43 Confrontation (1/2)
In the past, the commoners had a very stable lifestyle, but everything went downhill after the queen's indefinite seclusion, abandoning oversight of kingdom affairs. The remaining nobles were fearful of the queen and did not act out of line at first. But over time, her presence weakened with her long absence and the courage of nobles grew.
The reason the nobles had willingly relinquish their territories and allow the centralization of the kingdom to carry out so smoothly was because to them, feudal power was not a tangible compared to the existence of awakening. It was considered an external force that was reliant on the obedience and loyalty of others. Only their own personal strength was genuine. In order to enhance that strength, a large amount of wealth was required.
Although nobles had profitable businesses that provided them with the wealth to afford awakening pills, it was never enough to satisfy their insatiable greed. They started eyeing the wealth of commoners. They did not dare to act openly and only plotted behind the scenes. The birth of gangs was the result of their money-making scheme.
When the other nobles noticed the immense wealth being raked in, the temptation it brought outweighed their apprehension. When other nobles start joining, more and more are tempted to join, and the original big pie was divided into smaller and smaller slices among the nobles. To increase the profits, the gangs were driven to come up with newer methods to exploit the commoners and it eventually spiraled out of control with all sorts of crimes and evil being committed.
When the funds enter the upper district, they do not circulate back into the lower district and the economy of the lower district was severely affected. The poor becomes poorer, while the rich became stronger. In the end, the one who profited the most were the alchemist who refines the awakening pills.
The Fortune Soaring Hall was one of the gambling dens under control of the previous Black Snake gang. Not many knew that the gang had recently been renamed as Golden Lion gang. The building had three floors with only the first floor was fully open to the public. The second floor was reserved for VIPs and the top floor was only accessible by gang members.
Although business at the Fortune Soaring Hall was no longer thriving like it once was, it was still profitable. But today, business was halted after the Red Salamander gang occupied the first floor and chased away all the unrelated people. All the Golden Lion gang members were rounded up into one corner, bruised and battered.
”Don't be stubborn, Beckett! The Black Snake is finished! You can retain your position in the Fortune Soaring Hall if you swear your loyalty to the Red Salamander!” A core member of the Golden Lion gang shouted.
”Betray?” The person shook his head. ”This does not count as betrayal. I have always been part of the Red Salamander gang.”
”So, you have been a spy right from the start! Had our brotherhood always been a joke to you!?” Beckett raged.
”You're wrong! While our allegiance had always differed from one another, the brotherhood we shared during my time in the gang was genuine. That's why I am giving you the choice to join us. Your position remains unchanged, only your boss will change. Why must you stubbornly reject my offer and embrace death? You will die if you don't us! That goes for all of you!” The person roared at Beckett and the gang members behind him.
”Genuine? What a joke! If I knew you were a spy, I would have never called you my brother! The boss will avenge me, should I fall today!”
”Y-You stu-”
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”That's enough, Calvert. His choice has been made firm and resolutely.” The Red Salamander gang's boss, Alroy, interrupted.
”This…sigh…yes, boss.” Calvert retreated behind the boss. His words had no effect on Beckett, and he had used up his time convincing. The boss must've ran out of patience.
”Still… I'm quite curious… your boss is just a kid who is still wet behind the ears without any backing. The only backing your gang had, was already offended and chased away by that kid. What does the kid have that made you willing to die for him than betray him?” Alroy was intrigued by Beckett's resolution. In their line of business, there is a heavy emphasis on loyalty. But when push comes to shove, loyalty meant nothing in the face of life and death.
Towards Alroy's curiosity, Beckett sneered. ”All I can say is you are too naïve if you think my boss has no backing when he possess great strength at his age and have no fear of those unscrupulous noble families. I can see that the boss is a person who abhor evil and leans towards the side of righteousness. It is better to die proudly under such a boss than to live slightly longer only to die a dog's death under his hand.”
Beckett was all too clear on the outcome of his choices. All the core members were experienced fighters. He could tell that Leon was inexperienced at fighting back in the nightclub, but his great strength and speed made up for his lack of experience. Besides, Leon was also still young, and his potential was limitless.