Ch.3Voluntary Retirement (3)

The mayor grumbled but did his job properly.

He stuffed animal entrails between the fabric layers. He was careful not to overfill them, knowing they would leak through the clothes if he did. Eventually, both the top and bottom garments were sufficiently filled.

Finally, Kain took out a pig’s bladder. He put contents inside and twisted the end in various ways. When placed on top of the upper garment, it was roughly the size of a human head.

He applied glue to the head and attached Goetz’s severed head and beard. After applying glue to the wooden frame, he attached the head and the upper and lower garments, then secured them with chains.

The finishing touches involved covering the loose seams between the upper and lower garments and the hand and foot areas with blood-soaked sacks. There was an issue with the upper and lower body moving separately, but after tightly binding them with rope, it looked convincing enough.

“Couldn’t we have just used a wooden dummy?”

“Are human-shaped wooden dummies common?”

Kain answered indifferently.

“Go and call six soldiers. Have them prepare an escort carriage outside the city hall.”

Once again, the mayor did as instructed.

Six tense-looking soldiers quickly arrived. They soon found themselves looking down at Goetz with his head and beard completely shaved, and at the dummy lying on the floor emitting a disgusting smell.

“Gentlemen, congratulations.”

The soldiers looked at Kain, not understanding what was happening.

“Load this thing onto the escort carriage and head straight to Exenburg without looking back. If you ride for three days and nights, you’ll get there.

If anyone asks why you’re there, mention Agent Kain from the Imperial Security Bureau. Let me give you some advice: from this moment on, you’re targets for Goetz’s men, so if you want to live, you’d better ride fast.”

“What…?”

The soldiers were dumbfounded. Kain looked at the mayor, who bellowed:

“Do it now! Before I cut your wages!”

With a clattering noise, the soldiers rushed out. Three hours later, a passenger cargo carriage quietly left the city hall. The carriage bearing the Security Bureau emblem remained abandoned in the city hall’s backyard.

A week later, the cargo carriage reached the imperial capital.

* * * * *

Regardless of the country, when people think of “intelligence agencies,” what comes to mind are gloominess, secrecy, dark torture chambers, and highly trained secret agents.

Such people are often surprised when they see the Security Bureau headquarters building. The back has a spacious garden, and the front faces a bustling area with a market. The first floor is even open for free visits and tours.

Of course, there was a time when everyone trembled at the mention of the “Imperial Security Bureau.” But that’s all in the past, more than 10 years ago.

It was during the war between the Empire and the Republic. And after a dramatic ceasefire, it was the time when they fought a life-or-death battle with the Demon King in the north who was expanding his power.

For the first time in 10 years, Security Bureau Director Verneith found himself missing those days. Back then, the Security Bureau building was in a more secretive location.

That meant he could curse at his subordinates without any problems, and no one would say anything if he kicked or beat them.

But not anymore. So he had to endure. Even if the criminal with all his hair and beard shaved off reeked of alcohol, the rookie trainee agent smelled foul, and the senior agent kept pacing back and forth.

“Criminal Goetz von Bärringen, delivered as ordered.”

Kain saluted with difficulty. The agents and guards lined up on both sides snickered. Verneith asked, suppressing his anger:

“Why did you give him alcohol?”

“He said he had a headache.”

“And why did you drink?”

“Because I had a headache.”

“I need a drink too.”

Verneith lamented. He glared at the snickering agents.

“Lock this bastard up right now! What are you all doing? Do you have time to waste?”

The agents grabbed Goetz. Director Verneith looked at Kain.

“You. Follow me to my office.”

He also shouted at the female knight behind them.

“You go wash up and rest!”

“What? That’s unfair,” Kain protested.

“I want to wash up and rest too.”

“Are you and she the same?”

“Isn’t this discrimination?”

“Do I look like I don’t discriminate!”

The female knight strode forward. With her grimy face, bloodshot eyes, and the stench of unwashed body. If her parents knew, they would have immediately tried to cut Verneith’s throat.

“Director. I don’t know what’s going on, but I also…”

“Shut up and go wash!”

Despite Verneith’s shouting, the female knight didn’t even flinch. Kain, unable to stand it anymore, waved his hand.

“The Director is speaking to you.”

“Understood.”

The female knight turned around abruptly. Only then did the Security Bureau Director notice the smell of alcohol coming from her.

“Hey. Don’t tell me she also…?”

“Cut her some slack. She drank.”

It certainly seemed that way. After taking five steps, the female knight collapsed sideways.

“Drrrring…”

“This is driving me crazy.”

* * * * *

Although he had shouted harshly, Verneith wasn’t a cruel person. He gave Kain a chance to sit in a chair.

“Do you know what these are?”

Of course, not being cruel didn’t mean he wasn’t angry. Verneith pointed to a pile of letters.

“I have no idea.”

“Complaints. Accusations. Demands for explanations. What on earth did you do in Maxiburg?”

Kain narrowed his eyes. His focus was off. Verneith gritted his teeth.

“Fine. You must be tired, but I’m tired too. So let’s go in order. Why did you make the mayor do forced labor? Why did you wreck the Maxiburg escort carriage?”

The last part was news even to Kain.

“The escort carriage was destroyed?”

“Shouldn’t you know since you destroyed it?”

“I didn’t destroy it. I guess the Maxiburg escort guards abandoned it and ran away. Did any of the guards die?”

“No one died. When the bandit Goetz’s men attacked, they dropped everything—weapons, helmets—and fled. So explain step by step what happened. Why you made a dummy of Goetz as bait, and why you left the Security Bureau carriage in Maxiburg.”

“I had no choice.” Kain shrugged.

He told the story of capturing the bandit knight Goetz. How the mayor, fearing retaliation, wanted him removed quickly. How they had no choice but to send a fake meat dummy as bait first, then switch to a cargo carriage and return cozily as a group of three.

“You… you bastard…!”

Verneith grabbed his nape with his right hand and shuffled through the pile of letters with his left.

“I wondered why we were getting bills from major cities… Did you change carriages and horses in every city? And not just renting them but even ‘purchasing’ them?”

“I had to avoid being tracked. Rentals leave records. Purchases don’t. Besides, carriages are cheaper than in the capital.”

“You claim you didn’t want to leave purchase records, yet you put all the charges under ‘Imperial Security Bureau’?”

“What could I do without cash?”

“And the alcohol? Don’t tell me…”

“When we bought a carriage in Habsburg, they threw it in for free. Goetz was struggling, the whetstone was really tired, and I was thirsty. Isn’t it better when everyone’s happy?”

Verneith’s face turned pale.

“I told you not to call her ‘whetstone’…!”

“Oh. Should I call her ‘the noble lady from the White Blood Knightly State’ instead?”

“Do you think the White Blood Knightly State is a doghouse?”

“‘The Security Bureau has only agents. No nobles, no commoners.’ Isn’t that the imperial decree?”

“At the very least, you could call her Agent Lily!”

Verneith pulled at his hair with his fingers.

“Kain, you bastard. Am I asking too much of you? Dignity. Please, dignity! How many times have I told you to maintain some dignity?”

“Director.” Kain shook his head.

“As you know, I’m an uneducated, ignorant country bumpkin. I was lucky to pass the test and get here. Looking after our beautiful, wise, and brave Agent Lily, taking down the Empire’s enemies with elegant swordsmanship like the guys from other departments, and bringing them in with style. I can’t do all that.”

“You’re undermining our authority.” Now Verneith’s words sounded more like a plea.

“Authority?” Kain clenched his fist. He thought he was quite drunk himself. But right now, he couldn’t contain his anger.

“Do you know what I saw and experienced in Maxiburg? Not just Maxiburg. For the past year, just half a day’s journey outside the capital! No one fears the Empire anymore. They don’t fear the imperial family, and they don’t fear the law!

Bandits like Goetz abuse the dueling law to extort people, and the esteemed Electors don’t even bat an eye! A castle? Good heavens, even a bastard like him has his own castle! Complete with a moat and a drawbridge!”

“Watch your language. Don’t cross the line.” Verneith’s eyes flashed. But Kain decided to go further.

“Line? You’re talking about a line? When even country bumpkins fear local thugs more than the capital’s Security Bureau, what line are you talking about? Goetz was a big fish, but there are more than ten similar guys in the Empire! If you count the petty thug knights, there are over a hundred! Do we have to go through this charade every time?”

“That’s why guys like you are out there on the streets, you bastard! To maintain order! Knowing that, you got drunk with Goetz and brought him here?”

“If we hadn’t, Lily and I would be dead!”

“Enough. That’s enough.” Verneith clicked his tongue. “You. Go wash up and sleep. And come back tomorrow to submit an incident report. This bastard, getting so bold as to speak like this in front of the Director!”

Rules are rules. Such insolence cannot be tolerated. But Verneith wasn’t really harsh. Deep down, he was regretting if he had pushed Kain too hard.

In fact, Goetz’s arrest was a task that all agents had been reluctant to take on. After all, he was an imperial knight who had even received a medal for bravery. Even the Security Bureau couldn’t have arrested him without solid evidence.

Moreover, Goetz was a thief. And the Security Bureau agents, except for the ruffian standing before him, were all from noble families, big and small. That meant if their identities were exposed, their territories would suffer terrible retaliation.

Although Goetz’s band of thieves might not number a hundred, it was clear that the bandit knights had formed some kind of alliance. This was also the basis for the Security Bureau’s classification of their collusion as “national rebellion,” despite the risks.

Knock knock.

The director’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock.

“What is it?”

The adjutant entered. His face was stiff. Since no Security Bureau agent was bad at controlling their expressions, such a face was an unusual signal.

“An urgent letter, sir.”

Naturally, the letter was already opened. All letters coming to the Security Bureau undergo security screening. With letters containing razor blades coated with snake venom hidden along the opening line being delivered about once every two weeks, it was a necessary precaution.

“What is it?”

“A petition regarding Goetz von Bärringen has arrived. Over a hundred nobles have signed it.”

“Those crazy bastards.”

Verneith waved his hand, signaling the adjutant to leave. But the adjutant didn’t go.

“There’s more. The Minister of Justice…”

“Please, no.”

“Says to release him immediately if there’s no physical evidence.”

“Tell him we may not have physical evidence, but we have secured testimonies. More than ten cities have been victimized by these bandit knights. Reports of definite damages from those cities…”

“That’s the content of the petition.” The adjutant gritted his teeth. Kain suddenly sobered up.

“They claim they didn’t suffer any damage, but rather had a minor difference of opinion. They say they made legal payments to the knightly order led by Goetz as a form of investment, not that they were ‘robbed’ like bandits would do.”

Verneith leaned on his desk.

“That means, in other words…”

“We have no grounds to hold Goetz.”

“What about Maxiburg?”

“The mayor also signed the petition. He even sent a letter. Saying nothing happened.”

“How much more is there?”

“I’m not sure what you mean…”

Verneith pulled out a bottle of alcohol hidden under his desk. He unwrapped it and took a swig. His face flushed.

“How much more bad news is there?”

“One more thing.”

“What is it?”

The adjutant bit his lip.

“Goetz von Bärringen plans to sue the Security Bureau for illegal detention. Especially against Agent Kain separately.”

“Can’t we just smash that bastard’s head right now?”

Verneith took another swig. Agent Kain ran his palm over his face.

“Director Verneith Irovachi.”

“You’re giving me the creeps, man. Who told you to call me that? All of a sudden.”

Verneith’s hand, about to take another drink, stopped. Kain’s face looked strangely calm.

“I’m quitting.”

“Quitting what?”

“I’m quitting the Security Bureau. I can’t take this anymore.”

A moment later, agents passing by the Security Bureau Director’s office had to flee in surprise. All sorts of furniture were flying out of the director’s office.