Sceptre

Sceptre.

Just hearing that word brings shivers to my spine. I never thought I'd hear that name ever again.

Back in my old world, Sceptre is a mafia organization that rules the underworld community in most of Europe and North Africa. They also have ties in various countries and their businesses in both legal and illegal sectors are all influential; from malls to hospitals, down to arms dealing to drug and human trafficking, the have a hand in it! It's a powerful organization that they even have ties to the government of the countries they do business in.

The very thought of it is scary.

It was my misfortune to be born to the don of Sceptre. Well to be more specific, he raped my mother and she became pregnant of me. She wanted to raise me like a regular kid but she died when I was six and I was taken to my 'father'. My hellish life started there.

Other than my studies, my life in Sceptre consisted of training and making sure to survive my half-sibling's constant hazing. When I grew up, I finally got a breather when I was able to have my father agree to let me pursue medicine and become a doctor in the future, but in exchange I have to work on one of the hospitals that Sceptre manages.

Then that eventful day arrived. The don of Sceptre announced that being his successor would be an open battle of sorts, and that all his children, as well as children of his siblings, had a shot at it. That signaled my end.

I ended up dying in the hands of the man I trusted the most.

*SIGH*

Just remembering those memories is making me a little depressed. I should stop thinking about it.

Anyway…

I'm currently sitting in an empty room with Shino and Banri-san in the Minamoto Mansion. I refused to return to Plum Blossom Mansion when they told me to an hour ago, so only Sylvia and Klint were the ones who returned. I'm actually glad they did, since I'm about to meddle into yakuza affair I don't want to drag the two of them in it.

At the moment, Banri-san is introducing Shino and me to Sceptre.

This world's Sceptre.

I'm pretty sure he has no obligation of telling us since I'm classified as a civilian regarding their yakuza activities, but I think he's too fed up with my constant questions and threats. He probably knows I'll find out one way or another.

In this world, Sceptre is still a mafia organization. Its current don is a man known only as Raven. I'm not sure who that is since in my world it's led by Victor Nera, my father.

Anyway, Sceptre is a vicious organization that does all sorts of illegal stuff. Their history is full of blood and conquest, and their territory consists of Southern Europe, the entirety of Africa and half of South America. They also have a monopoly of drugs and arms trafficking in the countries of those continents, and those who defy them end up dead.

Now in organizations that are connected to the underworld, deaths are not uncommon, but Sceptre supposedly kills too much.

At least the Sceptre I grew up in has some sort of mercy, unlike the Sceptre I'm hearing now.

"They have been trying to establish their connections in Japan for the past months." Banri-san says, massaging his head. "They have already made contact with the Black Tiger Union in Tokyo, and the White Eagle Organization in Akita. We even received reports that they've been causing trouble to the Port Mafia in Yokohama. They've been trying to make a move in Kyoto and we've been doing all the effort to make sure they fail."

"So basically, Sceptre is a bloodthirsty mafia organization that wants to conquer Japan at the moment. Or at least the country's underground and black market activities." I respond, tapping my fingers on the table. "Do they have any activities regarding the supernatural?"

"Not that we know of." he replies with a thoughtful expression. "We've never received any reports regarding their involvement in the supernatural, but if they do occupy Kyoto, I'm pretty sure it won't be far until they have a hand in the supernatural community as well. And that poses even more danger."

I can only nod my head at his statement.

Kyoto is a hotspot for the supernatural in Japan and Akatsuki-gumi have been keeping that a secret to the humans, posing as a yakuza organization that the citizens know and are wary of. I understand Banri-san's concern regarding Sceptre's move on Kyoto, on Japan in general. It will not only endanger the mundane population, but the supernatural as well.

"And what does Clara Jaeger have to do with it?" I question, remembering the golden haired young lady that held me hostage.

"According to our intel, she's Sceptre's reaper. Her appearance in Kyoto may as well mean that Sceptre is up to something."

Hmm… That's not how it looked like though. Or at least that's not what I heard from her.

She sounded like she's running away, and it's not from Banri-san and his men.

"What are you planning to do with her now?" I ask.

"I'm afraid that's within our circle now Shi-san. You're not a part of Akatsuki-gumi, so I'm not entitled into telling you what we plan on doing to her."

Huh? But-

"And even if you say that I already told you more than a civilian should know about Sceptre, I'm still going to decline. I'm sorry but Clara Jaeger is under our custody and is therefore our responsibility."

UGH! The heck! And by responsibility, I think he meant the right to torture her for information!

It's not that I'm worried for her, in fact I don't like her since she did hold a knife on my throat, but I need answers to my questions. I want to know how she slipped past my <Perception> skill!

"At least let me talk to her! Or just see her!" I push. I have to see her.

"You'll have to talk to Takashi-sama for that Shi-san."

I can only groan in annoyance and disbelief. I've been trying to become strong ever since waking up in this world, so that I won't end up like my last life, but if somehow someone can get past my defenses easily without my knowledge, then I'm only doing it in vain!

"Fine!" I yell out loud, huffing on my seat. "I'll talk to Takashi-san!"

I march out of the room and follow the familiar hallway I know to be the way to Takashi-san's office.

Wait, I'm not really close with Takashi-san. I don't have much interaction with him and I'm pretty sure he's dangerous, even at my current level. The only guy whose name and age are the only ones I could see whenever I use <Appraisal>. Who wouldn't be wary of such a guy?

But I need his permission to talk to Clara Jaeger. We already know she's dangerous, but I have to check if she has any involvement in the supernatural, since she's a danger.

Now that I think about it, if she does have connections to the supernatural, that means Sceptre as well and that's not good. Then I should talk to Takashi-san to check!