Chapter 55 : Chapter 55
Chapter 55
South of Lemaos Town, near the Northern Lemaos Hunting Grounds, was a small city called Haret.
Near Haret Town was the headquarters of the Waker-Bon Family.
Sitting on a worn leather sofa, a middle-aged woman puffed on a thick cigar between her index and middle fingers.
Her rough, spit-dampened hands counted bills, her sharp eyes following the money.
Sonya Waker-Bon, the boss of the Waker-Bon Family.
“Moonlight Bar’s weekend revenue was only this much?”
Sonya clipped the counted money, letting out a hollow laugh.
“Don’t lie. This month had a lot of holidays, didn’t it?”
“Yes, I thought it was odd too, so I pressed the owner, but he insists that’s all.”
A Waker-Bon executive bowed his head and continued.
Tsk…
Sonya filled her lungs with cigarette smoke again.
“Tch, didn’t that owner’s son brag about getting married soon?”
“Now that you mention it, yes.”
“There’s probably a hidden stash there.”
Sonya chuckled, smoke escaping through her teeth.
“Track that son’s location and shake him down. Something’s bound to come up.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Tell him marriages start humbly when you’re young~ Maybe slip him 10 Aurum as a wedding gift.”
The executive nodded and turned to leave the boss’s room.
“Oh, and good news. I scheduled a meeting with the Milpain Family next week. Get a fruit basket and a multivitamin gift set.”
“Milpain… Isn’t that a faction under the Ebenkera Family? How did you secure a meeting?”
“I showed them my vast fields. They couldn’t help but marvel at nature’s grandeur.”
Sonya gestured broadly, mimicking a sweeping field.
“Does this mean we might connect with the Nipi Island mafia?!”
“It’s looking likely.”
Sonya grinned, revealing a gold-capped canine.
“By the way, boss, what about these guys?”
The executive glanced at family members kneeling, bound with ropes.
They were the ones who, during the last night market, kidnapped a merchant and tried to make a side deal.
Kiriki, the night market operator, had reported it. A merchant with big profit potential had come, but one of the squad leaders tried to pocket the money.
The night market’s been thriving lately. I should collect info on the merchants there.
Good news was everywhere.
Sonya raised her thumb and made a slicing motion across her throat.
“Break their limbs and throw them to the dogs.”
✦ ✦ ✦
It was the weekend!
I went with my friends (subordinates) to Haret, a small city in the south.
It had a downtown area with plenty to see, and we’d planned to visit sometime. The excuse to crush the Waker-Bon Family gave us the push to go.
“Wow…”
Apple’s eyes sparkled at a toy shop, so we stopped by.
“Oh…”
Luca showed interest in the ‘Strongest Sword’ forge, so we checked that out too.
They had swords and lightweight limb guards.
There was so much to see, we wandered around.
“…”
Of course, food was a must. Seeing Bilha drooling in the middle of the street, I bought one of everything.
I carried a heap of street food to the park. It was crowded with kids since it was the weekend.
Luca spread out a large mat and laid out the food we’d bought.
The trees overhead provided cool shade.
“…It’s peaceful.”
Picking up a chicken skewer, Luca looked at the hill park and said a word.
“Indeed, it’s the kind of weather that makes you want to nap.”
Zzz, zzz…
“Oh, one of us is already napping.”
Bilha had already eaten his share and was fast asleep, succumbing to post-meal drowsiness.
“By the way, young lady, we’ve each visited a place we wanted. Where do you want to go?”
Apple asked, munching on a caramel-coated apple.
“Moonlight Bar.”
“…?”
“None of us look old enough to pass for drinking age.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
Right, the Aurum Empire banned underage drinking.
“Let’s just order milk and snacks. Do we have to get alcohol?”
Luca narrowed his eyes.
“Then just go to a regular restaurant.”
“I recently got more info from Kiriki about businesses tied to the Waker-Bon Family.”
I pointed to ‘Moonlight Bar’ across the way.
“One of them is Moonlight Bar.”
“…!!”
“What?! We’re really doing that?”
Apple, who’d heard my rough plan before, paled.
Damn it, I don’t want to either!!!
“Yes, we need to move quickly before the next night market. It’s better to remove the stumbling block before tripping.”
I spoke contrary to my heart, my expression unchanged, still staring at the bar.
“But why a bar? Weren’t there other businesses they’re tied to?”
“Bars are where mafia gather the most information. Alcohol loosens the knots of secrets.”
“Oh, new info.”
“Don’t take it to heart.”
I took a bite of the chicken skewer Bilha had half-stolen.
I was pondering when to go in, what topics to bring up, and what questions to ask.
“The bar owner doesn’t seem to be open today.”
A man with a heavy aura closed and locked the bar’s door.
He then hurriedly headed toward the Haret Healing Temple, his face grim.
“Something’s up. Let’s follow him.”
I quickly stood up.
✦ ✦ ✦
“They’re beaten to a pulp.”
Hegrot, the owner of Moonlight Bar, collapsed upon seeing two people lying side by side in the temple’s recovery room.
As Hegrot exhaled slowly, suppressing his anger, his son, face bruised blue, gave an awkward smile.
“It’s okay, Father. The priests are treating us well, so I’ll recover soon.”
“What about your wedding?”
“We don’t need a grand ceremony. We’ll just have the high priest at the bar for a small event.”
“A parent’s heart feels differently.”
Hegrot sighed again, stroking his beard.
“At least your bride looks unharmed, thank goodness…”
“…”
Her leg was broken too.
“It’s not serious. She fell trying to intervene… Heh.”
“…”
“I’m sorry… I gave them the money you saved for us. I thought my husband was going to die…”
The bride-to-be scratched the back of her head, bowing low.
“…You two rest. You must be shaken from today.”
Unable to contain his emotions, Hegrot left the recovery room.
Leaning against the wall, he slid down and clutched his head.
His son and daughter-in-law helped with Moonlight Bar and had no separate income.
They seemed to have saved some money aside from wedding funds, but judging by their worry about the temple’s gratitude fee, even that was taken.
Thinking of his son and daughter-in-law’s injuries, Hegrot buried his face in his hands and sobbed.
The fact that their recovery would be quick and their lives weren’t at risk was his only comfort.
Money, I need to make more money. But how? Even if I skim some, it’ll get taken. Should I start a side income? But how do I make money without them noticing?
As he scratched his head, he suddenly sensed several presences.
“Hello.”
A clear, stream-like voice rang out.
Looking up, I saw a person wearing a hood that hid their face.
Around them stood others who seemed to be their companions.
“Could we have a word?”