Three Musketeers... or Devil Spawns?

I guess I miss those hell spawns a little, so I better get them presents... oh! Never mind! I'm broke! Hahaha...

Speaking of being broke! The slums are miles away! How am I going to get there?!

Ahh! Fuck! I'll have to borrow money from Reyna! I haven't seen those brats in ages, so I'll put in a little effort for them.

|...|

Ahh! That's a relief! I've managed to borrow enough money for a taxi ride! I got an earful from Reyna, which I honestly deserve... I suppose I'll pay her back tenfold.

Alright! It's time for another existential crisis session!

"Taxi, please!"

"Need a ride, sir?"

'Yeah."

|...|

"So, where are we headed, sir?"

"To the slums, please!"

"So you're checking the changes in the slums, sir?

Changes?! That's news to me! Now I'm curious!

"Pardon me? What changes?"

"How clueless you are, sir!"

I was too focused on the operation, so the world around me progressed without my knowledge... Since I'll be out of action for three days, now is the perfect time to catch up!

"It may be too much to ask, but may you please explain the situation? I'll pay you extra."

It's only an extra peso since I'm am literally broke!

"No need to pay me extra! The slums are miles away, so a pleasant long talk would be nice."

"No, I insist on-"

"My name is Theodore Abara."

"..."

"Is there any problems, sir? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"S-Sorry... it's nothing."

Abara? I feel like I've heard that last name before... and the way this man talks, his eye color, and curly hair reminds me of Francis.

No way in hell this old man is Francis' father! It's just a coincidence, Miles! Don't mind it!

"Well, I'll start with the current state of Midway's government! It is currently divided into two factions, the mayor's loyalist and the vice mayor's tory."

"A divide within the government doesn't sound inviting..."

"Trust me, sir, it isn't! The vice mayor's tory is lead by the vice mayor and the mayor's adopted son, Sova Eisenhart. While the mayor's loyalist party is headed by the mayor, but he's just a figurehead. Mayor Osway isn't in the best of health, so it's his daughter Alice Eisenhart pulling the strings."

"Now that's sibling rivalry..."

So this is what you were hiding, Ms. Alice. Well, technically, she isn't concealing it because the common folk knows. But Jesus Christ! Ms. Alice is pulling the strings of a political party at the age of what? Nineteen?! What the fuck?!

"So, Sir Theodore... how is that related to the slums?"

"The vice mayor's tory doesn't give a rat's ass about the slums, and the mayor's party is handling the Kuroi Katen gang. So for years, the slums were left to themselves. Congressman Wissen barely kept them afloat, but now he's dead."

"Mr. Wissen was a great man..."

"Yeah... he was... Anyways! Mr. Wissen's assassination meant that all eyes were on Midway. The Kingdom of the East was shaken by the current condition of this city, so the king gave the two feuding factions two months to elect their new leader."

This is what Mr. Wissen meant when he said he would speak to the world, huh? Hahaha... it really is beyond my comprehension! He planned his death for this?! That's just... absurd!

"Right now, the mayor's party is pulling ahead due to their recent progress in subduing the Kuroi gang. So in response, the vice mayor's tory decided to focus on the slums."

What a clever bastard... Sova Eisenhart, huh? I'm honestly intrigued... this man pushed Ms. Alice to exhaustion, so he must be capable, right?

"Can you please specify on 'focusing' on the slums, Sir Theodore?"

"Feeding programs, renovations, parks, construction of schools, free checkups. The whole package!"

"Huh... Excited to see that."

The epitome of selfish, selfless acts. Sir Theodore said it himself, the vice mayor's party doesn't give a fuck about the slums, but the moment it became a potential asset, he's pouring in all his effort to "buy" their votes.

But... I can't blame him for that. It isn't a work of a scumbag but a work of a genius. Plus, this selfish selflessness of his will be beneficial for the slums. The people there deserve such blessings.

Sova Eisenhart is one interesting man. I want to personally investigate him... Ahh! I promised Nori not to do anything physically demanding, so I have to suppress my curiosity for now! I still have to participate in the main assault!

For now, to quench my thirst for knowledge, the common folk's knowledge should suffice.

"Sir Theodore, what do you think of the vice mayor?"

"Hmm... I prefer having Ms. Alice become the mayor, but she's way too young! I'd be glad to have Sir Sova as mayor, but Ms. Alice is leagues more capable than him!"

"Why do you say so?"

"Oddly enough, sir. Although Sir Sova is seven years older than Ms. Alice, Ms. Alice is more... mature than her older brother. Even though both of them possess the same level of skill, Sir Sova acts like... a fourteen-year-old boy."

Well, that's unexpected! I certainly wouldn't want an immature brat as the head of this city! But it's only the knowledge of the common folk. Perhaps it's just rumored. I'll find out myself... never mind, I promised Nori not to... This sucks!

"We're about to enter the slums, sir. It was a pleasant conversation! But I've told you everything I know!"

"Thank you for the ride and the company, Sir Theodore! Before you drop me off, may I ask a question?"

"Ask ahead."

"You seem knowledgeable on the politics of Midway. Too much, in fact. Where did you get all that knowledge from?"

"Well, my son has connections to high people. I can't help but eavesdrop on him from time to time."

"You're soon must be quite the person."

"He is... Well, it was a delightful ride, sir, but we're at the slums now."

"Oh! Here's your payment. Thank you for the ride, Sir Theodore."

"Before you go, what's your name, sir?"

"Miles... Miles Reyes."

"I knew it... Nice meetin' you!"

|...|

I knew it? What does he mean by that?! I suppose I'm quite the celebrity now. I did chokehold Hitoshi, and that made it to the news.

Forget about it. It was a pleasant conversation, and I now have a gist of what's happening in Midway.

Ahh! Forget about the world! I came to the slums to celebrate that brat's birthday! I should head to... Uncle Jerry's... shack... where the fuck am I?!

Sir Theodore dropped me in the slums, right?!

"Miles! Ain't that you?!"

"Oh! Uncle Jerry! Long time no see!"

"It's only been two weeks, you dum' fuck! Get yo' ass in here! Ishigami's birthday party 'bout to start!"

"Uncle Jerry... This is the slums, right?"

"First time seeing a festival here? Well... I don't give a fuck! Get yo' ass in here!"

That 13th century Viking settlement theme is still here but with a parade this time! The confetti sprinkling on the air being carried by the gentle breeze. The elaborate decor almost concealing the poorly built structures of the slums. The lanterns dispersed throughout the area almost as if the stars came down from the sky!

This place really is... astonishing! I've said it before, but you can hardly call it the slums!

"Miles! The fuck you standing out there for?! Seen a naked woman or somtin'?! Get your ass in here!"

"C-Coming..."

It's refreshing to see Uncle Jerry being as vulgar as always! Anyways, the shack hasn't changed at all, and how about those brats-

"*Thunk!"

"Arrghh!"

My balls! I will no longer have children!

"Look, guys! Miles came!"

"Ishigami! Why did you kick me in the balls!"

"Hmm... you're probably broke, so you don't have any presents for me... consider that nutcracker your birthday gift to me."

This brat... it hurts because it's true!

"Hahaha! You let your guard down, Miles."

"Dead eyes haven't changed at all, Ishigami..."

"Yeah... he probably still imagines making out with his imaginary girlfriend who's in a coma."

"Oi! You three hell spawns! Shut the fuck up!"

These three devils haven't changed at all... and it's painful! Literally!

Kietsu still laughs all the time. Shiatsu still calls me dead eyes. And the worst out of this three, Ishigami, still kicks me in the balls. The three musketeers or devil spawns.

"How's your imaginary girlfriend, Miles. Still in a coma?"

"Thank you for your concern, Ishigami! She's fine... and as I said, she's not my-"

"Ooh... Dead eyes is making excuses. Maybe he has changed, Ishigami. He's a puss now."

"Hahaha! Shiatsu called you a puss!"

"Shut the fuck up, SHITsu!"

Ahhh! I shouldn't have come here!

"Alright! Ya' brats! I'm goin' somewhere! Wait for the others to come! We'll start the party at 12:00 Pm!"

"Yes, teacher!"