Chapter 380 - 378: The Conference
When Asia went out of the office, her arms were grabbed forcefully by someone.
She didn't have to make a guess to know who it was because it was pretty obvious.
"Master." She spoke softly upon realizing that a group of servants were coming towards them.
The servants greeted them and they waited until they left before he dragged her into an empty room.
"Master, it hurts."
"Tell me. What did you do inside? What did you both talked about inside?"
There's no way that Asia would tell him about it. "Nothing Master."
"Are you sure?"
"You can ask Mr. Alinsky if you're this doubtful to me." Asia didn't want them to know that she was fond of the old man.
"Then why did you stay that long inside if you talked nothing in there?"
"Well, he started talking about his daughter and his wife whom he abandoned in exchange of his position." Asia then looked at Frederick who was obviously doubtful to her. "Of course I didn't believe him. I only believe you and uncle. Believe me Master. It's all thanks to you and Uncle Francais that I survived, right?"
After hearing Asia's series of convincing argument, Frederick relaxed a bit.
"You better be telling the truth. You know what will happen to you if you lie."
"I understand Master. That's why I'm always thankful."
Frederick looked at her with sharp gaze. Asia hoped that he would believe her.
"Fine." Then they heard a knock from the outside. When they opened it, they saw Francais who then asked, "What are you both doing here?"
"Nothing Uncle."
"Both of you. Better be careful with your actions. That old man is a sly man. It's not easy to deceive him."
Frederick reassured Francais that they both know what to do. "I understand Francais, we know what to do."
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Now that they knew what to do, Francais suggested on they should do about this competition that they would be joining later on.
"Good. Now, we better plan on what to do with this d*mn competition that the old man wanted Frederick to participate."
He then looked at Asia who was standing quietly on the corner.
"Did he tell you about the competition? Do you know where it will be held?"
"No Uncle. He only told me about his wife and his daughter. Don't worry Uncle, I don't believe in anything that he said."
"Good."
They talked for quiet a while inside the room before they had decided to go separate ways to their rooms.
When Asia entered her room, she looked at the suitcase resting on the floor.
Asia opened the suitcase and then took the black pouch inside it. When she was done, she grabbed something inside it. She then placed it inside her ear and made sure that it won't be noticeable. She also made sure to keep everything inside her suitcase.
When dinner came, Asia, Frederick and Francais joined Mr. Alinsky on his huge dinning table. Lots of dishes were served on the table. Unfortunately, none of them were her favorites. Good thing she wasn't allergic to anything unlike her sister.
Mr. Alinsky couldn't control his enthusiasm and talk with Asia making the two other people sitting around the dinning table to be left out. Asia toned down her enthusiasm and let Mr. Alinsky to do almost all of the talking. She'd just smile and nodded whenever she agreed on something that he said to her.
Francais butted in the conversation to find out any clue about the competition. However, Mr. Alinsky never give them any idea or hint regarding about the competition.
Of course, there's no way he would tell them about this just in case they would want to cheat. Mr. Alinsky knew that if they had a clue regarding the competition, they would make sure that they would win the competition no matter what will happen.
The day of the competition finally arrived and surprisingly, it was held during the Annual Mercenary Conference which was surprisingly held in Milan Italy. There's no other way to challenge them than making them fight for their lives in a battle right?
Mr. Alinsky got this idea after he heard that his granddaughter was once a mercenary. He thought of her as someone fearless and bold. And her husband should able to surpass her qualities so he could protect her at all cost and not the other way around.
Time and time again, men were viewed as the protector of the family.
Aside from Jaime and Mr. Alinsky, everyone didn't know that they're going to attend this event actually. They thought they're going to go to another venue. An opening party to be exact since they were wearing their suit and tie. They were on their best dresses.
But no. They were there probably gate crashing.
However, Francais was surprised to know see the velvet envelope of the invitation card. It even had the wax seal of the President of the newly established Mercenary Union who was Mr. Alinsky's counterpart when it comes to power.
"Sir, I thought you don't like to associate yourself with these types of people?" Francais immediately asked as soon as their rides arrived at the venue. Instead of trying to dispel what he said, Mr. Alinsky only smiled at him before he turned his attention to Asia.
Francais' reaction was unfounded because time and time again, their group had been looking down the mercenaries since the latter only took orders from people like them.
The mercenaries belong in the underworld too since they're a part of the black market but because of this mistreatment, someone dared to challenge the authority of the Underworld King because of the unfair treatment. They had taken for granted their contribution on the underworld.
Without them, they won't be able to eliminate their enemies flawlessly. And it's them who were willing to kill their targets without batting an eye in exchange for the handsome bounty. And that person was Mr. Watson. Kim Nam-joon and Min Joon's grandfather.
"I have made sure to organize this event here since you grew up from this world. Therefore, what better way to challenge their resolves than in a fight between life and death?"
"You've known better Grandpa. Just like Uncle, I'm also surprised to know that we came here, Grandpa."
Mr. Alinsky smiled at her meaningfully before he answered her, "Well, it's all thanks to your ex-husband."
Before Asia could answer him, Frederick who sounded annoyed interfered, "Nathan? What did he do?"
"Well, he did something that should have been completed ages ago if you made a move and negotiate with them." Mr. Alinsky's sharp remarks didn't look good for everyone.
Since then, the Watsons and the Alinsky had this feud for power and authority to rule the Underworld. They were the thorn on each other's throat.
But since their confrontation would always end up with a draw, they had decided to make a division...a separation between both parties to satisfy both parties wants. They had established a truce and it was broken after Mr. Alinsky found out that Kim Nam-joon was actually a Watson.
They looked at Frederick with condescending gazes.
Asia decided to stay quiet and she followed behind Mr. Alinsky. They then walked inside the gate to register their delegation.
"Mr. Alinsky's team." Jaime who came with them went to the two guards and also presented their invitation.
All in all, there were twenty participants in their delegation including Frederick. Asia was only their spectator and won't be participating in any contest since she's the price.
After the guards confirmed their invitation, everyone were given a wrist band as their identity pass. One bulky man guided the entire time inside their assigned tables.
The venue was packed with those deadly looking people in gown and suits. Most of them had scars and the other were wearing masks on to hide their faces.
All eyes were on them as they walked through the center isle and into the few remaining empty tables near the center.
After all, they were with Mr. Alinsky. And at the same time, Asia's scar free face grabbed everyone's attention.
They could immediately recognize her as someone familiar the moment she walked in based on her aura. Of course, it'd take one to recognize another one from the community, right?
Asia was seated beside Mr. Alinsky while Francais and Frederick were seated on the other side. Asia's gaze landed on the stage of the venue.
On the stage were ten designated chairs for the top ten best mercenaries recognized in the whole world. These seats were still vacant and everyone sitting below the stage were anticipating for these people's arrival.
Seeing that Asia was looking on the ten vacant seats on the stage, Mr. Alinsky leaned on to whisper something at her.
"Tell me Eunji, which among those seats did you occupy back then when you're still a mercenary?"
Without batting an eyelid, Asia calmly spoke, "First." Mr. Alinsky smiled proudly at her past achievement.
"You're indeed my granddaughter. You performed well!"
Being reminded of her past life, Asia had become annoyed all of a sudden. She should still be up there had Eunji and their father didn't interfere when she continued taking over Anastasia.
Asia was not able to hold back her emotion and her voice became harsh. "Nah. I don't think so grandfather. If I'm not mistaken, you didn't like the mercenaries. You resented them. And so, if I am still one, I don't think you'd accept me warmly just like now. After all, you almost caused me to die."
Mr. Alinsky became silent all of a sudden and his face turned gloomy. It was evident that what Asia whispered back to him hit the nail to his heart.
Those were the biggest regret he had on his life. He means were very cruel even to his own family members. Thus he won't blame Layla if she'd decide to not forgive him even to his death.
Asia realized that Frederick and Francais had been looking on them thus she decided to focus her attention on something else.
The party had not started yet but everyone in the venue had their fair share of drinks. Some of them were obviously tipsy.
"Are you looking for him?" Mr. Alinsky's voice brought Asia's attention back at him. "Who?"
Mr. Alinsky smiled knowingly and said, "Nathan, dear." But without batting and eye, she immediately dismissed whatever speculation that Mr. Alinsky had between Nathan and her. "No. Why should I? We're already over, Grandpa."
They were far from over. And even if Ana wanted to still be with him, Asia knew it's already impossible. Nathan loved Eunji and not Anastasia. And that's the sad truth that she hoped Ana had already accepted. After all, she's Asia and she had no feelings for Nathan.
Mr. Alinky thought that she was only in denial and thus he still decided to convince her, "Don't worry, I also sent an invitation to him but Jaime hasn't received any response from him."
"Grandpa, I'm fine really. Frederick is the person that I love now and not him. Honestly, I'm already over him a long time ago." To make her point believable and convincing, she grabbed Frederick's hand on top of the table and held them.
Mr. Alinsky wanted to comment about but they were interrupted when the main gate opened and someone blew the horn.
Ten people wearing a black robes came in and marched towards the center isle. Everyone's attention were on them.
Their auras were so overbearing and suffocating especially the one wearing the ghost mask.
One by one, they filled in the empty seats on the stage. The last to walk in was none other than the President of the Mercenary Union, Peter Williams.
President of the Mercenary Union together with his most trusted aids, approached their table when he saw Mr. Alinsky in front.
The former was a fine looking capable man who seemed to be under the age of early forty.
Seeing this rare interaction, all eyes were on them.
"Good evening Mr. Mateo Alinsky!" He greeted him as he offered his hand for a handshake and Mr. Alisnky got up from his seat and reciprocated the handshake immediately.
"Peter Williams. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Thank you for allowing our group to be here."
"Oh! Don't worry, it's such an honor for me to share this meaningful event with you and your companions, too." Then, his eyes quickly turned to Asia who remained seated on her seat.
Mr. Williams decided to not ask her since it was clear that Asia was not interested on the conversation. He thought that he still had the entire week to have a conversation with her.
And so, he focused his attention back to Mr. Alisnky, "I hope you'll enjoy your stay. And oh, I'll apologize if ever things would go out of hand during the competition, our members were just so competitive at heart. But don't worry, they knew their limits."
"It's fine. My boys knew what they're up against when they decided to participate in this conference. And also to participate with the different tournaments that would measure their true strengths and power as a man in general."
"Right! They better be prepared. After all, it's going to be bloody. Anyways, I'll talk to you later. Everyone needs me in front."
"Sure, go ahead. We still have a lot of time to catch up."
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