"Ahem." Draco cleared his throat loudly just then. "After thorough investigation, we have concluded that Mr. Lawrence has been brought here to Blackwater on trumped-up charges. While we have never released any intimates, you are no criminal, and with the vouching of one of Draconia's top individuals, we will bend the rule this one time."Then, leaning toward Frank, he whispered, "Please don't blame me for this. The whole thing was thought up by Droitner Inc. Also, try to keep a low profile after you get out.""Ahem."After that, Draco cleared his throat again. "You are now free to go, Mr. Lawrence.""What…?""Oh, can't help it when he's such a big deal.""Even Blackwater doesn't get to keep him. And, one of Draconia's top individuals? Don't tell me it's the president?"While the inmates all had a feeling this might happen, they all still gasped when the warden announced that Frank could leave, turning toward him with looks of jealousy and envy.Frank smiled and nodded at Draco
"Oh. Uh…."Draco was left stumped by Frank's retort, but he soon shook his head repeatedly. "No, absolutely not! Mr. Lawrence, every inmate here is a depraved scumbag who has committed atrocities! If you let them out—""That's bullshit!" Scarface suddenly barked, seemingly finding courage out of nowhere. "I'm no scumbag! I'm only here because of my brothers!"Then, he turned, sneering at the two flunkies cowering and trembling down the hallway. "It's all because those two pricks refused to pay up after having fun with a lady at a karaoke bar. Heck, they were so drunk that they ended up massacring a dozen people. As their boss, I naturally had to settle the matter myself…""Oh, I get it."Frank nodded and chuckled. "So because you tried to reach a settlement, you ended up here? That's just embarrassing."Scarface was left rubbing his nose at Frank's diss and explained in embarrassment, "Well, I can't help it. The officer handling the case got a little harsh, so I beat him up. And
Silverbell appeared embarrassed even as her fingers tightened around the steel bars, hanging her head as she murmured, "The Martial Alliance is no longer the informal outfit it was before, sir—we now answer directly to Caius Laine, the Mayor of Morhen. Even if we expanded over ten times in scale, with our influence reaching across Draconia, we're…""Hahaha! Isn't that a good thing?" Madfist chuckled. "Kid, do you remember the oath I took up?"Silverbell looked up in surprise, tears welling up in her eyes as she recounted, "This is the Martial Alliance. As guardians of peace in Draconia, humility is our honor, and chivalry is our code. May our enemies fall and our people rise above.""Good, good…"The old man smiled. "It seems this old man's oath is at least remembered. Good… Good…"Frank stood outside the cell as well, having heard the exchange between Silverbell and Madfist, a wistful look showing in his eyes as he looked at Silverbell's lonely expression."Guardians of peace
"Where are we heading to now?" Silverbell asked, riding shotgun.Frank was driving, feeling in a good mood just then. "Let's get the boys some proper clothes, or we're not going anywhere."While Draco was absolutely reluctant to free Scarface and Madfist, Frank did not show from demonstrating that his fists could shatter the steel bars of a prison cell.Then, with a smile, he offered Draco two choices.One, Draco would keep his mouth shut and let all three of them go, with Frank's assurance that he would not return for reprisals.The second, Frank would free every other inmate in Blackwater, allowing the hundred over vile criminals running rampant.Even the Blackwater Designation could only get that many rearrested, while Frank moved on to the next prison, rinse and repeat.He was just one among a hundred anyway, so no one might ask questions if he was gone.On the other hand, Draco would be blamed for the mass prison escape.And seeing that Frank was suggesting such a threate
While Scarface looked just like one of those burly bodyguards one so often saw in movies, Madfist was dressed casually, with a green newsboy cap to hide his face.While it made him look funny, the old man liked it and did not care about the weird looks thrown his way.Earlier, they drew a lot of stares as they were striding into the mall, barely covered only in rags.However, while Madfist strutted with his head held high and without a care, Scarface was cowering and blushing in embarrassment.After getting themselves some suitable clothes and taking a bath at the hotel, they felt considerably recharged after eating a table full of food, leaving the waiters gaping.Silverbell, who was having tea, asked respectfully, "So, what are your plans, sir?"Madfist did a double take, only truly realizing then that he was free, and not fettered to his bones in Blackwater and subject to nightless tortures.Still, he was not quite used to his sudden newfound freedom and spoke quietly after a
Old man and security guard—when both terms are mentioned together, people would immediately think of the elderly security officers, standing guard at hotels, apartments, malls, even parking lots.And yet, Madfist as a security guard was not the average security guard, but one who could defeat thousands by himself.Neither Frank nor Silverbell could hide a chuckle at the thought.Scarface soon joined in, realizing what they were laughing about.Only Madfist still drew a blank, a stark contrast to the other three.Nonetheless, once Scarface and Madfist recovered their energy, Frank tended to their injuries, including Madfist's pierced shoulder blade and Scarface's facial scars.After that, he sent someone to bring them uniforms for security officers of the Lanecorp Health and Safety Department. "Here's the suits for work."Scarface could cry right then. "So we really are security guards!"Just a moment ago, he was a burly hunk in a suit, looking especially intimidating with his h
"The meeting did not last more than five minutes," Trevor reported. "After that, Ms. Lane left the hotel and returned to Lanecorp Tower alone."Frank breathed a sigh of relief. "So when's the exchange?""Around noon.""Understood. Thank you for your good work.""You're always welcomed, sir."After he hung up, Frank rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "Does Droitner Inc. really have the resources to acquire a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, or was Huub Droitner just lying?"Despite everything, he still refused to believe that Droitner Inc. could acquire a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom. If it was that common, why would Frank's mentor entrust one to Yosil Darman of Kornac's Keep, who in turn kept it for over twenty years?But if Droitner Inc. did not have a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, why would Huub give that wooden box to Helen, who then agreed to Horey Lindt's demands?What if Droitner Inc. actually had one, despite the odds being one in a million?It was certainly hard to say, and would Fra
"Tch."The waitress in red rolled her eyes as soon as she heard Madfist's thick accent. "You'd have to pay at least five grand to get in here. Can you afford that?""Yes, yes!"Madfist flashed an earnest smile as he whipped out a debit card from his pocket. "We've made big bucks this year, so we're even going to call up some pretties to join us!"Naturally, the card was from Frank for this job, each containing over a hundred grand."Your turn."Madfist nudged Scarface, who flushed in hesitation for a long time before groaning at Madfist, in the hip. "But Dad, if Mom finds out—""Hush," Madfist snapped, but he was clearly smiling because Scarface called him daddy. "Don't worry—that woman is still at home. She won't know a thing!"The security guards were hiding a chuckle at Madfist's cheerfulness, and Scarface and Madfist were soon given a room.Soon after they entered, Scarface wheeled on Madfist, flushed up to his neck as he bellowed, "Y-You were fucking taking advantage of m