Underground Run By Hoodlums

Hearing the cries of the hoodlums shouting loudly, the procession of the nobility finally reached the depths of the town.

The nobles called mocked the hoodlums with sneers and name calling at their low status. At the far end of the city is a run-down building, and hoodlums lightly checked the nobles at the entrance.

A security hoodlum confirmed, “Welcome I’ve confirmed the invitation. There is no problem, please go inside.”

As for me, I was with the old man, and I had no particular problem. Old man said, “Oh, thank you very much.”

For a moment, the hoodlums seem to have an eye on me, but they didn’t particularly pursue the matter, as if the letter of introduction they got was from a big shot.

I said, “Thank you, Elder. Who are you, really?”

Old man said, “Hoho, I’m just a wholesaler.”

The old man laughed as he said so. If he doesn’t show his bottom, you won’t easily be able to reveal his true identity. Well, hiding our true identity is a mutual matter.

As soon as the check was completed and we went inside, there was a staircase leading directly underground. As I went down the dim stairs, I heard a sort of cheer from out of nowhere.

There must be something underneath, something spiraling with desire.

Old man said, “Well, it looks like it’s going to be exciting.”

In order to see the answer, at last I opened the door of the lowest floor, and all of a sudden, a blaze of heat and intense light struck me.

A completely different world that extends underground. I exclaimed, “Whoa… this is”

A large crowd gathered in the huge underground square, and excitement was everywhere.

At one corner of the open space, all kinds of dishes are arranged in a self- serving buffet, and the hoodlums served drinks to entertain the nobles.

There is a pole hanging from the ceiling on the table where the meals are served, and many sexy women are dancing while exposing their skin.

Men, with their nostrils stretched out, held fists full of gold, inserted money into women’s underwear and cleavage, touched their breasts and butts in the turmoil, and the women laughed with a friendly grin.

In addition, in one corner, the hoodlums became dealers, playing card games and roulette. Most notably a huge iron cage in the center. Trapped in it, fighting beasts.

Two beasts stained with blood from each other, collided violently and their blood splashed. The nobles, with a look of delight, cried out with excitement.

As I was standing there, stunned by the atmosphere of the underground space, the old man, who was next to me, whispered. “I see, this is a gambling house’s specialty.” 

Enuma said, “They put on a show that makes beasts fight and bet on who would win. That’s the way it is.”

The wolf was being tossed about, at the mercy of the demon insect’s attacks and swift movements.

Old man said "After the war the beasts that were stuck on the surface were captured and used to make money. Originally an idea of the Bockmati Family.”

I was stunned, “Huh?”

Old man further explained, “In those days, it seems even highly intelligent demons who understood human language. Ogres, Fiends, Cyclops, and so on, were forced to fight." 

Capture demons making money. I said, “So, but isn’t that illegal? Betting with demons.”

Old man replied, “Highly intelligent demons who understood human language, it came to be prohibited by the treaty with the Demon Realm. However, even among the demons, if they don’t speak human language. They are treated the same as animals, not humans because they may attack humans, they get killed or captured in defense. Therefore, against beasts, it is not yet legally forbidden.”

The mafia that was in charge of this was crushed. But here it continues. In the form that hoodlums took it over and as I heard earlier, the upper echelon of the Empire are involved, like Minister Shihtzu. I was curious if my father or the emperor knew. 

Enuma mentioned, "Well, even in the Demon Realm, there are such spectacles using Beasts, such as demon fighting dogs and magic bullfights."

I glanced at Enuma. With a cold, but somewhat sad expression, he gazed at the monsters fighting in the cage. It gave me mixed feelings.

Then, the words that Enuma told me the other day were overlapped by the old man’s words, Demons that do not speak human language are treated the same as animals.

I said, “In other words, this is where the aristocracy gather. A gambling house.”

The old man explained, “Um, the Mafia had been eradicated, but a part of the Empire’s upper class secretly handed the reins over to the Hoodlums. Well, there are various reasons why it was handed over to the Hoodlums.”

I smirked, “Really”

Sure, I was a little surprised, but I could imagine to some extent that. Well, there would be something like this, so while I felt uncomfortable in various ways, I wasn’t too upset.

But there was one thing that bothered me. I asked, “Is that it? But what about the auction?”

Yes, originally, I was told that there was an auction. So, I thought it was an auction that dealt with illegal items that couldn’t be handled very often.

Above all, this is a merchant town. But if it’s just a gambling house.

Old man said, “There is. The auction. Because it should be the main attraction. And it is for the merchants.”

Then, the old man went from a gentle expression and looked over the hall with strong and severe eyes.  “That’s what an auction is all about.”

At that moment, I was surprised at the old man’s words. I look over and I see large strong horses for racing. All decked out in their own market with all the best grooming. 

Well, as the old man said, it’s normal to buy racehorses at auction. Therefore, this might not be unusual either.

In fact, some of the noblemen I’m acquainted with also buy horses to put them in races. And since horses are expensive, they are bought as hobbies and entertainment for those who can afford them.

He involuntarily made a bitter smile. It was then he called to his two men. “Ashi, Kesu, while you can. Get the list of names. Merchants from Insei. Whether the Daimyo are involved or not, gather information. I’ll see if they really don’t violate the law.”

The men confirm, “By Your Will”

In a whisper, the Old man whispered, and the two men behind him disappeared in an instant. “Even if the youth are in charge of the table, it is always adults who are standing behind them. That’s why we really have to find out.”

I asked, “Elder, are you perhaps-”

Interrupting, the old man chuckled, “Hohoho… well now? But whatever you find out, don’t tell anyone, okay?”

I thought from the old man’s appearance that he wasn’t just a merchant. Then he slapped me on the back.

Old man said, “Well, that was rather harsh to watch. Shall we sit down while we eat?”

Maybe the Old man suggested it out of concern for me. Rather I still felt the need to continue. “A little more. I’ll take a look around.”

Old man agreed, “Oh? Oh I see?”

Yes, I thought I’d take a closer look. The nobles here. The guys who are working. The monsters that are fighting.

I asked Enuma, “Are you all right?”

Enuma replied, "Huh, boy. Who were you looking out for?"

The most complicated thing about the situation is Enuma. I didn’t show it on my face; I smiled and made it look like it’s not a problem.

I said, “I don’t mind, okay? I’m here. You can say what you really think”

Enuma scoffed with laughter, "A thousand years too early."

I wanted Enuma to say his intention because I did not understand his words to me, but Enuma laughed through his nose.

What I imagined delinquents being like. They’re outlaws who go against common sense and rules.
As an honor student, it was the image of the person who was the exact opposite of me.
In that sense, there were no delinquents among the students in the academy.
However, the delinquent I saw in this town may be a little different from that image.
At least they are not outlaws.
They set their own rules and adhere to them in their own way.
So, their own set of laws? If that’s the case, I try not to break them.
And I don’t know if I have any affection for my hometown, but I wouldn’t allow any entity to taint it.
Somehow, I felt that way.

Something I don’t really understand. Involuntarily, I asked Enuma the question. “Hey Enuma. What do you think a hoodlum is? Were they in the Demon Realm too?”

Enuma scoffed, “This is not something to think so deeply about. Quite simply, they are garbage.”

I confirmed, “Oh, that’s clear.”

Enuma said, “No matter how glorifying they may seem, after all, hoodlums get frustrated as soon as things do not conform to their ideals and can only express their feelings on the impulse of violence. Hundreds are harmed and no profit. Such lower class creatures.”

He affirmed with harsh words. Come to think of it, hoodlum bros said so as well.
The scum, trash and hopelessly reckless fellows of the world. That’s the hoodlums.

Enuma looked around with some thought. “Moreover, such a way of life cannot be sustained indefinitely. Humans and demons have to eat. In order to do that, they need money, and the only way to get it is to work properly. If they are unable, they will join the mafia or commit crimes like thieves and pirates. In any case, it is not possible to stay a hoodlum forever.”

The hoodlums working in this gambling house. Everyone was excited as if they were working with a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

As Enuma says, “In this town, delinquents can work as hoodlums and live as hoodlums. At least for now. That said I do not think it will last forever.”

If you can’t graduate and become a warrior, even if you have such people in the Academy, you’ll just fall behind.

The fighting skills and performance of delinquency will be of no use in the future.

According to the old man they weren’t doing anything illegal then, there was no problem, and these guys are working while being hoodlums. However, he doesn’t seem to be dissatisfied.

Somewhat in a hurry, hoodlum bro head rushed over, calling for ranking figure that looked like the drunken bro from night before. Calling, “Bro! Hey, Bro!”

“What happened?”

“Ah. Just now, that Shihtzu guy has arrived. Somehow, there’s something important about the auction, so he wants me to call for you.”

Seriously, Minister Shihtzu, he knows me very well, I better avoid a face to face. I continue to listen to the conversation.

I said to Enuma, “Something important… Well, what kind of agenda will come out of this.”

Then the Bro, seeming somewhat reluctant, sighed with a wry smile.

I was worried about the situation, and I wanted to stay away from Minister Shihtzu, but before I knew it, I was following hoodlums.