Noel and his ally had returned to the imperial capital one week after the incident at the Orc's Club.
After receiving that report, Albert immediately gathered his combatants. He ordered them to chase the two of them into a residential area that was under the control of the Gambino Family.
Although it was a highly populated residential area, all of the residents had temporarily left their homes. This was because the members of the Gambino family had went around and notified them to do so. This way, whatever happened inside would not be leaked out easily.
On this night where the moon was covered by heavy clouds, the strong members of the Gambino Family had surrounded Noel and his ally after cornering them in the residential area. There was no longer an opening for even an ant to escape.
Kouga, who had also been summoned together with the Family members, had mixed feelings as he watched that scene. Everything would end tonight. But it was crystal clear what the outcome would be. The situation was far too one-sided. What was going to happen next, was a totally unfair battle.
Albert, convinced of his absolute victory, was licking his lips in anticipation of the start of a devastating slaughter show. Exulting in his victory, he shouted in a high-pitched voice.
「Hyahahahahahaha, you idiots! You would have been fine if you stayed away from the imperial capital, but to think that you would purposely come back! Don't tell me that your plan after all this time is to beg for forgiveness? It's no use! Both of you will die here! Hyahahahaha!」
Noel could only shrug his shoulders at Albert, who looked like he couldn't help himself from enjoying the situation.
「What a vulgar laugh. You were really brought up badly. No matter how much you dress yourself up using your father's legacy, you're exposing your low-class contents by acting this way, you know?」
「Even your impudent talk sounds like pleasant music in this situation. --You guys, start by breaking their arms and legs so that they can't move. Don't kill them straight away. The night is long. I'll take my time to enjoy this」
Albert snapped his fingers to signal his troops to start the battle. The combatants from the Gambino Family simultaneously launched an attack--
Or at least that was how it should have been--
「......Huh? You guys, didn't you hear me? Hurry up and go!!!」
Albert stomped his foot and reissued his order. However, not one of the Family members moved. Kouga didn't move either.
「Wh, what's wrong!? Why isn't anyone listening to me!? Raios! Just what is happening here!? Explain yourself!!!」
Albert, who had lost his composure and turned as white as a sheet, pressed the sub-leader, Raios. Raios, who should have been a loyal underling, didn't answer and only heaved a sigh.
「Why, what's going on...... What on earth is happening?」
Albert was dumbfounded by this abnormal situation that was beyond his comprehension. At that moment, a joy-filled but cruel laughter rang out.
「Hahahahahaha, good job acting the clown, Albert Gambino!」
「Wh, what!? ......No, it can't be true!? Did you set this up!?」
Noel didn't answer, but had a smile like a crescent moon on his face.
Yes, it was a totally unfair fight. The one who had set up this one-sided situation, was the Talker, Noel Stollen. It was not Albert, who had many strong troops, that held the overwhelming advantage in this situation, but Noel, who had only one ally.
For things to turn out this way, just what had he done?
Kouga thought back to the sequence of events leading up to today.
†
†
It had been a week after Noel had disappeared from the imperial capital. Albert, whose pride was in tatters, was frantically trying to figure out his whereabouts.
The majority of the Family members were mobilized, but he would probably not be found. After all, Raios, the sub-leader, had secretly ordered the search parties to not report it even if they found Noel.
Kouga didn't know in detail what had happened inside the Orc's Club that night as he had been stationed outside. But Raios seemed to be opposed to capturing Noel.
Raios was much more popular with the members of the Gambino Family than Albert was. Regardless of their public image, it was actually Raios' orders that took precedence. In other words, as long as Noel stayed away from the imperial capital, he would be safe.
Kouga, who was not part of the search parties and had stayed behind, did the jobs that were given by Albert every day. Today as well, he had just completed a job and was on the way back.
「Kouga, you're really strong」
The Family member who had accompanied Kouga said in admiration.
「That opponent was supposed to be quite strong, but I was surprised when you finished him off in an instant」
Today's opponent was a man who had shut himself inside one of the buildings managed by the Gambino Family without permission. He was what was called a squatter.
While a Gladiator, a B Rank Job from the Swordsman series, was quite a strong opponent, he was no match for Kouga, who had the experience of fighting in the underground arena.
「I'm feeling hungry. Big Bro(Sub-leader) said he would treat us food so let's go」
Although the Don of the Gambino Family was a madman, many Family members, headed by the sub-leader Raios, were unexpectedly good-natured people.
To be exact, it was limited to those who had joined before Albert became Don. The Family members who had joined recently were all problem children, and the incidents they caused ruined the reputation of the Gambino family.
「Oh, good work, both of you」
Upon entering the specified store, Raios raised his hand lightly. Many Family members were already eating and drinking at multiple tables. Kouga also took a seat and started eating.
「Kouga, have you gotten used to your current job?」
When asked by Raios, Kouga nodded ambiguously.
「......Y, yes, well, little by little」
「I see. That's good. You're a slave, but you're talented. If you continue to accumulate achievements like this, I'll talk to the Boss about returning your covenant of servitude. You'll be free when that happens」
「R, really!?」
It would fulfill his wildest dreams. Until now, he had dreamed of being free countless times, but he had always given up on it. It might actually come true now. Kouga's heart leaped with joy.
「Yes, I don't lie. I promise to definitely make you a free man. And after you're free, won't you officially exchange pledges?」
「That's...... In other words, to become a member of the Family?」
「Of course, I won't force you. If there is something else you want to do, you should aim for it. But if you become a Family member, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life」
Kouga felt conflicted. It was definitely not a bad deal. In any case, should he regain his freedom, the only thing Kouga knew how to do was to swing his sword. Taking the future into consideration, he would like to have a guaranteed livelihood so that he wouldn't starve.
Moreover, while he hated the Don, Albert, he respected the sub-leader, Raios. He had the thought that he would like to work under this man.
As he thought that, Noel's face flashed across his mind. What was that man doing now? Was he really never coming back to the imperial capital?
Once he started that line of thought, it was all he could think about.
「Are you concerned about Noel?」
Kouga unconsciously straightened his back when his feelings were seen through by Raios.
「N, no, that's not true......」
「Hmm, there's no need to hide it. It's as you said. He is a man with good eyes, even thought he's so young. In truth, you want to work under that man, right?」
「I......」
As Kouga struggled with his response, suddenly, the table shook violently.
「Big Bro! I can't take it anymore! For how long must we follow that crazy Boss!?」
It was a drunk Family member. But he was acting strangely. He was crying and his face was twisted with regret. And for some reason, he was holding a bamboo dragonfly in his hand.
「This is something that the brat we dealt with today was keeping very preciously. She ended up in such a horrible state even though she was only a child...... That's not something a person with blood flowing in his veins would do...... Yet, together with his underlings, I...... I don't know what I should do......」
The Family member sniffed, and appealed to Raios in tears.
「Big Bro, can't you do something about it!?」
「Calm down. I'll listen to your story later. We're troubling the other guests, so first--」
「How can I calm down!? I joined the Gambino family because I wanted to work under a man like the previous Don! If I knew that I would be under such a madman, I wouldn't have entered this world!!!」
「Didn't you hear me tell you to calm down!!!」
At Raios' thunderous roar, which shook the store, everyone shut up.
「......Certainly, the Boss has gone too far at times recently. But as underlings, we cannot go against our Boss just because of that. As long as we're Yakuza, that rule is absolute. It's not something you can change selfishly」
「B, but......」
「I understand. I'll protest to the Boss again. Could we bring today's matter to a close with this? Please, I beg you」
「W, we got it! So please raise your head!」
The underlings could no longer grumble now that the higher ranked sub-leader had lowered his head to them. The issue was now brought to a close. But that was only on the surface. Even a newcomer like Kouga could see that the other Family members were still feeling ill at ease.
「Oh, a quarrel? Internal discord isn't good」
The moment the owner of that voice was identified, everyone grew nervous.
「Noel Stollen!? Why are you here!?」
Noel, who should have left the imperial capital a week ago, was standing leisurely in front of Kouga. He sat down fearlessly across from Raios.
He glanced at the Family member holding the bamboo dragonfly for an instant, but he immediately turned and faced forward. Noel and Raios locked gazes across the table. Raios was shaken, but to protect his dignity as the sub-leader, he spoke.
「Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to have left the imperial capital?」
「I left as promised. For only a week. I was able to have a relaxing vacation」
「Vacation, you said? ......Do you understand the implications of what you're doing, I wonder?」
Noel showed a composed smile at Raios' display of anger.
「You're the one who should calm down. I'm not here to start any trouble. I only came here to give you the souvenirs from my vacation」
Noel took out a piece of old parchment. He spread it carefully, and then left it on the table as if to make sure that Raios could read it.
「This parchment is a souvenir? Just what are you......WHAT!?」
After reading the parchment, Raios widened his eyes in shock.
「What? What does it say?」
The Family members who had gotten curious because of Raios' reaction scrambled to gather round the table. Kouga was no exception. At the Family members actions, Raios became flustered.
「I, idiots! Don't look at it without permission! Go over there!」
But it was already too late.
「Y, you're kidding......」
「Are you serious......」
「......Have we been lied to all this time?」
「Don't mess with me, what the heck is this......」
The Family members expressed their shock and disappointment, followed by anger in one voice. Even Kouga, who wasn't officially a member, was painfully aware of how they felt.
This parchment--the information written on it was a bomb. And it was a massive one. Noel had come here carrying this bomb.
「I hope my gift was to your liking」
「You dipshit, to do something like this, you're ready for the consequences, right?」
「You're missing the point, sub-leader. Before you threaten me, isn't there something you have to do?」
Noel used his jaw to point out to Raios the Family member who looked like he had something he wanted to say.
「Big Bro, did you know about this?」
The one who spoke was the Family member who had appealed to Raios in tears earlier.
「......No, I also only just found out」
「I see, I believe Big Bro's words. But I can't leave this truth alone. It's much too cruel」
「Wait! Don't believe it so easily! Think carefully!」
「What's there to think about!? The Boss is supposed to be the previous Don's illegitimate child, isn't he!? Then why does his birth certificate have the name of another father written on it!?」
The true identity of the bomb brought by Noel was Albert's birth certificate. In order for the country to manage the official census, Every citizen of the Empire was obligated to get a birth certificate issued at birth. Noel, through some method, had obtained the original copy, even though it should have been under strict management.
By rights, the rule was that for illegitimate children, the field for the father should be left blank. However, Albert's birth certificate clearly had his father's name written on it. On top of that, it wasn't the previous Don's name, but the name of a completely different man. In other words, that meant that Albert was a child born to a couple who were officially married.
It didn't look like a forgery. No, even if it was forged, what was written was probably the truth. The Family members all knew it in their hearts too. Kouga had only heard about the previous Don through stories, but as could be expected, he was a great man who was nothing like Albert.
It was a suspicion that everyone had already held in their hearts. And the parchment that confirmed their suspicions might be better called a detonator rather than a bomb.
「The previous Don was a man who led such a kind and dutiful life that he was called a chivalrous thief」
Noel started to talk in a matter-of-fact tone.
「But he was also a philanderer. He had lovers in many places and maintained sexual relationships with all of them. Albert's mother was also one of them. She later married another man and gave birth to Albert, but her husband's business failed and that resulted in strife within their home. What's more, her husband began to physically abuse Albert. She then hatched a plan to ask for help from her former lover, the previous Don」
「Could it be......」
「Yes, it's exactly what you're thinking. Albert's mother pleaded with previous Don like this: This child is yours, so please save him」
「D, did the previous Don believe her?」
「No, he probably didn't believe her. The reason for that is because the previous Don was infertile」
Noel's revelation of this new fact brought a chill to the surrounding air.
「That's right, the previous Don could not have children. But the previous Don, who led a kind and dutiful life, listened to Albert's mother's plea. It's also possible that he had simply wanted an heir, but I'm afraid I don't know that much. In any case, the young Albert was entrusted to someone that the previous Don trusted. Then when Albert's mother returned home to pick up her belongings, she was forced into a double suicide by her husband and died」
「Wh, why do you know so much? You weren't acquainted with the previous Don, were you?」
One of the Family members asked the obvious question.
「There is this outstanding information broker in the imperial capital, you see? I requested him to find all this. Of course, in order to confirm the authenticity of the information, I visited the actual location and spoke with people who knew the involved parties. That's why, it's all true」
「Then, isn't it confirmed that the Boss has no blood relation to the previous Don......」
「So what?」
Raios, who had been listening quietly, said in a no-nonsense manner.
「Even if they aren't related by blood, they had acknowledged each other as father and son. The previous Don had designated the Boss as his heir on his deathbed. Then, nothing more is needed」
It was exactly as he had said. But it was also true that the bonds of blood held an important value to people. The reason Albert had been acknowledged as Don was also because the Family members had believed he was the blood-related son of the previous Don.
Now that they knew that it was a lie, the Family members' hearts were greatly disturbed.
「Even if you say that, isn't it hard to continue to swear your loyalty like before?」
「That's not for you to decide. Is that all you came to say?」
Raios stood up and cracked his knuckles. He was thinking of killing Noel. In an instant, Kouga came near to putting his hand on the sword on his waist.
「It's as you've said. It's not for me to decide. It's for your Family members to decide. And I've prepared something to give you a helping hand in that decision」
「......Give us a helping hand, you said?」
That was well-played. The way Noel gave out information sequentially meant that even Raios, who wanted to kill him, had no choice but to listen. Kouga realized that they were all being made to dance to Noel's skillful words.
「My proposal is this--」
After hearing him out, Raios withdrew his killing intent and laughed in amusement.
「It's certainly a good plan. But do you think I'll cooperate with you?」
「Sure you will. If you want to know why--」
Noel stood up and whispered into Raios' ear. At that moment, Raios' face contorted greatly with emotion. That was the moment that Raios fell.
†
†
The Gambino Family members would no longer obey Albert's orders. Those who idolized Raios were ignoring his orders because of their feelings of righteousness, and those who had followed Albert had agreed to the plan to ignore his orders because of their fear of Raios.
Raios, who had been keeping silent the entire time, opened his mouth slowly.
「Boss, I've got two questions for you」
「......Wh, what?」
「First, you aren't the real child of the previous Don, are you?」
「Huhh!? What are you talking--」
「Second, were you the one who『gave the previous Don the poison that made it look like he died from illness』?」
「N, non, nonsense!? Just what on earth are you talking about!?」
Albert didn't answer a single question, but because of how flustered he looked, the fact that everything was true was well understood by even Kouga, who was watching from the side.
「I see...... That's how it was, after all......」
Raios sighed deeply and made a grim expression.
「Albert, we will no longer obey you」
「What!? What's going on!?」
「You have no sense of duty or sympathy. It's impossible to continue to prop up a person like that」
「Don't talk rubbish!! I'm the successor named by the previous Don!!!」
「Is that something that the culprit for his murder should say? You're truly an incorrigible man...... But you made a valid point. That's why I'll give you a chance to exhibit your manliness」
Raios pointed his finger at Noel.
「Have a duel with that guy. If you win, you'll be officially acknowledged as the Don of the Gambino Family」
「A , a duel!?」
「Of course, I'm not asking you, who doesn't have a combat type Job, to fight. I'll allow you to choose a substitute to duel in your place. Take your pick from anyone here. Whoever you choose will do their utmost to fight on your behalf」
This was the『helping hand』that Noel had proposed. He had said that he would give Albert the opportunity to exhibit his manliness by becoming his one-on-one duel opponent.
For Noel, it was simply a plan to get rid of the troops, which were a hindrance, and target only Albert. But for the members of the Gambino Family, it was certainly a good opportunity to measure Albert's caliber. Raios, who had been told the truth behind the previous Don's death, had no reason to refuse.
Anything and everything was truly in the palm of Noel's hand.
「Who's going to do something like that!! I'm Albert Gambino!!! I've no need to listen to anything you say!!!」
Not knowing when to give up, Albert howled desperately, but a tinge of resignation had seeped into his eyes. No matter how big of an outcry he made, nothing would change. This was something even a child could understand.
「Cut it out and accept your fate. As a direct affiliate just like you, I find it super~ embarrassing」
A disgusted voice with an odd manner of speech rang out. Looking in the direction of the voice, a man in pompous purple clothes could be seen standing with several strong underlings.
「Im, impossible...... Finocchio Bargini......?」
*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･'(ﾟДﾟ)’･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*
So many people commented on that girl from Mintz village on my site so I know I wasn’t the only one who liked her character. I did say we would find out indirectly what would happen… well, here it is… It was so easy to get caught up in how mainstream the story had been for the last few chapters, and forget what kind of story this is… well, props to the author… and the twist of the dagger he delivered when we found out she still took precious care of her treasure…(´༎ຶོρ༎ຶོ`)
And the Yakuza arc won’t be complete without Finocchio.
I’m sure all the readers have realized that this author absolutely loves to mirror/reference other parts of the story, so did you notice the similarities in both times Finocchio made an appearance? Things didn’t turn out rosy the last time, what will happen this time?
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