BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM C.822 The headquarters (5)

"That was what the Blackguards too believed," Gus said.

"But it turns out, he's not only alive, but has been spotted in Caelora city."

"Apparently, he made an epic entrance inside the mercenary world, to the point he was able to make a guild on his own that quickly took the place of those existing in Testrovsc's Rest. More so, he's showed remarkable strength—engaging ten Blackguards simultaneously and killing many of them."

This revelation visibly shocked Howell. He had once been tasked with kidnapping Romano, but the kid fled.

"And the Blackguards think he might align with Becker?"

Gus nodded. "There's suspicion they could join forces. It's not confirmed, but it's a possibility we can't ignore."

"Why? What does the two have in common?"

Gus understood Howell's skepticism. "It is easy. At first, the Blackguards didn't have concrete evidence that Becker was working against them. But recent intelligence—whose specifics I'm not at liberty to reveal—suggests Becker has discovered Volkov's connections with the Blackguards. This might push Erik and Becker closer, leading them to join forces considering they are both Blackguards' enemies."

Of course, all of this changed little for Howell. He doubted Erik Romano could really be as strong as to reach his level.

Howell could die in a fight, based on what Gus said, but the point was that his real shield was the impossibility of finding him, or so he thought.

<Hahahahahahahah! I already found you, stupid motherfucker! >

If Erik could laugh he would have, but his current situation, and fly from, prevented him. fr𝐞𝐞𝚠e𝗯𝗻ovel.c𝐨m

Howell then interjected. "Whatever, it's not like Erik Romano is a problem. If Becker never found me, I doubt he will."

"You should reconsider, Frank."

"10 Million New Dollars. This or nothing."

Gus sighed deeply, irritation etching his features at Howell's steep demand for 10 million New Dollars.

Despite the frustration bubbling within him, the pressing need for Howell's men and women weighed heavily, nudging him towards reluctant acceptance.

The stakes were too high to bargain further.

"All right… But Volkov won't like it."

"Volkov can kiss my ass. Remember, it is not me who needs him, it's the opposite."

Gus's face tightened, a mix of rage and disapproval flashing across his features at Howell's brazen words.

"So, where do I need to send them?"

"At the gate," Gus said.

That made Howell think. If they needed people at the gate, it meant they were likely waiting for someone to arrive. Who could it be? Erik Romano, or General Becker?

He doubted it was going to be Becker. That man was a fox.

He wouldn't brazenly enter the city to attack Volkov. Then, the only alternative was Erik Romano.

At that moment, a memory came rushing back to him. Erik's father, the mighty Lucius Romano, had been for a long time kept prisoner under his care.

Only recently, when Shade ordered him to give the man to Volkov's care, he lost sight of him.

That explained a lot. In Howell's mind, Erik came to search for his father. Too bad he was in Fasard already.

<Ah, this is the bastard who took dad prisoner, uh? And he even confirmed he is in Fasard. >

However, Howell didn't know where Volkov put his father, so Erik couldn't get that information.

But there was something in Howell's thoughts that confirmed a rumor.

One that made many people speculate about the Crystal Cross Gang's existence.

<Howell thought about Shade. So, the guy is real, after all. >

Erik understood that, even if he killed the whole Crystal Cross Gang, this guy, Shade, had the power to make another one.

It wasn't hard to find hoodlums and people desperate for money or other funny products.

Of course, Erik based his assumption on the rumors circulating about Shade.

That he controlled the underworld not only here but also in Etrium and the other countries.

<Shade is clearly tied to the Blackguards. It doesn't surprise me if he has that much power. >

"You really are expecting Erik Romano to come, right? I wonder, what did the Blackguards told you?"

<This guy is very smart, > Erik thought.

Internally, he even rejoiced, as that was something he wanted to know.

What the fuck did the Blackguards told Volkov and his people?

Gus's face stiffened at Howell's pointed question, the sudden mention of Erik Romano catching him off guard.

A flicker of apprehension crossed his expression, betraying his attempt at composure.

It was clear Howell's insight into the Blackguards' warnings about Erik was right based on his reaction.

Erik thought the guy wasn't very good at hiding his thoughts, while Howell got confirmation of his assumptions.

"Yes," Gus said. "You should prepare accordingly. It's likely he knows you kept his father prisoner. The Blackguards assumed he is going to come here, in the following months at least, to free him."

"Why are you all scared of this guy? The fact you assume he knows all of these baffles me. Lucius Romano was kept safe and sound under my care. No one even suspected I had him prisoner. How could his son find out?"

"You don't know him. You underestimate him."

"Erik Romano awakened two years ago. How the fuck could he become so powerful in two years as to kill blackguards who trained for decades? How could he get the means to be successful at what not even Becker was able to achieve?"

<True. I wouldn't believe Gus if I was in Howell's shoes. >

"I already told you too much, Frank. If you value your life, do as I say. I expect your men to arrive in a week. Do not be late."

"I've never been late. You know that."

Gus and his entourage then left the room, with Erik following them.

Howell didn't know that, and he was currently in deep thought.

While he found surreal for Erik Romano to be a real problem, he couldn't deny Gus's words unsettled him.

Howell was smart. Even if he didn't believe in his words, that didn't mean he was so stupid as to take that warning as complete bullshit.