Daniel, who was sitting in the taxi, let out a smirk as he listened to what Ardito said after he had left.
[As expected, Can't trust these guys at all.] Daniel thought.
But Daniel still needed to give Ardito some credit as his mind was strong enough to resist the fear from the effect of the spell card and come up with this little scheme. It tells him of how strong Ardito's mind was and depending on the person and situation, his card effect might not be absolute.
Anyhow, If Ardito just hatch out this little scheme and didn't go further as to pit him against the Russian gang. He would allow that, and if Ardito or his people told him about the implication of their connection he might have a problem with the Russian gang. He would appreciate that and he will give them a plus in his heart.
As for now, he will maintain neutrality with the Veneziale family and see what they are going to do. If they show enough sincerity he might consider taking them in as his subordinate as they wish.
—
The taxi arrived in front of the abandoned apartment. Daniel paid the fee and got down from the car then walked to where the three hobos were with lightheartedness. Thinking that the good news he brings would lighten the load in their heart.
It's nearly 11 PM in the night, but contrary to his expectation to see the three hobos chatting, depressed, or even sleeping. He found out that there are a lot of men in tactical combat armor and a few trucks with the word SWAT on them.
A few SWAT in tactical gear is bringing Murphy into the prisoner's car. Murphy's eyes looked at one of the hobos named Pete with great disappointment. While the other Murphy hobo friend looked at Pete with anger and was about to rush at Pete who hid behind one of the SWAT team and got pushed down on the ground and arrested for doing so.
The one who is smiling without stopping is the high-ranking police officer who looks to be the leader of this little assault team.
"Excuse me Mr.officer, Could you please tell me what happened? What did Murphy do to warrant this kind of action against him?" Daniel politely asks after he walked in front of the police officer.
"You know them?" The high-ranking police asked.
"Yes," Daniel nodded without thinking too much but then…
"Everybody! arrests this man! He is an accomplice of this guy in slandering his majesty!" The police officer shouts out loud and the SWAT who are idling immediately point their gun at Daniel.
The police officer let out a smirk. This is not the first time he did things like arresting an innocent. Truth be told, this is a necessary process for him to grow in power as the higher only looks at the number without interest in the fact whether the one he arrested is guilty or not.
The more he was arrested the better, even if they were innocent he could find plenty of methods to pin something on their head even if it was made up and he could ensure that they would sign their name in the confession document.
The only thing that he finds a little troubling is that Daniel wears an expensive suit which means he was rich and should have some background. In this case, Daniel might be able to find a way to prove his innocence but more times than not, he would be able to get something out of the rich one, especially the money as the rich wouldn't bother to pay him for him to get out of their hair.
Even on the off chance that he kicks the steel plate. His connection with the royal family would resolve all the blame and he would go scot-free the next month after getting some perfunctory punishment like getting his pay deducted for a month.
There's much to gain and so little to be lost on the off chance. That's why he didn't hesitate to put the blame on anyone the first chance he got.
But… There is only one very very rare case that even his connection with the royal family would not help him go scot-free. Is that he tried to cause trouble for the Curtained World's people. Worst of them all… is the mage.
Of course, He knew about the existence of the Curtained World; it's the perk that comes with having a connection with the royal family.
Then again, he had lost count of the people he had doomed their life and he had never met a mage once. This time would be no different!
Daniel was startled and confused about what had happened but then he remembered the words "His Majesty". Does this mean the police in front of him are under the direct command of that damn crown prince?
"Oi… What the fuck are you trying to do?" Daniel asks as his tone grows a notch colder and is devoid of any politeness in his voice.
"Geh…" The police officer shuddered in fear when he saw Daniel with cold eyes.
Even though Daniel didn't use any card on the police officer but Daniel Level 3 Grand Artificer profession card. As the lore states that the grand Artificer was also participating in the war. The pressure of the war veteran alone was enough to shake the heart of an average man, let alone the heart of a coward such as the police officer in front of Daniel.
"What are you waiting for!? Beat him up and arrest him!" The police officer urges his subordinates while adding the beat up in the course as he wants to see Daniel who dares to make him feel fear to suffer.
The SWAT members immediately obey the order and quickly rush toward Daniel, They immediately launch their attack, both punching and kicking going toward Daniel. But instead of a soft feeling when their fist and legs hit the target, they felt a sharp pain on each of their fist and legs they used to attack Daniel.
"Arrrrrgg!" One of the SWAT screams as he clutched his bloodied hand. There is a hole the size of a fingernail appearing on his fist and all of his flesh and bone within that hole was nowhere to be seen as if it was scooped out by something small.
The same wound appears on all of the SWAT who attack Daniel. Each of their limbs that they used as a weapon a moment ago got injured and the pain that followed was so intense to the point of not being able to do anything other than rolling on the ground and clutching their injured limb while moaning in agony.
A few small red metal scarabs are hovering in the air in front of the SWAT group. They noticed that the red color on those scarabs was not its color, but the blood of the victim that was still agonizing on the ground.
Sensing the dread and danger from the mysterious man in a suit. The police officer immediately ordered.
"Shoot him! Shoot him!" He shouts in fear.
Before the SWAT was able to react. Suddenly, the swarm of metal scarabs pour out of Daniel's suit and quickly protect him by arranging themself to form a wall around him.
RataRataRataRata! RataRataRataRata!
The sound of gunfire rapidly resounded as both smoke from the gunfire and flame from the friction of metals curtained the scene. The gunfire continued for about 10 seconds before it subsided as all of the bullets from the rifle were used up and the SWAT was forced to stop.
The smoke from the gunfire slowly dispersed as the metallic wall formed by the swarm of metal scarab still stood strong without any blemish or scratch.
This batch of the self-replicating metal scarab was the batch after his Grand Artificer cards reached level 3. It has 3 in power and toughness from 2 strengthen counter effects. It's not the same batch he used as a test at the Veneziale estate. That's why he didn't have a scratch after surviving the hail of bullets.
Then the wall separates into a cloud of the metal scarab and starts flying surrounding the SWAT group.
"What…. What is this!? Are… are you a mage!?" The police officer asks with a shaken voice.
Out of one in a million and chance, and he ran into a mage!? Shit Shit SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!
The police officer screams inside his mind, he loses his balance and falls to the ground on his back then crawls, trying to keep his distance from the mage in front of him. He then turns toward the hobo and of course Murphy! He knew who Murphy truly is, It was within the range of possibility that he would know a mage or two.
"Lord mage! Lord Mage!" He called out while trying to keep his distance as he crawled on his back.
"Please! Please have mercy! I don't know, I don't know that my lord is a mage! I'll pay you! I'll pay you for your mercy my lord! Please! have mercy!" The police officer cried out as he begged for mercy.
For him, trying to cause trouble to a mage is like swimming with a bleeding wound in a tank full of hungry sharks. He might be able to keep his life but there's no way he will get off lightly. At least, he will try to appease the mage as much as possible and try to compensate the mage as much as he can.
The SWAT that surrounded Daniel was not much better, they also know about the Curtained World and the implication of causing trouble to a mage.
No, they are even worse since their influence and wealth are not high enough to save them. They would surely become a scapegoat for the royal family and get everything blamed on their head when the High Tower comes at them.