Chapter 153
Chapter 153
Raid the Liaison Office (2)
Once aboard the train, Kairus took a seat. Irena, apparently hungry, ordered some food, and soon a few modest dishes were placed on the folding table in front of them.
“Julian Conservatory, huh.”
“There are even a few members of the Royal Symphony Orchestra who graduated from that school.”
It meant the school had a decent reputation. Kairus wasn’t someone who particularly enjoyed music.
“The only kind of music I know is drumbeats, really.”
The beat of drums echoing from behind, timed with the soldiers’ advance.
That was the only thing he could call a proper instrument. The music of the battlefield, aside from those drumbeats, was filled with the clashing of weapons, screams, and shouts.
“I actually like music,” Irena said.
Nora nodded in agreement, as if to say she did too.
“It’s not that I dislike it. I just don’t know anything about it.”
“It’s not like you’re applying to a conservatory. Still, things are a bit inconvenient without help from Bennett City.”
Kairus agreed with Irena’s comment. They were using forged identities without much trouble, but everything felt a bit less convenient overall.
“It would’ve been easier if we had help from that guy with the silly name.”
The man with the silly name Nora was referring to was Spring Parsley. And indeed, even Kairus felt like things were a bit more cumbersome without Spring Parsley’s cooperation.
This was exactly why people needed architects.
“We found the location of the liaison office. As for the professor...”
Violinist Bran Tokstale. Apparently, he was famous enough to have a regular spot on a local radio show.
He had no particular interest in composing, but according to Irena, his violin skills alone were outstanding.
“But I didn’t expect him to be Security Bureau. He’s super popular among women in their 30s and older.”
Neat appearance, gentlemanly demeanor, and on top of that, the position of a music professor.
“Given his history with women, I wouldn’t call him gentlemanly.”
“I mean his demeanor is gentlemanly.”
Put simply, he seemed to be a womanizer. Though part of Kairus wondered if that might somehow be useful.
‘Even if he is a womanizer, he’s still the liaison chief of the Security Bureau.’
It didn’t seem like something they could easily exploit.
“We’re just going to sneak in and take what we need. There shouldn’t be any contact.”
Kairus nodded in agreement with Nora’s words. It was best not to get entangled. They couldn’t leave behind even a trace of having been there.
Still, the fact that he was a womanizer might help buy Kairus some time to investigate.
“Irena, looks like you’ll have to put in a little work.”
Irena, quietly munching on corn, let out a questioning “Hmm?” and looked at Kairus.
“You’re going to seduce him?”
"While you’re buying us time, Nora and I can take care of the rest."
At Kairus’s words, Nora let out a scoffing laugh and struck a weird pose as she replied.
“I can handle this too!”
“Bullshit. You couldn’t even get into a hotel with him.”
Unless Bran had a very particular sexual preference, there wasn’t much Nora could do. She was, after all, more fitting of the word ‘girl’ than ‘woman’ at her age.
At Kairus’s comment, Irena gave him a look of disbelief and said,
“You’re seriously telling me to drag him all the way to a hotel? What, want me to hand him a pack of condoms while I’m at it?”
“No need to go that far. Though, who knows—just in case, should I pack some?”
At that, Irena clicked her tongue.
“Screw off. Whatever. I’ll give it a shot. You just make sure to handle your part while I keep him busy.”
That answer alone was good enough. Kairus unfolded a map and spoke.
“After the job, we’ll pass through this street.”
Irena would lure Bran out and spend some time near that street. Once she saw Kairus and Nora pass by, that would be her signal to wrap things up.
“Bran’s type in women is pretty simple.”
“She has to be pretty, right?”
“That’s not a preference—that’s just a requirement.”
Who in the world didn’t like pretty women? Bran’s history with women was flashy enough that figuring out his taste hadn’t been hard.
To put it simply: pure, devoted, yet unattainable—like a proud flower on a cliff’s edge.
“Honestly, with that kind of type, it doesn’t sound like I’ll even have to try.”
“Doesn’t sound like you fit the bill, though.”
A knight affiliated with the Order, Irena had a strong personality, often quick to snap over the smallest things.
To that, Irena snorted.
“Thing is, ideal types don’t really matter. If you’re pretty, even being rude comes off as feisty and attractive.”
Not a wrong point. On the other hand, if someone was ugly, even being humble came across as pathetic. Regardless of gender, if someone was good-looking, everything about them was seen as a unique charm.
Listening to all this, Nora let out a thoughtful hum and scratched her head.
“But isn’t it weird for a proud, aloof woman to go all swoony over a guy she just met a few hours ago?”
A sharp observation. Irena crossed her legs and replied like it was nothing.
“What’s so weird? A woman who looks like she’d never give her heart easily suddenly falls head over heels for me—that’s the good part. It makes him feel like he’s something special.”
Kairus nodded.
“Yeah, I think I get what you’re saying.”
“Wait, is that your thing too?”
When Irena grinned and asked, Kairus shook his head.
“No. That’d be way too boring. She says yes to everything I suggest and follows along without question, no matter what I do?”
Kairus didn’t find that kind of personality attractive at all.
If that was what he wanted, he might as well just raise a puppy.
“How can a proud, aloof woman also be devoted?”
It’s like non-fattening deep-fried food—doesn’t make sense from the start.
“If someone actually acted like that toward me, I’d question their motives first.”
At any rate, it wasn’t Kairus that Irena needed to seduce right now—it was Bran. And the fact that Irena could convincingly act like the kind of woman Bran liked was good news.
“Let’s hope we can get this done as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll give it my best.”
How much time had passed after they wrapped up the conversation? Eventually, the train they were on reached its destination. During the ride, Irena browsed the magazines available onboard and listened to the radio, gathering intel on Bran.
“Figures—it’s a city with a famous music school.”
As soon as they stepped out of the station, the first thing that caught their eyes were the concert posters plastered everywhere.
On top of that, there were plenty of cafés, and the overall atmosphere of the city was a blend of affluence and warmth.
“By the way, with makeup on, you look like a different person.”
Kairus was impressed seeing Irena after she had finished getting her makeup done with Nora’s help.
“Stunning, right? Makeup’s a skill too. If you practice and put in the effort, it pays off.”
“I figured you could keep it light since your features are already great.”
With Nora’s help, Irena had spent a full hour putting on her makeup.
“Light makeup? That takes real skill.”
The kind of makeup that looks effortless while actually being thickly applied—that’s true technique.
“It’s like cake. You pack it with butter and whipped cream, but it still tastes fresh, right? Makeup’s the same.”
If someone told you to just eat all that butter and cream straight, there’d be plenty of people who couldn’t stomach it.
“Alright, alright, nice job. You bloomed, seriously.”
Kairus rarely commented on people’s faces, but this was truly impressive. It wouldn’t be strange if passersby stopped in their tracks and drooled.
“Since you went all out, you better make it count.”
At his words, Irena lightly raised her black silk gloves and said,
“Of course. Mr. Kairus, do your best, too. I’m rooting for you.”
“Whoa, she even changed her voice tone.”
At Kairus’s comment, Irena chuckled. She strode off ahead, and Kairus and Nora followed from a bit of a distance.
‘There’s zero chance she’ll fail on looks alone.’
As for acting, judging by the tone she just used, that wouldn’t be an issue either.
“Unni, why’s she wearing gloves?”
Keeping a reasonable distance, Nora asked as they walked.
“You can tell by the hands.”
Gait and posture could be faked. If someone said they used to do ballet or rhythmic gymnastics, most people would just accept it and move on. The reason was simple.
Bran didn’t know anything about that sort of thing. If someone claimed they got a body like that from something he didn’t understand—
‘Really?’
—he’d just accept it.
But hands couldn’t be faked. The calluses that came from daily life and the ones formed from swinging a sword had different shapes and locations—it was obvious.
That’s why she simply wore gloves. Spring was approaching and clothes were getting lighter, but the weather wasn’t so hot yet that wearing gloves seemed strange.
And no man would forcefully take off a woman’s gloves.
“Oh, right. My hands are like that too,”
Nora said as she turned her hands this way and that.
“So how are they going to meet?”
“Irena likes music.”
She’d just need to act intrigued and delighted to meet him after already having had an interest. That alone would be enough to win over his attention.
The rest would be handled naturally by the armor of makeup Irena was currently wearing.
“As soon as it looks like the mood’s right, we move in.”
“Mm. I hope unni can keep him occupied long enough.”
About an hour later, Irena succeeded in spotting her target. Bran Tokstale was sitting at a café, smoking a cigar and reading something.
She found him, but didn’t approach right away. Instead, she lingered hesitantly nearby for a while. Naturally, Bran noticed her behavior.
There was no way he wouldn’t, given her looks. The important thing was to show hesitation.
“Um, excuse me. I’m really sorry to bother you.”
After a while of dithering, Irena finally approached Bran and spoke in a slightly nervous voice.
In her eyes—just from the look she gave while speaking—was a vivid mix of excitement and awe. Knowing it was all an act made Kairus genuinely taken aback.
If someone wanted to hold a photo exhibition under the theme “A Woman in Love,” they could just snap a picture of Irena right now.
“Yes. Is there something I can help you with?”
Of course, Bran didn’t mind her approach at all.
“You’re Professor Bran Tokstale, right?”
“Haha… well now.”
He spoke as if it was a bit troublesome, but his face showed no signs of discomfort. Irena’s eyes sparkled as she waited for a response, and Bran nodded in confirmation.
“I’ve been hoping to meet you someday. Your performance of Rebart No. 3 in G minor was just incredible.”
“Is that so? I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Unlike others, you used spiccato in the second movement. I’m so curious about how you interpreted the piece.”
Kairus exchanged a quick glance with Nora, then immediately set off.
This was enough. If the conversation continued a bit longer, Bran would probably invite her for a drink.
“At this rate, Irena won’t even need to bring condoms.”
It was clear Bran would be the one prepared. At Kairus’s comment, Nora checked the time and replied,
“The sun’s still high.”
“What’s the sky got to do with two people making love?”
Even while chatting, Kairus and Nora moved like the wind and arrived at Julian Conservatory.
“Top floor of Zelkova Hall.”
The fact that the liaison chief was posing as a professor meant that during daylight hours, he actually lived the life of one.
And right now, Bran Tokstale was away from his post. There was absolutely no reason to miss this opportunity.