The Rise Of A Porter

"... and so, I conclude that Devon Troy is the true culprit behind all of this." Arnold finished explaining about the person, who was the actual source of the problem and not Allen. Nathan and delegates representing the syndicate were present inside the conference room, intently listening to what Arnold had to say.

"I understand what you're trying to say," Elena white, one of the two delegates, was the first to speak after Arnold was done, "but I think you're forgetting who Devon is... he's the sole weapons manufacturer who is still operating in America, and It's because of his weapons and gears that we can still defend ourselves from the monster's and you're throwing accusations at him as if he's a regular civilian. You should at least give us some proof that could back your accusation-" ​​

"Throwing accusations?" Arnold gave a sarcastic smile to Elena and then proceed to point towards his ears, "Didn't you heard what I was yapping about for the past hour? He wants you to engage in 'wars' so that the syndicate, or whatever your name is, would buy more and more weapons and gears from him. He's just leeching off from your people, and as far as the proof is concerned, I have witnesses, I'll give you the choice of who do you want to hear it from, Allen or her?"

"Who are you talking about-"

"The priestess. Who else?" Arnold grinned as a small portal opened up and Alice walked out of it...

"Interesting... interesting indeed." These were the first words that escaped through Marrino Tempest, the other delegate's mouth, "Is it her?"

Nina and Nicole, who were also present in the room were shocked as well as especially, Nicole. The others were shocked as well because no one in that room knew about Talos' resurrection ability. No one apart from those who were present inside the interrogation room last night.

Alice's complexion had changed after being resurrected but hair and other details were still the same. The shock on everyone's faces disappeared once Alice started speaking. She confirmed what Arnold was saying was true and that she did what she did because Devon wanted her to.

"Hm... I can't say that I'm surprised." Nathan admitted, "We had been secretly investigating him for a long time for various reasons, and his background is a bit... shady if nothing else, but I never suspected him to have a hand in all of this as well. And before you ask, why were we doing business with him despite knowing what a shady guy he was? I'll tell you exactly why. It's because, (A) We didn't have any other source to obtain high-end weapons from, and (B), We didn't have enough proof to corner him. But now both of the problems have been taken care of... we have the proof and we have a very capable creationist among us as well. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself when I say this, but I think skills are unparalleled."

"Firstly, why the hell, was your family investigating someone without the syndicates' knowledge! And secondly, what creationist are you talking about?" Elena blurted out, Marrino, however, remained calm and silently observing the situation.

"Oh please, don't think that I don't know about what your family have been doing behind the syndicates' back. We never asked you why you were collecting all those beast crystals, so I don't you're in any position to question us either. Also, just because your family has some kind of relationship with him, it doesn't mean that we'd let go of this matter so easily and for the sake of your family's non-existent honour. But I urge you to cooperate with us in this matter."

Elena's face turned expressionless... it was true that they had a close relationship with Troy industries and wanted to prosper alongside the company, by giving him all the weapon and defence contracts, but they were all doing it in secret. Influencing the people under the table, and after knowing that the Black Family knew about it all along made her rethink about her 'trustworthy' family members, but right now she didn't want Nathan to mock her family anymore and thus decided to stay quiet and curse the traitor, within her family.

"Ahm... and as for your second query," Nathan got up from his seat, walked next to Arnold, and put his arm around Arnold's shoulder, "why don't you talk with the creationist himself? I know what you're thinking, but I'm not recommending him because he's a part of my family. His skills are pretty good and if you still don't believe me then feel free to test him out. I'm sure he'd be excited to prove his worth, won't you?"

Arnold turned towards Nathan and whispered, "You son of a gun, you know that I won't back down from a challenge, and you used that fact."

"Well it's not like only you'd be benefited from this... directly or indirectly you'll be helping the family to strengthen our position within the syndicate as well." Nathan whispered back, "It's not like I'm taking advantage of you or anything, you're an exceptional creationist and I'm simply pointing it out..."

"Fine... I'll do it." Arnold shrugged his shoulders and told the delegates, "Feel free to test me out whenever you like."

"Perfect. So I guess, that concludes the meeting." Nathan said and clapped his hands, "Thank you for joining us, today Lady Elena, and Sir Marrino, I-"

"What about the other culprit?" Elena spoke once again.

"What about him?" Nathan smiled at her, knowing all too well that she was planning something.

"As far as I can remember, the council of twelve leaders of the syndicate sent us here to ensure that we've punished the culprit for his crime... and so far I haven't heard anyone talk about him or his punishment." Seeing Nathan smile, Elena smiled as well. "Excuse me if I'm going out of line here, but considering the lengths he went to commit a crime, which I think is nothing less than heresy, he should be punished publicly at the very least."

Since Nathan verbally slapped her earlier by disclosing her family's plans, she decided to deal a blow to the Black Family's pride. As everyone knew how much prideful the Blacks were about their family's unity and loyalty, and publicly punishing one of their own would leave a huge dent to their pride. What she didn't know was the fact that she was playing with fire. A fire that could potentially burn her entire family down.

"I'm fully aware of what the orders were and if you want I can recite its content, word by word to you. Sir Marrino, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember about anything about 'publicly punishing the culprit', all I can remember is that, 'The head of the family has the right to penalize their kin in any way they like, and the delegates' job is only to oversee the proceedings and confirm that the punishment has been dealt to the culprit'. Sir Marrino, I guess that was it?"

Marrino grinned and nodded his head, agreeing with every word that came out of Nathan's mouth.

Now it was Nathan's turn to play games with Elena, "I was planning to ignore the connection between your family and Devon Troy, but since you're being all righteous and want justice, I think you'll be pleased know that once I'm done handling the current situation, I'll be informing the council of twelve, about your family's connection with the actual culprit of this incident."

Elena had successfully managed to dig her own grave, and the moment she realised it, her expressions were priceless. Even Nicole couldn't help but snicker at this new development.

"Y-You can't!" Elena lost it.

"I will if you don't leave the base, this instant." Nathan calmly looked at her, his grin was getting bigger every moment as he knew he had Elena in the palm of his hand.

Seeing no other way around, Elena stormed out of the room and left, saying she won't forget it. Soon Marrino followed her example and let himself out, but not before Nathan properly thanked him. Once only the members of the family were left inside the room, Nathan ordered the soldiers to bring in Allen.

After all, family or not, they still had to penalise him for his crimes.