"I’m called Zach, and you are?" Zach asked as he straightened up.
His movements were as fluid as that of a dancer and even his physique seemed like it was earned after years and years of practice.
"I didn’t know you would require my name." I said making him smile with his green eyes glinting mischievously.
"Well, I tried," he shrugged his shoulders before he walked over and sat down on the sofa across me.
The smoke and scent of the cigar was permeating in the air as I observed him. He was sitting in a relaxed posture with his arms spread over the head rest of the sofa while his feet one over the other.
"So, honored client. What kind of request do you have for you to pay such a big amount?" He asked.
I leaned ahead placing my forearms over my thighs and clasping my fingers.
"I want you to kill a person for me."
"Assassination? Who?"
"Baron Ocean Ryujin." I spoke making his light eyebrows rise a bit.
"Baron Ocean Ryujin? You mean the man who’s running the charity foundation and giving free education and medical facilities to the commoners?"
"Yes,"
"There were quite a lot of requests to kill him since the past few months, I guess that man has been a hurdle for a lot of people. I’ve lost quite a lot of my assassins because of him." He shook his head.
"So, you won’t do it?" I asked and he smirked.
"A good challenge is always welcome. Besides, this man is quite intriguing, he’s got a Magic stone mine, he also took over two of the Underworld cities within a few months. No one knows where he came from or what he looks like, some say he’s extremely beautiful, some say he’s ugly, some say he’s only a puppet for someone else. But I’ve heard a lot say he’s extremely strong while some call him a presence like God." Zach chuckled.
"I’ve never come across such a man ever but, he’s been on my radar for quite some time."
I tilted my head slightly as I observed him, he seemed curious and also the kind of person who would take risks for satiating his curiosity. Good for me.
"Well, as a businessman, I will give you this warning, respected client that that man is danger. Most of the people who came here to request his assassination are currently in severe problems. Some faced bankruptcy, some died and some are missing. So, if you’re really messing with that man then, be ready to face consequences if we failed."
"I know what I’m doing, you do what I’m telling you to. And if you can’t then, that’s fine. I can visit other places."
"I never said I won’t do it." Zach spoke up.
"But may I ask why you want to kill him so desperately?"
"That’s none of your business."
Zach chuckled, "All right, I’ll get one of my-"
"Do it yourself." I intercepted making him focus his eyes on me, a ghost of something lurked in them before it disappeared.
"Pardon?"
"You’ll get whatever amount you ask for, but I want you to do it yourself." I commanded.
Zach chuckled, "Are you sure? My personal service is quite costly and this man’s bounty is quite large."
I leaned back and pulled two pouches from my vest and placed it down on the table in front of him.
Zach eyed me for a moment before he leaned ahead and peeked inside the pouches, his eyes went wide and he looked up at me. Prior bag was filled with 50 gold coins, these two were filled with precious gems way more costly than gold.
"These-"
"I think this much should be enough as the advance payment, you’ll get the rest after you’ve completed the work." I spoke as I crossed my legs sitting in an upright position.
Zach picked up one of the pouch and looked at me, "Is there any specific request?"
"Request?"
"You seem to have a grudge or something for that person, if you’re paying this much then I could do it in anyway you want," he offered, "For example, one of our clients had asked me to bring the heart of his target back and he paid extra for that."
Gruesome.
"Sounds disgusting." I mumbled and he chuckled.
"It is indeed, but there’s a peculiar thrill in watching the agony spread over the target’s face and have his warm blood wash my hands," he looked at his palms with a sadistic glint in his eyes and a dreamy smile on his face.
"I want you to give him a message." I said making him tilt his head.
"A last message, quite banal, but I’ll do it." He replied with a smile.
"Tell him, I’ve done what you said, now it’s time to go to next step."
Zach frowned a little, "Are you his friend or partner or something?"
I didn’t answer and he chuckled with a shrug of his shoulders, "Fine, my dear client. I’ll give him your message."
"Also, the target is only one so, I don’t want you to hurt or kill anyone else." I ordered.
"All right, but what if someone sees me?"
"Are you that sloppy with your work?" I asked looking at him.
He chuckled, "I’m not but at times there are a few anomalies."
I looked at him with an icy gaze making him stare back but within a few seconds he averted his eyes as if noticing the difference between our powers.
"I guess I should take extra care in this particular task, don’t worry, dear client, I will follow your command and make sure to see you again."
I stood up after I was done giving my instructions, this man would become the bridge which would take me straight towards the culprit.
"The work will be done within two days," Zach added and I looked down at him.
"I’ll see you after you’re done with your work then." I turned slightly.
"Please wait, dear client." Zach said as he stood up.
He walked over towards the fireplace and picked up the small wooden chest from the mantel and opened its lid. I watched as he plucked out something from it and walked up to me.
He opened his palm to me and I saw gold token with the two letters SK carved on it in calligraphic design.
"Here, show this to get a direct entry to this place the next time you come. So, that you wouldn’t be troubled like you were today." He smirked with a wink.
I picked up the coin-sized token and looked into Zach’s eyes.
"Then, I’ll see you again if you survive." I spoke and he smirked.
"I hope I do see you again, my dear client."
Roan and I left the club and teleported back to Ryujin mansion before I started making preparations for the next step of the plan. Zach was unmistakably only a pawn in the game but he was manning a vital position so, he would have the information that I was looking for.
I picked up the letter that I had received from Lord Devil before he got arrested, it was a formal letter saying that since he was having a few problems regarding the things going around Shadowcliff he wouldn’t be able to communicate with anyone. He also said that in his absence Lord Dragon– I would be his proxy.
It would have made the other two slightly suspicious of me but I knew they wouldn’t do anything just yet. There was an unofficial meeting arranged for tonight between us three.
They had specifically asked for my presence since I knew they would want to know of this bizarre situation. Well, I still had to do my stuff and this meeting wasn’t a hurdle so, I could attend.
The next day, I received reports from the security team that around five assassins had infiltrated the Oasis town. I instructed my team to stay put and keep an eye on the intruders and let them come as far as they wanted.
"He’s quick to make his move," I mumbled as I checked the further reports of the work that was going at Herot city.
I still hadn’t found a proper person to look after that place and since now I had to look after Shadowcliff as well so, my usually free time was also preoccupied.
Roan hadn’t said a word to me after last night, he was quietly working. There wasn’t our usual banter or lighthearted chatter which would ease the boredom of the work.
During the lunch time, Roan left my study while Remi brought my food to my study with two maids in tow.
They served the food and I sat down with a few documents in my hands working and eating at the same time. Remi took a seat in front of me and had his own plate served for him but I could see him looking around as if waiting for someone.
"Yo-You should eat properly, Master." Remi said and I hummed.
"I have more work these days," I mumbled and Remi cleared his throat before he looked back at the door again and then at me.
"Is Roan not going to join us for lunch?" He asked.
"I guess not."
"I-Is there something wrong between you and Roan?" He asked and I hummed again.
"He... seemed upset and he’s not even here to have lunch with you." Remi added.
"He’s mad at me... Probably." I replied.
"Pardon?"
"Yes, last night I said something and he probably got mad at me."
Remi hesitantly put the bite in his mouth and chewed before he asked, "... May I ask what you said?"
"I said Lyall was better." I said and Remi stared at me.
"Lyall usually takes care of the trivial hindrances while we’re outside but since he’s not around... I guess I’m getting frustrated." I spoke and placed the documents down.
"But, Roan does his work quite well, doesn’t he?"
I looked at the stacks of the paperwork that were on his desk and around it. Roan was the best at the administrative tasks, if he wasn’t around then I would have drowned in work. He was quite efficient in finishing his tasks on time and also maintain my schedule without any problems.
"Yes, he does his assigned work well... I guess I should apologise to him."
Remi smiled and we continued eating.
After lunch break, Roan returned to the study and took his seat without a word. I observed his mechanical movements as he picked up his feather pen and started writing reports and checking stuff.
"Free your schedule for tonight," I spoke up. S~eaʀᴄh the NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
There was no reply from my Aide.
"We’re going to Froish City, there’s an unofficial meeting."
"I’m not free, take Remi or someone else." He spoke curtly without moving his eyes from the papers.
"I can’t, you will have to accompany me." I said making his hand pause for a moment.
"... Fine," he replied.
I could feel the strain in his voice but I knew instead of apologizing through words, my actions could speak louder.
After all, Roan was more like a friend to me who saw me without my power. He was never scared of looking me in the eye and speak his mind. He always treated me as an equal and that’s what made me treat him as casually as I would treat a friend. And since it was my mistake for hurting his feelings, I should apologise as a friend would.