The reinforcements from the Magisterium were greeted by a strategic-class magic warning shot from the Rupa branch Tower. It dampened their intent to storm the Tower and liberate it from the illegal occupiers.

  Viers and his party used sabotage and speed to get inside the Tower before the defenders managed to land the Tower’s weapons on top of their heads.

  Carlo the Hanged Man’s arrival was timely. The 40-year-old man was a Zetelian former school teacher turned merchant. He was at a low point in his career when Paina recruited him because the club needed a merchant to facilitate the member’s growth. He had proven himself trustworthy during these three years, not needing Viers to fist him on the head even once.

  Carlo brought dozens of his employees to replace those that were killed during the raid. Working together with Augen the beastfolk caretaker and his helpers, Viers managed to return the Tower to a functioning state but he kept it in lockdown.

  The Hanged Man felt he made the right choice in life. When he received that codename, he thought it was very fitting. The Magisterium was choking his business to death and his livelihood with it. Now, the Boss was taking a Magisterium Tower and he wanted him to run it. How strange life was.

  With the defense system active, the Magisterium would have a tough time cracking it open with just their preliminary forces. Even though all the cultists had gone home and the previous defenders were mostly dead, the security was not inadequate.

  Like a politician promising a better future for the masses, Viers appeased them and made them work for him. It wasn't hard since they were pretty miserable under Baharir’s boots. With his internal affairs in order, Viers forced the Magisterium to the negotiation table with the magical artillery.

  Viers came to the table with the attitude of a gangster, as if he was untouchable. Naturally, he was using some other alias. Not Viers, Avel, or Tanael. It was actually Arsène who could revive even if he was killed. The real Viers was staying in the ICU to heal after his taxing battle with Baharir and Lykin.

  What he proposed to the Magisterium higher-ups was to let him keep the Tower. In return, he would keep sending the profits and goods that the previous Tower Master gained for them. It was as if nothing had changed.

  Despite the already generous terms in his mind, the Magisterium pencil-pushers weren't having it and demanded many more things with a myriad of excuses and conditions. Viers let the negotiation stall, not raising or lowering his initial offer. However, when a contingent of the Silver Legion of 50 people arrived at the desert city in a flying ship, things began to move forward.

  Viers contacted the Church. They were everywhere but telling the right person was the tricky part. Thank goodness his soul search pointed him to suitable people. He offered another deal with the Church, a free patch of land and an invite for them to make a base in the city at the base of the Tower. There they were free to proselytize and recruit new blood for the Silver Legion.

  Real estate was one hell of a bribe. Viers just did not call it a bribe outright to be polite.

  With the evidence of atrocities done under the previous management, mostly Doctor Reseh and Baharir, these do-gooders were pretty pissed. Their local chapters also corroborated Viers’ story. Also, there were a lot of slaves and orphan children here. The surrounding communities around the city would also benefit from the safety of the Legion. Monsters in the wild were ever a problem.

  Viers didn't ask much either. Some care for the children, help return the slaves to their homes, healers for the sick, guide the populace with their teachings, and so on. Things that were in their mandate.

  He’d let them do their thing as long as they didn't question how he did his thing in his new Tower. He also didn't ask the Silver Legion to fight in his name, he simply needed their presence in the city.

  The Church didn't involve themselves in politics but they would defend themselves when attacked. Since Viers offered the place to be a new Silver Legion recruitment and training base, he would expect a heavy presence of them in the area. Should the Magisterium employ force to dislodge Viers from the Tower, the Silver Legion would make things tricky.

  Viers negotiated with the Church as Avel and named-dropped Ciel a few times to speed things up. He led the Church to believe Avel and the Ghost who took the Tower were two different people, which was not hard since Avel was in Latias and the other was a great distance away from Zetel. Viers planned on keeping the figure who ran the Tower shrouded in mystery.

  The Legion would find out that the figure who took the Tower was working together with the cultists at some point, which would ruffle some feathers. It would cast doubt on Avel too but one of their Level 5, Pastor Hugh, already knew so it wasn't a big loss.

  When the Church skirted around the topic of firearms, Viers gave no clear answer but he stressed that he would cease developing and producing ‘taboo technology’ as the Church people put it.

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  With the big club known as the Silver Legion on his side, the Magisterium fellows grudgingly accepted his condition.

  And just like that, Viers took over a city. Not a big one, but still a city with thousands of families on record and thousands more unrecorded on the fringes. He was the highest power in the region not answerable to anyone but himself.

  It was not surprising with the degree of power he now possessed. Even Level 3s had become rulers of towns and cities in the rural areas, let alone someone capable of butchering a Level 4 peak in the seat of his power.

  It felt good.

  Unless, he failed to defend his position from a stronger power, of course.

  But there didn't seem to be any at the moment so he was safe. To keep it that way, he would stay vigilant and keep growing stronger. He hadn’t forgotten that one or several Level 6s had arrived on this side of the world, wanting to make his life miserable.

  Although the Tower had lost some of its productivity and wealth, a price Viers willingly paid to the Blood Church and the Bone Ravens, the gain was still greater than the loss. Viers would use this Tower as a platform for his future improvements and projects.

  As Viers’ proxy, Arsène worked without a moment’s rest for the past three days. The other two club members, Jessica and Carlo, also did their part.

  Seeing the positive changes all around, Augen the Tower caretaker was amazed. Slaves could buy their freedom with fair pay work, children of all races with full bellies, the inhumane experiments ceased, healers from the Church going around healing the sick and infirm. And so the grandpa beastfolk prostrated himself before Viers in gratitude.

  From the soul search on Baharir, Viers found out that Augen was a chief of a beastfolk tribe that was swallowed by the Magisterium expansion into the region. To protect his people, Augen entered Baharir’s service. Baharir found him interesting because of the faint Devalo Dog’s bloodline in his veins.

  Though the experiments had left Augen a shell of his former self, he still had the respect of the beastfolk slaves in the city as he was always looking out for their well-being with what little power he had left. Baharir kept the dog beastfolk all these years because he thought it was a nice pet and he didn't die after a few angry punches.

  On a side note, Viers suspected that Augen was the grandpa of Austen, Pastor Hugh’s disciple. The boy with dog ears who seemed to have fallen in love at first sight with Farley. Viers took notes, it might prove useful one day.

  Viers requested a favor from the Church to heal Sylisa, Princess Elvina’s mother. She was actually a High Elf, with an even longer lifespan than regular elves. Legends said they could live for millennia. That was why Baharir was so interested in her.

  The Church was all too happy to help and she regained consciousness. Jessica filled her up on the latest news.

  Three days were over in a flash and it was time to return to the Latias battlefield.

  “Carlo, I leave this place to you. We’ll run on deficit for a while but with our resources, we will be able to reap even greater profits soon enough, even with the tithe to Magisterium HQ and the takeover damages.”

  “Yes, Boss,” Carlo said. “I’ll oversee everything.”

  “Keep the Tower in lockdown. The people’s traffic must be very strict and as little as possible. Work with Augen and the Church in the matter of the city’s governance. But, the Church members must not go inside the Tower. It is part of my deal with them. A reminder, just in case.”

  “We have enough supplies to keep the Tower functioning for years even under lockdown. I’ll handle it,” the Level 4 Zetelian merchant reassured his Boss.

  “We are a bit close to the southern border. It means a lot of beastfolk tribes. Use some diplomacy and win some of their goodwill. Utilize Augen since he is trusted. Make him a manager in our company. As a sidequest, look into the lamia tribes. They are rumored to be around somewhere.”

  “Haaa... Lamia, Boss?”

  “It’s for a club member. No need for concern. Just keep an eye out and ears on the ground for them.”

  “It shall be done.”

  “When trouble comes knocking, artillery first, ask questions later.”

  “That’s... a bit excessive Boss. A warning shot first at least? I don't want you, or us, to be seen as ruthless. It’s bad for business,” Carlo said with an awkward smile.

  “Hmph. Fine. I’m trusting you when I return to this place I don't have to take it over from enemies again.”

  “If that happens, I will serve my head on a platter for you.”

  “Hmm,” Viers smiled. “Let’s hope it never comes to that. We're leaving.”

  At the exclusive area for the Tower Master, there was now a grown and functional Gate Plant. It used to take a lot longer for them to grow but Dia had improved a lot these past years. Three days were more than enough. Additionally, he reinforced the defenses of the area and added some new ones.

  Viers went inside the space warp portal with Jessica and Sylisa. The mission was a success and the hostage would soon be reunited with her daughter. He bore some scars from the battles but the gains were more than worthwhile. The Baharir’s memories contained many valuables, not to mention the other souls.

  Aaaand that’s it for the mini-arc in Zetel. Back to the main storyline, I suppose. I wonder how the Grand Prix Stage 2 is going for my teammates. I skipped the boring team battles out of necessity and opportunity but... Naaah, they will be fine. Boram, Croix, and Ciel aren't incompetent. Stage 3 should begin once I return and it’s a whole new format. Fingers crossed, it won't be as boring as Stage 2.

  ***

  When Viers arrived, this place was called the Rupa Province’s Magisterium branch. After his takeover, he officially renamed the place to Rashin Tower of the Rashin city, headquarters of the Rashin Electric Power Company, a subsidiary of Viers Corporation.

  Even though he wouldn't be making electricity of any kind. Not for the foreseeable future anyway.

  Carlo felt it was an unfitting name but it was the Boss’ orders. A middle management like him could only nod and go with it.