IJNSTH 34

❖ ❖ ❖
Chapter 34

At the same time, in Ludwig’s office.

“You mentioned that Count Edmund Colt completed a master’s degree in business administration and worked at the most renowned investment bank in the New World, Mr. Bruckner.”

When Ludwig finished speaking, the man addressed as “Mr. Bruckner” shifted his gaze away from the radio and back toward him.

“By the way… did you say your name was Ludwig Rex?”

Bruckner asked cautiously, seeking confirmation. Given that his eyes had been fixed on the radio until just moments ago, everyone present understood that this was no simple question.

Instead of answering, Ludwig tilted his chin.

At once, one of the servants standing by the wall stepped forward and opened the suit case—more like a travel bag—placed on the desk between them.

It was packed full of cash.

Ludwig finally spoke.

“Yes. And my family and I are generous to our friends.”

“Ahem… I see. Then my apologies for failing to recognize you sooner. As I mentioned at that yacht party a week ago, Edmund Colt was once my deputy. The change in him began the day he said he was going to meet an old friend… Apparently, the person he went to see was someone he knew back when he attended Hamilton School here in the Daatro Empire.”

“Please, go on.”

Ludwig nodded, urging him forward. Bruckner continued.

“That man was an international lawyer working in the New World. From what I know, he wasn’t exactly operating in the open—he belonged to one of the rising gangs that flourished during Prohibition, handling the boss’s legal troubles. I heard he was considered the best in the business, coveted by many. Of course, rumors also circulated that he had gone into hiding in the underworld here… And if I’m not mistaken, his alias was—”

“Icarus. Is that correct?”

He was the advisory attorney for the underworld organization Edmund Colt now controlled.

At that, Bruckner nodded. Ludwig’s smile deepened.

No matter what schemes Edmund Colt was plotting, Ludwig was confident he could outplay the count.

“Boss.”

When Icarus knocked and entered the count’s residence, Edmund was seated at the side table, staring down at a chessboard where the pieces were neatly arranged.

The sound of the radio echoed through the silent room. Even without listening closely, Icarus knew what it was about just from the names being mentioned.

After all, this entire game had been laid out by his inscrutable boss.

Edmund lifted the black king and struck down a white bishop and a white pawn.

If the Chairman of the House of Nobles is worth calling a bishop, then the second son of the Rex family is nothing more than a pawn.

Watching Edmund’s expression, Icarus moved closer. The lights were off, so from a distance he was shrouded in the long shadows cast by the windows.

That faint light was the only thing separating his fine features and strong build from the darkness.

“This isn’t the time for this. The Rex brat has made contact with Bruckner. And as you know, Boss… Bruckner is—”

He trailed off when he realized the table in front of Edmund held more than just a chessboard.

Icarus lifted the board slightly and pulled out the papers hidden beneath it. As his eyes scanned the printed text, his lips parted and the words slipped out aloud.

“…Between 1923 and 1924, Edmund asked Icarus whether he would return to the Daatro Empire and go into business together. Though he initially refused, ‘Icarus’ eventually left the New World’s underworld organization, bringing along several like-minded lawyers, after repeated persuasion from Edmund Colt.”

Edmund snatched the paper from him and continued reading.

“As a result, Edmund Colt narrowly avoided a bloody vendetta. Instead, he gained the trust of the boss who ruled the New World’s underworld by persuading him that he could resolve troublesome tax issues. Underlined. Edmund Colt studied law and political science as an undergraduate, completed a master’s degree in business administration, and taught himself tax law.”

Icarus nodded.

“Yes. That’s something both you and I already know. What about it?”

“A copy of the document I gave to Bruckner—back when I was his superior. He complained there was too much to memorize, but he’s a brilliant man. I’m sure he handled it just fine.”

“Then what you’re saying is—”

“It means the Rex family is about to run out of cash in my hands. I was just thinking about what I should buy to make this more entertaining.”

“…Why are you suddenly doing things like this? Without even giving me a hint. I know you find the world unbearably dull, Boss, but for me, every moment has been a crisis waiting to be cleaned up.”

“Yes. I imagine it was.”

“No—where are you going now?”

“A guest has arrived, Icarus.”

Edmund rose and headed for the door. Right on cue, a knock sounded.

At his permission, the regional underworld chief entered, accompanied by a woman dressed in a maid’s uniform from the Mergoville estate.

When their eyes met, the chief removed his hat and gave Icarus a jaunty greeting. Icarus responded with a curt nod. His boss had never before summoned so many underworld figures to his estate—precisely to avoid drawing attention.

They stepped closer to Edmund.

When Edmund placed a cigarette between his lips, the chief struck a match against the box and respectfully offered it. After lighting the cigarette, Edmund shook out the match and gestured with his chin.

The report flowed smoothly.

“We’ve ensured Janet Watkins’ safe defection. My men erased every trace—so thoroughly that even the Chairman’s family won’t be able to find her.”

Edmund’s gaze shifted to the woman in the maid’s uniform. She spoke.

“…As instructed, we completed the garden in front of the Mergoville estate according to the gardener’s design. Today, all of us saw Miss Vivienne looking out the window.”

“I’m curious what her expression was like.”

At Edmund’s low voice, the chief glanced toward the woman standing beside him.

Even when the boss had handed him five photographs before, he’d been curious about Lady Mergoville’s expression. Soon, the woman answered.

“She looked as if she were crying…”

“……”

“…But also as if she were smiling.”

So which was it—crying or smiling?

If she cried, then she cried. If she smiled, then she smiled. The chief muttered inwardly as he glanced upward.

The boss seemed lost in thought.

“She’s alone at the estate now. The Marquis’ household head has gone out to discuss the engagement with the Rex family, and Miss’s brother, Inspector Mergoville, is currently on duty.”

As she finished speaking, the woman felt the boss’s scent suddenly close in. She lifted her head to find him leaning toward her, cigarette still between his lips, extending something in silence.

Her gaze flickered briefly to the solid physique revealed through the slightly parted vest. When their eyes met, she blinked awkwardly and lowered her gaze.

In his hand were several 500-Eponé banknotes—the highest denomination.

She bowed repeatedly as she accepted them.

“…Th-thank you.”

With that, Edmund brushed past her and headed for the door.

Icarus followed his boss without a word.

When Edmund reached the front gates and opened the door himself, rain was pouring down, rising into a mist as it struck the ground.

Icarus signaled to a nearby servant to bring an umbrella, but before anyone could move, Edmund stepped forward.

Splash.

His expensive shoes sank into a puddle outside the portico.

Even as his shoulders slowly soaked through, he didn’t care. His jet-black hair, his dark vest, his shirt—his entire body gradually became one with the rain.

After a long while, he raised his hand and stared impassively at the bluish veins standing out against skin gone cold and pale.

Then he turned back inside and instructed a servant to prepare the Langston limousine.