Hero’s Downfall Report

3 – Retirement Hope (3)

The market grumbled, but still did its job properly.

It inserted livestock entrails between the layers of fabric. Not filling it too much, leaving some room for the fabric to flow. Eventually, the tops and bottoms were adequately filled.

Lastly, Cain took out a pig’s bladder. He filled it with contents and twisted the end in different directions. When he placed it on top of the top garment, it was roughly the size of a person’s head.

He applied glue to the forehead, connecting Gotsu’s severed head and beard. He also applied glue to the wooden frame, attached the head and the top and bottom garments, and filled it with chains.

It ended with wrapping a blood-soaked bag around the loose seams of the top and bottom, as well as the hands and feet. Although there was an issue with the upper and lower bodies moving separately, it looked convincing when tightly bound with ropes.

“Couldn’t we have just used a wooden doll?”

“Are wooden dolls shaped like humans common?”

Cain replied casually.

“Go and summon six soldiers. Have the escort carriage wait outside the City Hall.”

Once again, the market did as told.

Six soldiers with tense expressions came running. Soon, they looked down at Gotsu, whose head and beard were neatly cut, and the doll rolling on the ground emitting a disgusting odor.

“Congratulations, all six of you.”

The soldiers looked at Cain without understanding a word.

“Put this lump in the escort carriage and drive straight to Exenbourg without looking back. If you ask why, give the name of the Imperial Security Bureau agent Cain. I advise you, from this moment on, you are targets of Gotsu’s subordinates, so if you want to survive, you should run quickly.”

“Yes…?”

The soldiers were bewildered. Cain looked at the market. The market shouted in frustration.

“Do it now! Before they get paid!”

With a thud, the soldiers rushed out. Three hours later, a passenger carriage smoothly left the City Hall. The carriage with the emblem of the Security Bureau was still abandoned in the backyard of the City Hall.

And a week later, the carriage arrived at the Imperial Capital.

* * * * *

Regardless of the country, when one mentions the ‘information gathering agency,’ thoughts of secrecy, clandestinity, dimly lit interrogation rooms, and highly trained covert agents often come to mind.

Such individuals would be surprised when they see the headquarters of the Security Bureau. The back is adorned with a spacious garden, and the front leads to a lively market in the bustling district. Even the first floor of the building is freely accessible for visits and exploration.

Of course, there was a time when everyone trembled at the mention of the ‘Imperial Security Bureau.’ However, that was all in the past, about a decade ago.

During the era when the Empire and the Republic were at war. A time when, after a dramatic ceasefire, the demonic lord from the northern regions, who had been manipulating forces, engaged in a life-and-death battle.

For the first time in ten years, Security Bureau Chief Venice longed for those days. Back then, the Security Bureau building was located in a more discreet place than here.

It meant that even if you cursed at your subordinates or engaged in rough treatment, there was no one to question your actions.

But not anymore. So, one must endure.

The smell of alcohol wafted from a convict whose hair and beard had been completely shaved, while the body of a rookie probationary agent emitted a stale odor. And the senior, in the midst of going back and forth, seemed to be getting on nerves.

“Offender Gots von Beringen, reporting, sir.”

Cain saluted with effort. The agents and guards lined up on both sides chuckled. Venice, suppressing his anger, asked.

“Why were you given alcohol?”

“He said his head hurt, sir.”

“Why did you drink it?”

“My head hurt, sir.”

“I think I need a drink too.”

Venice sighed. He glared at the chuckling agents.

“Drag this bastard in immediately! What the hell are you all doing? Is time in abundance?”

The agents restrained Gots. Chief Venice looked at Agent Cain.

“You. Follow me to my office.”

Back there, Cain shouted at the woman in the rear.

“You, go wash up and rest!”

“Yes? This is unfair.”

Cain protested.

“I want to wash up and rest too.”

“Are you the same as that guy?”

“Isn’t this discrimination?”

“Do I look like I discriminate?”

The woman approached briskly. A cunning face with bloodshot eyes, a stench emanating from her unwashed body. If the woman’s parents knew, they would have tried to cut Venice’s throat immediately.

“Chief, I don’t know what’s going on, but I…”

“Shut up and go wash up!”

Even though Venice shouted, the woman didn’t bat an eyelash. Cain, who couldn’t stand it, raised his hand.

“Chief, she’s talking to you.”

“I understand.”

The woman turned her body abruptly. The security chief only now smelled the scent of alcohol coming from her.

“Hey, don’t tell me she…”

“Look. She drank.”

It really seemed so. The woman took five steps, then stumbled and fell to the side.

“Drrring….”

“She’s losing it.”

Even though she shouted in frustration, Bernice wasn’t a harsh person. She gave Cain a chance to sit down.

“What is this?”

Of course, she wasn’t calm, but it wasn’t because she wasn’t angry. Bernice pointed to the stack of letters.

“I don’t know.”

“Protest letters. Accusation letters. Demands for explanation. What on earth were you doing in Maxiburg?”

Cain narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t focus well. Bernice pushed him further.

“Fine. You must be tired, but I’m tired too, you know? So let’s go in order. Why did you make the laborers work? Why did you destroy the Maxiburg escort carriage?”

The last question was about something even Cain didn’t know.

“The carriage was destroyed?”

“Do you know it because you broke it, not me?”

“I didn’t break it. The Maxiburg escort guards left it and ran away. Did any of the guards die?”

“No one died. As soon as the bandits attacked, those cowards threw away their helmets and weapons and ran away. So explain what happened step by step. Why did you make a doll of Gots and use it as bait? And why did you leave the security carriage in Maxiburg?”

“There was no other way.” Cain shrugged his shoulders.

The story of catching the bandit knight Gots. The story of the mayor who wanted it cleared quickly out of fear of retaliation. The story of sending a fake meat doll first, then changing to a luggage carriage and coming back together.

“You. You bastard…!”

Bernice grabbed her neck with her right hand and rummaged through the stack of letters with her left hand.

“Why did you send a bill in the capital city… and did you change the carriage and horse in every city? And not just rent, but even ‘purchase’?”

“I had to avoid being tracked. Rent leaves a record. But purchase doesn’t. And the carriage was cheaper than the waterway.”

“So the bastard who said he wouldn’t leave a purchase record put all the bills in front of the ‘Imperial Security Bureau’?”

“How can you not have any cash?”

“Alcohol? Seriously?”

“They used to give it to me when I bought a carriage in Hasbourg. Gatz struggles, the millstone guy gets tired, and I’m thirsty. Isn’t it good to have good things?”

Venice’s face turned pale.

“Don’t call me a millstone, damn it…!”

“Oh. Then should I call you Lady Venetia of the Imperial Blood Knights?”

“Do you know that Imperial Blood Knights is the name of a doghouse?”

“‘The Security State has only riders. There are no nobles or commoners.’ Isn’t that a clear truth?”

“Then at least you can call me Lily Agent!”

Venice clenched her fingers, tearing at her hair.

“Cain, damn it. Haven’t I asked you for a lot? Dignity. Please, dignity! How many times have I told you to at least maintain some dignity?”

“Captain.” Cain tilted his head.

“As you know, I’m a guy from the countryside without any education, ignorant. I was lucky enough to pass the exam and come this far. But I can’t do everything, like the other department guys elegantly beating up the Empire’s public officials with their graceful swordsmanship, escorting them beautifully. I can’t do that.”

“Dignity isn’t in you.” Now Venice’s words sounded like a restraint.

“Dignity?” Cain clenched his fist. He thought he was quite drunk too. But now, he couldn’t hold back his anger.

“Do you know what I saw and experienced in Maxiburg? Not just Maxiburg. In the past year, just half a day’s distance outside the capital! No one fears the Empire. Not even the royal family or the law!

Even when scoundrels like Gatz abused dueling laws to prey on people, the so-called honorable knights didn’t even bat an eye! Honor? In the world, even such scoundrels have their own honor! They have a fortress, and they’re armed to the teeth!”

“Be careful with your words. Don’t cross the line.” Venice’s eyes flashed. But Cain decided to go further.

“Line? Are you talking about the line? Even country bumpkins fear the local thugs more than the Imperial Security State, so what line are you talking about? Gatz might be a big guy, but there are more than ten similar guys in the Empire! If you add up the petty gangster knight guys, there are over a hundred! Do we have to deal with this every time?”

“So people like you shouldn’t be stumbling on the streets, kid! Establish order! Is it the people who know that let scoundrels like Gatz run wild and bring it to this point?”

“If it weren’t for you, I would have died with Lily!”

“Stop it. Enough,” Vernice clicked her tongue. “You. Wash up and go to bed. And come back tomorrow to submit your report. This rascal is making a scene all the way in front of the chief!”

Rules are rules. Such rudeness cannot be tolerated. But Vernice couldn’t really be too harsh on Cain. Deep down, she regretted pushing him too hard.

In truth, Gots’ arrest was something all agents had been hesitant about. After all, he was an imperial knight who had even received a martial arts medal. Even the security bureau couldn’t have arrested him if there hadn’t been solid evidence.

On top of that, Gots was a thief. And the bureau’s agents, apart from the rascals in front of them, were all from big and small noble families. That meant, if their status was exposed, their territories would suffer severe retaliation.

Even if Gots’ band of thieves didn’t number more than a hundred, it was clear that the bandits and knights were building some kind of alliance. It was also the basis for the security bureau to define their struggle as ‘domestic rebellion’, even though it was a stretch.

Knock knock.

The chief’s contemplation was interrupted by the sound.

“What is it?”

The deputy came in. His face was visibly tense. Since there was no security bureau agent who couldn’t manage their expression, such a look was an unusual signal.

“It’s an urgent letter, sir.”

Naturally, the letter was already open. Every letter coming to the security bureau goes through a safety inspection. It was a routine precaution, especially since a letter with a concealed razor blade coated with snake venom had been delivered following the opening of the seal once in a fortnight.

“What is it?”

“A petition for Gots von Beringen has arrived. It’s signed by over a hundred nobles.”

“These lunatics.”

Vernice waved her hand, a signal to leave. But the deputy didn’t leave.

“There’s more. The chief justice…”

“Please.”

“If there’s no evidence, they want him released. Immediately.”

“Even if there’s no evidence, they claim to have testimony. There are over ten cities where the knight bandits have caused real damage. Reports of definite harm from those cities…”

“That’s the content of the petition,” the officer chewed on it. Cain’s hangover was instantly cleared.

“It’s not about them being harmed, but rather a minor difference of opinion. They claim that they made a legitimate payment to the Order led by Gots under the pretext of investment, not like a ‘protection fee’.”

Bernice gripped the desk.

“So, what you’re saying is…”

“We don’t have any grounds to detain Gots.”

“What about Maxiburg?”

“The mayor signed the petition. He even sent a letter. There was nothing.”

“How much longer?”

“I don’t understand what you mean…”

Bernice reached under the desk and pulled out a bottle of liquor. She unwrapped it and took a sip. Her face immediately brightened.

“How much longer do we have to endure this damn news?”

“There’s one more.”

“What is it?”

The officer bit his lip.

“Gots von Bärenhingen will file a lawsuit against the Security Bureau. For illegal detention. Specifically targeting Agent Cain.”

“Can’t we just break that bastard’s head right now?”

Bernice took another sip. Agent Cain ran his hand over his face.

“Bernice Erover, Director of the Security Bureau.”

“Chilling, isn’t it? Who called me that? It’s quite unexpected.”

Bernice’s hand paused as she was about to take another sip. Cain’s face looked strangely calm.

“I will quit.”

“What are you quitting?”

“I’m quitting the security agency. I can’t take it anymore.”

A little while later, the agents passing by the security agency’s office had to run away in surprise. All sorts of things were flying out of the director’s office.