[……The expedition period will be drastically reduced, and the Makal Mountains will not become the border. The Empire will act primarily for the people, and there will be no more sacrifices that result in losses.]
Hugo took his eyes off the letter from the royal family.
His head was dizzy. Hugo couldn’t understand what kind of thought process led to such an absurd official document.
He read the document several times to see if he had missed anything, but the impression he received was that the Empire was essentially abandoning the rights it had maintained for hundreds of years.
Hugo was not an expert in politics or history, but over the years, the Empire had maintained peace by protecting human borders and receiving respect from neighboring countries.
The main point was to create a common enemy so that humanity wouldn’t turn their swords against each other, but according to the document, they were going to pursue their own interests, disregarding the common purpose. Hugo began to feel a deep sense of futility.
“Breaking the balance at this point… Even though there was an unfortunate terrorist incident during the coronation, isn’t this too short-sighted?”
“Is it?”
“If this happens, other states or groups might show their teeth towards the Empire.”
“Hmm, I see.”“Rather, wouldn’t it be better to significantly increase the bounty and target specific individuals?”
Hugo tilted his head as he spoke.
“Your reaction is indifferent? Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s just that you seem to be thinking differently.”
Siriel responded while examining her freshly manicured nails.
“A few days ago, on the day of the court lecture, I discussed this with my brother. Not only my brother but also the Cardinal showed a positive view on this document.”
“Hmm…”
“Don’t worry about it. Everyone has different thoughts, right?”
Siriel turned her attention to the documents in front of her. She had been spending a lot of time with Hugo recently, preparing for the next expedition, and about 70% of the coordination work fell on her.
“Am I wrong? But if that’s the case…”
Hugo stroked his chin and mulled over Siriel’s words. Although she told him not to worry, it was hard to dismiss it as simply a difference of opinion between generations, especially since even the Cardinal shared the same view.
‘The Cardinal is not that much older…’
“Oh, come on, don’t worry about it. I also don’t like the Emperor’s decision.”
Siriel slammed the documents down with emotion.
The collapse of the hotel where her grand engagement ceremony was to be held. She had suppressed her anger in front of Shiron, but recalling that time reignited her emotions.
The complete eradication of the barbarians was all Siriel wanted now. No matter how much she understood the Emperor’s intentions through Shiron, the frustration remained.
However, Siriel was no longer a child. Knowing that many lives depended on her as the successor of the knights, she focused on the documents again.
[Operational Budget Summary]
[Sale of Northern Camp]
[Disposal of Winter Equipment]
[Eastern Canyon Defense]
‘…I need to do my job properly first.’
Faced with her responsibilities, Siriel was an adult.
Finding a person on a vast continent was not easy. Even with the power of foresight, which could be called destiny, it was no different, so Shiron accepted another’s favor.
“This, this won’t do. We can’t let in unannounced people…”
“It’s a decree from His Majesty. Do you intend to refuse?”
Thump-
Shiron gently pushed aside the guard trying to block him and grabbed the door handle of a government office.
Creak-
He wondered if it was locked from the inside to prevent entry, but with a little manipulation, it opened smoothly.
“Charge the repair cost to the royal family.”
Lucia followed Shiron, bowing to the astonished doorkeeper.
[Public Security Department]
[1st Floor: Patrol Division]
[2nd Floor: Traffic Division]
.
.
.
[7-1 Floor: Special Task Force]
‘I was worried I might get lost in a new place, but it’s nice that there’s a guide for visitors.’
After waiting for Lucia to get in, Shiron pressed the elevator button.
The elevator swiftly ascended to the 7th floor. When the bell rang, Shiron saw a middle-aged man with a mustache and a bald head.
“W-what business brings you here from the royal family?”
The middle-aged man, seemingly informed from below, nervously wiped his sweat.
“I need to look at some information.”
“What is it?”
“The investigation logs of barbarians not yet captured. Preferably, criminals from the same origin as ‘Yoru.’”
“If you mean the barbarian princess Yoru… I will prepare it immediately.”
Leaving the hurried middle-aged man behind, Shiron sat on the nearest sofa.
He met the curious eyes of someone peeking through a wooden screen, but they were soon stopped by someone else.
Shiron looked up at the woman in a neatly dressed uniform.
“You’re still working, huh.”
“…Do you know me?”
The tall woman with black hair, Berta, stepped back in surprise. Disappointed by her reaction, Shiron pointed to Lucia sitting beside him.
“I thought you might remember her if you don’t remember me.”
“Who is she? Do you know her?”
“You don’t remember either?”
“No, who is she?”
Lucia looked between Shiron and Berta, questioning. Could they really have forgotten? Despite the decade that had passed, Shiron couldn’t hide his disappointment in Lucia’s poor memory.
“…Teacher?”
Unlike Lucia, whose faded memories had become clear, Berta’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“You’ve really grown up. You’ve gotten so big.”
“You haven’t changed much. Maybe you’ve lost a bit of baby fat?”
“What brings you here? For a visit? Or work?”
Was it the joy of seeing someone after a long time? Berta acted surprisingly youthful for her age.
“I’m here for work.”
“Is that so? Ah! How about a cup of coffee?”
“No coffee, thanks. Are you planning to go on vacation?”
“No, I don’t. But why…”
“You should stop working for a while.”
Shiron continued his advice, conscious of the middle-aged man hurriedly carrying a stack of documents.
“If you don’t want to die or become disabled… go on a long vacation somewhere.”
“…What do you mean? Die or become disabled…”
Berta asked back, unable to understand Shiron’s sudden words.
“I’m telling you because of our old relationship. If you don’t want to die, listen to me.”
Shiron patted Berta’s back, emphasizing again.
“If you’re not going on vacation, apply for annual leave and stay home.”
“…Even if you say that, it’s the end of the year, and I’ve already used up all my annual leave.”
“Then refuse patrol and dispatch missions. Fake an illness and take sick leave.”
“Um… Teacher? Here are the documents you were looking for.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Shiron handed the stack of documents to Lucia and left the office without looking back.
“Shiron, who is that woman?”
“Do you really not remember? The cop we met at the entrance of that labyrinth when we were kids.”
“I think I might remember…”
While Lucia tilted her head in confusion, Shiron took out a notebook and flipped through the early pages.
The pages had yellowed over time, but the crooked writing from his childhood was still intact.
[…Berta dies fighting Yoru in the assembly hall.]
‘I told her to quit, and if she doesn’t listen, I’ll catch her first.’
Putting the notebook away, Shiron picked up the topmost document from the stack.
[Bomber Hyde, Tracker Jackal]
[…There have been several reports of sightings in the Rien commercial district.]
These were the first barbarians to kill.
Nasty guys who specialized in bombing airships, causing much frustration even in the game “Reincarnation of the Sword Saint.”
They deserved to die, and the stack of documents Lucia was holding listed all the villains who deserved to die.
After confirming that Lucia was on board, Shiron closed the carriage door.
“Lucia.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, we’re going to kill those who deserve to die.”
“…It’s not like killing people is a one-day thing.”
“Right, that’s why I believe you’ll do well.”
“You’ve been worrying too much.”
Lucia looked up at Shiron and patted her chest. This morning, before leaving the annex, Shiron had repeatedly warned her about what was to come. The content was to find and kill the terrorists who were eating away at the Empire.
“I’m good at killing both beasts and people.”
Among them, the name Silleya was mentioned, which made it hard for her to ignore, but Lucia shook off her hesitation, thinking that those who commit crimes deserve to die.
“Ugh! Ugh!”
In the dirty back alley of the commercial district. Even in broad daylight, the sun didn’t shine well, and there were few people around to answer the cries.
Slap-
Shiron slapped Jackal, who was struggling and making a fuss. Despite being a nasty guy who killed several people, he made a big fuss over a few broken bones.
“Aren’t you going to answer quickly?”
“Ugh, ugh!”
“Hmm… Judging by how he can’t close his mouth, it seems his jaw is out of place?”
“Is that so?”
Lucia adjusted Jackal’s dislocated jaw. With a crisp sound, Jackal took a deep breath.
“Now, again.”
Shiron grabbed Jackal by the hair, making sure not to injure his jaw.
“Where’s your headquarters?”
“I-I don’t know! I want to tell you!”
“…He’s useless too.”
Thud-
As soon as Shiron finished speaking, Jackal’s head rolled to the ground. Lucia wiped the blood off her sword, and Shiron drew a line on the stack of documents.
[Bomber Hyde✔ Tracker Jackal✔]
The easiest way to catch a tiger was to enter its lair… or…
Lure the tiger with a scent.
‘No way they won’t show up when their comrades are being killed?’
Shiron tucked the slashed paper into the corpse.
Then he looked at the next page.
[Yakjin of the Nine Snakes]
[Yakjin of the Nine Snakes✔]
[Chain Sickle Shimir]
[Chain Sickle Shimir✔]
[Red Thorn Alex]
[Red Thorn Alex✔]
Rumors spread throughout the Empire about the bounty hunters.
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