The casino was a luxurious place despite now being clear the dark times that passed. As incredible as it may seem, it was silent compared to the other night Magnus had been there. Perhaps it was because it is still day, and many nobles avoid showing up there...
Crossing his legs, Magnus remained seated on the couch while waiting for said whose arrival. He was reaping what he planted by killing the Count in front of so many people. It was not the first time that he was called to talk about compensation, Magnus was already used to be sought by these entrepreneurs. Certainly Magnus would pay, after all the damage was always done by him.
Today would be the first time that Magnus Grimwood would not use a bag full of gold coins.
The door to the office was opened. A tall, thin man with medium brown hair wore a mask that hid his true identity. Although it is useless considering that Magnus knew your name.
"Your Grace, it is an honor that you have accepted my humble invitation."
The man bowed with his hand on his chest, keeping calm and without anger in his muffled voice. Magnus evaluated him from top to bottom noticing that he was wearing designer clothes, although not sinning in excess. Did that men want to impress Magnus? Perhaps he thought that by dressing well, Magnus would treat him like a nobleman?
"There is no reason to thank me. Considering the damage I caused in your establishment, it is more than natural and expected me to be willing to negotiate."
"I see that the rumors about you do not reach the feet of your dignity."
The man sat down on the couch in front of Magnus. A casino employee served some drinks and snacks, which Magnus ignored for now.
Ferdinand Brighton. A former mercenary... he didn't look like one. The masked man spoke like the nobles he was used to dealing with. And by his posture, he also seems to have studied etiquette to behave as noble.
As expected from someone powerful who wants to hide his origins.
"I see that your casino is less busy in the morning."
"After the Count Moutuni's death, high society has criticized the nobles who spend their fortunes on gambling. It brings shame to those who are... intrinsically connected to my casino."
"What a nice way to call them junkie vagrants", smiled Magnus with some malice.
"Haha, I would not dare to call them that way, Your Grace. Although it breaks my heart to see them pretend not to know my work after covering me with praise.
Hm, he knew how to keep the conversation light and stay in his place. He was not snobbish and was careful with words. Magnus realized he was being studied with that ridiculous conversation. Probably, Ferdinand wanted to know how Magnus would react to insults and what he thought about his clients.
Like a water that adapts to your container.
"I think this is the result of my hunt. I admit guilt, and as I mentioned in my letter, I'm willing to reward you for it."
Magnus could not see the face of the subject, but the slight wheezing that came muffled behind the mask made him think that his words made him happy. At least Magnus would be, if he were in your place.
"I'm very glad to hear that, Your Grace. I have already made the repairs on our structure and put back the game table into which the Count... fell."
"Do you want me to pay you the amount of repairs?"
"Oh, no, of course not. I must admit that I'm more interested in knowing the details of what happened."
"Just that?", Magnus tilted his head slightly.
"I have a right to know the reason my most troublesome client was murdered on top of a betting table, and in front of all my clients... Don't you think so, Your Grace?"
Magnus sighed and crossed his arms too.
"I see no reason to hide from you. I just hunted the worm Moutuni for daring to mess with my younger brother."
"Well, then these rumours are also real. I mean, about your fraternal fidelity."
"I'm responsible for my brothers, it is only natural to keep them safe and prevent worms from trying to tarnish the name of my Grand Duchy. Considering the Earl's arrogance, I made a point of showing not only to him, but also to all others, that the name Grimwood is not to be despised, but feared."
The intensity in the look of Magnus must have done the job. He wanted to express that his last name had a great meaning and symbol, which could make an impact on people. At least the casino customers never forget how cold Magnus could be, and how easy it was for him to get out of someone's life that bothers him.
Not that it was any different from the reputation he already held. Everyone knew that Magnus Grimwood didn't hesitate to wield his sword and cut down his enemies.
Never conquer the wrath of a Grimwood, or the scythe of the Goddess Krononis will sing melancholy. Align your ambition with that of a Grimwood, and you will have the devil on your side.
"I understand. Your motives are valid, Your Grace. Considering your appreciation for your younger brother, I wouldn't imagine a different attitude coming from you", the masked man stood in silence afterwards, and then his voice sounded lower and muffled, like a secret being shared "It would be in my interest to have that strength for myself."
Magnus raised his eyebrow to hear that.
"Be direct."
"Considering that His Grace says he has... "hunted" Count Moutuni, I'm tempted to ask for your help in searching for troubled clients."
"So you don't want my money?"
"Yours not. But customers, yes. As I mentioned before, asking for your compensation for the damage caused could be the simplest way to resolve this. However, Your Grace, I have no interest in your financial power.
"You want to use my willingness to negotiate.... You want me to chase your customers until they pay their casino debts, am I correct?"
"Hm... would be an interesting proposal, don't you think? Considering your position in politics, you could do your job to investigate the corrupt nobles and help me too."
Indeed, it was a tempting offer. Magnus really needed to look for more nobles involved in corruption after what happened with the Marquis of Shad and his troupe at the Port of Baydenn. Although that masked guy should not know about the subject.
Was Ferdinand playing green because of Count Moutuni? Do you think Magnus is in charge of hunting corrupt nobles who are broke and not fulfilling their political duties because of that worm? It was strange how it aligned with Magnus' true motives.
Lucian said that man belonged to the underworld. A former mercenary who has made money from his games and bets, which deceive the ambitious nobles. Magnus didn't care about his means, the fact that he was never caught is the key point. Besides, that man wanted his strength to hunt nobles.
Wouldn't that be an indication that the casino owner, one of the three names in the underworld, was about to fall off a cliff?
"In this case, we can negotiate another way."
"I'm listening", answered the masked with a serious tone.
"I can lend you my people to work here in your casino."
"What?! Do you wish to find anything illegal in my casino, Your Grace?"
A diabolical smile appeared on the lips of Magnus when he noticed the impatient tone of the subject.
"On the contrary, I will lend my staff just to help you deal with these customers, and ensure the operation of your casino. But in exchange for this help, I hope you don't mind sharing information."
"I don't think His Grace is in a position to ask me for anything in return."
"Nor am I the one who needs someone's help to hunt vagabonds addicted to their games of chance" Magnus leaned down leaning his arms on his knees. He looked coolly at the masked man without hiding the danger he represented "Or did you think I would really come here just to agree with your terms? I could well set fire to your casino without giving any justification. Your current state in society would be enough for such a crime to be forgiven, since many wish his downfall."
"That sounds like a threat, Your Grace."
"Because it's indeed. I'm proposing to put my staff inside your casino to assist in your work and ensure that everything works as always. The difference is that your valuable customer information should also be shared with me."
"And if I refuse, do you intend to burn down my casino?"
"Or... I can steal it from you."
The masked man remained silent. His clenched fists were proof that he was cornered, or at least that's what Magnus expected. It was hard to say if he had any effect on that man. His behaviors were almost null, his expression was covered which made it difficult to read him. But he would act as always, show his superiority.
And would follow the plan that his lovely husband created for him.
The man removed the mask from his face, revealing a burnt and twisted skin on his right side. Magnus' reaction was just an eyebrow lift, not expecting such a revelation to be made so soon. Much less expected that the mask really hide something other than the identity itself.
Should he apologize for thinking that the man was just bluffing at him to elicit your reactions?
"I see you haven't been startled by my face", the man smiled, his voice sounding more natural to Magnus' ears "I consider your threat to burn down my establishment as a joke of fate."
"You must be very disappointed if your intention was to shock me."
"Indeed. But, Your Grace, that makes me even more certain about you. What do you really intend with the information you gather in my casino?"
Magnus opened his diabolical smile again. As Lucian had predicted, he took the bait and seemed willing to negotiate. It seems that his path to the underworld was already taking shape.