On the island estate,
The carriage slowly rolled into the manor grounds. Through the small windows, one could see thugs in black suits stationed everywhere.
No, not just within the manor.
Men in black suits were already standing guard a thousand meters away from the estate.
"Due to some special circumstances, our Felke family anticipated potential trouble recently, hence the rather robust security."
At this time, inside the carriage, besides Rhodes and the other three, were two members of the Felke family, including Jason. As if sensing Gray's apprehension, Jason began to explain.
"As you can observe, Mr. Gray, we currently utilize flintlock rifles, which require reloading after each shot.
I am greatly anticipating the type of firearms you designed that possess continuous firing capability. If they can be mass-produced, our family's influence will undoubtedly expand rapidly."
Gray merely nodded upon hearing this, offering little verbal response.
For him, guns were simply a means to an end – securing research funds. His true ambition lay in researching a warship capable of traversing the oceans and surpassing the legendary Pluton.
However, could he truly construct the battleship of his dreams solely through theoretical research, without venturing out to sea to gain firsthand experience?
Even if others could conduct experiments for him and provide detailed experimental data, could the data provided by those less gifted individuals truly be accurate?
Gray felt a growing unease about the shipbuilding plan he had initially conceived.
Just as these thoughts occupied his mind, the carriage came to a halt. Several individuals alighted and proceeded towards the gate under Jason's guidance.
In the magnificent hall, thugs in black suits lined both sides. In the center of the hall stood a massive long table. At the far end of the table, the burly gangster with slicked-back hair, Felker Kyle, was enveloped in thick cigar smoke.
"No matter how you look at it, this doesn't resemble a dinner party."
The enormous long table was bare except for a single glass of red wine positioned in front of Kyle.
The door behind them creaked shut. Jason placed a red wine glass on the table near them, then produced a bottle of red wine, uncorked it, and slowly poured a glass.
"Dr. Gray, is it? I am truly impressed by the weapon you designed previously. Drink this glass of wine and join our Felke family. From this moment forward, you will be responsible for the design of various armaments. Be it fine wine or beautiful women, as long as you desire it, I will provide it for you."
Kyle exhaled a plume of smoke, holding a cigar in one hand and raising the wine glass before him with the other, gesturing from across the room.
"That's wonderful. I also have a fondness for fine wine and beautiful women. And regarding the matter of designing a battleship that I mentioned earlier..."
"I informed you that your sole responsibility will be the design of weapons."
Kyle's brow furrowed slightly, and a group of his underlings standing in the hall immediately drew their firearms and aimed them at Gray and the other four standing there.
"Are all researchers so dense that I must spell it out so clearly?
We are a gang, not pirates. What relevance do these so-called battleships have for us? You simply need to follow my instructions and design the weapons effectively. You need not concern yourself with other matters.
If you perform well, I will arrange for you to go out to sea for leisure from time to time. This is my preferential treatment for scientists."
"As for the three of you."
Kyle shifted his attention to Rhodes and the other three.
"I regret to inform you that this matter is a top secret of our Felke family, so I must trouble you to meet your demise."
"What, you bastard!"
Gray's expression underwent a drastic change upon hearing Kyle's words.
"From this point onward, you will address me as Boss Kyle!"
Kyle's gaze turned menacing as he stared intently at Gray. "Drink it quickly!"
Gray's eyes darted to the glass of wine before him, filled with internal conflict.
"If I agree to your demand, can you spare these three individuals? They were merely caught in the crossfire, and I don't believe they would divulge what transpired here to anyone."
"Do you truly intend to join them, design weapons for them, and abandon your dream of building ships?"
Rhodes fixed his gaze on Gray. When he had spoken of his dream before, his eyes had shone with passion, but now, that light had been extinguished.
"But... if I don't agree, you three will die."
"You've already been deceived once, why are you still so naive? Do you genuinely believe he will let the three of us go?"
"You are an astute man."
Kyle directed his gaze towards Rhodes for the first time. He had encountered many such mercenaries on the sea, but they were merely insignificant pawns. His sole concern was the young scientist named Gray before him.
The other party was a prodigy in weapon design. Having grown up around firearms, he was certain of this. As long as they possessed the new type of guns designed by Gray, their Felke family would undoubtedly become the largest arms dealer in the North Blue.
Kyle's attention returned to Gray, a hint of impatience coloring his tone.
"If you consume this glass of wine, you will become a member of our Felke family. You can work for me with peace of mind and reap the rewards. Otherwise, I will have you perish here alongside them."
"I still cannot bring myself to do it..."
Gray took slow steps forward and reached out for the wine glass.
Seeing this, a smile spread across Kyle's face.
"It has always been my dream to construct a warship that surpasses Pluton! How could I possibly agree to abandon my dream and become a puppet who designs weapons for trash like you?"
Gray slammed the wine glass in his hand onto the ground, then seized the bottle and hurled it at Kyle, who was seated across the long table.
Bang—!
Gray was, after all, merely a scientific researcher. The wine bottle missed Kyle, striking only the table in front of him. The bottle shattered, and the bright red wine splashed onto Kyle's face, making his countenance even more terrifying.
"Seize this man and kill the other three!"
As Kyle roared furiously, the thugs in the hall cocked their guns, drew their knives, and charged forward, howling.
Despite his earlier firm words, Gray was overcome with fear as he saw dozens of gangsters rushing towards him, and he stumbled backward repeatedly.
"Really? I was tricked and had to witness such a clumsy charade. I'm truly displeased now!"
Nia's yellow vertical pupils narrowed slightly as she held back Gray, who was retreating.
"At least give me the money first!"
With a loud shout, Nia's long legs shot up, followed by a rapid series of kicks, sending the frontmost attackers flying backward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Just as Nia kicked several people away, a group of gangsters in the distance opened fire on the three.
Simultaneously with their gunfire, Nelu's wrist flicked, and the black gun in his hand fired continuously, emptying all ten bullets in an instant. After accurately intercepting the bullets fired by the opponents, he continued firing, directly hitting the enemy gunmen. Almost at the same moment, crimson blossoms erupted on the bodies of the ten men, and they collapsed to the ground.
"May I borrow your knife?"
Rhodes slightly shifted his stance, grabbed the enemy's knife-wielding hand, twisted the blade around, and slashed across the opponent's throat. After briefly weighing the knife in his hand, Rhodes gathered some strength and swung it out suddenly. A sharp gust of air tore through the room, sending all the tables and chairs in front of them flying.
(End of this chapter)