Chapter 692: True Demonlord [23]

Dinner lasted shy of an hour, around said time, Asmodeus and Kul would be on their way home. Vanesa did as she always did, swallowed the food at a rapid pace. Odgar and Jula were left wondering how a petite body could fit such an amount. The pacing worked in Igna's favor, soon, they would return to the study. Stuffed stomachs and a sleepy undertone, the seating arrangements remained the same in exception of Igna, who sat a little further from the chief. In time, the distance would grow on his command.

"Chief Rozemal, do you know anything about D'Loa and Konpth?"

"Families of great prominence, why, what's the matter?"

"How big of a scandal would it be if the D'Loa name was caught in dubious activities?"

"I imagine the government would be terrified, why, is something the matter?"

"Zer D'Loa was the captive I questioned, he was sent on orders from the Patek Dynasty," her demeanor changed, "-by the look you gave, am I to assume this is bad?"

"Tis big as it gets. I'm doubtful the dynasty would be so carefree."

"-I know," he smiled, "-which is why I needed to test the waters. The culprits are known. Zer is bait – whoever used him will assume the worst, by which it means, the man must have spoken the truth. If he were found dead in the next few days… I wonder."

"Seriously viscount, how could you?"

"I never said mercy is free," he shrugged, "-hence we come to the end of this conversation. If my hunch is right, your actions in the past few weeks have been to hamper the underworld; bad move, very bad move. The weight of your family name has slowed any malicious conspiracies; I find it funny how a terrorist attack would occur around the same time you transfer and was in the process of election, very suspicious. The five conglomerates are at war, the unity has fallen in view of Lum's downfall. We stand before a crossroad, rather, you stand before it. Choose lawfulness and combat the vileness of the world. There I dare warn such a fight to be akin to an unarmored fight against a hydra. The second option, ally yourself to a bigger party, fastened thy claim on the throne, and slowly clean the sludge from the top down. The matter is in thy hands."

'I hate it,' she thought heavily, '-he's seen through me, my expression must have changed subconsciously. So much for the façade. I really hope this day would never come, father did warn about the state of this town, the underworld rules all. Law enforcement is there to protect the people from themselves, if the mafia wishes to kill, we can't act, even if we have a right to. Lee's been torn, the moment my guard is dropped, he'll take the post. I need to fortify my name, but how…'

"Why not ally to us?" suggested Igna.

"Are you reading my thoughts?" escaped her parched lips.

"No, I only assumed what thee might have been thinking. Say, Chief of Odgawoan, why haven't you joined a family?"

"Because of my father."

"How's the general related to this town?"

"Not much, I promised him I'd become someone who he would be proud of. The stigma of a lady in the police force, let alone the army, is hard to shake. Discrimination is rampant, merit is close to nonexistent. I despise the world where my worth is judged by what I have in my pants. The climb here wasn't easy, rumors of me sleeping around to be strong have spread, I can't help what people think or say."

"I understand, the stigma associated by one's gender," he paused and faced a bookshelf, "-Alphia's littered by it. Everyone's equal, or so they preach – politics is a big game of make-believe. What you wish, a world where women are treated equally already exists back home. Our country is ruled by a very strong queen, she's one of the best people I've ever met. My mother is a queen of the newly established Arda, she's firm, a little on the eccentric side but very loveable. Next, my aunt, Lady Courtney, the director of Phantom, a mastermind and genius when it comes to business, her foresight into the market has never been rivaled, I'm an ant compared to her. My closest allies are strong dignified women to whom I give my utmost respect. The list goes on and on. In no way do I discredit men, they're worth their weight when the correct person is scouted."

"Really, I never once thought of the outside world."

"-You should, the constriction of this continent is subjective, decide thy path, and act according to thy will." 

Her fingers softly tapped; the mannerism shifted into an open stance. Each time Igna spoke, Odgar nodded affirmingly. He who she trusted so much was pleased, and in doing so, the subconscious barrier eased for more 'preposterous' ideas, "-and how, I still don't know how?"

"Join Phantom."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, join the Elon Dynasty and Phantom alliance. Here's a little bit of insider information, Amsey of Lum is currently negotiating his way to return to the world of show business. The vacancy left by the departure's been abused. The Gaso group's relentless. A bigger problem, the monster curse, has slowed their progress."

"Alright, if I join Phantom, what will it entail?"

"I don't know, it will depend on how my aunt decides to welcome. One thing is for certain, once a member, there won't be the reason to worry about losing thy reputation or seat, I will make sure it won't happen, personally." 

"-And in return?"

"For Raven's activities to be ignored, the Anti-Narco Unit's been too involved lately."

"Are you selling narcotics?"

"What would give you that idea?" he leaned forward and unholstered Tharis, "-the underworld is a taboo subject. Those unknown to the ways of the underworld will be killed regardless of their rank. My wish isn't to force a decision," *Come forth, Vengeance,* a blurred figure leaped to tightly grip her neck, "-Chief of Odgawoan," a burning sensation reddened her cheeks and neck, "-I've engraved a curse of silence, speak any of this to another, the result won't be pretty."

"Viscount…" she glanced up to a terrifying presence, "-what is the meaning of this?"

"Insurance," the spirit returned, "-what fool of a man would allow critical information to escape." 

A look to Odgar, '-don't tell me,' her heart sank. 

"I apologize," he bowed, "-I can't speak of the reason, not as long as you're an outsider."

"Odgar, I'm your damned lover…"

"I know, I adore you, nothing will ever sway my feelings," the hands tightened, "-emotions alone won't bring food on the table, nor will it realize our goal."

"Igna Haggard," her tone sharpened, '-I made a mistake and he capitalized on it. The fault is completely mine, I dug too deep. If this had been a meeting between mafia and police, I'd have been shot.'

"Lady Rozemal, why think so hard. Join me, join us, join the family," he proclaimed with open arms, "-why reject the unknown, take the plunge and sink into the world of despair. To protect, one must surrender. Give and take, my friend, give and take. Tis how the world has been made to be. I've given options; choose well. On one side stands a familiar land and backstabbing allies, and enemies, on the other stands a free land, where thy lover and his companions have already set their flags. Will thee cross the ocean to the new land or remain still, bound by the growing pressure of expectations?" 

"Quite the dramatics, I made my decision before arriving," her aura swapped for one of integrity, "-my name's Jula Valentino Rozemal, the Chief of Odgawoan. I knew of the attack on the manor, frankly, I knew about Patek's involvement. The attack targeted me; when you're faced by backstabbers, the skill to spot fakeness and genuine concern becomes an integral part for survival, I'm a cynic, no more no less," she held Odgar's hands.

"I see," came a chuckle, "-the chief was performing her test, might I inquire about the results?"

"Under normal circumstances, I'd have rejected the proposition. Everyone has been trying to take advantage of my standing, they've tried to get in my good graces for selfish gains. There was never props for me to take advantage of," her righteous face slipped into a conniving sneer, "-I'm tired of it all," she untied her hair and dropped onto the sofa.

"Jula Valentino, the façade didn't last long, did it?"

"What's the point?" said she without care for her tone, "-you saw through me on the first day. I had to keep up the act and see how you'd react."

Odgar kept quiet, '-there it is, Jula's shown her true self.'

"And, how was it?"

"Amazing, actually. I never expected you to make the first move."

"Obviously, I had to give an outlet for the real self to portray itself."

"Which is why you blatantly attacked me and disrupted the good guy persona…"

"Whatever do you mean?" quick on the keyboard, "-I found it weird how a lady did in fact come to power. Don't get me wrong, the boosts we provided wouldn't have worked unless it was coordinated."

"I know," her long fingers ran through her hair, "-the publicity stunt and sudden disappearances of journalists who didn't care for my arrival eased the task. Forget what happened earlier, I'm 90% sure to join thy cause, I need a little boost."

"What else can I provide, money, fame…?" 

"No, something much deeper," she mumbled. The backdrop of the study grew into a sterile room of nothing. They sat facing one another, her true self was the type of overly self-obsessed and self-conscious, '-keeping fronts is hard – to maintain a good public image, she had to adopt the good lady act, one who strives to better the world. Odgar entered a relationship despite her personality. We tested each other; the chessboard, I can visualize it, her words were moves, and my rebuttal were counters – the game began the moment she arrived. I couldn't be more grateful for my cynical side, I wasn't swayed. Why am I thinking now, she's nearly in my palm. What can I offer…' lightning struck, '-I get it.'

"I'm waiting?" she obnoxiously lounged.

"Friendship."

She slipped, "-the heck?" wrinkles crinkled to accentuate the shock, "-friendship, are you serious?"

"Yeah."

"Are you daft?"

"No, a realist. It was the smile, lady Rozemal, the smile. Once the mask was off, I saw a genuine smile, a sense of joy from speaking thy mind and not being a role model. Odgar has granted the gift of companionship, I offer friendship, whereby, we both mutually benefit."

"…" silence slapped the room, Éclair arrived with after meal drinks, "-something the matter, sire?"

"No. Lady Rozemal's a little lost for words."

"Well, my lady, have some tea and think, I'm sure the words will return sooner or later," *-click.* She took a sip in tranquility, '-I'm stunned, can't think about what to say. This man isn't to be taken easily. I set so many traps and he didn't even once budge or show weakness. The suppose taking off my mask was a bluff… he's good, very good,' pressure around her hands snapped her to reality, '-why's Odgar gripping my hand so harshly.' 

'Drop the act already,' wrote across his face.

"Is the lady ready to give her answer or must we continue with said game of cat and mouse?"

"I yield," she exhaled, "-no matter the expression and smiles you pull, the aura remains emotionless and profound. A definite sign of being in total control. I'll kindly accept the gift of friendship, viscount Igna."

"Glad to hear. Please, use Igna for short."

"I will," her frown eased, "-do tell, by accepting the friendship, am I bound to Phantom?"

"No, there's no need for such lengths. Friendship is a good enough starting point."

"All that, for this…"