Just as the three-day care package he bought was about to expire, Dante got an email from Blue Ember’s management informing him of his immediate termination. It cited his participation in the recent riots as the main cause, saying that, although they had overlooked his past records, they couldn’t do the same when it came to this recent violation.
Although it was exactly what he had been aiming for, Dante couldn’t find any joy in the notice. He still messed up big time, and now that it was unclear whether his plan was a success or not, he was leaning toward the latter.
’Maybe I should just kill them all...’
What a brilliant idea. Having trouble? Just kill everyone causing it and there won’t be anything to worry about.
[That would indeed solve most of our problems.] Volcan said. [I believe it might be the only choice available to us if you want to put an end to this matter once and for all.]
Now that he had killed two of their members, Dante doubted that the so-called Shirogane clan would leave him alone. They might try to eliminate him even if they have no clear evidence of him being the perpetrator, and even if they decided to observe him some more, playing the role of the harmless guy wasn’t something he wanted to do for long. After his recent actions, Dante couldn’t think of himself as the patient kind. anymore.
’But seriously...’ recalling the contents of the recent message Victor sent him, Dante couldn’t help but grimace. ’Ninjas?’
Though they didn’t have any official designation, the words ninja and shinobi were the first thing that came to his mind after hearing about the enemy originating from the Eastern Star Federation. What else should he call an ancient eastern organization that works in the shadows and uses martial arts and magic to fight?
The previous day, Victor came by to pay him a visit, once again playing his role as the concerned but negligent parent. Once they moved to a more secluded spot so they could have a private talk, the fixer gave him a summary of the recent heist meeting and informed him of all the new developments and the tweaks they had to make to the plan.
Strangely enough, Victor decided to use that chance to basically spill the beans on everything concerning the third type of Enhanced Individuals, explaining how their powers work and how much bad news they were. Dante believed that he would have dismissed all of it as a prank less than a week ago, but seeing that it all matched what he had heard from his resident AI, he had no choice but to accept that it was all real.
Sorcery was the correct term to use when referring to the use of Mana/Aether to manifest phenomena that can’t be explained through science. Apparently, there was a need to distinguish between it and magic, with the latter generally used when referring to something that is fake.
’Funny how it works, huh...’
[I am not sure what you are referring to.] Volcan said.
’The whole sorcery thing. The only reason why we never hear about it is because some small groups hoarded all of it and made sure no one besides them could get a share.’ Just thinking about it caused Dante to smile. ’It’s the same system, be it with bionics, genetic enhancements, or magical powers. It all ends up in the hands of a small group who then use it to control everyone else.’
[Ah, yes, the concept of power accumulation.] Said Volcan. [It is a very complicated topic, but only if you look at it from a moral perspective.]
’There is nothing complicated about it.’ Dante said. ’Just greed and the rest of the seven sins cranked up to the max.’
[In that case, aren’t you concerned?]
[Considering your end goal, you will eventually be put in the same position as the people you are being critical of. Can you say with utmost certainty that you will not arrive at the same conclusions as them, ultimately repeating what they have done?]
Though he wanted to argue back, Dante only gritted his teeth and retreated into his own thoughts. This wasn’t the first time he was made to face his hypocrisy, but no matter how many times that happens, his hatred for those people remained strong.
Not wanting to bother with the topic anymore, he turned his thoughts back to the conversation he had with his fixer.
Though learning that the Stahlwölfe scion had employed the services of a powerful sorcerer clan had put a wrench in their plans, the heist was still going to happen. Dante expected to be kicked out of the crew now that he couldn’t play his role, but Victor had different thoughts on the matter.
That was the question he asked him in the floor’s smoking area where they had their conversation. The fixer wanted to know if Dante could still do what was expected of him before, even now that he got himself fired from his dishwashing job and had no way to be in the hotel once the heist takes place.
The way the conversation was going confirmed the suspicion Dante had about his fixer knowing more than he lets on. Though he didn’t say it directly, Victor was undoubtedly aware of his capabilities, even if it was just a vague idea.
Dante hadn’t given him a straight answer, saying he would think about it. He has been so eager to participate in the heist, and though he hadn’t given up on it yet, it felt like he needed some time to adjust his mentality. The job had turned out to be much bigger than he thought, after all. He could no longer treat it like any other gig he had taken before.
’I have a feeling things will get a lot messier...’
It would be great if they could just get in, get the item, and get out, but since they had scheduled it in the middle of a raging storm, Dante could already see himself getting caught at its center and being forced to brave the winds.