In My Second Life, I Rule from the Shadows-Chapter 118 : Gathering (1)

Chapter 118: Gathering (1)
♠ ◆ ♥ ♣
The executives of NOX had gathered.
Queen, Second, Gallon For, Six, Seven, Eight, and even Nine.
Those without immediate assignments came together in one place.
In addition, almost all of NOX’s forces that had been moving in secret were mobilized, save for the bare minimum.
The number totaled twenty-six from Black Label and one hundred forty-eight from White Label.
It could be said that this was nearly the entirety of NOX’s strength that had moved up from Leipzig to the Capital.
In truth, it was far too small a number to seize control of even one commercial district of the Capital.
However, even the lowest-ranking White Labels were superior to the elites of most other organizations.
Through their elite small numbers and absolute loyalty to NOX, they were expanding their influence into the Western Third Commercial District.
Carl’s effort to build a union by pulling in organizations like Lahan’s beneath them had been meant to ease their burden.
By its very nature, raising even a single member of NOX consumed a great deal of time.
Now, with efficiency improved and structure streamlined, replenishment was possible far faster than before, yet it still could not keep up with the speed of territorial expansion.
Even so, that force alone was enough never to falter in open war against any other organization.
“Let’s move. Everyone, be ready.”
NOX’s headquarters stood empty.
Everyone except those standing guard had stepped outside, melting into the shadows.
Only the Black Label executives traveled by carriage.
“Do not act recklessly. Today is quite an important occasion.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not like the executives are children. Everyone knows how to act.”
“I’m talking especially to you, Second.”
“……Was I included in that?”
“Don’t lose your head and rush at the enemy.”
“I’ll keep my mouth shut…….”
Second pouted her lips in protest.
Queen chuckled faintly before shifting her gaze toward Gallon For.
“Gallon, focus on the Demon Humans. If you sense anything unusual, immediately.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“The rest of you, stay sharp. We don’t know what variables might appear.”
At Queen’s words, the other executives nodded deeply.
In recent days, Dirsen’s and Turgar’s forces had waged a fierce war.
At first it seemed Dirsen’s side would crumble under the initial assault, but with NOX’s help they had repelled the attack and launched a massive counteroffensive.
They returned more damage than they had suffered, and now both sides were locked in a dead-even standoff.
‘Turgar must be burning with frustration.’
Arms crossed, Queen looked out the window.
Turgar’s large-scale offensive had surely been born of confidence in their overwhelming victory.
But NOX’s intervention had dealt them heavy losses.
A gap had opened among their key forces, and their subordinate organizations had each lost a limb.
Perhaps panicked by the unforeseen turn of events, they had hastily requested a meeting.
Dirsen had needed time to recover as well, so he accepted, and together with NOX went to meet them.
‘Of course, it’s highly likely to be a trap.’
When Queen had first heard the proposal, she had scoffed and intended to refuse.
If Dirsen served as the shield and NOX harassed Turgar’s strength through guerrilla warfare, victory would have been assured.
A meticulous strategy had already been prepared, but at the Master’s judgment all plans were abandoned in favor of heading to the meeting hall.
Clop, clop.
Though it was not yet late at night, the back alleys were utterly silent.
Perhaps knowing this was the day that would decide the fate of the Western Third Commercial District, all seemed to be holding their breath, lying low.
“……You’ve come.”
Dirsen, who had arrived earlier at the appointed place, welcomed them.
The subordinates behind Dirsen all bowed their heads toward NOX.
Until recently they had thought themselves superior, but this last assault would have been unbearable without NOX.
They now understood how vital NOX was, and their attitude carried a newfound respect.
“Where is Lord NOX?”
“The Master said he had other matters. He will arrive during the meeting.”
“I see. There should be no problem. After all, you’ve sent this much of NOX’s strength.”
Dirsen gazed at the Black Label executives with a satisfied look.
By now, information on NOX had spread somewhat through the underworld.
The white masks were White Labels.
Though mere regular members, they were strong enough not to lose even to the elites of other groups.
The Black Labels were leaders in their own right, and those with numbers engraved upon their masks were even stronger executives.
The black masks worn by those behind Queen each bore a golden numeral representing them.
In other words, every one of them was a Black Label executive.
The men with Dirsen also looked reassured.
‘Those two alone had crushed other organizations outright.’
They themselves had witnessed the feats of For and Six just days earlier.
And now there were seven of them—it was only natural to feel secure.
“Then, let us proceed.”
Standing in Carl’s place, Queen walked alongside Dirsen toward the meeting hall.
The location was a building once used by Birterso, who had managed a portion of the Western Third Commercial District.
Destroyed by NOX, it had since been sold off.
As it bore little connection to either NOX or Lahan, it was chosen as neutral ground for the meeting.
Creak.
When the doors opened, a dimly lit, shadowy interior greeted them.
Escorted inside by Dirsen, Queen glanced over the interior and let out a quiet laugh.
‘Interesting.’
They had tried to conceal it, but the presence of those lying in ambush could be felt in various places.
Not only that, but several traps seemed to have been set.
Preparations, no doubt, in case the talks broke down.
‘The Demon Humans, though—I can’t tell.’
What intrigued Queen more than Turgar’s men were the Demon Humans Gallon had mentioned.
Fools who bargained with demons, trading their souls for power.
The Master had shown interest as well; she wanted to take a sample back.
“……Turgar.”
“Dirsen.”
Ascending to the second floor, they found a spacious chamber prepared for the meeting.
Beyond, Turgar and his men were already in place.
Seated on a sofa, Turgar glared across with a menacing aura.
‘Doesn’t seem they resemble each other much.’
Queen shifted her gaze between Turgar and Dirsen, who stared at one another.
Though they were relatives, their temperaments felt completely opposite.
Unlike Dirsen, who dressed himself up in a dandy fashion, Turgar gave off a strongly wild impression.
His long hair was tightly tied back, and his thick beard was left unkempt, radiating roughness.
The writhing muscles on his massive frame, nearly twice the size of Dirsen’s, proved he was no ordinary man.
“……”
He already exuded the charisma of a boss, as though he had seized Lahan.
Even the eyes of his subordinates watching this way carried firm conviction, as if they had no doubt of their victory.
“Sit, for now.”
“……”
At Turgar’s words, Dirsen gave a slight nod and moved forward.
Queen also took a seat beside him, leaving a little space, and crossed her legs as she faced Turgar.
“You’re the boss of NOX?”
“I am a substitute. The boss is occupied.”
“Haha! And there’s something more important than this?”
Turgar burst into laughter.
Leaning back against the sofa, he stroked his beard and fixed Queen with a deep gaze.
“I’ve always wondered—why did NOX choose Dirsen? From the start, I was overwhelmingly superior.”
“As you said. Because you were overwhelmingly superior, we chose the weaker side.”
Queen smiled faintly.
Of course, her expression couldn’t be seen behind the mask.
“What’s the point of siding with the winning team? The shares would all be carved up already. Isn’t it better to side with the weaker and snatch the leftovers?”
There had been many considerations behind that choice.
Especially since, unlike Turgar who was well-prepared, Dirsen’s side had been rather lax.
Hadn’t he been subdued by Carl during their very first meeting because of his overreliance on mercenaries?
Dirsen had been chosen because he was easier to use and of higher value.
“Hm.”
Stroking his beard, Turgar furrowed his brow slightly before lifting his head to meet Queen’s gaze again.
“How about it? I think we’ve already proven our capabilities enough. I’ve also gauged your worth.”
“What do you mean?”
“Join hands with me. Then I’ll hand you the Western Third Commercial District. Our true goal lies elsewhere anyway.”
“Turgar!!!”
Dirsen sprang to his feet and shouted.
At once, tension flared between the subordinates of both sides.
Yet Turgar, unmoving, merely frowned and turned his gaze toward his nephew.
“Lower your voice, Dirsen. A boss leading a force should carry weight. Don’t you yet understand how important dignity is?”
“Shut your mouth. That’s not something a rogue without rightful claim, coveting another’s seat, should say.”
“No rightful claim? You dare say that to me?”
Thud.
This time it was Turgar who leapt to his feet.
He stood a full head taller than Dirsen.
Pointing furiously, Turgar loomed over him as though to crush him.
“How much do you think my share is in raising Lahan to where it stands today? At my brother’s side, at the head of the group, who led the men and shed the most blood and sweat? Your father, the boss? No—you’re wrong. It was me! I am the one who defeated countless rivals and enemies! I am the one who expanded Lahan’s power to what it is today! I am the one who established your father—my brother—as Lahan’s boss!!!”
Turgar shouted, his eyes bloodshot.
Dirsen bit his lip tightly, glaring back at him.
Perhaps there was some exaggeration, but Turgar’s achievements could not be denied.
They were part of Lahan’s very history.
“And what do you know, born only as the boss’s son? Lahan is my everything. Could I hand it over to some green rookie who has proven neither qualification nor ability?”
“……”
Meanwhile, Queen still sat on the sofa with legs crossed, watching their quarrel.
‘Amusing.’
It was almost like watching a skilled theater troupe perform.
The only difference was that at any moment they might draw blades and plunge them into one another’s chests.
While NOX and Lahan were in talks, Carl left Bayern ahead of the weekend.
This time he had no leisure to leave a substitute, so he officially scheduled an external engagement.
But his steps did not lead toward NOX.
‘Now’s the perfect time to dig in.’
Lahan’s main base lay empty.
To be precise, it was Turgar’s stronghold.
With Turgar himself and his elites away, it would be far easier to investigate inside.
“What might I find, I wonder.”
With a face full of intrigue, Carl slipped through the darkness and infiltrated Turgar’s stronghold.