Chapter 358 - Every Single One of Them Is Suspicious!
A few days after I leaked the information about the suspicious warehouse to the Blue Coats, Squad Leader Thompson suggested we meet to exchange information.
Thompson feared me. I doubted he had any desire to see my face casually. If he was going out of his way to arrange a meeting, it meant the subject was something difficult to discuss over the communicator.
I felt a faint sense of suspicion, but since we needed to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship, I couldn't simply brush him off.
Thus, I found myself at a dim bar in a back alley of the entertainment district, which had the perfect atmosphere for secretive conversations.
The interior was moderately spacious and comfortably noisy. It was a place where people of all ages gathered, despite being in a youth-centric area, making it easy to blend in. I took a seat across from Thompson, who was already waiting.
We both wore casual clothes to blend into the district, and I kept my sunglasses on even in the dimly lit bar. The sunglasses I’d bought in Bertlea just yesterday were a magic tool; from the outside, they looked like dark brown lenses that hid my eyes, but to me, they provided a clear view as if it were midday. They were incredibly convenient, exactly what I’d wanted.
After finishing a drink while making light small talk, I decided it was time to get to the point.
"So, what’s this about? You didn't call me out just for small talk, did you?"
"I knew you'd see through it... Actually, there’s someone I want you to meet."
I thought so. He’d been acting strangely restless. Besides, I knew the person sitting behind Thompson had been eavesdropping the whole time. It was likely them. Given Thompson’s tone, I assumed it was a superior or someone of high standing.
Sigh. Fine. I’d meet them. I adjusted my sunglasses, briefly revealing my eyes to glare at them, then gave a nod.
"Lord Moore."
At Thompson’s call, the person behind him stood up and walked over to our table.
An older man wearing a fedora and sunglasses looked down at me as if to intimidate me, then sat down next to Thompson. I wonder who this is.
"This is Lord Moore, a High Knight. He serves as a high-ranking official in the Intelligence Department."
An intelligence officer? What on earth did he want?
Just because he held a position of power didn't mean I’d be intimidated. Back in Exembra, I dealt with high-ranking officials from the administrative district on a daily basis, and I’d entertained many foreign VIPs during the arena season. I was used to powerful people. Especially in an unofficial setting, I had no intention of bowing down to anyone. If anything, showing weakness would only invite them to look down on me.
"...So you are Ykalid Evilbanshee. You are no ordinary person."
"If you're from the Intelligence Department, don't you already know my background?"
"Unfortunately, information about you is highly restricted. I won't press you on that, but surely there’s no harm in us speaking?"
I hadn't realized my information was such a secret. But it seemed this man, as an intelligence officer, knew his place. If he wasn't going to use his authority to push me around, we could at least have a conversation.
"That depends on the topic. As you’ve heard from Thompson, I am currently a temporary instructor at St. Esmeralda’s Girls' Academy. I am nothing more, and nothing less."
"I have no intention of causing trouble. Let me be blunt: where did you get the information about the warehouse district the other day?"
Damn you, Thompson. Leaking the source of information was a total foul. He probably had no choice but to obey this Moore character, but... oh well.
"I happened to see some suspicious people and reported it. That’s all."
"You saw them yourself? They aren't the type to show their tails so easily."
"I can only call it a coincidence."
It was the truth, but he didn't seem to believe me. Being suspected over something like this was a total pain.
"Sigh... Fine. Thompson, you know I’m at the academy because of the Anastasia Union, right?"
"Well, yes. It was the same time the President’s sister came to study abroad. It’s natural to assume a connection."
"I’m not going to talk about the details, but I won't deny it either. And when the Anastasia Union’s internal power struggle is involved, things get complicated. I end up getting involved in things I’d rather avoid."
"How does that relate to the warehouse district?"
"Badoo Lott. The organization supposedly linked to the Young Master. I was out scouting them that night."
Thompson was the one who’d told me about the link between the Young Master and the Badoo Lott Array. If it was information concerning the Anastasia Union, Moore from the Intelligence Department was bound to know it too.
"You know about the incident in the slums near the harbor that night?"
Looking at their reactions, they’d heard of it but didn't know the details. It was just something that happened in the slums, after all, and the residents there weren't exactly cooperative with investigators. It would take a while for detailed reports to reach the higher-ups.
"I heard a building collapsed spectacularly... Don't tell me it was you?"
"No. I don't know who did it, but the place that collapsed was the Badoo Lott hideout. I was watching it from a distance when I happened to notice those suspicious people in the warehouse district."
"Wait. Why did the slum incident happen? What became of the Badoo Lott Array?"
"Who knows? But when I peered in, there were already several rotting corpses inside. When someone from the slums stepped in, the whole building went down. That’s all I know. You should investigate the rest yourself; that’s your specialty, isn't it?"
These two were deep in thought.
A trap-laden building full of corpses, Badoo Lott, the Anastasia Union, and myself... they could use their imaginations to connect the dots. I didn't need to give them a detailed explanation, and there was plenty I didn't know myself.
"I’ve told you what I can. Do you have any information for me?"
I stated firmly, demanding information in return.
They looked like they wanted to ask more, but when I made it clear I knew nothing else, they backed down.
"...Regarding the warehouse district, that signifies the infiltration of a force from outside the continent."
Moore spoke in a grave tone. It sounded like something very serious was going on.
"You mean outsiders are expanding their influence? I saw the goods, and it was enough weaponry to start a war. Still, it’s only enough to cause a small-scale disturbance. At most, it’s some organization coming to seize territory, isn't it? Instead of the Intelligence Department coming out, I’d expect an organization like the Anastasia Union to handle it."
"That might be true for this single case, but several similar incidents have occurred in Berlyza over the past few years. It’s possible there are many more incidents that haven't been discovered. Thompson is drawing attention this time because the amount of seized goods was unprecedented."
Ah, so that’s why the Intelligence Department was grilling Thompson about the source of his information.
To learn about evil, the quickest way is to connect with villains. Perhaps they thought Thompson was in league with the enemy. And maybe they thought I was one of them too, so the intelligence officer came in person to verify.
"I can't help if you suspect me, but isn't my identity guaranteed by some high-ranking official in Berlyza?"
"Perhaps. I don't believe you're telling us everything, but you don't seem to be lying."
"Then you have nothing to complain about. Just so you know, I have no intention of getting involved in the trouble I just heard about. I don't care about forces from outside the continent; I’m busy enough with academy matters. I might provide information if I get any, but I don't want to be dragged into your mess."
Sensing a faint bad feeling, I made my stance clear. I had no reason to be used for their convenience.
"I can't promise that. If the Anastasia Union is involved, you won't be able to stay out of it, will you? Regardless, I’ll contact you if anything happens. I’ll leave a communicator with you."
This Moore guy claimed he couldn't access information on Ykalid Evilbanshee, but he’d likely figured out my true identity. He’d also probably sensed my level of strength. Coming to see me in person was undoubtedly meant to confirm that.
Yeah. After all, I’m a wanted person who dealt a heavy blow to the Medek Legisarmo Empire. Even with sunglasses, my face is known, and there’s no way he hadn't checked beforehand. An intelligence officer from Berlyza wouldn't rely on rumors but would deduce power from actual events and incidents.
"...Tch. You seem quite certain. Fine, what are your intentions? I find these games of probing each other's hidden agendas annoying. Since we’re here, why don't you just speak plainly?"
"Fine. Thompson, step out."
Thompson, who looked like he didn't even want to know, hurried out as soon as he was told.
I ordered another drink, and the two of us faced each other once more.
"I’ll state beforehand that this is merely my speculation. As of now, there is no evidence, not even a whisper of a rumor. Keep this to yourself, understood?"
"Cut the preamble."
If he was that worried, he should just stay silent.
In my line of work, trust is everything. Illegal trades don't use written contracts. Reputation and results are what matter in this world. We don't betray because of the threat of violence, but we also don't betray on our end. In a sense, our level of reliability is much higher than that of some state agency.
However, at the end of the day, I’m a villain. I do deceive, and I don't always tell the truth. Especially in a personal exchange like this, it all depends on my mood. But since trust is something gained through consistency, I generally don't betray people.
In short, it depends on the situation and the person. Verbal promises mean nothing. If you're worried about betrayal, you shouldn't get involved with a villain like me. An intelligence officer should know that much. Confirming that this must be kept secret is just a waste of time.
"Such spirit. As expected of the Chairman of the rapidly rising Kikyo Society, Ykarinowe Nijo-Orfacy."
"So you did know."
"Of course. Your movements were captured the moment you entered Bertlea."
Hmm. Since I’m a dangerous person, that’s actually to be expected.
They’d picked me up quite early, so Berlyza’s Intelligence Department was indeed impressive. They were a scary bunch.
"Right now, I’m acting as Ykalid Evilbanshee. I’ve taken off my badge, and I have no intention of getting involved in unnecessary things."
"Your purpose is to guard Sigurdnot Granzo, isn't it? The warehouse district incident might be linked to that Young Master. If that’s the case, you can't exactly call it unnecessary."
What? Are you saying the Young Master is teaming up with a force from outside the continent?
The Anastasia Union was a major organization deeply entwined with the state, handling the protection of Berlyza’s key figures. If their Young Master was plotting something with outsiders, that was anything but peaceful.
However, as an organization, it was common to form alliances with foreigners if there was profit to be made. The problem was what they intended to do. The Berlyza Intelligence Department seemed to sense something suspicious there.
"You think the Young Master has traitorous intentions?"
"It’s only a possibility, but the Anastasia Union is under high-priority surveillance. We’d be troubled if the Thorny Witch got involved recklessly, but we expect the Young Master to make some kind of contact with Sigurdnot Granzo. We want to avoid a major scene when that happens."
The Thorny Witch was one of my many epithets.
No, more importantly, why was he telling such critical information to an outsider like me? He was definitely plotting something. The Intelligence Department was far more dangerous to me than whatever that idiot Young Master was up to.
If he meant for me not to interfere with the Intelligence Department’s efforts to control the situation, I had no intention of making a move. It depended on the other side; if they did nothing, I’d do nothing.
"...Meaning?"
"I can't tell you not to brush off the sparks that fall on you, but I’m telling you not to overdo it. Consider it advice, if not quite a warning."
He was likely trying to rein me in, keeping my recent brawls in the entertainment district in mind. If I went all out against the elites of the Anastasia Union, the city would suffer significant damage. That was their concern.
Well, compared to being punished without question, this was quite a kind way to handle it. This advice likely included various factors, such as the intentions of the country’s top brass. I was a whistleblower, if not exactly out of the goodness of my heart, so I suppose this much was natural.
Being a wanted criminal who dealt a heavy blow to our common enemy, the Medek Legisarmo Empire, might also be a reason they were being so accommodating.
"If they come at me, I’ll fight back. There’s nothing I can do about that, but for now, I understand. However, depending on the situation, I’ll let some of those sparks fall on you too. If you're planning to sit back and watch while pinning all the responsibility on me, I won't stand for it."
"Don't take it the wrong way. His Highness Maximilian also told me not to treat you poorly."
"...His Highness? You mean royalty? Why are they going to such lengths? It’s unsettling."
"Don't you remember? I heard you met at a party in the Kingdom of Brenark."
Hmm. I had absolutely no recollection of that. I hoped it wasn't some strange delusion of this 'Highness' person.
"Anyway, if the Young Master makes a move, pass that information to me too."
"Likewise. For now, were you aware of the duo watching us?"
"Of course. Did you think I wouldn't notice, including your own guards? Though I’m not sure if their target is me or you. Do you know who they are?"
"I’ll look into that too. Consider it an apology for today’s ambush of a meeting."
"Whatever. I’m going home now."
Everyone wants to use someone capable. Especially an outsider, who can be treated as disposable and makes for a perfect scapegoat.
And if they could expect results from pitting me against a hyper-militant organization like the Anastasia Union, of course they’d want to use me. This intelligence officer Moore likely wasn't acting alone; it was the organization’s intent. Or perhaps that Highness who was mentioned was also involved. Either way, the intention to drag me into trouble was transparent.
If the Young Master’s suspicious movements and my sister’s protection were linked, there might be times when I’d have no choice but to act. The country’s intelligence department, filled with capable people, might even be able to create a situation where they could use me. In fact, I should assume such movements were already underway.
If I couldn't avoid it, I’d take it on, even if it was a pain. As someone loved by the goddess of fate to never escape trouble no matter where I am, I could just think of it as a chance to put powerful people in my debt.
Or rather, I might already be receiving some benefits. I’d already been acting out, and they must have been monitoring that. If they intended to have me involved in academy matters, the Anastasia Union, and even more trouble, I could expect some leniency in return for that.
I see. If it’s not just a one-sided imposition but a mutually beneficial arrangement, we can continue to get along.
Alright. If I can get backup not just from the security forces but also from the Intelligence Department, the effort required for investigations will be significantly reduced.
Until more information comes in, I’ll focus on the academy.