486 The Fall of the Mighty Mazzanti Family (3)
Later in Millfall...
Rumors were already circulating through the town, from the humblest local taverns to the local academies.
Nina was beginning her final year at the academy, where she had been studying since arriving in Millfall, and had learned of the Mazzanti family's downfall from her classmates as soon as she arrived at the Academy this morning.
Suspecting that her brother was Cesar Mazzanti, she was naturally concerned when she learned of the incident the night before.
After talking with her classmates for a few minutes, she rushed out of her classroom and into the principal's office, already aware that the principal had some sort of favoritism for her.
When she arrived at the office, she realized she was right in some of her theories and became even more worried.
"Tsk! Get that girl out of here!" The principal, who had been chosen by Vicente's group to replace the former leader of the academy, said in an angry tone when he saw the girl he had been forced to favor for the past few months.
He had received favors from Cesar to favor the sister of an ally of Don Mazzanti and some of the academy's employees who were also related to the Mazzanti family.
But now that Cesar was dead, he did not need to keep his old promises.
One of the principal's guards grabbed Nina by one of her wrists and carried her out of the office while the principal barked orders to his group.
"Since that damned Cesar has fallen, let's no longer favor his friends. Tell the girl's guards to leave my academy immediately!" He said loudly.
Meanwhile, Nina listened to the principal's words as she was dragged out of the office, her eyes watering.
After several experiences and "investigations" of her own, she felt that Cesar and Vicente were the same person.
If Cesar was dead, it was an awful sign for her!
'Big brother...' She remembered her feelings from years ago when she had lost her sister, father, and mother.
Thinking about it, she was in no mood to study and made her way out of the academy, intending to go home.
...
Meanwhile, at River and Zander's tavern...
The two brothers who first did business with Vicente/Cesar were already at work this morning but without the Mazzanti family guards.
They had heard the rumors circulating locally and were naturally concerned, as the Mazzanti family had increased their profits greatly with their protection.
But the two brothers didn't believe that the Mazzanti family had fallen!
As he listened to someone talk about the Mazzanti family case, River's thoughts differed greatly from his clients' comments.
'Cesar isn't dead... He faked his death.' He thought, feeling that his contract was still valid.
Vicente was no fool. He wouldn't tear up his Magic Agreements with people who knew his true identity. If he did, it would only be a matter of hours before the army knocked on the Fuller family's door.
However, if he kept the contracts with those who knew his real identity, he wouldn't risk exposing Nina, and he wouldn't have any problems with his current plans. After all, people like River and Zander would have to fear him because he was still alive.
Who would risk staying against him while he was still alive?
Could they endure a possible revenge?
Some men like Zander and River wouldn't turn against Vicente because they liked the young man and were grateful to him. But others definitely wouldn't do that for their fear of revenge.
River then said to a customer who had just asked him a question. "Cesar is really dead. The restrictions of my agreement with him disappeared this morning... Sigh, that's a shame. As much as some people thought he was a problem, he helped ordinary people like us."
The middle-aged customer who had asked about the veracity of the news closed his eyes in regret. "I know." He said as he looked at the laughing customers around him, who acted as if Cesar's death was a great local relief. "How long will it take these fools to realize what we've all lost?
Most of us here know very well what the city was like before Don Mazzanti. The last four months have been the best in 99 years. But now we're going back to the way it was...
Sigh! What a shame!"
River agreed, for even if Vicente were still alive, it was unlikely that he would ever operate in Millfall again.
'Anyway, I'm grateful to you, Vicente. You saved my brother and me from our debts and allowed us to grow. That was enough for us. I hope you can achieve your goals and have a good life.' River thought as he looked out the door of his tavern, not being so selfish as to think that Cesar should risk himself for him to the end.
It was a shame about what had happened, but he had already used Cesar's services enough!
...
Meanwhile, in the Crow Woods...
Vicente, Rory, Bart, and Sarah were now hiding in a large cave in the forest, waiting for the right moment to go to Saltstar City.
As much as the night before had been a great performance for their group, they had worked hard to make it all work and needed to rest now that everything was sorted out.
But as they sat around the campfire, the four main names in the family were naturally worried about their performance and whether they would succeed in their plans.
"I wonder how things are in town?" Rory asked.
There was no way for them to know the exact answer. All the men in the Mazzanti family, except for the Fuller family, had left town the night before.
Most of the family went to the two cities where the family's armies were already working, while two groups went to Saltstar City and the other to Martell Village.
The group going to Saltstar City was the one that would stay by Vicente's side and command the family there when they reached the largest city in the province. There was no need for them to stay behind with those four, so they were already on their way.
As for the group going to Martell Village, he would prepare the people there for the family's new circumstances and then follow Vicente's previous expansion plans.
Even though they were leaving Millfall, the plans for expansion throughout the province remained the same.
In fact, even Millfall was not out of Vicente's plans!
For the time being, the town would remain free and would likely fall under the control of the Scarlet Syndicate. But as soon as the dust settled, Vicente intended to send someone to take control of that group and take back their local business!
This time, he would be the hand hiding in the shadows, manipulating many puppets throughout the province!
Vicente told Rory, "I imagine the town must be pretty hectic right now. But let's not think too much about it. We've done what we set out to do masterfully. Now, all we can do is wait. If no soldiers from the kingdom come our way in the next three days, we can continue our journey."
