Taking the Mafia to the Magic World

"Hmm, I say the same." Vicente commented to Shelby as he looked at her belly, which was big enough to fit a watermelon. "You're very pregnant! How many babies are you carrying, Shelby?" he joked with her.",

Levi laughed at Vicente's question as he puffed out his chest, feeling very good that his son was big and strong, even though the boy was still in Shelby's belly.

"Just one. He's pretty strong for his gestational age. But I'm about to give birth, so I look like a human balloon." She smiled as she massaged her enormous belly.

"I see..." Vicente laughed as he looked at Shelby's face, a little different now that she was pregnant, rounder, but still extremely beautiful.

She smiled at him, as if she could see what was on her ally's mind, but said nothing. She just greeted Benson and asked Vicente. "You must have had quite a journey up north, huh? Are you here today to talk about it?"

"The journey north was interesting and especially dangerous... But I'm not here to talk about that. You should already understand the problems that can come from the north. I'm here to set the house in order."

"Oh?"

"As I told my founding partners before, they would have complete freedom to run this place together in my absence. But now that I'm back, I intend to take control of the city."

Shelby's expression changed slightly. As much as Vicente was her ally, and as much as she could win alongside him, she really preferred to have the power to herself, as she had as a member of the assembly.

There were only a few members of the assembly, so her power there was even greater than what she would have as the Count of House Staples.

"Do you think this is really necessary?"

"We don't have time for political discussions. I don't want to need the approval of a group that may have interests contrary to mine when there is no time to lose." Vicente went straight to Shelby before making his way back into the assembly.

She clenched her fists, but soon followed him, curious to hear Vicente's plans for the city. But she had no hope of maintaining her position in Vice's presence. If he wanted to pursue these interests, no one could stop him!

Vicente and Benson soon entered the main meeting room of the assembly, where more than half of the city's representatives were already seated.

As the others arrived one by one, Vicente greeted his old acquaintances, including Duke Scott, the nobles of Millfall, and the nobles of Saltstar City.

"Vicente, I'm glad you're back. We lost Saltstar City a few weeks ago, with over 10,000 casualties... We fled the city in such a hurry that many valuables were left behind."

"Yes, it would be good if we went on an expedition to recover what was left behind... Maybe give the dead proper graves."

"The mines around Saltstar City and the local harbor are also important to us. Recovering them is just as important as awakening the magical power of the young, new warriors."

Some of these men stood around Vicente and Benson, talking about how important it was for them to return to Saltstar City.

They already knew about Vicente's plan to reawaken the magical powers of young people through the secret altar. They even knew that trains were already leaving Metal City for the order's outpost in the kingdom.

Unless Vicente created new altars, this location near the kingdom's capital would be the only one available for awakening magical powers in the Seidel Kingdom.

All the temples of the Congregation of Revelations in the kingdom had been abandoned by the organization, so this was the only option for the young magicians of the kingdom.

But besides the awakening powers, something important for the future of the youngsters were resources, magic stones, and much more. Without these, growing up would be difficult and slow.

Vicente commented. "I will work on that very soon. I'll take care of my plans for Metal City first, and then I'll start my journey through Scott Province. Don't worry, our plans will converge sooner or later.

After saying that, he saw the last few arrivals sitting here and there before positioning himself in the center of the local leaders' meeting place.

He looked at the various High-level Mages and Earth Sovereigns, a much stronger group than the one he left behind when he left the province years ago, a sign of the changing times.

When a crisis struck, it devoured the lives and happiness of many, but it also provided opportunities for those with affinity and a little luck.

There hadn't been many sovereigns in the entire Scott Province before. But even outside of the Fuller family, there were several such individuals in this area today.

Vicente said. "The crisis in our society is much worse than some of you think. The vampires don't see us as mere enemies to be defeated. We are magical essences accumulated in cities, waiting to be collected and used by them. To them, we are food waiting to be eaten.

If we don't act in complete unity and quickly, more of us than we would like will meet the fate of having our lives sucked out by our enemies or killed by their minions, the monsters that infest our territories.

I am here to lead our city into the light amidst the darkness of disaster. From this day forward, I declare martial law in Metal City and Scott Province. I will assume the duties of King Seidel and command the forces of the army and noble houses in this province. I hope I can count on your support."

With these words, Vicente stepped down from the stage to make room for Benson to present some things he had planned and advised his master to present to these rich men.

Vicente sat back and watched the expressions of these people, some happy, others not so happy, but with no way to complain.

These people knew this was necessary, that Vicente could do it, and that they couldn't complain. But of course, as people interested in their own profits, they wouldn't be 100% happy about the change.