Chapter 163

- Well need a more detailed explanation.

Disappointment materialised on Isaacs face, having failed to spot any clues from the three. Rivelia approached him and tried to whisper into his ear, only to be interrupted by Duke Pendletons ferocious bellow.

-Get off him! What do you think youre doing so close to him!

Isaac sighed, having lost his patience for Duke Pendletons boundless fatherly love. Rivelia created some distance and spoke.

Weve received news that the suspect related to Kaldens death had been caught.

Really? Then lets go.

-Where do you think youre going?!

My land is still in a mess, you see. I need to resolve the issue myself. It turns out the presence or absence of the boss can greatly impact how quickly these matters are dealt with.

Isaac wasnt wrong, but it certainly felt wrong when it came out of his mouth.

-But the meeting hasnt even started yet.

Isaac smirked at the Emperor.

Was I ever in a position to determine the Empires future in the first place? Just send me a report on the current situation and what to do nextlike weve always done.

-We were meaning to determine your punishment here as well.

Ill leave everything to you guys. Or shall I leave my Vice Director here?

-Will you accept whatever punishment we decide on?

Of course. I sincerely await your wise judgement.

Isaac responded to the Emperors threat with a polite bow, infuriating him all the same. Isaac left the meeting room, and Riveliaafter a moment of pausefollowed him out the room.

-M, my daughter!

Duke Pendleton cried out to Rivelia, but he was left dejected. She had left without hesitation, much less than a glance back.

The Queen, who had been sipping her tea blankly until Isaac and Rivelia left, clapped her hands as if shed just remembered.

-So it was this agents fault that we waited all this time for a meeting this short?

-Hm. I must admit though, the information he brought was worth the wait.

-My daughter ignored me

The Queens eyes glimmered like a lion stalking its prey. The Emperor seemed unhappy despite his approval, and Duke Pendleton showed no signs of acknowledgement, his clouded emotions on full display. Soland, standing alone in the room with the highest authorities of Central, quivered nervously. He had just entered a tigers den, and his back was dripping with cold sweat.

Ah! I forgot to ask why the Director of Surveillance wasnt around.

Isaac muttered to himself as he walked the streets. The Director of Surveillance had yet to appear despite the many matters requiring their attention. There was a limit to keeping everything a secret; now an insistent curiosity was starting to rear its head, dying to find out what the Director looked like.

I have heard that the Director of Surveillance was summoned by the Grand Council.

Hm? Whys that?

Isaac asked back. Rivelia was clearly regretful of following him outside the meeting as she answered him.

You left the meeting before they could tell you.

Ill ask them later.

Isaac avoided Rivelias comment with a cough. Rivelia glimpsed at Isaac once and asked.

How is Laila?

The brat? Shes still unconscious. Why dont you visit her when you have the time

Yes sir.

So who is the suspect we caught?

His name is Ratt, and he was responsible for managing all of the warehouses.

Why does that name sound familiar?

Really? Anyway, they caught him trying to escape the city. On him was a bearer bond valued at five hundred thousand giga.

Five hundred thousand? He really went wild.

But hes been denying all allegations.

Well find out when we get there.

The mercenaries residence contained a large field designated for military training, as it was mandated by law to train the citizens of the Empire. By extension then, it had excellent facilities for all sorts of training.

At the field were mercenaries, fully armed. When Isaac appeared, they immediately saluted.

Salute!

Huh? Whats this bulls.h.i.+t?

Isaac watched the mercenaries smooth motions apathetically. As Isaac approached, the mercenaries immediately brought him a chair and Isaac naturally sat upon it. Soon, the mercenaries dragged a man up to Isaac.

L, Lord Isaac, Im innocent! I did not kill Mr. Kalden!

The crying man immediately crawled up to his legs and pleaded his innocence. He looked at his face, and Isaac c.o.c.ked his head.

Why is this face so familiar?

Isaac muttered, and Ratt desperately explained to Isaac.

Its me! Ratt! The same Ratt who used to work as vice captain of police force under Dinozo and the first to swear loyalty to you and serve you with all I had!

Ah! I remember. Didnt Reisha kill you for hara.s.sing her?

No! Back then

Whatever. Was it you who killed Kalden?

No! This is a conspiracy! Ive been framed!

So desperate were his cries that even Isaac was starting to be convinced he wasnt the culprit.

Hes saying hes innocent.

Isaac kicked away Ratts grasp and asked Flander, who was standing at his side rubbing his hands together. Flander confidently showed Isaac the evidence.

This is the bearer bond of the five hundred thousand Giga we found on him.

No! That I mean I stole those funds from the casino when I was blinded by greed. I most definitely didnt kill Mr. Kalden!

Ratt attempted to grab Isaacs legs once more, but the mercenaries held him down. Inches away from Isaac, Ratt cried desperately. Isaac pa.s.sed the bearer bond to Rivelia, who nodded.

This bearer bond was most definitely stored in the casino for its security.

Ratt sighed with relief at Rivelias confirmation, some colour returning to his faceuntil Isaac suddenly kicked Ratt in the face. Glaring ferociously at the whimpering Ratt, he asked.

How did someone like him manage to rob the casino?

He most likely joined the mob when they looted the casino.

Hah. Sit him up for me.

The mercenaries grabbed at Ratts arms and forced him to look at Isaac, his nose broken and bleeding.

Lord Isaac, spare me! Im sorry.

Hm? Its okay. Its okay. I understand. Everyone can make mistakes when such a large sum of money is dangling in front of them. That can happen. Im not that petty, you know.

Thank you! Thank you!

Isaac watched Ratt grovel and thank him again and again. He leaned back on his chair and spoke.

I was planning to have insurance cover all the damage in the casino. You can have that bearer bond.

Huk! Really?

Yeah. Do you think Id lie?

No! Youd never do such a thing.

Right? But you see. Theres this one question. Ill let you go if you answer it for me. Youll never have to worry about money ever again with that five hundred thousand Giga, right?

Ill tell you whatever I know.

Satisfied with Ratts reply, Isaac smiled and nodded as he asked.

Why did you try to run now?

Sorry?

Ratts face stiffened immediately.

Its strange no matter how you think about it. You saw the mob looting the casino and thought you could capitalise on the opportunity. Isnt that why you took the money from the casino? Then why did you try to run now?

We have no idea who took how much money from the casino thanks to this mess were in. So all you had to do was stay low for a while and run away once everything calmed down. Youre n.o.body important, and no one would care if you disappeared, so why did you try to run now only to be caught? Did you want to spend your haul immediately? Or was now the only chance you had of escape?

Kuk!

Ratts eyes, first blank, changed as Isaac continued to explain. The mercenaries had loosened their grip on Ratt trying to listen to Isaac, which gave Ratt the chance to twist his body and escape the mercenaries. He pulled out a pistol from his pocket.

So swift was his action that not even Rivelia could react. Ratt shot the chest of the mercenary to his left. Bang! The mercenary dropped. Meanwhile, Ratt grabbed the mercenary to his right, wrapping his free arm around the mercenarys neck and putting the pistol up against the mercenarys temple.

Dont move if you dont want the hostage to die!

The mercenaries stood sh.e.l.l-shocked, the death of their comrade caused by a sudden and foreign noise. Rivelia too had her sword only half-drawn.

It was you.

Isaac grinned brightly and stood up from his chair slowly. Ratt stopped back and turned the pistol to Isaac.

Dont move! Ill kill you!

Ratt wildly waved the pistol at his surroundings before pulling the trigger. Bang! Bang! Gunfire met metal in loud clangs as Rivelia deflected the bullets with lightning speed.

Why dont you leave it at that? I have so many things to ask you. I think we need to have a long heart-to-heart conversation.

Isaac approached Ratt with a bright smileone seemingly reserved for reunions with old friendswhen Ratts eyes suddenly turned to a murky swirl.

W, what did I just

Hm?

Isaac felt that something was off about Ratt when his eyes regained its glimmer. He grinned, meeting Isaacs look.

You dont know anything.

Stop!

Rivelia shouted but Ratt pushed his hostage away and pointed the pistol up against his chin, pulling the trigger. Bang! and Ratts head exploded into a b.l.o.o.d.y fountain.

Isaac watched Ratts dead body collapse without a word. He pulled out a cigarette.

Did you not check for his belongings?

He surrendered quietly when he was caught Its my fault! I never suspected hed possess such a dangerous weapon Kill me!

The mercenaries looked at Ratt frustratedly. They had been so jubilant about their accomplishment just moments before, only to demonstrate their woeful inexperience in neglecting to check his belongings. It resulted in Isaac in danger and the culprit dead by suicide.

Ill overlook this since youve all done so well until now. Dont drop your guard next time.

We will remember.

Isaac clicked his tongue. The mercenaries bowed reverently, at awe of Isaacs mercy. Meanwhile Isaac grabbed the spent canister. The hot canister was of the same type that had blasted through Kaldens head

I dont get it. Somethings off

Isaac muttered as he played with the canister when Rivelia came by after cleaning up the dead mercenarys body.

How did Ratt possess a pistol? No, how does he know how to use it in the first place?

I know, right

That was odd too, but there was something even strangerso strange that Isaac could not find the words to explain it. Ratt would never have been caught if he could use guns in the first place.