After Allen brought the witness, everything proceeded quickly.

After receiving a firm promise of protective measures for the witness, the clerk pointed to the Imperial Guard officers and said in a clear voice:

“Those people grabbed my hand first and harassed me. The mercenaries over there stepped in to stop it.”

“But the ones who hit us…!”

“The officers were the ones who threw the first punch. I saw it clearly with my own two eyes.”

Allen testified like a rather reliable observer. The Imperial Guard officers had indeed attacked first. However, they were so weak that they couldn’t even scratch the mercenaries, making them look like pitiful victims in comparison.

The officers wore deeply aggrieved expressions, but it was futile. After a few arguments, the door of the station burst open and military police rushed in.

“We received a report that someone here is in possession of a firearm.”

Everyone in the room used their eyes to point at one person. The one singled out turned pale and stammered:

“I-it was self-defense. Those mercenary bastards started the trouble and used violence first.”

“The fact that His Majesty’s soldiers pointed guns at civilians leaves no room for excuses, does it? Both the harassers and those who joined in throwing punches.”

Allen sneered with his arms crossed. The military police silently dragged the officers away. After the noisy commotion disappeared, a momentary silence fell over the space. It seemed like the song “Clear and Beautiful Voice Singing” could be heard from somewhere.

“Well, it looks like all the disputes have been settled, and it’s clear whose fault it was. I’d like these people to be released now.”

“That’s what we were planning to do. It’s not like we enjoyed keeping those Imperial Guard bastards here either.”

The patrol officers had always had friction with the Imperial army due to status differences. They had secretly gained some fondness for the mercenary group who had taught the officers a lesson. There had been many pent-up grievances against the officers in normal times, and this seemed like a good opportunity.

One of the patrol officers shrugged and opened the detention cell door.

“Oh, so we can just leave now?”

“Well, you still need to fill out a statement, so come this way.”

It didn’t take long for the mercenary group to be released. It was thanks to the witness who stayed by their side until the end.

When they came out of the patrol station, the night was ending and dawn was slowly approaching.

“Um… Allen, was it? Thanks. You must have been tired, but you stayed until the end.”

“There’s still a lot of prejudice against northerners in the south. I was worried you might face some disadvantages. Well then, this well-behaved man with a curfew will take his leave!”

Allen scratched his head awkwardly as he walked away. It was almost time to return to the mansion. The time for ‘Allen’ to change back to ‘Alice’ was approaching.

“My thanks are late. Thank you so much for helping.”

The clerk bowed to the mercenary group.

“It’s nothing, we just can’t stand by when we see injustice. I’m worried those so-called Imperial Guards might come back to cause trouble…”

“If those Imperial Guard bastards try to do anything, call us right away. We’ll help for free.”

Lailo and Eddie’s words sounded quite reassuring. Both the clerk and the mercenary group exchanged grateful bows before walking towards the dawn.

The sky was turning blue from far away. The sun would rise soon.

“To think we’d be tied up until this hour.”

“…I’m exhausted.”

“It ended faster than expected. I thought they might hold us for days because we’re from the north.”

“Honestly, the captain’s looks played a part too. Admit it?”

A crisp slapping sound was heard on Lailo’s back as he joked. There were lamentations about the pitiful fate of getting hit for telling the truth, which Lebel lightly ignored.

“Didn’t you notice how people’s gazes in that tavern were unusual when looking at the captain? Even the patrol officers nodded as if enchanted when the captain looked at them while speaking.”

“Not interested.”

“Have some, will you? People like me who look like thieves no matter who sees us will never experience that in our lifetime.”

Lebel issued a short order, leaving the chuckling Lailo behind.

“We’re going back.”

“What? Wait a minute. We didn’t even get to enjoy the festival.”

“The mission is over, so we have to go back.”

Now the Rikas Mercenary Group had two options left.

Either return to their original station near the Rikas Mountains, or stay in the capital and sniff around for contract opportunities.

‘The latter is out of the question now.’

Eddie kicked at the remnants of firecrackers on the ground with his toes, seemingly disappointed inside. They had messed with none other than the Imperial Guard, directly under the Imperial family, so they were bound to be on the bad side of the higher-ups.

But surely they wouldn’t starve to death. The continent was in a period of turbulence, with wars and development in full swing. There were plenty of job opportunities one way or another.

“Looks like we’ll have to pack our bags as soon as we get back.”

The thought of going all the way back north was daunting. They would probably leave when the sun rose tomorrow, so it would be better to catch a quick nap.

While all the members walked with exhausted expressions, Lebel was the exception.

He was still thinking about the woman he had encountered at the Clover Tavern.

‘Surely that was…’

How could he forget? He had tried not to forget for even a moment while overcoming countless brushes with death.

What he pulled out from his faded memories was not just the scent. The powerful yet soft voice reminded him of that moment in the past.

‘Do you think buying and selling people is business?’

He had thought she had become someone he could no longer dare to face, yet he failed to recognize her immediately when they met face to face. A bitter smile played on Lebel’s lips.

‘If this plan succeeds…’

Perhaps they might meet. But he didn’t have high expectations. The size of expectations and disappointments always came in proportion, and Lebel knew this fact better than anyone.

The square, still lingering with the festival atmosphere, passed by Lebel’s side. The stumbling of people finally returning home mixed with the dawn air.

He needed to organize his complicated thoughts. He recalled once again in his mind the mission he had received from the former captain, Turgel.

‘Some woman came and entrusted it, and from what I saw, she seemed quite high-ranking? Or filthy rich. But the content of the request is a bit strange.’
‘What is it?’
‘On the first day of the festival, cause an appropriate commotion in a crowded place. How about it? It’s the first request you’ll take on since becoming captain. Is it too bland?’

When he first heard the request, he thought it was a plot by some wealthy nobleman. He was certain that if it was someone from the capital, they would come to watch the commotion to confirm its success.

And the person he encountered there was an unexpected figure.

Who would have thought it would be you? Lebel’s lips twitched faintly. He had thought she would always stay in that place, that he just needed to approach her, but she was moving forward on her own.

It didn’t matter. It was very much like her. The fact that she wasn’t sitting still but constantly taking action reassured Lebel.

‘I’m glad.’

Lebel had a pretty good idea of the hidden meaning behind the request. A very small trap. It might feel like you could easily escape if you just touch it, but it would turn into a massive whirlpool before you know it.

Even if all lives became entangled, it didn’t matter. Rather, he was hoping for it. Lebel gladly accepted the noose wrapping around his neck.

**

Everyone knew about Kailem Western, the captain of the Imperial Guard.

When he was young, there was even a rumor that if you scared a crying child by saying “Kailem will come and take you away,” they would stop crying immediately. Now, if you mention that story, Kailem would chuckle and wave his hand dismissively.

“That’s all in the past. I’m just a toothless tiger now.”

But even if he had aged and lost his teeth, a beast was still a beast. The tiger was still going strong. Even though he was now heading towards the middle of middle age, his gaze alone remained unextinguished, making those who saw it freeze in their tracks.

And now, the Imperial Guard officers receiving that piercing gaze head-on in front of Kailem were truly experiencing a taste of death. They felt it would be a hundred times better to quietly take off their uniforms, fold them neatly, and bid farewell to the world right in front of him.

“Do you know what you’ve done?”

This must be the sound of a beast’s jaws mercilessly crushing bones. The main culprits of the riot at the Clover Tavern began to search for words while sweating profusely.

But they realized that everything they could say would just be excuses. Fortunately, their minds were working at least that far.

“We know.”

“You know!”

The officers’ bodies, with heads hanging towards the floor, trembled up and down. Their hearts went up and down along with Kailem’s sigh.

When on earth would this man’s energy run out? No, did he ever age? Some of the officers failed to manage their expressions and showed signs of resentment.

“…Judging by your expressions, it seems you still have many complaints. Should I list out the foolish things you’ve done one by one?”

“No, sir!”

Not only did they harass civilians while drunk, but they also took firearms out without permission and caused an incident. The officer in question had already been thrown into the brig.

‘To think I have to serve His Majesty the Emperor with such people.’

What good is intelligence and ability alone? Not only are they less than human, but they don’t even hone their skills. Kailem pressed his finger joints against his throbbing temples.

“…Return to your rooms and reflect quietly.”

The officers saluted and barely moved their trembling legs to leave the room. As Kailem sat down in the chair in front of his desk, he felt pain surging from deep within his eyes.

He had to restore the tarnished image of the Imperial Guard immediately. It was nothing less than a symbol of His Majesty the Emperor, wasn’t it?

He would call journalists favorable to the Imperial family to try to block it somehow, but he couldn’t control everyone. And since the incident took place in a tavern frequented by commoners, rumors would spread like wildfire.

‘Those mercenaries are also a problem.’

Kailem’s pen paused momentarily as he was lost in thought. He had guessed that the Imperial Guard officers’ skills were not what they used to be, but if they could subdue them in one breath despite being outnumbered, they were certainly no ordinary bunch.

Ordinary mercenaries would have pretended not to see. In fact, there were reports from witnesses that other mercenaries in the tavern not only didn’t step forward but also held back or quietly slipped away.

‘It must be for a contract with the Imperial family. If they intervened wrongly, they wouldn’t be able to set foot in the capital, let alone get a contract.’

When it comes to mercenaries, they live and die by money. They prioritize financial gain above all else, so stepping up for people? Nonsense.

Kailem pondered for a moment. Should he write the truth? This was a matter of pride.

If he reported the facts as they were, the Emperor would be very displeased. The thought of the Emperor’s soldiers being bested by a few mercenaries was enough to make his teeth chatter.

However, Kailem was not one to embellish his words. He stopped pondering and resumed writing the report. He firmly believed that it was his duty to take the hit without dodging even if the displeased Emperor threw the file folder at him.