Bab 59: Underworld Of Roses VII
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Chapter 57: Underworld Of Roses VII
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"Sorry for the delay," Ian spoke as he took a seat with Selina, joining the group of four, namely Ralf, Barney, Mike, and Layla.
"It's okay, we kept ourselves busy," Barney responded with a bright smile, his grin was almost reaching his ears.
"Tch." Mike scoffed, seemingly in a bad mood.
"Yeah, I can see that. Some things just don't change." Ian let out a chuckle as he crossed his legs together, and observed the table. There were a bunch of cards scattered on it and some cash though the cash was stacked only in front of Barney.
"Again?" Selina let out a giggle. Somehow Barney was even luckier than Ian, and that says a lot considering how the latter acquires his luck.
"What can I say? The benefits of being good." Barney bossed with pride. Selina has been living with Ian for some time now, so they're used to her company, and they know who she is.
"Let me correct that. He meant lucky. The benefits of making idiotic decisions yet succeeding anyway." Mike clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Hahaha, you still don't understand Mikey. It's just like Ian's plans, they sound foolish, but they always work out, so they must be clever. I am just following by example."
Barney's mental gymnastics caused Mike a headache, especially since they make so much sense, but he knows for Barney at least, it's just luck.
Layla to the side let out a giggle while Ralf shook his head with amusement.
"Anyway, let's start," Ian interrupted them after being entertained for a few seconds. The atmosphere suddenly felt heavy and serious as each of them know this should be one of the most important meetings they had to date.
"So boss, you said to wait for things to calm down for a bit before we start our next massive operation, what is it?!" Barney didn't shy out from showing his excitement.
"I am curious as well. You told me nothing about what you're planning." Selina also shared her curiosity.
Ian started stroking his chin with a gentle smile on his face, yet as gentle as it was, it gave everyone in the room quite the psychopathic vibe, scarier than anything they had seen until now.
Yet his words were... Well, strange to say the least, "As you all know, we're very kind. We look out for our people, especially the homeless because we were in their place once, so our next move will be extremely grand, all for the greater good."
The suspense was building up as every gulped in anticipation. His nonsensical words were the norm for them.
"The plan shall be called 'Underworld Of Roses' It sounds nice to the ear, doesn't it? It's basically just my plan to hasten taking over Gotham. How? We already killed two birds with one stone. The Russian and cartel crime families, and they rule a large portion of the east end's other half."
Ralf nodded while massaging his newly grown beard, the holy beard, "The war ended two weeks ago with the fall of the two families, mostly under Batman's interference.
We took the opportunity to take over most of their territory under the other crime families' noses. We've already gained so many benefits, so what's more is there to gain?"
Ralf got used to his position. His back was straight despite his old age, and his demeanor was stern and wise. He was starting to gain the natural intimidation aura of some of the crime lords,
"I didn't plan this far, it's just something that emerged in my mind at the time. We already have enough funds to do some interesting moves, but two weeks ago, we gained even more."
Ian started explaining, and Mike added, "Really, who would've thought while the war was happening, we'd steal all the Russians and Cartels' known valuables, leaving them dry."
Barney was in synergy with the whole conversation as he continued, "Then again, they're gone, so their things are better left in our kind hands."
Ian smiled, "We'll be using it all, and more, all to charity."
"... Hahahaha, yeah, right... Y-you're serious?" Barney really thought it was a joke, sadly, it was not.
"To be specific a charity of our own, let's call it Roses Of Peace. We'll complete the takeover of the east end, and build a few infrastructures, and buy as many properties as possible.
The Roses of Peace shall be grand and peaceful. Somewhere everyone can see as their home, its responsibility is pulling funds for the homeless though we'll mostly use our money.
Its most important role is attraction. I want to call the homeless and beggars from all over the country, as many as possible. We'll let them know that they have a home here, and a home we shall provide.
We already own three coffees, subsidiaries of Cat's rest. We need to build more of not only coffees but also businesses that can succeed only in such an environment.
The rest of Gotham is a fucking mess, but not the east end. Anything we do will bring profit, and the area will become even more prosperous than it already is."
Selina let out a chuckle. The man who always says he isn't smart was speaking words of the gospel right now, to Barney at least, "But your primary goal should be expanding your information network. right? That's the meaning of underworld of Roses."
"Some still choose to adorn a beggar's appearance while looking for information. Others choose to walk around the city just like an everyday normal human.
They're everywhere scouting for info, but I want more, so much more... Layla, you've had a similar experience in your childhood, so tell me, what does this feel like?"
She definitely deserves to be on that seat with all the work she had put in, but most importantly, she's quite experienced in something Ian values greatly.
"A cult, like a cult. Our goal is to free Gotham, to free our home. Perhaps to free the entire world and build our family to where it deserves to be."
Layla was... Her smile seemed even scarier than Ian's. She understood what he wants perfectly all because she was in a cult, she became the cult's leader, she destroyed the cult then lost her way in the streets of Gotham.
"Brilliant Layla, absolutely brilliant! God aren't you a gem."
Right after saying that, Ian's expression became deep as he added, "However, remember what I told you the day I gave you this position. If you ever feel uncomfortable doing any of the things we do, tell me and I shall stop it."
He looked at everyone in the chamber and spoke with rare seriousness, "You all should remember that we are a bunch of scumbags. Whatever good we do is simply a side effect of my plans. Always recall that I am a selfish bastard. This is especially important because it'll remind you what kind of family we are."
"And a greedy bastard, you always take all the good things for yourself," Barney complained directly after.
"And a lazy son of a bitch, you always throw all the cold work on me. Do you have any idea how hard it is to train some of the idiotic underlings?" Mike also followed suit.
"I can't believe I am saying this, but you're really crazy, always guiding us to our death. It only occurred to me recently how lucky we're still alive though that didn't matter to me before, it does now, so keep it down." Even Ralf expressed his thoughts.
"Well, since you all spoke, don't mind if I do... Keep being who you are." Selina really thought about what she wanted to say, but she found herself fine with the whole package that is Ian. The others seemed to agree as they nodded as well.
Ian traced his fingers along his chin with an unreadable expression. He took a quick glance at Layla whose smile was still gentle before letting out a smile, "Then I shall always stay as I am... Now let's talk about how we'll destroy the rest of the crime families in less than five months."
... It's safe to say that everyone was speechless. I mean, they did say stay being who you are, but does he have to be so abrupt and blatantly insane.
"Now I know what you might think, but we don't have a choice. We've gone too far, and we'll be going further. The other crime families will become desperate sooner than later, and I don't want that as it will only be a waste of resources.
We need to erase them from the roots just like what happened with the latest war. It led to many casualties and a lot in jail, so someone couldn't just take over and continue the work.
Underworld Of Roses is a vital part of this goal because all we have to do is to attract the crime families' ire and feed the Bat information. He should be able to take care of the rest.
The more valuable the information we acquire the better, so from today onwards, we'll cut off contact with all crime families."
The east end of Gotham was becoming more prosperous by the day, It was thriving way too much for a few groups' liking. Sometimes Ian's plans don't work out as well as he predicts, they either fail or succeed beyond his loftiest presumptions.
Ian was putting his time into exercise, especially after his one-sided fight with Nightwing. He even used a massive amount of money to hire someone to train him, so much money that the man felt obligated to accept.
That man has just set his foot in Gotham. He had blonde hair with a faint tint of orange, and he was ripped to say the least, as Tall as Ian and the latter is very tall, but his shape was like that of a fucking dragon.
"What a maniac this guy is. Just double would've been enough, he really didn't have to X10 my salary. I guess that goes to show his passion or need for this... It's not bad to be a mentor one last time after my retirement."
He spoke as if he was old, and he was. It's just that no one can see it with how young and vigorous he seems.
Only, will that be enough to prepare him enough for what's to come? A lot of things are about to get out of control after all.
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