Hero’s Downfall Report

5 – Retirement of Hope (End)

Lily raised her head.

“Yes, senior.”

“You know, the Imperial Security Bureau operates on a merit system. No matter what your status was outside, it’s all disregarded here. Of course, there’s no need to hide it, but you shouldn’t disrespect or be disrespected by anyone because of it.

Take me and Bom, for example. We may be second or third in the Viscount family, but even when facing a baronial agent, there’s no disrespect. The Security Bureau strictly recruits graduates of the academy, and the order of entry determines the merit.”

“Yes. I entered in the same way.”

No matter how much of a noble’s daughter she may be, there are no exceptions. Any Imperial citizen can enter the academy, take the exam according to fair procedures, and become a public servant based on grades and results.

Because of this, the nobles couldn’t just treat the Security Bureau as they pleased. With nobles from all over mixed in, it was even difficult to form factions.

The Security Bureau maintains a certain level of independence even from numerous dukes. Even the Chief of Vernice is from an unknown viscount family.

“But you see, you can’t completely disregard someone’s background. Don’t get me wrong! The Empire is vast, and lifestyles vary. So, it’s really difficult to understand each other in some aspects.”

“It really is,” Vom and Bom nodded. Lily also nodded cautiously, holding her beer glass. On the other hand, Cain’s mind became increasingly uneasy.

“What the heck are these guys up to?”

“So, what I want to ask is, as a member of the White Knights, who are considered the best in the Empire and even the world when it comes to swordsmanship, how would you rate our Captain Cain’s skills from a swordsmanship perspective?”

“I don’t know.”

Even Cain looked at Lily. Lily, blushing, was extremely serious.

“You don’t know. What do you mean?” Vom interjected. “Didn’t you see him catch the bandit?”

“I did, but the captain used a staff, not a sword. While there may be swordsmanship displayed with a staff, its application and usage are different. Therefore, I haven’t seen the captain’s swordsmanship to be able to speak about it.”

Vom and Bom were speechless.

“Did he really catch him with a staff? How? No, really, how?”

Lily’s eyes sparkled.

“He scolded him

“I don’t know.”

“Oh. Okay.”

It wasn’t surprising. It was clear that she had been raised exceptionally well in the White Blood Knights. Both Bom and Bum seemed to share the same opinion.

“So, um… why did you curse?”

“I think it was to read the movement of the muscles.”

The three men exchanged glances.

“Oh. Do you know the reason?”

“Yes.” Lily nodded.

“Gotsu intentionally aroused excitement and tension in order to make him take an attacking stance. Gotsu shifted his weight slightly backward and held the sword in his right arm a little loosely, but he also turned his waist slightly to the left.”

Cain nodded approvingly. Indeed, there’s no way a tiger could give birth to a dog. He saw what she saw. It was what he had induced himself.

“So? What did it look like to you? What does it mean?”

“Gotsu intentionally swung his sword in his right arm. It was probably to hold his gaze, but the real attack was the left straight punch that followed. Shifting his weight back and turning his waist to the left were also to put the weight into the punch.”

“You saw it correctly.” Cain confirmed. Lily’s lips twitched. Her smile kept growing. Cain felt a little embarrassed.

“So, um… since they say they can’t evaluate swordsmanship, how was my staff technique? Do they also train with staffs in the Knights?”

“We only cover theory and basic techniques. We don’t delve deep into it. But we can handle it.”

“Staff techniques are a skill used in the Eastern Republic. Did you learn that too? The Noble family is indeed noble. So, what’s the evaluation?”

Agent Lily proudly replied, “It was beautiful. I could feel the aura.”

Bom bit her tongue and Bum spewed out a bit of beer. Cain clenched his teeth. It was an effort to refrain from shouting reflexively.

“Hey. Hey. You, you, what, what does that, that mean, mean…?”

“I’m well aware.” Lily showed no hint of embarrassment. It was as if she were reciting from an encyclopedia. “When the union with a beloved lover reaches its climax….”

“Well, youngest! Eat meat, meat! Meat! Noises like a child who can’t do anything! Bread, eat bread!”

Spring forcefully shoved a long, slender bread into Lily’s mouth.

“Uggh?” Startled like a surprised squirrel, Lily mumbled with the bread in her mouth. The atmosphere became strangely awkward, shattering the mood.

“Where on earth did you learn such words?”

Cain rubbed his forehead. Lily, having swallowed the bread with a gulp, replied naturally.

“I read it in my father’s library. I had the urge to go in because he forbade me, and it was spacious inside.”

“…I see.”

Lily hesitated.

“If, um, I made a mistake or anything….”

“No, no. It’s okay.” Cain was about to pat Lily’s head but awkwardly refrained. After all, Lily was someone who would leave.

“Well. It’s not a commonly used phrase, but you’ll naturally get used to it if you stay in the Security Bureau. If you learn from Vom and Bom, it’ll be fine. Right?”

“Of course.” Vom tapped his chest with his fist.

“As the youngest, if we don’t take care of her, who will? Isn’t that right, sir?” Bom chuckled. Cain slightly bit his lip.

“I appreciate it. Really.”

In a strange atmosphere, Vom and Bom exchanged glances. Awkward laughter followed.

“Oh. Why is our sir suddenly like this? Naturally, if our sir takes the lead, we’ll follow. Or should we clear the way for our sir? Only the path to promotion for our sir….”

“I’m quitting.”

Lily cut in abruptly.

“What?!”

Viv and Bom looked at Lily. ‘Yes,’ she said. Lily’s astonishment did not subside.

“Why, why?”

Now she uses ‘ye’ and ‘ja’ even. She was always using ‘dana’ only. Bom cleared his throat.

“Where are you going this time? Is it over a year? Or three years? It won’t be the north.”

“Probably the east,” Viv continued. “Those merchants are acting strange these days. There’s talk of buying soldiers with money. There’s also a rumor about breaking the truce…”

Lily’s expression was almost as if she was about to cry. Fortunately, Viv kindly explained.

“Brother is being a bit stubborn today. Surprised, right? It’s the security procedure. If you are dispatched abroad for more than a year, you have to submit a retirement plan. So that, in the off chance that the list of security agents is leaked, they won’t be caught. We’ve submitted it a couple of times. Brother did it before too. You’ll have to do it when you go on a mission later, won’t you?”

“It’s quite all right,” Bom chimed in.

“The mid-term settlement for retirement pay isn’t bad. You’re only leaving on paper, and your body is still under the security agency, so your salary and career continue. And you don’t disclose where you’re going, not even to your colleagues. Only the director and yourself know.”

Lily’s expression brightened. So Cain let out a quiet sigh. He regretted speaking in this situation.

“I’m going home. To the family farm.”

Bom couldn’t continue speaking. Cain weakly smiled. Viv cautiously asked.

“Brother. What about… I mean. What about you?”

“Brother? No, once I’m outside, I’ll just be a free peasant. The eldest son of an orchard farm. From the outside, if I go to Mirdenburg, they’ll call me ‘sir.’ As for our youngest, I can’t even look at him.”

“Brother! Is this joke going too far? We’re getting upset. Why are you doing this, seriously. Where on earth are you going to make us worry so much? Are you going deep into the east? Is it a matter of life and death?”

Cain didn’t reply. He silently looked at Viv and Bom. Lily covered her mouth and dashed out,

“We don’t grow persimmon trees in our yard.”

“And so?”

“Then grow apple trees. They have high sweetness. It’s not a specialty, but you can live decently eating them.”

“Hyungnim.” Bom tapped the beer glass.

“Hyungnim, really, man to man. Let’s be honest. If you’ve committed some serious crime, it’s okay. I’ll help. Even if I have to empty my savings, I’ll help! We’ve seen all sorts of things working in the security agency. There’s no place in the security agency where we haven’t seen the bottom of human nature, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Because we’re human, we can make mistakes, and when it comes to things humans can mess up, we’re the experts.”

“True.”

“Anyone can end up like that. It’s not an age or experience to be disappointed or hurt by such things. We know everything, seen everything, and now it’s time to get used to it.”

“I know. Depending on the situation, you’ll see how people’s taste changes.”

“So, tell me about this damn situation. What’s going on? I really want to help. Even if it’s dirty and deadly, it’s family. It’s a bond tighter than family, isn’t it! It’s not what you said, hyung!”

Cain couldn’t speak. Bom’s voice gradually softened.

“Oh, come on! Are you really going to bow your head and do that, hyung? Why are you so upset! Don’t bow your head!”

“I’ve made a decision.”

“Oh, really!”

Bom slammed the glass down roughly. Wiping his eyes, he went outside.

Cain looked down at the completely cold dish. He cut a piece of meat and chewed it.

Perhaps because it had cooled down, it didn’t taste good. Nevertheless, Cain chewed the meat absentmindedly. He filled the beer glass and drank alone.

Neither hunger nor thirst was satisfied.

* * * * *

The retirement process proceeded in order.

Interview. Consultation. Final confirmation. Guidance on the procedure. Settlement of remaining retirement benefits. Guidance for prospective retirees.

Vu and Bom were speechless. Lily seemed fine outwardly, but her eyes were always bloodshot.

All that remained were dry tasks. Cain briefed Vu and Bom on the responsibilities of the position, handed over reports, and explained the handover. Both refused the temporary managerial positions, but assigning them to the youngest wasn’t an option either.

As a result, the office atmosphere was quite peculiar. Vu and Bom deliberately ignored Cain, and Cain ignored their disregard. Meanwhile, Lily meticulously recorded every word Cain uttered.

“I’m aging because of you. Getting old.”

Director Bernice was no longer angry. Cain silently accepted the scolding.

“Is the handover complete?”

“We’ve covered everything that needs to be taught. When will the new manager arrive?”

“Have you made up your mind?”

“Yes.”

Bernice stood up from her chair. She approached the window, sighed deeply, and said, “Goths is still not resolved.”

“Isn’t the Attorney General handling it?”

“I intervened. Remember the public meeting? The one where they tried to devour you.”

Cain didn’t recall. It went in one ear and out the other. Cain lowered his head.

“Due to your excessive suppression, Goths’ fate became uncertain. The Security Bureau reprimanded those involved, recorded it officially, and decided to ‘treat him under the responsibility of the Security Bureau’ until he ‘recovers.’ Sent it like that. He’s currently confined in the underground prison. He won’t be released until his head lump subsides.”

“What if it fully subsides?”

“Maybe another one will pop up.”

Bernice didn’t seem to be joking at all.

“What are you looking at like that?”

“Surprisingly. I thought all your teeth had fallen out.”

“Without them, it’s just gums.” Bernice pulled out a bottle from under the desk and lit a cigarette.

“What the hell is that bastard trying to cover up with the legal department? Has he been caught with a weakness or something?”

It was also a problem that confused Cain. It didn’t make sense logically. Even if Gotsu’s malice was put aside, he was just a knight with less than a hundred soldiers.

Why would the legal department bother to release such a person?

“I don’t know. It would all end if you just give up.” Cain shook his head.

“Retirement procedures. How far have you gone?”

“…I have to submit the confidential clearance tomorrow.”

“If you submit that, your life as a operative will end. Do you understand?” Bernice took another sip.

“Hey. When you’re young, you can do that. There are times when you just want to leave. You’d better take a leave of absence. A leave of absence. You know you can cancel your retirement until you submit the clearance?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t tell Lily, but the submission of the confidential clearance was the criterion for distinguishing between fake retirement and real retirement.

“You don’t need to write any more statements?”

“No.”

“Go home.”

“Yes.”

Cain got up. As he grabbed the door handle of the office, a gloomy voice came from behind.

“I’m leaving, but I wanted to receive a retirement gift from you.”

Cain closed the door without saying a word and left.

The next day, Cain neither attended the interrogation at Internal Affairs nor submitted the confidential handling authorization.

Bababababam, the sound of the royal figure’s visit trumpet echoed.