Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 044
Chapter Title: Marshall
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“That article just popped up live. And sure enough, it looks like the Godfather failed.”
As he spoke, murmurs quickly filled the vast conference hall.
This gathering of dozens of robed figures was none other than the headquarters of the Al Kimia Alliance. Every person assembled in this massive space was an alchemist affiliated with the alliance.
“The police's activities are drawing way more attention from the gossip rags than they deserve. Word is even circulating that underground media drones are now just tailing police helicopters these days.”
That was how an article like this could surface so quickly.
The gossip flooding the deep web right now was razor-sharp, zeroing in on the police's unusual movements.
And topping the buzz was none other than the Mafia Butcher.
He was a super rookie who'd burst onto the scene like a comet not long ago, achieving the impossible.
“...According to this article, it makes it sound like the Mafia Butcher exorcised a demon. Is this for real?”
“Ha! As if!”
Thud thud! The man who'd brought the article slammed it down in frustration.
“Think about it. How could some heretic mage take down a demon? It's obviously cheap police propaganda!”
“Propaganda?”
“Isn't it obvious?!”
He continued with a scowl.
“The cops are trying to turn the Mafia Butcher into a war hero. One whose name alone makes us shake in our boots and boosts their morale sky-high!”
It was a classic wartime tactic.
Exaggerate a war hero to crush the enemy's spirit and rally your own.
Plus, such a figure would serve as propaganda to the central authorities watching closely, drawing in more support and funding.
“First it was the Butcher taking down Ron Dito from Moonlit Path, then crushing a Bearwolf. Now it's great bloodlines and demons? The agenda's way too obvious!”
He tapped his finger on the table.
“The Godfather probably did summon a demon as a last resort, but I guarantee it has nothing to do with the Butcher. Probably just took out a few innocent cops instead.”
Another alchemist who'd finished reading the article voiced his concern.
“But it's confirmed he has the skill to take down a chimera made from a basilisk.”
The man swallowed nervously for a moment.
“That's... but it's still just a chimera, right?”
In truth, even the alchemist from the Mixstura school who'd created that chimera groaned.
“Even so, piercing its hide that quickly isn't something just anyone can do. I admit the rumors about the Butcher are overhyped... but we still need to stay cautious.”
“Shouldn't we have helped the Godfather? If we'd pooled our strength for a defense...”
“The issue now isn't that—it's the Butcher. Without a surefire way to kill him, we'd just be wasting our own forces.”
“Besides, the mafia summit was already a sham by that point. Look at the facts.”
One alchemist spoke in disbelief.
“They didn't even last an hour. An hour! You think sending a chimera would've changed anything?”
Just as he said, the defense of the Carneira Family's stronghold had ended in a flash.
For what was supposed to be the mafia's final stand with the Godfather staking his fate, it was pathetically short-lived.
“The mafias were thorns in our side anyway, so it's for the best. We bought ourselves some time, at least.”
“Failing to snag Don Varone's ledger is a real shame, though...”
That alone could've given them leverage over countless politicians, bolstering the alliance's power.
But the Butcher's exploits had turned it all to nothing.
“In the end, it's all about the Butcher, isn't it?”
“...! Alliance Leader.”
A face far too young for the head of the massive Al Kimia Alliance appeared.
But the reactions from those gathered were anything but ordinary. Young and old alike rose from their seats in unison, bowing deeply.
“You've arrived?”
“Mm. Please, be seated.”
The alchemists quickly returned to their places one by one.
Then the Alliance Leader, William Standen, spoke.
“I know you're all deeply concerned about the police's overreaching security operations lately. We've prepared thoroughly for a day like this, but I also know that alone won't erase every worry.”
He scanned the robed figures before him and continued.
“To you, the pillars of our alliance, I want to share news that might ease your minds, even a little.”
“News to ease our worries... you say?”
He nodded.
“'Akio's Torch' has finally agreed to aid us.”
“!!”
The hall erupted in murmurs once more.
The alchemist at the front stammered.
“A-Akio's Torch... you mean the summoner-only cabal...?”
“Correct. Their ideology is a bit extreme, but their skills are undeniable.”p>
Though it came with the condition of unconditional cooperation in their research for a few years, the merits of victory in this war made it more than worthwhile.
'With the mafias out of the picture... all we need to do is sweep away the police, and we can monopolize all their former turf.'
Of course, it'd make sourcing materials for chimera research far easier.
Under even greater capital, the alliance could pursue more research with total freedom.
“Think about it.”
William said.
“Our meticulously crafted chimeras, bolstered by the demonic beasts summoned and commanded by 'Akio's Torch'...”
His lips twisted in greed.
“Doesn't that make this war as good as won?”
Meanwhile, in Carneira Family territory.
As the situation wrapped up and captured mafiosi were loaded onto trucks one by one, Chief of Staff Max Eidinger spoke up.
“As Assemblyman Rockton knows, interest in this project has been spiking lately, hasn't it?”
He glanced sidelong at Rockton beside him.
“Which is why Mayor Luther wants a closer look at the project's progress.”
“So Marshall Assemblyman sent you, his chief of staff, specifically?”
Assemblyman Rockton let out a hollow chuckle.
“Isn't that what the inspectors are already handling?”
“Sometimes he just wants to see for himself. Oh, not that Inspector Yenitz—we don't distrust you or anything.”
Max quickly added, turning to Yenitz.
“No one questions the Surveillance Bureau's loyalty to Luther.”
“Ah, yes...”
Yenitz nodded awkwardly.
“By the way, Kyle Clark, was it? Quite the intriguing fellow.”
Max asked Team Leader Joseph.
“How on earth did you recruit a guy like that? Someone with skills like his wouldn't be controlled by a bomb collar.”
Exchanging a quick glance with Rockton, Joseph forced an awkward smile.
“Haha, it just kinda happened. Seems he had a grudge against the mafias, so he jumped right in.”
“Ho ho, really? That's all?”
“Y-yeah, pretty much...”
The chief of staff smirked amusedly, then leaned in close to Joseph's ear.
“Must be the cop in you. You're terrible at lying.”
“...!”
“Just kidding.”
Winking with one eye, Max straightened up.
“Anyway, that's reassuring. With a powerhouse like him on board, the project's credibility will soar.”
“But we're still critically short on manpower and equipment. To stabilize even a bit more around the magic stone burial zones ahead, we need more support.”
“Of course, we're aware. City Hall will take action soon. And naturally...”
He turned to Rockton and Joseph.
“Assemblyman Marshall's office will do everything to support this project.”
“......”
“......”
Rockton chuckled at that.
“If you're offering, we're grateful. Truth be told, Marshall should be the one pushing harder, no?”
“Hahaha. Who could match Assemblyman Rockton's tireless passion for Dun City? It's embarrassing.”
“Cut it. Just tell Assemblyman Marshall we'll treat him to a nice spot soon.”
“Of course. I'll pass it along. Oh, and Inspector Yenitz—mind a quick chat on the way back?”
“Pardon? Ah...”
Yenitz glanced at Rockton before nodding.
“Yes, sure.”
As he departed with the inspector after handshakes, Rockton muttered at his retreating back.
“...He caught on.”
“Pardon?”
“He figured out we used the Intelligence Bureau to kidnap Gibson.”
“!!”
“No other way an old fox like Marshall would probe like this.”
Above all, his 'augury' had flat-out said Max was lying.
Joseph swallowed hard in shock.
“Th-then that means...”
Rockton recalled the name 'Marshall' scrawled in Don Varone's 'secret ledger'.
“This pretty much rules out simple corruption by some Marshall Family member.”
He was certain now: Assemblyman Marshall was undeniably tangled in this.
“But if that's the case...”
“One of two things.”
Either the Marshall Family was unilaterally sabotaging the 8th Special District's development plan.
“Or someone in the Luther Family is maneuvering Marshall to obstruct the mayor.”
“But that assemblyman? He's the mayor's closest ally.”
For such a man to rebel behind Luther's back?
It was too hard to swallow.
“That's why I'm conflicted. I'd hoped it was just some rogue Marshall.”
Unfortunately, that seemed unlikely now.
Rockton's eyes narrowed.
'What's really going on inside Luther...?'
Just then, Kyle Clark's image flashed in his mind.
The sight of him standing tall, greatsword in hand, even after the demon vanished.
“......”
Inspector Yenitz appeared then, returning after seeing off Max Eidinger.
Rockton approached her.
“Inspector Yenitz.”
“...!”
As she flinched, he added,
“See me later for a bit.”
“Yes, confirmed.”
Once Yenitz was far enough away, Max Eidinger got into his car with phone in hand.
Adjusting the rearview mirror, he continued.
“Just as the security chief from Merida Insurance testified, it's highly likely a Bearwolf.”
[Basis?]
“A demon was summoned, and he walked away unscathed.”
[...! Did you just say demon?]
“Yes.”
If he were an ordinary human, surviving a demon would've been impossible.
“But Bearwolves are different.”
Werewolves carried the devil's blood in their veins—their very souls cursed.
Bearwolves were the purest inheritors of that blood.
“Those wolves could beg demonic mercy, and demons wouldn't care about already-fallen souls anyway.”
[...Then it was Rockton who mobilized the Intelligence Bureau, after all.]
“Seems so.”
[Ha, always thought it, but what a clever bastard.]
Who'd have thought he'd unleash a penal unit heavy criminal right in the heart of the central administrative district.
A non-human Bearwolf, no less.
[Or maybe Rockton doesn't know he's a Bearwolf?]
“Can't rule that out.”
[Intriguing.]
The other party chuckled before continuing.
[But if that inmate's a Bearwolf, it explains everything.]
Not just their signature footwork.
But emerging unscathed despite wielding an ancient elf magic staff? Nothing else fit.
“How about using that from the City Hall Sealed Relic Custody?”
[...That ominous sword said to cleave souls?]
“We still need more time to quietly clean up the supply chains without a trace.”
Max said as he drove.
“And the best way to buy time is to break the opponent's sharpest blade.”
[Hmm...]
He recalled the City Hall's enigmatic Sealed Relic Custody.
Among the many artifacts sealed there was a cursed demonblade housing the grudge of the Specter King, who'd once ruled the Great Lakes centuries ago.
A sword known to slay not the flesh, but the soul itself, by borrowing the Specter King's power.
Max's lips curved up.
“Even a Bearwolf couldn't recover a severed soul, right?”
[But as you know, that ancient demonblade comes with a heavy price... The real issue is it might shatter irreparably after one use. That's why it's so strictly sealed. Get my meaning?]
“Don't worry. We'll prepare a perfect replica... and ensure no mistakes.”
The other side laughed.
[Fine. Take responsibility and proceed once.]
“Thank you.”
[Oh, what was his name again? The inmate.]
“The Bearwolf?”
Turning the wheel, the chief of staff replied.
“Kyle Clark.”
[...Clark?]
The voice asked again.
[Did you say Clark just now?]
“Yes? Yes, Clark.”
[......]
“Any issue?”
[No, nothing. Good work. Hanging up.]
“Yes. See you shortly.”
Meanwhile, in the central administrative district.
Assemblyman Simon Marshall ended the call from a spot overlooking the glittering forest of skyscrapers below. He let out a hollow laugh.
“Clark... Clark, huh. Heh, hearing that name again here of all places.”
His face hardened seriously.
“...Interesting.”