[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 47
"Hmm."
Zeke disembarked and took a deep breath.
The scent of the Southern Continent, which he hadn't smelled in a long time, stirred his past memories.
'It was shitty.'
While wandering around dungeons as a porter for adventurer parties, he got caught in a fraudulent contract and was sold as a slave in the Southern region.
Zeke was seventeen at the time.
While working as a slave on a Soma farm, he was dragged into a mission as a decoy, and strangely, only Zeke survived.
After surviving five missions, Zeke received formal hitman training.
Surprisingly, the hitman job suited Zeke well.
This was because there were no particular difficulties if he calmly focused on the mission.
Even knights who could use Aura would easily lose their lives if they were poisoned while off guard.
It was then that Zeke realized that using Aura wasn't everything.
However, it was different for Blue Knights who could handle Aura Blades.
No matter how well Zeke erased his presence and approached, the Blue Knights would sense him like ghosts.
Even if he used poison, they could control the Aura in their bodies to burn the poison or expel it.
'But in the end, they're still human. Humans have weaknesses.'
Zeke learned how to skillfully exploit those weaknesses and assassinate Blue Knights, eventually solidifying his position as a named hitman in the McCain Cartel.
It was only natural that Zeke, with such skills, would be favored by Don Juan, the boss of the McCain Cartel.
As Zeke reminisced about the past while looking around the port after disembarking, someone approached him.
"Deputy Branch Manager. We're ready."
It was the guide that the Reinhardt Company had prepared in advance.
Zeke boarded the carriage the guide had prepared.
The carriage headed towards McCain.
Currently, the largest cartel in the Southern Continent was the McCain Cartel, led by Don Juan.
And the Favela Cartel was closely trailing behind them.
The Favela Cartel was originally a group of pirates from the South Sea, so they had a sea route that could cross the Sea of Death.
Although it was highly dangerous, the profits from Soma were higher than the profits from piracy, so they were using their own distribution network to bring Soma to the Central Continent and sell it.
At first, they smuggled and sold McCain Cartel's products, but they gradually expanded their scale and eventually became larger than their pirate base.
If the Favela Cartel had been somewhat satisfied with this, there wouldn't have been any problems, but they coveted the McCain Cartel's position.
They thought that if they blocked the Syndicate's distribution network, McCain would have no means to transport their goods, and they would naturally lead the market.
'They underestimated Don Juan and thought too simply.'
In his past life, Zeke was in the midst of the war between the McCain and Favela Cartels.
Zeke led the McCain Cartel's sicarios, going in and out of the jungle to destroy the Favela Cartel's production camps and take out their key bosses.
Eventually, in less than three years after the start of the war, the Favela Cartel collapsed, and the southern region became even more chaotic with competition among minor cartels.
On the day of their victory in the war against the Favela Cartel, Don Juan adopted Zeke as his foster son and designated him as his official successor.
But that evening, Zeke killed Don Juan and all the executives of the McCain Cartel.
"Deputy Branch Manager. We've arrived."
Zeke, who was reminiscing about the past with his eyes closed in the carriage, opened his eyes at the guide's words.
It seemed they had moved from the port of Golpa to a safe house prepared on the outskirts of McCain.
"They've done a good job."
Perhaps Cliff had put in extra effort, as there was a fairly large camp with an attached warehouse.
As Zeke entered the camp, he saw a familiar face.
"Kay."
Kay from the Syndicate was already waiting inside the camp.
Kay had a slightly nervous expression.
"Are you nervous?"
"Aren't you?"
"I'm fine so far."
Kay shook her head with an exasperated expression.
She said to Zeke,
"I've made all the other preparations. We'll be heading to Don Juan's mansion soon."
Zeke nodded.
Today was a gathering to celebrate Don Juan's birthday, and all the bosses of the McCain Cartel, as well as the executives of their partner, the Syndicate, would be present.
Kay was also scheduled to attend the party as a working member.
She had to explain the future distribution plan directly to Don Juan.
Zeke was attending the party as her assistant.
Kay clutched her head.
"Whew... You know what? They say the McCain Cartel uses alligators to deal with traitors.
They paralyze them and throw them alive into a swamp with alligators."
"To be precise, it's not alligators, but Shark Dragons. They look similar to alligators, but they're over 6 meters long and have unimaginable bite force. It's one of Don Juan's twisted hobbies. He always wants to show off that he owns a Shark Dragon farm."
Kay's face turned even paler.
"If they find out we burned the Soma, I'll be that monster's food too."
Zeke shook his head as Kay murmured.
"No, Kay, you'll be dealt with differently. Because you're a mage. In the South, there's a superstition that having body parts of mages can ward off curses."
Kay's face turned even whiter at those words.
Zeke stood up and patted Kay's shoulder.
"Let's get ready and go."
Kay let out a big sigh and stood up.
What was done was done, and there was no turning back.
After changing their clothes, Kay and Zeke boarded a carriage together and headed to Don Juan's mansion in the McCain region.
As they headed towards Don Juan's mansion, which practically occupied an entire town as his private estate, Zeke felt a renewed sense of emotion.
Don Juan's estate, encompassing an entire mountain, was heavily guarded by cartel members from the entrance.
Not only the carriage carrying Zeke and Kay, but also cartel bosses from all over the region connected to the McCain Cartel, royalty and officials from the Southern Kingdom, foreign politicians, and local influential figures were all gathering there.
Kay's jaw dropped at the sheer scale of Don Juan's mansion as they entered.
"Oh my god, this isn't a mansion, it's a whole castle. Even in the Central Kingdom, there are few places with castles this size."
The wealth that the McCain Cartel amassed through Soma was beyond imagination.
Perhaps, considering only personal assets across the entire continent, it wouldn't be easy to find someone richer than Don Juan.
Zeke knew every nook and cranny of this mansion, having once lived there and been responsible for its security.
'Even after decades, I remember every detail clearly.'
Kay and Zeke slowly made their way inside the mansion.
The banquet hall was the epitome of luxury.
As expected in the Southern Continent, various beastmen could be seen everywhere.
The fact that beastmen, who were rarely seen in the Central Continent, could be easily found in the Southern Continent created a sense of unfamiliarity.
A sheep beastman approached and politely offered Zeke and Kay drinks.
Kay picked up a glass of wine to relax.
Zeke declined the offer and carefully examined the faces of the people gathered in the banquet hall.
'Most of them are familiar faces.'
Information about key figures that he had been forced to memorize during his time as a hitman unfolded once again, transcending time.
Knowing the future, Zeke also knew exactly who would die and how.
Then, Zeke spotted someone and nudged Kay's arm.
"Do you know who that person is?"
Kay looked in the direction Zeke was pointing.
She nodded.
"Joaquin Fernandez. Also known as El Mencho. I know him as the second-in-command of the McCain Cartel."
"You know well. Remember him well."
"Why El Mencho?"
Just then, the lighting in the banquet hall changed.
Lively music started playing, and Mana flames of fantastic colors created by mages flew around the hall.
Then, the floor in the center of the hall rose, revealing someone. Standing on the platform was a large man with curly hair and a typical Southern mustache.
'Don Juan.'
As Don Juan raised his hand, the band played cheerful Southern music.
Don Juan suddenly picked up a voice amplifier and started singing a Southern song along with the music.
"In the Sea of Death, I saved a dying life, fought fear and moved forward. If you disobey, your life is forfeit, oh, refusal there leaves only traces of death. That noble virtue!"
The guests at the banquet started dancing excitedly to Don Juan's singing and the Southern music.
Upbeat music, luxurious food, delicious drinks, and spectacular performances.
Don Juan spared no expense on the banquet.
After a few lively songs, Don Juan finally stopped the band's music and grabbed the voice amplifier again.
"My brothers! Thank you so much for attending this party today!"
As Don Juan gave his greetings as the host of the party and stepped down from the platform, the band started playing music again.
Kay then said to Zeke,
"I got a message from the executives. It's finally time to meet Don Juan."
Zeke followed Kay to the back of the banquet hall.
As they entered the conference room, Don Juan, as well as the key bosses of McCain and the executives of the Syndicate, were sitting and talking with each other.
Zeke discreetly examined the conference room.
Not only hitmen, but also notorious outlaws from the border region, knights from the Central Continent, and runaway rangers from the Northern Continent were deployed throughout the room.
'Money is indeed good.'
If an assassin were to sneak in and reveal their intentions, arrows would fly from all directions, and the knights' swords would strike, surely taking their head off in an instant.
Just then, the chairman of the Syndicate, noticing Kay's entrance, waved to her with a bright smile.
"Don Juan. This is Kay, the working member from our side I mentioned."
Kay bowed her head and greeted Don Juan.
Don Juan puffed on his cigar and scanned Kay's low-cut dress.
"Nice to meet you. I heard you were a mage, but I didn't know you were a woman."
"It's an honor to meet you, Don Juan."
Don Juan kissed Kay's hand and said,
"A beautiful mage is more precious than any jewel."
As if to start the meeting in earnest now that Kay had arrived, Don Juan looked around the conference room and opened his mouth.
"Alright. I'm looking forward to hearing what wise words you have to share. Then, let's begin."
Kay opened her mouth with a nervous expression.
"Don Juan. Do you remember the warehouse fire incident a few months ago?"
At Kay's words, the expressions of not only Don Juan but also all the cartel bosses hardened.
It was that painful of an incident for the McCain Cartel.
Don Juan stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray and said,
"How could I not remember? But why are you bringing that up?"
Kay swallowed hard and said,
"I know who was behind that incident."
Kay's sudden statement surprised not only the cartel bosses but also the Syndicate executives.
This wasn't what she was supposed to talk about.
'Kay, what are you doing?'
The chairman gestured to Kay.
But she didn't stop.
"Don Juan. That incident is related to the Favela Cartel. And... the boss who colluded with them is in this room."
One of the bosses listening to Kay's words jumped up from his seat.
"What is that crazy bitch babbling about! Drag her out!"
Just as the cartel members rushed towards Kay to drag her out, Don Juan raised his hand and stopped them.
"Can you take responsibility for what you just said?"
Kay slowly nodded.
Don Juan leaned back in his chair and said,
"Tell me. Who is the traitor of the McCain Cartel?"
Everyone's eyes focused on Kay.
That's when it happened.
"Ugh!"
Someone groaned.
The sicarios, hitmen, and guards around them instantly turned towards the source of the sound.
To their surprise, Zeke was holding a dagger to the neck of El Mencho, the cartel's second-in-command.
He looked at Don Juan and said in fluent Spanish,
"Nice to meet you, Don Juan. My name is Zeke Murray."
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]