Chapter 17: It's Just Business
Intelligence lies in knowing what matters and using it efficiently.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji
Valorin City.
"Who exactly is this man – the Beacon?" One of Ino's subordinates stared at the image of a lit candle stick plastered across the walls of the destroyed warehouse.
"This is out of what I expected." Ino himself stood by Xue's body, she was alive, but barely breathing.
He raised his foot above her head.
"Weak."
He spat looking at her pitiful state.
"Clean this mess up." He said, returning to his voiture.
_ _ _
Ino opened his door, stepping into his office.
"Oh." He paused. "Are we no longer playing?"
Adrian smiled, leaning back in his seat.
"I guess so." He walked forward, taking a seat. "So who exactly are you?"
"I have three replies, which would you like to hear?" Adrian said.
"That which answers your business with me." Ino replied.
"I'm here seeking to build an empire." Adrian replied.
"So all that bullshit about being a beacon of some god?" Ino smiled.
"Oh, I summarized everything with that one statement." Adrian said.
"Who are you beyond that mask?" Ino frowned, relaxing in the coaches.
"I'm Tobey Criston." He said, his voice turning serious.
"Should that answer my questions?"
"I serve Adrian Wilbert of The Great Haven."
Silence.
Ino Kojou looked into his blue eyes.
"Huh." His smile widened, until he burst into laughter.
"What do I owe the pleasure of your presence? I'm sure a servant of the Blasphemer would want something more than to just play chess with me."
"Lord Adrian wants control of The Hidden Eye, he also demands a seizure in all slave activities." Adrian said.
"That's easy on words, but one, the Hidden Eye isn't run by me, two, why the fuck would I do that!" Kojou said.
"Adeus, Kuiji and Havoc." With the mention of each name, the air grew tenser.
"The four dons of the Hidden Eye am I correct?"
"Hmm" Ino Kojou nodded.
"Master needs only one head, he doesn't require the other three." Adrian said.
"Haha, do you think it would be that easy?" Ino laughed. "We don't run the Hidden Eye, we are mere pawns of a greater power – The Organization known as the Crimson Peak."
Behind the mask, a vein popped up on Adrian's forehead.
"Juran, is this true?" He asked, and Juran stepped out of the shadows.
"I've no idea."
"Hmm." He paused in thought. "That only speeds up the event of an inevitable conflict."
"Be careful who you mess with." Ino warned.
"So we have an agreement?"
"It's just business."
_ _ _
"What did you gain from going against my directive?" Adrian sat across the room, staring at Lira, Aryan and his comrades.
"The syndicate has something special against Lira." Aryan spoke up, seeing as lira trembled in fear.
"What do you mean?" Adrian asked.
"It seems she is a special to the Syndicate, there are several documents signed by either of the four dons with her name in them." Aryan said, noticing as Lira sunk into the coach, her gaze lowered.
Adrian nodded, staring in thought.
"Is that why you went against what we planned?" He asked finally.
"Yes." Lira trembled as she said this.
"Leave it to me, I'll find out."
Once again, he surprised them, 'there was actually a person behind this monster' they all wondered.
"Who is hungry?" Aryan smiled. 'I wish I could have this with you… brother."
_ _ _
** [15/9/3 Era Haven] **
I've threaded into unsafe territory, but I shall not commit the same mistake I made with Zenon. I need more knowledge on our origin. I also have to quickly wrap up on the chapter of The Hidden Eye. I know I came here originally to punish them for the gals on turning one of my newly discovered equal into a slave but oh well. Crimson Peak is just grasps away, soon I'll have my revenge