Chapter 21: Third Episode: Chapter 3 (2/2)

”No, Brother Balance, why don’t you listen to my idea first? Increase 20% more for the tax rate standard you suggested for business transactions along the borders, and honorable Brother Balance, note that what I meant was the tax rate to be paid afterwards. In other words, I will not demand any benefits from you if any problems happen during the transaction.”

Oscar knew his eagerness led him to agree to paying the sky-high prices demanded by the other party. Being the representative of Titan’s underworld, the increased 20% of the transaction margin was his bottom-line as he did not want the sly old fox to have things his way.

Oscar put on a fake smile and spread out his hands in front him, ”Lord, I can't help but to doubt your sincerity. I am rather confused, did you rush here in three days just for the 20% extra benefit?”

”No! No! No! Dear Oscar, oh can I call you informally by your name?”

”Sure.”

”So, dear Oscar, you know what? Even until this moment I still can't figure out the reason for your proposal. My previous suggestion was just a probe to understand you better. As you know, I am only a businessman, and a businessman shouldn’t associate themselves too much in the complex world of politics. But you, with your new identity, it makes it very difficult for people like us from the underworld.”

Oscar was confused now, no one ever said anything like that to him before. He moved himself closer to Lord Mueller and asked gently, ”Can you…can you explain that further? What do you mean it makes things difficult for you? What kind of difficulties are you talking about? I’m sorry that has never come across my mind.”

”Haha, to be honest, you are still too young. I've heard about your teachers before, and they are indeed the most experienced ones in every league of the underworld. I would say that without their teachings you would never get the king’s heraldry by yourself. However, young man, you are still too fresh and naive for the complicated political world.”

”Oscar recalled his first encounter with the fat lords. Although they appeared similar to the men of the underworld in many different ways, but no their intrinsic qualities were not the same. Modesty was one of the kid’s good qualities, and so he pulled his chair even closer to Lord Mueller to listen to what he had to say.

”Oscar, haha, Brother Balance, Your Imperial Highness Prince, when I was younger I used to fantasize about fighting my way up to the leader position, and gain some political capital with the help of my wealthy family background and status in the underworld. I used to think that that was the only right path I should take so that my future generation does not have to engage in illegal businesses like myself.”

”Yes, I understand your viewpoint,” Oscar understood that clearly as he had seen the people of Titan fighting their way up to obtain noble titles or certain positions of high status.

”But young man, even though this way of thinking is not wrong, but in the eyes of the others, especially the politicians - the real people who are actually in those positions already - they would never agree with what we’re doing. Perhaps to you, everything could be mediated with interests and benefits, but you completely ignored the contradiction of the whole matter. The politicians represent the regime, but what we do exactly challenges their rights and power. Even though in critical moments our interests might be in line with theirs, but once the benefits expire, those in power would kick us aside without hesitation. Do not forget, the mafia leaders that equipped you with knowledge used to be some important people too, before they were used and being locked up in Damorga. It portrays clearly the disparity between our abilities and the authorities of the regime.”

Oscar was lost in his thought after hearing the wise words of the Lord.

Lord Mueller was not finished with his explanation yet, in fact, he had not even gotten to the crucial point. ”Young man, taking you as an example, I’m rather surprised that you have not realized what an awkward situation you have put yourself into. You are the Imperial Highness Prince of Titan, but at the same time you are also the arbiter of Titan’s underworld, so are you representing the benefits of the empire or interests of Underworld? One day in the future you will undoubtedly fall into this dilemma, and then you will realize the people in the Underworld were all too ridiculous. The drug dealers, the patrons of brothels and the lowly prostitutes, the bastards who traffic arms, all these people would suddenly become the scourge to your empire. Would you be able to eradicate them without hesitation?”

Lord Mueller did not have to explain any further. Oscar gave some thought into this but he knew that it was not something trivial that could be solved in a minute. The young man had no idea how much the trading business in the underworld would jeopardize the empire, the people, the society, and so he could not answer the question posed by the lord. He swiftly changed the topic back to his business proposal.

”And so? What about my proposal to you? Did you sense some political conflict in it too?”

”Yes, young man. Initially, I didn't even bother coming here, but as the main partner of the trade with Titan’s underworld, I decided to present myself anyway. Oh and I also brought along some good news with me. I’ve been thinking of ways to tackle the issue since getting notified by Mr. Percy, and I believe I already have everything under control for now.”

”Oh my God! Is this true?” Oscar could hardly suppress his delight. If Lord Mueller did execute a plan already, and he could finally get rid of that annoying thorn in his flesh, he did not mind if that meant owing Lord Mueller a huge favor.

When he received another confirmation, O’Neil Andrew Morisette could not help but rush forward to give Mueller G Karl Arnold a big warm hug. The thoughts of it whirled through his mind. It might have been only by serendipity or chance, but Oscar was extremely grateful to the God of Light for introducing to him a firm ally and respectable teacher.

Actually, only the naive young man believed that Lord Mueller helped him out of kindness and generosity. The truth was, Lord Mueller’s business had been suppressed by his kingdom’s political parties. If he did not find a strong backing for himself in Titan, once the relationship between the two countries worsened, his own complicated mafia’s identity and the special relationship he had with Titan would definitely pull him down to a disadvantage. Hence, the cooperation with the young prince was absolutely necessary.

***************

Marquis Almodovar Godzilla was very easily recognizable. He tightly braided his blond hair behind his back and then put on a gentleman’s temperament. His thin lips were almost never closed and bad breath caused by digestion gushed out of his mouth like strong winds. And that edema caused by obesity made his whole face look like a fiercely beaten piece of fermented bread; swollen, deformed, and occasionally one or two black spots accumulated with mold.

As the president of the Fat Lords Club, Lord Sea Creature did not really like going out to other entertainment venues. However, today was different, as it was an invitation from a beautiful lady. This lady was the current favorite of His Majesty the Emperor, and being a cabinet minister that worked closely alongside the Majesty, the finance minister knew exactly how many coins His Majesty had lavishly spent on this beautiful lady. Marquis Godzilla was actually annoyed by the Majesty’s generosity, because he thought that it was not worth it to waste money on that whore.

Marquise Erdogan Vas Ferdinand was a wonderful lady. Of course, we can not judge a person by only hearing one side of the story. The finance minister’s addressing the lady as a whore definitely intrigued others’ creative imagination, but the truth was that the lady had only had sexual relationships with two men so far. One of them was certainly her husband, who died young and that was why Erdogan rarely spoke about him in public; the other man was the one that everyone was familiar with, the majestic Emperor of the Titan empire. The latter was also not someone that could be openly discussed about, hence the only person that the marquise usually mentioned would just be her son and her old father.

Almodovar Godzilla’s attitude was mostly out of extreme jealousy. By virtue of his position and the power he held, many women would throw themselves at him even if his monstrous size was disgusting and hard to accept. Of course, Marquise Erdogan Vas Ferdinand was not one of them. The lady’s outgoing personality and social ability made her a seductive butterfly flying in a field of blooming flowers, happily attracting the attention of people while fluttering in the air with ease.

Despite his jealousy, the finance minister still regarded the invitation of the Marquise with great importance. His servant girl cleaned up his appearance a little bit, but this did not suddenly provide him with a high self-esteem. The lady had never been friendly with him. It might have had something to do with him being a student of her father, but this did not convince the Godzilla. He always thought that the lady naturally just despised him.

Because of the easily recognizable appearance of Marquis Godzilla, the moment he arrived in the back alley of Sabac Manor the waiter who had been waiting at the gate for a while now immediately directed him towards the room reserved for Marquise Ferdinand.

This private room was not one of those unusual ones. It was essentially different in style and decoration from the one Her Imperial Highness Princess and His Imperial Highness Prince had visited. Marquis Godzilla noticed numerous swivel chairs placed in two big circles, and the guests had already gathered in the inner part of the room. People stood near the wine cabinet and whispered softly in between sips of wine.

In the middle of the crowd stood Erdogan, she was indeed exquisite like a piece of fine artwork. Her dark black hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and the color of her hair was especially attention-grabbing because it only appeared in the legends of Westland. Coincidentally, a mural painting that came from the far East was hanging on the wall behind her, and the goddess flying in the picture had dark black hair, like Erdogan’s.

Erdogan’s full lips were extremely sexy, it made every word that came out of her mouth sound like words of seduction in an instant. Her eyes resembled a green lake, and when the water rippled, even the most ferocious beast would be tamed in its overflowing tenderness.

Looking at the impeccable Erdogan, Marquis Godzilla could not help himself but let out a gentle sigh. He was not allowed to have any fantasies about his teacher's daughter. Still, he knew that behind her perfect facade she was only the same as her incomprehensible father. He had learned that it would not be a good idea to provoke the both of them.

Marquise Erdogan Van Ferdinand finally noticed the finance minister. Even though they had always bumped into each other in the palace, but she never had the chance to have a proper conversation with the minister before. Today would be a good opportunity, a chance to test him, a chance to seduce him.

”Oh! God of Light! Everyone, guess who is here? Godzilla! You little guy! Is your club so amusing that you are not willing to part with it even just for a short while? You are late for three full minutes!”

The Marquis could only respond to the Marquise’s tease with a forced smile. The sea creature was helpless. He was not usually like this, but having to deal with the mocking coming from the lady he called a whore, he was completely at a loss for what he should do.

”Well, gentlemen, now that our finance minister is finally here, we can all take a seat!” The Marquise took the lead to the circles of sofa chairs. She whirled around gracefully before taking a seat and that small movement had sent a light fragrance into the nostrils of Marquis Godzilla, he suddenly felt like he had experienced a mini suffocation.

The fat lord was obviously losing control of himself. He stood there mindlessly without realizing Erdogan had stretched out her little pair of white hands to him.

Erdogan was very satisfied with the sea monster’s bewitched look. It showed that the fat lord was only a man after all, his shrewd mind was not completely immune to her astonishing beauty.

In fact, the sea monster was indeed feeling a little proud. The attractive lady not only waited for his arrival to start the evening, but she had also allowed him to sit closest to her.

Erdogan was completely tired of hearing those same compliments coming from the men. It might be convincing at first, but after listening to the same words for more than two weeks it began to have an opposite effect on her. Every gentleman sitting here portrayed themselves like a thirsty male dog, they tried their best to shake their fat buttocks as if attempting to attract more attention from the beautiful Erdogan. She believed that if they have a tail it would have been long erected.

Although the sea monster was also one of the male dogs, but Erdogan was actually quite satisfied with his performance. At least this particular male dog did not try too hard to worm himself into herself, as he was able to see that behind the bitch there lay a wild lion. He had been at his Majesty's service for more than three decades now, he knew very well that His Majesty the Emperor had a very special connection with the lady.

Pointless conversation complemented perfectly with good wines. There were various interesting topics for the nobles to gossip about. Moreover, Sabac Manor provided such elegant surroundings for this kind of small party. It was undoubtedly the best way for aristocrats to kill their boredom.

”Sir Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand, my respected teacher, I have not seen him after the Munich Invasion, how is my teacher doing now?” Out of the blue, Marquis Almodovar Godzilla asked while struggling to keep his bleary eyes open.

The tea room immediately quieted down in an instant. The big name of Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand had not been mentioned in the high society of Titan for almost a decade now. That infamous controversial issue did not only ruin the Duke’s political career, it had also expelled him forever from the metropolitan area.

Erdogan stared hard at the sea monster, and she suddenly remembered how her father had always described Almodovar Godzilla - a veritable sea monster. Erdogan shuddered involuntarily. You see, the terrible thing about a sea monster was that it had the ability to swallow all life into the quiet, dark abyss.

”Thank you for your concern, dear Godzilla. My father is very healthy and he will be back in Dulin in the near future. In fact, he would be staying here for some time to deal with some family matters and to meet with old friends.”

”Is that so? That’s great.” Godzilla glanced around the room and realized everyone here was not surprised at the news of the old man’s return. Godzilla guessed that they had been informed in advance. It was clear that these lords who all held high statuses in the empire were close friends or relatives of the old man.

Erdogan finally figured out the cleverness of the sea monster when she did not get any further response from him. The finance minister had already begun to discuss with the other annoying men about another problem. But this did not make her feel embarrassed, as she had not yet fully utilized her charm.

However, it appeared that the sea monster’s resistance to beauty was limited after all. Only a short while later he was completely wasted after the beautiful lady and his extremely jealous colleagues kept pouring strong brandy down his throat. In between sobs, the minister blabbered about the old Duke’s teachings for the whole night and he eventually mentioned his wish to restore the whole Munich Incident that had happened last time and return his old teacher’s reputation.

It was already nightfall when Erdogan personally put the finance minister back on his carriage. Along the way, the drunk sea monster forgot about his status and moved his dirty hands uncontrollably up and down the lady’s body. Despite being completely disgusted by the pair of dirty hands, Erdogan had to endure the assaults and gave the filthy pig a quick peck.

In the dark, the carriage was drifting away, and the Marquise’s face was shrouded in an inexplicable hazy expression.

”Lady, look…” a man beside her whispered softly to Erdogan. ”Don’t you think the attitude of the finance minister was too offensive?”

”Well, do not worry about this fat man. He has not got the courage to fight against my father.”

The finance minister’s carriage traveled slowly in the night fog. Godzilla seemed to be somewhat proud. In a manner completely opposite to his drunken manner before, his eyes sparkled and he raised his filthy hands under his nose, and took in a deep sniff of the Marquise’s scent.

”Well, a whore will always be a whore!” said the minister finally.