Finally arriving at the bank, they saw the place much nicer than what they saw on there way here. The bank had nicely dressed guards, no dead bodies around, people were working at a steady pace, and some nobles were even having breakfast out in the open. Making this seem like a meet and greet rather than a break from killing beastkins.
The group continued going and went to the front door of the bank. The bank guards this time didn't care about status and checked everyone. Seeing nothing unusual, they allowed Ritzy and the group to go inside.
The bank was enormous, about 5 by 4 football fields. Despite its huge size, regular materials weren't used in building the bank. It could be seen that expensive stone, wood, art, and many other things were used to bring a nobility feeling in the bank.
The group was then led by a guard to go meet Grasso. The group followed the guard up 5 flights of stairs and a couple of hallways to reach Grasso.
Reaching Grasso, they were in what seemed the bank manager's office. The office was grand and was made of mostly marble-like stone.
Grasso seeing the group, he walked to a nearby wine rack, took two glasses, and what seemed to be a very old looking wine.
Grasso then sat back down on the office's chair and said,
"Benjamin, please sit. I want to speak with you about what's happening".
With Grasso's actions, it was clear to see that he only cared about being in good terms with Benjamin. He didn't care about the noble servants or Ritzy.
Benjamin,
"Glady"
Benjamin understood what Grasso was trying to pull but he had to roll with it. Not because he wanted to but because he had to.
Noble etiquette required one to respond appropriately to another nobles kindness. Especially if its an invitation. It there any feeling of Benjamin possibly not satisfied or does not like what Grasso is doing, it could be seen as the Benedire family not respecting the Cinghaile family.
There wasn't any problem with a Benedire using being unrespectful because he is a higher ranking noble but Benjamin is part of the younger generation in the Benedire family. This meant that Benjamin had no right to offend another family without a reasonable excuse or permission of the head of the family.
Seeing Benjamin sit down, a ridiculous grin appeared on Grasso's face. Grasso probably thought it looked welcoming but it wasn't. Everyone saw it as creepy.
Grasso grabbed both glasses and poured the wine. He poured a finger wide for Benjamin but almost the whole cup for himself.
Grasso,
"Sorry, but you will be in combat soon so I can't give you much".
Benjamin knew that Grasso was being selfish but he couldn't voice his opinion. His only thought was wanting to say, 'You're the General, you shouldn't be drinking either', but he held it back.
After Grasso took a sip, he said curiously,
"Benjamin, you will be tasked with leading this team. Is this fine?".
There was nothing wrong with Benjamin taking the lead but there was a hidden meaning if Benjamin did take the league. If Benjamin said he would lead the team, it would mean that the current leader Kevin would lose his position.
If Benjamin took Kevin's role, this meant he went against his father's wishes. It wasn't too abnormal for a young noble to suddenly take the lead but if they did, there was a test. If the young noble had an unsuccessful mission when he forcefully took the lead, there would be consequences.
The young noble would no longer see as a potential successor, not fit to be a captain or anything in command for the moment, and will lose any reputation he had gained before.
But if the mission went well, then it would mean the young noble is ready to be an adult. Also that they will be fighting to be the family successor.
Grasso mind,
'If I open an opportunity for him to earn his name in the family, he would be eternally grateful to me. I just need him to accept this and I will have a Benedire member see me favorably. I can see me becoming an archduke now'.
Benjamin said hesitantly,
"Yes, it will be fine".
Kevin hearing this he wasn't offended or too surprised. His mind now was only remembering everything that will happen with Benjamin being a leader and then report it back to Benedire.
Grasso,
"Since there are no problems, then I tell you what you need to do. I want your team to help reconquer the town hall. If you go downstairs and turn to the room to the right, you see the other priority defenders. Over there, the priority defenders can recap you on the plan".
Understanding that Grasso wasn't gonna explain further, he got up the chair and lead the group away. But before they could leave, Grasso said something.
Grasso,
"Ritzy, please stay. I have something else to speak with you, but don't worry. Your knights can go help, Benjamin. They'll be safe under his care".
The room went silent, the knights and Benjamin didn't know what to do. Ritzy, on the other hand, was also skeptical but he knew he wouldn't know what Grasso was trying to do by worrying.
Ritzy walked to Grasso desk and sat on the guest chair.
Ritzy looked at his knights and said,
"It's fine, like Grasso said. Benjamin will be in charge of you for now".
The knights then realized what Ritzy was implying. That Grasso, the Duke, was giving an order and they cannot go against the higher-ranked noble person.
Leaving the room, Grasso spoke,
"Ritzy, do you know why you aren't going with them?".
Ritzy,
"Do tell".
Grasso looked curiously at Ritzy, not expecting him to be so calm.
Grasso,
"Ritzy, I hear from Benedire that you were promoted to priority defender, congratulations".
Ritzy,
"Thank you, and congratulations on getting back the bank. The most important part of any city".
Grasso felt mockery in Ritzy voice but his words were full of flattery so Grasso couldn't do anything.
Grasso,
"What I'm trying to get at is that your need to be placed in a more important part of this war".
Ritzy,
"I thank you for believing in my skill but what do you have in mind".
Grasso,
"I'll be sending a team to go to the black market. You know, to scavenge the area and see what is happening there".
Ritzy mind went into full panic mode but then stopped because he needed to do everything he could to not be part of the team.
Ritzy,
"Grasso, I'm extremely flattered with you believing in me but I cannot handle this situation. I believe I will only be a hindrance and easy kill if I go to the black areas".
Grasso knew that Ritzy was trying to get out of the mission but he wouldn't let him,
"What do you mean, you definitely can. Don't be ridiculous and report to the room next to us. Over there you get the entire report and meet your team".
Ritzy,
"Sorry lord Grasso but I feel I will fail you. I can't possibly accept this mission if I'm gonna be a liability".
Grasso talked kindly but forwardly,
"You are more than capable to go to the other room".
Grasso then spoke sternly,
"Its an order".
Seeing Grasso trying to scare Ritzy pissed him off because he was being sent at a suicide mission. His anger was accidentally shown and made Grasso yelp in fear.
Angered, Ritzy left the room without saying a proper goodbye.
Grasso didn't notice that Ritzy didn't do a proper noble goodbye, instead he was frightened by what happened. His mind was too preoccupied with being worried about who he angered.
...
Ritzy leaving the room, his mind went in full panic mode.
The reason Ritzy was panicking was because he was about to take on a mission against the whole underworld community.
The black market may seem like a community of mal intent people with no rules but in reality, it's extremely organized.
When Ritzy lived in his old world, the black market was a place where the biggest boss owns an area and rented parts of the area for illegal businesses. Even people who want to do bad, needed a safe area to rest or buy stuff, and that's where the black market came in place.
The black market was not only a store one could use, but more of a town in a city. The black market was a place where one could rent a room for safety, buy weapons, get illegal pets, and much more. It was a haven for illegal business.
What kept people coming despite it being filled with criminals was that there was always supply, and no one ever wrongfully died in the premise. The boss of the area would implement protection, guards, doctors, and anything needed to maintain the safety of the area.
When coming to this world, Ritzy met the black market again when he was with Savior. Everything was similar to his old black market but this black market had much more power.
In this world of everyone wanting power for themselves, one group became successful in owning all the illegal businesses.
The black market wasn't just a town anymore, instead, it was a branch of the black market guild. If one got the anger of one black market, all the other black markets would be angered as well. It was a whole new operation with unrivaled strength. It could be said that most black markets own the city they reside in.