◈ Episode 191

Conrad didn't suspect anything of the identity of the trio who had suddenly barged in. Although they had verified it with a code used in the Legion, it was merely a procedure in the manual.

Edwin's face alone was enough to guarantee it. Edwin was a superior who had to be obeyed by Conrad, who did not know that the Legion had been completely destroyed. The joy of seeing a comrade after a long time also played a part.

Now, the hardware store owner in his seventh year has regained his original form.

I firmly believe that the organization's sworn enemy and traitor are my comrades.

"I think we can discuss it here."

The hardware store had a separate basement. It was a narrow space, perhaps about 3 pyeong in size. On the table in the center was Shiran's map, and on the walls were papers with notes written on them.

"You even created a space like this? What are those things on the wall?"

"I have organized the issues within the empire in my own way. Of course, since it is a very remote area, the amount is small and the credibility is low. If there is any information that you would like to refer to this time, please wait a moment."

Conrad selected some materials while pulling out pins from the wall. He then naturally brought them to Edwin. Edwin exchanged glances with Kim Ihyeon again and confirmed the contents.

"On March 19, 2045, Josef Klein, the serial killer who had caused a stir in the system, was arrested. Josef Klein was brought to trial on April 3, sentenced to death, and sent to the Pelikanek concentration camp…."

They were all similar in content.

The process by which a heinous criminal receives a sentence was summarized, although the nature of the crime was different. Unlike Edwin, who looked like he was saying, 'Why are you showing me this?', Kim Lee-hyun understood the context at a glance.

"The place of imprisonment is the same."

"You saw it correctly. Hey, I don't have a full name yet. What about you?"

"My name is Pablo. Think of me as your operations officer."

"Oh, I see."

Conrad looked impressed and continued.

"Most heinous criminals within the Empire go through this process. They serve time in the detention center, and after their trials, they are sent to the Pelikanek concentration camp."

"The security at the camp will be tight."

"Yes. It is a natural fortress, also known as the Iron Armored Castle. It occupies an entire small island, and it is said that there is no way to enter or leave it other than by regularly operating boats."

He spat it out with a serious face.

"Once you're locked in, you should consider escape impossible."

It is not an exaggeration or anything. It is fundamentally different from the Philstein in Ishrad, which was used as a research center. It is a place that remains faithful only to its original purpose of imprisoning criminals.

In the game, Rap tries to take Kushan out, but fails miserably. Conversely, he is not captured, but he leaves behind a clue, revealing a weakness that will later be questioned.

"I guess you only get one chance."

I have no intention of stepping on the same train again.

If things go wrong, you have no choice but to take a step back.

So, if you make it a success, that's it.

'There is still time.'

Even if the Emperor forcibly took Kushans away, he would not immediately throw them into a concentration camp. There is a proper procedure. He would try to tarnish Rapp's prestige by holding a public trial.

If not, it is possible to create public opinion that Rap was just used by Kushan. If so, Rap can be absorbed in the form of taking in the talents that were fooled.

'I can't even stop manipulation of public opinion.'

No matter how it rolls, shit will inevitably splatter on the rap. If you think of it as retribution, it wouldn't be so unfair. Isn't the reason Kushan has worked so hard up until now to atone for his sins?

You can give me the flesh, but I'll take the bones instead.

"Let's raid the convoy."

This time, we can't get away with just fake terrorism.

If you're going to do it, you have no choice but to do it hotly.

* * *

Bastetira, capital of Magnu.

Dustborne and Cellbrox Labs were accepted into the royal palace without much fuss. Far from being uncomfortable, they were extremely welcoming. They even gave them an entire empty palace.

There was no one to oppose it since the royal siblings were actively pushing it forward. The crown prince was still the crown prince, but the bloody purge that Ainoa had carried out with her own hands was still engraved in the minds of the nobles.

The professor gave an example on behalf of the lab.

"I sincerely appreciate your help. This must not have been an easy decision."

"There's no need to bow your head. We're just giving back a small favor among the many we've received."

"That's a very wise thing to say, Brother. It's not like you just didn't like Shiran, is it?"

Despite Ainoa's criticism, Adrian only snorted.

"Are you the only one? That must be a shame. I've been waiting eagerly for our reunion, but the person I'm looking for hasn't come."

"Wh, what nonsense! Carmen, you tell me. When did I say that!"

"Can I be honest with you?"

Ainoa glared at him as he seemed about to reveal every little detail. He was mouthing something, and when Carmen read it, it was a threat saying, "Behave yourself."

"Oh, sometimes, very rarely, you would get upset. Because we didn't contact each other very often."

"That's right. I guess it's okay to feel sad. Why? Because Hyun and I are best friends."

"I never specifically said who it was."

"Brother, please stop talking nonsense. Are you comfortable with me now?"

"...Why is your mouth getting more and more foul?"

The conversation going back and forth was a veritable mass of information.

Echidna had already guessed a few things.

'Aha. So that's what it feels like.'

Even though the two now seem like good siblings, their speech subtly reveals the twists and turns of their past. Aside from that, the unlikely love affair between the charming Princess Pecatum and Ariatun was also an interesting topic.

"I haven't properly greeted you all yet. I'm Ainoa Salviati. If you're my colleagues, I'd like to be friends with you too. I'd appreciate it if you'd treat me comfortably."

I also finished exchanging greetings with the new faces I met. I don't know how long I will stay, but it won't be a short period of time. There was no reason for us to be mean to each other.

'It's much better than rumored.'

Echidna's preconceived notions about Bastetera were fading away. At some point, she had heard that the royal family of Pecatum enjoyed eating human flesh. In reality, she was quite fond of it.

The impression of the country also seemed different. The anachronistic castle had grandeur and beauty, and above all, the complexions of the citizens were bright for a backward city. It was incomparable to Banjar.

This means that the catastrophe is not directly threatening the living space. We will have to look into the details later, but at least the capital is operating normally.

A land overflowing with possibilities.

And the powerful who send favors.

'There couldn't be a better situation for doing business.'

Echidna was armed with an elegant smile.

"Take care, us."

* * *

News of Kushan's arrest spread quickly within Shiran.

There was an official announcement from the palace, not an unfounded rumor. The argument was that the director of CellbroLogics Lab was a former imperial researcher, but had been expelled from the country due to unethical research.

Strictly speaking, there are more lies than truths.

The parasite research was originally a matter that the Emperor had left behind, and Kushan had no choice but to visit Lab and was so moved that he ended up leaving Shiran.

But the truth didn't matter.

Not only was it a long time ago, but it was also done in utmost secrecy at the time. Except for a few people who were closely involved, no one knows the truth.

The existing records of Heinz Milarch were too old. Since it was impossible to reveal his immortality, the records from that time were erased. Instead, a new identity was created for him.

Her age, 33, matches her appearance.

I developed a family and career that I didn't even know about.

He is heading to the judge's court with all the crimes behind him.

"Senior. What do you think?"

"What are you talking about?"

"What could it be, that guy?"

Inside a specially-built prisoner transport vehicle. The executioners assigned to transport prisoners glanced behind them. Behind the locked door, a man was sitting upright.

The hottest issue in the empire right now. The public believed the imperial announcement at face value. The secretly taken prisoner has now become a child of the devil, and is drawing the wrath of the entire empire.

"You little bastard. You're even creepier because you're so quiet."

The prisoner's appearance was quite haggard, perhaps due to the hardships of life in the detention center. However, despite his pale complexion, his attitude was extremely calm. I also heard that he had not said a single word during that time.

A creepy person whose mind is unfathomable.

That was the assessment of those who actually met the prisoner.

"How many people must have died because of that guy? It's no exaggeration to say that he's a massacre that will never happen again in human history. Even all the bastards from Cellbrox Labs..."

"Just stop there."

Second Lieutenant Laurentis restrained his indignant junior.

"Since the catastrophe, Cellbrox Labs has been doing good deeds. If they were accomplices, it would be nothing more than a deception, but it is also possible that the man was acting on his own initiative and that his subordinates were just being used."

"I wonder if that's true."

"It means that nothing is certain yet."

He fiddled with his scabbard.

"We just have to be faithful to our work."

"Oh, I see. Sorry, I'll concentrate."

Considerable force was put into the security. A total of five vehicles. In addition to regular police officers, many executors directly under the Imperial Family accompanied them. A small or medium-sized territory could be subdued in half a day.

So the executors were half relieved.

A force that could be called an ironclad defense was prepared. Since no one had shown their teeth in Shiran for a long time, I never dreamed that they would sneak into the center of the country.

No, someone might have thought about it.

But it remained only a thought.

Which crazy person would dare to commit terrorism in Shiran?

In other words, it was complacent.

-Whoah!

A loud noise that shook the heavens and the earth. The bridge shook violently and the car body shook. Laurentis hurriedly pulled himself up. He barely managed to keep his balance and immediately looked out the window.

And then I was shocked.

"Wh, what? Did you blow up your leg…?"

The bridge was collapsing. Cars running by suddenly stopped, leaving tire marks. Officers and police officers jumped out of their cars, shouting that it was a terrorist attack and that there were no casualties.

In the midst of all the chaos, only one person had a clear grasp of the situation.

"Here he goes again, you crazy bastard."

Kushan felt conflicted emotions.

Bitterness, and undeniable joy.

I never thought there would be someone who would do something like this to save themselves. I put aside all the worries about the aftermath and other things, and felt pure joy and happiness.

"Find the enemy! Don't let them approach the prisoners!"

They each held their own weapons, guns and swords, and looked into the smoke. Soon, a smokestack emerged from the smoke. A faint orange smoke began to spread from the center of the line.

A sleeping gas that mixes painkillers and gaseous anesthetics.

At the point where it had spread as far as it could, a hook got caught on the railing of the bridge.

A human figure rose from below on a wire. At the same time, two more figures emerged through the smoke. They were both wearing gas masks.

-There are quite a lot of troops. What about dealing with obstacles?

"Exclude it if necessary."

-i get it.

It was an order that any other agent would never follow. They would be stopped at Rosetta or Castle Rock without even having to go to Leila. But Ghost is the type who knows how to compromise with his beliefs.

I can't say which one is better from a human perspective.

At least as an operational agent, Ghost is a few steps ahead.

"Let's go quickly."