The Night of The Noble Snakes

I could barely control my arms from shaking... Just like the words of Sir Konstantin, I have murder in my mind.

Hitoshi... I have a lot to ask you. Where was this sympathy when you killed all those innocent people...

|...|

Have you ever hurt somebody before and regretted it? I'm sure you have... even God himself has regrets. But if you were to harm a criminal, would you still feel the same?

Would you punish Robinhood for stealing from the rich and giving it to the poor? I know many of you won't, but what if I told you... that stolen money was supposed to be used for the pitiful. Will you still praise him like a saint?

I've been through such a scenario... where I'm stuck between being "good" or "righteous." I exposed the student council president for bribery. That may sound like a "good deed," but it isn't the entire story.

Why am I telling you this? Cause I'm currently going through it again.

|...|

"So, Miles... I'll gladly take you up on that offer." Hitoshi hectically exclaimed.

The menacing atmosphere I usually sense around him is nowhere to be found. Hell would have to freeze over before this man shows vulnerability, but right now, he's as exploitable as the British-Indian colonies.

"You sound desperate, Hitoshi... That's not like you at all. Care to tell me what happened?" I replied.

"Nothing happened, Miles... I'm just acknowledging the truth. The Kuroi Katen gang simply doesn't stand a chance. We're outnumbered ten to one, our weapons are outdated, and my men have families to protect. As the fool who brought them all together, the wisest choice is to flee." Hitoshi answered.

Hitoshi is an absolute scumbag, but even Judas had redeeming qualities. All this time, I've been frustrated. Not because this man didn't show sympathy to anyone outside his subordinates, but because I felt... sorry.

Like I've said before, Hitoshi is only the product of this world's rotten society. When scum rule, more scum is born.

What do you get when a traumatized and grieving man crosses a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? I'll tell you what! You get what you fucking deserve-... oh, sorry for the reference.

"Miles, now you've seen me in such a pathetic state, but I beg of you... I need everything right now."

"Eh... can you start by untying us first?" I replied.

Once again, the stars have lined up for me. With Hitoshi this desperate, feeding him false information will be easier than expected.

"I once again apologize on behalf of my subordinates." Hitoshi said as he approached us and started untying the rope.

"It's no big deal... it's an appropriate reaction."

Hitoshi looked over to Reyna and exclaimed, "I apologize to you too."

Poor choice of words there, Hitoshi... You should be the first to know how much pain you made Reyna go through. She might snap at him now.

"E-Eh? I-It's fine..."

She's not mad?! Usually, she'd punch me in the stoma-... oh, wait. I guess you'd act tamer if you're face to face with an infamous mass murderer.

The way Reyna stuttered... she's holding her rage back. As I was conversing with Hitoshi, I could feel her clenched fist shivering.

"So uh... let's have a drink, shall we?" I got up and asked.

Hitoshi started walking towards the exit. He looked back and replied, "Well then, follow me."

Everything is going smoothly so far... Hopefully, it stays that way.

I lent my hands, and as I stare into her eyes, I said, "Reyna... let's go."

Even if Hitoshi is desperate, I can't let my guard down. It's embarrassing, but! For the sake of deception, Reyna and I have to act like couples.

"I-I can walk by myself, you know!" Reyna stuttered.

"It's embarrassing for me too, but hold my hand and pretend to be my girlfriend!"

"Why did you have to say that!"

"He would've doubted our relationship, then!"

Reyna held my hand and "F-Fine... this is only pretending, right?"

Of course! What else can you interpret from this?!

|...|

Woah... this place truly is a medieval bar. It reminds me of Uncle Jerry's shack. I can appreciate the atmosphere of this dining hall now that Hitoshi's men are gone.

The ragged, wooden furniture. The cracked planks beneath our feet as a floor, and the flickering chandelier that looks like it's about to fall apart... it's a strange vibe.

"Miles... do you drink?" Hitoshi casually asked.

"W-Well, I'm underaged, so I guess that's self-explanatory."

For some reason, my guts tell me this conversation has happened before. I can tell Hitoshi has more trust in me than in previous encounters. He'd usually have fifteen or more men on stand-by in case something happens, but I can's sense a single presence within the room right now.

Once again, Hitoshi glanced at Reyna and said, "I apologize again. There are only two seats left... You can sit on Miles's lap if you want."

What's with Hitoshi's glare? Is he trying to test us?! Ah, shit! Reyna isn't as dense as Ria, but she's still clueless! She might not read the message behind what he said.

"Sure!" Reyna exclaimed as she eagerly sat on my lap.

Eh?! She actually got the message?! Wait, no... judging by how fast she reacted... ah, what a pain in the ass.

"So... I suppose it's time we cut to the chase, Miles. Drop the intel."

"Come on now, Hitoshi... you really think I'd fall for that?"

It's about time to get serious... Now, how should I construe this predicament.

Our goal is to recover Reyna's mother and leak false information. I've already tackled the latter of the two, but I still have uncertainties with the recovery of Reyna's mother.

"Hitoshi, before I rat out the police corps, I want a guarantee... you WILL return Reyna's mother." I barked.

"My! There's no need to be hostile, Miles... I'd present her to you if I could right now. And plus, I was planning on letting them flee anyway. The Kuroi Katen gang no longer needs hostages."

No longer needs hostages, you say? There's a glaring flaw with that logic. Hostages could be used to negotiate for escape; that's common sense if you're a criminal.

"No longer needs? Hostages are key, Hitoshi. What the hell are you on about?"

"..."

There was quiet in the room. I can tell from Hitoshi's eyes that he's in utter disbelief...

Reyna broke the silence and said, "Miles, I'm sure you're unaware of this, but ten years ago, there was an incident called the night of noble snakes."

"Your lady is correct, Miles... ever since that day, the police corps have killed ten thousand as a result of collateral damage."

Huh... Sir Rigor's police corps?! That's... ridiculous.