"So this is the true face of those so-called high-ranking politicians..."
In an abandoned building in a remote corner of Yorknew City.
Luke and the others still hadn't left the city.
Instead, they remained, waiting to see what was happening outside and how the situation would develop.
But judging by the current situation...
"Those people really aren't following the laws they themselves established."
They had found a broken old television somewhere.
After Shalnark tinkered with the wires and managed to get a signal, the news appeared on the screen.
And the information being reported only confirmed what Franklin and the others had already suspected.
None of the reports mentioned the existence of the secret room inside Risnorth's office.
It was as if they were deliberately concealing that fact, with no intention at all of letting the public know.
Such an approach made Pakunoda understand something clearly. In this so-called civilized society, laws were no more useful than scraps of paper for wiping.
"Those laws were originally created by the upper classes solely to preserve and strengthen their rule."
Chrollo closed the book he was reading and offered a sharp, piercing comment.
Under the surface of so-called civilization, there lies nothing more than the blatant law of the jungle.
"But fortunately, they have their methods, and we have ours..."
Luke said while tossing the stack of evidence lightly in his hand.
He looked at the television, where countless talk show guests and politicians were speaking grandly, and smiled.
"People from Meteor City also have their own way of settling things!"
…
Anfrick was a very active public figure.
He often spoke out against social injustices and offered sharp, deductive commentary on various wrongs and societal deficiencies.
As a result, he had gained a large number of followers, and many supported his views.
At first, he still managed to stay true to his ideals, genuinely eager to fight for those causes.
But later… when the authorities from Yorknew City came knocking on his door, he didn't hesitate to kneel down and submit.
From then on, he became the mouthpiece and megaphone for high-level politicians, a tail-wagging dog shamelessly begging for bones.
"Goodbye, Mr. Anfrick."
After finishing a day of taping a TV program, Anfrick prepared to go home.
On his way out of the office, he greeted his colleagues cordially.
Even though he knew that those same people probably rolled their eyes behind his back and mocked him viciously the moment he was gone, he didn't care in the slightest.
To him, their hostility was nothing more than envy and jealousy.
They simply didn't have the ability to enjoy the high salary and privileges that came from serving the high-ranking government officials.
All they could do was stew in bitterness, gossiping and sneering behind his back.
Anfrick knew those kinds of faces all too well.
He wasn't about to let their malice spoil his comfortable, privileged life.
"So what if I'm a dog? You people don't even have the chance to be one!!"
Anfrick hummed a little tune and returned to his private villa in a good mood.
The more envy and frustration those people displayed, the more excited and relieved he felt.
Well, they didn't even have a private villa like his!
Just as he opened the door and walked in, ready to take a hot shower, pour some red wine, call a few of his mistresses over, and enjoy a pleasant night…
Bang!
The moment he stepped inside, someone suddenly grabbed him and slammed him hard to the floor with an over-the-shoulder throw.
What... Was going on?!
Anfrick's vision was spinning, and he felt dizzy.
Before he could even react, he felt a massive force pinning him down.
He was quickly bound and dragged further inside the house.
When he finally regained his senses, he saw several expressionless, burly men inside, staring at him with eyes that looked at him as though he were something less than human.
"Who are you?!"
Anfrick felt uneasy at being stared at. He tried to remain calm, but a look of fear inevitably crossed his face.
"... No need to be so scared. We're not going to hurt you."
At this moment, one of the burly men, holding a cell phone, approached Anfrick.
From the phone came an old voice.
"Hehehe, on the contrary, there's actually a rather pleasant collaboration waiting for you."
"Co... Collaboration? What collaboration?!!"
Anfrick swallowed hard, his voice trembling.
"Do you remember Risnorth's death?"
"Risnorth... The Mom's Help Foundation?"
Anfrick clearly remembered it.
For the past few days, he had been at the forefront of discussions, expressing his views on this vicious incident.
Of course, from his perspective, he naturally demanded that the perpetrators of this heinous crime be brought to justice.
Anfrick wasn't stupid.
Seeing the current situation and hearing what the other side had just mentioned, he instantly realized what was going on.
Oh no! The real culprits had come knocking on his door!
Anfrick felt a chill run down his spine.
The terror of the incident instantly washed over him.
"Yes, it's that incident."
The old man on the other end of the phone continued with a smile: "I'm very interested in your sharp remarks..."
"I understand what I need to do!"
The old man's words seemed to give Anfrick a lifeline, and he immediately began to speak frantically: "Whatever you want me to say, I'll say it. I won't go against your will!"
"Very good..."
The old man on the other end of the phone laughed even more happily.
"You're truly a smart man."
It didn't take much time to understand the current situation.
Anfrick's understanding and performance made Elder Veyron on the other end of the phone extremely satisfied: "I want you to speak tomorrow, and in all subsequent forum programs, from a perspective that points out Risnorth's evils."
"No problem!"
Anfrick agreed immediately.
Then he asked cautiously: "So, do I create this so-called evil myself, or..."
"Don't worry, we're not the kind of people who randomly fabricate charges to persecute others."
Elder Veyron's voice came from the phone.
At this time, a burly man stepped forward and shoved a stack of documents into Anfrick's arms.
"Take a look at this first."
Anfrick didn't dare disobey; he immediately opened the documents and flipped through them quickly.
"What is this?!!"
As he read, his pupils shrank.
The documents were filled with crimes and bloody events that made him shudder involuntarily.
"So that Risnorth..."
Anfrick felt his throat dry. "Turned out to be such a guy."
"Even you didn't expect it, did you?"
Over the phone, Elder Veyron's voice was slightly lamenting.
"Actually, whether he's a good person or not, it has nothing to do with us."
"But he shouldn't have bothered us."
"Since he wants to take our people, then of course we won't be polite."
Take... Your people?!
Suddenly, Anfrick trembled all over.
He recalled the statement that had appeared most frequently in that televised commentary show.
It was precisely that line which made many people suspect that this assassination incident might not be so simple.
'They are indeed the same group that killed Risnorth...'
Suppressing these thoughts, Anfrick continued to flip through the documents.
Until...
Hmm?!
When he read that last paragraph, his body stiffened again.
"Risnorth... He also had an illicit business relationship with some high-level officials...?!!"
Anfrick's throat went completely dry.
He seemed to have learned something truly extraordinary that was beyond his reach!
He didn't even dare to utter that person's name.
The fear on his face gradually turned to numbness and bitterness.
It seemed as if he had been swept into an even more terrifying vortex!
The future now looked utterly bleak...
Anfrick knew very well that this was no longer something a small figure like him could meddle in.
The other party clearly wanted him to expose Chairman Risnorth and his many misdeeds, to completely destroy the image of this outstanding philanthropist in the public eye.
Originally, Anfrick welcomed this development.
After all, by being among the first to expose the truth and righteously change sides, he could gain more supporters and fans.
But now… once the high-level officials were involved, everything changed completely.
He was able to live such a comfortable life now entirely because of the support and rewards from those powerful figures.
The small favors they casually threw to him, the small benefits that slipped through their fingers, were enough for him to live a life of luxury and become extremely wealthy.
Everything he had was given by those powerful figures.
Since they could bestow those things, they could also take them back at any time, including his life.
If a dog bites its master, then that dog has no reason to live anymore.
In such cases, the next step is usually to beat the dog.
Anfrick had been a well-behaved dog, and he truly didn't want to lose those bones.
But given the current situation…
"I think you know what to do."
Over the phone, Elder Veyron's laughter still sounded kind.
But, again, it lacked any warmth.
"I... I know."
Anfrick swallowed hard, his words dry.
"There's a live broadcast tomorrow. I'll speak publicly about my changed views in front of everyone."
After speaking, he glanced around his luxurious villa one last time.
He knew this might be the last night he would ever spend here.
"Very good, you're a smart man."
Elder Veyron smiled happily. "Then I'll wait for your good news tomorrow."
Click.
Elder Veyron didn't ask Anfrick about his specific approach.
That was a matter for him to consider.
If the result wasn't satisfactory... This wise man knew the consequences.
After the call ended, the people around didn't even glance at Anfrick.
The burly man who had bound him casually laid him on the ground and walked away.
Anfrick was left alone, gazing at his magnificently decorated villa.
Anfrick sighed deeply.
He knew very well that after tomorrow's show, he would never be able to return here.
He wouldn't even have the chance to appear in public again.
"But what can I do?"
A deep sense of helplessness flickered in Anfrick's eyes. He was just a small-time figure at the mercy of others.
He couldn't afford to offend either the high-ranking official or the desperate criminals who had just departed.
But it was clear, based on the current situation...
"Even if I reported these criminals to my superiors, they wouldn't take it seriously..."
Anfrick's eyes were complicated. "Or even if they did, it would only be for this one piece of information."
"A small figure like me, they wouldn't pay any attention or concern."
And then, after the truth came to light, he would face the wrath of those desperate criminals.
By then, even dying might not be easy.
Even if reporting them was considered meritorious service…
"Isn't it a dog's duty to guard the master's house?"
Anfrick chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Afterward, they might toss me a few more bones as a reward."
"As for whether the dog would be captured or killed afterward, that wasn't the owner's business."
"After all, they have plenty of dogs. Losing one doesn't matter."
Anfrick saw it all too clearly, especially the nature of those powerful figures.
Even if he seemed to be living a glamorous life, in truth, his life was worth less than nothing to them.
They wouldn't care.
So... faced with the immediate danger of revenge from the desperate criminals and the risk of being noticed by higher-ups later, Anfrick chose to save his life first without hesitation.
He had already completely reached a point of no return.
Thinking of this, his eyes instantly hardened.
He immediately began packing up his belongings inside the house.
After finishing tomorrow's program recording, he estimated he would have to disappear for a while.
In the darkness of the night, under the dim lights of the villa, only his busy, anxious figure moved around.
The next day, in a certain live-broadcast social commentary program in Yorknew City.
It was a show that focused on current affairs and hot social issues, inviting experts to the studio to analyze and discuss the latest events.
Undoubtedly, the hottest and most widely discussed topic right now is the recent murder of Chairman Risnorth.
This incident has been generating significant buzz.
Not only his sudden death, but also the mysterious declaration left by the murderer.
And the question of the succession of his massive consortium, Mom's Help Foundation, is a hot topic among the public.
This is especially true regarding the succession of the consortium.
It is well known that Risnorth lost his only biological son in a previous attack in the Kakin Empire.
The Mom's Help Foundation currently has no heir.