Meanwhile, The Miss Molly, Western 2nd Sea
~Selene’s Perspective~
“Shit,” I mutter to myself.
The headline of the newspaper mocks me with its huge words.
CRIMINAL ABBEY AAIO KILLED IN SKIRMISH WITH ARCANE GOVERNMENT FORCES
Yesterday morning, criminal Abbey Aaio was killed in a battle with Arcane Government forces when they caught up to her ship. After a lengthy battle that killed more than half of the soldiers in combat, she was finally killed by a bullet to the head, a brave sacrifice by soldier Emily Johnson, who…
Sacrifice my ass. More likely it was a lucky shot. Damn propaganda.
Well, enough about the propaganda. I’ve got other things to worry about.
I stay in my seat, thinking for a few moments. Now that I think about it, there have been rumors about the tensions between the 3 Pirate Organizations being at an all-time high. Maybe that’s given the AG more time to hunt their criminals?
Nah. That doesn’t sound like them. Knowing them, they’re just trying to look good ever since Veridies got arrested by two kids.
A man sits down across from me. His blond hair is styled neatly and he looks like one of the elite, arrogant and haughty. His green eyes move over me, analyzing me, although his eyes linger on my chest a tad bit too long for my comfort. What a pervert.
“You must be Selene Liannos,” he says.
“What do you want?” I ask him. “I thought I have a reputation for not taking personal commissions. Unless you’re too dumb to learn.”
He smiles without showing his teeth. He’s not intimidated at all.
“Can you at least listen to my request first?”
I glare at him. Might as well see what he has to offer.
“Fine,” I snap.
“Very well. My name is Kellan Bellona.”
Oh shit. A Bellona. As much as me and Cassius are at odds now, we at least share a hatred of the AG.
“We have been concerned about reports of the Shining Pirates gathering for what is believed to be an assault on AG territory. We have found a possible link between them and the organization known as the Underworld, specifically a contact that is linked with the upper ranks of the Underworld.”
I react slightly. He notices.
The Underworld is a criminal syndicate. Most drug dealers, thieves, murderers, assassins, and more unsavory people all presumably bow to them. I’ve captured and killed a few. But no one, and I mean no one, hunts anyone linked with their upper echelons. It’s too dangerous, both for them and for any family and friends they have.
“I know what the Underworld is,” I interrupt. “What do you want?”
“Simple. I want you to hunt that contact. In exchange, I will pay you 10 million lamina, enough to keep your family’s bellies full for 3 years. I would like the target alive, but if you must, kill them.”
“Not enough,” I retort. “Not even fucking close.”
He sighs.
“Very well then,” he responds. “I know about the incident at Lageros. I know what we did in retaliation for your town harboring criminals. The taxes especially. So how about this?”
He leans forward to me.
“You take this commission, and we will lift all punishment on the town.”
I freeze. He can’t be serious.
“You’re lying,” I say.
“I have connections. I can make it happen.”
I look him in the eye.
“Swear it,” I say. “Swear it on the River Styx.”
His smug smile disappears at the mention of the ancient oath.
“I swear on the River Styx.”
End of Chapter XV