Chapter 104: Nostrade Family!
A blond-haired teenager scanned the line of cars before shifting his attention toward a blue-haired girl making her way through a tight security line.
They were currently arriving at a private airport in the middle of the desert, just a few kilometers away from Yorknew City, their final destination.
It was then that he stumbled upon information from a passerby, alerting him to the movement of the Phantom Troupe.
Even though it seemed odd to get such important info from a stranger, Kurapika didn't mind.
He was desperate for any lead, no matter how weird or lucky.
Kurapika would do anything to get even a tiny hint that could help him track those diabolical groups of thieves.
For his family, his friends, and his fallen brethren in the Kurta Clan, he would stop at nothing to exact his revenge!
Coincidentally, the Nostrade Family had been among the select few invited to attend the auction. With this in mind, Kurapika had registered himself to be hired as a bodyguard by the Nostrade Family.
And at the moment, they were going to attend the secret auction, which was supposedly to be invite-only.
"...Phantom Troupe, the day you pay for your sins shall come!"
Kurapika silently declared with a steely determination.
The mere mention of the Phantom Troupe never failed to trigger his anger.
However...
What fueled his fury even more was the knowledge that the upcoming auction featured the Scarlet Eyes of the Kurta Clan—the treasured remnants of his fallen brethren.
Kurapika's fist clenched tightly, his entire being consumed by seething rage.
"...!"
On the side, a fellow bodyguard appeared to be a woman with bald straight hair and pronounced front teeth resembling a rodent's, felt a chill run down her spine.
It was Melody, one of Kurapika's fellow bodyguards hired by the Nostrade Family.
Silently, she muttered to herself, "...Just how could such a vengeful heartbeat emanate from someone so young?"
However, their thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the heavy footsteps of their superior, Dalzollene.
He was a well-built man with a close-cropped haircut and tattoos beneath both eyes that extended to his cheekbones.
"Alright, our Boss is settled in. It's time to get ready," he spoke slowly, his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
The group nodded in unison as he continued, "Be prepared to take action at any moment during our journey to the hotel. Eliminate anyone who dares to obstruct us."
"Get in the car. We're leaving now," Dalzollene's voice was cold and authoritative as he gestured for them to follow him into the waiting vehicle.
With everyone finally seated in the car, they began their journey toward the hotel where their boss would stay before attending the auction.
After a few hours in the car, they finally arrived at their hotel.
Dalzollene held a few pieces of paper in his hand, his expression solemn and tinged with a hint of nervousness, which surprised everyone.
Despite initial dissatisfaction, Dalzollene had managed to persuade their Boss to utilize her abilities a few times.
However, after some negotiation, she finally relented and used her fortune-telling abilities.
The results, however, were unexpected.
"..."
The group of bodyguards looked at their superior with interest, as they had never seen Dalzollene wear such an expression before.
A blue-haired girl yawned and turned towards Dalzollene, tilting her head cutely as she asked, "Is there anything wrong, Dalzollene?"
"No, nothing, Neon-sama..."
"Well, whatever, I wanna take a nap..."
Neon shrugged nonchalantly and then excitedly walked into the hotel.
Meanwhile, Dalzollene silently glanced at Neon's back, motioning for the maid to follow her and ensure her needs were fulfilled before he grabbed his phone.
"I have to report this to Master..."
He muttered under his breath, turning to address everyone, "Take charge of security for our Boss's safety."
"Understood!"
Everyone nodded in unison as Dalzollene made his way toward his room.
Meanwhile, in a massive mansion nestled on a hill, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink.
As dusk settled in, the moon began its ascent, casting a soft, silvery light over the estate.
In a spacious office-like room, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a thick mustache sat behind his desk as he looked over a piece of information in his hand with a heavy heart.
Suddenly, the phone rang, breaking the silence of the dimly lit room.
"Hmm?"
Light's expression remained indifferent as he picked up the phone, "Light speaking..."
"...Master Nostrade, this is Dalzollene," came the voice on the other end.
Dalzollene slowly began to recount to Light his request regarding the fortune-telling for his daughter some time ago.
"However, there seems to be a problem..."
"What is it?"
Light's voice remained calm, seemingly unfazed by the news.
"...Every single line from all these individuals is the same," Dalzollene's voice trembled slightly, an unusual occurrence that left him unsettled.
"..."
Even Light seemed to be stunned into silence as the call fell into a brief lull.
After a moment, he slowly leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable, "...What does it say?"
Dalzollene cleared his throat nervously before beginning to recount the fortune-telling...
"Beware the storm that brews unseen,
For power awakened, now keen.
Blood shall flow, a crimson tide,
As fates entwine and worlds collide."
"...Master, does this mean something is going to happen during the auction? Should we not attend this time?"
Dalzollene asked, his voice filled with concern.
"..."
A heavy silence filled the office as Light pondered the situation.
Finally, he spoke, his tone calm yet decisive, "Don't let Neon come. Send the new bodyguards to retrieve the items for us. Even if it does come to that, we won't lose much."
"...Understood," Dalzollene replied, regaining his composure despite understanding the implications behind the orders – essentially using the new hires as a meat shield.
"..."
Light then put back the phone, ending the call, his frown deepening.
Light Nostrade...
His family was a part of the Ten Dons, though not as influential.
The Nostrade family was protected by the Ritz Family, which was directly under the Ten Dons' authority.
Some time ago, the Diavolo Family, led by Albert Diavolo, had clashed with the Nostrades.
The Diavolos had remained dormant for a while, and their sudden resurgence in influence was suspicious.
And so, Light decided to check his own fortune, and to his surprise, he discovered...
"Beneath the moon's deceitful glow,
A shadowed hand guides the flow.
Beware the puppeteer's intricate design,
Lest crimson rivers mark the grand malign."
Light pondered the ominous words before deciding to proceed with caution.
He promptly notified the Ten Dons of this fortune-telling, hoping it would aid in uncovering the truth. With this assistance, they managed to uncover the truth and successfully assassinated the head of the Diavolo Family, Albert.
However...
"I knew there was someone powerful behind them, but..."
Light was completely taken aback by the revelation that the Celestia Consortium was behind the Diavolo Family!
He stared at the piece of information in his hand, his hand trembling slightly at the revelation.
"Now, I've been caught in a storm, huh?" he muttered to himself.
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