Ch.156Act 2: Ch.10 – Long Live the King (8)

I gave up on entering through the main gate. It was impossible to push through the crowd. Instead, I suggested a better plan. The Trieste Theater is connected to the casino, and Aurora has a private office in the casino.

Having frequented the place so often, I knew all the entrances. I took Crayfield to a secluded area where supplies were delivered. There were fewer spectators there.

The narrow alley and the presence of rough-looking men stationed there was probably another reason for the lack of onlookers.

Of course, I recognized most of those men. They knew me too. Still, they approached us saying they needed to search us. I wasn’t offended. It wasn’t something to argue about by asking if they knew me.

The White Hand mafia scrutinizes familiar people more thoroughly. Generally, assassinations aren’t carried out by complete strangers, but by people who are acquainted yet not family.

So even if I were to cause a scene here, it would only make Aurora’s position more difficult. Instead, I didn’t submit to the body search. Instead, I told them:

“We’re armed, and we can’t put our weapons down because we’re on a mission concerning her safety. But we need to see Aurora. I’d appreciate it if you could pass along a message.”

“And if I refuse?”

“If you refuse, what choice do we have? This detective and I will just have to quietly withdraw. But I’m warning you clearly—if anything happens to Aurora, it’s on you. If you have a grudge against Aurora, keep doing what you’re doing. Not passing along a single message could help an assassination attempt.”

With the surrounding members glaring at him, the muscular guy didn’t have many options. The only dignity he could maintain was to send a lower-ranking underling to deliver the message.

Shortly after, a timid-looking underling came scurrying out and guided us to Aurora’s office. As always, she was dressed in an immaculate suit with a glove on her left hand. She greeted us elegantly and kindly.

“Get out now.”

Crayfield sat down on the sofa as if it was expected. Aurora, as if she had anticipated this, approached me as I was about to sit on another sofa. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me along. I was dragged out into the hallway without understanding why.

There was a display of statues in the corridor. Some were busts, while others were full-body sculptures. Aurora pushed me into a gap beside one of the statues.

Then she kissed me. Just as she was pulling away, she took my lower lip between hers and gently bit it. She seemed to be nibbling my lip with just her lips before exhaling a short breath.

“Do you have any sense at all?”

She suddenly became angry. I stared at her blankly.

“Why did you bring Crayfield? To show that idiot how I gawk at you? Or to show off that you and I have a special relationship in front of those outsiders who could be from anywhere?”

“Are you embarrassed of me?”

“You’ll get killed, you idiot!” Aurora pinched my side.

“Do you think there aren’t other mafia members, hitmen, or bomb-like characters trying to get involved among those fools out there? Do you know how much free time they have?

They could follow you and Crayfield, and within an hour, those shark-like bastards could find out which apartment you live in, where your office is, and where it hurts most when you get hit!”

It was absurd, but I could understand. Aurora crossed her arms with a pouty face. She nibbled her lips in agitation.

“Alright. I’ll be careful.”

Her anger seemed to subside a bit as she dropped her arms. Her tone changed to something more placating.

“I don’t care if I get shot. But just because you’re close to me, you could be in danger. If there were no outsiders, it wouldn’t be a problem. But that’s not the case now. If one of those bomb-like guys just shoots you and leaves, I would… ha.”

“Then if you pretend not to know me…”

That was a mistake. Aurora stomped on my foot. I barely suppressed a scream.

“I really want to kill you. Talk sense. I can’t do that. I’d rather cut off my wrist than pretend not to know you. I’ve lived my whole life in lies. I don’t want that for my heart too. Understand?”

Aurora raised her left fist. The white cotton glove, as white as one worn at a wedding or funeral, flickered.

“I understand. I’m sorry.”

Aurora hung her head low. Her ears had turned red. I thought I heard her mutter “That’s why, let’s get married…” but I couldn’t be sure. Instead, she raised her chin again.

“So. What’s the matter that you brought two guns and Crayfield? Today is, no joke, a really busy day.”

“Giovanni came to see me this morning.”

Aurora’s expression turned cold.

“Yes. I heard. With those Security Bureau rookies, and that fox bitch too, I hear.”

“You knew?”

“I heard too late.” Aurora sighed. “The surveillance network wasn’t working properly because of the fog. But when I heard that Security Bureau scum were there, I was somewhat relieved that no one would lose their head. That fox bitch, she’s definitely skilled. Annoyingly so.”

“You don’t know why they came?”

“No. I was doing other things. I was already overwhelmed preparing for today’s performance. As you know, I own both the casino and the theater.”

That wouldn’t be all. Her brother Michael’s influence would be growing daily, and even if not openly expressed, there would still be some loyal to Giovanni.

But Aurora, who wanted a community of fate, a family closer than family, would find it difficult to abandon her current stance and punish someone.

Of course, she’s the kind of person who places subordinates whose weaknesses she holds closest to her, taking out such definite insurance, but the fact that she had built such a complete panic room meant that the intensity of the threat was quite specific and had been ongoing for a long time.

So I hesitated. Would it be right to tell Aurora about Giovanni’s business? Would it be fair to tell a woman who had suffered because of her family all her life that it wasn’t over yet?

The pain near my solar plexus returned. This time it was clear. It felt like being stabbed from the inside with a sharp branch.

Telling her the truth might hurt Aurora more. Is this the right thing to do? To tell her that the ghosts of the past, the curse tied to her family, had appeared before her?

Should I really tell her this?

“What’s so serious that you and Crayfield came to find me armed? What did Giovanni, that old tiger, spew? Don’t tell me… is it related to that fox bitch?”

I made my decision. Catherine Scully knows about this, and Aurora, the person directly involved, shouldn’t be kept in the dark.

“Aurora. It’s related, but not directly. It’s more connected to the Savio family. It’s about your brother.”

Aurora’s breath stopped. Reflexively, she buried her face in my chest and screamed “Ack!” It seemed like her own effort to prevent the sound from escaping. Fortunately, there were no footsteps in the corridor.

“Tell me. Continue.”

Five minutes. Maybe even less. I told her what I could. What happened to the Savio family, what her brother did. The unfinished ritual. The next sacrifice. And the reason why Giovanni came to find us, as deduced by me, Crayfield, and the “Security Bureau fox bitch.”

“I understand. Is there any other danger I should know about?”

“The performance troupe. Be careful of those people. There’s a dangerous person mixed in. A very dangerous one. Someone Crayfield and I are wary of, but we don’t know who yet.”

“How dangerous?”

“As dangerous as sixteen suns. Remember? What happened at the sea.”

Aurora clenched her fist until her knuckles turned white.

“I see. Anything else?”

“That’s all I know.”

“Let’s go. To the office.”

Aurora turned sharply and walked down the corridor. I hurriedly kept pace beside her.

“Are you really okay?”

“You really are an idiot.” Aurora lowered her head.

“Of course I’m not okay. But I’m not a child. I was much older when my brother died. I know what the danger is and what needs to be done. Isn’t that enough?”

“…Yes, it is.”

Aurora tilted her head back. She straightened her body and thrust out her chest. Suddenly, I recalled how many dangerous lines Aurora had to cross. The woman walking beside me had crossed countless such lines and emerged victorious.

That’s why she’s so confident.

“Still…”

Aurora blushed and gently held the tips of my fingers.

“You’re the only one who worries about me.”

At the end of the corridor, Aurora flung open the office door again.

“Hello, Crayfield?” The muscular men who had been watching Crayfield made way.

“These fellows won’t even offer me a glass of water. How rude.” Crayfield complained.

“Of course. They’re my subordinates, not your friends.” Aurora didn’t bat an eye.

“Fair enough. But since I’m this fellow’s boss, I should at least be able to have a glass of water, shouldn’t I?”

“A glass on the rocks?”

With that one phrase, Crayfield’s attitude changed completely.

“I’ve changed my mind. You’re a very refined and elegant host. But I think water will do for now. Your life is in a bit of danger.”

“Oh, is that so? Then I should have it straight.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Aurora took out a whiskey bottle and two water glasses from the cabinet. She filled them halfway, then placed one in front of Crayfield and took one for herself. She didn’t give me either.

“What about me?”

“I don’t like the smell of alcohol when we kiss.”

Aurora answered brazenly and then downed her whiskey. Crayfield gave a light sneer and likewise emptied his glass in one go.

“Alright, Mr. Crayfield.” Aurora sat on the sofa and elegantly crossed her legs.

“Let’s set aside old stories. We both know there’s a lot to say. I only want to talk about what’s happening now and what will happen in the future, and no matter how much is bottled up inside, I don’t want to burst it out here. How about that?”

“Fine by me.” Crayfield nodded.

“So, what exactly is happening?”

“Let’s start with the performance. That’s the most serious. That performance is not just a simple show.”

Crayfield lit a Camel cigarette. He seemed to be waiting for Aurora’s reaction. Whether due to the alcohol or because she had already heard something from me, she was as calm as usual.

“The play ‘The King Sleeps in Carcosa’ is itself a ritual. When all three acts are performed, the ritual ends. The reason why that play has only been performed up to the second act, although there are various complex reasons, is essentially because it is a ritual. For whatever reason, it could not be completed. The death of the lead actor, a shooting incident, a riot—these are secondary issues.”

“You said the ritual ends when all three acts are performed. What happens then?”

“Something terrible will descend from the sky. Like what we saw off the coast of Pollard.”

“What the hell is this cursed island that everyone’s so desperate to devour?”

Aurora gritted her teeth. But she became calm again.

“So, we need to prevent the performance from reaching the third act, is that it?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes. To do that, we need your help as the owner of the theater building…”

Crayfield stopped mid-sentence. He had the eyes of a startled rabbit.

“What? Why did you stop talking? It’s irritating.”

Aurora urged him, but Crayfield only uttered one phrase.

“Holy shit.”