Those Who Live Without the Law

Chapter 145

Lunaseeker Meeting (1)

We’re hitting the Security Bureau. To be exact, we're not going after the Bureau itself, but rather a retired executive who once belonged to it.

The reward is sweet, but that’s exactly why it’s no easy task. A Security Bureau executive’s position is one earned through capability.

“You know it’s not going to be easy. We’ll need to prepare a lot of compensation.”

― Don’t worry about that.

That promise came from the head of the Kellogg family and the Treasury Chief. The job’s hard, sure—but stacks of cash await at the end.

“Let’s start with the target’s name.”

― Roderick Kellyford.

Before he joined the Security Bureau, he was a Medal Knight in the Azure Order of Knights, awarded three White Heron 2nd Class Medals.

He was 32 years old at the time, and served as a bureau executive for the next twenty years before retiring. After leaving the Security Bureau, he stopped using his original name.

“What name is he using now?”

― Robin. Word is, he’s living as a farmer in a small village in the southeastern Empire called Burfa.

Kairus scoffed at Simid’s words.

“I don’t know why all these retired guys are so obsessed with plowing fields.”

If farming was such a passion, they should’ve picked up a plow instead of a sword in the first place.

“What’s his battle gear?”

― Well, the name’s a bit long. It’s an old battle gear, made a long time ago.

A long name, for battle gear?

“I didn’t expect someone like you to crack a joke like that.”

― 'Forged as the 563rd piece on my anvil, with the fleeting hope that as the seasons pass, the memory of you who has left me will not vanish in vain.'

After hearing Simid Kellogg’s answer, Kairus fell silent for a moment.

“What?”

― That’s the name of the battle gear.

Still holding the receiver, Kairus pressed his forehead and finally managed to mutter something.

“It really is a bit long.”

― That’s what I said. I heard it’s shaped like a kitchen knife.

Unbelievable. Kairus sighed internally. A weird and lengthy name didn’t necessarily mean the weapon was a joke.

After all, this guy was not only a knight plastered in 2nd Class Medals, but also a former executive of the Security Bureau.

It was likely a masterpiece battle gear. Like Flicker, it probably had some unusual abilities.

“Forget the gear for a moment.”

The real problem wasn’t just the battle gear—it was Robin Kellyford himself. Or Roderick, as he went by now. A retired bureau exec was already a massive obstacle.

‘Since he’s former Security Bureau, using Nora to work the shadows quietly probably won’t cut it.’

This was the same man who spent twenty years fighting Lunaseeker across Imperial territory. No matter how hard Nora Galatea tried, she wouldn’t be able to produce meaningful results.

‘And before that, he was a warrior on the battlefield.’

He had earned three 2nd Class Medals. Just considering the qualifications for those decorations alone, it meant he was a seasoned and powerful warrior.

― I need an answer.

“I’ll take the job. But you know your daughter’s coming along too, right?”

Simid stayed silent for a long time after Kairus said that. Kairus didn’t rush him, guessing how the man must be feeling.

― Take care of her as best you can.

“I’ll try. It’s not like I want to sever ties with a wealthy client either.”

Strictly speaking, though, Irena could no longer be considered someone who needed protection. She had built up her own skills, and now she was more than capable of carrying her weight…

No—she was accomplishing more than that. No one would argue otherwise.

― Then I’ll look forward to good news. As for the intel we’ve secured…

“Don’t send it to Bennett City.”

None of the crime organizations in Bennett would be thrilled about poking the Security Bureau.

“Send it to the city closest to Burfa.”

― Got it.

The call ended. What remained was to purchase new equipment for Tanya’s ER, then return to the city.

Unlike the trip to Sevastopol, the return was smooth. After a day’s travel, Kairus arrived in the city, and a few hours later, he was back in Bennett.

The moment he returned, he briefed Nora and Irena on the job request he’d received from Simid Kellogg.

“A former Security Bureau executive. I’m in.”

Nora Galatea had no reason to turn it down. In fact, it was great news for her. From her perspective, it was like stabbing two sausages with one fork.

Of course, Irena’s expression as she watched Nora’s bright smile was more conflicted.

“My father, really?”

“Yeah.”

The target of this mission was a man who had served the Empire and now lived a quiet life in retirement. For someone in the Imperial Order like Irena, it was an assignment she wanted to refuse.

The problem was that the client… was her father.

‘There must be a reason.’

That was the only way Irena could see it. It seemed her feelings for her father ran deeper than her loyalty to the Empire.

“I’ll say this in advance—it’s not going to be easy.”

That mad bull from last time, the one who nearly wrecked a perfectly good office building, was strong—but Roderick, their new target, was likely even more formidable.

“Do you think Lunaseeker might help?”

Going after a retired agent from an enemy intelligence agency—it wasn’t unreasonable to hope Lunaseeker might lend a hand.

But to Kairus’s suggestion, Nora shook her head.

“They might give us minor support, but it won’t be worth much. If we want real help, we’ll have to pay.”

Kairus shook his head at Nora’s words.

“What Lunaseeker wants is up-to-date intel. Maybe if it were a former Security Bureau Director, but an executive? Not exactly a tempting target.”

Even if they asked for help, Nora judged it would be nothing more than the equivalent of giving candy to a child who ran an errand.

Kairus couldn’t disagree. After all, retirement meant completely stepping away from the field, and whatever Roderick knew now probably wasn’t valuable enough for Lunaseeker to care about. Fınd the newest release on novel✦fire.net

“I’m a little too old to be happy with candy.”

If they couldn’t provide real help, then asking them would only increase the number of people in the know.

Kairus gave up on hoping for Lunaseeker’s cooperation.

“Are we bringing Spring Parsley along for this one too?”

At Irena’s question, Kairus again shook his head.

That would be the same as putting up an advertisement for the Bennett City Operations Committee.

Working with Simid Kellogg meant rebellion against the Empire—and if the Antaria Grand Canal Operations Committee learned of that, they might interfere.

‘Well. Or maybe they wouldn’t.’

It was the kind of twisted logic that said if one boxer broke his left arm, breaking the opponent’s left arm too would make things fair again.

[There’s a rebellion in the Empire? Then the Republic will definitely try to use this chance to weaken it further!]

[Then let’s make sure the Republic doesn’t have time to think about anything else!]

In reality, there were plenty of ways the criminals in Bennett City could destabilize the Aylan Republic.

‘Flooding the streets with cheap narcotics, assassinating mayors, parliament members, or corporate shareholders. Kidnapping people for ransom or hostage plays.’

Still, when an actual rebellion broke out in the Empire, how Bennett City would respond was anyone’s guess until it happened.

“Nora, what do you think? You really believe he’s living in a quiet rural village as a farmer?”

To Kairus’s question, Nora replied, “I think he probably is.”

“But he’d still have guards, right?”

He was a former Security Bureau executive. Having a bodyguard or two would be expected. But after a moment of thought, Nora answered,

“I doubt he needs one. First thing we should check is whether he’s got any emergency contact network. And…”

Nora ran a finger across her neck in a slashing motion.

“He’ll have a means of suicide prepared too.”

“The dead don’t talk.”

He was a former Security Bureau executive. If things went wrong, he’d value secrecy over his own life.

Once captured, the moment he realized there was no escape, Roderick’s suicide attempt would be inevitable.

“That’s something we’ll deal with when it comes to it… The next issue is his skill.”

He had a dazzling background as a 2nd Class Medal Knight from the Azure Order of Knights. Kairus turned his gaze toward Irena.

“You know anything about the Azure Order?”

“Light, swift movements. Weapons that are sharp, but fall apart if not handled delicately.”

That was how Irena described the Azure Order.

“Sounds like they don’t intend to get hit.”

Kairus nodded at her comment.

“One solid hit would probably knock them out instantly.”

The issue was that landing that one solid hit was a nightmare. Lightweight gear, sharp and delicate weapons.

“Generally, they carry a sword with a finely honed edge, and wear nothing more than a shirt and pants.”

All together, the weight barely reached 3 kilograms.

“How does the Azure Order's captain compare to the captain of the Scarlet Leaf Order?”

To that, Irena scoffed.

The Azure Order’s captain, Quickblade Dallas Ozley. As a captain, his skill was unquestionable. Even if five Kairuses attacked at once, he’d likely suppress them all.

But—

“If he wants to match swords with our captain, he’d need to be in the Imperial Blade rankings.”

“Dana Watson isn’t an Imperial Blade, though.”

There were currently seven people who held the title of Imperial Blade, and Dana Watson wasn’t one of them.

To that, Irena replied, “She used to hold the third spot, but stepped down about two years ago.”

“Why?”

Irena scratched her head with a conflicted look. Political interference?

“Well, there was a scandal over her conduct and all that. So she just stepped down.”

“What did she do?”

At Kairus’s question, Irena closed her eyes tightly before answering.

“She got caught fooling around on the prairie with a shepherd during grazing. And it wasn’t even in secret.”

“Alright, say no more. It really is a mystery how she’s still the captain.”

To that, Irena responded, “The Imperial Blade is just an honorary title in the end. The captain’s post isn’t.”

Dana Watson was an enormous force to reckon with. Dignity or no dignity, it was probably impossible to force her out of her position as captain.

“What happened to that shepherd? Did he become her concubine or something?”

Nora asked, looking intrigued.

“According to the captain, she just wanted to try it once in broad daylight at the pasture.”

It seemed she lost interest afterward. A curious tale, for sure.

Kairus clapped once.

“That’s enough about the Scarlet Leaf captain.”

Time to return to the main topic. Considering the Azure Order’s combat style and Roderick’s weapon, they could anticipate his fighting approach.

‘He dodges everything and stabs with the kitchen knife.’

With that in mind, Kairus’s eyes turned to Irena again.

Irena could predict an opponent’s movements with near-prophetic accuracy. While others could manage to some degree, her level was nothing short of pure talent.

“Nora, you take care of disabling the emergency line. Roderick’s yours to hold off, Irena.”

Irena flinched at Kairus’s words.

“M-me? You think I can?”

After nearly botching a job recently out of overconfidence, Irena was feeling a bit of pressure about the role she’d been assigned.

“Why not you?”

To that, Kairus replied immediately.

“There’s a military garrison not too far from Burfa.”

If Nora succeeded in cutting off the emergency line, no reinforcements would come. But any troops already stationed nearby would still have to be dealt with.

“B-but…”

“I’m not asking you to win. Just hold him off. And I’m only asking because I know you can do it.”

Taking on Roderick wouldn’t be easy for Irena. If it were just about killing him, she might have a 30–40% chance. But—

This time, the goal was capture. And when it came to that, not even Kairus was confident he could manage it alone.

“Nora, once you’ve disabled the comms, regroup with Irena right away.”

Kairus himself would join up after handling the approaching forces. Given the terrain and Swift Blade’s traits, he could manage the garrison’s troops alone.

“In the end, it’ll be the three of us working together to subdue Roderick.”

The plan for capture was in place. Now came the truly difficult part.