Chapter 49 : Emergency Appointment

“Ugh…”

Regaining consciousness, my body screamed in pain. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but the agony never dulls. I swallowed a reflexive cry, gritting my teeth.

As the pain subsided, I finally glanced around. An unfamiliar ceiling, stark white surroundings. Realizing I was in a hospital room, I recalled the moments before collapsing.

“You’re awake.”

A voice drew my eyes, and I saw the blonde sheriff at my side.

“You brought me here?”

“Couldn’t just leave you.”

“…Thanks, I guess.”

A few words, and awkward silence settled. No surprise. We weren’t close enough for casual chatter.

Reina looked at me with complex eyes, sighing.

“Come to think of it, we haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Reina.”

“Call me Lapis.”

“Alright, Lapis. We need to talk seriously. Especially about your sister.”

See? Of course the conversation starts with the worst topic.

“You planning to arrest my sister?”

“Seventeen bodies were found in the building she burned. They’re so charred, we can’t even identify them.”

“…”

“Arson’s a grave felony. No matter what, it can’t be swept under the rug.”

Normally, I’d agree. Catching criminals, whatever their crime, is hard to argue against.

But when it’s Ruby, it’s different. Even if it’s shameless or selfish, I have to protect my sister.

“Got any evidence?”

“…Are you serious?”

“I got there late and saw nothing. You’re not just accusing my sister without clear proof, right?”

“She walked away calmly from a burning building!”

“That’s not proof she’s the culprit.”

“What you’re doing isn’t helping her. If you love her, you should help her face her crimes honorably!”

“If Ruby did wrong, sure. But pinning it on her without evidence isn’t what cops do.”

Our voices rose, tension crackling. Reina glared fiercely. I met her stare, unyielding, eyes blazing.

In the stifling standoff, a crude radio signal from her waist broke the silence.

“This is Rat Town precinct. What’s the issue? Yes. …What? Really? Understood. I’m heading back now.”

She moved to leave. Should I let her go? But provoking a sheriff would only worsen things.

Her expression after the call was off, though. Shocked, like unexpected news.

…Did something happen to Ruby?

“What’s wrong?”

“…The burned building was Ikazuchi’s classified lab. They’re requesting an emergency to catch the culprit at all costs…”

Emergency.

A corporation’s urgent request to the council.

Rarely used in normal circumstances. Corporations usually pull the council’s strings, doing as they please.

An emergency means the issue’s so urgent and critical, they’re skipping bribes and lobbying.

If a megacorp falls from failing to resolve it, the city itself would reel.

Thus, an emergency triggers immediate council debate and action.

If approved, Neotopia’s full forces are deployed.

No mere mercenary group could withstand that.

“…”

If an emergency is issued, Ruby will die. Guaranteed.

Ruby burned Ikazuchi’s classified lab…?

My mind went blank, scrambling for solutions. Grasping one possibility, I frantically made a call.

[Hm? You calling first? That’s new.]

Hound’s infuriatingly calm greeting. Unable to steady my trembling voice, I demanded.

“Hound! My sister…!”

[Yeah.]

A flat reply before I could finish.

No way.

No way…

“You did this…?”

[Come back. Better to talk in person.]

Biting my lip, I barely held myself together. Betrayal stung, but I forced it down and ended the call.

No time for this. Leaving the stunned sheriff, I rushed from the hospital to Ikazuchi’s headquarters.

I don’t even recall how I got there, my mind a void. I thought it was all over, that after five years, only happiness awaited.

Bang!!

I flung open the 72nd-floor door, shouting.

“Hound!!”

“Calm down, Thunderhawk.”

“How could you… I trusted that one promise and slaved for you five years. This is my reward? Was this your plan all along!?”

His expression unchanged, he spoke evenly.

“Cool your head. It’s a misunderstanding. The more you lose it, the worse it gets. Hear me out before you flip out—it’s not too late.”

“…You better explain. If one thing doesn’t add up, I won’t stay quiet.”

I couldn’t guarantee beating Hound one-on-one. But I could wreak havoc in the headquarters.

“Fine. From the start. While you were gone, Red Dog became Wave’s pawn, constantly attacking Ikazuchi. You know why.”

“…And?”

“I kept my promise. Your work in Old City was stellar, so I left your sister alone and ignored Red Dog’s sabotage. But you quit, so the deal’s off.”

What kind of nonsense is that? Why not warn me?

“I was going to let it slide. I believed you’d leave the city with her. But this incident went too far.”

“The lab… What were they doing there?”

“Can’t tell an outsider that. But the real issue is the data your sister stole.”

All this for one piece of data?

“…No other way? Is this really the best option?”

“There’s a way.”

For some reason, Hound’s eyes seemed to glint.

“The emergency hasn’t been formally issued. It’s under discussion. If I push hard, I can delay it.”

I realized he wanted something from me.

Fine. I’ll play along. Even if it’s a dangerous trap, I had to step in.

“What do I need to do?”

Hound placed my returned ID back on the table.

“Simple. As a White Wolf, convince your sister.”

“Convince?”

“She killed Tiger, a White Wolf, alone. With a pure body. We can’t let talent like that go.”

What?

Did I hear right?

“You want to recruit her? After she killed a White Wolf, burned your lab, and stole data?”

“Can’t control a monster like that without a leash. But the perfect leash is right here.”

“…”

My greatest weakness is Ruby, and hers is me. Each other’s leash, living for Ikazuchi.

No greater humiliation exists, but it’s better than death. If the emergency is avoided, we might escape someday.

Yeah. Pretend to comply, meet Ruby.

If we escape this city, even Ikazuchi couldn’t easily follow.

I’ll never live as their dog, as he wants.

Grabbing the ID, I glared at Hound.

“Cancel the emergency now.”

“Wise choice. You have one week. Convince your sister and bring her to me.”

One week. Plenty to meet Ruby and flee.

“Oh, and just in case, I’ll assign a watcher. If you’re not planning anything, it shouldn’t matter.”

“Watcher…?”

“Looks like they’re here.”

At the same time, the door slid open, and the person who appeared was none other than Reina, A security officer.