CH 72

Words : 2035 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

C72: Back Alley Talk (1) The pub was cluttered by the laughter of women with heavy makeup and perfume, and men approaching like bees, drawn to the smell of honey. There were people who were drinking and shouting loudly, and there were people playing musical instruments. “It’s pretty noisy.” “Because this place is quite famous and it is a bar with a total of four floors, so there are bound to be many customers.” Rudger and Hans entered and looked around. “Where is the meeting place?” “4th floor.” “Is it at the top?” “Up to the second floor, the general public can use it, but from the third floor, it is agreed that only authorized people can enter.” The two had a light conversation and went up to the second floor. The second floor was not much different from the first floor. The place was full, and it was noisy like the first floor. The only difference is that there were guards on the second floor. As Hans said, the stairs leading to the third floor were blocked by two guards with a strong body. “Only authorized people go further.” “Here.” Hans held out the invitation he had prepared in advance. The guard checked it, and without saying a word, he turned to open the way. “Let’s go, brother.” “Yes.” Hans took the lead and Rudger followed. The guard’s gaze lingered on his back, but he lightly ignored it. Eventually, when he reached the third floor, Rudger immediately understood why this place was a high-end bar. ‘It’s so quiet that it can’t be compared to the noisy 1st and 2nd floors.’ Even though it was so noisy below, the 3rd floor was soundproof. The interior is more luxurious and the customers were all dressed in neat and tidy clothes, enjoying the moody atmosphere and sipping alcohol lightly. The scarlet light made the atmosphere dreamy but Rudger and Hans’ goal is one floor higher. It was the highest place in this bar, where only the most important people could gather. The two climbed the wooden stairs and arrived on the fourth floor. Unlike the 3rd floor, which was like a wide hall, the 4th floor had a long hallway. ‘Is it a room type?’ It was a very suitable place for a quiet conversation. “What room?” “At the end. It is the innermost place.” “Is there no one guarding this place?” “Ah. Maybe it’s because this place is so special.” “A special place?” Hans explained the information he had picked up. “It is said that this bar has been used a lot as a meeting place for the organizations behind Leathervelk from before. As a result, an unwritten rule was set among themselves, and it was that they would never fight within it.” “Don’t fight…….” “Well, even those who betray each other and live a damn life have iron rules or beliefs that they follow.” “That’s right.” Rudger shook his head. “As you know, this world also has its own rules. And this is where the discipline is most strongly applied.” “Inviting us to such a place…….” “It’s just to make sure we’re really following the rules.” “It’s fun.” Rudger smiled slightly. They have guts to target someone who destroyed the Red Society alone. If Rudger had been a little more eccentric or cruel, blood would have flown through the 4th floor of this bar today. Still, to invite him would mean that they were confident. “Come in.” “Yes.” Eventually, the two of them reached the end of the hallway, opened the door and went inside. Various foods were placed on a large round table made of wood and those who sat at the table kept a certain distance from each other. ‘The number of important characters is four in total.’ Rudger’s gaze first turned to the person seated to the right of the table. He had a beard on his face but what caught his eye the most was his absurdly small stature, unbelievably small for an adult. ‘Dwarfism.’ Also called short stature, it has the same body structure as a normal person, but is close to a kind of disorder with only the height being too small. ‘Is this person the leader of a group?’ In a world where human rights are not yet sufficiently developed, his disability must have made life difficult. Rudger noticed that this dwarf man was the leader of the Circus, Pinion. Next he looked at the two people sitting in the middle right opposite to each other. ‘Is it an old man and a girl?’ This, too, was a striking combination. An old man with gray hair and a grumpy impression, and a cute blonde girl like a doll. However, since they are gathered here, those two are also the heads of one organization. They are the leaders of the group Old Kids, Mastella and Deon. ‘The child is surprisingly the one who has the initiative.’ Ordinarily, the older Deon would be seen as the leader, but Rudger did not think so because he felt a strong analyzing gaze from Mastella. She knows how to manage her facial expressions, and although she is young, she is clever. ‘And lastly, the women of the Black Rose.’ There was only one person sitting to the left of the table. She was a lady in a black dress, with hair braided up and her face was covered with black cotton. ‘Is that woman, Violetta, the one who leads the women of the Black Rose?’ Except for the Red Society, the heads of the behind-the-scenes world of Leathervelk had all gathered in one place and even a small number of subordinates escorted them. Rudger sat down in the seat reserved for him and opened his mouth. “James Moriarty.” His monocle gleamed in the light. “Everyone calls me that.” The first to react was Violetta and an alluring voice came from beyond the black cotton yarn. “Are you really that legendary man who ruled the Delica Kingdom?” “You know me well.” “James Moriarty, the de facto ruler of the Delica Kingdom, famous for its steel industry, and who even worked with the military to start a war with other countries.” As those words came out of her mouth, the atmosphere in the room became even heavier. In particular, Hans, who stood almost behind Rudger, did not hide his uncomfortable feelings. Rudger nodded happily. “One troublesome detective ate it all up, though.” “After that I thought you died or were arrested, I didn’t expect you would show up like this in Leathervelk. So, for what purpose did you come here? Are you planning to start a war in the Empire?” Violetta’s voice had a strange edge. The other leaders stared intently at Rudger, perhaps of the same opinion as her. “That’s a nonsensical thing to say.” Violetta’s words were just ridiculous. How could they speak of war without knowing the reality of what happened in the Delica Kingdom? “I don’t think like that.” “Did such a person destroy the Red Society as soon as he came here?” “There was something dirty in front of me, so I just cleaned it up.” Rudger said as if he was indifferent to the fact that he had wiped out the Red Society but no one argued because he did it with overwhelming skill. “So what do you want?” It was Pinion, the leader of Circus, who opened his mouth this time. He had a hoarse voice that didn’t suit his small body and Rudger noticed that he was smoking. “Coming here and accepting our invitation means that you have a purpose.” “Yes.” Rudger had nothing to hide, so he meekly nodded his head. “I want to build my power here.” Pinion tapped the armrest of his chair with his finger. “That answer is not enough.” “Do you need more explanation?” “If you got rid of the Red Society simply to create your own force, that’s fine. The Red Society had a dirty personality and was our enemy.” “The important point is this. Is there any guarantee that the new organization created by the famous James Moriarty will not become a second Red Society?” The second Red Society, that’s what they were worried about. The Red Society did anything that made money, and they crossed the line even in the back alley so they united to fight against them. Up until now the three organizations had only managed to maintain a balance by working together but that balance was broken by an individual who appeared out of the blue. “Were you worried about that?” The complexion of the people hardened at Rudger’s sullen tone. It was a serious matter to them but Rudger said it as if it was nothing. Of course he had the qualifications to do so. Rudger smashed the Red Society alone and in a way he was more dangerous than them. “Then it would be better to clear up the misunderstanding.” “Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding are you talking about?” Deon raised an eyebrow and asked. Rudger shook his head once and then pointed at Mastella with his chin. “Say it yourself.” “What…….” “Grandpa Deon, it’s okay.” Mastella stared at Rudger with her curious eyes. “You’ve noticed that I’ve done it.” A child with innate talents and circumstances is far more frightening than an old man who does nothing in the world. “So what are you saying we are misunderstanding?” “If I was going to get rid of you because I thought you were annoying, I would have done that long ago.” It was a blatant remark, but no one was angry or upset. “But the reason I didn’t do it is because I also have a line that I must keep.” “So what are you trying to say?” “At least you guys are far better than the Red Society dead at my hands. I don’t have to pretend with you guys, that’s why I joined this meeting.” At least, when he hinted that he had no hostility, their vigilant gazes faded a little. However they didn’t trust him. “So what are you going to do now? All of the infrastructure and businesses of the Red Society are nominally owned by you.” Pinion wiggled his mustache and ate the turkey leg that was in front of him. “Pinion can’t you please stay still, at least in this place?” “I’m sorry, Auntie. I’m not as noble as you.” “Auntie? That’s why you uncultured people.” “Both of you, do it in moderation.” Mastella came forward and mediated. Rudger seemed to have a rough idea of how these three organizations worked. Their relationship is bad, but there are people who can mediate the situation in moderation. “So, are you going to keep the structure of the Red Society intact?” At Mastella’s bold question Rudger shook his head. “I wouldn’t keep such a messy thing.” “Then you must be thinking of something great, right?” “Yes.” When he decided to create an organization, Rudger had already made a plan and Leathervelk will be the cornerstone for that. “I am going to start a new business different from what the Red Society did, a business that can be carried out more proudly.” “Business…That sounds really interesting.” Violetta said in a sarcastic tone. How proud would they be if the business they were running in the back alley was honest? Even if they don’t do drugs and human trafficking like the Red Society, they can’t brag about their business. Reading their thoughts, Rudger grinned. “If you think that way that will be your limit.” “I beg your pardon?” “Since everyone is gathered, let me make one suggestion.” It was the time to reveal his purpose. “Everyone, come under me. That will bring you success.”

CH 72

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