The Warden of The Witches

The Leading Actor Takes the Stage

Two days later, in the evening.

Aiden stood atop the clock tower in the old district, gazing down at the abandoned docks below.

"That flat-roofed white house is Polpo's office. Every Saturday night, he handles the accounts brought in from his territory there," Veronica said, pointing it out beside him. "According to our informants, he's there now, and there are about a dozen people in and around the office."

"The antagonist and supporting cast are in position," Aiden nodded, handing his cane to Veronica. "It's time for the leading actor to make an entrance."

Unlike other days, today he wasn't wearing his uniform. Instead, he donned a night outfit, with a large hooded cloak covering his entire body.

"Are you sure about this?" Veronica expressed her concern.

"To be honest, I can't guarantee the success of this operation, but I can ensure my own safety. Don't worry; Dailey is keeping an eye on the scene." Aiden reassured, shaking the oval ring on his hand. "If anything happens, she'll inform you through her familiar, and then you can join the police in the assault."

"Got it," Veronica nodded.

"Before the entrance, a bit of makeup is necessary."

As he spoke, Aiden began to utilize his ability for physical transformation.

A tingling sensation spread throughout his body as he rapidly shrank, his height quickly decreasing to just below Veronica's chest.

Proportionally, his limbs reduced, and his body gradually became slender. The face, however, became slightly rounder, unlike its previous lean appearance.

In just a few short seconds, he transformed into a child who appeared to be around eleven or twelve years old, bearing only a faint resemblance to his original appearance.

After numerous practice, he had become quite adept at using this ability.

Just to be sure, he sought confirmation from Veronica, "How's this? There shouldn't be any flaws, right?"

Not only did his appearance change, but his voice now matched the age his new look suggested, no longer retaining its previous depth.

Veronica stared at Aiden in amazement and then silently gave him a thumbs up.

"Veronica?" Aiden was a bit puzzled by her reaction.

"Oh, sorry, sorry." Veronica snapped out of it, quickly retracting her hand and awkwardly smiling. "I think this transformation is perfect!"

"That's good," Aiden replied nonchalantly.

This girl... could she be into shotas?

"I'm heading over; you keep an eye on things here." Aiden grabbed the mask and lantern hanging nearby and briskly descended the clock tower.

At the entrance of Polpo's office in the abandoned docks, two gatekeepers idly chatted.

At that moment, one of them caught sight of approaching light.

"Hey, someone's coming," he immediately alerted his companion.

"Who? Didn't hear the boss mention any visitors," the other one said, puzzled.

Although they sensed an unexpected guest, neither felt a sense of danger. After all, the person coming towards them was alone and seemed somewhat short in stature.

When the figure approached slowly with a lantern, the two of them subconsciously glanced at each other, and both could read a bit of surprise in each other's eyes - this "guest" was not even taller than their chests.

What's even more weird is that this person is wearing a black cloak that is so long that it drags to the ground, and there is also a black mask on his face that is obviously larger than his face.

"Hey, what are you doing?" One of the boys shouted to him.

"I'm looking for Mr. Polpo. Can you take me to see him?" the mysterious figure, Aiden, responded.

"A kid?" Both men paused upon hearing the somewhat youthful voice.

One of them retorted sharply, "This isn't a place for little brats. Get lost!"

After saying that, he menacingly tapped the pier's concrete floor with the pry bar at his side to intimidate Aiden.

"I need to see Mr. Polpo," Aiden remained unfazed.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" The other guy grew impatient, preparing to walk over and give Aiden a kick to make him back off.

Occasionally, these ignorant youngsters would try to join the underworld, by stumbling upon the gang's territory through some back alley gossip about the location of a leader.

Gangs might recruit some fifteen or sixteen-year-old delinquents as enforcers, as they were simple-minded, impulsive, and easily manipulated with a few benefits. However, dealing with them was convenient for the gang – they could be easily deceived into risking their lives, and if caught, they made convenient scapegoats.

Yet, the current kid seemed too young, and his inexplicable attire suggested a questionable mental state. He probably had some misunderstandings about the underworld.

Most importantly, Mr. Polpo had long climbed the ranks in the Skull Gang's leadership. In the present, even the recruitment of low-level henchmen could alert him, and beating up the gatekeepers would be considered a minor disturbance.

However, the guy with the pry bar, full of bravado, took only two steps forward before stumbling and falling. He felt something strange grabbing his ankle suddenly.

Instinctively, he turned to look at his feet, letting out a terrified shout.

What Clutching his ankle was a pitch-black claw extending from his own shadow.

Before he could utter more than a couple of screams, his voice was cut off—more black claws emerged from the shadow, gripping his neck and limbs, firmly pinning him to the ground.

The other gatekeeper witnessed this scene was dumbfounded. While black magic was a widely known existence in this world, it was strictly regulated, and ordinary people rarely had the chance to witness such supernatural powers.

Aiden didn't give him a chance to recover from his fear. Summoning the shadow demon's claws from his own shadow, he pressed the second gatekeeper to the ground.

Dealing with these typical thugs would be easy for Aiden even without using Dailey summoned shadow demon, but Dailey demon added a theatrical touch that shouldn't go to waste.

Approaching the two fallen men, Aiden tossed a "coin" in front of them, as if offering alms to beggars. "Recognize this?"

The two men struggled to focus their gaze and realized it was a coin-sized copper badge intricately carved with a poppy flower. The badge emitted a faint and elusive fragrance, as if coated with a specially crafted potion.

Though not many in the underworld had seen this item in person, most had heard about it. It was a token used by a group of highly skilled underworld assassins to prove their identity.

"The children of Melusine?" the two gatekeepers exclaimed in fear, raising their heads.

"I'll say it again; I'm here to see Mr. Carlo Polpo. Could you please show me the way?" Aiden said with a smile. "Rest assured, I'm not here to kill him. I've come for... business negotiations."