Chapter 35: Meeting With Sponsors
Lucas asked Shelley, "Have all the people I invited arrived?"
"Everyone's here. Regardless of whether they plan to side with the Security Bureau or not, they have to show us some respect. But... our future days won't be easy."
Shelley expressed her pessimism.
Previously, the Secret Intelligence Bureau and the Security Bureau had a certain understanding regarding the dock's interests. However, once the Mad Axe Gang had trouble, the Security Bureau immediately took ruthless actions.
They seemed determined to drive the Secret Intelligence Bureau out of the dock's interests.
Now, the Security Bureau was threatening the sponsors of the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
Despite the bureau's strong support for the Mad Axe Gang, the disparity in power had caused some sponsors to start considering their future options.
If the bureau really lost control of the dock and was further strangled by the administrative office of Storm City, then relying solely on the meager salaries from the headquarters wouldn't be better than finding a ship and becoming sailors.
Days as leisurely as these would probably never be seen again.
Would they have to rely on extorting vendors in the future?
While Shelley wore a worried expression, Lucas tossed her a bag and then stood up to walk out.
"Take this, and come with me to meet our sponsors.
The Mad Axe Gang... I will protect them!
The dock... no one can take it from us!"
"What's in this bag?" Shelley wanted to open it, but seeing Lucas already walking out, she quickly picked it up and followed him.
The meeting room on the third floor was filled with smoke.
The various influential figures who had accepted the invitation were smoking and discussing the recent events at the Mad Axe Gang headquarters.
"I don't think the Mad Axe Gang can hold out. I heard Black Jack has paid a high price to hire all the sailors at Cape Port, thousands of them! If Jumu were here, maybe the Mad Axe Gang could hold on, but now, with just Lambert?
Tomorrow, we might see his head being kicked around like a ball."
"The Security Bureau has probably informed you all as well. Chief Holt is very determined to take the dock. Our Inspector has just taken office; I'm afraid he can't compete with Holt."
"You aren't planning to side with the Security Bureau, are you? No matter how the Security Bureau and the Secret Intelligence Bureau fight, the Secret Intelligence Bureau will remain here. Aren't you afraid they'll come after you later?"
"Afraid? Of course, we are. That's why we're here. We should explain our difficulties to Inspector Lucas. At worst, we can give money to both the Security Bureau and the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
But the amount can't be what it used to be."
"Sigh... when the big shots from the Security Bureau and the Secret Intelligence Bureau fight, it's us who suffer. We not only have to pay but also risk our lives.
Did you know, someone posted a bounty on the demon-horned Jumu at the Assassin's Tavern... 5000 gold coupons.
Because of those 5000 gold coupons, the Mad Axe Gang lost over a hundred good men, and including those who died last night, nearly a thousand people have died in the Seawall District!
Who knows when this will end? I'm really afraid that one day it'll be my head getting kicked around like a ball."
"Captain Hansel, you have a considerable business at the dock. What do you think about this situation?"
When someone mentioned Hansel's name, the others fell silent and all turned to look at a middle-aged man wearing a tricorn hat.
His skin was rough from years of sailing, and he had a centipede-like scar on his face.
As Lucas warmly greeted everyone, his demeanor abruptly shifted. With a swift, practiced motion, he pulled a gun from his coat and fired a shot that echoed through the room.
Captain Hansel, just bending down to sit, jerked violently as the bullet struck. Lucas fired three more shots in rapid succession, each bullet drilling into Hansel's head.
The captain's lifeless body slumped over the table, blood pooling around it.
The room fell into a stunned silence, eyes wide and breaths held.
What's happening? Are we all going to be killed by the Secret Intelligence Bureau?
Shelley, ever the seasoned combatant, snapped into action. She drew her gun, its barrel sweeping the room as she barked, "Hands where I can see them!"
Anyone considering resistance immediately raised their hands, knowing full well the lethal reputation of the Black Mamba. She was known to shoot first and ask questions later.
A voice, shaky with fear, broke the tension. "Inspector Lucas... we haven't betrayed the bureau; we are ready to support the Mad Axe Gang with all our strength."
Shelley, her eyes still scanning for threats, leaned in and whispered urgently to Lucas,
"Inspector, Captain Hansel was on our side. He's the one who warned me about the Security Bureau's plans. He also promised to help keep these people from switching sides."
Lucas, unperturbed, reholstered his gun. He turned to Zane at the door, his voice icy and commanding,
"Get Hansel's body out of here. Then take a team to his dock, arrest Daugherty and Felix. Confiscate the Lucky Princess and bring me the safe from under the tenth plank on the left in the captain's cabin."
"Yes, Inspector!" Zane responded crisply. He strode in, hefted Hansel's corpse onto his shoulder, and left the room without another word.
Just then, a squad of imperial agents burst in, weapons drawn and eyes wide with alarm. Lucas, his confidence unshaken, gestured for them to leave.
"Stand down," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
As the agents backed out, Lucas turned back to the sponsors, a disarming smile spreading across his face.
"There's no need to be nervous," he said smoothly.
"I killed Hansel because he was the mastermind behind the assassination of my predecessor. Zane is already on his way to collect the evidence."
His smile didn't reach his eyes as he continued, "Now, please, sit down. We have business to discuss."
"Black Mamba," he added, glancing at Shelley, "holster your weapon."
"Yes, Inspector." Shelley reholstered her gun, her movements precise and controlled.
The sponsors, still reeling from the shock, hesitated. Lucas's eyes hardened. "I said, sit down."
"Sit down!" Shelley echoed, her voice sharp and fear-inducing.
The sponsors scrambled to their seats, clustering at the far end of the table, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and Lucas.
The new inspector had just executed Hansel without hesitation, and the air was thick with fear and uncertainty.
Lucas waited until everyone was seated before speaking again, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "If anyone wants to jump ship, now is the time to leave."
The sponsors exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale and drawn.
Leaving now? In this situation? None of them dared to move.