Volume 5 Chapter 27 It's Like A Pig, But...
The match with Nikyou ended in a draw. But the excitement in the room was probably the highest tonight. After that, it was all about drinking and singing.
As the night wore on and the party continued... it was getting pretty messy. Most of the people on the second floor, regardless of gender, were either passed out from drinking too much or snoring loudly. Sometimes, someone would turn pale and disappear somewhere, but let's leave them alone.
"It's been a while since I had some fun. Thanks for that."
"No problem at all."
Sipping hid drinks slowly, Nikyou complained with a tipsy expression. Even though he's probably the one who drank the most, he's still just pleasantly tipsy.
Aina and Kyunei are already gone. It seems even they got a bit drunk, so they're resting in the guest room Nikyou's lackeys prepared for them.
Now, Nikyou and I are hanging out with Mikage. Reed has vanished somewhere, but I'm not really bothered by that.
--Clank.
Nikyou quickly finishes the remaining drink in one gulp and forcefully sets the empty glass on the table.
"How much have you guys heard from Reed?"
"Well, in Eubarest's underworld, there are two main forces: the Jingin Family and another one. We ended up picking a fight with the other side, not you guys."
"I see. So what's next from there? Though it's mostly just complaints."
--Jingin Family.
They're said to be the oldest mafia in this city, but they originally started as a vigilante group formed to protect Eubarest from troublesome forces coming from elsewhere.
"Well, somehow I ended up being called the big shot in charge of Eubarest's underworld, but deep down, I haven't changed. Jingin is like a breakwater protecting Eubarest from behind. Things have been going smoothly with that setup so far."
"My hometown has something similar. Though nowadays, it's mostly a gathering of outlaws, and the old-fashioned types are almost extinct."
When Mikage interjected, Nikyou nodded in agreement.
Thanks to the intimidating presence of the Jingin Family, unruly people in the city didn't act recklessly and conducted their shady business within certain limits.
"So, you're just letting them do as they please in the end?"
"Well, even if we try to control them, they won't listen. They just keep popping up no matter how many times we crush them. So, it's better to let them do their thing within limits, as long as it doesn't cause too much trouble for the civilians."
Instead of letting things build up and erupt somewhere unknown, they're causing trouble within their sight. It's a reasoning I can kinda understand and agree with.
"But lately, there are some guys who seem to be getting carried away. They used to be small-time crooks, but suddenly they've started forming alliances."
It's not uncommon for small-time crooks to team up, but it usually doesn't last long. It's impossible for those who used to do as they pleased to suddenly get along and march in step. Given enough time, it naturally falls apart. That's what Nikyou thought, but...
"Contrary to expectations, they seem to be sticking together."
"Yeah. Even I was surprised by that."
Before anyone knew it, they had become two major forces in Eubarest. Those small-time crooks, who thought increasing their numbers and power, had started dabbling in even more shady businesses.
"So, when I had my subordinates investigate, turns out there are some jerks pulling the strings behind these small-time crooks."
"Jerks?"
"The 'Kahlua Family.'"
Hmm, that rings a bell somewhere.
'We heard about them when Reed took us to Boss Nikyou. Something about a conflict or whatever.'
Come to think of it, he did mention something like that. I just brushed it off at the time.
"They've been flowing in from elsewhere over the past few years. The guy running the show there is one dirty pig. No, wait, that's an insult to pigs."
"An insult to pigs?"
Nikyou's expression turned grim when the name Kahlua came up. He must really dislike them.
"He was a pig I didn't particularly like from the first time we met, but their business was barely tolerable. But now, they're gathering the small fry behind the scenes here."
"So, they were just a step ahead of you guys."
"Unfortunately, that seems to be the case."
Nikyou reluctantly agreed with Mikage's words.
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