Chapter 78 - The Marzio Family
A group of mysterious women, adorned with a shower of red petals above their heads. Clad in black and off-white coats, they each carry a dangerous weapon, laughing as they walk forward. Facing them are heavily armed, stern-faced men. Despite the bizarre group before them, the men show no signs of fear. Or perhaps, they are just a little hesitant?
I adjust my custom-made gloves as I walk. We must have entered the range of their magic. On command, various attack spells fly our way.
"Take 'em down!"
"Finish them here! If you slack off, I’ll kill you myself!"
"Show us what you've got, boy!"
The spells fly like a thick barrage. The density and timing are not bad. Individually, they lack power, but in such numbers, their flaws are negligible. Or so they think.
My invisible object and magic barrier spreads wide, deflecting every spell without a single miss. My magic grows stronger every day, enhancing its effectiveness, range, and adaptability. No matter how powerful their spells, mindless bombardment without any strategy stands no chance against my defenses.
The Kikyo Society members, who know the strength and precision of my barriers from training, are not fazed by this level of attack. We continue our steady, unhurried advance, the red petals swirling around us. Once we get close enough, we'll transition into a melee. Paula and I prefer it, and most of the members do too.
Those skilled in support can maintain a slight distance, and the coordination within the Fifth Combat Unit is well-established, so there’s no need to worry.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Die already!"
"Try harder, you fools! Do you want to die?"
"It’s not working! What the hell is this?"
"It’s no good! Get your weapons ready!"
"You’re underestimating us! I won’t lose to a sword! Bring it on!"
The enemy shifts to close combat as we close the distance. Better this way. Far more enjoyable than a distant, sporadic exchange.
As we approach the enemy’s base, I deactivate the barrier, and the Kikyo Society members rush forward.
"There I am, Paula! The Lady Paula of the Kikyo Society! Come at me if you want to die!"
"Charlotte, I shall proceed! I’ll rust your soul with the Holy Spear Claudia!"
"Don’t fall behind the squad leaders!"
"I’ll take the first kill!"
Listening to their spirited calls, I charge toward the center of the enemy formation. Valeria and Lily follow closely behind. Valeria, as always, is formidable in hand-to-hand combat, systematically taking down anyone who approaches. Today, she’s focused on guarding me rather than her usual chaotic style.
Lily uses vines to entangle and immobilize the enemy, and her surprisingly skilled dagger techniques take down those who get too close. She’s quite dependable, even as the red petals continue to fall. What a peculiar fixation.
I decide to start by taking out the heavily armored ones. Targeting a man heavily clad in plate armor, I punch through his abdominal armor, grab him, and throw him with a side toss. Like bowling pins, the unfortunate men are knocked down. They’re just a disorganized mob.
After the initial strike, I let the younger members gain some experience, focusing on supporting them. The sheer number of enemies is overwhelming, but compared to our recent battle with the Retnark New Revolutionary Army, it feels anticlimactic.
"President! There are too many! How many do we have to kill?"
A young member, likely new to the field, complains about the overwhelming numbers.
If this is his first real battle, he’s still green. Paula, on the other hand, is reveling in the chaos, swinging her sword wildly.
"You have to kill them all. With this many, you need the resolve to cut them down. Look at Paula."
"But, the Captain isn’t a good example... I-I’ll do it too!"
Inspired by my words, the young member starts to fight with renewed determination. This is how battle maniacs are born.
I slow down my pace, observing the situation, and focus on supporting the others. The enemy’s base is littered with bodies. Those still standing are clearly losing their resolve. Gradually, they begin to retreat.
"You bastards, don’t run! It’s her! The woman in the center! Kill her and we win! Follow me!"
A man, likely the leader, points at me and charges forward with determination. A mutual kill, huh? Not a bad strategy, but he’s overestimating himself.
Before he can reach me, Paula cuts him down with a single stroke.
"Yukari, what now?"
"The remaining enemies have no fighting spirit left. Let’s move on."
"Right! Follow me!"
Paula leads the Fifth Combat Unit toward a building that looks like a town hall, her energy undiminished. She seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself.
"Let’s go."
I call to Valeria and Lily, who are waiting behind me, and we follow Paula. The building’s door is tightly shut, but that’s no obstacle for us. A young member swings a large hammer, easily breaking it down. It’s a futile effort to delay us.
We enter the building, the red petals still swirling around us. Most of the enemy’s forces were outside, and the interior is nearly empty. Surprisingly, it’s not as gaudy as I expected. The red petals add a touch of elegance to the otherwise plain decor.
Although we didn’t have detailed information about the building’s layout, the magical reactions give us a good idea. We reach a large door, the only place with a human magical signature. Time for the final confrontation.
"The door isn’t locked. I’ll open it."
This is the end of the Marzio Family, a group we’ve clashed with so often. I wonder what the boss will be like. Rumor has it he’s a formidable old man.
The Fifth Combat Unit cautiously opens the double doors, revealing a group of older men, likely the leaders. The central figure, an old man, sits confidently in a chair. He’s the target. The others are mostly older men, with only one middle-aged individual.
Paula steps in first, announcing our presence.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We are the Kikyo Society. I assume you understand why we’re here. I could hear your last words if you like."
The men are already hostile, but they’re taken aback by the falling red petals, their expressions slightly distorted.
After a moment, I enter slowly, and the other Kikyo Society members take a step back, leaving Paula and me in front.
A middle-aged warrior steps forward, likely a bodyguard.
"Are you the president of the Kikyo Society? I challenge you to a duel."
"What? A duel?"
"That’s right. If you’re the warrior I’ve heard about, face me with honor!"
He’s underestimating me. Despite using physical enhancement magic, he’s weaker than anyone in the Kikyo Society. He lacks any special combat skills or magical prowess.
A duel? Don’t push your luck. Arrogance is infuriating.
I have no intention of accepting his challenge. If he were stronger or more interesting, it might be different.
As I’m about to send the young members in, Lily steps forward.
"Yukari-san, I recognize him. I’ll take care of it."
Ah, so this middle-aged warrior was involved in the attack on Lily’s flower shop. Lily, unusually hostile, is eager to fight. Let her have her way.
"Lily, teach this arrogant fool the difference in our abilities."
"Wait! I challenge you!"
"Quiet. If you somehow manage to beat Lily, I’ll take you on. Lily, don’t hold back. Start."
"Damn it, I have no choice."
"Here I go!"
The middle-aged warrior draws his sword, and Lily’s vines shoot out from her arm, entangling him. The vines, equipped with thorns, are both painful and gruesome.
"Aaaah, f-fire, breathe fire..."
He tries to cast a spell, but the thorns around his neck cut off his air supply, ending the fight.
Quite a nasty attack.
"Orchid Lily, victory! Evil has been vanquished!"
Lily’s victory cry suggests she’s satisfied with her revenge. Her usual demeanor returns, and she’s back to her cheerful self. She’s much better this way.
If anyone else wants to fight, I’ll oblige them. But they’ll end up in hell. I throw a metal ball, disarming the other guards before they can react.
While it would be easy to kill them all, it’s more efficient to let the remaining members of the organization regroup and be expelled. It’s less trouble for us.
"Kill them if you must! Who would beg for mercy from the likes of you?"
The old man, likely the boss, stands defiant. I respect his pride, but the others seem less willing to die. A middle-aged man speaks up.
"I’m Brian, the head of the young members in the Marzio Family. I can’t follow my father’s methods. We will follow you."
"What? What are you saying? You’re betraying me! How can you repay my kindness with treachery?"
"Shut up! What kindness? This is all because of your stupid pride! We’ve warned you countless times to stop, but you ignored us. This is the result. Stop acting like an idiot!"
"You can’t handle this business, you fool!"
"You lost miserably to a woman! Face the reality. We lost, completely and utterly. We’re both losers now."
"You, how dare you speak to me like that! I won’t forgive you!"
"Forgive what? It’s all your fault!"
The boss and the young leader glare at each other, a futile confrontation. I’d prefer they take their fight elsewhere, but this is their final stand.
Brian seems more respected than the boss. I’ll let him regroup the remaining members. The boss is beyond reason.
"Hmm, betrayal isn’t my favorite, but I understand the divide between the old and the young. How many will follow you?"
"Most of the young members are already on my side. More than half will follow me."
"Good. Gather them and all the others in the territory. We’ll spare their lives but exile them from Exembra. Consider it a warning."
"Fair enough. I accept."
"Enough of this! I won’t allow it!"
"Quiet. I don’t want to hear it. Deal with your own mess. Clean up after yourselves. If you can’t, we will."
"I won’t burden you with that. Father, don’t take it personally."
Brian and the other leaders silently watch as the boss is dealt with. This will make the rest easier.
After the Marzio Family settles their internal affairs, I address Brian again.
"Your organization has connections in other cities. You’ll start anew there. If you ever interfere with the Kikyo Society, for any reason, the next time—"
"We understand. We’re not fools. We know who to avoid. This is all because of our father’s stubbornness."
"Good. I have some questions for you. You’ll have to cooperate."
The Marzio Family’s assets and rights are valuable. I’ll confiscate what I can and leave them with what they need to start over. The properties, especially the land, are particularly appealing.
In the end, the Marzio Family’s downfall provided us with numerous useful assets. Their legacy will serve the Kikyo Society well.
We seized numerous properties, including empty lots. Their headquarters, with its spacious grounds, will be useful with minor renovations. Smaller properties will be more valuable as incentives for key figures in the area.
Their gambling establishments were also taken over. The staff, including the dealers, were kept on, with the understanding that they would adapt to the Kikyo Society’s methods. Better treatment might win them over in time.
We also retained the male staff, to differentiate from the Kikyo Society’s usual operations. They’re valuable resources, not bound by the Kikyo Society’s symbols.
Other ongoing businesses were also continued. Some members of the Marzio Family, who disagreed with their methods, had already been undermining the organization. They’re useful but untrustworthy, so they’ll be monitored closely.
Initially, I planned to expel everyone, but a few were allowed to remain to help manage the territory. They’ll be placed under the new groups and held accountable for their actions.
The Kikyo Society’s expansion will keep us busy, but it’s necessary. The recent victory has also changed how other major organizations view us. Hopefully, fewer will underestimate us.
In the end, the Marzio Family, the Karkchul Gang, and the Stanbury Society were erased from Exembra overnight.
This chapter turned out longer and darker than usual.
Next time, Yukari has no time to rest. It’s going to be a tough story! (Planned)