Chapter 153 - An Unexpected Nuisance
The McDallian Family's main estate garden could be considered a type of French garden.
Trimmed plants form geometric patterns, and the placement of cobblestones, fountains, and statues is quite distinctive.
The plants are not only arranged symmetrically but are also trimmed into symmetrical patterns, and all other installations in the garden are also symmetrical. It's a thorough display of symmetry as art.
The hedges are meticulously maintained, the garden is expansive, and the cleanliness is impeccable—everything is meticulously planned and executed to perfection. It's a garden that must have cost a fortune, and it's truly magnificent.
Even in the snowy season, everything isn't covered in white, which suggests the power of magical devices. It's quite intriguing.
The snow that remains adds a beautiful accent, creating a unique winter beauty.
The Clad Family's garden was also impressive, but it had a different charm.
Theirs was more like an English garden, I think.
They avoided artificial shapes and pursued a beauty that highlights nature.
Our Lily seems to prefer a natural feel, and I think I lean more towards English-style gardens.
Of course, it's tasteless to compare them. Both are wonderful, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Looking only at the garden, the McDallians have excellent taste, I must admit.
I enjoyed the scenery while walking, and it felt like a pleasant stroll before arriving at the mansion.
As usual, I showed my invitation and handed over the gift, then I took a chance and asked.
"If possible, could you serve that gift at the party? I'm not asking for anything unreasonable; I just want you to ask the important people."
"Y-Yes. More importantly, time is running out, so please come inside."
"Yukari-dono, let's hurry."
"Right."
That was a bit impulsive. Well, there's no point in insisting. We should hurry.
When we moved to the grand hall where the assembly was held, all the seats were already taken.
It seems the Five Great Families' elders haven't arrived yet, so we made it in time.
As I drew attention from almost everyone in the room, I naturally took my seat at the end as expected.
Considering the previous assembly and the recent rise of the Kikyo Society, the attention is natural. However, I ignored all the gazes. I didn't feel the need to react, and I could understand why they might want to look at us, even if it was quite unpleasant.
Nevertheless, the scene was no different from the one at the Clad Family. The flow of the assembly would likely be the same. Important matters would be discussed at the end, and I could probably nap at the beginning.
Shortly after we sat down, the elders arrived with the grandeur befitting their status, and the McDallians followed. After a formal greeting, the assembly began.
Since this wasn't my first time, I wasn't asked to introduce myself. It was peaceful.
The discussions at the assembly, as expected, were unrelated to the Kikyo Society.
It started with petty disputes among underlings, followed by glares and threats over stolen customers, and bitter arguments over the distribution and price of drugs. The debates were lively but tedious.
It was boring, not just for us but for the big players as well.
The Clad Family and the Anastasia Union were whispering to each other, and the Gandrault Gang didn't even return to their seats after leaving.
Everyone except the parties involved ignored the discussions. The only one who listened attentively was the host, the McDallian, though he looked visibly bored.
Just as I was about to leave my seat, the host finally moved when the Gandrault Gang returned.
"...Let's put aside individual issues for now, shall we? Is that agreeable?"
"I agree with Don McDallian. It's time to address what everyone is wondering about."
Balgar Clad immediately supported him, urging the meeting to move forward. It was a nice assist.
No one objected. Even if they had something to say, they probably couldn't voice it. This allowed us to move on to the next topic.
Don McDallian wet his lips with a drink and began to speak solemnly.
"Before we move to the next agenda, let's establish a common understanding. You've all noticed the empty seat. It belongs to the Snake Head Society."
There were seats reserved for the Five Great Families and those close to them. The empty seat was immediately noticeable. The seats that likely belonged to the Snake Head Society's subordinates were also empty.
The question was, what had happened? The Five Great Families and their close associates seemed to know, but I had no idea.
"We did send out invitations, but they didn't show up today. It's simple. The Snake Head Society is extinct, and it's reasonable to assume that."
"...Extinct?"
He said it casually, but what does extinct mean? Who did it, and when?
Many people who were unaware, like me, were now filled with questions, but McDallian continued without hesitation.
"It happened recently. We received information that the Legisamo Cartel had moved into the Snake Head Society's territory."
"The Legisamo Cartel?"
"You know the Medek-Legisamo Empire, which has expanded its influence in the western continent. The Legisamo Cartel is the drug cartel that controls the underworld there."
I didn't care much about the empire itself. The Romariel Mountains in the central continent completely block travel between the east and west, and the southern and northern regions are filled with other countries, making travel extremely difficult. Geographically, the relationship is weak. The Exembra might have some minor trade relations, but I've never heard of any significant ties.
If what McDallian said is true, it would mean that a drug cartel based far away had moved into the Exembra. There were still many unknowns.
"Why would such a group come here, and why did they conveniently eliminate the weakened Snake Head Society?"
"It's simple. Few people know, but the Snake Head Society's base is in the Medek-Legisamo Empire. The Snake Head Society and the Legisamo Cartel are enemies. The conflict has now spread to this city. They've been waiting for an opportunity, I suspect."
Hmm, I see. For organizations like us that operate locally, it's unnecessary to know the intricacies of the underground world in distant foreign lands. The appearance of shady figures in this city is nothing new. It's impossible to investigate everyone's background, and it's a regular part of daily life.
It's a surprise, but it's bound to complicate things.
"Don McDallian, can I speak?"
Like me, the bosses who were unaware of the situation were trying to gather information. It was helpful for me to listen.
"Of course."
"How did you know it was the drug cartel? They don't bear any specific insignia, and they certainly didn't introduce themselves. Do they have any distinguishing features?"
"Exactly. Members of the Legisamo Cartel have a distinctive feature."
The feature he mentioned so casually left everyone who was unaware with puzzled expressions.
Are there really such obvious people?
"What feature? Speak clearly."
"A tattoo. They all have a tattoo of an 'eye' in a prominent place on their bodies. That's the proof."
It's in poor taste.
Even if they had matching tattoos, it wouldn't be so bad, but the fact that everyone has the same 'eye' tattoo is concerning. It's an ugly design, and just hearing about it makes it clear that they are deranged. I wouldn't criticize someone's taste, but if an organization enforces such a requirement and everyone accepts it, I would call them crazy without hesitation.
Moreover, a drug cartel is a criminal organization that manufactures, smuggles, and sells drugs. They have a large number of soldiers and the power to force even governmental authority to bend to their will. They are extremely cruel and violent, and the Legisamo Cartel is no exception.
While many organizations in the Exembra underworld, including the Clad Family, are essentially the same as drug cartels, they are far more respectable.
They are ruthless to their enemies and commit daily crimes, but they can blend into society. Even if they secretly engage in kidnapping or human trafficking, they try to keep it from becoming public knowledge.
On the other hand, the drug cartels have no such pretense. They openly focus on the drug business and use violence to protect and expand it, brutally crushing anyone who opposes them. They don't involve civilians in their battles or allow drugs to spread uncontrollably, which is a significant difference.
"Don McDallian, please tell us more about them."
The bosses, whose faces had changed, continued to ask detailed questions.
Listening to the exchange, what frightened me about the drug cartel was their methods. Even someone like me, who has been in this world for a while, finds it beyond my imagination. It mainly concerns their approach to killing.
I don't shy away from the dirty aspects of this industry, but I believe that taking someone's life, an irreversible act, should be done with caution. When possible, it's better not to do it at all. At the same time, showing unnecessary mercy to an enemy is the height of folly.
From my experience, the people in Exembra, despite some differences in philosophy, rarely engage in unnecessary killings. The Snake Head Society and the Gandrault Gang, for example, don't publicly commit senseless murders.
The key is to draw the line, even among outlaws.
The members of the Legisamo Cartel fundamentally differ from us in terms of mentality and spirit. Objectively, I find them terrifying.
Firstly, they don't need a reason to kill.
If they don't like you, they kill you, and if they like you even less, they torture you before killing you.
It doesn't matter if the person is an enemy or an ally. Even a passerby can be a target of their madness.
Simply put, they kill on a whim.
They rule through relentless violence and terror, which has solidified their position in the Medek-Legisamo Empire.
Facing such an opponent requires a significant resolve. While I don't think the underworld of Exembra is naive, dealing with this new adversary is undoubtedly different from what we've known.
Observing the room, the faces of the bosses who heard the news were not good.
A foreign organization, one that is likely to be quite troublesome and large, has moved in. If they had the strength to eliminate the Snake Head Society, a full-scale invasion seems imminent. If that happens, the next target will be the local organizations that stand in their way.
Sooner or later, the underworld of Exembra will be forced into a confrontation with the Legisamo Cartel.
How we navigate this will determine the fluidity of the situation.
I doubt any organization would ally with a drug cartel that could devour everything, but the possibility isn't zero.
For the Five Great Families and large organizations with established territories, it's unlikely, but for smaller, more ambiguous factions, it's a possibility.
For example, if a small amount of cooperation or information sharing could grant access to the vast resources of a major drug cartel, there might be those who see value in it.
"Is that understood? We have a proposal to make."
Don McDallian maintained a calm demeanor. I could predict what he would say, and the attitudes of the Clad Family, the Anastasia Union, and the Gandrault Gang also gave it away.
"An extension of the mutual non-aggression pact, and cooperation against the Legisamo Cartel."
Yes, it's a reasonable proposal.
It's inevitable to fight against a group that cannot coexist. Even if we could defeat them individually, our forces would be significantly weakened, making us vulnerable to other organizations.
Working together is a practical proposal. No one wants to be the first to face the enemy. If the contributions are recognized, the rights to the Snake Head Society's territory could be decided, which might encourage more active participation. There are many other strategies as well.
In a boss gathering like this, immediate decisions are often required.
McDallian quietly observed the room as people began to consult with each other.
"...Impressive. Yukari-dono, it seems like a good deal, doesn't it?"
"Yes, there's a clear benefit, and no apparent downside."
This is a beneficial proposal for the Kikyo Society as well.
The extension of the mutual non-aggression pact is a pleasant surprise, and the Snake Head Society's territory is far from ours, making it unlikely for us to be the first to face the enemy.
Even if we were to participate in the division of the territory, I am currently uninterested in controlling a distant area. Besides, we have other priorities, and it would be challenging to manage.
Just participating in the battle wouldn't be a problem. Our forces are strong, and our people would likely welcome the opportunity to gain combat experience.
The Legisamo Cartel must be eliminated. If such a drug cartel were to dominate, it would ruin the prosperity of Exembra.
It would also cast a shadow over our plans for a high-end hotel and the arena.
While allying with the McDallian Family and the Gandrault Gang makes me uneasy, such feelings are secondary. It would be absurd to form an alliance. However, there are more pressing matters to prioritize. If we bicker internally, we'll be at the mercy of external threats. This is the worst-case scenario.
The underworld assembly can significantly impact one's reputation. A single mistake can lead to an irreparable situation. It's not uncommon to hear of organizations that have fallen or clashed after an assembly.
Navigating this assembly could create opportunities for future business. Moreover, the Legisamo Cartel is a joke. It's unacceptable for them to interfere with our plans.
My resolve is set. After consulting with Siegrune, I will declare our stance.
"Don McDallian! We, the Kikyo Society, agree."
"...Impressive, agreeing so quickly. You must have an interest in the Snake Head Society's territory?"
His tone is unpleasant. Before I can counter, other voices join in.
"My group has no objections, McDallian."
"If it's a joint effort, I have no complaints, but can you manage the situation?"
"The distribution of rights after the matter is settled should be decided in advance, shouldn't it?"
My declaration and McDallian's provocation have sparked a surge of participation and accelerated the discussion.
The Snake Head Society's territory is vast, covering about one-sixth of Exembra.
Ambitious individuals are discussing how to carve out a piece and not fall behind.
We've been somewhat sidelined, but if they can resolve it on their own, it's fine with us. Let them do as they please.
The Five Great Families seem to have pre-agreed on the distribution of rights.
They are proceeding in a way that most can accept or compromise. Even if we don't need to control a territory, we can be compensated with money or resources.
This plan has been refined among the Five Great Families for a long time, and the content was generally satisfactory.
Although not all questions have been answered, the matter was put to a vote.
"Let's reiterate the proposal. The temporary extension of the mutual non-aggression pact and joint efforts against the Legisamo Cartel. Do we have your agreement?"
The temporary extension of the mutual non-aggression pact means it will end once the Legisamo Cartel issue is resolved. It could be a quick resolution or a prolonged conflict.
Despite the short discussion, a sense of unity has emerged. Even those who usually clash are united in the face of an immediate threat.
"...It has been unanimously decided. Thank you for your support."
With the unanimous raising of hands, the new agreement was established. There were some warnings about breaking the agreement, but that's a minor issue.
The assembly is over, and the next event is the customary party. That's another hassle.
Next chapter: 'Sudden Escalation.'
There's no way this will end peacefully.