Chapter 14 Truth Spell
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
Seeing that the few young men were so scared their faces were ashen and they were just short of wetting themselves, Orin Vale waved his hand and spoke up just in time.
"Chopping off hands won't be necessary. I'm a civilized person, not some devil."
"Of course, of course," Elliot agreed, his face wreathed in smiles, but he didn't even dare to look him in the eye.
He thought to himself, *Like hell I'd believe you.*
The Gotham Godfather, Carmine Falcone, also went around proclaiming he was a great philanthropist.
"Regarding this matter, I believe these few have learned their lesson. After all, no one was actually hurt in the end," Orin Vale said. "So, we can let this matter drop."
After a pause, he turned to David Patrick, who had been silent in the back the whole time.
"But this time, I actually wanted to discuss something else."
David maintained his civilized smile, walked forward slowly, and patted Elliot's shoulder.
As if granted amnesty, Elliot hurriedly scrambled out of his chair and stumbled his way to the back.
He knew everyone in the back was looking at him with contemptuous gazes, but he was certain it was only because they didn't understand.
Because they hadn't directly faced that man—that seemingly gentle and refined coffee shop owner.
If you weren't sitting there yourself, it would be impossible to imagine the immense pressure one had to endure in front of that person!
"So, Boss Orin, what other instructions do you have?" David said politely.
"Nothing much. But I'm sure you've heard that scum isn't welcome at my doorstep. I have to come out and sweep trash from my door every day, which wastes both my time and energy."
"And I, for one, happen to be someone whose time is precious, and I'm not too happy about wasting it on such things. So, to save myself the trouble, I'll have to ask the trash to take a detour."
Faced with this almost unconcealed insult, a fierce glint flashed in the drug lord's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, maintaining his amicable smile.
"That might be a bit difficult," he said. "To be frank, our Gang doesn't usually operate in the nearby blocks. This time is truly a special situation."
"I've brokered a deal. It's not a huge one, but it will open up some new markets and could lay an important foundation for future important business."
"Of course, I have to show respect to Boss Orin. When I get back, I'll properly discipline those clueless brats under my command and teach them to keep a low profile on Boss Orin's turf."
"We came in a hurry this time and didn't have time to prepare. When I return, I'll have someone prepare a modest gift..."
Orin Vale waved his hand impatiently. "Just tell me about your deal. Let me guess... it involves drugs in schools, right?"
David remained noncommittal, smiling as he said, "All of Kingston knows how the Cross Gang got its start."
"Stop it," Orin Vale said, shaking his head. "I can't manage the more distant areas for now, but at least in my Community, in this neighborhood, there will be no more drugs in schools."
Only then did the smile on David's face finally vanish.
But he quickly put his smile back on, though this time it was clearly a few degrees stiffer.
"Boss Orin, that... might be a bit difficult. Gotham has its own rules, as I'm sure you're aware. Even the mayor wouldn't have the guts to say something like that."
"I know, but I'm not the mayor," Orin Vale said calmly. "And you seem to have misunderstood. This is not a request."
David narrowed his eyes, attempting to return a fierce glare. A man like him had a unique understanding of controlling his expressions and gaze; he knew how to act friendly, and he knew how to look dangerous.
But today, it didn't seem to be working.
After twenty years of surviving in Gotham, this was the first time he'd found himself unable to meet someone's eyes in a conversation. It was as if that slender, refined body contained something he couldn't comprehend—an immense energy as imposing as a mountain, capable of crushing him with a single breath. Even breathing became difficult.
He had to back down, as if to avoid the young man's sharp edge.
"Bryan," he said coldly.
The one who stepped out was a remarkably strong man, his frame making him look like a walking giant compared to the others. A black leather jacket clung tightly to his solid muscles, and mottled tattoos covered his flushed skin, forming pitch-black patterns.
A snake tattoo coiled around his arm, and the bloody knife marks on its body showcased an undeniable viciousness.
He was the Gang's weapon, the one with the most blood on his hands in the entire organization. He'd been in and out of Prison multiple times and was the undeniable ace of the Cross Gang in any conflict.
Orin Vale looked up at the giant who stood before him, a full head taller than himself, and began to calculate the fastest, most efficient, and least exaggerated way to quickly take care of the situation.
Just as he was thinking this, before he could do anything at all...
Suddenly, he heard the giant named Bryan in front of him speak, his voice deep and booming.
"To be honest, I've never really liked the boss," Bryan said, shaking his head. "He's actually a bit of a sissy, and he's so indecisive and sloppy. But there's nothing I can do; his brain works better than mine. Otherwise, I wouldn't listen to him at all."
Saying this, he tilted his head in thought and added.
"Oh, and the boss's wife is really beautiful, and great in bed too. She has a tattoo on her ass that's exactly the same as the boss's, which is pretty hilarious..."
Orin Vale: "?"
He swore he hadn't done anything and had absolutely no idea what was going on.
Even David was dumbfounded. His mouth fell open as he stared at the giant in shock for two seconds, then he violently pulled out a gun and aimed it at him.
"You motherfucker, say that again if you have the guts!?"
"Sorry, boss, I don't know what's wrong with me, I just suddenly couldn't hold it in... Oh, right, your wife also said you're small and fast, and that I'm way better..."
David's face turned green with rage. With a *click*, he chambered a round in his handgun. "I'll fucking waste you!"
*Thud.*
However, it wasn't the sound of a gunshot.
Instead, a punk-styled Henchman from the back had swung a baseball bat, knocking David unconscious with a heavy blow from behind.
After knocking him out, he slammed the baseball bat heavily onto the ground. "Fuck! I've been wanting to do that for so damn long! Ordering people around all day long like a fucking moron! He doesn't even know his own damn worth..."
Then, a bald man in the group sent a nearby teammate flying with a flying kick.
He cursed as he kicked, "Last time I took a nap, some asshole tied my dick to the bedpost! I almost died from the pain when I rolled over! You really thought I didn't fucking know it was you, didn't you!?"
The man who'd been kicked scrambled up, equally furious. "You're the one who fucking pissed in my drink first! You think I didn't know?"
"Fuck, who's afraid of who!"
Everyone started screaming at each other. Suddenly, the entire group from the Cross Gang was fighting amongst themselves. Every man's eyes were bloodshot, each fighting as if they had an irreconcilable feud with the other, like avenging their father's murder.
Orin Vale was stunned for a couple of seconds, then he quickly seemed to figure something out.
Ignoring the brawling morons, he silently walked behind the counter to the bearded chef, who was watching the scene unfold as if it had nothing to do with him.
"Your doing?"
"Heh, just a small Truth Spell."
The Old Wizard chuckled smugly, then paused, adding with a blink of his eyes,
"...I didn't expect it to be this effective either."
(end of chapter)