Chapter 409 - A Small Ant's Hole Can Sink a Dam
Data from the Berliza Intelligence Department arrived, and we’ve already considered our next steps based on it.
We’ve already conducted our own investigations into Gulgandi, so there are no particular elements causing us concern.
The elite forces of the enemy will be arriving in four days, just before dusk. Moore had instructed us to act after their arrival, reasoning that any premature move could tip off the elite forces onboard through communications.
The Intelligence Department's directive is to decisively eliminate these reinforcements, these elite forces. If we were to strike against the already entrenched Gulgandi in Berliza, it might cause the elite forces to retreat temporarily and slip away.
A cautious approach would be to spend the remaining four days solely on reconnaissance and surveillance. However, we aim to act decisively and aggressively, catching the enemy off guard.
Shortly after the meeting began in the evening, we, despite the late hour, sprang into action immediately. The speed of our response is something the enemy should fear most.
We immediately started monitoring various enemy hideouts and simultaneously began our operations.
The information provided by the Intelligence Department guided us on where to strike.
After confirming and setting up our plans, we would proceed to trap the enemy. We can only hope things go smoothly.
“--- Whee! Man, this was a piece of cake. With this much, we’re set for a while. But seriously, do you think nobody will notice?”
“We’ve stockpiled a considerable amount, so a little won’t make a difference. Burp, burp! Damn, this is good. Let’s wait a bit and go back for more. Hell, why don’t we go now and take even more? Ahaha”
The conversation between the two women echoed through the moderately crowded tavern, where it was already late at night. From their repetitive banter over the past half-hour, the surrounding patrons would have assumed they were fairly tipsy.
The content of their boasting seemed to pique the interest of the nearby patrons, causing the tavern’s usual clamor to gradually diminish. This wasn't just a coincidence.
“Yeah, but you’re being too greedy. What about the lookout who fell asleep on the job? What was he, a moron?”
“He was probably just knocked out, that’s all.”
“You used him, didn’t you?! You’ll be in big trouble if you get caught. What an idiot, hahahahaha.”
“Thanks to that idiot, we get to enjoy this tasty drink, ahaha!”
They ordered more drinks, guzzling them down in a way that was anything but refined. They quickly ordered another round, their high spirits obvious to anyone observing them.
Loudly discussing suspicious matters and freely ordering expensive drinks, they naturally drew a lot of attention.
It was only a matter of time before someone decided to take more active steps.
This was a cheap tavern. Even without being from Exembra, there were plenty of unsavory characters eager to jump at the opportunity.
“Hey, ladies. You’ve been having quite a time tonight.”
“You’ve got a good drinking style. Must be fate we met here, let me buy you a drink.”
The two older men approached the women’s table without invitation.
“You’re buying, huh? You’re a good guy!”
The women, still in high spirits, accepted the offer.
The two men, initially a bit tense, were taken aback by this easy acceptance. They settled into their seats with a mix of relief and lecherous grins.
“Hold it, hold it, me too! I’ll buy you a drink, let’s party!”
“Yeah, yeah, count me in! The more the merrier!”
“Hey, bring more drinks over here!”
Others, whether they were drinking buddies or just watching the scene, joined in.
Despite their friendly tones, their bloodshot eyes gave away their true intentions. They would likely turn aggressive if the women refused their offer.
“What, everyone’s buying us drinks? This is a great place!”
“Yeah, let’s really live it up tonight!”
“Yeah, drink up, drink up! Let’s all raise a toast!”
“Heck, let’s do it. To our chance meeting today!”
Despite their ulterior motives, this was a tavern, and coupled with the effects of alcohol, the amicable atmosphere was entirely natural.
Three more rounds of drinks followed, the men downing them in one go. The women, despite occasionally sipping water, joined in the revelry.
The bloodshot-eyed men, perhaps feeling more at ease, turned the gathering into a lively party.
A strange sense of camaraderie seemed to form, likely influenced by the women’s enthusiastic demeanor. Normally, suspicious offers of free drinks would be declined, and caution would be exercised when dealing with excessive drinking. But the momentum and potential for profit silenced any doubts. The men believed these women were gullible.
“--- That’s the story. Pretty cool, right?”
“Hahahahaha! They weren’t just idiots, they were morons… gnk, gnk, whoosh!”
“Gee, I guess we overdid it. My head’s spinning… gulp…”
Time passed, and the women’s alcohol intake was noticeably higher than the men’s. They seemed quite drunk, and even if they were strong drinkers, they would likely keep drinking until they passed out. The atmosphere suggested as much.
The men exchanged glances, subtly communicating that the time was right. A brief silence fell over the table.
“So, uh… Did you hear any good stories earlier?”
The timing was perfect, but the man’s approach was awkward.
Tension rippled through the group, and an uneasy atmosphere began to settle.
“What’s that, worrying about the cost of drinks after offering them? hic”
“The economy in this town is… pretty good, right?”
The women’s slurred speech was obvious, though to me, it was clearly feigned.
The men, having downed a fair amount of alcohol, could probably overlook minor inconsistencies.
“Hey, we’re always up for good news. Oh, and here’s a good one.”
Another man pushed the awkward one aside, taking control of the conversation. He likely believed they weren’t ready for more aggressive tactics yet.
“Hey, you remember that rich kid from the 〇〇 Merchant Guild who collects old paintings?”
“That’s the one. Listen, I tried selling him a painting I drew, and he bought it for two hundred thousand!”
“I’m not the only one! I sold him a painting I found in a dumpster for a hundred and fifty thousand!”
It was a complete lie. They made up a story on the spot and played along with each other, laughing and enjoying the nonsense.
“Ain’t that something. I’ve got a good one too.”
“Don’t keep us waiting!”
“How about the retired former president of the 〇〇 Merchant Guild? He lives alone in a mansion that’s too big for one person. He’s probably senile, so he won’t even notice if you rob him!”
“We should go check it out! Hahahahaha!”
“Hic, sounds like fun!”
The women laughed and nodded, seemingly ready to join in the crime.
The men’s stories were obvious lies, but this was part of their reconnaissance and preparation.
After a while of such obvious lies, the atmosphere shifted again.
“Hahahahaha! Well, does anyone have another good story? Something that could make us some money?”
“I’m all out of stories. Hey, how about you ladies? You don’t look like locals, so maybe you know something?”
“C’mon, we’ve been drinking together, help us out.”
The conversation transitioned naturally, not entirely bad.
“True, you’ve been so generous with drinks and stories.”
“But, we’ve only got one good story to share.”
“Alright, don’t be coy, just tell us!”
One of the men, eager and bloodshot-eyed, pressed for the story.
“Hold on, hold on. Get us another round of the good stuff!”
The man about to spill everything was pulled back by another, who ordered more drinks.
Two glasses of strong liquor were placed in front of the women, who, after a sip of water, downed them in one go.
“Alright, guess we’ll tell you.”
“You’ve been so nice, we might as well.”
The atmosphere suddenly turned ominous. The women, seemingly oblivious, continued their casual conversation.
“Listen closely, gentlemen. This is a very good story.”
The men, all with bloodshot eyes, listened intently to the women’s exaggerated tale.
In the middle of the story, one of the men slipped away and returned moments later. The men, their eyes filled with anticipation and suspicion, watched as he nodded with a sinister grin.
The tantalizing story seemed about to come true, and the men’s mouths twisted in anticipation.
“--- Ah, no good. I’m getting sleepy. Sorry, we’re heading out.”
“Yawn… See you again for another round… …”
After a two-hour conversation, most of which was wasted, I, who had been secretly listening, was also exhausted.
The women, having finished their task, stumbled out of the tavern. The timing was perfect, but the men were too caught up in the moment to notice.
“Tell us! What did you find out?”
“Sure thing, it was all true. There was just one lookout, and he was fast asleep.”
“Then you didn’t come back empty-handed, right?”
The underling pulled out a block from a dirty bag slung over his shoulder.
“…You mean that’s…?”
“It’s leaves, hehe. Not as valuable as the latest craze, Crack, but even this can go for two to three hundred thousand.”
“Hand it over!”
The leader snatched the block, breaking it slightly to sniff it. He let out an excited roar.
The men, drawn into the excitement, began to create a commotion.
“Wow! How much did you find?”
“It was like a mountain. If we split it among us, we’ll each get…”
“Then let’s go now! We can’t miss this chance!”
“Hold on. Was the place exactly as the women described?”
“Sure thing, it’s the rundown house behind the old woman’s shop by the canal, just as they said.”
“…I’ve never heard of anyone controlling that area. That house was supposed to be abandoned. Any ideas who owns it?”
The cautious one. With the real goods in hand and the location known, I thought they would charge in without thinking, especially with alcohol in their systems.
The men, brought back to their senses by the question, exchanged glances and fell silent.
The house storing the leaves, known as a drug, was one of Gulgandi’s hideouts. The drugs smuggled in were a crucial source of funds for Gulgandi’s activities.
However, this particular hideout was less important, with only one resident, more of a caretaker, rather than a guard.
They spread their stash across various locations, so less important sites were less heavily guarded. They likely didn’t suspect that the authorities were aware, nor did they fear an attack from local thugs.
Thinking of Exembra’s lawless districts, such areas exist in every city.
The notorious Exembra, known as a den of crime, is largely made up of such neighborhoods, hence its reputation.
“I suppose it’s risky, but if we don’t know who owns it, it’s probably an outsider. A lookout barely keeping watch, left in the hands of an incompetent, what’s there to fear?”
“This guy, are you saying I’m scared!?”
“Shut up! Who cares who it is, we won’t get caught. I’m going.”
“We can blame the women if it goes wrong. That’s why we let them go.”
“Of course, but we’re keeping an eye on them. The stuff those women got, it’s ours.”
“Alright, first one there wins. Losers stay behind!”
“Like hell I’ll let you go first!”
The men, agitated and eager, stormed out of the tavern.
Their determination, while misguided, was commendable. It was exactly what we were hoping for.
The tavern was emptying, and I also stood to leave.
“…Are you going too?”
“What do you mean? I’m just sleepy.”
“I see.”
The bartender’s eyes were bloodshot. He might follow, now that I’m leaving.
I stepped out into the empty street and got into a familiar vehicle.
“You two did a great job. They mentioned keeping an eye on you, any trouble with that?”
“Nah, we knocked them out as soon as we left the tavern. They should be enjoying a good nap in the dumpster right now.”
“Yeah, it went well. Though I’m feeling a bit queasy from all the alcohol. I did have some sobriety drinks on the side.”
Gradena and Heidi. They put on a convincing act in that tavern.
This would set the stage for them to raid Gulgandi’s hideouts.
“All that’s left is to monitor the situation. You two can rest now. We’re on the move.”
“Thanks. Yawn This boring long story really wore me out.”
“I’ll lie down too.”
Good work, both of you. Despite your tolerance for alcohol, I’m sure it wasn’t an enjoyable task.
Rest up and get some sleep, the rest is up to us.