Chapter 108 The Golden Crab
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I hugged Meer tightly, feeling completely satisfied from the bottom of my heart. It was really great on Saturday. If it were a weekday, I’d probably be feeling down by the next day.
I sent Meer off in a carriage and slowly relaxed my body. I then lazily opened a book, ate some snacks, and read a pamphlet.
It was an invitation to a retreat from Lana.
’Vitz, the harbor town of art and learning… With its gentle sea and high-quality port, Vitz has nurtured many great individuals since ancient times. While enjoying the beautiful sea, why don’t you also bloom your youthful talents?!’
This sounds great… White sandy beach, sea, cute girls. And the best part is that it’s not too far from the royal capital. Even with the train and carriage rides, it’ll only take half a day to get there. It won’t interfere with my “work” either.
There’s also a cute memo from Lana.
’This retreat to Vitz seems like the best option, don’t you think? We can also participate in the local academy’s activities as an option. I think we can make a lot of memories and learn a lot.’
There’s no reason to refuse. I started imagining my summer plans while feeling carefree, and before I knew it, Saturday was over.
* * *
The next day, Sunday.
I was back at the Manor of the Black Rose. I didn’t have any plans, but it was an unexpected visit.
I wore a mask and greeted the visitor with a dignified attitude. The employees of the Manor of the Black Rose were also somewhat tense.
In the VIP room, I offered the visitor some snacks and greeted them.
”It’s been a while, did you have a rough time?”
”…The snacks are fine, thank you.”
The visitor, Isabella, raised her eyes and waved her hand. Oh well.
Isabella still doesn’t know that I’m the boss of Midnight Fangs, Alba. We’ve had a close relationship many times, but… Well, it’s more convenient for me to keep quiet about it.
This was Isabella’s first visit to the Manor of the Black Rose since the Lizaro incident. Compared to the previous Police Inspector, it was much less frequent.
”It doesn’t seem like we can have a casual conversation in this atmosphere.”
”That’s right.”
Isabella’s tone had an unmistakable thorn to it. She must be strongly disapproving of me and the Midnight Fangs due to her strong sense of justice.
”Is something wrong?”
”Yeah. Let’s get straight to the point. You know about the Sword Dupont incident, right?”
Isabella’s piercing gaze was like a bullet. Of course, I knew about the Sword incident――I was involved in it as Alba.
Had my true identity been exposed?
No, if that were the case, she wouldn’t be asking me like this.
I brought my finger to my lips, giving a cautious response.
”Just what’s been in the news.”
”Do you know about the suspicions of Sword being involved in art smuggling?”
”That’s ridiculous. Dupont wouldn’t do something like that.”
This was news to me. All I knew was that Sword was behind the counterfeit tableware operation. I hadn’t looked into the specifics of how they did it.
I thought he must have sold the fake tableware to some art dealer acquaintance… but it seemed there was more to it.
”We’re not involved. Art is outside our expertise.”
”…I see.”
Isabella must be suspecting us too. But we really had nothing to do with that incident. We don’t deal with art. Our business is just the brōtḥel, high-end sweets, and bodyguards.
”But don’t you have any connections to Sword?”
”Hmm… I don’t know. Dupont’s mines and factories are outside the capital, right? We can’t reach that far.”
In reality, that was true. If it weren’t for Lana and Claire’s cases, we wouldn’t have gotten involved with Dupont at all.
”I can’t be of any help.”
”But don’t you think there’s some connection between underground organizations like yours?”
”Well, I won’t say there isn’t.”
”The organization we’re keeping an eye on is quite a formidable one. Their guards are tight.”
”You want us to sell them out…?”
”We’d like your cooperation in the investigation.”
It was a blatant attempt to shake us down. And to think Isabella was panting under me just the other day… She pulled out a thick envelope from her bosom and placed it on the table.
The ones on the investigation line are the underground organization of Harbor Town, also known as the “Golden Crab”. It seems they’ve been working with Dupont Corporation and involved in smuggling.
Huh? Vitz?
Isn’t this the stage where Lana and I were going to have a lovey-dovey training camp? And I’ve heard of the Golden Crab before. My mother, who was the previous generation, had a lot to do with them back then.
”…Is it the Golden Crab?”
”Yeah, it seems you’ve heard of them. We don’t know much about their true nature either.”
”That’s okay, but…can we keep this conversation a secret?”
”Of course.”
”The Golden Crab is, as you know, an underground organization of art enthusiasts. It’s not that the underground organization is dealing with art, but rather the art enthusiasts created the organization.”
”Hmm…that’s why their bond is strong.”
”But they’re arrogant people, and we don’t get along.”
Isabella tilts her head, looking puzzled.
”Decades ago, our previous generation sank several members of the Golden Crab in the harbor.”
Isabella’s eyes widen in surprise. In other words, the Golden Crab is an enemy we’ve cut ties with.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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3 responses to “Dark Noble 108”
I really can’t take Isabella seriously. A dumb cop with a childish sense of justice and a perverted dog lady throwing herself on a magic school student. She’s very silly.
I really can’t take Isabella seriously. A dumb cop with a childish sense of justice and a perverted dog lady throwing herself on a magic school student. She’s very silly.
I really can’t take Isabella seriously. A dumb cop with a childish sense of justice and a perverted dog lady throwing herself on a magic school student. She’s very silly.