Chapter 54

【Garonne】

One of the great nations, the Varted Kingdom. Among its regions, Winter Valley is special. The city, home to the world's premier magic academy, attracts people and wealth from not only the great nation but also various other countries.

Where wealth accumulates, so does the darkness. In other words, the darkness here is clearly deeper and more intense compared to other major cities in different countries.

No single organization can rule over such deep darkness; multiple large organizations have been vying for dominance, engaging in fierce battles. Currently, the power balance is stable, and the territorial disputes have calmed down, but there's no telling when the killings might start again.

We must increase our manpower and accumulate wealth before that happens.

With this in mind, I have added mercenaries, adventurers, and even guards and thieves who have become debt slaves to my organization. Among them is even a magician who was once a candidate for a court magician.

Our preparations are thorough, and there is no room for complacency. If any organization is left standing at the end, it should be mine.

Based on this thinking, I decided to take the bait of the suspicious Neviss family this time.

They say it's a huge profit opportunity. There's no more ridiculous pitch than that, but it came from the Neviss family.

They are a mid-sized organization but a long-standing power in this city. Their members have been citizens of the Varted Kingdom since the organization's founding. Therefore, they have different sources of information and profit opportunities compared to us.

If the Neviss family says they have a big profit opportunity, no organization would ignore it. Moreover, it makes perfect sense that the Neviss family, with only a few dozen members, would need more manpower.

"...Boss, Neviss family's leader, Carila, has arrived."

While I was contemplating, a knock on the steel door was followed by a report from one of my subordinates.

It was much earlier than I had anticipated.

"Let her in."

In response, two of my elite subordinates, standing on either side of the door, unlocked and pushed it open.

The heavy door creaked as it opened, revealing a tall woman. She shook her long brown hair, crossed her arms, and looked at me boldly. Beside her stood a small, frail girl with black hair, who showed no signs of fear.

An ordinary person, or even a tough soldier, would find this space terrifying. Even if not, they would at least feel intimidated.

After all, this vast basement is filled with my elite subordinates. The design of the basement, with its heavy stone walls and dim lighting, is meant to create a oppressive and interrogative atmosphere.

As Carila and the girl stepped inside, four of my subordinates silently took positions diagonally behind them. Further back, in the corridor, an assassin was lurking.

On either side of me, sitting in a chair, stood the two most skilled members of my organization, a former adventurer and a magician.

The Neviss family is a solid unit with Carila at the top. I could easily overpower and interrogate Carila here and force her to reveal the details of their profit opportunity. If I did, I might even be able to absorb the Neviss family.

Carila must be thinking the same thing... so why does she look so confident?

"...It's been a while, but we've been seeing each other more often lately, Garonne."

Carila greeted me with a half-smile, causing some of my subordinates to frown. When outlaws meet, they focus on who has the power. If you're underestimated, it's over. This is a common understanding in the underworld of any country.

So, I smiled confidently in response to Carila's equal stance.

"...It's good to see you again, Carila. And I hear you have a very attractive offer today... I hope it lives up to my expectations. For your sake, too."

Carila shrugged and smiled wryly in response.

"Sorry to ruin the mood, but don't act so high and mighty. We're just parasites lurking in the shadows of the city. If the host dies, we die too, and if we cause too much trouble, we'll be hunted down and crushed... that's all we are."

"What did you say?"

The atmosphere tensed at Carila's words. But her words were not just a criticism of us; they were also a self-deprecating statement.

Why is she saying this? Is there a reason to provoke us, the people she's trying to build a relationship with? Could she be suggesting we start a legitimate business together?

While I was pondering this, Carila shrugged and looked around, finally meeting my gaze.

"...Garonne of the White Ash. Unfortunately, I suggest you return to your homeland. That's the only way you can truly profit."

The room fell silent at Carila's words. A few seconds later, some of my subordinates shouted in anger.

"Are you kidding me!?"

"Do you want to be crushed right now!?"

"Who do you think you are, the Neviss family!?"

The sounds of swords being drawn and angry shouts filled the air. For Carila, the situation was dire. Just two of them, and one of them a small girl. Carila might have had a chance to escape alone, but not now.

"Calm down."

At my command, everyone stopped, weapons in hand.

Despite being surrounded by countless hostile auras, Carila maintained an arrogant smile, even looking at us with pity.

The small girl beside her spoke up.

"...Is this enough for the agreement?"

Her words were hard to grasp. Ignoring our confused faces, Carila laughed awkwardly.

"No, not really... but it's impossible, I guess. Even I, who call myself a villain, feel sorry for Garonne. It's good that I got a chance to persuade you, even once. Now, I can convince myself that it was inevitable."

With a sigh, Carila shook her head. Confusion outweighed anger. Her words and actions seemed to show concern for us. No, more than that, it seemed like the girl held our fate in her hands.

"...Carila. I have several questions, but I want you to answer just one. Who is that girl?"

Carila opened her mouth, looking unamused.

"She's a teacher at the magic academy. A new one."

"A teacher at the academy...?"

It made even less sense. Her appearance didn't match that of a simple teacher, and there was the possibility of a different race. What I was most curious about was why an elite teacher from the academy would visit such a place.

"...A teacher. Even if that's true, why are you here? Do you really think you can defeat us alone, with your high magical skills?"

I asked, almost in confirmation. The girl grabbed the sword pointed at her as if it were a twig and snapped it in half.

"What...!?"

"What kind of magic is this!?"

The tension skyrocketed. I stood up and took out my staff.

"...Are you really planning to fight us? Alone?"

It must be a joke. I looked at the subordinate in the back, but he didn't deny it. This meant that no knight or other force was approaching our hideout.

But the girl stepped forward with a calm smile.

"I have three questions. What kind of business are you currently involved in? Where are the hideouts of other organizations... and have any of our magic academy students become victims of your business?"

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