Chapter 64: All Lined Up

Raymond's eyebrows shot up in surprise at whatever Sin had revealed.

"...Hmm," Raymond motioned for Sakujiro to join them, then turned back to Sin. "Tell him what you just said..."

"Understood!"

Sin nodded, then turned to Sakujiro, beckoning him to follow as they left to discuss the matter Sin had brought to their attention.

"You're busy, huh?"

Machi remarked casually.

"Well, kind of..."

Raymond replied, a hint of distraction in his voice as he continued to eat.

Machi observed Raymond closely, noticing the subtle signs of agitation.

Her eyes sparkled with a cunning light as she prodded, "Oh? What kind of thing could bother such an important person like you?"

"It's nothing, just some thugs inviting me to come over..."

Raymond explained nonchalantly.

"Thugs?"

Machi's eyes gleamed with interest at the mention of these words.

Raymond didn't seem inclined to share further details, "I highly doubt they had anything I want. They probably just wanted to meet me, so don't worry. Besides, if I want something or someone..."

He locked eyes with Machi, causing her to fluster once again, "I can just get it easily."

"...Hmph, show off!"

Machi scoffed, rolling her eyes as they continued to eat their dinner.

As the meal ended, Machi excused herself, declining Raymond's invitation to stay overnight. She also refused his offer of a free driver and a car, determined to travel on foot.

As Machi's figure vanished into the distance, Raymond stood silently, his gaze lingering where she had been.

Sakujiro and Sin approached him, their expressions shifting.

Sin's nervous demeanor melted away, replaced by an air of nonchalance, as if his previous unease had been an act.

From the start, Raymond had expertly played on Machi's sense of vigilance. He had a good grasp of her personality and understood that she was a cautious woman.

His subtle actions, from his subordinate brazen presence to the little prank with the poisoned food, had kept her on edge.

Being cautious was wise, but excessive caution led to paranoia.

When someone became paranoid, they overanalyzed even the simplest things.

However, Raymond aimed for this.

This heightened state of awareness caused her to absorb even the smallest details of Raymond's words and actions, including his slightest change of expression.

Words that might have seemed carefree and insignificant to others became important clues in Machi's perspective.

She was then unconsciously directed to connect the dots, piecing together information that had been bothering her for a while, especially the rumors about the auction she heard from Hisoka a while ago.

Little did she know, Raymond was the very source of the information she was piecing together.

"Poor girl..."

Sakujiro had grown accustomed to Raymond's way of doing things, recognizing the precision with which he executed each move.

However, Sin was different.

Even though Sin didn't show it outwardly, he was taken aback. He had mostly seen Raymond either nonchalant or sporting his iconic smirk.

Sin glanced at Raymond's expression, which slowly morphed back to the familiar nonchalance he was accustomed to.

He couldn't help but think, "...As expected of Master, you truly are different."

This display of calculated manipulation was new to him.

Through these subtle gestures, Raymond could convey his messages to Machi without uttering anything too specific that might lead to her suspicion.

She had become so attuned to his cues that she absorbed every detail he offered without question.

Raymond's actions were flawless to her, and she responded accordingly. 

"Do you think she got it, Master?"

Sakujiro's question broke the silence.

"She's smart, she should be..."

Raymond replied with confidence lacing in his words.

He had gone to such lengths for her to connect all the information in her hands, obviously, she had no other choice.

Besides, even though it had been years, Raymond knew Machi would remember the disdain with which he referred to the mafia as thugs.

"Do you not want to talk with her?"

Raymond asked as he turned to Sakujiro, who shook his head stoically.

He offered a slight bow as he responded, "My goal was achieved long ago. I no longer harbor personal sentiments. What holds significance for me now is to serve you dutifully and assist you in attaining your desired objectives, Master."

"You can't follow his footsteps, Sin. You're still young, and you gotta live a little..." Raymond shook his head in response to this as he turned to Sin. 

"Understood, Master," Sin responded with a respectful bow.

"...Alright."

Raymond couldn't help but smile wryly, knowing Sin didn't fully understand his words.

His loyal followers who formed his core team held a special place in Raymond's heart.

He valued them greatly and would go to great lengths, even war, to avenge their deaths.

If it hadn't been Albert that Illumi had killed not long ago, Raymond's response wouldn't have been so merciful.

Glancing back to where Machi's figure gradually faded from view, "These thieves are now officially invited. It's about time we secured Yorknew City..."

Yorknew City held immense significance in Raymond's grand scheme.

As the hub of the United States of Saherta, seizing control of it would set off a chain reaction that would allow him to connect all the dots within the states that he had planted to secure his influence throughout the states.

"And those thugs..."

Raymond's voice was a low, chilling murmur.

His crimson eyes gleamed with a fierce resolve as he continued, "...It's about time they retired."

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Sakujiro and Sin's eyes reflected Raymond's tone, gleaming with the same cold intensity as they focused on the direction Machi had vanished.

In the slum area, Machi hastened her pace, using the fastest route out of the country.

However...

She suddenly sensed a faint presence lurking nearby.

Machi frowned as she turned towards the darkened alleyway, "Get out..."

"..."

Recognizing he had been discovered, a figure emerged slowly from the alley's shadows.

The person was missing an arm and carried a storage container, seemingly intent on preserving its contents.

"You?"

Machi's eyes widened in recognition as she beheld the unexpected visitor.

Realizing the person before her hadn't bothered concealing their presence, Machi raised her guard.

"Illumi Zoldyck, what do you want?"

Illumi's gaze lingered on the pink-haired Phantom Troupe member, his mind drifting back to Raymond's letter to their family.

In Raymond's message, among other things, he seemed to have anticipated their struggle to find someone capable of reattaching Illumi's arm.

He provided them with precise coordinates and the exact time when this individual would be available.

Illumi couldn't comprehend how Raymond had predicted such timing.

Yet, the accuracy of his predictions was undeniable, serving as evidence that nothing escaped Raymond's watchful gaze in the country.

The realization sent a shiver down Illumi's spine.

"...I want to commission you for something," Illumi declared, opening the briefcase he held in his hand.

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