Chapter 26 - Matteo's Plans

Matteo sat at the desk looking at his plans. If you could call them plans - it was a jumbled mess of words, underlines and a lot of exclamation marks that made sense only to Matteo himself. This was the result of Matteo's brainstorming sessions and the things he had randomly jotted down when he had his - 'that would be so cool!' or 'this is perfect!' moments.

So today Matteo planned to sit down and finalize his plans. After going through some more cringe names like - Veiled Vortex and Phantom Abyss he decided he should stop and decide the name later. He then moved on to laying down the plans for the framework of his organization. And he had big plans.

Matteo planned to create a framework inspired by the 'Ndrangheta clans from Calabria region of southern Italy from his previous life. For those who don't know what the 'Ndrangheta clans are -

The 'Ndrangheta is a secretive criminal organization in Calabria, Italy. It is marked by a strict code of silence they call "omertà," enforcing members' loyalty and secrecy. This code, punishable by death for violations, makes infiltration by law enforcement challenging.

The organization employs a simple yet functional hierarchy with a supreme leader overseeing local bosses and clans. Each clan, led by a Underboss operates independently, contributing to the organization's adaptability.

The underbosses are only answerable to the supreme leader. The supreme leader of course had his own elite forces answerable only to him.

Known for ingenuity, the 'Ndrangheta establishes hideouts in remote Calabrian mountains, exploiting the difficult terrain. Extremely complex tunnel systems connect properties, and underground bunkers made of shipping containers, enabling discreet movement and illicit goods transport. The geographic isolation of Calabria serves as a natural barrier against law enforcement.

The 'Ndrangheta's economic power extends to legitimate businesses, masking its criminal activities and influencing local communities.

Matteo planned to use this complex interplay of secrecy, hierarchy, ingenuity, and economic influence and triple it. This will form the backdrop for his criminal organization's development.

First of all he planned to limit the independence of the underbosses. 'Omertà' will not work for Matteo as its a system that needs strength in numbers. It's a loyalty system where members are afraid to betray because they know they will be pursued or harmed if they do. But Matteo would not have enough manpower to chase down betrayers. So instead he planned to use leverage and blackmail to assure loyalty.

"It is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails."

― Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

The next priority on Matteo's agenda was to find a place of training his new recruits. If he wanted to create a powerful pillar for his organization he will need people that are not only loyal but also capable. So he needed a place where he could train them into being capable. He was not worried about how to train them, after all he had the whole training routine etched into his brain.

The third on his priority list was to create his own information network. One that he can trust. He felt like Lysander was the perfect man for that job. So he planned to 'convince' him using the information he would obtain from the dossier.

After writing down some more minor things he was done with his immediate priorities for now. He had to prepare for his training at night. Armed with a shopping list longer than a scroll, Matteo embarked on a conquest to the grocery store. He knew he would be starving after he finishes training.

When Matteo returned from the grocery shopping it was already late at night. He warmed up until his training time refreshed. He trained, ate and went to sleep.

(A/N :- Shoutout to 'RiddleEYeus01', initially this chapter would have more plans about Matteo's organization but due to RiddleEYeus01's suggestion its has been moved forward and has become even more interesting and cooler. I will reveal it gradually in coming chapters.)

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Subject Dossier: Lysander St. Clair "The Pilgrim"

Personal Information:

Alias: The Pilgrim

Real Name: Lysander St. Clair

Occupation: Bartender, owner of Pilgrim Bar

Location: Verbindung, waterfront area

Background: Lysander St. Clair, known as "The Pilgrim," presents a façade of intelligence, easygoing demeanor, and approachability that contrasts with the intrigue of his shadowy past. He has a personal vendetta against the clandestine organization "Chamber of Subtle Observations," in the Albion Federation. 

His departure from the organization was fueled by a profound loss—his beloved. Seeking solace and anonymity, he fled to the country of Alpencia, the homeland of his lost love, eventually settling in the city of Verbindung.

Current Activities: Lysander has seamlessly integrated himself into Verbindung, owning and operating the waterfront bar "Pilgrim." Behind the easygoing charm lies a man astute in reading people, using the bar as a strategic hub for information gathering. As the bartender, he effortlessly interacts with a diverse clientele, ranging from local criminals to high-profile figures, all while maintaining an inviting atmosphere.

Modus Operandi: The Pilgrim is recognized for his intelligence and easygoing approach, qualities that belie the secrecy of his operations. Rarely disclosing personal information, he navigates the criminal underworld discreetly, utilizing Pilgrim as a neutral ground for conversations that are both covert and comfortable.

Sources of Information: While his personal vendetta against the Chamber of Subtle Observations may influence his activities, the true origin of Lysander's information remains elusive. His affable nature enables him to gather sensitive intelligence without arousing suspicion, leaving those who encounter him unaware of the depth of his strategic acumen.

Associations: Despite his mysterious past, The Pilgrim effortlessly connects with both local and international criminal networks. His patrons find him easy to approach, creating a network that spans from low-level criminals seeking information to high-ranking individuals with political and economic interests. Notably, he shares affiliations with Sophie Muller, a master forger renowned as 'The Weaver,' and Angelina Romano, a 'Disciple of the Abyss.'

Security and Caution: Approaching Lysander St. Clair requires discretion and careful consideration, as his approachability may serve as a deceptive cover. His personal history suggests a potential vulnerability that can be leveraged, but navigating the complexities of his network and gaining his trust remains a challenging endeavor.

Conclusion: Lysander St. Clair, The Pilgrim, is an enigmatic and influential figure in the criminal underworld. The juxtaposition of his easygoing persona with the complexities of his past and present activities creates an intriguing character. His intelligence and approachability make him both a valuable asset and a potential challenge for those attempting to decipher the true extent of The Pilgrim's influence.

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 *ssssssslllllllluuuuuuurrrrrrpppppppp*

Matteo let out a devilish grin. He had got what he wanted to 'convince' Lysander to join him. Though risky he decided to attempt it. After all those who are winners are those who dared.

He got up, threw his empty coffee mug in the sink and shut of the main switch as he went out.