Chapter 422: Ace Agent Shirou
On the streets of Shinjuku at night, Shirou stood by the roadside, waiting for something.
Just then, a pink Japanese luxury car drove toward him. Shirou immediately smiled and waved at it.
The car stopped by the curb beside him. Shirou pulled the door open and climbed in. Inside, someone was already sitting in the back seat—it was Ms. Komatsu, the wealthy businesswoman for whom Shirou and the knights had just celebrated a birthday.
"Good evening, Ms. Komatsu," Shirou said, sitting close to her with a smile.
"Good evening, Shirou," Ms. Komatsu replied with a smile.
"Thank you so much, Ms. Komatsu, for being willing to take me to such a major corporate banquet," Shirou said.
"Don't mention it. We're friends, it's just a small matter. But Shirou, have you really thought this through? Are you really leaving the Round Table Club?" Ms. Komatsu asked, looking at him.
"Yes, after all, the club's scale is just too small now. Only by joining the Asteroid Company and helping create a large-scale establishment will it be more conducive to my future development," Shirou replied with a smile.
Yes, Shirou had betrayed Merlin and the Round Table. He was preparing to join the most powerful force in the underworld of Kabukicho—and perhaps all of Shinjuku.
Ms. Komatsu did not doubt Shirou's story. After all, hosts who constantly job-hop for money are everywhere. It's just like companies in the modern world; as long as a high-level host can bring in clients and generate revenue, other clubs will inevitably send headhunters to poach them. Especially for newly opened shops, this is the most efficient method. As long as you reach a certain quota, there are rewards, signing bonuses, and everything is up for negotiation.
He had swapped his flashy, casual host suit for a more formal business dinner tuxedo and put on black-rimmed glasses. Acting as the wealthy woman's dance partner, he entered the building. To Ms. Komatsu, who was familiar with the usual Shirou, this was pure "uniform temptation." Feeling a little excited, she used her hand as a fan to cool the heat on her face, trying to keep her heart rate from skyrocketing.
The driver pulled the car up to the entrance of a high-rise building shaped like a black rocket tower and stopped.
As soon as Shirou stepped inside, he felt an unusual sensation. The arrangement of magical energy in the air was being manipulated by some kind of power, causing it to shift.
A barrier... some kind of magical barrier had been laid across this building.
Tonight, a routine banquet was being held. As the largest firm in the underworld, every month they invited businessmen and officials here to participate in activities, enjoy free luxurious hospitality, and conduct some unspeakable transactions.
Shirou scanned his surroundings. The vast space was being used as an entertainment venue. There was a red carpet and a music stage on one side, where it seemed a symphony orchestra would perform. Below, over a dozen long white-clothed tables were laden with various delicacies—hairy crabs, giant lobsters, and roast suckling pig—provided in a buffet style for the guests.
In the corners of the room, there were bulletproof glass display cases containing various luxury accessories: gems, famous watches, and some strange items, such as a kappa arm. Shirou even spotted a grotesque skull made of green gemstones.
Shirou could sense a reaction of magical energy from these exhibits, more or less. It seemed that besides being expensive, these items might be more than just ordinary objects.
Introduced by Ms. Komatsu, Shirou approached a stunning, voluptuous woman wearing a tight black leather outfit who appeared to have some European or American ancestry.
"Oh, Ms. Komatsu, what brings you to see me?" the voluptuous woman asked.
Shirou had already heard about her from Ms. Komatsu. This woman was a high-ranking executive here, authorized by the "Big Boss" to directly manage the company's personnel transfers and expansion.
"Actually, it's this gentleman. He has always wanted to open his own shop, and since I heard your company is expanding its scale, he would like to join you," Ms. Komatsu said, helping Shirou explain.
"Oh... I know you. The top host of the Round Table Club, looking to jump ship, eh? Hmm... I see." The executive raised an eyebrow, looking Shirou up and down, finally revealing an expression of deep interest.
Shirou merely smiled, revealing no flaws on the surface, but in reality, the shirt on his back was already soaked with cold sweat.
"I see. Thank you, Ms. Komatsu, you may go enjoy the banquet. As for you..." After speaking to Ms. Komatsu, the executive turned to the boy beside her. Suddenly, she reached out, hooked her finger under Shirou's chin, and revealed a meaningful smile. Her painted, deep-red lips parted as she said, "Follow me to the office upstairs for an interview."
Ms. Komatsu looked at Shirou, appearing somewhat worried. She knew very well that the woman opposite them was no good. It was rumored that she liked to engage in extreme "play," and quite a few hosts had ended up in the hospital because of her.
Shirou smiled and said goodbye to Ms. Komatsu, signaling her not to worry.
"I understand. Well then, goodbye, Shirou," Ms. Komatsu hesitated, wanting to say more, but eventually gave up. She waved at Shirou and turned to leave.
Regardless of what happened later, this was Shirou's own choice. Everyone's thoughts were different, and in truth, even knowing what might be done to them, there were countless people in Kabukicho who still wanted to squeeze their way in. After all, this was the company of the Emperor of Shinjuku's Night.
However... after tonight, would that simple, sincere boy who would specially make a cake for her birthday and send her blessings still exist?
"Now then, let's go, Shirou-kun," the executive said, flicking the leather whip in her hand, laughing as she swayed her curvaceous body and walked inside.
Shirou didn't hesitate and followed the executive of the evil organization. Working undercover as an agent, he had reached a critical moment and could not afford to make even the slightest mistake.
But what Shirou didn't expect was that the executive was actually plotting how to "devour" him. She hadn't liked the model of the Round Table Club; after all, you were out there selling yourself, and how much you got paid depended on whether the wealthy women were happy—you were just a guy living off their whims. Yet, they acted like "whores setting up a shrine" by talking about "chivalry." She had a mission to expand the market, and she would never let a high-quality "stock" like him slip through her fingers.
But now that she saw Shirou and felt his unique charm, she couldn't help but feel intrigued. She wasn't about to pass up an opportunity like this—to have the top host begging for her favor without spending a dime. Naturally, she would enjoy herself, and then introduce Shirou to the highest-end club under her management; that would be a merit to her record.
At this moment, a lead usher walked up to the executive.
"What is it?!" the executive frowned, looking impatiently at the slow-witted subordinate.
"Yes, leader, the concert is about to start. Shall you preside over it?" the lead usher asked in a hushed report.
"Leave it to you for now. I have important matters to handle. The Boss won't be coming tonight. You just keep these pigs... these guests served and don't cause any trouble. Unless something major happens, don't come and bother me again tonight. Do you understand?" The executive unleashed a murderous aura at the end.
"Yes!" The usher broke into a cold sweat, terrified, and bowed respectfully in agreement.
On the stage illuminated by golden spotlights, the symphony orchestra had begun to enter. The violinists, violists, cellists, and various other orchestral musicians took their seats. The lead conductor in a tuxedo was there, finalizing communication with the pianist.
"Come to think of it, what is the program for tonight?" Shirou asked casually.
"Yes, the theme tonight is the Classical period that our Master enjoys. Starting with Haydn and Mozart, and ending with the Ode to Joy," the usher replied respectfully.
"Oh, the three masters of Classicism," Shirou nodded in understanding.
"Oh, I didn't expect you to have studied classical music too? Our Big Boss really loves this stuff," the executive said, wrapping her arm around Shirou with a smile.
"Haha, I've just heard a little about it," Shirou replied with a light laugh.
"That's fine, just talk about anything. Like Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven... I don't get any of it," the executive said, not forgetting to "rub some oil" (flirt) with her hand.
'Patience! Patience!'
Shirou reminded himself inwardly that everything was for the mission, for the mission! He had to share the bits of information he knew with the executive. To make up for his lack of professional expertise, he even threw in some rumors and unofficial history.
Everyone knows Mozart and Beethoven; most have heard the rumors about them. But Haydn might be a bit more unfamiliar. Together, they are called the three masters of Viennese Classicism. Whether it was Mozart, Beethoven, or other juniors, many affectionately called him "Papa Haydn."
Haydn and Mozart were both outstanding Austrian musicians, citizens of the Holy Roman Empire at the time. They both made a living in Vienna, joined the same artist organization, and shared a deep bond. Haydn is known as the "Father of the Symphony." Although he was the oldest, he was the longest-lived of the three, dying at age 77. Mozart carried forward the symphony that Haydn had pioneered, but died young. In his later years, Haydn was influenced by Mozart's musical style, which refined his technique and brought him world-wide fame.
Beethoven became Haydn's student in his early twenties; the man could be said to be his music teacher during the advanced stage of his musical career. When he left home at 17 and first arrived in Vienna, he had also studied with Mozart for a while. When Beethoven was still an immature student, Mozart had predicted that he would one day shock the whole world.
The three had their own destinies, but one could say they deeply respected one another.
Beethoven's later years were arduous and difficult. After losing his hearing, he even tried biting a stick and using bone conduction to play the piano in order to complete his compositions.
Mozart died one year before the French Revolution. The impact of this revolution on the world was incomparable. Perhaps people think it was just like the Beiyang warlords overthrowing the Qing government—an internal family affair of a country, unlikely to affect other nations. The French Revolution was indeed a French family affair—nothing more than the overthrow of a dynasty, followed by power struggles between various parties that turned into a farcical game of heads rolling, and in the end, it was Napoleon who reaped the fruits.
But in reality, this revolution caused a seismic shift for the European world of that time. The American War of Independence had ended less than ten years prior; it was arguably the most shocking event in the Western world. From then on, people in various Western countries began to realize that imperial power could be overthrown, and that people could completely reshuffle the deck through revolution.
One could say that the world when Mozart was alive was ruled by nobility and religion, whereas one year after his death, the free will of the people had completely awakened. Merchants who controlled wealth began to seize more discourse power from the nobles, and even the common people stood up.
Among the three masters of Classicism, Haydn was over 20 years older than Mozart, and Mozart was over a dozen years older than Beethoven. Mozart was the youngest of the three to achieve fame, becoming a "genius" at the age of six, and he was the one who composed the most works. But in fact, he was the poorest of the three. Records after his death describe his home as destitute; he couldn't even afford the funeral expenses and had to be placed in a burial ground set aside by the church for the poor who couldn't afford a grave.
Because he was at an awkward point in time, composers then could only be employed by nobles or the church. To perform in those large concert halls, it was impossible without a powerful patron. As a freelance musician, Mozart could only earn money by composing for others, performing, or teaching music to wealthy families; there was no platform for him to showcase his talent.
When Haydn was young, he could serve kings, dukes, and other important figures. But by the time of Mozart's era, imperial power had begun to decline. When Mozart was alive, he was far from being famous to the "deified" level he would later reach; although well-known, it was limited to a small circle.
Although it seemed glamorous, he could only receive a meager salary at his hometown bishop's church, responsible for playing religious music during worship and holidays. Mozart was young and arrogant, naturally disliking restrictions—to say nothing of being a servant to a church priest. By the time he resigned and returned to Vienna, he could only take small gigs, playing for family gatherings or operas—he was like a traveling performer in the Chinese countryside hired for weddings and funerals.
Once the French Revolution broke out, the status of musical craftsmen soared; they became "artists" and "big stars," sought after by countless wealthy nobles. Although Haydn was more than 20 years older than Mozart, he lived longer and enjoyed the dividends of the new era. Like Beethoven, he became a world-renowned musician and composer.
"So don't you think it's unfair? Having strength not losing to anyone and putting in enough effort—writing over 600 works in a 35-year life, several times that of other musicians who lived to old age. Just because he died a year too early, the gap is actually this huge. Musicians like his contemporaries Haydn and Beethoven, and later Schubert, all enjoyed wealth and honor
while alive, and after death were buried gloriously in the Central Cemetery, respected by later generations. Yet he got nothing," the woman said at this point. Clearly, she was not as ignorant of these things as she had claimed.
"Don't you think those powerful people are hateful?" There seemed to be a hatred for the elite in the woman's tone. She scanned the banquet hall, looking at the rich people as if she were looking down on pigs being fed.
"But 60 years after Mozart's death, wasn't he moved to the cemetery of musical luminaries? That was due to society at the time, but people changed later. At least the result was good," Shirou said.
The woman smiled, lowered her voice, and said mysteriously, "Yes, I didn't expect you to know so much, Shirou. But do you know? There is a rumor that before the grave was moved, someone had actually already dug up Mozart's skull in the cemetery. To this day, the remains of Mozart buried in the ground are still 'head and body separated'."
"Eh? Could that... just now..." Shirou looked at the woman in surprise. Could the relic he sensed with magical energy just now be that green gemstone skull displayed in the glass cabinet?!
"People of that era seemed to have a penchant for collecting artists' skulls," the woman winked and said with an eerie smile.
At this point, the executive led Shirou to the center of the building. In front of them was a checkpoint, like the security channels in train stations or large libraries. The gates in front required card-swiping to pass, and there were guards stationed inside the gates. Only after a full inspection could one enter.
"Alright, we've reached the building, let's go in," the executive said, ignoring the guards, leading Shirou as she swiped her card and walked inside.
Just then, a guard in a black suit and black sunglasses blocking the entrance stopped Shirou.
"Wait! This gentleman is an outsider, please submit to an inspection."
"Wait! I brought a guest, and you suspect him too!?" The executive glared angrily at the guard. Although this area wasn't under her jurisdiction, she was an executive nonetheless! How dare they make her lose face in front of the boy she wanted to "hook"? The executive was about to explode.
"It's fine, it won't take long. Go ahead and check," Shirou stopped the woman, very casually spreading his arms to cooperate with the guard.
"Thank you for your cooperation." The guard mechanically scanned his body with a detector.
"Are you done yet?!" the executive asked impatiently.
"I apologize for the delay. It's finished, please enter," the guard put away the instrument, stood straight, and saluted.
"No, that was your job," Shirou said with a kind, gentle smile.
Shirou followed the executive into the elevator, ascending toward the 20th floor and beyond. He finally revealed a faint smile. He had successfully infiltrated...
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