Chapter 122
Chapter 122
Preparations Before the Business Trip
After listening to the entire story, I downed the wine in my glass and said,
“So the place where the Cloud Seizing Art manual is kept is also the warehouse where the illegal battle gear is stored?”
“The chances are very high.”
That was why she had so willingly told me the location of the Cloud Seizing Art manual.
If I managed to secure the manual, Cecilia would also be able to find out where the illegal battle gear, distributed beyond the city’s control, was being held.
‘So, in the end, she never intended to let me go.’
The promised reward for taking care of Simid Kellogg’s matter had been the Cloud Seizing Art manual.
Which meant that even if I had completed Cecilia’s request without issue, I’d end up working for Rose Garden all over again.
“Don’t make that face. Squeezing every drop out of a capable worker is a leader’s virtue, you know.”
Cecilia spoke as if she had guessed what I was thinking.
“That’s all I wanted to discuss. Do you have anything you’d like to say?”
She meant that she had said all she needed to, and unless I had something more to add, the meeting was over.
“Thank you for your time.”
I had no reason to stay longer and take up more of Cecilia’s time.
I gave my farewell and left her mansion, returning to my office. They called it a regular qualification review, but from my point of view, it was just another fight that I couldn’t afford to stop.
“What a damn woman.”
The moment I opened the office door, what I saw was Irena sprawled on the sofa, snoring in her sleep.
Next to the sofa, there was a cold pizza box sitting on the table.
“Khek. Mmm, ah… it’s you.”
“‘It’s you,’ my ass. How about living like a human being and cleaning up once in a while?”
At my words, Irena rubbed her eyes and pulled out a slice of tragically cold pizza from the box beside her.
“Want a slice? Still fresh.”
“Can’t believe you’re a noble of the Empire. What a joke.”
And not just any noble, but the only daughter of the prestigious Kellogg family. But the way she lived, you’d think she was a washed-up drunk.
“It’s the charm of the Scarlet Leaf Order. You’ve met our Captain.”
I clicked my tongue as I started cleaning up the pizza box and the rest of the trash.
“Where’s Nora?”
“Probably taking a bath. She was thrilled that there’s hot water.”
Lunaseeker agents were known to take cold showers by default. It helped keep the body tense and the mind sharp.
“A noble who doesn’t act like one and a Lunaseeker agent who ignores company policy.”
And on top of that, a Featherwing with a deleted identity record. This office really had a fine collection of characters.
“Sit up straight. We’ve got work to do.”
At my words, Irena gave me a quick once-over.
“You sure about that? You don’t look all that great.”
The injuries from the fight with Santos were still healing. From Irena’s perspective, what I needed was rest, not a new mission.
“I’ll be better by the time we start.”
Irena let out a thoughtful hum and sat up from where she’d been lying.
“What’s the job?”
“We’re hitting the bishop’s private residence in Goldiba City.”
Irena let out a confused sound at that.
“I’m part of the Imperial Order of Knights, you know. Are you seriously suggesting we rob an Imperial bishop?”
If what I said was all there was to it, she’d have no reason to help.
“He’s been aiding the distribution of illegal battle gear in the southern Empire.”
“Well, that’s what you should’ve led with.”
Strictly speaking, even if we took down the bishop, it wouldn’t solve the illegal battle gear problem.
It was like a failed restaurant closing down and a new one taking its place.
Still, at least the current one would be gone before the new one came in.
“A bishop’s probably a pretty respected position. Why do you think he made that choice?”
“When you’re respected, you crave money. And when you’ve got money, you crave respect.”
While I was talking with Irena, Nora came through the door, fresh from a bath. The moment she saw me, she had something to say.
“Wow, you look like a complete wreck, oppa.”
“You’ve got some nerve. Since you’re here, sit down and listen in.”
“Listen in on what?”
“Work.”
At that, Nora’s eyes sparkled as she took a seat. There was the mess she’d gone through with Cecilia at Rose Garden, plus the request that had come down from the Republic.
Of course, up until recently, I had approached Nora with a bit of caution. I figured that, as a Lunaseeker, she might be able to uncover my true identity.
But after today’s meeting with Cecilia, I was sure of it now.
‘Unless they pour in massive resources and manpower, there’s no way they’ll figure out who I am.’
It was tragic that my entire life had been erased, but in my current situation, that was a huge advantage.
‘If I manage to master Cloud Seizing Art, things will change again.’
If I succeeded in using Cloud Seizing Art, the fact that I was a surviving Featherwing would be proven in itself. In other words, even if I did master it...
Revealing that fact would come only after I’d grown strong enough that it no longer mattered if I got exposed.
“What kind of city is Goldiba?”
Nora asked the question. As someone from the Republic, she didn’t know the city very well. She’d been trained as a Lunaseeker in the major cities of the Empire, but Goldiba wasn’t important enough to be part of that curriculum.
“It’s a place with potential, but it’s been held back by poor conditions.”
At my words, Irena nodded in agreement.
“It’s got a port, enough population... so they even laid down a railway.”
But due to some poor timing or other circumstances, the city kept getting left out of the Empire’s national development plans.
“Anyway, the next step is to investigate Gallia Methos. Do you have someone trustworthy for that?”
Irena asked me.
“Is there anyone in this city who could be called trustworthy?”
The fastest method would be to throw some serious money around and have Rose Garden vouch for someone.
Among those I could hire that way, there was one person I had actually worked with before.
Spring Parsley.
A skilled architect whose abilities I could personally vouch for based on our previous job together.
Of course, back then, they had quit the job when the situation turned difficult. But that wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
Considering I had just blindsided Rose Garden, continuing to work with me at that point would’ve been plain stupid. Now, though, I had successfully shaken off Rose Garden’s execution orders.
There was no reason not to work again with someone whose skills were proven.
“Hey, where are you going?”
To Irena’s question, I replied,
“Heading out. There’s someone I want to rope into this job.”
After telling Irena and Nora my destination and objective, I put on my coat and stepped outside.
I arrived at a hideout I already knew—Spring Parsley’s.
“...”
Spring Parsley was frozen, clearly unsure how to react to my unexpected visit.
The decision they had made before—well, it turned out to have been the wrong one. I had survived Rose Garden’s wrath.
“So... things didn’t exactly end well between us, did they?”
That was the line Spring Parsley offered after some visible deliberation.
“Sounds like something an ex would say. But yeah, thanks to you bailing halfway through, I had a rough time.”
At that, Spring Parsley flinched slightly. Provoking my temper wouldn’t be wise.
‘Damn it, even me...’
Spring Parsley had steadily built a career as an architect by working on various public and private projects.
But while they were stacking up modest fame and credentials, I had been sprinting full-speed ahead, earning a reputation that was frankly absurd.
I gave them a warm smile.
“Let’s forget the past. I’m still standing, and you’re fine too. What matters now is the relationship we’re about to build, don’t you think?”
What could Spring Parsley say to that? All they could do was nod in agreement.
“You mentioned a future relationship, so—can I ask what brings you here today?”
“What do you think I’d want from meeting you? A date?”
At my words, Spring Parsley shook their head immediately. I was a contractor who worked hands-on, and Spring Parsley was an architect who drew up blueprints for contractors.
When two people in those professions met, the topic was always the same.
“To be blunt, it’s not like I have a choice here.”
“Correct.”
I nodded at Spring Parsley’s words. Maybe in the past that wouldn’t have been true, but now? I could bring up our last job and slit their throat, and no one would bat an eye.
I’d built up that much power and position now.
This city was just that kind of place.
“But I’m the kind of person who believes relationships built on mutual benefit and trust yield better results than ones based on threats and coercion.”
At that, Spring Parsley took a deep breath.
“So you’re saying I could refuse?”
“If you refuse, what could’ve been a bright relationship built on trust and profit... becomes a dark, ugly one stained with threats and pressure.”
In reality, Spring Parsley had no choice. I was already someone big enough to ignore their wishes entirely.
And I was well aware of where I stood. I’d been through the wringer in a correctional facility—I knew exactly what it meant to have a reputation among criminals.
“Fine, I’ll do it.”
With that, Spring Parsley joined the operation. Honestly, from their perspective, it wasn’t such a bad deal.
The really sad part? They still didn’t even know what the job was.
“I’m glad to hear that. Now, I’d like to talk about the actual job.”
I pulled out my pocket watch and checked the time.
“There are two more people I’m working with. I’d like them to hear this too.”
“I mean, about my... face and all that.”
I patted Spring Parsley on the shoulder.
“I know. So wear a mask. We’ll finish the conversation back at my office.”
At least Spring Parsley could be grateful that I was the kind of person who offered that much consideration.
With their disguise—mask and all—ready, we headed back to my office together.
“Whoa. Who’s this middle-aged guy?”
Nora was the first to react. Even as a Lunaseeker, she was intrigued enough to want to ID him, which meant Spring Parsley’s disguise was pretty convincing. That, in turn, piqued her curiosity.
“What the... and who’s this brat?”
From Spring Parsley’s perspective, having a girl who looked too young to even drink staring him down wasn’t a particularly pleasant experience.
“Let me introduce you. This is Nora Galatea, a Lunaseeker agent.”
“…What?”
Spring Parsley responded with far more disbelief than I’d expected.
“She’s working at my office now due to… various circumstances.”
“A Lunaseeker?! Isn’t that a massive violation of their regulations?!”
A reaction like being struck by lightning came from Spring Parsley, and honestly, it wasn’t surprising.
After that, I took the time to introduce Irena, Nora, and Spring Parsley to each other. Then we all sat down at the table.
It was time to explain exactly what we were about to do.