◈ Episode 139

As a result, no suspects were found. There was no evidence. Despite persistent investigations, the police department was suddenly branded as an incompetent and rude group.

'I feel sorry, but what can I do?'

If we are to judge who is at fault, isn't it the fault of the police department for failing to identify the spy within the organization? Furthermore, if there had been no loopholes in the defense, things would not have gone so smoothly.

It was not until three days later that talks resumed.

Looking at the stiff faces of the butlers, Kushan could tell that Kim Ihyeon's goal had been achieved.

"...Chief Kushan. What kind of people is the Legion? Who is their leader, what is their purpose, and how big is their size? We know so little about them."

The main agenda of the meeting returned to Legion. Some people were trying to discuss it seriously, while others were trembling with anxiety as if they wanted to run away at any moment.

Although it was a desirable change from Rap's perspective, Kushan could not be purely happy, because he knew that it was nothing more than a self-directed play, not a terror attack by the Legion.

'Isn't that guy afraid?'

I've realized for a while that he's not in his right mind. But it feels like it's getting worse day by day. Just this incident and the kidnapping of Princess Ainoa alone show that Kim I-Hyun is an extremely evil criminal.

But the conclusion was always the same.

'There's no denying that it helps.'

Ideas that cannot be come up with on their own in rap.

Kim Lee Hyun fills in the gaps in rap.

I couldn't just throw it away after all the preparations had been made. It was just as Kushan was about to open his mouth.

"I know the leader of the legion."

The answer came from the Emperor. The Emperor, who had been almost a bystander except for the first day, openly intervened. In an instant, all eyes were focused on him.

"Markus Dresner. He was an old friend of my grandfather."

A sudden silence came over me. A sense of bewilderment came over me. Was it because I had never heard of this name before? No, it was quite the opposite. There was no one here who did not know the surname Dresner.

"Are you talking about the last king of Shalem?"

Kushan clenched his fists under the table at the words someone had spoken. His homeland had already been destroyed more than 20 years ago. Marcus had been Kushan's friend before he became the king of Shalem.

"exactly."

And now he is the leader of the legion.

With a body that doesn't age just like yours.

The same goes for the emperor. 'Grandfather' is nonsense. The current emperor of Shiran is known to the world as a young monarch who ascended the throne five years ago, but the reality is completely different. The emperor has not changed for more than 50 years.

Your present face, your name, and your past.

It's all just a disguise.

"I don't know how he's still alive and what he wants. However, there have been many suspicions about him since long ago. In the home country, we have been deeply interested in Shalem's past and have been investigating it."

The emperor's attitude was completely calm and composed.

"There is no confirmation, but… there is circumstantial evidence that Shalem was researching the military use of the disaster."

Just plainly, as if reciting a record.

He denounced the ruined nation that had already collapsed long ago.

"The destruction of Shalem was not natural. It was a series of disasters that struck in such a short period of time that it seemed almost artificial. I do not believe that it was a coincidence. I believe that the reason Markus Dresner leads the Legion has something to do with it…."

He stares at Kushan, pulling at the horse's tail.

"What does the director of CellbroLogics Labs think about this?"

"...I can't say anything based on the circumstances alone."

Kushan glared at the emperor. His expression was devoid of sincerity, as if he were wearing a mask or acting.

'Now I know what you're up to.'

Shiran and Shalem. Finally, the original sin of the Cellbrox Lab. The Emperor is trying to place all the blame on Shalem and Marcus by attacking Legion.

As the culprit of the disaster that swept the continent.

'What a disgusting thing to do.'

Kushan clicked his tongue inwardly. However, since they had come this far, there was no other way. In the current situation, it was certain that the Legion was a great threat to the continent.

He added his positive opinion with a blood-spitting heart.

"But as you said, the founder of the Legion is definitely Marcus Dresner. It is consistent with the information we have obtained."

"Huh, how could that be?"

The shock spread like poison. Their eyes met in the air amid the chaos of the conference room. Despite the passage of many years, the emperor was still disgustingly the same.

More than the anger towards the Emperor, self-loathing took over his whole body.

Like the emperor and Marcus, he too was a sinner who had committed mortal sins.

So, even if it is late, we must correct it right away.

* * *

If we only look at the results, Episode 13 could be said to be a success.

'I don't like the trickery, though.'

Kim Yi-hyun also knew the Emperor's intentions. Shiran sees Legion as a thorn in his side. He intends to use Cellbrox Lab and other countries to crush Legion.

The goals are aligned.

Things would be different in the latter half, but at least for now, the Emperor's remarks made the Legion completely a public enemy. So it was safe to say that they had received help.

'But I guess I'll need insurance.'

There is no way to know what the Emperor will do after the Legion is destroyed. You should also keep in mind the possibility that he will touch the Cellbrox Lab like a sand pit. You should prepare in advance.

Anyway.

The meeting was delayed due to a terrorist attack by a group believed to be the Legion. It was not until August 9 that all the schedules were completed. I thought it was time to go back, but once again, the schedule was derailed.

The day I left Geneva after being hinted at the existence of a spy.

Kim Lee-hyun encountered an unexpected person.

"Mr. Hyun. Let me introduce you first."

A man wearing armor reminiscent of Snowfield. He took off his stuffy helmet and bowed his head. It was a familiar face, but Kim Yi-Hyeon was left feeling uneasy.

"This is the anima of the Albatross Knights."

No.

The vice-captain of the Albatross, an independent knight order that roams the continent. Unlike Edwin, who seems somewhat worn-out, he is a handsome man with a refreshing impression. Although he is a male character, he is not a bad guy.

'They are not someone to be wary of.'

At least I've never once been in conflict with rap.

Rather, it is a force that has occasionally cooperated with Lab since the beginning of the Bastetira Civil War. It does not appear in draws, but it occasionally appears as a support unit in high-difficulty stages.

The only catch is,

'Surely it won't be in episode 13?'

I don't know what went wrong and why the albatross came. Kim Yi-hyeon first nodded to the group to ask for their understanding. Then he stared at Anima, who was blocking his way.

"Will the albatross ever come to Lucerne?"

"Let me ask you the opposite, is there anything you shouldn't come for?"

"I've heard that Albatross is completely neutral... or rather, it's said that it has no interest in things like politics or relations between nations."

The Albatross depicted in the game is a group that acts according to extremely simple logic. They help the weak and kill the wicked. They simply self-righteously practice their own justice.

That's why I didn't bother to get involved in the summit in the game.

'I still haven't interfered yet.'

I don't know when he arrived, but he didn't force his way into the conference room. But if that wasn't his intention, I wondered what his purpose was in coming here.

"You know a lot."

"Well, you're famous."

There was no need to go around and explain where I heard it. Albatross is a group that has been active since the disaster began in earnest 40 years ago. It has a reputation in many ways.

The albatross's chivalry is controversial. For example, in a city where criminals function as a necessary evil, they are seen as mad murderers.

However, if there is a common evaluation that is shared,

Albatross means that each member has outstanding skills.

"Yes, I'm not really curious about what the conclusion of the meeting is. We always just care about our own work. We cut what needs to be cut, help what needs to be helped... "

Anima, who was holding back the words, smiled brightly, her characteristic smile.

"I'm looking for a partner to work with."

After hearing the explanation, Kim Lee-hyeon muttered to himself, "Indeed."

"Is this a recruitment offer?"

On the one hand, I was convinced, but on the other hand, I was also a little surprised. I knew that my name was quite well known, but I didn't think that it would attract the attention of an albatross. My shoulders tense up for no reason.

Well, that's just how I feel.

"I'm sorry, but that would be difficult."

"Could you please tell me why?"

"Because I have family members to take responsibility for."

In fact, even if I had acted alone, I would not have joined the Albatross. I have no intention of joining a group that marches around in heavy armor and sleeps out on a daily basis.

Anima wasn't a crazy person who would draw his sword because he was rejected. On the contrary, he nodded without showing any sign of being offended.

"I understand. I can't force you."

The nuance was that I just threw it out there lightly. The main point was to start from now.

"Can't we be friends instead?"

"What do you mean by friend?"

"For some reason, many people seem to misunderstand this, but contrary to popular belief, we are not a lone wolf. We have friendly 'friends' all over the continent, and we help each other in various ways."

Material support is also a form of assistance. At first glance, it may seem similar to mercenary service, but there is a clear difference. It is cooperation based on goodwill, not a transaction or contract.

If the request goes against the organization's beliefs, the albatross will not move. Conversely, the albatross also does not expect unconditional cooperation.

"We've heard many rumors as we've traveled the world. There's been talk of Dustborne and Cellbrox Labs. We figured there would be a connection between you and Albatross someday."

"...So that's why you came all the way here?"

"Yes. It seems like you're very busy."

Kim Lee-hyun was half fed up.

'I thought they were honest gentlemen… but this is too much.'

It was to the point where I even had groundless suspicions. I wondered if the intention was to create an atmosphere where it would be difficult to reject him by making him feel burdened. It was hard for Kim Yi-hyun to deal with him coldly right away.

'There was no reason to treat it so coldly in the first place.'

This was a clear windfall. Even though the game's timeline was seriously messed up, it gave me a connection with Albatross. If I open up now, it will be easier to ask for help later.

It saved me the trouble of having to go look for it myself. I gave my consent without hesitation.

"Okay, if you're okay with a small business like this."

"What, in terms of scale, we're not that great either."

He takes off his right glove and offers to shake hands.

Kim Yi-hyeon looked down at Anima's bare hands. At first glance, it seemed like a natural flow, but this was a kind of 'test'.

As Anima herself said, Albatross hears all sorts of rumors. And Anima has the ability to discern the truth.

'It was psychometry.'

He can glimpse into the past of the person he comes into contact with. This ability was bound to be threatening to Kim Yi-Hyeon, as he had more than a few secrets that he couldn't reveal to others.

'What should I do… … .'

The worry didn't last long.

Kim Yi-hyun also took off his gloves, just like Anima. The gloves he wore to hide the traces of his mutation. He felt eyes on the back of his hand, but it was nothing to worry about.

Aren't they meeting each other for the first time? Anima has maintained respect for the other person without lowering herself. Judging from her attitude so far, she probably has doubts in her mind, but she doesn't seem to be asking questions directly.

In the first place, there would be no time to even try to catch it.

I took the outstretched hand without hesitation.