Chapter 17 - Wake Up As Mafia Boss

Meanwhile, the young Don who had just punched Justin directly to his face was very mad and quickly grabbed the collar of his servant even after he fell down, he still wanted to beat him up to death. Nicolo, surprised, quickly moved in between them and stopped him to the rage of the young man. He said trying to calm down the situation, "Hey, you two. Calm down, kid. Y' don't have to do that."

Hermes clicked his tongue and released his servant. He turned his gaze with neon sight, "So," the young Don waved his arm before he rubbed it. He pointed his index at Nicolo with intention of doing the same thing with him. "You want to replace this son of a bitch, sir?"

"Woah, kid," Nicolo stepped back with cold sweat and placed his hand on his holster. "W-wait, calm down. That's not my intention. Calm down. I'm an officer here."

"So, what?" replied Hermes as he moved his face closer to him. Nicolo sensed a deadly approach so he stepped backward for two steps. The young Don resumed, "Don't meddle with our business here if you don't have the guts."

"Woah, hold up. What?" the only word came out from Nicolo who had just sensed a death flag. This was the first time he felt this kind of tension since his first training to execute some demon beast before he graduated as a Village guard Cadet. Although he had faced a lot of different criminals with musclehead brain and fearless appearance, the young Don was a real deal for his perception. This person had given him a huge pressure and his mind and body told him not to mess with him even though he's still a young man outside. "W-wait, kid. That's not gonna happen. I'm a village guard of this village and it's my duty to maintain peace and order here. I'm not siding with anyone so don't look at me like an enemy. I'm neutral. Even we're only talked for about an hour ago and became acquaintance in a short time, it doesn't mean that you can talk to me like that. Hurting your friend without asking the reason for his disappearance is not the best option to settle this thing." Nicolo disputed as the young Don still wanted to beat his servant to death.

"What?" the young Don paused for a minute, faced him and folded his arm, waiting for his reply. His feet stomped showing his honest disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. "And, So?"

"S-so, c'mon on. Please calm down, kid. You need to relax first. W-w-Woah, don't point your gaze at me with murderous intent and relax your mind for a minute, please. Deep breath and try to drink a glass of water to ease your mind. C'mon, just listen to me," Nicolo suggested with cold sweat. "Drinking water helps the body and mind to ease high blood pressure."

Hermes clicked his tongue and turned around, moving closer to the sink. "Let the asshole enter and please give us a short period of time to talk. And, don't even think about to eavedrop. This is not a request but an order." He interjected as he went to grab the pitcher and poured his glass with water.

"Wait, as I said, I'm a guard of this village. Even you're a merchant, you don't have authority to ⸺"

The glass placed down on the table with a sound and the veins from the head of Hermes showed up as he heard about it. He spoke with a terrifying tone, "⸺ I. Don't. Care."

Nicolo shut his mouth and nodded with his head down. It was the first time someone like him, a stranger and a brat, made him agreed and obediently followed his command. A sensation of fear and darkness had been felt by his heart and his legs trembled upon hearing it. For him, It was like facing a real demon in hell. This left him to question his sanity: Is saving him from that time really worth it? But deep inside, he presumed that the young Don had the right to complain about it because he left him from the street n.a.k.e.d.

If the village guard like Nicolo had experienced a natural pressure, from the eyes of the butler was pure respect and p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. The moment his master gave a command to the worthless junk, his mocking nickname to the Village guard, his heartbeat so fast and his body trembled with excitement and adoration.

Justin stood up, removed the dust from his pants and rubbed the part he got hit.

He entered the place and waited for the village guard, Nicolo, to leave them alone. Justin closed the door and made sure it was safe to start the conversation. He moved his feet near to his master's current sit, pressed his right hand on his c.h.e.s.t before he knelt down in one knee towards his beloved Don.

He said with head down, "Forgive me, sir. I admit my failure to look after you. My presence isn't worth to be shown infront of you, my Don. From someone like me who is lower than the supreme being. Forgiving this useless man is unnecessary without proper payment. With utmost respect, I'll cut one finger from my hands and offer it to you, my Don. It is the only gift I can provide as part of the tradition of the Archnemesis family and one of the values had taught at me when I was still an apprentice of the previous head butler must be done. It must really be done." Justin draws out his knife and readied himself to cut his finger.

Hermes remained quiet while looking down at him. He spoke, "Y' don't look like feel repent to your sin. What are you waiting for? Do it if you want but only an idiot will do that kind of stupid tradition. Do you think one finger is enough for me to forgive you? Don't think too light of me, Justin. I'm the head of the family and your job is protecting me at all costs. So, it means, you're finger is nothing but a useless banknote with low currency rate."

"Forgive me, sir. If it is not enough then, allow me to do this one. I will cut another finger from my hand to pay my failure as the Consigliere. As the legitimate advisor, it is my duty to advise and look after you, my lord. My carelessness brought you harm and made me look like a worthless servant compare to others. Although I bought the foods from the stalls you asked from me, I had failed to be on your side yesterday.. My failure to fill up your stomach is someone must face death. However, let me correct you for one thing. In accordance with the Universal Law of the Mafiaocre, Section 1: Law of Obligation, Article IV, 0311, one finger is equivalent to one life. Failure to comply with your duty as a servant of the family, with a higher rank or below than an outsider, should the person who commits a mistake must cut his finger to be his compensation and insurance. Offering it to your master is the way of settling the argument within the family. It is the authority of the master to accept it as a gift and he has the right to execute his servant if he isn't pleased. Otherwise, he wants him dead really," he explained.

The young Don placed his palm on his face and replied with the annoying tone, "I don't care if you cut it or not. Will you stop spouting that article for goodness sake, f.u.c.k.i.n.g nuts, that so-called mafia law. I don't really care about it," Hermes hammered the table and the impact made the objects on the table moved for an inch. "Can you be serious about this? I order you to stop cutting it."

"But, sir," Justin remained in his position, "It is part of my duty to fully satisfy the need and request of his lord and sole master of the family. It is part of the service of the clan members to do the part of his job and perform the duty bestowed upon him whether offering his life and fingers to justify his own servitude. You're the God of my own temple."

"What are you? Japanese-wanna be? A samurai during the Edo era and a Templar knight during the last crusade? You're a mafia man. My sole advisor! Just stop your f.u.c.k.i.n.g mouth and hide that knife already. Goddamn it, I am not a God or someone beyond to Almighty God. Yeah, I'm very religious but, f.u.c.k.i.n.g seriously, I don't really like to be compared to him. God damn it." Hermes snapped with his hands readied to throw his glass at his servant.

"Indeed, I agree," Justin raised up his head with glittering gaze onward, "You're appearance and greatness has nothing than other self-proclaimed Gods. You're a supreme being higher than anyone else. You're a ruthless, cruel and wicked young Don among them all who surpassed even Demons and other races around the world."

"Stop! What the f.u.c.k are you talking about? There's no other race than human beings in this world, stupid." Hermes interjected.

"Forgive me, shall I cut my fingers now?" asked Justin. This question made the young Don jumped from his chair with a word, "Son of a bi⸺ Oi, stop!" and he shuffled the gun away from his hand. Justin, confused, questioned him, "But why?" And the young Don replied, "For f.u.c.k sake, listen to me. If you don't want to follow me for simple words then I order you to restrain your stupidity because your uselessness will increase further beyond compare. Do you have any idea if you lose some of your fingers, how can you exactly perform your duty as my butler, moron? Think about it before you act to your foolishness."

"Oh, goodness, gracious. As expected to my master, you absolutely see that through. An excellent mindset, my Don. Your intelligence is absolutely almighty compare to your classmates from Rome."

"Shut it." Hermes sat down and placed the knife on the table. "Your loyalty is undeniably good and your skills are really useful, with your stupidity as an exemption. Leaving that aside, the fact that you leave me behind yesterday is really questionable. I dare you to explain everything to me before these hands choke you to death. Don't you dare to ask what happened to me because it's a long f.u.c.kin' story and I'll really going to smack your face once again? Got it? Now, explain yourself."

"Oh, my goodness. Such atrocity. The evil within you is really fabulous and absolutely gorgeous. Who am I to question the mighty Don among them all?" gushed Justin as he pressed his hands to praise him like a God once again. "I will tell the truth but nothing but the truth. I will —"

"—Enough," Hermes interjected. "Just speak already," the young Don leaned his left chin on his left hand and crossed his leg while looking down at his servant. "I don't care about your praise so don't raise your filthy face upfront otherwise, I won't bother the authorities like that man named Nicolo for paying him to put you in jail because of your uselessness, obsessive traits, and annoying paraphrases. And, don't worry about the compensation, there's an added bonus of being dragged out to the seashore and put you inside a barrel to be thrown down to the sea, if possible."

Justin gulped and immediately turned his gaze down, and he replied, "If that's what you wish, sir. I will accept that kind of punishment." And he muttered aside, "What an honor to be disposed of like that." before he smirks.

"Like I said, enough of your nonsense. Just explain already before the others arrive. We don't have time to waste," Hermes confided to him. And Justin replied with his gaze turned at the young Don, "As you wish, sir. To tell you the truth, I don't know what happened yesterday." Hermes tilted his head and asked, "Hmm, What do you mean you don't know?" With this expected response, Justin heaved a sigh and narrowed his gaze, "I'll make it short, sir. During that time where we were still at the park, I saw a man wearing a blue cloak at the corner. He explicitly pointed at you indicating he would bring harm to you, my Don. Literally, I calmly tried to hide the fact that I would kill him on the spot so I made an excuse to challenge him one on one. However," he paused with one eye closed. "A mystical unknown symbol appeared underneath my feet and absorbed my body. I tried to use my powers to counter it yet it was already too late for me to do it. After that, I opened my eyes and found out that I was in an opened grain field that was 1 kilometer away from this place and discovered that it was already morning. I was worried that you're in big trouble but after using my skill, [Agenda], I found your presence in this place. Afterward, I teleport myself to see you in person at this station. That's my story."

"So," the young Don lowered his hands and placed it on his l.a.p. "You don't know what just happened and only that bastard who wanted to challenge you had literally caught you in his trap. Am I right?"

"No, I think not. Anyways, that's not what I mean, sir."

"Then, what? Do you really think I will listen to that story where your own boss risked his life to protect himself in the middle of the night? Followed by several goons who he taught simple bandits with musclehead brain, but the truth was, they were all well-organized organization with diligent and loyal members. Proper types of equipment that can make a man to pee on his pants and make a lion run away to escape death. Don't f.u.c.k with me, Justin. Don't f.u.c.k with me."

Justin, surprised, explicitly asked, "But, that's not my intention. I'm telling the truth. However, I don't think I can bypass that one you mentioned earlier. Sir, forgive me. What did you say that you faced some goons? From where? Who exactly are they? Can you give me the full details to pay them a visit right now? I'll avenge you today, sir. Just say the word. I'll comply immediately."

"Take it slowly. I think they are already dead. But I'm not really sure. My memory back then are still unable to come. I think I can describe them as a bunch of stupids who wanted to capture me for some unknown reason. Gosh, forget about them. Now that you mentioned it, you met a man in the blue cloak, right? Anyhow, I think I heard that one before. Argh," the young Don placed his hand on his forehead and started to feel dizzy. His butler quickly stood up however, Hermes raised his hand to tell him not to be worried.

"Sir, are you alright?" asked Justin as he readied his body to be ordered.

"Of course, I'm not, you moron," replied Hermes as he poured his glass with water. He gulped it until its empty. He took a deep breath and exhaled twice before he resumed, "So, do you have any idea who the f.u.c.ker is?"

"Unfortunately, I have no idea, sir." Justin lowered his head after he replied. "But, I can assure you that we can gather enough evidence to learn his identity and find out who exactly is he."

"Well, glad to hear that. Crap, my head is spinning so much to the point I'll collapse any minute now. I think I'm going to puke or somethin' more disgusting." Hermes shook his head to ease the pain. "Only this glass of water helps me to stop the pain.— No, stay foot. I'm fine, thank you. Don't you dare to carry me like a princess, Justin."

"But, sir." the butler said with his shoulder down. "Did something happen that makes you feel like that? I just want to help. But sir, why are you feeling tired. Is it because of stress or somethin' more than that?" Hermes turned his gaze down with his hand on his chin. "I have no idea. The moment I try to recall somethin' from the past event, my head spun like a roller coaster and my body starts to collapse. I tried to recall every single detail but only a few did manage to come back. Only few are partially come back but still cannot be unfolded. I'm starting to believe that somethin' keeping me to remember it. Technically, I can't even recall the faces of the people I met yesterday. And you know what, my body feels so light that I feel like a newborn man."

Hermes sensed something different from him after he left the house of the Camelia family. He started to act like a savage man opposed to his gentle side as a Filipino, in real life. He was polite and concerning individual with respect to his companions and co-workers, whether they were from the higher ranks or lower ranks. But from the past three days, he felt like a new person. His mouth spouted with sharp curses to his servant and the event started to use his character's skills.

"Sir, there's a lot of things I want to ask but I suggest withdrawing for now. Literally, both of us are thinking and feeling the same thing yesterday. That unknown phenomena just arrived in our lives. I suppose it is the right time for us to return home," Justin suggested as he stood up and hid his knife after he took it from the table.

"Yeah, we better do that," Hermes agreed.

"Oh, by the way, my Don. For some reason, your mask has changed and its darker than before. I remember that you wore a gas mask. Yet, today, you are wearing a non-facial mask," Justin commented. The young Don, astonished, replied, "I have no idea." He removed the light material and took a peek at it. "Oh, yeah. It's different from my usual mask."

"That's strange. Did you buy a new one or something?" asked Justin as he observed the mask. And the young Don replied with a confused gaze, "Nah, I didn't. I thought about to buy a new one but, there's no way I would buy this type of thing. It's really giving different vibes."

"Sir, to be honest, that mask is uncommon not only to this place but also to the entire nation, in my opinion. I think you should keep it," replied Justin. And the young Don tilted his head, "Oh, really? That's good to hear. Then, if someone tries to steal this, he won't be able to fool me. I can guarantee that this is mine because no one has if he dares to tell a lie that he owns this mask. Yeah, that's even great idea and the best opinion."

"However, let me remind you, sir. it's really dangerous to wear it in the public every day. If no one has it then, you'll be easily identified by several factions who'll someday uncover your cover and they'll hire a lot of infamous assassins to kill you without your notice. But don't worry, you don't need to be frightened. It is just my opinion and it is your own decision what is the ethical method to secure your own safety. Oh, please wear it now before that junk entered this room without your permission." Justin articulated with his hand pressed once again on his c.h.e.s.t.

Hermes wore it as per his suggestion and spoke, "I will."

Nicolo knocked, entered with only his face could be seen, and he asked, "Umm, excuse me. Forgive me for my intrusion. Guys, are you both done? My comrades will arrive before 7:30 in the morning. Oh, it is alright to extend your discussion to fully settled your quarrel."

Justin opened the door. Behind him was the young Don who was lowering his head for his appreciation to his hospitality. He raised up his head and said, "Thank you for saving my life. I'll swear to you that you'll be rewarded someday. My servant and I reconciled and decided to leave as you said. For further adieu, thank you for your help Sergeant Nicolo until we meet again." Hermes offered his hand, waiting to be shaken. So, Nicolo grabbed it with a smile on his face. And he replied, "Yes, until we meet again. You're always welcome to visit me here, friend."