Chapter 043 | The Eastern Cardinal Family, the Dobermann
News about the destruction of the central district's three strongest gangs erupted throughout New Janus. In half a dozen minutes, a force that numbered over half a thousand was eliminated by the newly arrived adversaries. It was outrageous, yet it was the determined truth.
Criminal syndicates and gangs from nearby districts were furious, but none dared to take action against these outsiders. Not because of their ability to wipe out three gangs in mere minutes. It was due to the identities these adversaries held.
The seventh division of SIGIL, Block 7.
One of the strongest divisions within the organization, administered by the seventh Paragon, the strongest Jaeger of humanity, Alastair Glass.
She was the White Devil; legends and myths spoke of her name. She wasn't only respected because of her power. She was admired for the things she had done for humankind. The most famous was the first revolution. It broke the shackles of the Clan, liberating a part of humanity.
Due to her infamous identity and reputation, those who stood at the apex of New Janus felt anxious for the first time. Their authority over the city was supposed to be unquestionable, yet a large fish entered their small pond.
What should they do? Watch? Or do something about it?
In the eastern district was the Dobermann Family, its strongest syndicate. A criminal organization of metahumans that held the trading routes of the eastern states. They were connected to various mercenary groups and smuggling rings, making them the wealthiest in New Janus.
Within their district was an exquisite manor constructed from ivory. Pillars of marble loomed over their hall, creating a scene of grandeur and prosperity. Servants tended their garden, guards stood like unmoving sentinels, and canines roamed its bricked paths.
To think that such a beautiful place existed within the dumpster that was New Janus. It makes one wonder how much blood was sacrificed for such a degree of opulence. Regardless, the atmosphere within the manor was tense.
Rumors, gossip, and information flooded their white walls, painting a gruesome sight of blood and destruction. The execution of the three gangs was beyond what the powers of New Janus expected.
After all, even though they couldn't be compared to the cardinal families, the three gangs of the central district weren't to be underestimated. There was a reason why these humans could carve a place of their own amidst the encirclement of metahumans.
In any case, the meeting hall of the Dobermann resembled a Roman court. There was an ancient theme of marbled and forgotten aesthetics combined with a flair of modernity. Truly a manor only the richest could afford.
Shadows of figures entered the grand hall, their gaze directed towards the elder standing on the central podium. There were ten of them, and they represented two-thirds of the syndicate's power.
As the officers of Dobermann took their respective seats, the Godfather glanced at them and set in motion what would decide their destiny within New Janus. "Let us begin with the destruction of the central district's three gangs."
Silence consumed the court, but an arrogant complaint broke it apart. "What does their extermination have to do with us? They're the weakest of the so-called pillars of New Janus. Their elimination should have been expected."
It came from a young man whose pale face appeared untouched by the agony of the New World. He was the heir of the Dobermann Family, the grandson of the Godfather. His name was Troy, a metahuman of the syndicate.
"The meeting wasn't called for those weaklings, Sir Troy. The subjects of this ruling are the outsiders who annihilated them. The seventh division of SIGIL, Block 7." A gorgeous lady expounded, maintaining a professional smile.
However, there was a trance of aloofness that glinted from her pitch-black irises. It was as though she didn't care about the world that surrounded her, resembling a monster pretending to be a human.
"Block 7? Can't we buy them to our side?" Troy questioned as he leaned comfortably over his chair. The officers nearby glanced at him, but the young man remained ignorant of the despondent gazes.
The Godfather of Dobermann sighed in disappointment, unable to accept that this was the heir of the criminal syndicate he had built for over a decade. If it weren't for the death of his son, their family would have been the rulers of New Janus.
Unfortunately, they were withering from the inside. Officers of Dobermann were divided into two sides: those who supported his grandson and those who stood beside his adopted daughter.
The loyalists were promoting his grandson as the young man was of his true blood. But the Godfather wasn't stupid. With how foolish the heir was, it would be easy for others to manipulate him.
The radicals intended for his adoptive daughter to be his successor. Not only was she skilled in running an organization, but she had also already built something for herself, a group of elites under the command of Dobermann.
"The Block 7 is the strongest unrestrained division of SIGIL. The White Devil does not give mercy, only death or servitude. I believe all of you remember the incident on the southern front a couple of weeks ago?" The aloof lady remarked, staring at the officers in the court.
"The seventh Paragon annihilated an army of vampires numbering in the thousands. She was alone, and she removed them with ease. The Clan couldn't do anything about it. What about us who are far weaker and don't officially stand with the Federation?"
"I didn't know you were a coward, Echidna." Troy grinned at his gorgeous aunt, who was only a couple of years older than he was. His words didn't bother the indifferent lady, who didn't bother to respond.
The arrogant young man gritted his teeth and clenched his fist in annoyance. An inferiority complex wasn't something that one could avoid. Especially when always compared to someone far better than one could ever be.
Even though the inheritance should be undoubtedly his, those within the criminal syndicate were questioning his rights as the heir, intending to push a mere adopted child to become the successor of the family.
The atmosphere within the court became tense while the Godfather merely observed the clashing divides of Dobermann. He didn't bother halting it since it was unavoidable. He wanted to see how they would handle such a division, as he understood that his time was running out.
They needed to be ready to continue on without him. He didn't want everything he built to fall apart in mere weeks or months after his death.
Before the internal situation could escalate, chaos echoed outside the doors that stood between the hallway and the court. There were roars and grunts of trouble, prompting the officers to turn their attention to the entrance.
What followed was a giant American eagle entering the court, its piercing screech resounding throughout its pillars and walls of ivory. It landed before the Godfather, staring at him with a sharp gaze while it used its claw to deliver a letter.
The elder accepted the letter with furrowed eyebrows and read its contents. His eyes squinted further as he felt his heart pound in indignation. Glancing at the officers within the court, he disclosed the message inside the letter.
"The White Devil has commanded us to surrender under the authority of Block 7. The family will be given a day to decide our fate. If an answer wasn't given by the end of the day, the Jaegers will descend to our district and ensure our annihilation."
Most of the officers were astounded, while some roared with righteous fury. The seven officers of Dobermann were prideful, so they were far from pleased by such a provoking letter. But Echidna punctually threw a bucket of cold water on whatever troublesome ideas flooded their mind.
"As a general rule of thumb, our family generally waits to recognize the consequences of each option. Sadly, it appears that Block 7 is not willing to wait for anyone to bide their time. Either they decide their destiny or not. I propose to surrender."
She didn't hesitate as she understood the might of the seventh Paragon. Alone, the White Devil could crush humanity back into the Stone Age. It doesn't matter whether the six Paragons resist her or not.
It was because of the seventh Paragon's absolute power that internal struggle wasn't as bad as in the early days of the Federation. Without her, politicians and organizations would have been fighting for pieces of humanity. All of them would probably be subjugated by the Clan.
"Are you betraying the Dobermann, Echidna?" An officer from the loyalist faction sneered at the indifferent, beautiful lady. Most of the officers within the court had the same thoughts, but they were interrupted by the chuckling Echidna.
"Ignorance and foolishness are the primary reasons why empires collapsed into rubble. Stubbornness in changing times tends to stagnate organizations. An issue of mentality." She coldly glared at the officers before turning her gaze towards the Godfather.
"Father, as a veteran of the Old and New World. I believe you understand my words the most. After all, if you hadn't adopted during that short era, Dobermann would have fallen long ago." Her words echoed through the court.
The officers were about to roar at her, but a gesture from the elder halted them. "If we resist, we will be fighting against the strongest of humanity. I will ask all of you... Why should we confront the White Devil? Pride? Honor? Arrogance?"
"Can you see yourselves surviving an attack from that eccentric girl?" The Godfather stared at the officers and his heir, whose silence rustled through the court.
"It seems that all of you have reached your answers."