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The villa is just about fifteen kilometers west of the ACE chemical plant, and it is rare to see a human around the area.
It was on the west bank of the Gotham River, not far from the Westward Bridge, which gave direct access to the Berlin District. If you were brave enough, you could even cross to Arkham Island, where the popular Arkham Asylum was located.
Unwillingly, the agent lady had to take Mathison on a tour of the house.
The villa was priced at just ten million dollars, whereas in the Diamond District, a villa of the same size would have gone for at least forty million.
Mathison was pleased with the setting, as the fence surrounding the estate was at least twice as high compared to any normal estate. He was told that it has been specially raised later, making it difficult even for him to climb over with his bare hands. It provided decent security.
The basement was built to serve as a nuclear-proof bunker, hence, could be used as a good refuge.
Thus, the first stronghold of Phantom Kid was selected, where all of Mathison’s training would be conducted in the future.
The agent lady was dazzled when Mathison swiped his credit card and paid it all without a distinct reaction.
The villa had been on sale for a long time, it was a kind of a burden in the hands of Wayne Real Estate. The documentation was processed very quickly. Within a few hours, all was finished and Mathison was ready to move in.
Today is June 19, two days before the preview of the teaser letter and the last day to step in, which means that there is only one day left for Mathison to get ready.
Mathison had ordered a large batch of strange and unusual materials, all for practising magic.
Red magic was a type of magic that relied heavily on external objects, with curses, blessings, divination, alchemy, and magic circles making up 90% of the content of red magic. Spells that relied solely on one’s own magic power were rare.
Magic is a mysterious thing. From the time he got the Red Magic book, Mathison had been practising the spells written on it, achieving very slow results. The only magic he could release was ignition, one of the few spells that did not require the use of physical materials to release.
Unfortunately, with his current magic power, lighting a candle was the best he could do.
The magic talisman that Koizumi Akako could easily make would take Mathison a whole day.
”It’s better to rely on the system’s empowerment since it’s quick. After all, I don’t think that I can directly use my magic power.”
Now was not the time to think about all of this. Once the gems are stolen, the rewards will be naturally known afterward.
Mathison burned a large cauldron in the basement, added countless strange and exotic herbs to it, and dropped two sheets of paper into it.
To make sure the operation was foolproof, he had to refine some magic charms.
While Mathison was concentrating on making magic charms, the GCPD received another anonymous message claiming to have deciphered Kid’s teaser letter.
The anonymous message this time included the full contents of the decryption.
Gordon immediately ordered all the officers who were not on duty to move out and head for Daggett’s private collection.
”That’s right!”
Gordon suddenly remembered the glider that Kid had put Aaron on earlier.
”Remember to call in three helicopters so his glider wings will be useless.”
This time, he was determined to arrest Phantom Kid!
Both the police and Wayne are prepared to confront Phantom Kid, and naturally, Daggett, who was his prey, is ready as well.
”Stryver, did you contact her?”
Inside a luxurious presidential suite, Daggett asked his closest subordinate.
”Don’t worry boss, she’ll be here soon.”
Stryver glanced at his watch before replying.
”That’s right, I’m never late.”
Suddenly, a third voice emerged. Merely hearing the voice would make one think that it belonged to a sexy beauty.
A woman who had entered the room at some point slowly appeared from the shadows.
It was none other than Serena, who had battled Mathison not too long ago!
”Catwoman.”
Daggett’s eyes narrowed.
”Oh, great Mr. Daggett, isn’t it lowly for a social celebrity like yourself to meet a petty thief like me?”
Serena asked cautiously.
”You’re no petty thief, you’re Gotham’s thief master, so I’d like to entrust you with something, an issue that only you can help me with.”
Daggett said with a slight smile and a friendly face.
”Phantom Kid.”
Serena knew who Daggett was referring to as the ‘issue.’
”That’s right, I’m sure as Gotham’s number one thief, you don’t want the rise of this weirdo above you.”
Daggett said so.
”I don’t mind taking your commission, though, even if I already have a feud with him, you’ll have to pay my fair price!”
Daggett understood keenly that Catwoman had a conflict with Phantom Kid, but he didn’t ask more.
”You will naturally like my reward, believe me, it is a reward that you can never refuse.”
Daggett was so confident that Catwoman would not refuse his temptation.
”That thing you’ve been looking for, it’s in my hands right now.”
Sure enough, at those words, Serena’s eyes changed, it was a longing desire for the reward.
But in an instant, she regained her coldness.
”No, as far as I know, the only one who could possibly make that is Lykin Data.”
”Right, hence, I bought that company.”
Daggett said it confidently
Serena bit her lip, knowing that Daggett held more shares in Wayne Enterprises than Bruce, buying Lykin Data was very simple.
With such big news as buying a company, one could find a lot of reports about it via a casual check on the internet, one wouldn’t assume that Daggett was attempting to lie.
”What do you want me to do?”
Serena quickly got into character.
”Protect my gems and make Phantom Kid a big joke!”
”And surely,” Daggett said with a cruel smile, “If you can kill him, that would be even better.”
”Sorry, I only know how to steal things, I don’t know how to keep things from being stolen.”
Just as Daggett frowned, Serena turned the tables and said, “But I would be more than happy to accept that latter proposition.”
The thought of being unwittingly taken advantage of that day, and not getting Adam’s Star, made Catwoman’s customer very unhappy.
”If it wasn’t for the skill of my good hands, I’m afraid I would have died, back then!”
How could Serena not hold a grudge against Phantom Kid?
”If you continue with that high profile style, sooner or later, you’re going to get into a lot of trouble. And when you’ve offended the police, the mob, and the rich, there will be no place for you in Gotham, Kid.”
Serena mocked in her mind.
At this point, Daggett and Serena had a sort of an agreement, and then Catwoman disappeared into the shadows.
Although Mathison had now committed only one crime, the eyes of Gotham’s authorities were all fixed on him.
With just the second teaser letter bringing together Catwoman, the GCPD, and Batman, it will be far more difficult for Mathison to steal the Cat’s Eye Emerald than it had been for Adam’s Star.
At noon on June 21, after a full day and night of refining, Mathison finally finished the two magic charms.
”With this, I’m in complete control!”
Mathison wiped the sweat from his face, revealing a delighted expression.