Chapter 51: The Powerful Patron
Hearing Lannis’s words, Titus’s usual playful grin vanished. He removed the spoon from his mouth and spoke, his voice sincere and resolute. “Lannis, I promise you, as long as I’m the leader of the Black Hats, Lavoisier City will be under my protection. My men and I will operate in the gray areas, but we’ll never harm this city. Trust me, without the Goat Eyes Gang, Lavoisier City will prosper. It will no longer be shrouded in darkness.”
“I don’t know your reasons, but I’ll trust you for now,” Lannis said, nodding. “You wouldn’t want to disappoint a bomb-loving madwoman, would you?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t disappoint anyone,” Titus said, smiling.
Having seen the place she held dear, Lannis was finally ready to leave. She took the horse Givia had gifted her, returned to her crumbling house, and strapped a large backpack to the horse’s saddle. She mounted her own pony. Now, she finally resembled the stereotypical halfling, a wanderer, always on the move.
After another round of heartfelt farewells, Lannis rode out of the city, heading towards the Western Empire. Rebecca watched her old friend leave, a tear rolling down her cheek.
“If not for Lannis’s decision to preserve my inventions, I might still be soaking in that potion pool in the other world,” Rebecca said, her voice laced with gratitude, as she turned to Abyss. “The potion I used to sustain my life had a shelf life of several decades. I might have ended up bloated and disfigured. That would be a terrible way to be found.”
“We’re all fortunate,” Abyss said, nodding. “Things didn’t go exactly as planned, but we found each other in the end. Rebecca, how have you been these past few days, traveling with us?”
“I’ve been enjoying myself,” Rebecca said, glancing at Leona, who was holding Flora’s hand. “You’re truly capable, gathering such talented individuals. I feel at ease among these geniuses. If possible, I’d like to stay with you all forever.”
“I hope Lannis enjoys her new life, spending her days immersed in alchemy, free from the burdens of dealing with gangsters. She deserves some peace and happiness,” Abyss said, stretching. “We should head back now. After resting with Givia, we’ll depart together. I initially planned to go straight to the Elven Kingdoms, but now it seems a trip to the Ossi Kingdom, to deal with the Lord of Nightmares, is necessary.”
“Wonderful! You don’t need to eat out tonight. It’s my treat. I’ll introduce you to Lavoisier City’s culinary delights,” Titus said, smiling. “Givia accepted my invitation as well. It’s my first time dining with a princess. I’m a bit nervous, to be honest.”
“Titus, you mentioned telling me your story. Would you consider sharing it with us during dinner?” Abyss asked.
“Hmm, I think that’s acceptable,” Titus said, considering the request, then nodded. “My story is confidential, but I don’t mind sharing it with you. You’re all important figures. You wouldn’t betray my trust and get me in trouble with my patron.”
Most gangs in the Eastern Empire had noble patrons, a well-known fact, although rarely discussed openly. Abyss was curious about the identity of Titus’s patron.
…
“Our patron is Emperor Camper,” Titus announced during their dinner.
The feast wasn’t extravagant, but the dishes were delicious and diverse. Besides Titus, only Abyss, the three girls, and Givia were present. Santos had intended to join them, but Givia, sensing the sensitive nature of the story Titus was about to share, had instructed him to remain outside with their guards.
Givia hadn’t expected such a shocking revelation from Titus, especially after only a few drinks. She raised her wine glass, her curiosity piqued. “Emperor Camper? Why would he involve himself with gangs?”
“It’s not difficult to understand. Emperor Camper needs money, and we, the gangs, are efficient at generating profits. He needs and desires wealth more than any previous emperor,” Titus said, addressing the group with a smile. “The Eastern Empire might seem powerful and prosperous, but it’s riddled with problems, burdened by centuries of accumulated issues, most of them deeply rooted and difficult to eradicate. Emperor Camper is a man who wants to heal this nation.”
Abyss, his interest piqued, set down his wine glass, took a bite of the delicious roasted meat, and chewed slowly.
He had never met Emperor Camper, but he knew he was the most assertive and decisive ruler the Eastern Empire had seen in generations. “Prosperity for those who obey, destruction for those who defy” accurately described his approach to governance.
Titus, his voice filled with awe, recounted Emperor Camper’s deeds. During his first three years in power, he had executed dozens of nobles who dared challenge his authority, showing no mercy. He even personally carried out some of the executions. But he was also generous towards those who supported his rule and governed their territories effectively. He spent lavishly, but never wastefully.
Under his rule, the Eastern Empire’s economy had flourished. He had also developed his own businesses, his imperial status deterring other nobles from competing with him, allowing him to amass a fortune.
But he wasn’t a man of pleasure. He reinvested his wealth back into the Empire, his investments fueling further economic growth and development.
“Lavoisier City is a crucial part of the Emperor’s plan to strengthen the potion industry. It’s a distant border city, its power dynamics complex, with numerous noble families vying for control. It’s not easy for him to exert his influence here directly,” Titus said, taking a sip of his wine, then patted his chest. “So he came here in disguise, and he met me—a young man blinded by hatred, consumed by a thirst for revenge.”
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