Is it wrong to try to build a criminal Empire?

chapter 13

"I am the nightmare you cannot wake from."

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Two weeks and six days since joining hestia familia.

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"I miss the old joint." Ed said lazily, leaning against the wall, his eyes looking at the patrons gambling away their life. "It had soul, y'know? Smelled like bad decisions. This place smells like... gardens and hope,"

Jon rolled his eyes, not agreeing with his companion "Fuck no. This place is way better. The old spot smelled like piss, blood, and desperation. That ain't 'soul,' that's disease."

Ed clicked his tongue. "You're soft." He gestured vaguely toward the pristine establishment. "Where's the edge? Back in the old place, you had guys flippin' tables, fights over dice rolls, maybe a knife fight here or there. This? Everyone's just sipping drinks and smiling like it's a tea party."

"If 'edge' is just another word for tetanus, you can keep it." Jon added snarkily.

Ed opened his mouth to retort, but his eyes caught a figure approaching, interrupting the conversation.

It was the white-haired kid from before, wearing a nice black suit, a Sharp look on his eyes.

Both of them straightened immediately, snapping to attention as he neared them.

"Don't bother us," the kid said, not even glancing at them while entering the boss's room.

As the door banged shut behind him, they eased up, their stiff postures melting away.

"Last time Boss lettin' this kid into her office, and boom, a brand-new casino," Ed said, his tone all hush-hush, his eyes squinting a bit.

"I was thinking that maybe she was his sugar mama or something. But I guess... The kid's the sugar daddy." Jon shook his head, looking baffled by the thought of an elf doing stuff like this.

What weird times we're living in.

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All For One entered the office with measured, deliberate steps, his presence radiating an air of absolute authority.

"S-Sensei!" Lia exclaimed, bolting upright from her seat behind the desk. She wore a sparkling blue gown that complemented her golden hair, yet the elegance of her attire did little to mask the unease that now marred her expression.

He stood silently, his eyes fixed on her, as though dissecting her very being.

Lia fidgeted under his gaze, the oppressive quiet gnawing at her composure. She opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, the words dying on her lips.

At last, he broke the silence, his voice calm yet commanding. "Tell me," he began, stepping closer, his tone deceptively mild, "how is the new establishment?"

This was, after all, one of the reasons for his visit. He had even bought a second-hand suit for the occasion.

Ensuring his assets were performing as expected was non-negotiable.

"S-sir," Lia stammered, instinctively taking a half-step back as he approached. "T-the profits are steadily g-growing," she managed, her voice trembling but clear enough to deliver her report. She edged around the desk, positioning it between them like a flimsy barrier.

He cast a brief glance at her before easing himself into her chair without invitation, his casual confidence only amplifying the weight of his authority. "Good," he said evenly, his tone carrying faint approval. "You've done well, Lia."

Relief flickered across her face for the briefest moment-short-lived, as his tone darkened without warning.

"Now," he began, his voice sharp as a blade, "let's address the real reason for my visit." Leaning forward slightly, he rested his forearms on the desk, his posture deceptively relaxed. "Why is it," he asked, each word deliberate and laced with menace, "that you failed to inform me about Fangs' Vengeful Friends?"