Mack noticed Matthew’s odd expression and immediately got defensive. “Why are you looking at me like that, Matteo?!”
“I was just marveling at how sharp you’re getting. At this rate, I won’t be able to keep up with you, Mack.”
“Hah! No way, Matteo, you’ll always be the deputy chief of the Veiled Assembly!” Mack chuckled, scratching his head sheepishly, as clueless as ever.
Matthew sighed. Still the same Mack…
“You might want to lift your head up first,” Matthew advised, looking at Casimir, who was still catching his breath and doing his best to look as if he’d just rushed over with everythinghad.
“Oh, right! Uh… Stop, everyone!” Casimir managed to say, finally looking up, only to freeze in shook, his words caught in his throat.
Before favonovel.com stood a group of burly men with grim expressions, all armed, and in front of them, a huddle of men crouched with hands on their heads.
“Um… Where’s Deadeye?” Casimir asked, struggling to process the scene.
Matthew pointed to a distant figure sprawled on the ground. “Over there… Why do you ask?”
Casimir’s gaze followed Matthew’s finger to the lifeless body. Even from afar,could tell it was Deadeye.
“And… The Devil Guild?” Casimir asked, swallowing hard aslooked over the huddled men, all too calm and compliant.
“You’re looking at them,” Matthew replied coolly.
Casimir’s disbelief deepened. He’d expected the Devil Guild to be a force equal to his own, the Emberhold Syndicate, one that could at least hold its own. Yet he’d only heard brief gunfire from afar before it fell completely silent.
How had this supposedly weaker group mustered such overwhelming strength?
Casimir had a hard time processing the reality, but little didknow that the Veiled Assembly members had flown into a frenzy upon learning of Deadeye’s connection to the Medusa Gang, seeing every Devil Guild member as part ofthe hated organization.
The Devil Guild members, in turn, abandoned their guns and fled, too terrified to fight back.
“So, Chief Falkrenn of the Emberhold Syndicate, what brings you to our territory?” Matthew’s tone grew colder asspoke.
The surrounding men grew wary again.
Sh*t, frosty Deputy Larden has reemerged!
Casimir felt a sinking sensation in his gut aslooked at the tense, unfriendly faces around him. In his attempt to play the mediator, he’d only brought himself forward, leaving the rest of his men hidden behind.
“Oh, nothing… I only came because I’d heard there was fighting… As a member of this island community, I felt responsible to step in and mediate. But now that everything’s sorted out, I’ll be on my way.”
If Deadeye could hear him, he’d likely be cursing Casimir from his grave. Casimir, ever the diplomat, was acting as if all was well now that Deadeye was gone.
Matthew’s expression turned into a sly smile. “Chief Falkrenn, since you’re here, why not stay a bit longer? Wouldn’t want anyone saying the Veiled Assembly didn’t treat its guests properly.”
“Oh, no need, you’re far too kind! I still have business at the dock, so I’ll take my leave. I’ll be sure to visit another day to make up for it!” Casimir said hastily, eager to retreat.
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