Chapter 184
Chapter 184
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: The Bassini Hypothesis
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With only three days left, it was an incredibly tight schedule to find something and build a case.
They didn't know what kind of operation to run, or what they could even find to use as physical evidence.
Sienna spoke.
“What’s the status?”
“The truth is, the council, the carnival, and the agenda items are all intertwined, which has made the timeline very tight. While our target isn't one hundred percent confirmed, I think we have no choice but to proceed.”
“I know you did it because you thought it was that urgent, but I'm not sure if it's okay to go in recklessly with only circumstantial evidence.”
“Is there any additional information the Faith Division has uncovered? If we combine our findings, things might become a little clearer.”
“…”
A moment of silence passed.
“If it’s the Bassini family…”
Loan, who had been listening intently, muttered to himself, his voice trailing off as all eyes turned to him.
Sienna nodded, encouraging him to continue.
Loan went on.
“The Bassinis are a family from Mediol, aren’t they?”
Sienna replied.
“Yes. That is their domain.”
The Bassinis were not one of the families who had lost a child at the late duchess's birthday celebration.
What drew Loan's attention to the name Bassini was the family's location.
Mediol.
It was the most developed city in northwestern Ferrara. If Felsina was the flower of the east, then Mediol was the pride of the west.
Loan nodded.
“I see. That would explain the speculation that the Bassini family is Nostra’s main base.”
The observing members of the Accountability Division couldn't help but tilt their heads in confusion. Garcia and Richa were no different.
They hadn't said anything yet, but Loan was speaking as if he had figured something out all on his own.
Meanwhile, Sienna, facing a situation she had experienced many times before, felt a mix of exasperation and a quiet sigh of relief.
They had secured information on Nostra's command structure, but the most crucial piece of the puzzle now was who was backing them.
It was a bitter pill to swallow that the Faith Division had figured out nothing while the Accountability Division had solidified their suspicions.
Being asked for more information in this situation was awkward, but seeing that Loan might have realized something made her feel pleased and proud.
Filled with anticipation, Sienna said,
“Loan, take your time and tell us how you came to that conclusion. It’s all right.”
“I think it’s likely the same reason the seniors from the Accountability Division solidified their suspicions. Wasn’t it because of the suits those bastards wear?”
What did he mean by that?
The curious members stared intently at Loan's face.
Suits.
“…”
Loan met the silent gazes of those watching him and had a sudden realization.
He lightly rubbed the back of his neck and looked at Sienna.
*‘Did she naturally create this situation for me again?’*
For a junior so far down the ladder to organize his thoughts and speak in front of seniors from another division was proof of how much Sienna trusted him.
It was also a push for him to grow further.
She was giving him a chance to raise his own value.
Even now, when time was of the essence, she was giving him this opportunity.
Ever since he first joined the Union, his seniors had always guided him this way.
He now understood Sienna's actions from a few days ago.
His senior was watching.
Loan tried his best to convey the basis for his judgment as coherently as possible.
“A prominent characteristic of Nostra is the suits they wear. It’s easy to dismiss, since many criminals care about appearances, but they were quite immaculate.”
Garcia cleared his throat and interjected.
“Ahem. They are peculiar. If there’s one positive thing to say about those bastards, it’s that attitude. Of course, that’s assuming they acquired them with legally and rightfully earned wealth. Back in my day…”
“And?”
He was immediately cut off by Richa.
Loan continued.
“The Consigliere I fought in Schwerin a while back was also strange. He boasted that his clothes were made from the incredibly rare chest hair of a mountain goat. On top of that, he wore a demon as if it were clothing. It was a peculiar ability, so it stuck in my memory.”
“Coincidentally, it connects back to clothes again.”
“Yes. Then, a few days ago, while Senior Sienna was engaged in a fiery debate with a Nostra Caporegime about clothes…”
Suddenly, everyone’s gazes turned to Sienna.
The words ‘Sienna’ and ‘fiery debate’ didn't seem to fit together.
Their expressions were as surprised as when they'd heard about Loan's speed.
Of course, the most surprised person was Sienna herself.
What was he about to say now, starting like that?
Sienna, her face flushing, lowered her head slightly and muttered as if to herself.
“Those wicked men were wearing fine clothes, so it was just easy to pick a fight. What’s the big…”
Such a humble display.
Loan, thinking once again that he should learn from Sienna's attitude, continued.
“I only realize it now, but Senior Sienna must have deliberately continued the conversation with them, repeatedly mentioning their clothes. You were giving me a hint, but I failed to notice it.”
“I was?”
The words slipped out of Sienna's mouth before she could stop them.
Loan smiled and suddenly looked at Garcia.
“Commander Garcia, you have a very large build, so it must be difficult to find ready-made clothes, right?”
“Of course.”
“What about the Union’s tailor?”
“He’s fast and highly skilled. His clothes fit me perfectly. I can tell just by looking at how your clothes fit. You’re at an age where you’re growing quickly, yet your suit is flawlessly tailored, isn't it?”
“They are traditional clothes, yet they’re subtly tailored to each person’s characteristics. That’s how skilled they are. Mediol is where such excellent artisans gather. Our tailor is probably from Mediol too, right? That’s what I heard.”
Only then.
Did the members of the Accountability Division understand what Loan was getting at.
“For a criminal organization of that size to be able to afford such high-quality suits, they must either have their own tailor or…”
A member with sharp eyes spoke up, interjecting.
“It would have to be a place with a clothing industry developed enough to make that possible. One or two tailor shops wouldn’t be enough to supply them.”
Richa summarized their thoughts.
Seeing their reactions, Loan felt a little puzzled.
If they were stating information they already knew, then the seniors from the Accountability Division were being considerate of him. If it was a new hypothesis, then they were helping Senior Sienna save face.
Thus, he concluded.
“I know Mediol to have the most developed clothing industry in Ferrara—no, on the entire continent. And the family that holds that territory as their domain is the Bassini. It seemed like a good condition for narrowing down the targets, which is why I mentioned it.”
After Loan spoke, there was a brief silence.
The Accountability Division hadn't approached it from that angle.
They were stationed in Ferrara and had frequently clashed with Nostra, narrowing their search by surveying the battle locations and focusing on the northern region, where the most fights occurred.
Loan's clothing hypothesis was fundamental yet easy to overlook, but it was just as persuasive.
Thus, it was a natural step for their suspicions about the Bassinis to deepen.
The members of the Accountability Division began discussing amongst themselves again.
“Couldn’t we identify a pattern, decoration, or a maker’s habit from their clothes?”
“If we can confirm that, identify the tailor, and trace it back from there, we might find a lead.”
“Could the clothes serve as evidence?”
“It could be more than just a lead; it could deal a blow. Just proving they’re an economic community or have a sponsor would be enough.”
“When money and goods are exchanged, they inevitably leave a trail.”
“If we could find a ledger and get a confession based on it. And if the Union Commander could notarize it.”
All eyes turned to Commander Garcia.
He nodded.
“If there’s evidence and a possibility of it adversely affecting the political situation, that’s reason enough to take the head of a family patriarch or a council chairman. Considering the countless lives lost at their hands, it’s a just outcome.”
It was a conclusive answer, for once.
It came across as a declaration that he would take full responsibility as commander.
Richa looked at Sienna with admiration and said,
“So you had already figured all that out. It would have been great if you’d told us sooner. Ah… but I suppose it can’t be helped if the Faith Division has its own procedures.”
Sienna struggled to maintain a composed expression.
“Ahem. Well, let’s leave it at that. So, what do you think? Do things seem a little more certain now?”
“It seems like reason enough to investigate the Bassinis.”
“It would be great if we could find something from the suits of the executive-level members at least. We could have the Union tailor appraise them based on that, but the important thing is time.”
“True, it’s a tight schedule to request a visit here or to send samples.”
Listening to the conversation, Loan was suddenly reminded of the mages from the Tower of Concepts.
Those who developed magic based on practicality.
Loan said,
“If we collect potential evidence, quantify the patterns, and then create a magic formula to send via messenger, the Honor Division can probably materialize it for the tailor to see.”
Richa's eyes widened.
“Is that really possible with magic?”
“Magic was always meant to be ‘marvelous.’”
That answer was enough.
Now, it was time to seriously discuss how they would proceed.
Richa spoke, and Sienna asked.
“Honestly, I thought the council schedule would be to our advantage. I figured it would buy us some time. The head of the Bassini family, along with a significant number of their elites, will be heading here. We were planning to use that opportunity to infiltrate their base.”
“The clothing might help solidify our suspicions, but it might be difficult for it to serve as key evidence. And there’s no guarantee we’ll find crucial evidence just by infiltrating. Is there something specific you’re looking for?”
“It’s called the Artifact of Ferrara. They say it’s the driving force that allowed the ducal family of Ferrara to rule the country for so long.”
“Hm. I’ve heard of it.”
Sienna said with a nod.
Loan had also studied it while preparing for his promotion.
It was known as the 'Black Box,' a 'magical tool' that connected the ducal family of Ferrara with the five great families of the duchy. That much was public knowledge.
Richa said,
“From what I’ve found, it seems to have an ability close to an Authority, similar to our messenger birds. It can apparently store, save, and share all sounds.”
According to the information confirmed by the Accountability Division, the late Duke of Ferrara had used the Black Box for surveillance and control, which was one of the secrets to his family's long-standing rule over Ferrara.
In other words, if they could find the Black Box and analyze the information contained within, they could secure substantial evidence.
“What are the chances they destroyed it?”
“Zero. They’d be trying to figure out how to use it for themselves. Anyone who knows its purpose and power would.”
“Where is it?”
“In the case of the Duke of Ferrara, it was embedded in the back wall of his office. It can be removed, but we’ve left it there for now, as it seems to be the safest place for it.”
Ferrara Castle was currently being used as the Accountability Division's temporary southern garrison. With the civil war in Rhodes, there was no better intermediate link than the duke's castle.
This was why even families interested in the artifact couldn't make a move right away.
“Understood. Primary objective is the Black Box. Secondary is to investigate any connections related to the clothing.”
“If we can get even that much, it will have a significant impact. Just don’t overdo it.”
But this was no time to be complacent.
The Bassini family was scheduled to depart from Mediol tomorrow to attend the council.
It was akin to an implicit demand for a reception befitting their status, but for the Union, it was an opportunity.
And so, early the next day.
The evidence acquisition team departed for Mediol to carry out the operation.
The team consisted of Loan, Sienna, Commander Garcia, and elite Seekers from the Accountability Division.
Unexpectedly, Loan was appointed team leader.