NOVPUBA full moon hung high above Hassel Port, with the cold moonlight scattering on the calm surface of the river, causing hints of light pink to emerge.
This was located on the southeastern side of Bulida’s Capital at Moat Harbor.
In the distance of Hassel Port was the stronghold of the Bulida Mafia, officially registered as a company.
"Boss."
Buildings loomed in the night by the shore, a few figures appeared at the portside, passing through the tight security of the elite mafia, reaching the front of a towering black building under the respectful salutation of the mafia members.
"Within an hour, do not let any officers enter above the second floor of the Hassel Building; wait outside."
The leader, draped in a dark black coat, had his hood slightly trembling in the night wind, the shadow covering most of his face, revealing only a pair of eyes shining with a cold light.
"Yes."
His steps were light and nimble, leading the way without any mafia daring to hesitate, he moved with several men under the shadow of the building, his form nearly impossible to catch.
When a ray of moonlight from the ground-level window uncovered him again, his resolute and handsome face was finally visible, a swath of deep gray hair hanging over his forehead.
Professor Landry and his two students followed behind Mr. Barton.
They put on the animal masks given to them by Mr. Barton.
To prevent other mafia members from spotting Professor Landry arriving at their mafia base.
Within a few steps inside the building, there were no other mafia members in sight.
Barton quickened his pace, and inside the building, deep yellow floor lamps cast long shadows behind them.
"This is Hassel Building, and the main building of the Bulida Mafia. Only the boss, officers, and certain members with permission can enter," Barton narrated as he escorted Lanci upward, level after level.
The interior of Hassel Building was decorated in a classical style, predominantly using black and brown stone bricks, resembling a premium hotel with a hundred years of history.
"I’ll try to convince your boss."
Lanci understood that Barton was informing him not only about the secrecy here but also about the danger of the Hassel Building—
Whatever accident happened, nobody else would know.
It was a secret place where one could die without a burial.
"The person you’re about to meet... is very irritable right now and probably won’t give you a chance to speak," Barton explained to Landry as they walked, based on his understanding of the boss.
He didn’t have a bad impression of the Saint Kray Temple professor who, at least for the sake of his students, dared to venture alone into the heart of the mafia.
And most importantly, he had the will to resist the Blood Clan.
"So, I’m supposed to block her initial attack?"
Lanci deduced such an answer.
Meeting with a fight could be a form of physical communication, as well as a test.
"That’s right, or she’ll likely directly attack your throat, preventing you from speaking and disturbing her thought process," Barton agreed.
"Ugh..." 𝒏𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
This style of silencing someone before hitting, Lanci always felt a sense of déjà vu.
"What are you thinking about?"
Talia questioned, placing an invisible hand around his neck.
"Could you lower your hand before talking, Master?"
Lanci was now sure.
Soon, Barton led them to his office, which stopped in front of a seemingly normal bookshelf.
He adjusted several books on the shelf in a sequence that made no apparent sense, accompanied by a faint click of metal, the bookshelf slowly revolved open, revealing a deep passageway hidden behind it.
"The two ladies can stop here," Barton turned around and told Elsa and Ursula.
Going further down would be the area where he and Lanci could enter. It was sufficient for the two students to stay in this secure boss’s office.
He didn’t mind letting them see this door of the mafia.
Because their fate today was destined for only two outcomes: either they would leave with Lanci successfully, or stay with Lanci in the Bulida Mafia.
"Brother, be careful."
After thinking, Elsa still handed back the Little Black Cat to her brother.
She wanted to ensure her brother’s safety as much as possible.
Cat Boss hesitated, looking around.
Lanci was heading to dangerous places and needed it, and it needed to protect Elsa as well.
"No matter what happens next, I’ll ensure their safety to the best of my ability," Barton assured Lanci.
"Okay, thank you, Mr. Barton."
Lanci nodded.
Talia discerned that Barton spoke the truth, and inwardly communicated this to Lanci.
"Meow, then I’m coming along meow."
Seeing the situation, Cat Boss also jumped into Lanci’s shadow.
Since Elsa was safe, it had nothing to worry about; he felt more secure piloting Lanci’s vessel.
"Please, go handle the matters at hand, Professor. With me here, Elsa won’t be bored," Ursula fluttered her hand, addressing Professor Landry.
"Yeah, see you later."
Lanci nodded.
Barton had already walked toward the passageway inside the bookshelf.
Without hesitation, Lanci followed Barton into the tunnel, the Anti-Magic Steel behind him silently closing, as if it had never been opened.
Inside the passageway, the lighting was dim, with faint lamps spaced every few meters flickering faintly.
The air was filled with an indescribable chill, as if they were approaching an ice cave.
Barton led Lanci through this labyrinth-like underground passageway, moving swiftly and surely, familiar with every secret of this pathway.
