It bothered Ketil how Solomon and the bounty hunter acted towards each other. He can swear they seem to act like... family.

In fact, it seems the female bounty hunter was only talking to Solomon. He heard her cracking jokes and laughing at Solomon’s remarks and comments, while the other top members of the Syndicate acted a bit more reserved towards the shadowman.

When everyone had finished their meal, the servants cleared the table and resumed their business conversation. Everyone seemed to agree that the new wine was well balanced as they all sampled it. On the other hand, Eric complained that it was too sour.

“Despite your poor taste, Eric, this is our new venture, if you will.” Solomon said. “Wines seem to be growing in popularity, and we need to venture into the market as well in order to capitalise on it. I dare say we can even monopolise the entire industry. Especially now that unrest seems to be growing in every kingdom, I’m sure you are well aware of the boiling tension in the Silvus states and Aspana. In fact, Maurius, can you update everyone on what is happening, if you will.”

Maurius, who inspected his glass, addressed the group. “After Demophon’s return from his expedition, Silvus is now close to either a coup or a civil war. Our sources have said that most of the Silvus military forces are tired of the endless skirmishes against the separatists to the north. The high ranking officials and aristocracy are still loyal to the blood crown, but the commoners, including most of the soldiers, grow weary. The divide between nobility and workers in Silvus is at a boiling point, with Demophon’s new and unpopular laws tipping the scales.

The Silvus senate is rallying behind Aletus's son, Senator Richard, who is shaping up to be a contender for the next emperor. His success in the north has proven him way ahead of crown prince Asterion in favorability. He’s young, a war hero, and has promised to abolish slavery in the last Silvus states still holding on to it. So, needless to say, he definitely captured the hearts and imaginations of the people.” Maurius placed his glass down gently.

“Maurius, have your informants find out more about this senator, will you? If his faction proves to be beneficial to us rather than Demophon's, then it is in our best interest to support him from the start.” Maurius nodded towards Solomon. He then dismissed the servants to leave the room, which included Filias's personal guards.

“Now as you know.” Solomon addressed everyone. “Conflict is bad for business, but should clashes start, rest assured they will. Prices for luxury goods will go through the roof. And this is where we come in. I have already convinced the majority of the farmers and manufacturers to help us control the wine supply. Of course, they will be generously compensated within reason, but we have also managed to convince the landowners to surrender their control in exchange for financial gain. So we don’t just own the vines but the land now too.”

“How much are the farmers and the workers getting?” Filias chimed at Solomon.

Luna was the one who answered. “Farmers are getting to keep a seventy percent share-” Filias spat out his wine.

“Seventy percent?! That's outrageous!” The short man slammed his hands on the table. “What kind of profit will we have?!”

“More than enough compared to what the farmers are getting.” Luna replied sternly. “Seventy percent guarantees us a fair profit while also ensuring that the farmers will be able to feed their families while also keeping them sympathetic towards us. They won’t find a better deal outside of the syndicate.”

“And you agreed to this?” Filias roared at Solomon, but the shadowman calmly replied.

“Yes, I agreed to it and the written contracts have been sent to the numerous farmers and workers' unions across the southern states of Silvus and Braenarim. Aside from a few union leaders whom we had to enlighten, a massive majority voted in favour of the deal as the financial compensation was too good to pass up. The agreement has also been enacted and finalized, so further objections are wasteful and counterproductive.”

Filias realised there was nothing more he could do. He sat back down but shot Luna a look that clearly expressed he would discuss this with her later.

“Now Maurius update us next on what is happening with Aspana, Ablan, and Braenarim.” Solomon said as he prepared to smoke a cigar as well. Ketil saw that he offered one to Luna, who declined.

“Aspana remains, of course, aggressively neutral while maintaining close ties with the Braenarim Republic. The Iron Chancellor is keeping Silvus at bay with a show of force in the Walled Sea. Although Maker knows how long that will last as the Iron Chancellor’s age and health is a cause for concern. The Braenarim Republic, however, is starting to get interesting. It seems the heir apparent of the Emperor has been formally announced and it is Princess Catherine.”

“Damn my luck!” Filias pulled out a gold Braenarim coin and slid it towards Maurius, who pocketed it.

“Informants have told me that Princess Catherine’s first grand assembly was both a success and a failure, depending on which side of Braenarim politics you support. She announced severe repercussions over the Varxon riots and introduced massive reforms that would benefit working class citizens, which gained her majority support in the lower house, but the aristocracy is now clearly against her.

According to inside information, upper house members were the ones who agitated their supporters to commit the riots. Everyone knows the upper house wins every election, but if the heir empress proves to be successful, she might be the first Empress in Braenarim’s history to rule the country with control of the parliament from the lower house alone.”

“What is with all these young idealists?” Eric crossed his arms. “Peace is bad for business.”

“As for her sister, the very private Princess Alice, abdicated because she had chosen to take her late husband’s role as the next chancellor of Aspana, with her daughter being the second in line. Also, it seems Emperor Demophon is in Braenarim. Reports indicate he is meeting with Emperor Aurelius and Heir Empress Catherine, but it is in an undisclosed location. Based on the amount of information we are getting, it seems there are a lot of attendees at the meeting. Notable ones are from the church, the college of mages, and other high-ranking ambassadors as well.

Braenarim is also leading the attack to deal the final blow to the Separatist stronghold in Nordland. Obviously, the Sentinels will be carrying the banner for the coalition in the final push, but our informants tell me that they seem to be marching into the under empire in massive numbers as well.

Lastly, Ablan is still acting like Ablan. The pleasure nation remains isolated in their corner of the world. The shadow council has been rather quiet despite rumours of a power struggle, although I suppose Lady Luna can enlighten us more on the matter?” Maurius gestured towards the bounty hunter to continue the conversation, but she just shook her head.

“As expected from the Shadow.” Maurius sighed. “Aside from that, there has been nothing more of concern.”

“Good. Eric, any concerns you wish to bring to light?” Solomon asked.

“Silvus has been making more contracts and some of them are very tempting to just pass up.” The man said this respectfully towards Solomon, as if expecting a reward. “I offered our men, services, and influence, and they paid us not only in gold, but also in magicores.”

“And these contracts are?” Luna prodded. Ketil saw that the young woman was clearly irritated at Eric.

“Sabotage, abductions, assassinations, the usual Silvus contracts.” Eric said to her sharply, “Although I hope those contracts do not offend you in anyway, my lady.” He expected her to reply, but before she could, Solomon cut her off.

“I hope you remember not to draw undue attention to us, Eric. Keep in mind that the syndicate is neutral in the affairs of nations.”

“Of course, Lord Solomon. Of course. Discretion is the language of the syndicate, after all. I made sure our operatives had their identities well concealed as well. Why, in fact-” Eric reached for the black briefcase he brought with him and placed it on the table. He then slid the bag towards the bounty hunter.

Luna caught it and opened the bag. Inside was a mask made out of white bleached wood that resembled a human skull with sharp fangs instead of teeth, and its head was crowned with two horns. She stroked the teeth on the mask with her fingers.

“That belonged to one operative who failed in an abduction mission. He is dead now, of course, but we retrieved this from him. He even mentioned that he used to be in the same guild as you, Lady Luna. An obvious lie, of course.”

“Who was the operative?” Luna said as she handed Solomon the mask.

“Julius Dale, an excellent fighter, is completely a novice when it comes to being a bounty hunter and greedy to a fault. Obviously, he bit more than he could chew. His primary targets got away, and the client was furious to the extent that they executed him on the spot when they found out.”

“Who were the clients?” Solomon returned the mask to her.

“All I know is that it was the Silvus elite, and very private ones at that. I prodded them with more information on what the contract was, but they wouldn’t budge. But they still paid upfront, so I didn’t argue.”

“As long as the payment comes in and we cannot be linked to the contract, let them keep their secrets. However, in the future, ensure that we have full details on what those contracts are. It is in our best interests not to be kept in the dark. Understood?”

“Yes, Lord Solomon.” Eric bowed at him.

“Excellent. Now on to our main event, Shinaki, bring him in, will you?” The doors opened and the hooded knight escorted a heavily beaten man with a sack that covered his head. She then forced the man to kneel in front of all of them.

“The Syndicate had thrived under my, rather our, leadership, as you are all aware. But also, because we had the faith and trust of the people, we offered protection and the people paid for said protection. However, we have discovered that a certain group of parasites, or lazy leeches, used our hard earned reputation to further their own personal gains.” Solomon said as he rose and slowly approached the man who knelt before them.

“This certain individual has confessed that they are using our name in order to extort and intimidate people who depend on our security." Solomon’s soft voice slowly vanished. "And when their victims could not pay, they resorted to kidnapping-”

With one hand, he lifted the man’s entire body and slammed him on the table.

“and forced labor-”

Solomon slammed his gigantic hand on the man’s chest, and Ketil could hear the man’s ribs crack under the weight.

“-under our name!”

He raised both hands and pounded it on the man’s legs. The impact made a loud cracking noise that split the heavy oak table in two and without a doubt shattered his bones.

All of them could hear the man’s muffled cries, but everyone paid it no mind. Ketil looked at the group and found that no one cared that a man was bleeding to death in front of them. Filias and Mauris simply looked as though they had just seen a wounded animal on the side of the road waiting to be put to death. Eric had a smile on his face. While Luna remained unconcerned and drank a glass of wine.

“He also told me that their victims ranged from the elderly, women, and children.” The last word made her slowly lower the glass away from her lips. “Truly a detestable lot and one we cannot allow to continue breathing the same air as ours, wouldn’t you all agree?”

Solomon returned to his seat. “This is why Captain Ketil is with us today. As a show of good will and faith to the people, we want to show that we also want to bring these deviants to justice. Show them that our organisation will not stand against this grave injustice, especially among the most vulnerable.”

Everyone looked at Ketil.

“We have located where these criminals are hiding and it seems they have taken up base in a nearby magicore mine well outside of the town. Captain Ketil, Luna, and another bounty hunter from a respectable guild, Maxene le Meilleur, along with our men, will infiltrate and apprehend the criminals. After that, I have arranged for several reporters to cover this story to make sure that our image is strengthened among the people in all neighbouring regions while also separating us from those who seek to besmirch the Syndicate’s name, a two-for-one deal if you will. What say you, Captain? Is this a worthwhile endeavor?”

Ketil could feel all of their gazes on him. Had he known that he was used as their poster boy for their propaganda, he should have never come, but Ketil owed the Syndicate a huge debt.

“I agree. It will bring in the criminals and remove all suspicion from the syndicate as well. We also have received information that some of them are Braenarim citizens as well. If this turns out to be successful, even those sceptical about the syndicate in Braenarim will be quelled as well.”

“Welcome to the club, Captain.” Luna smiled.

“Captain, seeing as this is your first mission with us, you will be following Luna. With a perfect track record of successful bounty captures, she will be in charge of this operation. After all, her specialty is handling high-risk and dangerous operations in a non-lethal manner.”

Luna gave Ketil an approving look. “The honour of working alongside the second in command of the Ardite Detective agency is a privilege. I have read about your achievements in the dossiers and I find your record quite impressive, Captain.”

“And I have always wanted to work with the famed Ablan bounty hunters. Your reputation as being the best of the best has reached every corner of Braenarim. Working with you will truly be a once in a lifetime experience.”

“Awww. How cute! Shall we leave you two alone then?” Filias said, which earned him a sharp gaze from Luna.

“Now then, to welcome the Captain into our organization.” the knight approached Solomon and gave him a revolver. Solomon then loaded the gun and approached Ketil and handed it to him.

“Captain, if you please.”

Ketil held the gun in his hand, knowing full well what he meant. It was an initiation.

“This man is no longer of any use to us. Give him the honour if you would.”

Ketil looked around the room and slowly stood up. He aimed the loaded gun at the man. All of them stared at him as his hands seemed to tremble.

“The boy seems to be wet around the ears.” Maurius said to Solomon, but Solomon did not reply. Ketil knew there was no need for this; the man would almost certainly die from his wounds, and executing him here would be too much.

“He can’t do it.” Eric said.

“He’s an enforcer. It is safe to say he has killed dozens of criminals already. " Filias said. "Didn’t you, Captain?”

Ketil still did not pull the trigger.

“He is a criminal captain, a slaver, He targeted the most vulnerable. He deserves this, doesn’t he?” Ketil had yet to fire the gun. “Deliver justice, Captain.”

“He can’t do it.” Eric repeated it in a mocking tone. Ketil looked at Luna, who gave him an apathetic look.

“Do it, Captain.” Solomon said firmly to him.

Suddenly, Ketil remembered his father’s words to him on his first day of training. Do the right thing even if no one is doing it. He then closed his eyes. As his hands shook, he slowly lowered his hand and dropped the gun.