After removing my mask and formally introducing myself once again, Mimosa described the situation Calmwinds was currently in, with me chiming in as required. We explained about the Royal Academy’s Sailing Club and how Calmwinds was sponsoring it, and about how Dan’s father, Count Sardos, was actively trying to shut us down. There was no point trying to keep anything hidden, so we also explained the likelihood of the Syndicate attracting unwanted attention from other noble factions (potentially even Marquess Glaux) if they did agree to support us.
“Right. I understand the gist of things,” Gin said, nodding. He seemed entirely unfazed, but Shuri and Osa, who were standing behind him, were openly grimacing. Their reactions were hardly unexpected—most people would want to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the situation we’d described. Gin’s sharp-eyed stare stayed locked on me as he continued. “Before we go any further, let me make one thing clear. The Red Dragon Syndicate was founded out of a desire to protect the vulnerable, and we’ve upheld that fundamental principle ever since. We exist to shield Runerelia’s working class from becoming the victims of the political games of the nobility. If the businesses who’ve put their trust in us suffer as a result of ridiculous tariffs or trade restrictions, we’ll step in to protect them, but we won’t get involved in their power struggles ourselves. Do you understand?”
Mimosa and I nodded firmly.
“Boss, are you sure about this...? I thought you hated anything to do with that school...” Osa asked hesitantly, visibly bewildered. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Gin to agree to our request.
Gin smiled ruefully. “It’s not quite as simple as love or hate, Osa. People like us who live in the darkest recesses of society just don’t have any reason to get involved with those who stand at the apex of it. Just from listening to her, you can tell Mimosa here is clearly determined to carve out a place for herself in Runerelia. She didn’t try to hide any of the danger from us, even though she’s put herself at risk by sharing the information. She’s not trying to hide behind Calmwinds to trick us into fighting Count Sardos on her behalf. She only wants her company, her family, to prosper—that’s why she’s here. If the Red Dragon Syndicate turned her down because we were scared of a few nobles, we’d be betraying everything we stand for.”
Despite the nonchalance of his reply, I knew the decision couldn’t have been an easy one to make. Mimosa and I lowered our heads in gratitude, earning us a chuckle from Gin.
“To tell the truth, Osa was right—I’m not all that fond of that Academy of yours. I wouldn’t say I hate the place, though. I just couldn’t care less about it.” He smiled. “But if kids like you—kids with backbone and integrity, not just brains and brawn—are coming out of those gates now, I guess the times really are changing. I’m glad I got to meet you today, Allen.”
Shuri and Osa exchanged another bewildered glance, which again, wasn’t too surprising. They had no idea that this wasn’t actually the first time Gin and I had met, and were probably struggling to figure out what part of our brief exchange had given Gin such a positive impression of me.
“You truly live up to the rumors, Gin Glaster,” Mimosa said. “I made the right choice in coming to you. Honestly, I thought bringing Allen along might backfire on me, but I should’ve known you’d take one look at him and instantly realize things are changing here in Yugria. You are meant to be a good judge of character, after all.”
She flashed him a confident smirk, much to Shuri’s displeasure; the other woman was glaring daggers at her. Mimosa giggled. “Come, there’s no need for that. I meant no harm by it—unfortunately, I was born with this sharp tongue of mine, and I’ve never been able to dull it.” She smiled. “I’m just excited. There weren’t any men worth a damn back where I’m from, but it looks like they’re ripe for the picking here. The world truly is a big place,” she said, apparently by way of apology.
Shuri sighed and rubbed her temples as though she had a headache.
Gin chuckled. “You’ve got a good eye yourself, Mimosa. I can see why Allen has so much faith in you. We don’t tend to stick our noses into the day-to-day business of our affiliates, so from here on out, it all depends on whether you’re tough enough to survive the big city. I’m looking forward to seeing what you make of yourself,” he said, holding out his hand.
Mimosa shook it with a grin.