Okumura Syndicate

Chapter 119: The Oncoming Corruption

The six members of the Okumura syndicate set off, one by one, their hearts with negotiation in mind, or so Catoria thought. She always hated the human nobles, constantly sticking up their noses to anyone who differed from them in race or status. "After 4 years, I'm dealing with this once and for all...", she muttered to herself. No one heard her but Aster, "Catoria, you seem concerned. Are you alright to participate in this mission?".

"I've done this many times before, I can do it again", she answered. Catoria's eyes were filled with determination, thinking she could finally get a grasp at power, instead of merely socialising with it as most succubi do. Aster admired this about her, desiring to gain power himself one day. He stopped to think whether or not crime syndicates even had a say in change, or if they were simply fending for themselves.

After an hour of travel, the group approached the Lowpeak mansion in all its glory. Led by Catoria, everyone climbed the stairs to a place that seemed grander than even the most lucrative of crime syndicates. "Looks like someone's compensating for something...", remarked Shiva, who was promptly slapped by Viper. The witch took a glimpse of the house herself, "I take that back...", she said, apologising to Shiva. To a member of a crime syndicate, noble mansions were a waste of wealth, a destroyer of equality.

"So this is where Demitris grew up...", thought Aster. "Seems we've got a long way to go until we achieve equality...", he then scoffed out loud. He was heard by Fleur and Craaq, "You're not still plotting revenge are you?", Fleur asked in concern for her friend. Aster took Fleur's hand and began to speak. Despite his body starting to become a bright scarlet, he had to make clear eye contact in order to get his point across as the boy felt he still wasn't being taken seriously, especially by the capos.

Due to his keen eye for where change is needed, he often shouted out, something that had only been more frequent since he landed in this world, but sometimes he forgets that he is merely a soldier who is barely capable of driving such breakthroughs. As he approached the door, he felt nothing but disgust at the distasteful mansion, similarly to his companions, but he was sure his plot would cut the spoiled nobles of the Lowpeak mansion down to size.

The group were greeted by Maryranne Lowpeak, the family matriarch. Catoria hid her true feelings under a smile as she shook the shorter woman's hand. "If only the succubi could overthrow these nobles, seems they've come back stronger.", she thought. Aster analysed the situation; this was more than just a handshake, this was resentment, a clear difference in power, and a great one at that. He and everyone here was at the bottom of the barrel, one wrong move and death could be upon them at any second.

Catoria's disdain for humankind had always been clear to Aster; a mistake in her presence assured there would be chaos from then onward. The boy's stance barely changed from seeing her in action. Though unnoticeable to most. If anything, Catoria and Maryanne were more similar in their fields than different. However Aster, it was clear what side the black haired boy was on, as Aster knew that the bruglione had a strong hatred toward those with power much like himself, it was a real shame he felt unable to inform her of his plot.

Maryanne let everyone into the mansion, there was a conference going on. The group were all seated at a large table to sign in, with Catoria and Aster sitting on the left and right side respectively. "So, who's going to be the first to speak?", asked Maryanne. "I will", said Aster. "We are here to negotiate, nothing more. All opinions in this conference will be clear and unbiased.", he announced.

The room went silent, and all eyes were on the boy. The only one who didn't seem to care was Maryanne, who seemed to be the only one who was not intimidated by the boy's power. "We are here to discuss the terms of our alliance", said Maryanne. "I will not allow you to take over my family. I will not allow you to take over my city.", she continued. "We will not be an alliance of equals, you are a young boy, and I am a woman. I am the matriarch of a family, and you are a criminal. We will be equals in the eyes of the law.", she finished.

Aster's true opinion started to unfurl, "I will not be a slave to you.", said Aster. Catoria put her head in her hands, she didn't want Aster's hot-headedness to get in the way of negotiation, even if he shared her opinion. "I am not your family, I control your land, my husband is running for office, do you believe I care what you think?", said Maryanne, a line that would always stick out in the group's minds. Her subtlety could make or break any negotiation, the tables had to be turned, or it could be detrimental to the syndicate.