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
As Scarface finished, he paused for a long while before stammering, "D-Dad.""Good boy."Scarface wheeled on Madfist right then, only to find the geezer lounging on the couch, beaming so broadly that his wrinkles were smoothing out."Tch." Scarface clicked his tongue. "My father was a right bastard, gambling and getting into fights. He even killed my mother and sold me off for money to buy a couple of beers. You'd better not behave the same.""Sure." Madfist nodded cheerfully."Hmph."Scarface snorted but said nothing else.Hence, they both sat in silence until Frank entered and sat on the couch between them."What? Why aren't either of you talking?" he asked, just as the waitress arrived with a fruit platter.She appeared confused to see Frank. "You're…""Oh, you see…"Frank paused before throwing out an excuse. "We're a family of three here to sing.""Huh?"The waitress was left confused as she glanced between Scarface and Madfist, clearly trying to make sense of this fa
"Hey! Don't you see that there are customers here, and you're still chatting instead of greeting them?!"As Gina pounded the front desk forcefully, the waitresses who were busy exchanging the bombshell looked up.However, they shot Gina's looks of annoyance in turn, clearly not interested. "So you want a room? Is that it?""You brat! Is this how you treat your customers?! Where's your manager?! Bring him here!"Gina was at once furious. She was now the mother of Lanecorp's board chairwoman, but some brat working at a karaoke box was giving her an attitude?!Seeing Gina yelling and drawing attention, Helen frowned and strode up, taking her arm and snapping under her breath, "Mom, we're here for Uncle Gavin, and not here to play. Could you not draw so much attention?""Hmph."Gina snorted coolly.Although she agreed with her daughter, she still pursed her lips unhappily. "You can tell right away that the kidnapper isn't someone important, picking a shitty place like this for th