Chapter 326 - A Classic Unannounced Visit
The expansion into Berliza, the largest and strongest nation on the continent, excelling in economics, culture, and military might.
Frederica and Josephine would probably beg off if I just said, "Let's go for it!" without a plan. I get that. I know better than to just rely on momentum. There's a reason behind my decision to move into Berliza.
What realistically needs to be done to enter Berliza? Just charging in blindly will likely lead to a dead end. Ending up halfway through and failing would be the worst outcome, disappointing everyone in the organization. As the president and the one who proposed this, I can't let that happen.
We have the funds to set up an office and put up a sign, but doing so without a plan would surely cause problems. That's the real challenge.
Of course, Berliza has its own order. It's nothing like a crime city like Exembra or a collapsed state like old Retnark. We need to keep that in mind. For instance, wherever we put up a sign, it will be in someone else's territory. If the same thing happened in our territory, we would definitely move to crush them. It's a given.
If it were just a simple matter of settling a fight, we wouldn't need to think too much. But when you add the surface world's order to the underworld's structure, things get complicated. Even underworld organizations have their own networks, and when you throw in the official law enforcement, it becomes a tangled mess of laws, rights, and reputations. It's not easy for a newcomer to just waltz in.
In a large, historically rich nation like Berliza, the entire structure is entrenched with vested interests. Even a small organization trying to do a small job, especially an outsider, would face significant challenges. Whether it's legitimate business or underground work.
If we tried to force our way in with violence, the vested interests would unite to push us out. If it came to the point where warrants were issued, the expansion would be a complete failure.
Exembra is different because the underworld is the absolute power, and if you have the strength, you can rise. The government doesn't interfere in underworld disputes, which is a huge draw for criminals. That's why it's a haven for bad guys. In Berliza, that's impossible.
If the security forces were more prominent in a city, the Kikyo Society would have been crushed by the public authority and the Five Great Families long ago, I imagine now.
We can't run our legitimate businesses without the support of the administration and guilds. If they turned against us and tried to eliminate us, we wouldn't stand a chance.
So, how can we break into Berliza? The easiest way would be to form an alliance with an existing organization. Essentially, it's about connections. Fortunately, we have some.
I'm not planning to make a big splash in Berliza.
Just setting up an office and putting up a sign would be enough. At this point, I'm not even thinking about starting operations. Having a base for information gathering and recruiting would be more than enough.
If we were to make a full-scale entry into Berliza, we would need to bring in an entire combat team, plus many members from the Intelligence Bureau and the Secretariat. We don't have that kind of resources.
So, I want to take the first step. For now, that's enough. Just having an office in Berliza would give us a bit of an edge.
The connection that could help us here is the Anastasia Union, a super martial organization based in Berliza. Their Leader is in this city. The spirit of using even family members for the cause applies here. Let's use him.
If the Leader understands, things should work out. I'll definitely offer a fair return.
While I'm there, I might as well ask about the Nomiyaku incident. It would be a two-for-one deal to have a chat with one of the Three Great Families' top members. There's no need to hold back.
One afternoon, under the bright summer sun, I drove the Neutronstar Andromeda, its vibrant blue and gold parts gleaming. Even in the city, the breeze felt refreshing.
Recently, thanks to the influence of Fighter Garcia, the Arena Champion, motorcycles are becoming more common among non-Kikyo Society members.
The diverse fashion of the people and the many vehicles on the streets show how much Exembra has developed. I'm looking forward to comparing it with Berliza, the continent's premier city.
Crossing Central Avenue and driving deep into the quiet residential area, I saw a massive gate towering in the distance. That's the renovated base of the Anastasia Union.
It was once attacked by the Gandrault Gang, disguised as the Legisamo Cartel, and the mansion-like base was set on fire.
I hadn't visited since then, but rumors say it was rebuilt with enhanced security. The gate alone looked completely different from before.
"Well, I wonder if he's around."
This is a casual, unannounced visit. If there's something shady about the Nomiyaku incident, they might be wary of my sudden arrival. I'll probe them boldly.
Even if the Leader isn't there, it's fine. If his sister is around, I can catch up with her after a long time.
Approaching at a slow speed, I started using my magic perception to scout.
It's hard to pinpoint a specific person with magic perception alone. It's also pointless to visit if there's almost no one there. So, I'll do a quick check.
Hmm, there are more people in the grounds and buildings than I expected.
There seem to be guards posted around the mansion, and they've noticed my flashy approach. There's some activity.
I'm not sure if the Leader and his sister are there, but it's worth checking out.
Still, the magic perception picked up a lot of magical device reactions. The security level is extremely high, and there's a tense atmosphere. It doesn't seem to be because of me, though.
From the layout of people and devices, I can tell the key points. If there are any devices to block magic perception, I need to check those too.
From what I can see, the security level is as high as our Headquarters, probably because they've been attacked before.
But as I slowly approached the base, the closed gate started to open. It seems they're letting me through.
They're not just wary of my unannounced visit; they're welcoming me openly. The Anastasia Union lives up to its reputation.
Entering without hesitation, the interior seemed familiar from my memory.
The green lawn and the building with large windows looked the same, but the defense must be much stronger.
Despite the many people, they don't show a tense demeanor. It looks like a peaceful courtyard.
The only person visible was at the building's entrance, apparently sent to greet the sister. I parked my bike and approached.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah, it has. You seem busy, you never visit us anymore."
"I am busy. By the way, this is a sudden visit, isn't it?"
"Just a quick stop. If it's inconvenient, I'll leave. Is the Leader around?"
"Yes, I'll show you in."
Maybe they expected me or someone from the Kikyo Society to visit because of the Nomiyaku incident.
As long as we can talk, that's fine.
"Hmm."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, how's the sister been lately?"
"What do you mean by that question..."
There's someone watching from the roof of a building a few dozen meters away.
A skilled individual, using magic or devices to hide their presence. They're concealing their magic too, but not enough to fool my finely honed, almost cheating-level magic perception.
Many organizations, including ours, are monitoring the Anastasia Union. There are more than just ten or twenty, including foreign groups. But for a regular monitor to hide so thoroughly is unusual.
Being monitored by major organizations is a given. Monitors usually keep a distance and sense each other's presence. If they all tried to completely hide their presence, it would cause unnecessary trouble. That's why one person hiding so thoroughly stands out as abnormal.
It's not just a monitor; it's a hitman. A hitman blending in with monitors in broad daylight must be very confident.
Still, the Anastasia Union isn't going to be taken down by a single hitman. For a big target like the Leader, assassination attempts are a daily occurrence. It's not worth worrying about.
I continued chatting with the sister, dismissing the suspicious person.
After a bit of small talk, we entered a guest room near the entrance.
The lion beastman Leader sat in a chair, waiting silently.
"I'll leave you two to it."
The sister isn't staying. It seems she was told beforehand.
"Sorry to drop in unannounced, Leader."
"No problem. I had something to discuss with you as well."
"Interesting coincidence."
It's probably about the Nomiyaku incident. The tense security today suggests something is off with the Anastasia Union. If there's a reason, I want to know.
This might also make it easier to bring up our plan to expand into Berliza.
I sat in a chair opposite the large table.
There was already tea prepared, so I poured and drank it hot, then refilled my cup. It was good tea, probably for guests. It would be a waste not to savor it.
The Leader just watched me without comment, which I appreciated.
"Phew, so. Who goes first?"
"You came here for a reason. You should start."
"Alright, straight to the point. You know about the Nomiyaku massacre, right? Was it your doing?"
"Is that why you came?"
"If you don't want to say, it's fine. It seems like you were cleaning up a mess, and I just wanted to check."
Silence often means yes. I just want to confirm who did it if it wasn't them.
"We're not that careless to leave traces... but you're not bad either."
"There was no solid evidence left. You did a good job. It's over, and I'm not here to blame you."
"No, since it's out in the open, I should apologize."
At least he's not trying to weasel out of it. It's good to be straightforward with a big player.
"Apology aside, I don't think your subordinates would do something so trivial. Can you explain why?"
"Yes, it ties into what I wanted to discuss. It's a bit of a long story."
He's setting it up to be a complicated story. If I hear it, I'll probably get dragged into a messy situation.
Ah, this is going to be a hassle. But if I leave without hearing it, I'll be curious and can't let it go.
Alright, bring it on. I'll hear what he has to say.
The next chapter, "The Anastasia Union's Situation," delves into the truth behind the Nomiyaku incident. A new major episode begins here.