In the fifth district, Matheus Dante, the underboss of the Verdugo clan, silently checked the documents about their monthly financial transaction with their customers and business partners.

At one moment, his black telephone rang. His eyes turned sharp and he turned on the light of the lamp on his table. Then, his hand grabbed the phone and answered the call. ​​

"Who is this?" asked Matheus, calmly. "Sir, this is Caporegime Alfio Alfe," the man replied respectfully.

The underboss rubbed his jaw and his lips upturned upon hearing his name.

"It is my first time to receive a call from you. What can I do for you? Oh, my apologies. Let me correct my question. What's the purpose of your call. Alfio? I hope it is a piece of wonderful news," inquired Matheus with an intimidating tone. "B, boss, please stop talking like that. I won't even call you if this isn't important to report with. Please understand my position too, boss," Alfio scratched the back of his neck and laughed a little bit.

Matheus's eyes turned sharp, lips pursed.

"Boss, something happened outside the border. Do you remember when you ordered me to patrol the eastern border that was only near to our base in the forest?" queried Alfio. "Yup, I know," Matheus replied bluntly. "I found something interesting," said Alfio, smiling.

"Oh, really. What happened at the border?" asked Matheus, tapping his fingers on the table. "A battle between two unknown mages began earlier this afternoon," Alfio answered promptly.

"Mages, huh. I'm all ears. Make it short. Elaborate," Matheus demanded. "An unnamed butler and fierceness mage who was wearing a brown cloak at that time trembled the sky with their power. The butler was almost in the upper hand at the first half of their fight, but the cloak-man used a powerful trump card that turned the table on his side. Therefore, the cloak-man won decisively in that battle. I'm sorry if this is the only thing I can tell. There was a black miasma that appeared in the sky and covered the area of the battlefield,"

"Black miasma, huh. Wait, they fought up the sky?" Matheus gasped upon hearing it. "Yes, boss," Alfio confirmed.

The fall of the Consigliere of the Archnemesis, the appearance of the black miasma, and the battle of two mages made him chuckled after he finally came up with an answer of how the mighty butler appeared on their gate.

'I see. It is all connected to their plan, huh. The Gods favor us too much. To think someone is pulling a string in the shadow. I don't know what kind of man is scheming against the Archnemesis, but I assume that he might be trying to establish a strong business relationship with us through this method,' Matheus concluded.

He opened his drawer and pulled out the classified folder entitled, 'Unification of Two Scilies'. Then, he placed it down on his table.

"Alfio Alfe, there's a mission for you," said Matheus, gravely. "What is it, boss?" Alfio stood firm on his spot and leaned his ears on the phone carefully. "The reunification plan will start at dawn. I want you to reorganize your men and prepare for the upcoming battle against the possible skirmish with the locals. You know the drill, so I don't need to spell everything. The process of elimination and possibly increase of your salary will be held after the war," Matheus explained briefly.

Alfio bewildered upon hearing the word, war.

"Pardon, boss. Are you telling me the war will start tomorrow?" Alfio couldn't believe it at first, so he asked. "Yes, Alfio. By the way, don't overreact about this matter, okay. You're a caporegime, so please, act like one," Matheus reminded, correcting his junior for his lack of etiquette.

"I'm sorry, boss," Alfio apologized. "It's fine. You don't have to say sorry. Everyone makes a mistake, so I am not bothered at all," Matheus assured, opening the folder and read the content of the fifth chapter.

"Got it, boss. Thank you very much. You can count on me. I will make sure that I will bring glory for the family," Alfio promised. "Just do it if you can. Don't make a promise that could potentially bring misfortune for the clan. Remember, don't try but do it. Give your all. It's better to act through action than words," Matheus corrected, left eyebrows raised up.

Alfio's hand clenched tightly upon hearing his insulting remark. But he remained calm because this man held the second-highest position in the clan.

"Good, by the way, did you identify the man who defeated the butler?" asked Matheus, turning his attention to the next page. "Unfortunately, I failed to see his face because of the hood. He left the battlefield before I got the chance," Alfio answered promptly.

"Got it. That's a shame. I want to reward him for his heroic deed. That guy gave us a wonderful present, though," Matheus giggled. "Pardon?" Alfio confused. "I said, he gave us a wonderful gift," Matheus answered to make it clear.

"What kind of gift?" Alfio inquired. "He gave us the most powerful asset of the rival clan. The Consigliere of the Archnemesis clan," Matheus curled his lips to the crescent moon and his face turned dark upon saying the butler's position.

"W, wonderful. Congratulations to our clan. This is the greatest news for the family. If I just know who the fucker was, I won't even hesitate to join the battle alongside the cloak-man," Alfio rejoiced. "Yup, correct response," Matheus simpered.

"Should we celebrate his capture?" asked Alfio with smiling teeth. "No need to hustle, Alfio. Don't overjoy yet. The boss of the rival clan is still alive. Lurking somewhere inside the village," Matheus reminded, calming his junior for his reaction.

"Man, this is why the unification plan should commence tomorrow. I'm excited. This is giving me hype. I cannot wait to kill the man by myself," Alfio bubbled as he excitedly imagined the victory on his palm. "Sure you do. But remember, Patioche might steal your trophy if you're later than him. You know, everyone wants his head including me. However, I'm no stupid to kill a magicless human child like him. That's why I will leave it on your hands, people," Matheus counseled, lips upturned.

"By the way, does the mistress know about this, boss?" asked Alfio, sincerely. The underboss took a few minutes before he answered back. "Not yet," Matheus replied, lips pursed.

Alfio sensed an odd response, but he was afraid to ask what's wrong. Thus, he tried to push the topic further to test this man.

"Why haven't you tell this good news?" Alfio asked. "Alfio, there is something you shouldn't meddle with. The important matter, for now, is our upcoming conquest of the Neue Fiona Village," Matheus affirmed with a cold tone.

"But, boss. I think we should inform our beloved Donna, you know. What if we fail?" Alfio suggested with a cold sweat. "Oi, that's enough. Are you nuts? We are going to win the war tomorrow. Don't say something like that, Alfio," Matheus slammed a hand on the table, angrily.

"My apologies, boss. I don't mean any disrespect. I, I just want to... to inform our leader about the wonderful news, though," said Alfio, trying to calm his underboss. "Okay, this is enough. I have something to do. More important than this chitchat. Forget about it, Alfio. Focus on your mission. Read the War plan of the Verdugo, the manual of 1811. Make sure to memorize the content, capiche?" Matheus ordered with a cold tone. "Y, yes, boss, " Alfio nodded.

"I'm gonna hang up now. Don't call me after this. I'll contact you personally tomorrow," Matheus directed. "Got it, boss," Alfio replied respectfully.

"For the glory of the Verdugo Clan. All hail, Lady Veronica," said Matheus with a terrifying voice. "Glory for the Verdugo. All hail, Lady Veronica," Alfio saluted whilst on the phone.

"Good grief. This man is an asshole," Alfio commented after his underboss hung up.

Matheus called the guard and ordered him to call Patioche in the office immediately. The henchman obediently followed and rushed outside the building to search for the man.

'There is an upcoming event that will change the world. It is the most awaiting special day of the year,' Matheus simpered.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Matheus permitted.

Patioche entered the office and greeted his boss.

"Sire, you wanted to see me?" he asked upon seeing his face. "Patioche, I want you to follow this plan very carefully. I will put my trust in your leadership tomorrow. Make sure it won't fail," Matheus slid over the file on the table and Patioche picked it up and opened the folder.

He saw the face of a young child. He had black hair and scarlet eyes.

"Is this all you want to say, sire?" Patioche inquired, looking at the content of the files. "No, there is something I wanted you to do. It is common espionage like you always do as your past time," Matheus answered promptly.

"What is it, sire?" asked Patioche, lips pursed. "The Don of the Archnemesis is still lurking in the village. I want this man to be monitored tonight. Then, try to locate his temporary base within the village. I want complete details of his action as of today," Matheus directed, tapping his index on the table.

"And, what happened if I found his location?" Patioche inquired. "If possible, capture him alive," Matheus responded.

"Pardon?" Patioche bewildered upon hearing it. "I want him alive. Bring him here to me. I want to torment that man by myself," Matheus explained, gravely.

'What did you say? You want to take my trophy by yourself, huh. This fuckin' moron wants to take all the credits,' said Patioche inside his mind.

"What? Are you questioning me right now?" asked Matheus. He sensed something odd from his face. "No, forgive me, sire. I don't mean any disrespect," Patioche apologized immediately.

"Read the file and memorize the content. The child is a piece of cake. Oh, by the way, keep a low profile inside the village. I don't care how many people will die on your hands, but make sure you finish the job before the war starts. Stay on the radar, Patioche," Matheus lit his tobacco and blew a cloud of smoke. "Affirmative, I will bring honor for the family, sire," Patioche assured, respectfully.

"You may leave now," Matheus permitted. "Thank you, sire," Patioche turned around and moved to the exit.

"Patioche, you're forgetting something here," Matheus stopped him before he opened the door. "Ah, yes. Forgive me. All hail, Lady Veronica!" Patioche raised his arm and gave a salute.

"All hail, Verdugo. Go on. Make haste," Matheus simpered. "Affirmative, sire," said Patioche before he left the room.

Matheus opened another folder related to the faction that was working with the Second Root organization. This document was written by Ilona, who was working as a spy for the family.

The report stated:

'I received the mission of the underboss. I'm very sure the 4th and 5th regiment will attack the village tomorrow. I wonder what would happen if we succeed to occupy the whole village. There is a secret organization lurking inside of it. I'm not sure the upcoming battle will bring no harm to our side.'

'The name of the anonymous guild is known as Second Root. The origin is still under investigation, so please bear in mind the possible alteration of their organization's reputation. Looking at the criminal activities of this group, I can confirm that the Second Root is considered a dangerous shadow organization of this island. I'm pretty sure they will do something after the battle. Please be advised to stay alert for the possible encounters against this group.'

He turned on the second page and read it.

"Hmm, Ilona wrote an evaluation of the 'informant'. I guess, she and I show some hints of distrust against this fellow," Matheus commented, reading one by one the paragraph.

'But still, this black letter... whoever he is, I feel like he's using us for his scheme. No way, fag. I'm ahead of you. If you're doing this for us, I will give you a reward suitable for your great contribution. However, I will kill you in person if you're only aiming for our downfall.'