Filed to story: A Bullied Boy Died: A Mafia King Woke Up In His Body
“Yes, sir. I’ve worked here with your father on a different operation in this city a decade or so ago. Inquisitor Mason at your service. Though I won’t claim to know the intricacy of the underground any longer,” Mason said respectfully.
“Ah! Then you’re the best man for the job. The nature of this operation is the same as before, and I’m sure you’ll meet a lot of old faces. I have a party to attend in an hour, so let’s get right to it. You two, bring out the map.”
The knights walked into the center of the office, unrolling a map of the city that had already been marked with red lines and red stars indicating points of interest. “Unlike other sectors in Raktor, the south is relatively stable. However, it is this stability that is hurting my finances. I take it you understand, Mason?” Baron Cain raised his eyebrows, taking note of Mason’s expression.
“Of course. You want us to rough up the current status quo. Keep them on their toes. Knock the gangs down a peg.”
“Exactly. But not too much, lest they start to move their ratholes around.” The baron held a wide grin on his face before his expression became even more solemn.
So, beat up the gangs a little to shake some money from their pockets. A protection racket, but run by the baron. Intriguing.
Kitana listened intently.
“There’s another reason I’ve asked you all to come here. There have been spies smuggling weapons out of our military factories and bases that are contracted to produce new types of guns and various classified arctech equipment. We lost a shipment a month ago, and I’m sure Bishop Vernette here recalls how that went.”
“Poorly. We didn’t find a single trace of it. Perhaps you can consider increasing the budget-twenty enforcers to a district of tens of thousands is hardly enough,” Bishop Vernette shot back.
“You can’t get military equipment out without having an insider,” Mason remarked. “If we don’t have access to the military personnel themselves, it would be difficult to clamp down on them.”
“That’s for the military to solve, not us. We don’t have the legal authority to do so anyway. However, it is clear that another organization within the South Sector is helping the insider, and I want to know who. If it’s that slimy Sebastian, I want to know immediately.”
“Sebastian is still around? Interesting.” Mason took a closer look at the map on the floor, counting the number of red stars marked. “That’s… That’s a lot of factories. Do we even have enough enforcers to cover them?”
“You don’t. I’m not planning to give you any more money until you prove your worth. Get the gangs to pay me, and maybe we can talk about increasing the budget.”
“Any leads?” Mason asked.
“None as of now,” Bishop Vernette replied in place of the baron. “But there are mild suspicions that it is the work of a foreign nation trying to steal our military technology. Or it could be neighboring Kregol and Perial trying to get the upper hand on us.”
“Those damn backwater counties are always jealous of Raktor. I have a good mind to petition the duke for a tribunal against them,” Baron Cain scoffed. “Regardless of who it is, under no circumstances can the technology be leaked any more, especially if it’s being sold to the civilian population. That last shipment was the final straw. Other barons have already increased checkpoints and security at the exits and entrances of the city.”
“I don’t understand. We’re here to protect some random factories instead of cleaning up the city?” Kitana interrupted the baron, her naïve, zealous act on full display. “From what I’ve seen on my way here, this entire sector is a lawless place! If you knew about it, you would have raised the budget immediately.”
Cain was taken aback before an incredulous expression took over his face as he glanced between Mason and Vernette, who simply shook their heads in response.
“What? Why the fuck has everyone been hiding stuff from me ever since I got here?” Kitana challenged the three of them.
“Mason, could you please do the honors?” Cain gestured with his hands.
“Yes, sir.” Mason bowed, sternly walking up to Kitana.
“Wha-” Mason’s fist connected with Kitana’s face, the sound of her cheekbone cracking from the blunt force resounding in the silent room. Before she could stumble backward, Mason grabbed her by the uniform’s collar and kicked the back of her knees, forcing her to kneel in front of the baron.
Kitana groaned in pain as she held her broken nose, her mind spinning as blood trickled down through the seams between her fingers, staining the carpet. “What’s her name?” Cain asked Vernette.
“It’s Kitana, sir. I’m afraid she’s fresh from Tryas.”
“Fresh from Tryas… Well then.” Cain got up, patting his suit down before standing in front of her. “One rule to learn during your short, pitiful life here: don’t you ever fucking talk back to me. I pay the bills around here, so I’m the law. Got it? As for the rest of you, I expect to see results.” Cain spat on her head before leaving with the two knights.
The moment he left, Mason immediately took out a Health Potion and stuffed it in Kitana’s mouth, forcing her to drink it. The green aura slowly mended her face, but the blood stains remained.
“Girl, I already told you to leave the talking to me. What were you thinking, shouting like that?” Mason sighed as he let Kitana rest on the floor.
“Mason,” the bishop started. “If she doesn’t change, she’s quickly going to die here. You know someone above is counting on that.”
Kitana was still conscious, but delirious. “Who? Who is going to kill me?”
“Don’t you know why some fresh graduating inquisitors are sent to Raktor?” Mason asked, offering a hand to help her up. “It’s usually because of three things. One, you’re too talkative. Two, you’re too zealous. Three, you’re too naïve. And as far as I can tell, you’re all three.”
Might be true for the other nine, but they don’t know I’m the only one who volunteered myself because it’s where the most action happens… legally.
Kitana grumbled as she stood upright, slapping away the hand offered by Mason. “You’re telling me they trained me to be an inquisitor so I can look the other way? I still don’t understand what the fuck is the purpose of us coming here!”