Empire of Shadows

Four days later, a group of captains selected by Elvin arrived from other locations. Some were old faces, and many were new.

The recent fighting in Indeno State had given some people the chance to be promoted, becoming new captains.

Whether new or old, all the captains held deep respect for Lance.

On one hand, the Lance family organization was built around Lance; he was the biggest Boss, commanding everyone.

On the other hand, his legendary story still circulated in Golden Port City and among the Imperial immigrants in the South.

From an ordinary bakery worker to a notable figure standing on the highest stages of the Federation.

Even those who hadn’t walked that path knew it wasn’t easy. The Federation had so many people; perhaps 90% of the country’s population was in a similar initial position to Lance.

But only a tiny minority truly achieved what Lance had.

He was a legend, a living legend.

Alan was among this group. He looked noticeably more mature now, having changed somewhat, primarily in his demeanor.Before, they still looked like street ruffians. Even after joining the Lance family and becoming captains, they lacked sophistication.

Now, they looked much more composed. Composure was a visible form of strength.

Lance embraced each of them individually, then led them back to the estate. After settling them in, he gathered them in a room.

Lance sat on the sofa, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He handed the materials he held to the men. ”The files you are holding are lists of individuals you are responsible for investigating, to see if they have any compromising material.”

”They... are all nominated candidates within the Liberal Party. I need to figure out who among them is the dirtiest, and who is the cleanest.”

”I need you to achieve two things.”

”First, try your best not to alarm these people. Don’t let them know they are being investigated.”

”Second, while ensuring your own safety, find out exactly how much dirt they have.”

”Whatever you need—money, specific help, or other necessities—you can tell me, and I’ll handle it.”

He took the cigarette from his mouth, flicked the ash, and tossed the empty file folder onto the desk. ”Official issues will be investigated by others. You need to investigate what they do in the shadows.”

”Seek help from local gangs, or go in yourselves. Check if the areas have brothels similar to Red Heels, and find out if these men are customers.”

”Investigate their private lives, and pay attention to their families.”

Lance’s gaze lingered on each face. The Federation had no concept of ”not punishing family members” when engaging in such activities.

They either didn’t act, or once they decided to move, they went all the way.

If the nominated candidates themselves had no exploitable weaknesses, it meant they were cautious. However, their family members might not be so careful.

Furthermore, the Federation was a society that valued family greatly. If these candidates couldn’t manage their own families, people wouldn’t trust them to manage the country!

”In short...” Lance took another drag of the cigarette, turning his wrist in a gesture of continuity, ”Investigate anything you believe you can find.”

”Once you gather evidence, protect it. If there are human witnesses, try to persuade them to come back with you.”

At this point, a young man, a newly promoted captain, asked, ”What if they refuse to cooperate?”

Lance looked at him, and everyone else looked at the young man. Lance then smiled, and the room filled with light laughter.

”What is your weapon for?”

”We will politely ask them to leave with us. If they refuse to cooperate, give them a little demonstration.”

”Just don’t kill them!”

”In any case, your work is important, but there is no time pressure. I just need results before October this year.”

”I have given you generous time, but I still hope you can find the information I need as quickly as possible.”

”Any other questions?”

The captains exchanged glances and all shook their heads. Lance had been clear, and they knew exactly how to proceed.

Lance looked at Devon, who was also among the selected group.

Lance had also noticed another issue: the number of experienced captains in the family organization was relatively small.

The underworld in Likalai State was becoming stable and quiet. The ”gang war” in Indeno State was mostly over, and the work in Rapa was separate from the work here in the Federation.

The Lance family organization currently had few avenues to provide more young people with opportunities for growth and training. This wasn’t ideal.

A gang’s vitality wasn’t demonstrated by how much people feared them, but by the state of each member.

If every gang member was aggressive and highly motivated, the gang would be formidable.

But if they had no rivals, they too would decay, just like once-great regimes, starting their decline.

Devon looked like he had something to say, and Lance observed him for a moment. ”Do you have a question?”

Devon hesitated. ”If we can’t find many problems, are we allowed to manufacture some dirt?”

”For example... setting up people to seduce them, or offering bribes, and securing evidence of that.”

Lance was slightly surprised. This was actually a good idea. He considered it. ”Be careful with the methods. Don’t make it too obvious. You understand what I mean.”

Devon smiled with satisfaction. ”I understand completely, Boss.”

Their exchange gave the others some new ideas. After all, finding dirt on someone was far more difficult than manufacturing it.

Seeing the reflective expressions on their faces, Lance took the cigarette from his mouth and crushed it in the ashtray.

He, too, didn’t care where the dirt came from; he cared whether it existed, and how much there was.

Lance had other plans for some of the other men. They were to plant a flag here, in the center of the Federation—the flag of the Lance family.

Lance was unaware that the moment these men entered the New Golden City, they had already been noticed.

That evening, the FBI Director summoned several senior agents to his office. These men were not only his confidants but also the current backbone of the FBI.

They were skilled, capable in all aspects, making the Director deeply trust them, almost rely on them.

He looked at them, his gaze lingering on each one. The men, who were being watched, instinctively straightened their backs and met his gaze.

After the silent inspection, he finally withdrew his gaze. ”You should know what the FBI was like before I took office.”

These senior agents, or ”Agent Supervisors,” wore sheepish expressions.

The former FBI was a clown-like department. Its primary job was to find out who was badmouthing the President and to handle auxiliary work when the President wanted to achieve something.

It was like a jester in a kingdom, yet even less powerful than a jester.

Jesters at least had some power; they could struggle and compete with other princes and nobles, but the FBI had virtually no power at all.

Some Presidents treated the FBI like a trash can, dumping all their refuse into it.

From their changing expressions, the Director got what he wanted. ”But look at us now. How much has our power expanded?”

”We can intervene in investigations and trials in any state, and we can arrest people locally, bypassing state and regional governments.”

”We don’t even need hard evidence. As long as we suspect they might threaten Federal security, we can launch an investigation and take action.”

”The power of the FBI is rapidly expanding and growing.”

”But this is still not enough!”

His finger tapped the table, creating crisp sounds that helped people focus their attention.

”We need some tangible achievements. For example... the state’s serial murder case. That case was solved very smoothly.”

That was a sensational serial murder case that had lasted about seven years locally. Had the FBI not strongly intervened and used ”high-pressure tactics” to force the local police to solve it, the killer might have died of old age before being caught.

But the FBI caught the serial killer and successfully sent him to the electric chair. This earned the FBI a great deal of goodwill locally and established their authority in that small region.

”But this is still not enough. People in other states don’t know what we did, and they don’t have much respect for our results.”

”So, we need a bigger issue, one with broader coverage, one that involves almost every Federal citizen, to establish our image.”

”I’ve selected the gangs.”

”Gangs are a legacy problem. Every state, every city, every town has a gang presence. They are like the dark side of the government, existing in a different form.”

”If we can send the gangs to the rubbish heap of history, we will truly become famous across the Federation, and we will gain more attention and power.”

He paused here. ”Our main work going forward will be focused on collecting criminal evidence on gangs nationwide. Once we have enough evidence, we will move against them.”

”You need to convey this to the local FBI branches, and we, too, have similar work to do ourselves.”

He lit a cigarette, leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk with his hands clasped. He took a drag of the cigarette, which made a slight burning sound.

”I received information that the Lance family mobilized about seventy to eighty people to enter the New Golden City today from other places. They are likely planning to establish a branch here and expand their business.”

”We can use them. We can have them ’work’ for us.”

Someone asked a question. ”I don’t quite follow.”

The Director explained, ”They have a feud with the Perez family.”

Many people knew about this. The Perez family was twice forced to apologize and compromise, making them a laughingstock in the underworld of the Central and Northern regions.

”My idea is to use this opportunity to force them back into a gang war.”

”Once a gang war breaks out, we are sure to gather evidence easily, whether it’s against a rising gang like the Lance family or an established gang like the Perez family. It will be very convenient.”

Everyone nodded. That sounded like a good plan.

But the question was, where to start?

The Director, who had posed this plan, had clearly thought it through and already had several opportunities in mind to force them into a war.

”I called you all into my office today, not just to align our thinking, but also to deploy our work.”

”Before I assign tasks, if any of you feel that... this might be too dangerous—and it is, considering we’re facing the most ruthless people in the Federation.”

”They disregard morality, trample the law, commit murder, and use crime to profit.”

”Moving against them might expose us to unforeseen dangers. If anyone wants to back out, you can do so now.”

”I won’t hold it against you, and I won’t fire you. I will reassign you to a relatively easier and safer job to ensure your safety.”

”But once you stay, you must commit all the way.”

The men remained silent.

Silence, in itself, was a clear attitude.

”Very well. It seems no one is backing out. Now I will assign the tasks. Gentlemen, please ensure absolute secrecy.”

”A leak could be fatal—to you, and to me!”

His words made everyone in the room serious and cautious, yet their eyes were also filled with anticipation.

If the Director’s plan truly succeeded, they couldn’t imagine how powerful the FBI would become!

And they, the Agent Supervisors, would be the direct beneficiaries!