Chapter 28 : Let’s Leave
“Th-this is bad!”
Hartman, who had been sipping alcohol in the inn’s dining hall, turned around in confusion.
What was this sudden commotion?
Before he could even ask, his colleague, pale-faced, pointed outside.
“They’re all dead.”
“What?”
“The guys who went out drinking—they’re all dead. Something must’ve happened at the bar.”
Thud.
Hartman dropped his cigarette in shock.
Grabbing his gun, he rushed outside, and the three colleagues with him followed.
“No, how did guys who just went out for drinks end up like this?”
“I don’t know either. There are bodies in front of the bar—”
“Over there!”
“Damn it!”
In front of the bar <Maktanota>.
Residents and security personnel had gathered in large numbers.
Through the crowd, the sight of Pinkerton agents—now cold corpses—came into view.
Hartman pushed through the onlookers and surveyed the situation.
“What happened here?”
“Oh, you’re with these men, I presume? Pinkerton agents.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Tsk tsk. You should’ve kept better watch over your colleagues. They got drunk, caused a disturbance, and were subdued by the townspeople. I hear they even threatened Mr. Jaei for money.”
Ha!
Hartman grabbed his forehead in disbelief.
He knew they were reckless idiots, but to do something like that in the middle of town!
His colleagues muttered bitterly.
“Those bastards should’ve just died face-first in their drinks.”
“Hartman, what do we do?”
Weren’t they afraid of Pinkerton’s punishment?
Hartman was the leader of this mission, so the report would be his responsibility.
He steadied himself and asked.
“······My apologies. Were any civilians injured?”
“No civilians were injured.”
“······Excuse me?”
“All civilians are safe. Quite fortunate, really. If there had been casualties, Pinkerton would be in serious trouble, wouldn’t they?”
At the officer’s words, Hartman hesitated.
He sensed something was off, but nodded without showing it.
“That’s true. May I examine the bodies? I need to retrieve their Pinkerton badges.”
“Of course.”
Hartman lifted the cloths and checked the gunshot wounds.
Each had at least three or four bullet wounds.
That somewhat supported the claim that they were subdued by townspeople.
It was the kind of damage caused by overwhelming numbers.
‘But no matter how I think about it, something’s strange.’
“Did the disturbance occur inside?”
“Yes, on the first floor.”
A shootout happened indoors, yet not a single civilian was injured?
Did that make any sense?
Hartman checked their guns.
All chambers were empty.
So they had fired as well…
“Is that enough?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Please confirm their identities at the sheriff’s office later. Otherwise, they’ll be treated as unclaimed bodies and taken by the office.”
“Understood.”
A warning—they could be sold for dissection.
After acknowledging it, Hartman looked around.
Not far away, he spotted Jaei talking with people.
“Excuse me—”
At Hartman’s call, James exhaled smoke through his teeth.
As if what was bound to happen had finally arrived.
“You are Mr. Jaei, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“First, as a Pinkerton agent and the leader of this mission, I apologize for this unfortunate incident.”
“Yes, though the ‘unfortunate’ part applies more to them, so it’s fine.”
“Could you explain in detail what happened?”
When Jaei only stared without answering, Hartman waved his hand as if it were nothing.
“It’s for the report to headquarters.”
“If that’s the case, the security officer’s statement should suffice. Your men approached first, threatened me, and pulled the trigger first.”
Even if they were reckless, they were still skilled gunslingers.
Yet despite attacking first, there were no injuries?
Hartman sensed there was something hidden.
And Jaei sensed that Hartman had realized it.
“I dealt with the man in the blue shirt whose head was blown off. The rest were handled by Mr. James and the people here.”
Jaei smiled as he introduced James and the others.
Everyone here was a witness.
A witness—and an accomplice.
At that moment, Hartman and his colleagues realized they were surrounded by onlookers.
“Hartman.”
This feels bad.
At his colleague’s whisper, Hartman slowly stepped back.
“Yes. Understood. Once again, I apologize. Pinkerton will ensure this does not happen again.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Then, we’ll be going.”
Even as they moved away from the crowd, they kept glancing back.
Hartman whispered to his colleagues.
“Let’s leave Mollibay immediately.”
“Yeah. Something feels off.”
“Damn it, this is terrifying.”
Once they confirmed the men had turned the corner and disappeared, Jaei smiled faintly and gestured for people to come closer.
“Everyone did well. Here’s a small reward. Take this and enjoy as much food and drink as you want at <Maktanota>.”
“What? Really? Are you serious?”
“Yes, of course. Even if it’s a stone wall, we still damaged it. It’s only right to compensate the owner.”
“Hahaha! That’s right!”
“Jaei, thanks. That was fun!”
“Exactly! When else would I get to shoot at Pinkerton? Let’s go!”
The people chattered excitedly and returned to the bar.
Despite the ground still soaked with the blood of those they had just killed, they showed no hesitation.
Jaei watched them, then let out a small sigh and turned away.
“Jaei, where are you going?”
James called out to him.
“I’m tired. You should stay and enjoy yourself too.”
“Wait, ahem. I was thinking—you want to go to California, right?”
“Yes. For now.”
“Then how about going with me?”
“······With you, Mr. James?”
“Not that gold investment nonsense. I’ve got a real good plan. I think you’d do very well. Interested? If it works out, you could earn as much as you currently have.”
Jaei narrowed his eyes.
Great money always came with great risk.
He already had enough to live comfortably by this world’s standards.
Getting involved in something dangerous would only bring trouble.
James grinned and whispered.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“If I hear it, I’ll feel like I have to do it. So I won’t.”
“You might regret it.”
“I’m a bit sensitive after hearing something like that earlier. Please refrain.”
“Haha! Fair enough. Sorry.”
“Then go on in. I’ll be going too.”
James called out to Jaei’s back.
“See you again! Someday.”
He knew.
At the earliest, tonight—or at the latest, within two days—Jaei would leave Mollibay.
For now, the townspeople were favorable toward him, but there was no telling when they might turn like the Pinkerton agents.
Jaei was smart.
He would surely leave soon.
Without replying, Jaei disappeared into the alley.
***
Creeeak!
The owner of <Happy Mapey> ranch stopped in confusion upon seeing a carriage in front of the stable.
It was early, yet Jaei stood there with Onyx.
“······Jaei?”
“You’re late. I heard you open at dawn, so I’ve been waiting.”
“Ah, sorry. I overslept. But what’s going on? And what’s with all that luggage?”
“I’m planning to leave for California today. Before that, I’d like to reinforce under the saddle. Would that be alright?”
“What? Today? You’re leaving for California?”
“Yes. Why are you so surprised?”
Jaei had never once said he would settle in Mollibay.
As he smiled faintly, the stable owner awkwardly followed with a smile, stroking his chin.
“You’re right. Why am I so surprised? Maybe because I heard you treated the townspeople to drinks just two days ago. It just feels… sudden.”
Those who didn’t know the full story simply thought Jaei had been getting along well.
“If possible, I’d like to depart before noon. Do you have time? It’s not urgent—I just thought I’d ask. If not, I’ll just leave.”
“No, no. I’ll make it work. It’s your request, after all.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, right! Wait here a moment.”
The stable owner gestured for him to wait, then went behind his wagon and rummaged through a box.
“This—my son made this bow.”
“Ah, Jack?”
“The wolf pelts sold better than expected, so I gave him some allowance. He got materials somewhere and made a new one. He told me to give it to you, so this works out perfectly.”
It was small and light for an adult bow.
Perfect accuracy, but tailored for Jaei, who lacked arm strength.
Jaei held the bow and lightly swung it, then smiled in satisfaction.
“Please tell Jack thank you. Now I just need arrows.”
“Well, in times like these, when would you even use it? I heard you stocked up on bullets at the gun shop. If you’ve got enough ammo, guns are much better. Now, sit over there. I’ll reinforce the saddle soon.”
Jaei sat in a corner chair and enjoyed the calm morning.
Crossing the wasteland would be tough for a while—but there was something to look forward to.
The breathtakingly beautiful nature.
The clouds meeting distant hills—
“Kim Jaei!”
Libero?
A voice breaking the moment.
Jaei frowned as he saw Libero approaching with a donkey loaded with luggage.
“······What is it?”
“What do you mean? Damn, I thought you already left. Hey, sir! Reinforce my saddle too!”
Libero strode past confidently.
Jaei and Onyx both turned their heads, staring at him in disbelief.
Libero shrugged at them.
“I’m going to California too.”
“······Why? What about your sisters?”
“I gave them half of the 250 dollars you gave me. They’ll live comfortably for a while. And with the rest, I bought a donkey. Watching you—”
Libero crossed his arms and looked Jaei up and down.
What a pathetic-looking rich guy!
“A real man should live like you! This backwater town is too small for me!”
He clenched his fist and looked at Jaei.
A rich, skilled gunslinger?
That was rare.
He couldn’t just let this connection slip away.
“And I’ll keep an eye on you while I’m at it.”
“······No.”
Money seemed to follow Jaei—so Libero would just follow Jaei.
Even though Jaei refused outright, Libero hummed and nodded.
“Yeah? Well, what can you do? There’s only one road from here to California. And you—can you even read a map?”
“Better than you.”
“Of course! Reliable.”
Libero laughed loudly and slapped Jaei’s shoulder.
It didn’t seem like he would leave easily.
Half-giving up, Jaei sat back down, and Libero plopped down beside him.
He kept nodding, saying it would be good for both of them.
“And hey, crossing the wasteland alone is basically suicide. There are tons of crazy Indians these days. You’ll be grateful you’re going with me! Hahaha!”
“Bullshit.”
That last word wasn’t from Jaei—but from the stable owner, muttered under his breath.