While I was sitting in the room, organizing information, Farnello knocked on the door and informed me that the Triad from China had arrived.
"I'll be out soon."
After replying to Farnello, I got up from my seat and walked to the full-length mirror in the room.
I adjusted my impeccable black suit, pristine white shirt, and neatly tied neckwear, creating a perfectly tidy appearance.
Since this was my first time representing the organization in front of an external group, it was crucial to be cautious and not appear underestimated.
I opened the door and looked at Farnello standing in front of me.
"Farnello, is this acceptable?"
I asked Farnello, who is known for his impeccable appearance even among the Callione, and turned around once on the spot.
Farnello looked at me seriously and then nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Very good. You look like the finest gentleman of Callione, Young Master."
"…You're making me blush with such praise."
"Isn't it the truth?"
If Farnello says so, it must be true.
Then, all that remains is to show everyone my abilities.
"Let's go."
"Of course, Young Master."
It was time to handle my first official external task since becoming a member of Callione.
* * *
Recently, I've found another joy in life.
To think that my joy in life would be as the hound of Callione, the one closest to the Don…
If anyone else heard this, they would surely tell me to stop joking.
But my joy in life is due to Eugene Han Callione, the son of the Don and the recent heir-in-training of Callione.
Currently, the Young Master and I are on our way to meet the members of the Triad who have come from China.
These guys, despite being part of the Triad in Asia, which is within Callione's sphere of influence, had the audacity to attempt illegal entry into our territory.
According to reports, the Young Master handled the situation very well, but regardless, they must pay the price for their crimes.
Especially since this is the Young Master's first meeting with another organization.
Since the Don entrusted the Young Master to me, I reaffirm my commitment to serve him to the best of my ability.
"Here we are, Young Master."
The annex next to the main mansion.
The meeting room here, equipped with CCTV cameras, can be monitored by the Don in his study.
"An annex, huh."
The Young Master scanned the surroundings and entered. I followed, and the personnel waiting inside bowed to the Young Master.
"The introductions are done. Are the guys inside?"
"Yes, Young Master."
After confirming with the organization member, the Young Master entered the room first.
A faint smell of blood reached my nose. Inside the room, a man was bound with a blindfold and gag, and a man sat silently, guarding the area.
"That's him."
That man is the branch leader of the Triad who dared to challenge Callione.
If it were up to me, I would cut his throat right now, but the final decision lies with the Young Master.
For now, I just need to stand quietly behind the Young Master.
"…Who are you?"
The man stood up abruptly when he saw the Young Master and me, his expression stiffening.
Could he have thought the Don himself would come?
How ridiculous.
"Show proper respect. This is Eugene Han Callione, the rightful heir of the Callione Family."
I revealed the Young Master's position to let him know who he was dealing with. The man bowed, saying, "Ah."
"I am Jiaos, the branch leader of the Honglong Triad, active in China. It's an honor to meet such a distinguished person."
That guy, while pretending to show respect, didn't even take off his hat.
He must be underestimating the Young Master for coming instead of the Don.
However, the Young Master, without acknowledging the man's greeting, walked straight to the head of the table and sat down.
"Let's get to the point, Triad."
The Young Master, showing no signs of being intimidated by a branch leader of another organization, took control of the situation.
He looked very composed, making it hard to believe he was a novice.
"…Speak."
The man lifted his head and sat down in response to the Young Master's words.
"First, I want to ask. What is that?"
The Young Master said this while looking at the bloodied man trembling in the corner. The man smiled as if he had been waiting for this.
"That's the ringleader of this incident. He was secretly creating a slush fund and laundering money, but something went wrong, leading to this. I brought him here as a sign of apology."
The man said this and then tapped the bound man's head with his hand.
The bound man trembled and only let out heavy breaths.
The blood on the gag indicated that his tongue had been cut out.
In other words, he was just a pawn used for this.
The real culprit is most likely the Chinese man putting on a serious act.
"Young Master, perhaps───."
Just as I was about to speak my thoughts,
The Young Master got up from his seat and extended his hand to me.
"Interesting. You're saying this guy is the ringleader?"
"Y-Yes."
The man was taken aback by the Young Master's sudden action, and the Young Master, seemingly unconcerned, removed the blindfold to examine the man's face.
"Hmm. I see."
"…W-What do you mean?"
"Jiaos, right? Since you're from China, you must know something about physiognomy."
"Physiognomy…?"
"Yes, physiognomy. I've always been curious about various studies and learned a bit about physiognomy. If what I learned is correct… this guy isn't the type to do such things."
The Young Master said this and then put the blindfold back on. The man, startled, stood up.
"What do you mean? You can tell just by looking at his face! That's absurd! He's definitely the culprit!"
"Is it? It's absurd, isn't it? But why are you presenting a tongueless puppet as the culprit in front of me? Do you think Callione is that foolish?"
The Young Master kicked the man's chair.
"What are you doing?!"
"Shut up. I'm barely holding back the urge to cut your throat right now."
It seems that
"Farnello, if he makes any sudden moves, sever his Achilles tendon and ligaments immediately."
"As you wish, Young Master."
"Farnello… the hound of Callione…!"
It seems my concern was unnecessary.
The Young Master approached the man, who had fallen to the floor, and sat in front of him.
"You should have looked at me like that from the moment you saw me. Now we're on the same level."
"Do you think I'll just let this slide? My subordinates are in this annex!"
The man, in a last-ditch effort, stepped back and shouted at the Young Master.
"Hah."
The Young Master, however, sneered at his words.
"Amusing? Yes! Although our organization may be inferior to Callione, if we're prepared to die, we can─── Gahhhhhhh!"
"I'm sorry, Young Master. It looked like he was about to reach for something."
Farnello threw a knife at the man's right tendon, severing it.
The atmosphere the Young Master wants to create is one of 'fear.' Overwhelming fear.
"Well done, Farnello."
"Haa… Haa… What is this…!"
The man, realizing his life was truly in danger, started speaking respectfully again.
The Young Master nodded, seemingly satisfied.
"I doubt you intended to resolve this situation by handing over a puppet. What level of authority did your boss give you?"
"I'm the representative of the boss!"
"If you're the representative of your boss… you must have brought a substantial amount of money. What's the maximum amount?"
"Ten billion credits. Gah…"
Despite being a branch leader, the man used magic to strengthen his muscles and stop the bleeding from his right arm while answering.
The Young Master shook his head.
"One hundred billion."
"One hundred billion? That's absurd! There's no way such an amount exists! Even if it did, the boss───"