“It’s true,” said Alessio. “We have grown weak…when it comes to battle. We are more powerful financially than we were a decade ago. However low the barrier to entry drops, the Seekers will not be able to easily overturn what we have built. They will be inexperienced, whereas we have spent the last few decades accumulating wealth and influence in our various industries and developing the means to sell our products and businesses.”
“Yeah!” Durinn chimed in. “How’s a rookie Seeker going to manage that?”
The rest of the executive board nodded in agreement, but Noel’s smile did not falter.
“There is a simple way for the inexperienced to succeed when it comes to business: take it wholesale from the opposition. Violence is the answer, and in this case, it solves everything.”
Everyone balked at that. Even Alessio, who had remained cool and calm until now, found himself unable to respond. None of them had expected that a non-gangster like Noel would propose a solution so outright brutal and savage. Only Finocchio understood that this was Noel’s true nature.
“Why are you all so shocked?” asked Noel. “When it comes to power and influence, this tactic is textbook. It is how your own family built its reputation, its power, and its influence when it was up-and-coming.”
Alessio shook his head. “That was a long time ago. The family business is not as simple as it once was. Simply snatching up assets from your opponents does not mean it will all go well.”
“But your opponents are Seekers, and this is how they’ll do it. It’s the fastest method.”
“They will have been ordinary citizens up until that point. Will they have the resolve to see such an action through?”
“They will. When a Seeker puts their mind to something, they see it through, completely and rationally. It is how Seekers are built. In any case,” said Noel, his smile widening as he pointed to himself with both hands, “I am the best example you could find. I am a Seeker, yes, but I stole the rights to the empire’s railway from under Lorelai’s noses, and now I am putting together the biggest event in the empire’s known history. Upcoming Seekers have seen my methods, and there is no doubt that many will copy them.”
The executives were all hit hard by Noel’s persuasive words. It was only natural that up-and-coming Seekers would copy the successes of those who came before them. This was how people flourished. Though it would be impossible to imitate Noel completely, many would look to use similar tactics to earn their own fortunes. They would not hesitate to swipe gangster businesses from their opposition.
Silence fell upon the conference room. Those at the table were now powerless under Noel’s persuasive Talking. Alessio, Durinn, even Vito could say nothing in response. They believed now that everything Noel said was true.
Noel had predicted that things would come to this, but even then, he was giving the perfect performance. Most terrifying of all was that everything seemed destined to fall into place; Noel might have even envisioned exactly this scenario back when he had approached Finocchio about holding the Seven Star Cup. That was the only way to explain how all the pieces fit together so cleanly.
In the quiet of his heart, Finocchio asked the young man a question: I wonder if you remember what you said to me once?
“Finocchio, you will become the head of the Luciano family and control the empire behind the scenes. I will become top tier of the regalia, and I’ll exercise my authority publicly and honorably. If we work together, the empire is all ours.”
During the Hooger incident, Finocchio had threatened to leave Noel and end their partnership, but Noel had won him back by tempting him with the Seven Star Cup. But Noel had not stopped there—he had implored Finocchio to reach for the head of the Luciano family so they could rule over the empire together.
“Decide, Finocchio Barzini. No, mad clown. Do you want to die for the likes of Andreas, or do you want to climb all the way to the top with me? You can only pick one. Now, decide! If you’re a man, then answer me!”
Noel had pushed Finocchio for a decision, and even now, he still remembered the impact of the young man’s words. He was being called a coward by a bratty kid. He felt enraged and vexed in equal measure and, more than anything else, he was ashamed of his own inability to act. His emotions were an utter mess.
On top of all that, he felt a fire in his soul. He believed that, together with this young man, he could reach the top—that was just how bright Noel shined that day.
I knew then that you were the perfect partner for me… But I was wrong. We’re not partners.
“This concludes my opinion as Finocchio’s specialist,” Noel said. “In closing, I would like to pose a question to you all.”
The attendees were already in the palm of Noel’s hand. If this were a play, he would be its lone performer and they his captive audience.
“In the coming age, where Seeker clans turned gangsters battle it out for power, who among you can promise to perform the duties and responsibilities of the head of the Luciano family?”
The room remained silent. Durinn, who had been the most vocal of the executive board, had his mouth clamped shut. Even Alessio, the man who many considered the most suitable for the role, said nothing. Everyone knew that taking the head of this table meant carrying all the responsibilities that were soon to come. In other words, it meant providing the family with the money and power it would need to fight back against the Seeker clans on the horizon.
It seemed none among the board were capable of seeing this task through. However, there was one who had experience in battle and strategy as well as a ginormous amount of wealth. He also happened to have connections to an extremely powerful and cunning Seeker.
“I can,” Finocchio declared, rising from his chair. “I can prepare us to fight back against whatever forces may come. And I can lead the Luciano family to even greater heights. Join me, all of you, in our new conquest!”
The words hung in the air for a moment before applause drowned them out. What began as a few claps turned into a sea of cheers as the board heralded its new head of the family.
“Oi! What are you all doing?!” cried Durinn.
It was too late. Even those who had sided with Durinn against Finocchio were wrapped up in the celebration. With the sales from the tournament, Finocchio’s battle experience, and Noel’s persuasive message, everyone now knew with absolute clarity who they should follow into the family’s future. None had ears for Durinn now.
“I refuse to accept this!” shouted the dwarf. “I refuse to accept that asshat clown as our boss!”
But Alessio shook his head. “We have no choice,” he said with a smile. “We have lost.” He then offered Finocchio a handshake.
“Looks like a decision has been reached,” said Vito, satisfied. “Our new don: Finocchio Barzini!”
The clapping in the conference room grew louder. Finocchio glanced over at Noel, who smiled as he likewise applauded the decision. For Noel, it was to celebrate the birth of a new “Lord of Shadows,” but for Finocchio, it was different.
I am no lord. And now I am finally able to admit it: Noel, you are the true lord. You are the leader of both the light and the darkness.
To Finocchio, Noel was no longer a partner—he was a leader to whom Finocchio would pledge total loyalty. Finocchio knew that his rise to this position had been entirely Noel’s doing. There was a stark difference between them in terms of their capabilities.
Of course, Finocchio felt some frustration at being beneath the young Talker. But more than that…
“Not bad,” muttered the mad clown, smiling at Noel. “This is not bad at all.”