Chapter 120 - A Rare Moment of Peace
The biannual summit, where the bosses of the underworld, centered around the Five Great Families, gather. This summer, the Kikyo Society wasn’t invited. The event was apparently hosted by the Gandrault Gang, an organization with no particular ties to us. I wonder what they were thinking, or if they even considered the Kikyo Society at all.
Not that I was particularly interested in attending. It’s fine by me.
I heard from the sister of the Anastasia Union’s Leader that the mutual non-aggression pact remains in effect for now. Even though the Kikyo Society didn’t participate this time, we were part of the original agreement, so we’re still covered. I doubt they would do something as low as secretly excluding us from the pact.
Maintaining the status quo is something the Kikyo Society can welcome. It’s reassuring to have this agreement in place as the arena construction plans come to light.
So, we’ve secured another six months of relative peace. I’ll leave all the complicated matters and the necessary groundwork to the Secretariat Unit and the Intelligence Unit. I don’t want to think about it unless they bring something to my attention.
Running everything myself isn’t a good idea, you know. Yes, it’s not.
I dropped off the Bloomstar Galaxy at Doc’s for maintenance and decided to stroll down Sixth Avenue. Since I have some time today, I thought I’d pay Torietta-san a long-overdue visit.
"I’ve been waiting for you, Yukari-san! Come on, let’s measure your size!"
"Wait, hold on a moment!"
As soon as I entered the personal workshop of the Brillonvest clothing store, I was immediately stripped and measured. There’s no point in arguing with Torietta-san during these times, so I just let her do her thing. I could feel her extra enthusiasm, probably because it’s been a while since we last met.
"Great, your measurements haven’t changed at all! I won’t have to remake the clothes I’ve been stockpiling. Here’s this year’s summer collection. And we can combine them like this..."
The storm of activity passed, and I left with a Boston bag full of clothes. I guess I’ll have to visit her more often... This time, it couldn’t be helped.
Next, I wandered into the Tekiya District. This area provides jobs for refugees by lending them the necessary tools in exchange for a small fee, allowing them to set up their own stalls.
Initially, there were only simple food stalls, but over time, each vendor has added their own unique touch. Now, you can find intricate dishes, games with exciting prizes, and shops selling handmade toys. It feels like a mini-festival.
The main customers seem to be local children and young adults. Business is thriving, which is great. However, if they start making too much money, we’ll need to ensure it doesn’t upset the balance with other businesses. I’ll think about that later.
Some of the Kikyo Society’s young members have also shown interest in business and can often be found working here. It would be interesting to see if any of them achieve great success in the future.
After browsing the bustling shops on Sixth Avenue, I had lunch at The Princess’s Shelter Inn. Then, I stopped by the Kikyo Society’s Branch. As the Leader, I usually stay at the Headquarters, so I don’t visit the Branch often.
"Ah, Leader! What brings you here?"
"Just passing by. Is everything okay?"
I exchanged a quick greeting with a young man who happened to be outside. The first-floor cafeteria was reasonably busy, and the gambling den seemed to be doing well. Since everyone was busy working, I just took a brief look and left.
Next, I visited Elegance Balloon, run by Lily. After a previous attack that left customers injured, the place had seen a drop in visitors. But it seems they’ve recovered. The theme park-like garden was filled with happy people.
I’m sure this recovery is due to the proper handling of the injured and the organization’s subsequent positive response. I didn’t want to disturb the lively atmosphere, so I didn’t go inside.
After seeing the bustling Sixth Avenue, I decided to end my day with tea at a familiar sweets shop. I didn’t do anything special, just strolled around and greeted some acquaintances. It was a good day, even if I did end up with a Boston bag full of clothes.
Anyway, the waitress sat at my table as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Munch, munch, munch, gulp. Ah, where can I find a good man?"
She ate cake after cake at an incredible speed, completely unlike my more refined approach to sweets.
"...Weren’t you saying you were getting along well with the tailor’s young master a while ago?"
"Oh, that didn’t work out. He was a typical 'follow me' type. I need someone who treats me like a princess..."
What is she talking about?
"Sigh, where can I find a handsome, kind, rich man who will eat cake with me?"
I listened to her incoherent ramblings for a while, but the cake here is delicious. The waitress is a bit disappointing, but occasionally, this can be fun.
As I was about to leave Sixth Avenue, an old acquaintance called out to me.
"Hey, it’s been a while. Come on in for a drink."
It was Bruno. He’s been helping me out even when I’m not around, so I decided to join him for a bit. Bruno’s gang has an office behind the Kikyo Society Headquarters, a testament to our ongoing good relationship. They even have a store on Sixth Avenue.
Once inside, I was seated in a secluded spot, and we started drinking.
"I heard you went to the Royal Capital. Tell me what’s going on there."
"Just gathering information. Sure, I don’t mind, but you should buy the drinks."
"Why not? I want you to spend some money here. Anyway, it’s not me who’s interested in the Royal Capital, but Mr. Clad is."
I remembered that Bruno’s gang is under the Clad Family. Whether they asked him to or he took the initiative, he wanted to hear it directly from me.
There’s no need to be dramatic, and since Bruno has helped me out, I don’t mind sharing.
"...So, this is what happened in the Royal Capital."
I gave him a brief overview, mentioning the Oversta House’s control over the Royal Capital, the exclusion of foreign influences, and our minor involvement.
"You’re still as reckless as ever. I have a lot to say, but good work. Here, let me share some information with you."
He then told me about the issues arising in Exembra. The biggest problem is the rogue adventurers. They have the skills but use them for mischief instead of legitimate work. Exembra attracts people with money, so they’ve learned quick and easy ways to make it.
These rogue adventurers are like drifters, ruthless and without hesitation. If they cause trouble, they just move to another city or country. There’s also the ongoing influx of refugees from Retnark, who are generally willing to work but can form slums if left unchecked. Managing their areas is a headache.
Foreign underworld forces are also expanding their presence in Exembra. While the Five Great Families prevent them from acting too freely, they’re still a threat. After all, the Snake Head Society and the Anastasia Union have their headquarters abroad. They’ve long since integrated into the local scene, so they don’t feel like foreign entities anymore.
Another issue is the influx of young troublemakers. They claim territories, fight among themselves, and even challenge established gangs. Their recklessness can be more dangerous than skilled adventurers or organizations.
None of these issues have directly affected the Kikyo Society yet, but they might in the future. Bruno’s gang has encountered these problems multiple times, so their insights were valuable.
I’ve heard about these issues before, but they’re becoming more apparent. I’ll need to be more cautious.
After Bruno bought me a few drinks, I left, and it was already getting dark. Back at the Headquarters, I enjoyed a meal with everyone and savored the daily routine.
After dinner, I found people enjoying their hobbies. There was the flower arrangement club, the magic item enthusiasts, and groups focused on combat techniques, reading, and motorcycles. I’ve been invited to some of these groups, and it seems more have sprung up without my notice.
I joined a few of them, enjoying the lively atmosphere.
What a peaceful day!
It’s a light-hearted chapter, but I hope it helps you remember some of the characters who haven’t appeared in a while.