Chapter 86: Heir Shion Testarossa (1)

Reverse Praise Society and Black Hand.

The two organizations that Rohan encountered periodically and were intertwined in quests as the story progressed in Abyss City.

They were the ones who issued and could utilize the jet-black coin, Judas’ Silver Coin, that Rohan had stolen from the Elf Elder and the Doberman.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the entire underworld revolved around these two groups possessing overwhelming power.

The heads of notorious criminal organizations? No matter how much they strutted and swaggered, they didn’t have true freedom.

If you dug deep enough, without exception, their lifelines were held by these two groups.

When criminal organizations gained a certain level of notoriety and size, figures from the shadows, impossible to resist, would approach.

They would be forcibly positioned as subordinate organizations.

There were those who pledged loyalty because they desired something, and those who bowed their heads to survive, even if they didn’t want to.

However, this wasn’t a reign based solely on fear and violence.

It was true that if one refused the offer from someone from the Reverse Praise Society or Black Hand, they’d be chopped into pieces and returned to the earth.

But being subordinate didn’t mean being exploited relentlessly.

In most cases, they took a laissez-faire approach to their subordinate organizations, and when they did utilize them, they provided something truly tempting.

That tempting condition.

The man here held psychological dominance over those with physical defects or unique desires.

His laboratory was a quiet place where a human voice could be heard perhaps once a year.

Today, coincidentally, was the day the silence was broken.

“Hex-nim.”

A familiar subordinate’s voice.

The gaunt man, who had been observing the monster shell inside the test tube, slowly turned his gaze.

He wore glasses that suited his cold impression and had pointed ears that proved his race, but his expression was empty. Unreadable. It held nothing.

“It’s a report regarding the Testarossa bloodline.”

“…”

The subordinate knelt and offered the report.

The hand that moved to receive it.

Hex’s skin, revealed beneath his clothes, repeatedly turned translucent with the movement and then returned to normal. For a moment, bones were visible, and the flow of blood could be seen.

In some areas, only the resulting movement of muscles could be discerned.

That alone allowed one to infer the state of Hex’s body beneath his clothing. Deeper than his hands, even his internal organs would likely be visible.

“Hmm…”

After receiving the report, Hex cleaned his glasses, put them back on, and briefly glanced over the enclosed photos.

Having read the text and grasped the situation, Hex showed no interest whatsoever.

Only boredom could be felt.

“They were blockheads, so I didn’t have high expectations. But I didn’t expect them to die without even reaching the minimum threshold.”

“If you give the order, we will begin tracking Testarossa.”

Hex stared blankly at his subordinate’s loyalty and put down the report.

There were no bodies presumed to be Testarossa among the burned corpses. A body that died from a gunshot wound, the expensive items left untouched, and a getaway after the murder.

The general situation was clear. It was also one of the outcomes Hex had anticipated.

“Forget it. If she fled to Tigrova under the protection of the Grand Emperor of Snow… Even if she leaves and settles in another country, it’s the same.”

“…”

Hex could guess the procedures that would follow if Shion Testarossa visited Tigrova.

Retrieving the unbloomed Testarossa bloodline? He would like to find it if possible, but the cost-benefit analysis didn’t add up when considering provoking the monster known as the Grand Emperor of Snow.

That outcome would lead to a significant loss.

As for the trash who boasted about nurturing Testarossa as a weapon and seizing the Grand Emperor of Snow’s weakness, he’d thrown them away half-expecting them to fail.

But having his own subordinates directly involved carried a different weight.

Provoking the monster residing in Tigrova required a more justifiable gain.

“Don’t be swayed by emotions. One failure in a diversified investment is inevitable, and this is barely even worth calling a failure. You understand, don’t you?”

“Yes!”

Hex opened the test tube and continued his examination with tweezers.

The subordinate waited for him to finish before speaking.

“Hex-nim. And this is a separate piece of news.”

“Report.”

“The current first-year cadets at Orion Academy are scheduled to go to an uninhabited island.”

The next report appeared.

Hex, who hadn’t shown any interest in the previous news, showed a small amount of interest.

A look that suggested this might be more interesting.

“A gesture acknowledging the Monolith anomaly, I see. Indeed, a reasonable course of action.”

The reason why Reverse Praise Society, who should be focused on their goals, was interested in the Academy that nurtured budding talents was clear.

The former general of the Three Kingdoms Union, the heir of the Cheonocheon Company, the youngest daughter of Tigrova’s ruler, and so on.

There were plenty of important figures whose locations needed to be constantly monitored.

“Hmm…”

The value of the cadets at Orion Academy. Their worth was different from Shion Testarossa, who had no power or family to threaten.

That’s why they were coveted.

I can guess why they publicly announced the use of the uninhabited island.

Completely controlling such information was practically impossible. It was better to openly announce it and garner the attention of those important individuals worried about their children, which would act as an intangible shackle on criminals.

In any case, it meant keeping an eye on the shadows from the light.

That much meant the Academy would do its best to build up its defenses, but considering the future, this was worth exploiting.

“Good. This part, I might be able to discuss with Omega.”

The current problem was that Hex himself didn’t need to volunteer.

The other head leading the Reverse Praise Society.

If it was Omega, who had a bad relationship with the former general of the Three Kingdoms Union, he might make a move, presenting conditions to him even if it meant a loss.

“Inform them that the skin graft for Omega is ready.”

“Yes!”

At Hex’s command, his subordinate vanished like smoke.

─ And remember to stick to the main roads as much as possible. Don’t travel late at night trying to get there quickly. If the sun sets, find lodging and go to bed early.

─You’re treating me like a little child.

This part is the best to listen to. It would be perfect if my own voice wasn’t missing.

With the charger plugged into the outlet, Shion was listening to the recorded call repeatedly.

She didn’t didn’t keep track of how many times she’d listened to it because it didn’t matter.

She just kept listening.

Of course, Rohan called her once more after finishing at the Academy.

Clara, who had safely returned to Academy City, also called.

And more recently, Rohan called with Clara after finishing work.

“…”

Shion wanted to be there too. She wanted to talk in the same space.

She was curious about what kind of place Rohan’s bookstore was. She wanted to see the historical shop where he met Clara.

The realization that she couldn’t do so right now made her strangely shiver.

Why is it so cold? Is it because I’m entering Tigrova?

Of course, the train maintained a constant temperature.

But looking outside, the world was white with snow.

Feeling the chill originating from her mind, Shion took out Rohan’s jacket, which she had been keeping preciously, and put it on.

After zipping it up, she sniffed the scent. The feeling of loneliness subsided a little.

[The Sky Train will soon arrive at Tigrova. Passengers, please be seated and fasten your seatbelts.]

Finally.

It was a long-awaited announcement.

Shion checked her seatbelt one last time and waited patiently. The ground visible through the window gradually drew closer.

The train rattled and shook! It landed its wheels on the ground, scattering snow, and the announcement continued once more.

[The Sky Train has landed at Snow Fang Valley in Tigrova. Thank you.]

Seeing the passengers getting up and gathering their luggage, Shion also rose from her seat.

She followed the crowd pouring out and stepped onto the ground. The clear, cool air filling her lungs felt good.

Click!

She took a picture of the station as proof of arrival, uploaded it to the group chat, and started walking.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

She walked towards the building, stepping on the accumulated snow.

A completely different architectural style from Academy City.

Taking it slow would have made for a pleasant time, but Shion, who had lived briefly in Tigrova, simply focused on finding her way.

To get to the White Tiger Palace in the capital, I need to…

She needed to take another train, but the building was so vast that she wasn’t sure where to go.

Should she look for an information desk?

The floor was wet from the melting snow brought in on the passengers’ shoes.

As she walked, making squeaking sounds with each step,

Shion suddenly realized that there was no one else in this vast building.

“…”

Click! She opened her bag and pulled out her weapon without hesitation.

The assembly was completed in an instant, and a change came over the silence.

Kwa-d-d-d-d-deuk───!!!

Ice instantly sprouted in front of Shion, forming a giant flower bud.

It naturally bloomed, releasing Beastkin clad in armor and a snow-white fox Beastkin holding a fan.

Those Beastkin are…?!

Two faces that Shion had seen countless times during her research on Tigrova.

Figures that were rarely unknown, even to those who weren’t citizens of Tigrova.

The man in the most ornate armor and the woman with the fan approached Shion.

“I am Palace Guard Captain Archen Blizzard of the White Tiger Palace.”

“I am Chief Administrator Yoho.”

“!!!”

Yoho carefully observed the speechless Shion, then smiled softly.

She nodded to the Palace Guard Captain as a sign of acknowledgment, and after showing proper courtesy,

She stepped aside and created a path for Shion, leading her towards the ice flower in full bloom.

“We’ve come to escort you.”