◈ Episode 117

To cut to the chase, Edwin's answer was on hold.

There was no need to feel regretful for not hearing a definitive answer. Rather, if I had just accepted it, I would have suspected that there was some hidden agenda.

'Because it's clear that he's a dangerous person.'

The cliché of a character from an enemy force becoming an ally.

As with any other place, laundry is inevitable. Few users would like a psychopath who has neither a compelling appeal nor a convincing narrative. In Polaris, the washing machine was also run diligently.

But in the end, he is the main figure of the Legion.

'They may appear as enemies at first sight.'

After being captured, he is moved by Leila's humanity and the vision of the rap. As Edwin learns about rap, the rap also learns about Edwin in various ways.

It was mentioned in the work that he had also massacred civilians on the orders of his godmother. His hands are branded with bloodstains that cannot be washed off.

Sin is sin no matter which angle you look at it from.

'I'm not in a position to speak for others, so I won't be a judge.'

You can't lose anything if you're careful.

"I was surprised because the atmosphere was better than I expected."

"Uh, what?"

"The city atmosphere doesn't look bad."

Edwin was walking down the street after being released from the camp. He was clean and fluffy, and he had been eating jerky and soup. His appearance aside, the presence of horns caught people's attention.

Pecatums may not be that rare in Banjar, but at least in Kabarati, they were a rare race to see. The Hebollah, which was mostly composed of mutant races, were driven out long ago.

He didn't seem to care much.

"The mafia I knew were nine out of ten vicious men. The rest were devilish. They were obsessed with money, business, and the honor that they had among themselves."

"I can't say it's prejudice."

Polaris' mafia is mostly of this type. Not only in Banjar, but in many countries. There are organizations that control the judiciary and control the country.

"But this place feels different."

Edwin looked at people from afar. Pedestrians walking by, either busily or leisurely. Workers repairing buildings. Mafia members talking to citizens, albeit somewhat awkwardly.

The oppressive atmosphere typical of a city ruled by criminal groups is faint.

"Don't you feel that way?"

"What are you talking about?"

"They're the ones who almost wiped out your old comrades."

It was a tricky question.

But it was also an important procedure. Edwin was only a potential ally. He was closer to an enemy now. Even if it was a narrow-minded, dichotomous thought, a light verification was needed.

The answer I got back was quite refreshing.

"It's your own fault."

"Is that so?"

"Raphael must have taken over this city in the same way. And he died in the same way. Is there any reason for me to consider their deaths special in this regard?"

"Because we were colleagues."

"Not now."

Kim Lee-hyun let out a hollow laugh.

"Excuse me. I asked something unnecessary."

As expected, he was not a guy to be taken lightly. He was already too accustomed to the death of people, no matter what his nature was. He had to be watched closely to prevent him from acting rashly.

"Oh, right."

He pretended to remember something he had forgotten. He asked Edwin the question that had been buried deep in his heart since he had met him in the concentration camp, as if he were asking about the menu.

"What's your godmother doing?"

Only then did Edwin stop dead in his tracks.

Kim Lee-hyun, who had been walking a couple more steps, stopped and looked back. Looking at the still withered expression, he continued speaking.

"I feel a little sorry for that woman. I'd like you to tell me what's going on."

"...Didn't you say you would give me time to think about it?"

"I don't have to answer. I'm just curious."

Even if I find out where she is, I don't have any immediate plans to do anything. I need to prepare properly to deal with the Godmother. She won't let her guard down like she did with Bastet.

I asked just to confirm.

"I don't know the details."

"okay?"

"I couldn't get in touch with him. No, I guess it would be more correct to say he doesn't come. His orders were always one-sided. I don't know if his influence can reach this far away land."

Are you saying that he's lying around quietly as expected?

"Good. Thanks for letting me know."

I hope you're still washing your neck.

* * *

1 month.

We stayed in Kavarati longer than planned. Kim Yi-hyeon's warning seemed to have been well-received, so there were no major conflicts between the citizens and the organization members. At best, there was only minor noise.

Nuova Era was treated more like a guest than a ruler to be served.

The city's problems have been left to the citizens to decide for themselves. Of course, this cannot only have positive effects. Since they have been left to others, it is expected that problems will arise soon.

But it wasn't Kim I-hyeon and Echidna's concern.

"I think I'll start knocking on the door slowly."

Echidna, who had spread out a map on the table, lit up her eyes. Kim Yi-hyeon licked his lips while holding the bowl. After swallowing the date he had been chewing, he let out a loud noise.

"Everything is fine, but should we do something after we finish eating?"

"I'm done. You're going to be eating all day."

"If you eat too quickly, you'll get sick. People need to be relaxed."

"I agree. Food is important."

Ruby eyes glared at Edwin. He hated seeing him so nonchalantly agreeing with him. When he was in prison, he didn't eat even when given food. What the hell is he doing?

But Echidna was not on her side here.

Antonio was busy dealing with the citizens and the city's affairs, so there were more than a few things to keep in mind for a group of nearly a hundred people to stay.

"Would you please step aside? Just as I don't give a shit about whether I'm a legionary or not, I'd like you to do the same. Is that a hard request?"

"Was that something you shouldn't have heard?"

Edwin wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and got up.

"I'll be spending some time nearby."

"If you have nothing to do, go to Priya. She likes you."

"That child is personally uncomfortable…."

"You're not that young, are you? Well, do whatever you want."

Kim Yi-Hyeon bows to the two and leaves without saying a word. Echidna stares at Edwin's back, and only after he disappears from sight does she let out a snort.

"Can we just leave him like that?"

"What's wrong?"

"I heard you're still seeing each other."

As expected, Edwin still hasn't responded even after a month.

Echidna seemed dissatisfied with that. Not only the rap, but also the fact that she had not completely become Kim I-Hyun's colleague.

They probably think of him as a reactionary who could turn his back at any time. On the other hand, Kim Yi-hyeon doesn't seem to care much about him.

Because I knew what it looked like in the game.

'I'm saying he's not a smart guy.'

He is not the type of person to carry out an undercover operation while hiding his true intentions for a month. It is obvious from the fact that he first boldly stormed into the checkpoint. He is a man as honest as a stone.

There was no need to worry again, since he had not caused any trouble so far. At least until he left Kavarati. Since there had been no significant incidents to begin with, Edwin had not been able to figure out Kim Ihyeon.

Even if you hit the back of the head, it won't be right away.

'I'm more curious about what he thinks of me.'

Of course, it's not a story about men and women. It's a question of affiliation. Echidna knows that Kim I-hyun is an agent of the lab, and that she wants a companion to take her to Naraka.

So what happens after that?

If we both achieve our goals, will we end the relationship cleanly?

'The mafia?'

Like any other criminal group, the Mafia is particularly susceptible to defection and betrayal. Why do they call themselves 'Family'? As an extreme example, he wouldn't have been surprised if Echidna tried to confine him after the job was done.

"I don't know, do as you wish. Anyway, timing is the issue. I left the reconnaissance to Ravi...."

It was a situation that could never happen.

'Because Nuova Era was going to fail anyway.'

And that too, very miserably.

* * *

The main reason for the prolonged stay was the lack of information.

"It was quiet today too. It was like a place haunted by ghosts."

"That's right. I've heard rumors, but this is worse than that."

Echidna pressed her temple with her index finger and twisted it.

Naraka.

Timorta was a land where rumors were rampant. To be exact, only rumors were floating around. Almost nothing was known about the forces currently occupying the place.

A place where no one can see and no one can approach. Among the fools of Timorta, there were even some who went around saying that Naraka was currently empty.

I'm seriously thinking about that stupid thing.

'... It's too early to tell. We haven't even checked inside the city.'

There is a sandstorm blowing around Naraka all the time. It may not be so strong that people or vehicles have difficulty entering and exiting, but visibility is limited. Ravi's spell has its limits in terms of what can be seen.

Perhaps due to the unique environment, it is rare to see birds flying over Naraka. When reconnaissance was not progressing, I became frustrated and asked the natives of Kabarati about this and that.

It's not that I haven't heard any stories.

I, Naraka… am a cursed land.

It was a common perception among citizens.

People often disappear there.

Among the swarms, there was a Thunderbolt who didn't care about his life. He somehow managed to break through Hebola's surveillance net and get through the sandstorm.

And I never came back again.

We simply do not understand. Why do foreigners who lack nothing rush to this place like moths to a flame, hoping to enjoy the riches and glory of the land? The sands of Naraka eat people.

"Eat people…."

Echidna muttered, resting her chin on her palm. She snapped her fingers against the cup, and the sound rang out. As if resonating with it, absurd stories swirled around in her head.

Mystery.

Although it was suspicious, it could not be dismissed as a lie outright. In reality, phenomena that were difficult to understand on a human scale occurred on the continent.

That happens at a fairly high frequency too.

"Are you okay?"

"what."

"therefore…."

Echidna hesitated for a moment and then spoke with a sigh in her voice.

"Aren't you scared?"

"Of course it's scary."

Kim Yi-hyeon answered as if he was saying something obvious. It was sincere, without a single lie. Not only Naraka, but he was always afraid, and so he prepared as much as possible.

We are still in the process of preparing.

"But I can't go back."

It was an ambiguous expression.

He had come too far, and there was no way to physically return. It was a story that even Asterike and Chelsea, let alone Echidna, would not understand.

But there was some common ground.

"That too."

"What are you going to do?"

"Let's continue the reconnaissance. Let's observe for ten more days."

Echidna spoke as if trying to convince herself.

"If you don't have any income by then, there's nothing you can do. You have to experience it firsthand."

The will was firm.

As expected, she did not change her decision. The thorny path was difficult, and when she looked back, she saw what she had already lost. The position and business she had thrown away with her own hands, and the subordinates who had died from being pricked by the thorns.

Echidna is that kind of woman.

He knows no compromise. He won't stop until he has everything, and as a result, he will lose everything.

And Kim Hyun had no intention of helping her any longer.

'Is this the extent of mafia work?'

The day to return was quickly approaching.