Chapter 18 - Wake Up As Mafia Boss (1/2)
Before the young Don and his butler had formally said regards to the village sergeant, four men blocked their way. Without meaning to, Hermes' face hit the stomach of the huge man who had a blue cowboy hat with a logo of an official village guard. To prevent a commotion and stop his servant to kill the man, the young Don immediately lowered his head with an apology and signaled his servant to follow him.
”Hmm…,” the officer he bumped glared at his back and grabbed his shoulder, ”Hey, may I take a look at your mask, sir?” The young Don turned around and showed his mask, he politely asked, ”What is it, officer? Is there somethin' wrong here? I already apologized earlier. What's wrong?” With that kind of response, the companions of the officer surrounded them. This made his servant hold his holster and moved his body in defense position. Instead of being provoked, the officer laughed and politely asked, ”Don't be too hostile. We're friendly. I just got informed about a man found on the street. N.a.k.e.d and looked pitiful before the sun rose. According to his description, he wore a gas mask. But looking at the design of your property seems different. Forgive me for stopping you. But, can I take a look at your identification cards for a further interview?”
The young Don stopped his servant to show their cards and replied, ”Again, is there somethin' wrong here? If my mask is kinda different from the description you've received then it proves that I am not the person you're looking for. My apologies, officer. But may I know your names and position in this place? It is not my intention to make you feel upset but it is very common for me, a merchant from other states, to be careful in interacting with strangers.”
”Oh,” the officer surprised and his companions looked curious. He asked, ”Forgive me, it is very rare to meet someone like you to be so cautious about your surroundings. Don't worry, I'm the head of the Village guard with a rank of Caption bestowed by our beloved Village Chief Zamor Camelia. So, you're a merchant, huh. From where exactly?” the young Don replied, ”From Cimeria Southern Desert.”
”I see,” the officer smirked, ”So, how about your friend back there? Is he a merchant as well?”
”No, even he looks like a common man from the outside, he's still a jerk and useless tool,” replied the young Don as he pointed his thumb at his butler. But his answer made the office tilted his head with confusion and sincerely asked, ”Umm, what? I don't exactly know what you mean.” Hermes sighed with the tired tune, ”Haah, forget it. He's my personal butler. A loyal dog who'll follow me till the depths of the earth.”
”Umm, is that true, sir?” the officer turned his gaze at Justin. He replied with a nod showing that his master was telling the truth.
The officer laughed and spoke, ”I don't know what kind of relationship between you two however, the law is law. You need to follow what's written on it and we the officers enforce that law here in our village. With due respect, may I see your papers showing your status and particularly, I would like to know your true names.”
Hermes gulped some air and exhale, he interjected while showing the emblem of the Camelia family in front of his face, ”This is the proof of our existence.”
”— Woah, you have that one? My apologies, hope you don't mind our manners. Please, let us forget about this. No need to show your ID's and other identification papers. Feel free to stroll around and don't mind to ask me, personally, some advice and service. I'll make sure to give me my best to fulfill my service to the fullest. Just leave it to me. Boys, make way. These people are our generous people so we must show deep respect and hospitality as the officials of this place. Give them some way.— Oi, Oi, Oi, why are you blocking the brat, I mean, the young man's way? Didn't I said, give them the way. Make away!” He gave a smile while lowering his head with both of his hands showing the path, ”Forgive me for mistaking you for someone I know. Please go ahead. This way, please. You may go now.”
Afterward, the officer and his men had extremely trembled from that moment after the two disappeared from there sight. The leader had never expected to meet someone closed to their village chief. If he continued to harass the young man and his companion, it would result in his expulsion from his position because of that emblem. Only a few people had been bestowed by that object other than Ilona, the manager of the village hall and the four district representatives. Therefore, he prayed that the brat won't report this incident or else, he dug his own grave.
The officer wore a village guard uniform with a blue cowboy hat entered the station with a pale face. Behind him, three men wore the same colors as Nicolo but with white hat entered, as well. Nicolo lowered his head and greeted his companions. He said with a bright smile, ”Good morning, Captain Mattia. Its been a month where we met. What's bring you here. You even bother to contact through the secret phone to summon me here this morning. Oh, what happened to your face, sir? You look so pale.”
”Forget about it,” said Captain Mattia as he sat down at the chair next to him, ”Hey, I received a telegram from the main station that you found a n.a.k.e.d man in the middle of the street. Is that right?”
”What? Ohh, yes, I fou—” Nicolo paused for a second and recalled the terrifying face of the young Don. ”— I'm profound. A n.a.k.e.d man? Really? Did I send somethin' like that? C'mon, that's ridiculous. There's no way someone like that exists.”
”Don't play dumb, Nicolo. Don't screw with your superior officer. I even bother to come here to see that man but... I find nothing here.” he muttered aside, ”Except that brat and his servant.”
Nicolo giggled, ”So, you called me that time just to confirm it?” His face made his leader got mad and replied with the annoying sound, ”Of course.”
”May I ask why? Is that man worthy of your time to investigate? Clearly, whenever I asked a back up to capture some thugs in the streets, you guys are arriving at that time so late. And worse, you even let them be released so easily by bribery, though,” chattered Nicolo as he offered his captain a cup of coffee and placed it on the table.
”Hey, Nicolo.” Captain Mattia picked up the cup and took a sip before he spoke, ”Watch your mouth. Don't think too high and bright of your own oblivion. You're in the same length of scrutiny like me. Both of us are the same, in short.”
”Sir, you've been promoted for your service but in a bad way. It's truly magnificent and incredible that the authorities didn't find out about your corrupt personality. You're truly a worse officer than me,” Nicolo complimented and poured the cup of his captain with coffee from the pitcher.
”Stop that nonsense,” chuckled Captain Mattia which made the other three followers laugh, ”You're even worse than me. Oh, we're clearly not getting close to our topic. Where we are again? Ah, yeah. The n.a.k.e.d masked guy. So, there's no person like that existed and captured here by you? What is that a prank?” The village sergeant laughed with a bright smile with teeth, ”Yep, sorry, sir. I'll make an apology letter to the headquarters for a false report. I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience.”
”Gosh, you should be. God damn it, I almost got in big trouble with two strangers before I got here,” said Captain Matti as he recalled the brat. ”Those people are dangerous. I advise you to be careful about talking with strangers. You don't know if they are big personalities or will lead you to your own abyss.” He sighed and resumed, ”I guess, I need to make a secret call with the leader of those organization.”
”What do you mean, 'those people'? Don't tell me, you're still working with those gangsters from District 3? The handdag, hand dwag. The —”
”— The Handdog gun, idiot. Well, there's nothing wrong with it. They are paying taxes and illegally paying us with fortune behind the scene. The money used for us is extremely higher than our current salary,” he explained as he grabbed a stick of cigarette from his c.h.e.s.t pocket and ignited it by his own lighter. He resumed, ”Y' know, in this world. Money is everything. You can't buy anything and live on your own without purchasing power. Even we have a law here, who'll stand on our way? Nothin'. That's because we're the law. Got it? We are the gods of this village who controls the place and enforce the law in our own way.”
”Oh, c'mon. You'll be removed from your position if someone heard for your so-called service to the people. Those bastards who were living in that district are corrupted folks who are just wanted to destroy our society. Y' still have time to stop it before everythin' goes south.” Nicolo suggested as he grabbed a stick offered by his captain. He let it ignited by the lighter and blew some smoke from the air.
Captain Mattia said with a serious gaze, ”If someone tries to do that. He'll never see his family and the sun tomorrow. Unless he'll pay for the right price equivalent to his life to be spared. Right, boys?”
''”Sir, yes, sir”' his henchmen replied in unison.
”Oh, well. Don't cry after that. I already told you what can be the cost of your action. As a friend, I never lacked to remind you about it.” said Nicolo. However, Captain Mattia laughed and stomped his cigarette after only one brown thin sheet remained with a scorched edge, ”Jeez, don't worry. No one can touch someone like me. I'm untouchable. Ah, right. I'm going back to my station. Hey, take this,” he gave a white envelope full of cash, ”That's for your commission for your service yesterday.”
”Oh,” Nicolo turned his gaze down and muttered aside, ”So, the Priestess is dead.”
”What did you say? She's still alive, idiot. She's currently held at the Dark Scily Forest by the henchmen of that Handdog gang.”
”Are they still there?”
”No idea. Oh, hey, I met a man wearing a non-facial mask. Have you met them?”
”Naah, I didn't. Have you?”
”Of course, stupid. I won't even ask you if I don't though. Ah, forget it. Oh, by the way, before I forgot about this, don't deposit it in the bank or else, the Chief will discover something odd to our activities. Y' do know that someone in the village hall named Ilona is precisely fighting corruption in this place by auditing our finances and expenses. If she discovers something odd, we're all screw. I advise you to put it inside your vault or put it somewhere else that no one can easily find it.”
”Yes, of course, I know that. I'll make sure it won't happen. I'll keep it in mind,” Nicolo assured.
”Well, then, I trust your words,” he gave a wave of goodbye, ”we'll take leave now. Good day.” As Captain Mattia and his henchmen walked outside from the station, Nicolo bent his upper body with respect. And he said with a smile, ”Good day, sir. Have a nice life.” His genuine said regard made the captain response with a nod,”You too.”
Nicolo slowly closed the door, leaned his back against the door before his knees collapsed on the floor. His head glared at the ceiling and muttered, ”Oh, shit. I'm dead. F.u.c.k my life.”