Chapter 227
~A day before the raid~
The hotel's ballroom was buzzing with activity.
Heroes working on active duty, heroes participating in the raid, and reporters from local stations.
"This is amazing! All these people are going on the raid tomorrow?"
As Elena, Michaela, and I walked into the ballroom, I could feel all eyes on us.
"By the way, Corleone Junior, is it necessary for you to wear that mask?"
"Considering my position and status, it is."
I wore a mask to this banquet.
I wanted to avoid having my face burned in the media as much as possible. Of course, I had other insurance policies in place aside from the mask.
"But Eugene isn't the only one wearing a mask, is he?"
"Oh, that. All of them are wanted or criminals, since this raid is being organized by the Medici."
Elena was right, there was a group of masked people, excluding me.
They were wanted by Interpol or Europol, criminals recruited by the Medici solely for the success of this raid.
"So if the masked men approach you, run away."
"What?! Oh, yeah!"
Michaela will take care of it herself, and Elena will just have to pay a little attention.
"Have fun, then. If anything happens, find me or call me right away."
"Okay, so can we go look around now?"
Elena asks, nodding one last time.
"Just tell me if you see anyone trying to scout you or if anything looks suspicious."
"Yes!"
"Then, go play."
As soon as she's given the go-ahead, Elena scurries off toward the back of the pack.
"After all, it's good to be young."
"Sisterdoesn't look that old either."
"Thank you for the compliment." It wasn't meant as a compliment, but it's fine shes happy.
"I'm going to meet with Venezia's executives, but what are you going to do, Sister?"
"I'm thinking of going around and sampling the wines. They won't be as good as the ones I bought yesterday, butit's a sin to leave so much wine lying around."
With that, she bows her head slightly to me and walks toward the table piled high with wine.
She really likes to drink, I thought.
"Well, I suppose I'd better get back to war."
I double-check the mask on my head, then look toward the table of officers.
There was a war of tongues at the table.
I walk slowly toward the table, and it doesn't take long for the attention of those seated there to be drawn to me.
"Alas, you've come. We've heard of you."
And among them there was a man who stood up and offered me his hand.
Luca de Rossi, the head of the guild Venezia. He was called the Sword of the Medici.
"My name is Luca de Rossi. You must be."
"An enforcer in the executive branch of the Corleone family. Eugene Han Corleone."
I clasped his hand, simply citing my position in the family.
"May I be seated?"
"Sure. We were just about to discuss tomorrow's operation in advance. Please, have a seat."
I take the seat he suggests and look around.
The people at the table are looking at me with some nervousness, some curiosity, and some amusement.
What's clear is that there's not a single person at this table who's on my side yet. In fact, they're all against me.
"So, can I call you Corleone Junior?"
The woman at the table, the one wearing the white cat mask, speaks to me in a soft voice.
"Whatever you're comfortable with."
"Cool guy, charming. I'll just call you Junior then."
Apparently, it's not just members of Venezia, but also criminals personally brought in by the Medici.
Of course, they're on the Medici's payroll, not mine, so I'm sure they wont take my side.
"By the way, Corleone Junior, why are you wearing that mask? Are you some kind of wanted criminal?"
This time it was the man next to Luca who spoke up.
His cocky demeanor and overconfident expression were enough to give away his character.
"I don't mind taking it off if you can handle it," I said, "but you're asking me because you're confident enough to go around talking about me?"
I tell him not to worry about it because it's related to Corleone but he's no fool, and he quickly realizes what I'm trying to say and throws up his hands.
"I don't really care, I'm just asking."
I wonder if he realizes that the mood isn't getting any better. Luca clapped his hands to clear the air.
"Now, then, let's get right down to the business of the raid. I'm assuming that everyone here knows the basics about Etna Volcano."
Thus began tomorrow's raid meeting.
"First of all, there will be 30 Venezia elite participating in this raid and 20 mercenaries, for a total of 50. How many are coming from Corleone Jr."
"Three. Me, an Elementalist, and a Sister from the Vatican."
At this, Cat Mask leans over the table and looks at me.
"Three? There are thirty of us in all. Isn't that too few?"
"If Don Medici, the man who hired you, will allow it, I'd like to bring in the main body of the Corleone as well, will you be in charge of getting permission?"
"Oh, no, I'm kidding, I'm kidding~"
There was a man tilting his chair as if he didn't like this, the same one who had pointed out my mask earlier.
Even if its up to Corleone Junior, can two other people help? I heard you have a young child and a sister. Are they your lovers?"
Now he's picking on my coworkers, not me. I smirked and returned the favor.
"They're more useful than you, that's for sure.
"Is this a real"
"Rodeo, stop."
For the first time, Luca let out a cold voice.
"He's an executive of the Corleone Family. Be polite."
"chet. I'm sorry."
The result is a guy with his hands in his pockets and his tail between his legs.
Well, he was the last thing on my mind in the first place.
"To continue the story, the nature of the Etna volcano is such that whenever the fire giant is active, the volcano begins to move, and when it crosses a certain point, a huge explosion occurs."
That's why the Vatican didn't want to go after Etna.
If they went in and provoked the fire giant, they would have to prepare for an eruption.
"That's why we're moving fast. We're going to break through the first point and head straight for the boss room."
Cat Mask raises her hand as Luca continues.
"A one-point breakthrough in a volcano field means that some people will get tired from the temperature, some from the monsters, and some will fail. How are you going to do that?"
"You will be supported by a water elemental belonging to Venezia and ten mages who can use ice magic. That's why we recruited most of the mercenaries as a front."
"Hmph~ Then it won't be too hot inside, will it?"
Luka nods at her words and continues to talk.
"And just like that, we arrive at the place called the Giant's Bedchamber' and the raid begins. The mercenaries and Venezia will follow my orders while the members of Corleone Junior will be operating separately."
"Huh? Why?"
"That was already arranged with Don Medici. Please understand."
And finally, the most important part of the conversation.
"So, how will the rewards be divided?"
"Sixty percent of the byproducts, including the fire essence, we, Venezia. The remaining 40% will be split between the mercenaries and Corleone. Any objections?"
But this, too, had already been discussed, so I shook my head, signaling my lack of objection.
"We're good. It's a byproduct of the fire giants, and it would be enough to cripple the economy of a region if it were to hit the market."
That's the rough decision, and there's some small talk and discussion about how to fight the raid.
"I'm guessing he's going to be hard to get close to, since he's radiating heat all over his body?"
"The elementals and mages will take care of that. It's already been shown in the past that attacking the area after the surface has cooled can be effective."
"And you'll be equipping the warriors with items that are resistant to flame?"
"Yes. That Venezia and Medici are serious about this raid. I hope you realize that."
The Medici's preparation was actually quite surprising.
It was very similar to how players usually prepare in the game.
"I think that's enough of that for now, so we'll save the more detailed talk for tomorrow before we enterand I hope you enjoy today as much as you can without overwhelming yourself for the work tomorrow."
"Wait, there's something I need to do before that."
I say as I start to rise from my seat, drawing everyone's attention to me.
"What do you mean, something you need to do?"
"Before we leave, we need to catch any rats that might interfere with our work."
Quang!!!
As I say that, a loud crashing sound comes from one side of the banquet hall.
Everyone is startled and looks in the direction of the sound.
"Corleone Jr. I found him."
"Kaaaah! Crack!"
Michaela is dragging a masked man by the hair, his face expressionless as he rushes toward them.
"Whatdo you think he's doing?"
The cat mask, recognizing that the person being dragged is his colleague, glares at me and asks.
"Didn't I just tell you, we have to catch a rat."
She finally reaches me and dumps the man in front of me.
"As Corleone Jr. predicted, there was a pagan worshiper, what do you want to do?"
"A pagan worshiper?"
The others look at the man on the floor in surprise.
"He's a pagan worshiper?"
"How could a pagan worshiper be here.?"
"A pagan worshiper'.
Anywhere else, they were worshippers of the fire giants' that lay dormant in the Etna volcano, and were known as terrorists in mainland Italy.
"Theres no proof!"
Cat Mask exclaims, rising from her seat.
"You wont be able to say that after you see this."
As Michaela infused the man with holy power, he began to scream and emit red energy.
The man's body began to turn crimson as the red energy began to absorb into his body, it was a sign of an explosion.
Panicked, the others scrambled to raise their shields or flee.
"Sister. Throw it."
"Yes, Corleone Jr."
Michaela picks up the reddened body of the man and throws him into the center of the ballroom.
"Pen."
Uh-oh.
The giant Pen swallows him whole.
-Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut!
At the same time, Pen emitted a bright red light from its entire body, followed by a puff of pure white steam.
Everyone stared at Pen and Elena in disbelief at what had happened, and I looked at one of them, Luca, and smirked.
"Let's modify the remuneration a bit, Venezia 50 mercenaries 15 I'm 35. I think this is acceptable for the price of your life?"
Negotiation is about owing the other party, so you can get a better price.
* * *
[Subject: Today's Report]
[Contents: The Awakened girl who was with Corleone Jr. made a deal with a newly discovered spirit. Pretty cute for something that looks like a puppy.
Demanded to collect materials related to the Eastern Starfish Lore.
Corleone Jr. sponsored her using his money.
At the same time, he asked for my help with the Etna Volcano raid.
I have received an expensive gift and will help as a matter of faith.
(This is not a bribe by any means.)
[*Important Information]
A major problem has arisen with the upcoming raid on Etna Volcano.
We have information that a group of pagans are performing a ritual inside Etna Volcano that could threaten the entire Vatican.
I have requested the Vatican's assistance in preparing for this.
Requirements include
The removal and loan of holy relics.Traps to be dug around Corleone to draw in the cultists.
Demanding the withdrawal of nearby agents for their safety and operation.
- Demands that the Pope be informed of the current situation.
This concludes the important information.
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