Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Before I knew it, it was dusk. It was eerily quiet in Labesk, even though it was supposed to be a busy time of day.
All I could hear was the sound of chewing sandwiches. At a table in the center of the restaurant, across from Kim.
‘You’re a good eater.
Plates piled high on the table. From meat to seafood to grass, Mithril ate voraciously.
Kim’s fork stopped immediately, but she didn’t care. After clearing the last of her plate, Mithril set down her utensils.
“Mmm, mmm. Same flavor.”
“Looks like it’s working out for you.”
“I can’t believe I’m addicted to this crappy flavor. I’m on some kind of drug.”
“Haha. No way.”
There was no chance to slip in the medicine. A Legion soldier was in the kitchen, watching every step of the cooking process. He even made sure to feed his men first after the dish was finished.
I know what you’re thinking.
“Hmmm. I suppose they could be.”
Mithril wiped the corner of his mouth with his napkin.
“Merchant, so…….”
“They’re called strings.”
“Oh, that’s what it was called. I forgot.”
He never said it out loud, but it was clear he knew. He probably didn’t forget in the first place, Kim thought.
“This restaurant is a den of misfits. I wouldn’t be surprised if untoward incidents occurred during my visits, such as poisons found in meals that were never brought into the kitchen.”
“Boo, what do you mean, nonionic?”
“Don’t bother, I’ve already figured out that you’re here for some reason other than to eat.”
It made sense. Judging by the recent capture of an informant, Mithril was wary of outsiders.
“I moved too quickly.
But Kim had no other choice. She couldn’t afford to spend a year or two in hiding, trying to relax her guard.
Just then, Mithril spoke up.
“Do you know Legion?”
An abrupt remark. Kim fumbled for his memory and considered his response. She then spat out her natural response of denial.
“……I’m hearing this for the first time.”
“I’ve heard rumors of Floria, but not Legion?”
“Yes. I’ve only heard about it in terms of rioters being brutally suppressed….”
Mithril crossed her arms wordlessly. Unlike earlier, this was an acceptable answer.
Because the Legion has failed. Not in Kilikia, not in Floria.
The well-funded and time-consuming operation had not yielded any results. The Legion’s name remained unknown on the continent.
“Well, okay.”
He stared at Kim with a newfound intensity.
A stoic demeanor, but with eyes on the opponent’s every move. Slightly tense posture, ready for surprise…….
Not bad. At least it was preferable to the fleshy, shriveled up pigs in Atlanta.
“I’ll talk to you in private. We think you’re an agent of a certain country. No, maybe not a country.”
I mentioned “they” while paying close attention to the reaction.
“Cellbrox Labs… there is such an organization. I’ve been informed that they’re also involved in the disturbances in Ploria, but what do you think?”
“Well, I’m sorry, sir. I’ve only picked it up, and I’m not very well informed about the situation. Why, it’s too far away to know much about it.”
The answer is expected. Mithril’s conflict was short-lived, and his methods included capturing Kim and interrogating her using drugs and violence.
It was a valid course of action for the disrupted Legion, but… it was of no benefit to Mithril.
“Yeah, I guess it’s good where you’re from.”
He said with a roguish grin.
“Get under me.”
“……Yes?”
“I don’t know how you’re being treated, but I’ll ask anyway. You’re sneaking into a strange land, three of you, with no idea of the conditions… Is your employer paying you well enough for such a dangerous mission?”
The speaker snorted. The amount of unworthiness.
“I won’t. For country, for organization. We take personal sacrifice for granted, and we throw pennies at it, and we look the other way.”
Kim listened without interrupting, the discomfort he had harbored from the beginning deepening and crystallizing.
“We are different!”
Bam!
A large palm slammed down on the table. Stacked plates and cups crashed with a thunderous crash.
“So much more freedom. Prove your worth and I’ll give you the rights you deserve, whether it’s money or women. You’ll be a free man, not a cog in a machine.”
He’s spitting saliva as he speaks. Despite his enthusiasm, his eyes are calm. It is ready to bite its prey at any moment.
It was time to react. I would have told him to go fuck himself, but I wasn’t in a position to do that right away.
“We don’t want to get into a fight.
To be honest, the odds are stacked against us. No matter how strong Westcreek is, they’re outmatched. They can’t single-handedly defeat a Legion officer.
If there’s one agent who can do that, it’s Asterique. But she has many weaknesses, and we didn’t bring her here in the first place.
We can’t remove Mithril at this point. However, it’s too late to stay back. It’s time to put our foot down, even if it’s a bit risky.
“Is that… the ideology of the Legion?”
Their gazes exchanged for a moment, and then Mithril’s expression changed blatantly. Her eyes narrowed, as if she were disapproving.
“We’re definitely using the Legion’s name here. We’re posting in moderation.”
“…….”
“I just can’t stand those losers. Doesn’t a cadre wander off on his own, and a bitch who shamelessly steals other people’s work ruin a mission….”
I say disgruntled and click my tongue.
“There’s nothing but garbage, and there’s no way the organization is going to run straight because the boss is a piece of shit.”
It was refreshing to hear it from someone else’s mouth, especially from someone in the Legion, and it was a group of incompetents.
“I’m going independent. After I get my footing in Atlanta.”
Hearing Mithril’s declaration, Kim felt like she had been pierced through the crown of her head. All the questions she’d had since the news from Atlanta were answered.
“It just didn’t feel like Legion.
A change I never saw coming. But at this point, it’s definitely possible.
Mithril. Originally slated to lead the invasion of Kilikia, he was usurped by Snowfield. As a result, the mission failed, and Snowfield himself was killed.
Legion has been a failure so far. Until the scenario-reading Kim intervened.
“But he doesn’t know what’s going on.
As they said themselves, Mithril looked and felt like trash. It wasn’t unnatural to be dissatisfied with the Legion.
I realized again that too much has already happened for things to stay the same.
‘This is, this is…….’
It was a golden opportunity.
If she hadn’t managed her expression, laughter would have escaped her lips. Kim opened her mouth, trying to control her agitation.
“Why are you telling me that?”
“Because we need talent.”
Mithril glanced behind me; some of the soldiers flicked their ears back or let out a small yawn.
It’s garbage.
Even if you don’t want a perfectly organized army, this is a problem that has left the military. Their competence in a subject that’s not even remotely related to their own minds is abysmal.
This is not enough. The leader of the Legion doesn’t even have to step forward. It was obvious that the ‘godmother’ directly beneath him would be swept away if she moved.
“We’ve been recruiting here, but it’s hard to find anybody I like. There’s a whole bunch of bullet holes, but there’s no bastard, bastard.”
Having said that, Mithril stood up and pointed his index finger at both Kim and Westcreek.
“You two seem pretty good. I’ll even take in your coworker… the one who’s been asking you questions at the bar. I’m not forcing you, but I want you to think about it.”
Kim felt ridiculous inside. It was ridiculous to say that they weren’t forced. Even if they weren’t as indiscriminate as the Legion, there was no way they would leave a spy from another country unattended.
“And this is a bonus.”
Mithril, turning to leave, said she had forgotten.
“There will be a public execution in four days. We’ve got a bunch of troublemakers… and some interesting friends. The president’s young son.”
The corners of his mouth turned up in amusement.
“Think about it. For each other.”
* * *
……I’m tired.
When I got back to the hotel, I was overwhelmed with fatigue. The problem was that even the room wasn’t reassuring.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, and I’m exhausted.
Masking each other, trying to figure out how much the other person knows about you. It’s a game of psychological warfare, trying to get information without making mistakes.
The physical and emotional drain was severe. Turkam returned safely, but he was still worried.
“I’ve heard that it used to be very popular, that it was almost in a league of its own when it was just coming of age.”
Turkam brought back several pieces of information. Key among them was the execution of the president’s son, Ismail.
“I heard you were imprisoned two weeks ago. They said you were in league with a criminal organization or something, but I don’t see the point. Maybe they want to get rid of it because it’s an eyesore.”
He had learned of many of the Legion’s atrocities over the course of the day. No one had taught him anything outright for fear of punishment, but he had been able to pick up on some of the nuances.
All in all, it’s a tyrannical government.
The Legion controls the real power in the country, and nothing runs smoothly. The Legion periodically executes “mobs” to set an example and raise money.
“We need to do something, sir.”
Turkam spoke up. Under the intense glare, Kim scratched her head.
“Was I always this justice-minded?
It was unexpected. Or maybe he thought that since neither Kim nor Westcreek had anything to say, he should.
But the world doesn’t run on motivation alone.
“Do you have any ideas?”
Westcreek asked.
“A public execution would be heavily guarded, of course. On the other hand, how about this one? We might be able to utilize the spells of the armed prefectures, but we’re completely outnumbered.”
“Well, if we can find where they’re being held and take them out beforehand….”
“Do you think that’s realistically possible?”
Turkham couldn’t retort, so he shut up.
“Atlanta seems to have already gotten out of hand. At least that’s how I see it, and I think it’s probably best to back off at this point.”
It was a perfectly normal conclusion. Return to the lap with the information and wait for Kushan’s decision. Turkam, who had been motivated, sagged as if he had no choice.
But Kim had a different answer.
“Nope. There’s someone I need to keep alive.”
Ismail. He must be saved, no matter how badly.
He’s supposed to be an agent of the Rap after Atlanta is destroyed by a catastrophe, and while he doesn’t appear in the main episode… it’s a shame to let him die.
It’s got a salty aftertaste.
Let’s stir things up while we’re at it.
“Can you tell me about your plans for ……?”
“I haven’t organized it yet.”
“Yes?”
Kim didn’t answer. Instead, she buried herself in the back of the chair. Her eyes began to close as she realized that the furniture was in better shape than she expected.
“You’ll know soon enough, maybe tomorrow?”
No one wants to be caught with their pants down.
* * *
The next morning.
After breakfast, I ordered a drink. All eyes were on me while I waited.
It’s overt and subtle. I wonder how many of them are genuine guests.
“Maybe none of them.
Ever since I arrived in Atlanta, I’ve been under the microscope. I’ve gotten used to it, but I can’t help but feel uncomfortable.
“You’ve been waiting a long time.”
A moment later, the hotelier brought in a tray with drinks. As the glasses were placed on the table, one by one, Westcreek looked at the hotelier with calm eyes.
Soon, he said softly.
“There you go again.”
Despite the casual acquaintance, the other man didn’t say anything. They just laughed in silence. Kim glanced at the glass under my chin and then at the hotelier.
“I knew this was coming, ……, but I didn’t recognize it.
It’s a mystery. Even though I was on guard, I didn’t notice the disguise.
Not the one I dealt with. One of Al Quamar’s men you saw in the hideout. He’s the one who barged into the room and announced the Legion’s visit.
He blended into the atmosphere of the hotel without a hint of awkwardness.
“Turkam. Put that down.”
“Uh, yeah? You want to change it?”
“Just put it down.”
Turkam, still unsure of the situation, reluctantly set down his glass. It was better not to put it to his mouth. As far as Al Quamar was concerned, Kim was a potential enemy who might be recruited by the Legion.
At the same time, it’s also the only east line.
They don’t want Ismail to be executed, either. Ismail is their only real hope of returning Atlanta to normalcy.
“Thank you.”
Kim handed me a note he had prepared with tips. She didn’t write anything fancy on the note.
and the intention to raid the execution grounds.
He left us with a short message.
“You come up with the plan.
You’re the ones in a hurry.