"Will do, Boss," said Minwoo, before waving goodbye.
"And don't worry, I won't allow this stick man to run wild again."
"I sincerely hope so. Otherwise, we might have to act out once again," scoffed the Angry Man.
Baldwin let out a sigh as he went back to the Old Chapel.
"I wonder if this plan will turn out the way it should..."
That left Ashley and Minwoo to talk. It was commonly referred to as a sibling lecture.
"Yea, yea, I get it... The Mages are not supposed to be harmed..." said Ashley, rubbing the back of his head.
Ashley shot a look of disgust when he heard Minwoo praising those Mages. Sure, that Mavislin girl was quite a shocker and cutie but he's already got the girl of his dreams. His heart fluttered at the mere thought of her. He wouldn't forgive those Mages if they dared touch her.
The Mages were the ones who tipped the way of life in the Underworld, causing everything to be in chaos now. The Congregation had such an iron grip on the people of the domains that once they pulled out, both worlds ended up colliding. Rules once enforced were now overturned.
As one of the Mafia Kings, Ashley was in charge of the Campania's Underworld. Rather than giving him the chance to rule the domain with his elder brother, he was forced to the underworld because there could only be one Marquess.
"Oi! I asked you a question," said Minwoo, rather annoyed.
"What was it?"
"How's Hwee? Have you finally tied the knot with her?" asked Minwoo, nudging his younger brother's shoulder.
Ashley pushed his overly excited brother away.
"There's no need for me to share my personal life with you."
"Hmph. Is that how you treat your elder brother?" pouted Minwoo, folding his arms across his chest.
"I don't want to hear those words coming out from your mouth. And don't you dare poison Hwee with your antics, Minwoo. If you dare talk to her about the Mages, I will castrate you with my rifle."
"Aww... Don't be like that. Besides."
Minwoo walked closer to his younger brother, stopping just beside him.
"You've yet to find a whole new world when you've done that."
Ashley growled in anger as he tried to hit his annoying brother. He was beetroot red. Minwoo dodged it with ease and landed safely with a smile on his face.
"What do you think I was referring to?" asked Minwoo, taunting his little brother.
"Something dirty," replied Ashley, still red with anger.
"Get your head out of the gutter. I was referring to entering the realm of Mages. You'll find them amusing."
"Yea. I still don't get why you get to be Marquess while I'm stuck with the dirty work," complained Ashley, cracking his strained neck.
"It wasn't my choice either. It makes you feel any better, the Mages and I are tackling the Underworld first. You could be a great help if you cooperate with us. And they'll help you as well."
"Help me? They could help by not touching the Mafia first. Leave my world and me alone."
"Listen, Ash. You have to stop these foolish fits. Like it or not, they are the only ones left that can fix this mess."
"They started it as well. It's their problem to fix, I don't get why the Mafia has to get roped in."
"It was our fault for jumping to conclusions too soon. This issue has been blown up because both parties failed to communicate with each other and resolve the problem peacefully. If given a chance, I don't think this was what the Mages wanted either."
Ashley remained silent as he heard his brother's reasoning. He closed his eyes as he remembered Hwee's neighbors got rounded up. She kept asking when the family would return since they sheltered her when her foster parent had thrown her out.
He failed to tell her that they were Mages in hiding and were being rounded to be executed. He didn't have the courage to tell her truth.
Both sides have suffered a tremendous loss in terms of lives. Throughout this a few years, relations have been stretched out and relationships have been broken. The Mafia's side was not doing any better.
"How about this, Ash? You don't have to work any Mages just yet. You can work with me instead, then climb up the ladder."
"I'd rather work with that Valkyrie," scoffed Ashley.
"That could work as well. But you gotta be careful, she bites people when you touch her," said Minwoo, reminding himself of the many times he got bitten.
"Perhaps you should ask a girl for her permission to touch her before you go laying your hands on her."
"Ash. Tie the knot first before opening her gates."
"Will you ever shut up about that?!"