◈ Episode 115

Ramaz's soldiers were swept away by the mafia forces that came without warning. The checkpoint that boasted of being impenetrable was not what it used to be.

When the alarm sounded, they had already entered the city.

"...It's blander than I thought."

"Don't let your guard down."

Clank, clank.

Antonio, hiding behind a wall, changes his magazine. Screams and shouts. Explosions and gunfire. The sounds of battle fill the streets like a scene from an old war movie.

"We've come this far with little damage, but we don't know what might happen next."

Echidna did not take kindly to her subordinate's reprimand.

Boldly but cautiously. This is an urban war with many variables. You must not let your guard down until safety is secured.

I don't particularly want a fierce battle. I'm not a battle fanatic. If I can easily take over the city like this, I'll be happy.

"Yeah, that's true, but…."

Even though I knew it, I couldn't help but be nervous.

"What can I do on my own to make them like that?"

"That… I'm curious about that too."

It couldn't be said that Nuova Erado was a weak force. As an organization that survived the harsh Timorta, they were used to street fighting. They even had equipment that went beyond that of a mere mafia.

But they are outsiders.

I don't know the structure of the city. Ramaz's level of armament is just as good as Nuova Era's, if not better, so it would be normal for the unfavorable situation to continue.

The reality was different.

"Damn it, get around there! Surround them, bang!"

The organization is poor. Far from cooperating, they are holding each other back. It is quite a sight to see them throw down their weapons and run away, only to clash with reinforcements who are rushing towards them.

It was a veritable crucible of chaos.

"I guess this is what it feels like to wipe out a defeated army."

Echidna wiped her cheek with the back of her hand and looked around the street. Every building she saw had its doors tightly shut. The windows were also curtained, so she couldn't see inside.

The citizens responded faster than the soldiers.

They will hide like turtles and wait for the wind to pass. Until the weak breeders are eliminated and new breeders take the leash.

This is their own survival strategy as they were born and raised in conflict zones.

'I don't like it that much though.'

Maybe I was too deeply absorbed in the sentiment.

Damn it.

There was a sound of footsteps nearby.

"Lady Echidna!"

Antonio stepped forward to protect Echidna. On either side of the road were houses lined up. There was a man standing in good health on the road that had already been broken through and was littered with corpses.

Dressed like Ramaz's soldiers. I don't know where they suddenly appeared, but it was fortunate that they noticed them before they were ambushed. As soon as they recognized the enemy, Antonio fired his rifle without mercy.

Not a single shot could harm the man.

All bullets were blocked by the iron plate. Antonio and Echidna's eyes widened as a shield appeared out of nowhere. It was a spell that they had become familiar with, even though it was not a long relationship.

"As soon as they see me, they start shooting and causing chaos."

"…Hyun, is this correct?"

"어어."

The voice sounds familiar. It's a spell too unique to be impersonated. While Antonio sighs in relief, Echidna tilts her head.

"Why is your face like that?"

"That's a bit odd to hear."

"The original face was more attractive."

Soon her eyes narrowed.

"Surely that was also a disguise…."

"What nonsense are you talking about? This is the stomach, and we have to stay like this for the next two days."

"It's a spell. Whose?"

"Ah… I'll introduce you later."

Kim Yi-hyeon felt a little awkward. It was a feeling of regret towards Manoj and the twins. He had hoped to be freed from Ramaz, but this time he brought the mafia with him.

But emotions remained just emotions.

'It's still time for Nuova Era.'

Companions to Naraka. Our understanding is still in agreement.

It is doubtful whether the mafia will let go of someone who has already been in the organization, but I am not too worried about that.

The existence of Mithril was unexpected. The stem did not deviate from the original concept. Even Nuova Era and the twins moved as intended.

The ending will not be different.

'... ... Well, this is the method that causes the least damage to Kavarati.'

If he hadn't brought Nuova Era, the gap between Ramaz and the citizens would have deepened and a catastrophe would have occurred. Even if they somehow regained their sovereignty, the limits were clear.

This is because the citizens of this place have left the defense of the city to others.

They were protected from monster attacks and vagrants' depredations. The breeder fulfilled the bare minimum of his obligations. Although the fact that he had been exploited unfairly cannot be washed away.

Unless they are equipped with proper force, Kabarati will not change. In the past, it was Hebollah, and until now, it was Ramaz. From now on, Nuova Era will be the shield and the master.

Kim Lee-Hyeon grabbed the gun.

"Let's finish this quickly."

* * *

It took less than a day to capture it.

In short, it was a difference in preparation.

There were strange men running around here and there, discord with the citizens, an unstable command structure, and above all, the building that had been blown up. There was no way to deal with it calmly.

There were quite a few who surrendered early. There were also many who ran away. If Mithril was still alive, they would have returned without any problems, but when she suddenly disappeared, the group's foundation was exposed.

'There must have been many who were not from the Legion.'

Some were Turkic people who had followed from Atlanta. They must have been recruited or had a recruitment notice posted in Kabarati. The number of people that could be called the 'main force' was not that large.

The timing was good.

'Should I call this luck?'

It was fortunate that he was able to be destroyed before his power grew too strong. Perhaps he would not have come to the continent and would have remained quietly in Banjar. He was certainly a dangerous and irritating element.

"...Haaah."

The battle was over, and Echidna took a deep breath. She looked around, covered in blood and sweat.

The scattered bullet casings and corpses. My breath trembled as I looked at my dead subordinates.

The surviving members of the organization were in the middle of taking prisoners to the square. Victory was not the end. There were many things to decide, including the treatment of prisoners.

'My head is going to hurt from now on.'

I was swallowing a sigh inside. Suddenly, I felt nervous and looked to the side, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"You are human too."

"A person, then. But what."

"It's the first time I've seen you look so tired."

Kim Yi-hyeon was sitting on the ground resting. He looked extremely tired, with his head down. He made an "Ah" sound as if recalling a memory, and then nodded.

"This is the first time I've been this hard since coming to Banjar."

"Was the task I gave you too simple?"

"It wasn't a matter of difficulty… it was over quickly."

On the other hand, Kavarati had quite a hard time.

Enduring the stench and infiltration, finding collaborators, killing Mithril, turning the city into a wasteland, and then participating in battle… … without even taking a proper break in between.

Kim Lee-hyun let out a hollow laugh as he listed the items in his head.

"Why did you work so hard?"

"I'll admit, your achievements are great."

A white hand was extended.

Her skin was clean, contrasting with the bloodstains here and there. As I was just staring blankly, she waved her hand and urged me on, so I grabbed her and got up.

"I said I didn't want to cheapen labor. I want to give them a lot of money, but I don't know how much to give them. I wonder if the money I have right now will be enough."

I have already heard the story of killing the enemy leader. Kim I-Hyun has accomplished a wonderful feat. Nuova Era was no different from just putting a spoon on a table that was already set.

Compensation had to be given.

"What else do you want? Anything besides money?"

"흠."

After a brief moment of hesitation, he opens his mouth.

"I'm your subordinate, so I don't want to overstep my authority. Just say a few words to your subordinates."

"I don't really care. What are you talking about?"

"Tell them that anyone caught doing gangster stuff will have their eyes gouged out."

"Uh, um?"

Kim Yi-hyeon added to Echidna, who was making a blank face.

"If I'm going to Naraka anyway, there's no need to exploit them. There are guys who owe me money, so I want to treat them well. Of course, I won't treat the people here like friends, but..."

They are just people who know how to be ordered around by others. It's not a charity, so there's no reason to fix their rotten minds. It's better to maintain a hierarchical relationship for the sake of order.

"I hope you keep the line, though."

I thought to myself that it was okay to be cursed at as a hypocrite.

But aren't humans like that? There are only differences in degree, but when we are warm and full, we tend to be generous to others and strict about ethics and morals.

Now he had some free time. He had to be conscious of the 'line' that was becoming increasingly erratic as the days went by. The reason Kim Yi-hyun had been working so hard up until now was not just for his own survival.

It's exhausting work, especially since you can't rest until it's over.

"Oh, and."

"What now?"

He spread out his palm and showed it to me.

"money."

* * *

Despite the change in ruling class, the city stabilized surprisingly quickly.

There were two major factors at play: the fact that the citizens had been through the same experience before, and the fact that Echidna had threatened the members of the organization.

Murder, rape, theft, assault, and other general criminal acts were prohibited. This was fundamentally due to Kim I-Hyeon's request, but Echidna also agreed to this policy.

"There's no harm in currying favor with them, since they might come back. We're not terrorists, after all. The mafia is a highly socialized group of criminals."

"So it's better?"

"No? Not at all?"

Echidna said as if to say, "What kind of nonsense are you talking about?"

"That's how evil they are. I'm like that too. If you look inside my head, you'll be shocked. After taking over Naraka, I plan to carry out a grand undertaking."

A sinister laughter, "Ehhhh," flowed through the room.

"Kavaratty will be an important pipeline. I will exploit you all until you die like ants."

"Sister, can I eat this?"

"Eat a lot now. Then you can work when you grow up."

"Hehehe, thank you!"

Priya picked up a cookie from the table and ate it. Her expression filled with happiness, as if she liked the sweet taste. Echidna, who was watching, pushed the entire bowl away.

She sat with her legs crossed and turned her gaze to Assam.

"Aren't you eating?"

"I, I'm fine."

Unlike Priya, Assam couldn't hide his discomfort. Where was his usual liveliness? He hesitated the whole time, but now he seemed to have made up his mind and stared straight at Kim Ihyeon.

"Hey, bro."

Echidna snorted when she heard the title.

"You have no conscience, brother. You're an old man, an old man."

"I didn't order you to do that. Why?"

"Then, hyung, isn't that what you said before?"

What are you talking about?

Kim Yi-hyeon looked at it with a blank expression. He was momentarily puzzled, but soon he understood the meaning.

So, the title of agent of the Shiran Empire was a lie. It wasn't unreasonable to think that the evil mafia had tricked him.

In fact, it was a lie.

'In the meantime, you're keeping a secret.'

He's a good boy. There was no need to tell a good kid that Santa was a liar.

"That's right. We're only cooperating with the mafia temporarily."

"...Gasp! Is that so!?"

"Yeah. Because Ramaz wasn't an ordinary guy."

Assam's face brightened in an instant. He had to protect his dreams. He ignored Echidna's gaze that seemed to say, 'You can tell just by looking at her that she's trying to trick you.'

"By the way, did you move house?"

"Yes. Manoj cried. He said there was no hole in the ceiling."

"Yeah, that was a little funny."

The poor who used to live in the sewers are slowly returning to the streets. They couldn't be brought back all at once because of the troublesome problems, such as their whereabouts and the complaints of the citizens who despised the poor.

This is an issue that will take time to resolve.

'Of course, someone other than me.'

Antonio is mostly in charge of most of the work. Thanks to this, Kim Yi-Hyeon is enjoying a comfortable rest. His face has already returned to its original state.

It was safe to say that one of the goals of coming to Banjar, 'growth as an agent', had already been achieved. To be exact, he was able to measure the limits of his current performance.

'Next is Naraka.'

All that remains is to bring 'it'.

'Let's take a rest for a while before that.'

Even a car runs out of gas as it drives. Things are going better than expected and we've gotten some unexpected results, so we can let off some steam. The Nuova Era will also need maintenance.

I'm worried about the guys I left behind in the lab, but there's nothing I can do. I have to foolishly trust that they'll do well. I've asked Kushan and Leila to do the same, so they won't do anything rash.

The day of return is not far away.

'I hope there are no variables now.'

… … I wonder if that was the problem.

"Excuse me."

"what's the matter?"

"That's it, um."

Antonio, who entered the room, looked at the twins. He approached Echidna and whispered something. Echidna's expression became strange and she began to look at him.

I feel a little awkward. But I can't help but listen.

"Why? What is it?"

When urged, Echidna whispered the news into Antonio's ear, just as Antonio had done.

"They say a person has arrived."

"who?"

"I just heard, but I don't know. They say he's a young man, anyway."

After a pause of one beat, he said:

"Are you looking for Raphael?"

"...Ah, please."

Just rest for a bit, you damn Polaris.