NenMaster
patreon
Chapter 101
🕑 Added 2024-12-08 17:30:20 +0000 UTCSince the space in the house wasn’t very large, staying here for long periods could easily become boring.
The members of the Phantom Troupe had always enjoyed card games and similar activities. Shalnark had even once stolen Hisoka’s deck of cards to play with.
While Uvogin was in the middle of a fierce battle against the Shadow Beasts, Kortopi, Machi, and Franklin were sitting on a hillside, energetically playing cards together.
Morin initially thought of providing them with some entertainment to ease their boredom. He brought out the mahjong table, briefly explained the rules, and then left with Uvogin and the others.
But upon his return...
The scene in front of him was eerily reminiscent of a group of retirees in a neighborhood gathering, engrossed in a game of mahjong.
Their hand movements, gestures, and even the occasional jargon—it all felt oddly authentic.
In just a short time, they had not only mastered the rules but were playing with great enthusiasm.
Machi sat in the East seat, Franklin next to her in the South, Pakunoda in the West, and Kortopi in the North.
Phinks, who had originally taken the West seat, had been replaced by Feitan.
Eight people surrounded the eight-seater table—four playing and four spectating—making for a lively atmosphere.
“They’re really enjoying themselves,” Chrollo said calmly, sitting alone at the side and flipping through his ever-present book.
Upon noticing Morin’s return, he looked up with a faint smile.
Aside from Feitan, who seemed out of place in the group, and Chrollo, who hadn’t joined the game, everyone else appeared thoroughly engrossed.
In contrast to the fervor around the mahjong table, the quiet corner where Chrollo and Feitan were sitting seemed rather subdued.
“At least staying here isn’t boring anymore,” Chrollo remarked.
Morin didn’t know what to say.
All he could think was, As expected of mahjong. Its allure is irresistible, even in another world.
After all, it was a game capable of captivating even Togashi, the creator of Hunter x Hunter.
Morin suddenly had a whimsical thought:
Was it possible that the quick proficiency Machi, Shalnark, and the others displayed in mahjong was somehow influenced by the world’s inherent design?
After all, Togashi himself was a self-proclaimed mahjong enthusiast. Could this mean everyone in this world had a latent talent for mahjong and an inherent potential to become addicted to it?
If so, Morin couldn’t help but feel like he might have made a mistake.
Outside the story, Togashi’s obsession with mahjong was already over-the-top. But now, within the world of Hunter x Hunter, Morin had inadvertently introduced Machi and the others to this addictive game.
If Machi and the rest became as obsessed with mahjong as Togashi, to the point of neglecting everything else... wouldn’t that be a disaster?!
“This game, mahjong, is quite interesting,” Chrollo commented, bringing Morin back to reality. “I watched a few rounds earlier. The only issue is that the tiles are a bit small. It seems harder for Franklin to handle them with his large hands.”
That made sense. Morin glanced at Franklin. Given his massive physique, it was already challenging for him to sit at the table, let alone play.
“So that’s why he’s in a bad mood?” Morin deduced.
“Pakunoda can’t play because of her gloves, and Kortopi’s abilities aren’t suited for this kind of game,” Chrollo added.
Morin understood the reasoning. Kortopi’s conjuration ability, “Gallery Fake,” allowed him to duplicate objects with his left hand, creating perfect replicas that lasted 24 hours.
Using that ability to copy mahjong tiles could easily lead to cheating.
“However, using Nen leaves traces of aura,” Chrollo explained. “With [Gyo], it would be immediately noticeable, making such tricks pointless.”
“So the others won’t let Kortopi play because they’d rather keep the table open for themselves,” Morin mused.
Observing the group further, Morin noticed they had not only mastered the rules but had also escalated the stakes by introducing wagers.
Each round involved set bets, with the losses calculated based on the type of defeat.
Phinks had already gambled away all his savings and left the table completely bankrupt.
Mahjong, while partially reliant on luck, also required skill in remembering tiles and strategizing during play.
After a few rounds, Machi, Shalnark, and Pakunoda had already grasped the nuances of the game, playing with increasing finesse.
Even Feitan had started picking up on the strategies.
Phinks, however, was hopeless—playing thoughtlessly, without even attempting to track tiles.
What’s more, in a tacit agreement, the others refrained from teaching Phinks any strategies, leaving him to flounder.
Kortopi, Franklin, and Pakunoda stood by as amused spectators, never offering advice or hints.
“Well, as long as you’re having fun,” Morin thought.
He figured that, in future Phantom Troupe gatherings, mahjong would likely become a staple activity.
Uvogin had no interest in card games, but Nobunaga seemed intrigued and wandered over to observe. Occasionally, he even leaned over to Franklin, asking questions about the rules.
Morin casually sat in a corner of the room, explaining to Chrollo everything they had done during their outing.
After a brief explanation, Chrollo nodded slightly:
"With this, I can settle the matter with the elders of Meteor City."
He pulled out his phone and began sending a text message, completely unconcerned about the chaos that Morin and the others' trail of over thirty bodies might bring to tomorrow's plans.
The impact was inevitable. With such a heinous incident occurring near the queen's upcoming birthday celebration, even a fool could predict the turmoil outside.
However, the Mosibia royal family would undoubtedly suppress the news to maintain the kingdom's image and avoid disrupting the celebratory atmosphere. Internally, though, tensions would surge, and countermeasures would be swiftly enacted.
Chrollo, however, paid it no mind.
No matter what arrangements were made, they wouldn't be able to stop the Phantom Troupe from obtaining the treasure. Once their eyes were set on it, the outcome was already decided.
Chrollo didn’t delve further into the details of their earlier activities, choosing instead to focus on his messages.
Inside the room, apart from the shuffle of tiles at the mahjong table, silence reigned.
Meanwhile, outside, the royal capital was in an uproar, especially within the palace's inner council.
A heated debate raged among the nobles, dukes, and the prime minister, their shouting echoing through the halls.
"This is the most heinous incident in the history of our empire!"
An aging duke with a pallid face bellowed, veins bulging on his forehead, his usual noble demeanor utterly shattered.
His rage was understandable, as Duke Moronka's beloved second son had perished in the jail near the courthouse.
In a bizarre twist, Uvogin had also killed a notorious thief and a rapist in the same prison on his way out, and the duke’s son—a scapegoat for a two-million Jenny bribe—had become collateral damage.
Late in life, the duke was now bereft of a son, and his grief was palpable.
The other nobles expressed varying degrees of sympathy for him. But what truly ignited their fury was that their own families had suffered losses in the massacre.
For these high-ranking nobles, this was utterly unacceptable.
"Investigate! Dig them out, even if you have to turn the kingdom upside down!"
Duke Moronka roared, his voice hoarse, his grief striking a chord with the assembled council members.
The lead investigator, looking grim, stepped forward to report:
"Based on our investigation so far, the deaths were caused by three methods: stab wounds to vital points, heads crushed by brute force, and throats slit with sharp blades."
He continued, "Three guards, a notorious criminal, and Duke Moronka's son had their heads smashed. Two other guards were decapitated."
"Our findings suggest at least two culprits, one skilled with blades. They infiltrated the prison, killed the guards and the targets, and freed the vagrant."
"Later, the infiltrators and the vagrant reached the courthouse, subdued the people there, and the vagrant executed them one by one with a knife."
The explanation seemed thorough, but one crucial question remained unanswered:
Where were the criminals?
While the vagrant's involvement was clear, the identities of his accomplices—how they infiltrated and executed their plan—remained unknown.
This lack of clarity left the council at an impasse.
"Regardless, we must find them!" Duke Moronka's eyes were bloodshot, his teeth clenched in fury. "If they freed the vagrant, they’re undoubtedly working together!"
His point was valid. The vagrant was their best lead.
However, the prime minister raised another pressing concern:
"The Queen's birthday banquet must proceed without incident!"
The investigator, visibly stressed, added, "Tomorrow evening, not only will other royal families from neighboring nations be present, but even princes from the Kakin Empire and key officials from the V5 will attend!"
"Everything must go perfectly. There cannot be any mistakes!"
The investigator's stern gaze settled on Duke Moronka:
"Set aside your personal grievances for the sake of the kingdom. If anyone jeopardizes the Queen's celebration, they will face severe consequences!"
The threat was clear, and the nobles nodded in agreement, directing warning glances at Duke Moronka.
"I understand."
Duke Moronka ground his teeth but swallowed his anger for now.
Preparations resumed, with orders issued to suppress any leaks of the massacre. Media and communications were tightly controlled, and the victims' families were intimidated into silence.
The day of the Queen’s birthday dawned with the city adorned in festive splendor. Despite the undercurrents of fear and rage, the surface was a picture of joyous celebration.
Under the Queen's leadership, the royal capital of Mosibia remained a beacon of justice and light—or so it seemed.
