“I heard that the resistance forces led by Jake Black extracted funding and cooperation from nobles in Anes who are connected to the Asnel Empire.”

“What’s the source of this information?”

“I can’t say.”

Steve smiled calmly as usual, as if satisfied. Then, with his eyes lowered, he spoke softly.

“I thought Lord Redford knew me well… Surely, you weren’t trying to draw me in like that?”

“Who knows better than me how good you are at backstabbing and how desperately you cling to achievements?”

The two men were relaxed, as if having a casual conversation.

But the hostility flowing between them was clearer than ever. As if pointing swords at each other.

What was certain was that Steve Deniro had betrayed Logan in the past. After a tense battle of nerves, Steve grinned while rubbing his temple.

“Have your comprehension skills declined? I’m saying that without sharing intelligence information, it’s difficult for the police to get involved based solely on speculation that they’ll commit the same acts against Asnel’s nobles.”

“It’s you who doesn’t understand. I’m not here to ask a favor, but to give Lord Deniro an opportunity.”

“An opportunity…”

“An opportunity for the investigation team to help eliminate the Anes resistance forces threatening Marcel and keep that meager position, and depending on your cooperation, a chance to share in that merit…”

Logan Redford arrogantly flicked his finger while resting his elbow on the sofa armrest, finishing the sentence.

Though nothing was certain yet, where did such confidence come from?

While thinking how reckless it was, it was also so ‘Logan Redford-like’… not bad.

But Steve Deniro was not an easy person to deal with, and to mobilize the police, proper grounds had to be provided.

Even without information on Jake Black, showing justification to investigate the Binosh family and the resistance would suffice.

Ah, is that why he hadn’t shown those documents until now? Then why bring useless documents here… Could it be to show off that he’s ahead in terms of information? No, Logan wouldn’t be so childish.

Sidney stepped in to mediate between the two men, putting aside her confused thoughts.

“Even if we can’t reveal the source of the information, we can infer that the Anes resistance has infiltrated the Asnel Empire just from these newspaper articles issued in the Kingdom of Anes and border guard reports.”

After a moment of silence, Steve Deniro placed the record of the case filed by the Binosh Count family on the table.

“So Lord Warden requested police data to track the Anes resistance.”

“Yes, to achieve what the Anes resistance wants, Marcel, the capital of the Asnel Empire, is more suitable than operating within Anes. And they’ll definitely need the cooperation of the nobles here to establish themselves.”

“Since the resistance can’t approach the Asnel Empire’s nobles normally… you thought there would be police report records.”

Is he quick-witted? Rather, Steve Deniro probably guessed when he was asked for the police report data.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t make such a meaningful look.

Sidney nodded her head greatly and went straight to the main point.

“We plan to investigate the families involved in cases where complaints were withdrawn or investigations were hastily concluded. Even in the slightest chance, if a prestigious family of Asnel is swayed by the resistance, it could endanger the security of the empire.”

“Are you saying the Binosh Count family is involved in such a thing?”

“We’re trying to confirm that.”

“Hmm, so you need my help in the process.”

Was it a ploy to gain the upper hand in this relationship with the word ‘help’?

Considering how he was at odds with Logan Redford just moments ago, Steve Deniro wouldn’t say that out of goodwill.

Sidney drew the line while correcting Steve’s words.

“It’s cooperation rather than help. Today, I’d like to hear detailed information from the person in charge of the Binosh Count family’s case.”

Steve Deniro smiled slightly while stroking his raised chin with his long fingers. That composure didn’t seem like a bluff at all.

Steve’s presence felt threatening, like a giant snake that could swallow someone like Sidney whole at any time, or like waves surging in a distant sea.

Yet the gaze looking intently at her was languid, like a snake resting stretched out on a rock.

When his low, soft voice flowed from his lips.

“If Lord Warden had asked for help, I would have gladly obliged. But…”

It was really a feeling of being overwhelmed by something.

No, it was closer to the awe one might feel towards a sublime deity. Otherwise, how could one explain the body that had become paralyzed and stiff?

Why on earth. When she looked into Steve’s eyes to ask the reason, they were as blue as the deep sea. The gentle sound of waves gradually spread from her ears to her mind.

Amidst the sound of waves, a faint singing voice seemed to be heard distantly, then Logan Redford’s voice struck her ears like thunder.

“Sidney.”

At the same time, her sight shifted following her left hand being pulled, and at the end was Logan kissing the back of her hand.

She felt relieved at Logan’s gaze asking if she was alright.

Whether due to the tension being released or her heart pounding, her senses came back to life.

What was it? While looking into Steve Deniro’s eyes, as if enchanted by something… Sidney blinked to shake off the remaining uneasy sensation and asked.

“Lord Deniro, what did you do to me?”

“Just a light hypnosis.”

“That was hypnosis?”

Steve Deniro shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing. Adding a half-baked explanation.

“I’m not properly trained in it… but Lord Warden seems to be quite susceptible to hypnosis. If you were offended.”

“Yes, I’m very offended.”

“Oh dear, should I apologize?”

What nonsense. If you tried hypnosis on your own, you should properly apologize.

Where does that confidence come from? Sidney Warden glared at Steve with displeasure and said.

“What meaning would a verbal apology have? If you have such a mind, please cooperate actively in tracking down the resistance.”

“Actions over words? Very well.”

Steve Deniro stood up and headed to his desk.

His back figure walking with the afternoon sunlight behind him and the silver bell for summoning on the desk caught her eye.

Soon, a clear bell sound was heard and shortly after, the door opened and a police officer’s voice was heard from behind.

“Did you call, sir?”

“Call Lieutenant Ron Hardy.”

“Understood.”

So Ron Hardy is the person in charge of the Binosh Count family’s case. While mentally repeating the name ‘Ron Hardy’, her eyes met Steve’s.

Due to the light behind him, the shadows cast on his face blended with his calm eyes and gentle smile, creating an atmosphere both mysterious and dangerous.

For a moment, conscious of the ‘hypnosis’, she avoided his gaze, and Steve’s soft voice was heard.

“I look forward to working with you again, Major Logan.”

“Colonel Deniro.”

Steve Deniro, trying to remind of the days when Logan was his subordinate, and Logan Redford, retorting that now they’re just both colonels.

As if asking why he’s taking it so sensitively, Steve Deniro spread both arms.

“It brings back old memories, you and I sweeping through the battlefield together back then…”

“Ah, those times… They were really the worst. My superior officer was a real piece of trash. That’s why you approached Sidney instead of me.”

Logan picked up Steve’s words and mocked him thoroughly.

The reason he had glared at the trophies and medals displayed in the cabinet with such contemptuous eyes earlier…

Was it because he was there at that time? But recklessly pushing operations to build up military achievements was commonplace.

Because they taught officers at the military academy to sacrifice the few for the many.

Damn it. They should all experience being that ‘few’ to come to their senses. Sidney clenched her teeth and shuddered.

As Sidney left Steve Deniro’s office, she mulled over what Ron Hardy had said.

Few would maintain composure in front of Police Chief Steve Deniro and Logan Redford, the head of the Imperial Guard investigation team, two men called young powers in the imperial army.

They would either try to flatter to make a good impression, or be extremely nervous for fear of making mistakes.

In this situation, the latter reaction should come out, but the man named Ron Hardy looked bored rather than nervous, as if it had become troublesome.

Suddenly, she became very curious if she could make that man nervous, how he would react if annoyed.

The most irritating moment was when someone needlessly picked on work that had been processed according to procedure.

Especially if someone like herself, a superior from a different department, stepped in presumptuously…

Her thought that she might have gone too far was rendered meaningless by Ron Hardy’s bland reaction.

How embarrassing. Thinking there probably wasn’t anything worth hearing if she asked more, she hastily wrapped up the meeting and left the police building.

While walking towards the main gate, she unconsciously tilted her head at a loud cawing sound.

The cloudy sky and a flock of crows flying off somewhere came into view at once. As she stared blankly after them, the sound of a match being struck was followed by Logan’s low voice.

“Does that bastard Steve Deniro know too?”

Turning at the familiar smell of cigarettes, she saw him standing crookedly, exhaling a long stream of white smoke.