Kapitel 37: Back Home 1
Riley was taken over in the shadow of a black ops member. Well, truly the 'poison' wasn't a poison. It's an extreme drug that makes the mind deluded that you become submissive.
Right now Riley is nothing but a puppet, just casually on my hands. I would've killed him, truly, but he has his uses. Considering the controls of a whole district I don't know the consequences if it just suddenly lost its oppressor and protector.
There are a lot of Mafias and gangs other than Viperpool, and none other than the one who chased and possibly killed two loved ones of my people in relation, Anna and Miella– the Red monkeys.
Unlike Viperpool which is more organised oriented, Red monkeys are very traditional. They're a violent Mafia gang that controls one of Ceath's commercial districts. It's not the biggest one but it generates a lot of income.
Anyways, Viperpool isn't any less of a competition to Red monkeys, why is that? Because Viperpool is more strategy-oriented than just brute force like Red monkeys.
I plan on taking advantage of that.
―tap
Lowering down the coffee cup in my hands as I finished, Sophia on a chair sitting down after trembling so much in fear finally spoke.
"S..sir Damian…"
But she only spoke in a low mutter, I didn't need to show her that I could hear her but for the sake of not pushing her fear, I decided to wait till she fully calmed down.
"What Is sir Damian's goal in life…?"
"..."
'How do I even answer this?'
I asked myself then turned to her. I opened my mouth but then closed it again. Thinking back at her words, why did she even ask me an absurd question?
'Isn't life's goal to live?'
That's why I quite don't understand why I'm being so confused right now, isn't that the main reason why everyone tries to fight for their life? To run if one is in danger?
Why is she afraid anyways, she isn't in any danger. I sighed.
"To live of course"
"But isn't everyone who has a life, has the same goal?"
"..??"
Now her eyes changed, she looked at me with extreme pity, I was even confused as to why she showed me this kind of emotion after all this ordeal.
"Let's go, we need to proceed as I planned."
***
In the dorms, where gender isn't separated, Senna and Qian Xin sat at a table, their etiquette gave them the aura of a young lady from a rich family as they ate lunch, light for the stomach.
"He's… completely different isn't he?"
"Yeah, he… he only shows emotion when it's needed like he would give a light chuckle on a bad joke or laugh at a funny sight. Like it's his cue in everything"
Senna spoke with a worried tone. The subject of such talk is Damian after all.
"After he woke up he just really felt different, back then he would usually act sincerely now he acts like it's a necessity"
Qian Xin added. Her face carries worry too as Damian was the topic, even then both of the girls are worried about one thing.
"Is he… Human?"
"W-why are you asking that?"
A shocked tone asked Senna, followed by the clanging of the silverware before her.
She let out a cough before fixing her posture, her manners are out of habit as she usually only does this alone.
"yeah I mean… think of it, Senna. The first time we met he was aloof. At least he had some emotions back then. Remember when we went shopping and to the arcade? Three of us together?"
"Mhmm.."
"His laugh is genuine! His smile and other sarcastic remarks too!"
Qian Xin exudes a mature aura throughout the conversation, it wasn't the usual attitude she shows when she's with Damian.
"And today– no I mean ever since he woke up from that 6-month coma, labelled as an absence of leave he was completely different! I know we've known him. For two-three months but still…"
Senna nodded, she knows the impact Damian has left on both of them. One for Senna, every time she talks with Damian she feels this sense of security and an urge to rely on him.
While Qian Xin felt like she was free, not being bound by the words she considered her image was. She felt like she could be like herself whenever she was with Damian.
Both of them couldn't help but worry. The boy who had helped both of them has been gradually changing behind the scenes.
"Anyways, how's Anna?"
Qian Xin asked.
"She looks quite haggard, when we had a meeting call I saw Miella but another one joined the pack"
Senna let out a giggle.
"Who? Who?"
Qian Xin excitedly asked, seemingly curious.
"Her name is Milly I think? And she looks incredibly cute! With that flower earring!!"
Senna let her manner go for a second, but that didn't matter to her as she grabbed her phone and showed the picture of Milly.
"Oh my gosh! She's so adorable!!"
The two got excited and started acting like a fan, they didn't know the fact that Milly is an Elf or the fact that Damian was connected to her.
Or the fact that the girls made a connection more than an acquaintance to Anna and her chicks. Damian doesn't know this but he doesn't have to know.
***
I and Sophia sat down on the member's seat, which is below multiple elevated platforms. In the middle, there is a dais, which I guess is where people would present their product later on.
But for now, it will be a meeting. Why are such new members allowed to hear meetings that included higher-ups?
Simple, to bound them to the Council. Once chosen one cannot leave, and if by chance one of the members does give out information outside, you can guess.
"So the circulation of Artifacts is going well? What about the skill orbs?"
"They are neatly packed and tightly guarded, the five routes we've secured won't get found anytime soon"
"Now that our discussion has come to its last topic, this meeting is adjourned. We have a 10-minute break before we get to the new ones presenting their assets to Bluelights, prepare yourself by then."
I glanced at Sophia and we had our talk about the product I'm about to give, but of course, I'm not the one going there to present it, it was her.
Even with this mask, I'm sure when the product is presented they will scratch every lead to find who I am and what's vulnerable to me.
I already sent some messages to the mayor and told him to lock information about me except the formal ones, such as my name, age, sex and address.
Well, it doesn't matter either way, because I made it that the mayor is the only one who knows I own the ready-made potions, not anna.
But oh well. I already named the company I'm about to build for a suitable background.
Blue pill Co. And on the outside, it would be Red pill Inc.
Since I've already talked about this to Sophia and Riley is off the way, the leads to me are already null. A dead end.
Not long since the 10 minutes have passed. The product show was done from the highest-ranking first before going down.
I don't mind being the last.
When I and Sophia watched the display of "products" in front of us I couldn't help but show my displeasure sometimes.
Ranging from potions to weapons, by god some of them are works of a psychopath.
I'm not the only one who thinks of this because I saw some disdainful looks from the higher-ups as well.
There were some items that I would like to be in the black market as well, including the hidden storage product that one of the higher rankings presented.
The hidden storage just as its name suggests, hides the storage inside an article of clothing or an item but the problem with this item is that it's very costly, especially to the enchantment to make it work without being bound directly to the user like a ring.
"V"
"Yeah?"
I also discussed this naming thing with Sophia, V is just the first letter of my surname.
"It's almost our time"
"I guess"
By the time the one presenting on the dais ended, the council gave their non-approval looks before dismissing the one presenting.
By the looks of it, he also had an invitation, same as me. An invitation by a council member. But he's not important enough for me to think about.
"Next!"
As one of the elder council members claps his hands. Sophia stood up first before I followed.
We got up to the dais and started presenting our product with a microphone that was handed to us. Well more specifically for Sophia.
I just stood there to show the ready-made options and for one of the attendants to give the sample to the elder members.
"ohohoho!"
One elder out of seven chairs stood up.
"Do you know what kind of product you just presented young lady?"
"Yes"
Sophia answered unwaveringly. The elder licked his lower lip and with the sample potion, he cut himself and downed the sample potion.
He immediately saw the effects and his lips curled up as he saw the potential of the potion. The other elders watching got interested.
The reason was as explained before, potions need their specific alchemist to make. And with limited resources, no one could easily mass produce potions and even if they do outer forces won't stay still.
"Do you know the value of the product you just presented, young lady?"
"Yes"
"Are you prepared for the future to come?"
Sophia gave a sly smile without a hint of fear.
"Of course, after all, the one who sponsors me first would get more shares in the future."
The whole council is starting to mumble and whisper, probably weighing the pros and cons of this deal.
"That's the sample, by the way, the actual product is already finished"
Sophia added. The room fell silent, it was not what we were expecting but soon after a few silent whispers the Elder council member stood up and went directly to the dais we were standing on.
I couldn't help but look at this development so I just bowed my head and retreated a few steps.
I can see even if my head is down anyways.
"Young lady, I'd like to invest in your…"
"Blue pill Co," Sophia added.
"Company"
The elder continued
"I hope to build a good relationship with your company"
His sly smile was on par with Sophia's, nonetheless, after the elder gave his card to Sophia the others started looking at us with either Jealousy or awe.
It was rare for an elder to go and directly confront a member, nonetheless a newcomer.
He shook her hands with the same smile and then took a glance at me. Then back at Sophia after leaving and going back to his seat.
The others started murmuring under their breaths. I need to make sure no assassinations happen tonight. After all, I just went for a blue ocean strategy.
What may it be you ask? It's where we take risks in opening a business that hasn't been in the market yet making new demands.
That's this potion came in, a ready-made potion, if this went in the market a lot of gates, towers and dungeon diver's injury rates would drop and the value of this potion would sky-rocket, making me one of the most potentially richest men in this planet or this case–Sophia in the elders' eyes.
And since in Bluelights there are only a few potion businesses here that are effective in their way in the eyes of their alchemists the ready-made potion is a troublesome opponent, threatening their position in Bluelights. But not actually since I'm dealing with lower-class potions here.
Once the true value of my potions is settled they won't be coming at the potions anymore, or so I predict.
If they continue to come at me targeting the potions after that–then I'll have their lives considered. I'll only spare them for the reason of them being useful.
After the last presentation, which was us, Sophia and I went to our respective rooms. Riley, who is my subordinate now, is trying to fix everything inside Viperpool. I'd eliminate every single one of them if not for their usefulness.
Today I made a foothold in the Underworld. Not a single one knows who I am. And even if they tried they would only go to loose ends.
Mayor Elron already made sure that my identity is secured. From the owner of the Red pill Inc. and the owner of the Blue pill Co. My background is already settled.
"Uhm… "
"Just keep calling me the servant name"
We're currently in the room we made.
"Cero"
"Yes, Master?"
"Allocate half of your subordinates to Sophia and the remaining to Riley's"
"Understood."
After nodding his head Cero immediately went ahead and the 3 remaining black ops disappeared off our shadow and went to Riley's.
Riley is a stepping stone. A foothold within the city. With him, I could immediately plant myself both in Bluelights and the City.
By tomorrow I'll be going to the headmasters directly.
"Alright. I hope you keep Sophia Safe, Cero, I place my hands on you. Drop me in the Academy's gates"
"As you wish"
My foot suddenly fell to the ground filled with darkness. In a second my consciousness disappeared and it reappeared in front of the gates, there was no time lags at all.
"Alright, go back to Sophia"
"Understood"
I removed all of my disguises by putting them all in my earpiece storage. And as I was walking to the dorm rooms I knew what was waiting for me.
[12:32 am] That was the time right now.
So I sneaked and made it re-routed by going backdoors. Not gonna lie there's another guard and entrance there so I just went ahead and showed my face.
I got a warning but it was my first since it was the first time they saw me.
I went to my room and checked my phone for news.
[{9:30 pm}
Breaking news: Jask Proclamation has been successful! All gates are closed and the remaining monsters and beasts are gone! Making the city streets and sewers clean!
It is said that by… ]
My heart raced, no one is allowed to go directly to jask unless you're a soldier allocated there or the participating guild members.
That's the reason I'm not trying to go back there even on my hikes, I almost got caught and the security tightened. Well, the number of guild members roaming I mean.
Now that Jask is free… I can finally go back home.
I went to my drawers and in one of the hidden compartments are the documents that state the ownership of the mansion.
I checked my accounts.
===
Hersin bank
Name:Damian Vogue.
Account balance: 4,000,000 C
===
Debit card
===
Balance: 6,000,000 C
===
I laughed to myself, I'm getting myself there, where I used to live.
Mom, I miss you.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein