Tearing Off the Mask! The Ultimate Tug-of-War Between Beasts in Fine Clothes

At the mention of "the higher-ups," the smile on Kuroda's face instantly vanished.

He slammed the wineglass in his hand heavily onto the table, sending the remaining wine splashing.

"The higher-ups?!"

Kuroda gritted his teeth bitterly, the corners of his eyes twitching slightly with rage.

"Because of those damn decrees they threw around, everything I've earned this entire year doesn't even add up to what I made in a single month last year!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, murderous light flashing in his eyes.

"Since those bastards don't want me to live and want to cut off my income, then they'd better not blame me for getting nasty!"

"Besides," Kuroda sneered, his tone carrying both mockery and certainty.

"To the people below, merchant associations like ours may seem wealthy and powerful. But from the perspective of those big shots in the higher-ups, we're nothing worth noticing."

"As long as we pay on time, why would they have the time to keep their eyes on us?"

Hearing Kuroda's words, the butler opened his mouth, but ultimately let out a deep sigh.

He knew that his master's mind had been completely blinded by this staggering profit. Further persuasion would be pointless.

The butler respectfully lowered his head, shut his mouth for good, then turned and retreated into the shadows to arrange those bloodstained tasks.

Meanwhile, with usurious loans and deposits bearing down at once, the Mining District no longer had any room to breathe.

Wandering ninjas who received triple advance wages streamed into the Mining District in groups.

The estates of the powerful and wealthy were oppressively warm, while the mines outside the city were ravaged by bitter blizzards.

Amid the sweeping snow, the miners wore only thin, tattered coarse-cloth jackets.

The straw sandals on their feet had long