There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396: Chapter 388. Settlement

"Seventy percent, huh?"

Bassena looked at all the articles that came that night through Zein’s shoulder, leaning into the guide like a spoiled puppy. Most of it was talking about the day’s trial, and the rest was talking about the main event tomorrow.

Of course, there were some articles condoning the whole thing, and criticism was raised from people who had received benefits from House Horins. But Zein wasn’t the type to care about the voice of dissent, so it didn’t matter.

Besides, those voices would probably disappear after the atrocious things that Operation Kronos did were exposed to the whole Federation.

"It sounds like a lot, but isn’t it only the residential compound and the money needed to maintain it?" Han Shin pursed his lips while lying on his stomach, enjoying the soft rug in Radia’s drawing room.

"That’s the only thing that useful, anyway," Zein shrugged.

The rest of House Horin’s assets were academic stuff like research centers and foundations for archeological efforts. Certainly, Zein had no intention of moving the funds for those establishments to his own coffers. Instead, the government took over the institutions and gave Zein the stuff that could be turned into money should he want to.

"But you get the eternal dungeon that they have," Bassena smirked. "Pretty good for the Iron Shield’s business."

"That, I agree," Zein nodded. Since the Horins didn’t have enough liquefiable assets to support the penalty they had to pay to House Ishtera, the eternal dungeon was used as compensation.

Of course, if he didn’t have anyone to manage it, having an eternal dungeon was only a burden. But for a household whose main income came from weapon making? An eternal dungeon was a blessing.

A pretty good result for having to endure being treated like a pitiful victim for hours.

Now, he also didn’t have to feel bad for the members of the Iron Shield for not having anything to do. And if anything happened to him...

Hmm...it was probably time to make his will. He should talk to Logan sometime soon.

"You know, I heard that if someone proved to be orchestrating an Old House to get annihilated, the punishment should be equal," Reina, who rarely joined them nowadays, chimed in from where she was lying, using Han Shin’s back as a pillow. "Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth...life for a life..."

"Mm..."

"So...legally, you can kill all of their family members?"

Zein hummed without pausing his hands, shuffling the cards they were using to play before they got bored. And yes, based on the rule book, he could demand such things. But what use he had of blood?

"Money seems more useful, don’t you think?" Zein shrugged. "I can get so much from settling to spare the rest of their life."

"Agreed!" Reina laughed and got up, scooting back to the table in the middle of the rug. "Shall we play again?"

"If you want."

"Bet?"

"No bet!"

"Excuse me people, but why are you congregating in my house?" Radia stood at the door, still with the suit he wore to work this morning.

"A celebratory party!" Han Shin and Reina threw their hands up with a cheery laugh.

Radia looked around the drawing room then--his drawing room, which somehow had turned into a playground with board games, snacks, and drinks. There were even additional cushions and blankets around the table and the couch.

"And you don’t even wait for me to get home?" the summoner shook his head and shed his coat, which was promptly taken by the butler. "I should consider revoking your permission to use my mansion."

"But this is the best place for a party," Han Shin argued with a giggle. "Besides, you’re my brother-in-law, so it’s alright, isn’t it?"

"Brother~in~law~"

"..."

Radia stared at the engaged couple who had the same frequency of mischievousness while lamenting on his weakening heart. Damn cunning kids.

"What game are you playing?"

"Most likely," Radia smiled and took a deep drag of the golden needle. "There’s no way Shin will have a wedding without his beloved hyung--even if Joon told him to proceed with it."