Chapter 35 : Second Match (3)

“The Order already knows?”

“Yes.”

“That I’ll try to rescue the Saintess?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes were steady, without a hint of hesitation. Her voice and attitude were completely serious. This wasn’t something

she just made up.

“What exactly did you hear?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, unless you’re just guessing, there must’ve been a source. So what exactly did you hear that made you say the

Order already knows?”

Kabi hesitated for a moment. Even if she claimed to be switching sides, it must’ve felt awkward to openly leak inside info.

“I didn’t hear it when I volunteered to track you—or wait, no, not during that. None of the paladins I was with knew. This

is something I learned because I was in the QPD.”

“So it’s something only people at QPD level would know?”

“Yes. There was supposed to be a confidential meeting related to the Saintess soon. They said there’s a high chance you’ll

show up around then, so they should prepare. They even said they’d assign one QPD agent to permanently guard her.”

That much, I already expected.

And when they say “high chance,” it means they’re not 100% sure.

After all, Leilia talked to Beri and learned about the shady deal between Virasion and the Order, so they probably

assumed I’d try something like the tower assault again.

Not exactly shocking news—

In fact, now I’ve learned they aren’t certain about my plans, which is even better for me.

“So that’s why the Order, who used to show the Saintess everywhere on the media, suddenly hid her away. That excuse

about her needing rest after helping the weak for a year straight was total BS.”

Way muttered, now understanding something.

Wait, what’s that supposed to mean?

“The Order hid the Saintess?”

“Yeah. The news said she’s taking a sabbatical—no official appearances for a month. Didn’t you know?”

“Nope. First I’m hearing of it.”

I’ve been so busy since separating from Beri that I haven’t even checked the news.

I can’t believe such crucial info was in the most public place.

“They just don’t want to give you a chance to get near her before June 2.”

“Doesn’t matter. I wasn’t planning to make a move in a place full of eyes anyway.”

Ambushing Beri while she visited a hospital or nursing home to perform miracles?

Sure, it’d be easier since I’d only be dealing with Order personnel and not Virasion too, but doing that in front of a dozen

news cameras would get me—and everyone helping me—exposed city-wide.

No way I’d let that happen.

Besides, my plan to “rescue” Beri was never about physically dragging her out.

That girl wouldn’t leave even if the Order shoved her out the door telling her she was no longer needed.

“Why?! Why are you still staying?! You know now—the Order running this orphanage is totally rotten! The compassion

and mercy you want doesn’t exist here anymore! Why not leave and go help people on your own?”

“Ria.”

“Answer me already!”

“Ria.”

“Say you’ll do what I said!”

“Ria, I’m not leaving the Order. You’ve known from the beginning that I wouldn’t.”

“That again? The whole ‘I believe and I’ll wait’ thing?”

“Don’t you remember what happened four years ago? You said you’d wait for that bastard Javal and his gang to repent.

And what happened?”

“You beat the crap out of them.”

“Exactly. Until I crushed them with overwhelming force, they never stopped bullying the other kids. You saw that with

your own eyes, and you still chase some vague dream of faith and waiting?”

“Faith isn’t just a vague dream.”

“Faith has never once been a real solution.”

That was true.

“No.”

“…You’re admitting I’m right?”

“I’m saying you’re not wrong either. But what are you even trying to say? That just believing and waiting is enough to

change the world?”

“Ria… the world doesn’t change easily. Anyone who says it does is lying. Even violence and pressure can’t change its

nature, so how could just waiting and believing do it?”

“But faith does change the world—bit by bit. So slowly that we can’t even see it. Someone full of hate 10 years ago might

have someone precious today. And 10 years from now, maybe they’ll even learn to love.”

“That’s what it means to be human. And humans make the world. So if you believe and wait beside someone long enough,

they will change. That’s what I believe, Ria.”

“…In this hellish city, you’re the only one I can believe in.”

“Then believe me. Believe in my faith. Believe that one day, I will change this Order, this city, this world.”

How can she say something so idealistic without even flinching?

Unlike me—who replaced most of her body with machines by age 15—Beri probably doesn’t even have artificial eyes. Her

deep blue eyes, so purely human, were so bright they hurt to look at.

“You idiot. What’s changed from all that waiting?”

In all my 20 years, Haven City hasn’t improved one bit.

Violent crime, pollution, inequality, moral collapse, fanaticism, authoritarian control—

All of it has only gotten worse.

I really wish Beri would realize that some things just don’t change through faith alone.

“So what are you going to do, Senpai? Neither the Order nor Virasion looks easy to break into.”

“Straightforward methods probably won’t work, so… we’ll need a different plan.”

“Kage will help as much as we can within my authority, but I’d prefer to avoid civilian casualties.”

Their concerned voices pulled me out of my thoughts.

It wasn’t Beri’s blue eyes in front of me anymore—it was the hopeful gazes of 8 determined people waiting for my answer.

Yeah, no point dwelling on the past.

What matters is what’s ahead.

“Damn it! Fing mega-corps! Why the hell do I have to crawl under this stinking bridge on a fing Sunday?!”

“At least you came in. Maybe they’ll give you tomorrow morning off.”

“F*** that. I asked, and they told me to report in like normal. Apparently today’s thing with the HCPD licking some corp’s

ass is super secret.”

“What?! No fing way! What about overtime?”

“Like hell we’re getting any.”

“ f***! I gotta quit this goddamn HCPD already.”

June 2nd. Haven City’s 3rd Bridge.

Two officers were cursing non-stop under the bridge, in the inspection tunnel under the eight-lane overpass connecting

Zones 1 and 4.

“So what exactly are we doing again?”

“Wait here by the signal panel, then flip it green when HQ gives the word.”

“What is this BS?”

“It’s about sucking up to the corporations. Probably don’t want some exec getting stuck at a red light.”

“Seriously? That’s something you do with one click at the central control center! Why are we doing it manually?”

“So there’s no record, duh. They want it to look unofficial, even while only getting green lights.”

“God, this is insane.”

One sighed deeply, feeling just how small and powerless he was.

But then, a voice came from behind them.

“You too, huh? Same here.”

It wasn’t an answer, but a shock—just enough voltage to knock them out.

“Way, move them aside.”

“…What?”

“Who do you think you are ordering me? I was Leilia’s tegomma first, remember? I outrank you!”

Kabi clearly heard his muttering, but frowned and acted like she hadn’t.

“Nothing! I’ll do it.”

“In five minutes, the Order’s convoy will be on this bridge. I’ll handle most of it, but just in case, keep the line with Olbi

open.”

“Got it.”

Way gave a sharp reply.

Kabi pulled back her hood and stepped to the control panel.

“This one’s the light for Zone 4, and this controls the bridge lift…?”

“Didn’t Schneider give us blueprints?”

“Yeah, just checking if anything’s different. So stop whining and focus.”

“…You’re the worst.”

“I heard that.”

“Shut it and stay down.”

Way shut his mouth and crouched by the unconscious guards.

Then, five minutes of silence passed.

—“Convoy spotted entering from Zone 4. Kabi, Way, ready up.”

—“Confirmed.”

At Olbi’s cue, Kabi placed her hand on the panel and switched her artificial eyes to aerial view.

—“Front 8 and rear 6 vehicles are just guards. The two black limos in the middle probably have the targets.”

—“Probably? Not sure?”

“They’re using jammers too. From this distance, I can’t confirm who’s inside.”

—“So we’ll have to open them up ourselves.”

Grumbling, Kabi kept tracking the two central cars with her eyes.

As the 16-vehicle convoy entered the bridge…

—“Ready. Three… two… one… now!”

Beep!

The center of Haven City’s 3rd Bridge split open.

The two bridge sections—normally immobile when cars are on them—began rising.