— 10:25 AM - Tessia Kingdom Ministry of Military —
At the Tessia Kingdom Ministry of Military, a sprawling complex spanning 2 square kilometers. Despite being a third-world country, the big city where the ministry is located boasts impressive infrastructure akin to first-world nations. However, a significant wealth gap is evident, emphasizing the disparity between the rich and the poor.
The ministry grounds are teeming with activity, housing barracks, training fields, and an airfield. Soldiers and personnel diligently carry out their duties, engaging in drills and exercises. The airfield serves as a hub for various aircraft, reflecting the country's commitment to defense capabilities.
The main building of the ministry combines colonial-era architecture with modern design elements. It exudes grandeur with classic columns, ornate detailing, and a majestic entrance. These historical features seamlessly blend with contemporary touches, symbolizing Tessia Kingdom's pursuit of progress.
Inside, administrative corridors showcase the country's heritage through photographs and memorabilia. Offices and meeting rooms strike a balance between tradition and functionality with a mix of vintage and modern furnishings.
Daniel and Greed stepped out of the luxurious black armored limo. The driver, a member of the Veneziale's Gang, swiftly drove the vehicle to the parking lot after dropping them off at the front door of the ministry's main building. This was their designated meeting place for the day.
"Tell me, Greed, why can't we establish the company first and then pay him a visit? Wouldn't it be better to secure a foothold before coming here?" Daniel inquired as they walked into the building, his black suitcase in hand.
Greed let out a sigh upon hearing the question, unable to hide her frustration.
"That would be the case if your business didn't threaten the existing electricity providers in the country. But your plan to sell it at a cheaper price would drive them into bankruptcy. We need to come here first to gauge the reactions of those greedy bastards," Greed replied wearily, annoyed at the individuals who controlled the country's electricity and worsened the situation by raising the electricity prices despite the global energy crisis having subsided for decades.
"Greedy bastards?" Daniel repeated, his confusion evident as he regarded Greed. It felt like the pot calling the kettle black.
"Yes, greedy bastards," Greed affirmed, annoyance flickering in her eyes as she glanced at Daniel.
"Just because I'm the Witch of Greed doesn't mean I can't insult those idiotic greedy bastards. Besides, I am the Witch of Greed, not the Witch of Selfishness. Greed can be a driving force for progress, as humans cannot move forward without ambition and desire. So, don't lump me in with those selfish and greedy idiots."
"Alright, alright! No need to get angry, Jeez!" Daniel quickly interjected, extending his hand in a placating gesture. He could sense Greed's irritation, realizing that she despised being associated with those greedy pigs.
After their bickering, the two entered the elevator and pressed the button for the highest floor where the room of the Supreme General was located.
"Greed..." Daniel called out, catching her attention.
"Huh?" Greed glanced at Daniel, awaiting his question.
Greed, now exhibiting a higher mutation rate as a witch, had her hair transformed into a literal shade of golden, resembling the color of pure gold rather than a typical natural blond.
"Do you still remember what happened yesterday?" Daniel inquired.
"Um..." Greed nodded, her face flushing with embarrassment as she vividly recalled the incident when Mammon took control of her body.
"I lost control after I kissed you," Greed admitted, her hand instinctively rising to her face in an attempt to dissipate the lingering giddiness and embarrassment.
Upon reaching the highest floor, Greed swiftly stepped out of the elevator and made her way towards the double doors that led to the Supreme General's room.
However, as soon as Daniel exited the elevator, his heightened senses as a Grand Hunter detected the unmistakable scent of blood.
"Greed!" Daniel swiftly retrieved his Uzi from his 'Universal Pocket' and handed it to her.
"What's this for?" Greed asked, unaware of the situation and the implications of Daniel's actions.
"I smell blood inside," Daniel explained, gripping a large-caliber handgun from his Universal Pocket. He moved in front of Greed, using his body as a shield to protect her. Slowly, he opened the wooden double doors and cautiously peered inside.
"Shit..." Daniel muttered under his breath as he surveyed the scene. The room was filled with lifeless bodies, presumably the soldiers who had been stationed to protect this floor. Bullet holes adorned the walls, black scorch marks marred the surfaces, and there were even pot holes on the floor, indicating the use of explosives during a fierce gunfight.
Daniel cautiously opened the door and stepped into the room, his heightened Grand Hunter senses on high alert, scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. He carefully surveyed every corner, ensuring nothing went unnoticed. The area they entered was a corridor with guard rooms on both sides. Daniel quickly inspected both rooms, finding only lifeless bodies and bullet marks.
"What happened here?" Greed asked, her voice filled with alarm as she gazed upon the floor strewn with the corpses of fallen soldiers.
"I believe there was an attempted coup," Daniel stated, pointing at the uniforms of the lifeless bodies.
"The first one is dressed in all black, devoid of any identification. They were likely the invaders who prepared to attack this place. The others, dressed in pristine uniforms, served as both hosts to welcome guests and protectors against minor threats or lightly armed forces. It seems they never expected an assault from heavily armed forces," Daniel explained.
Daniel noticed numerous guns scattered on the floor and swiftly collected them, along with their magazines, storing them within his 'Universal Pocket.'
"Why are you taking those guns?" Greed asked, puzzled by Daniel's actions.
"Free guns. Why wouldn't I take them?" Daniel replied nonchalantly.
As Daniel was about to resume his looting, his heightened senses alerted him to the presence of a group of individuals approaching. He immediately ceased his activities, realizing the need to prepare for a potential confrontation.
Daniel scanned the area but found no suitable hiding spots nearby. He made the decision to confront the approaching group head-on, pushing Greed to seek cover within the guard post in case a firefight ensued. With a swift motion, he stowed his gun within his 'Universal Pocket.'
A group of soldiers dressed in black emerged from the room and entered the corridor. They encountered Daniel, who acted like an innocent bystander who happened upon the scene.
"Sir, we've found a civilian who appears to have an appointment with the former supreme general. What are your instructions, sir?" the leader of the soldiers asked, communicating through his headset while his comrades trained their guns on Daniel.
"Leave no witnesses. Kill them," a cold and ruthless voice commanded through the headphones. The soldier leader nodded to his comrades, who aimed their weapons at Daniel's head.
"Sorry, man... It's an order," the leader said with a tinge of pity as he aimed his rifle at Daniel's head.
"So... it's come down to this, huh?" Daniel replied in a resigned tone before the sound of gunfire erupted.
Bang!
Instead of the leader's bullet piercing Daniel's skull, the squad leader's head exploded into a gruesome mess. Blood and gray matter splattered across the faces and bodies of the remaining soldiers.
"Wha... urgh!?" The soldiers were left speechless, their throats swiftly slit by the combat knife in Daniel's hand. They fell to the ground silently, bewildered by the sudden swift attack from the seemingly innocent civilian.
After eliminating the squad, Daniel signaled for Greed to follow him. He then employed the 'Shield of Fate' cards to ensure her safety.
"This...? So, you can actually use both regular magic and faith-based magic," Greed uttered in awe as she felt the protective power coursing through her body.
"Yes, I'm awesome. Now, please be quiet," Daniel gestured for her to remain silent and picked up the headset, listening intently.
"Report! Has the witness been eliminated? Report!" The voice from the headset barked out the command.
"Sir, we've found another civilian, Victoria Goldwyn. She claims to have an appointment. Should we eliminate her?" Daniel asked, using his alchemy transmutation to disguise his voice to match that of the squad leader.
"No! She is too important! Bring her to me!" the voice on the other end commanded before abruptly ending the communication.
"So, what should we do?" Greed asked, uncertain about the next course of action.
"It's your call. Do you think these people are aware of the Curtained World?" Daniel inquired.
"Um... There's a high possibility that they know about it, but we should confirm it, unless they tried to kill us first. You shouldn't reveal any of your supernatural abilities," Greed advised.
Daniel frowned, recalling that Murphy, the former commander of the Tessia Kingdom police forces, seemed to be aware of the Curtained World. However, would the individuals orchestrating the coup really have no knowledge of it?
"Okay, I'll follow your suggestion." Daniel swapped his large-caliber handgun for a submachine gun taken from the lifeless bodies of the soldiers. He retrieved the uzi from Greed, recognizing it as an artifact weapon, and handed her a standard handgun.
"But I'll tell you, this is a bad idea. They were just trying to kill us a few seconds ago. There's no way they'll play nice, even if we try to be nice to them," Daniel remarked, his pessimism growing regarding the situation. Based on his experience and the news he had heard from TV and the internet, playing nice wasn't a phrase in the dictionary of those in power in the Tessia Kingdom.
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