"Come closer, Macallan. I've wanted to meet you for a long time."
Ritsu was taken aback. That gentleman said he had wanted to meet him for a long time? That meant he had been watching him all along. Was it simply because of the book he had written that piqued his interest or was there something deeper?
There had to be another layer to it.
Judging from the surroundings, there were plenty of surveillance cameras and listening devices installed. What a twisted sense of humor.
Anyone allowed into this place had to be a high-ranking code-name member. Yet even such trusted individuals were treated with caution. Gin's suspicious nature was probably inherited from that gentleman.
After walking nearly a hundred meters down the corridor, they finally reached the end. At the top of a tall set of steps sat a marble chair. A dark red velvet blanket covered it, and at the top of the backrest was an expensive black gemstone embedded into it.
A crow-shaped mask concealed his face, but from his voice, Ritsu could tell he was at least over fifty and male. Voices could be disguised and posture could be faked, but bones were much harder to alter. There was no sign of physical disguise.
Male, likely between fifty and ninety years old. His complexion was sickly pale, his height around 175 cm, with a slightly overweight build.
The only visible part of his face through the mask was his eyes, water-green, triangular eyes with wrinkles at the corners that betrayed his age. He was observing Ritsu with a scrutinizing gaze.
So, he had overthought things. For a moment, he thought he might uncover that gentleman's true identity.
"Macallan, how have your years in the organization been?"
That gentleman smiled faintly, speaking with the warmth of an elder addressing a junior. "It seems I forgot to introduce myself. You may call me 'Sir.' I am the founder of Black Crow… and its leader."
"Sir, I've been doing well in the organization. No need for your concern."
"Hahaha, that's good to hear."
He definitely hadn't brought him here for small talk. The fact that he hadn't mentioned the task yet likely meant it was meant for him alone. Was he planning to send Gin away?
Ritsu respectfully asked, "Sir, is there anything you need my help with?"
"As expected, talking to a smart person is effortless." The gentleman picked up an ebony cane and used it to support himself as he stood. His green eyes shifted toward Gin. "Gin, step outside. This matter does not concern you."
Gin hadn't expected to be excluded but he didn't show any displeasure. Long ago, he had already decided to follow the boss. Even if the boss demanded his life, he would carry it out without hesitation.
After all, his life already belonged to him.
"Yes, Sir."
Once Gin left, the gentleman sat back down. His tone grew more serious as he asked, "Macallan, do you know what Pandora is?"
His legs didn't seem steady, either due to injury or age, likely putting him over seventy. Ritsu set aside his thoughts and replied, "Are you referring to Pandora's box from Greek mythology? The 'source of calamity'?"
"Neither. It's a gemstone."
Ritsu didn't believe for a second that the boss had gone through all this trouble just to have him steal a gem. Someone who could build an underground palace could obtain any gem with ease.
A strange glint appeared in the gentleman's eyes as he spoke calmly, "There is a comet called the Bolide Comet that approaches Earth once every ten thousand years. When it does, if the 'Pandora' stone is held up to the full moon, it will shed a tear. Whoever consumes that tear will achieve immortality."
"??"
If he weren't facing the boss of the organization, Ritsu would have rolled his eyes.
What kind of absurd fantasy was this? A comet appearing once every ten thousand years was already ridiculous. A gemstone shedding tears under moonlight? And swallowing that tear grants immortality?
Had the boss gone mad chasing eternal life? Even elementary schoolers wouldn't believe something like this.
"Sir, do you want me to steal this 'Pandora' gemstone?"
"Are you mocking me in your mind for believing such a thing?"
Beneath the crow mask, the corners of his lips seemed to curl upward. A faint smile flickered in his green eyes as he said slowly, "What I want you to do is investigate, in secret, a mysterious organization searching for this gem. Although I had you develop APTX4869, I'm not foolish enough to believe in such nonsense."
'So he didn't believe it. Good.' Otherwise, Ritsu might have started thinking he'd joined an asylum.
"A mysterious organization? You don't have any information on them, Sir?"
"I am not omniscient. To come into contact with them, one must track gem-related activities worldwide. I will have someone assist you with that."
"Understood. Then please tell me what 'Pandora' looks like."
"Under moonlight, it emits a red glow. The rest, you'll have to discover yourself."
Ritsu processed the clues. Once he encountered this mysterious organization, he would need to pass the information to Hiro.
He looked up and asked respectfully, "Sir, is there anything else you wish to instruct me on?"
"That organization favors using animal code names. 'Leo' is the only code name we've confirmed so far. As for the details… Vermouth, you explain. I'm tired."
Vermouth?
Hidden in the shadows, Vermouth stepped forward when called. For once, she appeared unusually obedient, it was rare to see her so wary of someone.
"Yes, Boss."
So Vermouth would be his partner? That was the worst possible outcome.
Now that the vast space held only the two of them, Ritsu dropped his earlier respectful demeanor. He couldn't bring himself to respect a woman who spoke so suggestively and constantly crossed personal boundaries.
"It's just the two of us now."
There she went again. The boss had barely left for two minutes, and she was already back to her true self.
"Vermouth, are you aware there are cameras everywhere? Countless eyes watching from the shadows. Shouldn't you be mindful of your image as a celebrity?"
Ritsu raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling momentarily victorious.
But the young man was no match for the cunning "older woman."
"Oh? Are you saying it's fine once we go somewhere more… private?"
"…"
His mood plummeted instantly. Total defeat.
"Enough. What's the actual mission?"
"I don't like discussing work here. Put this on, I'll take you out of here."
Ritsu took the red velvet blindfold Vermouth handed him. He was about to put it on when she leaned in and whispered by his ear,
"Didn't you feel the warmth? I took it out from right here."
She pointed toward her chest.
Without a word, Ritsu tossed the blindfold away at a speed rivaling a bullet train. The level of disgust on his face was off the charts.
His fist clenched but he had no intention of hitting a woman.
"You're so easy to trick." Vermouth bent down, picked up the blindfold, dusted it off, and said with mock concern, "Be careful not to get led astray by bad women in the future. This was prepared by the Boss, go ahead and wear it."
"…Do you enjoy teasing people that much?"
"Maybe I just enjoy teasing you in particular. Your reactions are quite entertaining."
"How boring."