Ch.5Voluntary Retirement (End)

Lily raised her head.

“Yes, senior.”

“As you know, the Imperial Security Bureau operates on a seniority system. Whatever your status was outside, it means nothing here. Of course, there’s no need to hide it, but no one should disrespect others or be disrespected because of it.

Take me and Bom for example. We’re the second and third sons of count families, but we don’t look down on agents from baronial families, nor do we bow before the children of dukes. The Security Bureau only accepts people who’ve graduated from the Academy and passed the entrance exam, and seniority is determined by when you joined.”

“Yes. That’s how I got in too.”

Even being the daughter of an Elector offers no exceptions. Any citizen of the Empire can enter the Academy and become a civil servant through fair procedures, taking exams and being evaluated on grades and results.

This is why nobles couldn’t simply swallow up the Security Bureau. With nobles from all regions mixed together, it was difficult to form any significant factions.

This was the foundation that allowed the Security Bureau to maintain some independence despite numerous attempts by dukes to control it. Even Director Verneith came from an obscure baronial family.

“But you know, we can’t completely ignore people’s backgrounds. Don’t misunderstand! The Empire is vast, and lifestyles differ everywhere. So in some ways, it’s really hard to understand each other.”

“It really is difficult.” Boehm and Bom nodded. Lily also nodded carefully while clutching her beer mug. Meanwhile, Kain grew increasingly anxious.

‘What are these bastards trying to pull?’

“Exactly! So what I want to ask, and I dare to ask this of a member of the White Blood Knights, who are considered the best swordsmen in the Empire, or even the world—from a swordsmanship perspective, how would you rate Manager Kain’s skills?”

“I don’t know.”

Even Kain turned to look at Lily. Though her cheeks were flushed, she was completely serious.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Boehm asked. “Didn’t you see him take down Goetz?”

“I did, but the manager used a staff, not a sword. There certainly are sword techniques that can be applied with a staff, but the application and adaptation must be different. Therefore, I cannot comment on the manager’s swordsmanship since I haven’t seen it.”

Boehm and Bom gaped.

“Did he really take him down with just a staff? How?”

Lily’s eyes sparkled.

“He hurled insults at him. Like this.”

With innocent sincerity, Lily raised her middle finger to Boehm and Bom. Kain pretended not to notice and gently folded her finger down.

“You shouldn’t do that just anywhere. Do you know what that means?”

“Not really.”

“Ah. I see.”

Not surprising. The White Blood Knights had clearly raised their daughter very properly. Boehm and Bom looked disappointed, but they seemed to agree.

“So… um… why do you think he cursed at him?”

“I believe it was to read his muscle movements.”

The three men exchanged glances.

“Oh. You know the reason?”

“Yes.” Lily nodded.

“He deliberately provoked Goetz into a state of excitement and tension, forcing him to take an offensive stance. Goetz placed his center of gravity slightly back, held his sword somewhat loosely in his right hand, but twisted his waist slightly to the left.”

Kain nodded slightly. Indeed, a tiger doesn’t give birth to a dog. She had seen what he had seen. After all, he had deliberately induced it.

“And? What do you think that meant?”

“Goetz deliberately swung his right arm with the sword widely. It was to draw attention, but the real attack was the left straight punch that would follow. The center of gravity shifted back and the waist twisted left were all to put his weight behind that punch.”

“You saw correctly.” Kain confirmed. Lily’s lips quivered. Her smile kept growing. Kain felt a little embarrassed.

“So. Um. Since you can’t evaluate my swordsmanship. How was my staff technique? Do they teach staff fighting in the knightly order?”

“We cover theory and counter-techniques, but don’t train deeply in it. Though we do know how to use it.”

“They teach staff techniques from the Eastern Republic too? That’s what I’d expect from a prestigious family. So, your evaluation?”

Agent Lily answered proudly:

“It was beautiful. I felt an orgasm.”

Boehm bit his tongue and Bom spat out some beer. Kain gritted his teeth, trying not to scream reflexively.

“Hey. Hey. You, you, do you, do you know what, what that word means…?”

“Of course I know.” Lily showed no embarrassment whatsoever. She sounded like she was reciting from an encyclopedia. “When intercourse with a beloved partner reaches its climax…”

“Rookie! Eat some meat! Meat! The kid says everything! Eat some bread! Bread!”

Bom forcibly stuffed a long piece of bread into Lily’s mouth.

“Mmphf?” Like a startled squirrel, Lily began chewing the bread in her mouth. The bizarre atmosphere sobered everyone up quickly.

“Where on earth did you learn to talk like that?”

Kain rubbed his forehead. After swallowing the bread with a gulp, Lily answered innocently:

“I read it in my father’s library. He forbade me from entering, which made me stubborn, so I snuck in and read. It was quite spacious inside.”

“…I. I see.”

Lily hesitated.

“Did, did I make some kind of mistake…?”

“No. No. It’s fine.” Kain reached out to pat Lily’s head but withdrew his hand awkwardly. She was leaving anyway.

“Well. That’s not a commonly used expression, but you’ll get used to it working at the Security Bureau. You’ll be fine if you learn from Boehm and Bom, right?”

“Of course.” Boehm pounded his chest with his fist.

“She’s our rookie. If we don’t take care of her, who will? Right, boss?” Bom grinned. Kain bit his lip slightly.

“I’m counting on you. Really.”

Sensing something strange, Boehm and Bom exchanged glances. Awkward laughter followed.

“Come on. Why is our boss being so serious all of a sudden? Of course we’ll follow your lead. Or should we pave the way for you? For our boss’s promotion path…”

“I’m quitting.”

Lily covered her mouth.

“What?!”

Boehm and Bom looked at Lily. ‘What,’ she said. Lily’s shock didn’t subside.

“Why, why?”

Now she was even using informal speech. A girl who always used formal speech. Bom cleared his throat.

“Where are you going this time? More than a year? Or three years? Not the north, I’m guessing.”

“Must be the east,” Boehm continued. “Those merchants have been acting strange lately. Rumors say they’re buying up armies with money. There’s also talk about breaking the ceasefire…”

Lily looked like she was about to cry. Fortunately, Boehm kindly explained:

“The boss is being mischievous today. Were you surprised? It’s Security Bureau procedure. When you’re dispatched abroad for more than a year, you submit a resignation letter. That way, if the agent list ever leaks, you won’t be caught. We’ve done it a couple of times. The boss has done it before too. You’ll probably do it someday when you get dispatched.”

“It’s not bad at all,” Bom chimed in.

“The severance pay interim settlement is decent. It’s just paperwork—you’re still part of the Security Bureau, so your pay grade and experience still count. And we don’t tell colleagues where we’re going. Only the director and the person know.”

Lily’s expression gradually brightened. So Kain sighed quietly, regretting that he had brought this up in such a setting.

“I’m going home. To the family farm.”

Bom couldn’t continue. Kain smiled weakly. Boehm cautiously asked:

“Um. Excuse me. Boss?”

“What boss? Once I’m outside, I’m just a free farmer. The eldest son of an orchard farm. If you see me outside, if you come to Mirdenburk, call me ‘young master.’ As for our rookie, I won’t even be able to look at her.”

“Boss! Isn’t that joke going too far? You’re making us feel bad! Why are you doing this, really? Where are you going that’s so serious? Deep into the east? Is it a suicide mission?”

Kain didn’t answer. He just silently looked at Boehm and Bom. Lily covered her mouth with a sob and ran out. “Ah, seriously. Hey, hey, rookie!” Boehm followed after her.

“Take good care of the rookie, Bom.”

“Boss. This really doesn’t seem right. You’re going back to your hometown?”

“Yes. I’m quitting.”

“That’s absurd. The Imperial Security Bureau’s Section 4 Manager Kain is going to break persimmon tree branches? You’re not cut out to be a farmer! Even I know that, and I’m not that smart, so you must know it too!”

“We don’t grow persimmons at our home.”

“Then what?”

“We grow apple trees. They’re quite sweet. Not a specialty product, but we make a decent living.”

“Boss.” Bom fidgeted with his beer mug.

“Boss. Really, man to man. Let’s be honest. If you’ve committed some serious crime, it’s okay. I’ll help you. Okay? I’ll help you even if I have to spend my own money! Honestly, working at the Security Bureau, we’ve seen it all. Is there any better place to see the depths of humanity than the Security Bureau?”

“There isn’t.”

“We’re experts on what people can do because they’re human and what they do because they’re human.”

“That’s right.”

“You know anyone could end up like that. You’re not at an age or experience level to be disappointed or hurt by such things. You know everything, you’ve seen everything, and you should be used to it by now.”

“I know. I know how people can lose their minds depending on the situation.”

“So tell me about that damn situation. What happened? I really want to help. Even if it’s dirty and petty, we’re family. More tightly bound than family! Isn’t that what you said?”

Kain couldn’t speak. Bom’s voice grew increasingly emotional.

“Ah, seriously! Are you going to keep your head down like that, boss? Why are you making me feel so bad! Don’t hang your head!”

“I’ve made my decision.”

“Oh, come on!”

Bom roughly put down his glass. Wiping his eyes, he went out the door.

Kain looked down at the cold food. He cut off a piece of meat and chewed it.

Perhaps because it had gone cold, it tasted bland. Still, Kain chewed the meat noisily. He refilled his beer glass and drank alone.

Neither his hunger nor his thirst was satisfied.

* * * * *

The retirement procedures proceeded in order.

Interview. Consultation. Final confirmation. Procedure guidance. Remaining retirement pay settlement. Pre-retiree education guidance.

Boehm and Bom were speechless. Lily appeared fine on the surface, but her eyes were always bloodshot.

The remaining tasks were all dry formalities. Kain handed over his managerial duties and reports to Boehm and Bom. Both refused to take the temporary manager position, but they couldn’t assign it to the rookie either.

So the office atmosphere was quite strange. Boehm and Bom deliberately ignored Kain, and Kain ignored their ignoring. Meanwhile, Lily wrote down every word Kain said without missing anything.

“You’re making me old. Old.”

Director Verneith wasn’t even angry anymore. Kain silently accepted the reproach.

“Have you completed the handover?”

“I’ve taught them everything they need to know. When will the new manager arrive?”

“Have you made up your mind?”

“Yes.”

Verneith stood up. He approached the window and sighed deeply.

“Goetz hasn’t been released yet.”

“Isn’t the Minister of Justice making a fuss?”

“I blocked it. Remember that public meeting? The one where they set you up to take you down.”

He didn’t remember. He had let it go in one ear and out the other. Kain shook his head.

“Because of your excessive force, Goetz’s life became uncertain, and the Security Bureau has officially disciplined the person involved and will keep him under ‘Security Bureau responsibility’ for treatment until he ‘recovers.’ That’s what I wrote and sent. That bastard is currently held in an underground cell. He can’t leave until the bump on his head goes down.”

“And when it does?”

“We’ll give him another one.”

Verneith didn’t seem to be joking at all.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m surprised. I thought you’d lost all your teeth.”

“If you don’t have teeth, you use your gums.” Verneith pulled out a bottle from under his desk and took a swig.

“I don’t understand why the Minister of Justice is protecting that bastard. Maybe he has some dirt on him.”

This was also puzzling Kain. It didn’t make sense. Setting aside Goetz’s harmful actions, he was just a knight with barely 100 soldiers.

Why would the Minister of Justice be demanding his release?

‘What do I care? Once I quit, it’s over.’ Kain shook his head.

“Retirement procedure. How far have you gotten?”

“…I need to submit my confidentiality clearance certificate tomorrow.”

“You know that once you submit that, your life as an agent is over, right?” Verneith took another swig.

“Kid, it happens when you’re young. Sometimes you just want to leave everything behind. Submit a leave of absence instead. A leave of absence. You know you can cancel your retirement before submitting the clearance certificate, right?”

“I know.”

Though he hadn’t told Lily, whether one submits the confidentiality clearance certificate is what distinguishes between a fake retirement and a real one.

“No more statements to write?”

“No.”

“Go home.”

“Yes.”

Kain stood up. As he grabbed the doorknob of the director’s office, a gloomy voice came from behind.

“I’m a bastard, but I wanted one retirement gift from you.”

Kain said nothing and closed the door behind him.

The next day, Kain couldn’t report to the Internal Affairs Department or submit his confidentiality clearance certificate.

It was because of the trumpet fanfare announcing a royal visitor: ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bam.