Hero’s Downfall Report

2 – Retirement (2)

Maxiburg City Hall.

Maxiburg is an unremarkable city. It is far from the central trade route, and the average annual volume of goods traded is insignificant.

The reason people gather here, enough to be called a “commercial city,” is because this is the only plain in the entire Maxi Province. The rest is mountains, forests, swamps, basins, and valleys, so it is not a land where people gather to live.

The location is mediocre as well. If it were a border zone, it would have received more investment, but this place is an ambiguous idle land.

Scarce resources. Weak location. A land that no one pays attention to. Even well-trained guards are scarce, and even the prison is shoddy.

With a pitiful look, the cane holder looked at the “prison” door. The door, covered in rust and ready to collapse with a slight push, is one thing, but what about the miscellaneous cargo inside the prison?

In the end, the cane holder looked around the market. The market was trembling as it collided with it, so he had to say it two or three times.

“Clear away the clutter. Lock the door haphazardly. Order the soldiers to remove everything inside.”

Legally, the Imperial Security Bureau has extensive authority. Even if the staff officer takes over the command of the Maxburg guards, there is no problem.

Of course, doing so would invite severe protests and criticism. From preemptive factions, dukes, and leaders of the knightly states who are always eager to ascend to the throne.

The staff officer was well aware of such circumstances, but there was no other choice as the mayor was sweating profusely in distress.

“Um, um, what should we do if the knight gets loose…? How long can the rope bind Count Goltz…?”

Goltz was tightly bound all over. His head was swollen from repeated blows. There was no choice, as he would go berserk as soon as he woke up.

“We don’t need to address a criminal as ‘sir.’ The author is a traitor to the empire, so immediate execution is entirely possible.”

At these words, the guards looked at the staff officer in surprise, even pity. The mayor seemed as if he would burst into tears at the slightest touch.

“Excuse me, sir. Can we have a moment to talk? Preferably in a quiet place…”

The staff officer wanted to shake his head, but instead, he cleared his throat.

“In that case, please call ‘Sutdori’ outside the city hall.”

“W-what did you say?”

The mayor’s eyes spun around. Sutdori? Did they bring a hunting dog? Fortunately, the staff officer clarified.

“Oh. Um, I’m sorry. Uh, please call the agent who came with me. They will come if I call them.”

How can someone’s name be Sutdori? The mayor did as he was told for now. The guard who received the order brought a limping woman.

She was a handspan taller than the staff officer. Her face was smaller, and her legs were so long that her hips reached the staff officer’s waist.

Her blonde hair was tightly tied, but if it were let loose, it would be quite beautiful.

“You called for me.”

Her voice was surprisingly delicate. Only then did the mayor look at the woman’s face. She looked young compared to her body. Her cheeks were chubby. Her large, round, blue eyes sparkled.

“Do you have a knife?”

“Okay.”

“If that bastard starts to act up with the knife on his shoulder, give him a warning, and if he still acts up, just cut his throat.”

“Understood.”

A voice tougher than a soldier’s. This, too, was dissonant. The voice was completely girlish, but the manner of speaking was that of a rookie soldier.

Arms as long and thin as legs, wielding a sword with a blade more sinister than the standard imperial sword. Not even a sound as it was drawn.

The mayor looked back and forth between the long-legged woman and the cane-wielding man with a look of disbelief. The man kindly smiled.

“Shall we then proceed with the conversation?”

* * * * *

The man declined the tea. The mayor gulped it down eagerly. It was like throwing water on a burning house with a bucket. Yet, he kept on gulping, as if his throat was still parched.

“I am truly grateful for apprehending Gots von Beringen.”

The cane-wielding man did not point out the misuse of the word ‘apprehend’ again. A single squawk, and the mayor might faint in surprise.

“You don’t plan on executing him immediately, do you?”

“Depends on what that traitor deserves.”

“Um, excuse me?”

“Cain.”

“Yes?”

“Just call me Cain. Security Bureau agents use their own nicknames. So, just call me Mr. Cain.”

The mayor rolled his eyes.

Well, Maxiburg was small. It was a good thing if the mayor was the only one who didn’t hear the nagging about how Maxi was just a city attached to the republic once Max was taken out of it.

It was natural for the mayor, who had lived his whole life in Maxiburg, to be ignorant of the Security Bureau affairs in the capital. But the mayor loved this city. Even if a farmer didn’t know what lay beyond his own land, he knew every detail inside his fences, as the saying goes.

“If you’re going to execute, I’d appreciate it being done outside the borders of Maxiburg.”

Cain gazed at the market. The market was wide awake.

“Why? Are you afraid my bandit subordinates might come barging in?”

“Of course. Their track record is already impressive.”

Goths had his own castle. It was a small castle, but it had a harbor and a strategic point, everything a castle could have.

His subordinates were more than fifty but less than a hundred. The problem was, no one knew where his stronghold was.

On the flip side, Goth’s gang had a certain base, so whenever they wanted, they could freely harass the military territory.

“So?”

“So, if you’re going to escort me, please do it quickly. If you’re going to execute, do it outside the city.”

“Mr. Market.” Cain clasped his fingertips.

“Both are difficult. First, I don’t have soldiers. I brought only one re… rookie agent. As you’ve seen, it’s a bit insufficient to play the role of a person. My friend and I can’t handle all of Goth’s subordinates.

Second, I at least expected there to be a carriage in Maxiburg. It’s clearly stated in the records. But seeing the so-called carriage, it was so shoddy that even a three-year-old could break it open.”

The Maxiburg market just made a groaning sound. Cain continued.

“So, let me propose a solution. First, we execute immediately here and spill the blood.”

“No way!” The market looked at Cain and yielded. “Fine.”

Of course, Cain didn’t take it as a positive response.

“Good. Second, we send a letter. We’ll raise a flag and request an escort from the nearby imperial guard. According to my calculations, if I rot in this underground prison for at least a week, they should come and get me.”

“That’s even worse, absolutely not!”

In the end, the market screamed in desperation.

“Goth’s subordinates will come storming in right away! Of course, wearing hoods. Eburk, Lofaburk, Deburburk! I’ve heard how these three cities were completely destroyed! Maxiburg can’t be left in such a sorry state!”

Cain looked disdainfully at the market. The market understood the meaning of his gaze. “So what do you want me to do?”

“Take Gotsu Kyung and get out. Right now.”

“Are you that afraid?”

The market shrugged.

“Agent, I’ll be honest. Even if you hear it as disloyalty to the Emperor, I have nothing to say. But I’m more afraid of Gotsu Kyung’s subordinates coming in the middle of the night to set fire than the splendid power of the capital. Destruction is a moment, but law and justice are not in the capital, are they?”

Fortunately for the market, Cain did not get angry. He didn’t even twitch his eyebrows or stand up saying, “How dare you!”

Instead, he made a strange expression. ‘What is that? Annoyance? Suffering? Weariness?’ It was difficult to read the expression of the young man who might be his own son.

“Understood.”

Cain slapped the armrest of the chair with his palm.

“I’ll get rid of him right away.”

“Really?”

“Really. But I need some time to prepare. I’ll need your cooperation.”

“Of course.”

The market nodded. He had thought he would grant any request from this excellent national security agent. But the following request was a bit surprising.

“Do you remember everything?”

“Of course, of course.”

“Then I’ll wait in the prison. Excuse me.”

Cain got up, opened the door, and left. Before he forgot, the market quickly wrote down his request with a pen.

As he faintly looked at the open door, the market turned thoughtful. He buried himself in the chair before calling for his secretary. It wouldn’t hurt to take a breather.

‘What on earth is that guy?’

The request seemed odd no matter how you looked at it. The expression on Agent Cain’s face as he spoke those words was even more peculiar. The reluctant mayor, not wanting to entertain complicated thoughts, rang the bell.

As always, the secretary entered. An oddly melancholic-faced elderly secretary. Suddenly, the mayor realized that the secretary’s face resembled Cain’s expression.

It was a thick atmosphere of decadence.

* * * * *

Not everyone in the city liked Gots. There were many who despised him. Fortunately, among them were the tavern owners.

“Here are the items you requested.”

The tavern workers placed large sacks on the ground. The sacks were already soaked and dripping, even making a clanging sound. Thick blood oozed from the bottom. The workers bowed, greeted, and left.

Next to arrive were the blacksmiths.

“We’ve brought them. If you need more, please let us know.”

In one wooden bucket were hooks, and in another bucket, clothes and ropes were laid out. There were plenty of hooks.

“You don’t really need this much.”

“If it helps, we’ll provide anything.”

Cain nodded happily.

Lastly, a broad plank was brought in. What set it apart from ordinary planks was the presence of restraints that could be fastened around wrists and ankles. Connected by chains, it seemed not to heavily restrict one’s height.

“All right. Mayor? Will you clear the juvenile detention center?”

As soon as the words were spoken, guards and workers hastily exited the detention center. The mayor attempted to follow.

“You should stay, Mayor.”

“…Do I really have to?”

“If you don’t like it, there’s nothing you can do.”

The mayor sighed deeply as he sat on the worn-out wooden chair. Cain let out a long breath.

“Suhtdol-ah.”

Even then, the faithful knight, Yeogisa, had a knife to Gwotz’s throat. Despite being blinded, Gwotz did not resist.

“Speak.”

“Put the knife away. Since I have scissors and a razor, I will shave off his hair and beard.”

Suhtdol did just that. Silently, he put away the knife and picked up the scissors and razor. Gwotz attempted to resist, but fell silent when Cain raised his staff.

“Commencing.”

Despite the stern tone, his movements were clumsy. The scissors did not cooperate, and Gwotz’s hair was cut like weeds. Gwotz’s eyes welled up, but he closed them briefly at the warning.

“Our Suhtdol has never cut a man’s hair and beard before. Move incorrectly, and you could damage the scalp or blood vessels.”

“Sir, Yeogisa?”

“Yes.”

“Is his real name Suhtdol?”

Suhtdol’s expression remained unchanged. Cain looked at the market with a tone of disbelief.

“Of course not. It’s a nickname.”

“Then what should we call him?”

“There’s no need for you to call him anything.”

The market glanced at Yeogisa with a sharp look.

The knight with the grim face did not avert his gaze.

Shaving and haircutting were finally finished.

“You’ve worked hard.”

The face of the barber turned slightly red.

“No, not at all.”

“Keep an eye on him.”

“I understand.”

Just like before, the barber mechanically pulled out his knife. Cain held his arm steady. The market officer looked at them again with a foolish expression.

“Let’s work together, Market Master.”

“What? What is it?”

“This.”

He looked just like a market master in a rural town, not much different from Maxiburg. When Cain opened the bag, the entrails of pigs and cows, along with various cuts of meat, were revealed, but the market master didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

“Sutmora, are you mocking me?”

“No!”

“If you feel like vomiting, say so.”

“I understand!”

Gwachoo murmured. Even though the barber was clearly suffering from the smell, he shouted loudly. It felt like the tip of the knife was cutting through his throat.

Cain pulled out the clothes given to him by the blacksmiths. He twisted the sleeves and hem multiple times before securely tying them with a rope.

“What are you trying to do?”

“Let’s make a sausage together, Market Master.”