NenMaster
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Chapter 103
🕑 Added 2024-12-08 17:31:25 +0000 UTC"Are you going to take out the money for me in front of Machi to save me from embarrassment and solve the problem?
Or are you going to stick strictly to the agreement with your mentor and watch as Machi takes the IOU from me, securing a temporary victory?
This time, are you on my side, or Machi's side?!"
Although Pakunoda didn’t say this outright, Morin felt like that was exactly what she meant.
It made his headache even worse.
This was clearly a no-win situation. Whichever choice he made, one side would gain the upper hand and crush the other.
And no matter what, it seemed he’d end up dead...
What should he do?
When it came to dealing with women, Morin was completely out of his depth.
He suddenly realized that he had no skill whatsoever in maneuvering gracefully between women.
He was neither like Biscuit, who could effortlessly feign cuteness, lie without hesitation, and manipulate others...
...nor like Shalnark, who could flatter anyone with smooth words, weaving through a crowd of admirers without getting entangled.
Still, it wasn’t too late for Morin to strengthen his skills in this area, now that he’d recognized his shortcomings.
"After this mission is over, I must train in this aspect," Morin vowed to himself.
Otherwise?
Life was long, and there would be plenty more battlefield-like scenarios to come.
Enjoying the blessings of multiple companions wasn’t something you could do easily!
"Ha! Feitan, you’ve finally gone bankrupt too!"
While Morin racked his brain for a solution, Nobunaga, who had been spectating the game, suddenly laughed aloud.
"You're out of money, so hurry up and let me play!"
Nobunaga eagerly urged Feitan to vacate his seat, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Having watched for quite a while, he’d finally grasped the rules of the game. Seeing everyone enjoying themselves so much had made him itch to join in.
Now that Feitan had lost everything, Nobunaga’s enthusiasm soared.
"This time, I’m going to dominate the table—huh? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Nobunaga, after practically pushing Feitan out of his seat, eagerly took his place. But as he reached for the tiles to shuffle, he noticed the other three players were staring at him strangely.
Shalnark’s gaze held regret, while Machi and Pakunoda both looked at him with expressions of annoyance, mixed with a faint trace of killing intent.
Nobunaga: "???"
I just wanted to play mahjong. What did I do wrong?!
Innocent Nobunaga couldn’t fathom what Machi and Pakunoda’s sharp gazes meant.
Why are you looking at me like this?!
Confused and clueless, Nobunaga sat there awkwardly as the atmosphere grew tense and awkward.
"Enough."
Chrollo closed the book he’d been reading and stood up.
"We can continue the game after we finish this mission."
"It’s time for us to move out."
As expected of the leader, Chrollo’s intervention diffused the brewing storm effortlessly.
Since he’d spoken, Machi and Pakunoda had no choice but to relent.
However, their subtle pouts and slightly resentful gazes suggested they weren’t willing to let the matter drop entirely.
It was clear that this issue might be brought up again in the future.
But that was a problem for another day. For now, it was better than enduring the tension of the present.
Let’s just take it one day at a time, Morin thought, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.
At the same time, he felt a twinge of frustration.
Pakunoda, that sly little minx, had set him up in this situation.
It seemed that after not seeing her for so long, she’d really grown bold.
Just wait until the mission is over. Let’s see how I’ll ‘deal with’ her then!
"What a shame," he muttered to himself.
Shalnark stood up from the mahjong table and patted Nobunaga on the shoulder, his face full of regret.
Nobunaga: "??????"
What’s the regret about? Could you make yourself clear already?!
Nobunaga wanted to ask, but when he noticed Machi and Pakunoda’s calm, steady gazes, he couldn’t help but shrink back, swallowing his words.
Did I really do something wrong?
He began doubting himself internally.
“Yeah, it really is a shame,” added Uvogin, nodding in exaggerated agreement.
“What do you know, you idiot?!”
While Nobunaga could endure others speaking cryptically, Uvogin’s comments were met with immediate irritation.
“I don’t know anything either,” Uvogin said matter-of-factly. “I just thought saying this seemed to fit the mood and was kind of fun.”
Nobunaga: "?????? Are you kidding me?! Fun, my foot!"
If the space wasn’t so cramped, Nobunaga would’ve drawn his sword and swung it straight at Uvogin’s neck.
Franklin and Kortopi seemed to have caught on to the situation, at least partially.
The atmosphere was so heavy with implication that they’d have to be blind not to notice. However, neither of them cared much for such matters and had no intention of getting involved.
Shalnark, on the other hand, appeared deeply invested in the unfolding drama.
“Given the current timeline, quite a few foreign nobles and ministers should have arrived by now, right?” Chrollo turned to Morin and asked.
“Not just them~”
Morin pulled out a spy device and confirmed once more. “Some important officials from the V5 are also here.”
He didn’t specifically mention the personnel from the Navigational Bureau. It wasn’t the right time to bring up such details.
The secrets of the Dark Continent and the Navigational Bureau had long been under V5’s exclusive research. They’d never abandoned their ambitions to conquer the Dark Continent.
As for why personnel from the Navigational Bureau were attending the birthday celebration of the queen of the Mosibia Kingdom, Morin could only speculate.
Based on the information he’d gathered, the queen had quite the scandalous history of romantic escapades in her youth.
Perhaps, just perhaps, the old queen had formed some “intimate connections” with someone in the Navigational Bureau back then.
Listening to Morin and Chrollo’s exchange, the rest of the group suddenly realized how late it had gotten. They had been so engrossed in mahjong that they’d lost track of time.
At this point, the celebration was likely about to begin.
Realizing this, everyone began to focus.
“Our goal this time—everyone should be clear about it, right?”
Chrollo stood with both hands in the pockets of his long black coat, his gaze becoming profound.
“To obtain the Mosibia royal family’s prized treasure.”
“And the rest of their valuables?” Feitan asked. This was directly tied to his debts, so he couldn’t ignore it.
“If conditions allow, you can take other treasures from their vault. Handle it as you see fit.”
Given that it was their first large operation together, Chrollo granted considerable autonomy for this mission.
“Boss?”
Uvogin raised his hand excitedly. “If someone tries to stop us while we’re seizing the target, what do we do?”
“Kill them,” Chrollo replied with a faint smile, his tone devoid of emotion.
“What if it’s ministers or high-ranking nobles from other kingdoms?” Uvogin’s eyes lit up slightly as he pressed further.
“Same.”
The answer was unwavering.
“Hahaha!”
Uvogin suddenly burst into wild laughter. “Becoming enemies of multiple kingdoms? I like it! I love it!”
“I’m so excited I can barely wait!”
He wasn’t the only one. Phinks had a sinister grin on his face, and Feitan’s fingers were twitching, itching to start.
“If there are no objections...”
Chrollo’s smile deepened as he announced:
“Then let’s move out!”
For this inaugural operation, everyone was mobilized.
Chrollo and Morin led the way, with the others following close behind.
Given that today marked the Mosibia Kingdom’s annual grand celebration, the capital was filled with people from various unique cultures.
Many were performing elaborate rituals or wearing eccentric outfits to honor the queen, creating a scene of colorful chaos.
This cacophony allowed Chrollo, Uvogin, and the others to blend in seamlessly. Among the crowd, they weren’t even the most conspicuous group.
On the way, Chrollo laid out their plan:
He would lead the offensive team, which included Feitan, Uvogin, Phinks, and Nobunaga.
Franklin and Kortopi, due to their specialized abilities, would provide cover and suppress enemy forces from a distance if necessary.
Shalnark, Coltopi, and Bonolenov were grouped together for coordination and support. Bonolenov’s puppet abilities could handle various obstacles, while Shalnark’s intelligence and quick thinking would guide the group’s strategy and adapt to unforeseen challenges.
And the final group? Naturally, they were assigned to Morin.
As Morin processed this arrangement, he felt utterly defeated.
What was my mistake?! What did I do to deserve this?
Trailing behind Machi and Pakunoda, who walked ahead with a subtle, tense distance between them, Morin sighed.
Initially, he’d thought that starting the operation would delay or even defuse the earlier tension.
But then Chrollo had dealt him this hand.
With a justification that their combined abilities were “vital for saving the troupe in critical moments,” Chrollo had grouped him with the two women.
Are you doing this for the drama, or are you worried I’ll die too quickly and take your spot as leader?!
Morin mentally ranted at Chrollo.
Of course, he knew Chrollo’s reasoning wasn’t malicious, nor was it like Shalnark’s schemes with underlying meanings.
When it came to the troupe’s missions, Chrollo was always serious and practical.
Leading the most powerful combatants himself demonstrated this.
Franklin and Kortopi’s ranged abilities were perfect for cover and suppression.
Even the placement of Bonolenov with Shalnark and Coltopi seemed deliberate, though Morin suspected Chrollo harbored some reservations about Bonolenov’s true intentions.
