Additionally, Russo's Origin Element is "Instinct," which synergizes well with his tattooed insignia, as it was designed specifically for him. This allows him to dodge attacks that seem impossible for normal humans, such as a bullet shot from behind.
Furthermore, all of Russo's clothing and gloves are woven with Nether Spider silk, making them extremely durable and highly resistant to both magic and physical attacks, including bullets. Thus, in addition to being a skilled butler, he is also trained in combat, as butlers for noble mage families need to be proficient in self-defense.
This was the role that Edward had prepared Russo for: to be the butler for a large or noble mage family.
"I've cleared the way, teacher. Let's go." Russo Veneziale said as he entered the car and drove off.
After the two drove off, a team of people in jumpsuits arrived, equipped with cleaning tools to deal with the aftermath of the fight. They systematically placed all the corpses into plastic bags and loaded them into a black van. Some of them performed a magic ritual to dissolve the car wreckage into rusting dust before cleaning it up.
Cars that weren't too badly damaged were driven away to another location. The team used magic to clean the area until it appeared as if no fight had ever taken place. They then drove the black van away.
After a few minutes, other vehicles began using the highway as if nothing had happened, as the bounded field that had affected the area was removed by the cleanup crew.
— The Stora Kronan Hotel —
Meanwhile, at the Stora Kronan Hotel, Daniel was reviewing the conference regulations and discussing possible scenarios with Gua Jia. The other members of Daniel's entourage were gathering information about the various leaders confirmed to attend the conference and trying to contact them to reaffirm their stance after being lobbied.
Daniel was also taking calls from time to time to reaffirm the stance of leaders he had personally lobbied. All of them had maintained their stance, including Russian Tsar Dimitri Romanov and the German President, who was under the wing of the Sanguinis Clan.
While Daniel was busy with work, he heard a knock at the door. One of his entourage went to check on the guest and returned.
"Mr. Emberweave, there are guests here to visit you. They said they came with a gift. We have already checked their belongings and confiscated all of their weapons," the doorman said to Daniel.
"Huh? Guests?" Daniel thought. He knew that his whereabouts should be a secret unless the host had leaked it, but that shouldn't be the case. He nodded. "Okay, let them in."
A moment later, the doorman ushered the guests in.
The guests were none other than a pair of young and old butlers, Edward Pennyworth and Russo Veneziale. The two stood in front of Daniel and politely bowed.
"Mr. Emberweave, this is a package that our master asked us to give you," the old butler said, presenting a small wooden box and an envelope.
Daniel took them from the butler's hand, examined them, and placed them on his table. He didn't open them yet because one thing caught his attention: Russo Veneziale.
"Ugh... now I know why Envy doesn't like this guy too much," Daniel muttered, but it was no use complaining, since he too needed those magical ingredients. And maybe the things in the vault could help him entice mages to register and come under his organization.
Daniel lamented his misfortune for a brief moment before hiding his frustration and addressing the two butlers.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Veneziale and Mr...." Daniel paused, realizing he didn't know the old butler's name.
"Pennyworth, sir. My name is Edward Pennyworth," the old butler politely introduced himself.
"Ah. Thank you, Mr. Veneziale and Mr. Pennyworth. Hope I'll see you again," Daniel said.
"Good day to you, sir. Please, excuse us," Edward said with a polite bow before leaving the room.
Daniel picked up the small wooden box and slowly opened it.
—
Meanwhile, nearly all the old mage families across Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa received a magic signature from the ring. They tried to find its source, and some of the more prepared families quickly discovered it was coming from Sweden.
Families who knew what this signal signified showed either greed or solemnity, while those who didn't quickly went to the nearest branch of the Syndicate Union for information.
Some mage families in Asia, aware of a new force specialized in information gathering known as the Whispering Hall, quickly went to their nearest local branch to get information about the signal. They all got the information for free, along with a choice: submit to Daniel's authority, or die.
Several families resisted, but they were met with the overwhelming strength of the Whispering Hall. After a few bloody examples, all of the mage families chose to submit.
All of this happened without Daniel's knowledge.
—
As for Daniel, what he saw inside the box was a golden ring with a Chromatic Jewel. When Daniel channeled his mana into it, it periodically displayed several Guild Insignias, including the Manor (signifying the Whispering Hall), the Scythe (signifying the Reaper Gate Guild), and the Gate.
There were three more guild insignias that he didn't recognize: the sign of a clock tower, the sign of a beast head, and the sign of a gold coin with a lion head on it.
Daniel found the insignias familiar, then immediately recalled them as part of the lore he had written for the card game "Rule of Backstreet." These were the supposed gangs in the game!