Chapter 30
Meanwhile, in the mayor's office at San Francisco City Hall.
"Mayor! We can no longer turn a blind eye to the South Brotherhood problem!"
"..."
A middle-aged man was shouting at someone sitting in a chair doing paperwork.
The person sitting in the chair was Luke Jefferson, the mayor of San Francisco.
The young woman standing next to him was Billie Jean, Luke's chief aide.
And the one shouting at the mayor was Ash Gray, the head of the Pinkerton San Francisco branch.
Pinkerton.
This organization did security, mercenary, and detective work in America, especially in the West, and was currently the largest private military company in the United States.
Now that Pinkerton's power had reached its peak, it was said that there were more agents affiliated with Pinkerton than in the U.S. Army.
Pinkerton not only maintained public order in the West but also caught outlaws on behalf of others, so someone of branch head rank like this had the opportunity to meet privately with the mayor.
But even considering that, Ash Gray's voice addressing San Francisco Mayor Luke was particularly sharp and rude today.
"The South Brotherhood's arrogance in San Francisco is currently crossing the line! Someday they will cause great harm to San Francisco!"
It was because of the South Brotherhood.
The South Brotherhood was a clear gang as defined by the U.S. administration.
To Pinkerton, gangs were entities that must be unconditionally eliminated.
But unlike the U.S. administration, the San Francisco city and California state governments were protecting and recognizing the South Brotherhood, so Pinkerton couldn't touch them.
In the West, where the U.S. administration's influence didn't reach much, outlaws couldn't be caught unless the state government issued a warrant.
So Pinkerton even tried lobbying the California state government and San Francisco city, but it didn't work.
To think our proud Pinkerton can't catch these gang bastards right in front of us...!
Ash Gray, the Pinkerton San Francisco branch head, couldn't accept this reality and was directly confronting the mayor like this.
But...
"..."
San Francisco Mayor Luke Jefferson ignored Ash's criticism and only processed documents with his aide Billie.
It was clearly an act of ignoring the other party, but Ash couldn't take more aggressive action.
That was because...
The man before him was called “The Wolf of San Francisco” and had the support of numerous citizens...
He was essentially a king of San Francisco.
"..."
"..."
As the confrontation continued in silence for a long time.
Flutter.
San Francisco Mayor Luke, who had finished paperwork with his aide Billie, slightly raised his head and spoke sharply to Ash.
Luke's gaze was sharp enough to make even Ash, who had lived eating bullets for 30 years, flinch.
"I find it difficult to agree with Branch Head Ash's words. Has the South Brotherhood harmed San Francisco since settling here?"
"...Yes, of course. They're extorting money from citizens under the guise of protection fees..."
"Isn't that the same as Pinkerton taking money from citizens under the pretext of private security?"
"...!"
Even though it was a licensed private military company, Pinkerton's actions weren't always positive.
Pinkerton had a history of extorting money from citizens under the pretext of private security.
...It was considered Pinkerton's weak point and dark history.
"..."
As Luke poked at a sore spot, Ash found it difficult to continue speaking.
Taking advantage of this, Luke conveyed the rest of his position to him.
"As you know, I follow the orders of the California state government. And the California state government defines the South Brotherhood not as a gang but as a vigilante group."
"A vigilante group...! They are absolutely not at the level of a vigilante group...! And doesn't someone of your position, Mayor, have the authority to deal with them without state government interference?"
"..."
As Luke avoided answering, Ash gritted his teeth and touched on a somewhat sensitive area.
"...Mayor. Are you perhaps in collusion with the South Brotherhood?"
"...What?"
"I'm asking if you're in a collusive relationship with the South Brotherhood!"
Luke was an excellent politician and ran the city administration admirably, but he was excessively lenient towards the South Brotherhood.
Because of this, many people were convinced that Luke had a collusive relationship with the South Brotherhood, and this was the same for Ash.
Ash intended to pressure Luke by touching on this point.
But...
"Branch Head Ash."
"..."
"What are you saying right now?"
As soon as he heard the words about being in a collusive relationship with the South Brotherhood, the atmosphere became chilly.
Luke overwhelmed Ash with eyes so cold that Ash swallowed his saliva, and said, "I understand Pinkerton's efforts to maintain public order. That's why I've been tolerating your arrogance until now."
"..."
"Did you say collusive relationship? Branch Head Ash. You seem to be mistaken about some things. Let me remind you that you're not a public official either."
Bang—!!
Luke slammed his fist, with veins popping out, on the desk and shouted, "Pinkerton is a private company. An executive of such a private company daring to tell the mayor, elected by citizens through democratic voting, what to do. Isn't that collusion and interference in internal affairs?"
"...Mayor, that's not what I meant to..."
"Shall I tell you why you foam at the mouth every time the South Brotherhood is mentioned? Because the South Brotherhood is gradually replacing your Pinkerton's work. Am I right?"
"..."
...He was right.
In fact, the reason Pinkerton viewed the South Brotherhood unfavorably wasn't just because they were a gang, but because they were taking their jobs.
The South Brotherhood was taking over Pinkerton's main services—security, mercenary work, and even private detective work.
From Pinkerton's standpoint, which couldn't afford to lose the huge market of San Francisco, eliminating the South Brotherhood was essential for survival.
As Luke accurately pointed this out, Ash became speechless.
At this, Luke also tapped the documents as if he had nothing more to say and stood up.
"If the conversation is over, would you please leave?"
"..."
As Ash didn't leave and persisted even at Luke's words, aide Billie said with an expressionless face, "Mayor, you have a scheduled visit to the daycare center by 2 PM."
"Ah, is that so? Then I should go."
"Mayor! Just a moment please!"
Ash Gray had come to Luke to discuss the South Brotherhood several times prior to this meeting.
Having received orders from the Pinkerton leadership to resolve this issue somehow, Ash followed Luke as if grabbing his pant leg.
"...Can't you spare a little more time instead of doing this?"
"I've said all I have to say, though?"
"Mayor...!"
But Luke was merciless to such an Ash.
Damn... this damn wolf...
It wasn't for nothing that Luke had the nickname “Wolf of San Francisco”.
This young politician, just entering his 40s, was especially good at captivating people with his handsome appearance and unique charisma.
Even Ash, the skilled Pinkerton San Francisco branch head, had no choice but to bow his waist in front of him.
"Mayor...! Please...! Just 10 more minutes with me...!"
As Ash followed Luke out of City Hall, trying to talk with him more somehow, that was when it happened.
Stop.
"..."
"...?"
Luke's steps suddenly stopped just before getting into the carriage waiting in advance.
But it didn't seem to be because of Ash's pleading.
Above all...
"..."
Luke's face, which always maintained an expressionless poker face, was contorted as he looked at the main entrance of City Hall.
What on earth could be there...?
At this, Ash moved his gaze to where Luke was looking.
And at the end of it...
"No, I'm really acquainted with the mayor here, I'm telling you…? Let go of this, geez."
"We've told you that you can't enter without an entry pass? Haa... Above all, the mayor can't meet anyone without a prior appointment."
"I'm telling you I'm close friends with the mayor! Huh? I've eaten meals and had coffee with the mayor here, you know?"
...There was a troublesome civilian complainant typically seen at City Hall.
The South Brotherhood was contracted to handle security at City Hall.
The security guard from the South Brotherhood grabbed the troublemaker's sleeve as if trying to forcibly drag him away.
But that was when it happened.
"What, did you just hit me? Hey! Don't grab this... Oh? Mayor!"
"..."
The troublemaker, who seemed about to be thrown out, waved his hand happily and called out as soon as he saw Luke.
But the strange thing was...
"Mayor! It's me, me! You remember me, right?! I've come back! Let's talk!"
"..."
Luke's face, looking at the troublesome civilian complainant, went beyond just being contorted...
He's flustered? That Wolf of San Francisco?
It was filled with agitation.
It wasn't just Ash who was surprised when Luke became agitated.
Luke's aide Billie also asked in confusion, seeing Luke's agitation, "Mayor? Is there a problem? If you really know that civilian complainant..."
"..."
Luke just stared at the troublesome civilian complainant without answering Billie's question.
And then he said to Ash with his poker face crumbling, "...Branch Head Ash. Let's talk later. I have a prior guest now."
"...Huh? Ah, yes."
When Luke hurriedly declared he was dismissing guests, Ash nodded for now.
Luke left Ash like that and approached the troublesome civilian complainant almost running.
Seeing Luke's unprecedentedly restless appearance, aide Billie also followed behind him in confusion.
...That person is running?
Ash could only blankly watch the back view of the Wolf of San Francisco, who usually showed a colder, more thorough, and more relaxed appearance than ever, running like a dog.
***
Luke came running to me with a young woman who looked like his secretary, as if he was so glad to see me.
"Hey, Mayor! It's been a while!"
"...Noah."
I also waved my hand and welcomed him.
And...
Grab.
"...Noah, is it really you?"
Luke gripped my shoulders painfully and checked my face as if he couldn't believe I was here.
"Haha, of course, it's me! Did you miss me that much?"
"..."
Luke's expression changed moment by moment as he checked my face.
Sometimes he looked flustered, sometimes he looked angry.
And then he barely calmed his flushed expression and asked me, "...Right, it is Noah. But you're not alone? Who's the lady behind you?"
"Ah, she's the secretary I keep with me. Emma, say hello. This is Mr. Luke Jefferson, the mayor of San Francisco."
"Ah, hello. You can... call me Emma comfortably..."
Though she looked flustered by my sudden connection, Emma bowed her head to Luke for now.
"Right, nice to meet you. Ah, this is my aide Billie Jean."
Luke greeted Emma and introduced his own aide as well.
"Hello, I'm Billie Jean, the chief aide to Mayor Luke. You can call me Billie comfortably."
"Wow, is your name really Billie Jean? Like that famous song title, Billie Jean?"
"...Pardon? I don't know of any song with my name..."
"Hey, an American doesn't know this song?"
As I teased her while even briefly showing off the moonwalk, Luke smiled slightly and answered instead of the flustered Billie, "Billie, it's okay. Noah often talks nonsense."
"Haha, that's right. I often say things that NPCs can't understand. You still remember, Mayor."
"I remember every single thing I experienced with you without forgetting. More importantly, Noah, what brings you to San Francisco?"
"Why don't we sit down and talk over coffee about that?"
So we exchanged greetings and had casual conversations in a friendly manner.
To others, we might have looked like neighbors meeting after a long time.
"Then shall we talk in my carriage? I was just about to go somewhere."
"Mayor...!! In the carriage...!"
"It's okay, Billie. It's fine to let Noah in the carriage."
Luke even invited us to ride in his carriage together.
At Luke's fingertips was a huge carriage almost the size of a studio apartment.
I nodded readily, not caring where we talked...
"Yes, that's fine. Emma, let's go."
"Yes."
Emma and I got on the carriage with Luke and Billie.
And...
"Oh my, we have prior guests."
Click.
Click, click.
The strong men waiting inside the carriage immediately drew their guns and aimed at us as soon as we got on.
"Boss... What is this..., ah...!"
Emma, startled, tried to get off the carriage immediately, but she couldn't because Luke and Billie were pushing from behind.
"..."
Luke, who changed his expression again once inside the carriage...
Click.
Also drew his gun, aimed it at me, and asked coldly, "I'll ask once more, Noah. Why have you appeared before my eyes again when you swore you'd never return?"
Luke's gaze was so cold it almost stung my skin.
At that moment, I noticed the phrase written on Luke's carriage.
[The South Will Rise Again!]
Seeing that, I smiled and formally introduced Luke to Emma, "Emma, say hello again. This is Mr. Luke Jefferson, who serves as both the mayor of San Francisco and the leader of the South Brotherhood."
"...!"
As soon as I said that, the temperature inside the carriage dropped to almost midwinter levels.
That's right.
The man sitting in front of me was not only the current mayor of San Francisco but also...
The leader of the South Brotherhood with an unprecedented bounty of 150,000 dollars...
He was Luke Jefferson, the final boss of <Catch the Outlaws>.