of ’trust’ or ’pride,’ you lose the store anyway, along with everything else... worse, it will be in the hands of Targon."
Levi let out a long exhale as he returned the tea to the cup and took a small sip. Then, he added, his voice as genuine as it could get.
"I might be in this for my own selfish desires... but I do not want to see your people lose their second home... once is already enough."
The office fell to a heavy silence... Brahmin looked at the wooden desk, the cracks in his calm facade finally starting to show.
"Brahmin... place your faith in me."
Levi extended a palm forward; his voice was filled with a level of confidence that not even the hired specialized task force dared to show when he first hired them.
He remembered it vividly... they were giving him every possible excuse to avoid the repercussions of failure at building a decent case he could use.
But, at the time, he couldn’t do anything but accept their subpar services, knowing that his case was like a poisoned apple... looks delicious, but one bite was enough to destroy any private investigation bureau.
Brahmin was fully aware of why... when he saw Levi’s extended hand and the stoic confidence he exuded, he didn’t know if he knew or not.
Reading his thoughts, Levi’s response was...
"I do, and I don’t care," Levi uttered, his voice heavy with pride. "This is the Boundless Expanse... the only way to ascend is through sheer, brute force."
Brahmin couldn’t help but show a bitter smile... he wasn’t a fan of violence, just like the majority of their kind, which was the main reason they were struggling to birth a noble besides the assassinations.
But as he looked at Levi, even when his face was masked, he could feel it deep within... his intense desire for chaos.
The Runehoof Kin were always more receptive to spiritual tunes... Levi’s three-colored spiritual aura had nothing within it but utmost... Chaos .
Usually, Brahmin would use his wisdom and reach to attempt to pacify the chaos within Levi’s, even though he was a stranger... but not today, not now.
’Grand Zenith Arbiter... forgive me for my weakness... but, only chaos can save us now.’
Brahmin steeled his heart as he reached towards Levi’s hand... he could feel his soul taking a hit after he went against his own Dharma... but, he didn’t falter.
When it came to the safety of his kin, he would go against everything and anything... that was his responsibility as the estate head.
"We can iron out the details later about your ’plan’... for now, what should I call you?" Brahmin asked, shaking Levi’s hand.
A handshake might not mean anything without a contract... but it was a start in the right direction.
"You can call me..." Levi showed a faint smile. " Mr. Problem ."