╔═══════════════════╗
║ - Shop -
╠═══════════════════╣
║ Balance: 557 CRD ; 1 NP
║
║ - Equipment -
║ - Mastery -
║ - System Augments -
║ - Intelligence -
║ - Assets -
║ - Artifacts -
║ - Currency Conversion -
║
║ - Exit -
╚═══════════════════╝
Matthew was looking at his balance in shop. He had visited many places today including an abandoned warehouse, a fight club, a pawn shop, the only 5-star-hotel in the city and a abandoned church. All of this exploration had got him 657 creds of which he spent 100 creds for 10000 Alpenas just now.
He was now playing with the system when his phone buzzed *buzz* *buzz*, he picked it up -
"Hey, 'Matteo' just wanted to you to inform that your Id and other documents are ready. You can come at Riviera Stellata to pick them up tomorrow." It was Sophie.
"Alright, sure" Matthew said curtly.
"And Angie wants to speak to you about Vinopolis. See you tomorrow." Sophie added
"Yeah, see you." Matthew hung up then he called Lysander.
"Ah, Mr. Marchesi, I presume you are inquiring about the status of your request. Regrettably, it will require some additional time as we have yet to address all our assumptions thoroughly." came a crisp and polite voice from the other side.
"That's alright, Lysander, can you just give me everything you can collect until tomorrow, I will come to grab it in the afternoon."
"Certainly, if that's your preference."
"Alright, see you tomorrow."
"Yes, until tomorrow"
Matthew listened to the line going dead. He then grabbed a long shower as usual and went to sleep.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The next day, Matthew was standing outside Riviera Stellata, but since it was still morning, the club was closed and wouldn't open until late in the evening.
Matthew dialed Sophie's number "Hello, yeah, I am here but the sign on the main entrance says closed." An inaudible chatter sounded on the other end. "Alright then." Matthew agreed to something.
A minute later the smaller security door besides the main entrance opened and a security guard walked out. The guard guided Matthew towards Angelina's office. Matthew knocked. "Come in." he walked in and the guard left.
Matthew entered the opulent yet well lit office. He saw Angelina sitting behind her desk and Sophie was sitting on a leather couch.
Sophie, with her mischievous smile, handed Matthew a sealed folder. "Here you go, Mr. Matteo Marchesi. Your new identity," Sophie announced, clearly proud of her work. Matthew took the folder and examined it for a moment.
"Is it all inside?" he asked.
Sophie raised an eyebrow playfully. "Ah! Only one way to find out."
Matthew opened the folder. Inside, there was a set of identification documents – a passport, driver's license, and various other papers. The name "Matteo Marchesi" stared back at him, along with a photo of himself, but slightly altered to fit the persona.
Sophie watched his reaction, eager to see if he approved. "So, what do you think of your new self?"
Matthew examined the details meticulously. "Impressive work, Sophie. This is beyond what I expected."
Sophie beamed with satisfaction. "Glad you like it. Also here is little something from me" she added, handing him a sealed envelope. Inside, he found an anonymous bank account, ready to be activated.
Sophie continued her meticulous presentation, handing over additional documents that included fake property records, business affiliations, and memberships to prestigious clubs in Lagoros and Tyroburg. Each detail was carefully woven to be a part of Matteo Marchesi's life.
Matthew raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "You've thought of everything, haven't you?"
Sophie leaned back, a self-satisfied grin on her face. "They don't call me 'The Weaver' for nothing. Crafting seamless identities is my specialty."
"*ahem* *ahem* What was the fees for the bank account and these memberships?"
"*psh* That was the what the advance was for. You gave me a premium advance you get a premium Identity."
"Alright then." Matthew just quickly accepted the opportunity to save money.
Sophie then pointed to an envelope containing what seemed like official papers. "Here are your medical records, detailing your supposed struggle with selective amnesia. Doctors' notes, psychological evaluations—all the essentials to sell the narrative."
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Angelina spoke up, "Matthew, to make your story more convincing, you should visit the St. Maria Orphanage at least once. Interact with the staff, perhaps inquire about your past, and mention the fragments of memories you've recovered. It will add a layer of authenticity. And I suppose I should call you Matteo now."
Matthew nodded in agreement. "It's a good idea. I'll make a trip there before heading to Vinopolis."
"Speaking of Vinopolis I will need to brief you on it before we head there."
"When are we going?"
"Next week. The Gala is on 4th of June. We will go to Vinopolis a day before. I need to give you the overview of the task at hand a few days before, so you can make necessary preparations. So let's decide a time and place."
"Well we can't discuss these things in public, can we? So it either your office or your place or my place."
"Your place." Angelina quickly accepted Matthew's invitation. She was quiet curious about Matthew now, she had personally investigated him after Sophie told her about him. But her result was no different than Sophie's. She had found nothing. Not even a slightest trace. So she wanted to find out more about the mysterious man before her.
"Alright then I will send you the address. You have been warned though it's not a really big place." Matthew also agreed, he wasn't worried about exposing his hideout. Even if it was exposed he can just buy a new one now.
"Waitwaitwait, wait, wait, hold your horses now. You are going at his place?" Sophie asked a bit panicked.
Angelina nodded at her "Yes"
"Alone?"
Angelina nodded again.
"Just the two of you?"
"Yes, What are you getting at?"
"How come you never accepted my invitation to go alone with me?"
"We live together."
"Oh! but I've also invited you on dates and hotels."
"I told you already. Not interested."
"Then how come you have accepted his invitation to a date."
"Its not a date."
"Oh come on. The two of you. Alone at his place. Discussing secrets. That's a 100% a date."
"Well maybe I am interested in him." Angelina was feeling a bit mischievous now as her talking with Matthew was getting under Sophie's skin.
Sophie looked at Matthew expecting something.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Matthew asked.
"I waiting for you to say that Angie is not your type."
"Well, she is kind of my type."
"No, no, no. You can't date him. And you, you can't steal my lover."
"I am 'not' your lover."
But before Sophie and Angelina could continue, Matthew interrupted them. "Well Ladies, as much as I love lively conversations I am quiet a busy man. So if we are done with business, I bid you adieu. Angelina I will text you the time for our meet after two days." and he quickly escaped from there.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Matthew then paid a visit to the Pilgrim. He and Lysander met in the wine cellar where Lysander handed him a file which was titled 'Intel Report #658' -
[
INTELLIGENCE REPORT
Subject: Fritz Keller
Background:
Fritz Keller operates under the guise of a black-market car dealership, "Fritz's Autos," which serves as a front for a sophisticated smuggling operation. The exact nature of the smuggling activities remains unknown; however, preliminary findings suggest an organized and covert operation with possible connections to a larger, more extensive network.
Business Front:
"Fritz's Autos" is merely a cover for the illicit operations conducted by Fritz Keller. The dealership acts as a conduit for moving contraband, and it is imperative to note that the vehicles sold by Fritz's Autos lack any official manufacturing records. This conspicuous absence suggests a deliberate effort to conceal the origin and purpose of the vehicles.
Smuggling Operations:
The specific details of what is being smuggled and the routes used for transportation remain elusive. The covert nature of the operation indicates a high level of sophistication, with Fritz Keller ensuring that his activities stay well below the radar. It is crucial to initiate further investigation into the cargo and the network involved in the transportation process.
Manufacturing Anomalies:
All vehicles associated with Fritz's Autos share a common anomaly—they have no official manufacturing records. This intentional omission is a clear indicator of a concerted effort to hide the true purpose and origin of these vehicles. A thorough examination of these manufacturing anomalies may provide insights into the methods employed by Fritz Keller to maintain operational security.
Schwartzberg Consortium Connection:
A recurring pattern in the investigation points to the Schwartzberg Consortium. The vehicles smuggled by Fritz Keller are consistently linked to car companies associated with this organization. The Schwartzberg Consortium's involvement raises concerns about the scale and reach of Fritz's operations, suggesting potential affiliations with a powerful and far-reaching criminal organization.
Organizational Affiliation:
Fritz Keller's operations extend beyond the scope of an individual enterprise, hinting at possible involvement with a larger criminal organization. The sophistication of the smuggling network and the associations with the Schwartzberg Consortium imply that Fritz may be a subordinate in a more extensive hierarchy.
Recommendations:
1. Undercover Infiltration: Deploy undercover operatives to gather intelligence from within Fritz's Autos, with a focus on identifying key players, routes, and the nature of the smuggled goods.
2. Financial Analysis: Conduct a detailed financial analysis of Fritz Keller's assets and transactions to trace the flow of funds and unveil potential connections to other criminal enterprises.
3. Enhanced Surveillance: Intensify surveillance efforts on Fritz Keller, his associates, and key locations to gather real-time information on their activities and potential connections.
This intelligence report serves as a preliminary assessment of Fritz Keller's operations. Further investigation is recommended to unveil the full extent of his criminal activities and connections to the Schwartzberg Consortium.
]
Matthew completed reading it and then looked at Lysander.
Lysander was the one to speak first "While the report remains silent on the specifics of his illicit activities, I suspect the nature of his smuggling operations involves weapons, possibly the kind you mentioned earlier— Viable weaponry." he said solemnly "This revelation might not sit well with the Servants of the Abyss."
Matthew just nodded "Hmm. How much do I owe you?"
"1200 Alpenas"
Matthew quickly paid the man and left for home. He had much to prepare before meeting Fritz tonight. And if the Intel Report on him says anything then he was a far more dangerous man than Matthew had anticipated earlier.
Especially that name - Schwartzberg Consortium. He had come across that name while he was reading about the Alpencian Underworld. It was among the four giants of the Alpencian Underworld - The Moretti Syndicate, The Dubois Clan, The Di Napoli Mafia and The Schwartzberg Consortium.