Honestly speaking, Brigadier General Victor's request couldn't have been more suspicious.
No matter how short-handed the Ark might be, it was strange to invoke the name of Möbius just for the sake of a single team.
Especially when you considered how he even managed to obtain the authority to make a request in Möbius's name.
"What kind of missions does that team handle?"
"That's classified. I can't say."
"That's ridiculous."
"Please try to understand."
Yeah, I figured he'd respond like that.
'Well, I'll figure it out once I investigate.'
Whatever Victor was hiding, I was bound to find out eventually through some digging.
'Even so, the fact he insists on hiding it might mean he doesn't have much faith in the mission's success.'
If the mission succeeded, some information leaks were inevitable. But until then, they'd keep things under wraps.
That was just the kind of thing Möbius would do.
'I don't particularly like it… but since I'm doing it anyway, I might as well make the most of it.'
Besides, I was a little curious about what exactly Victor was hiding.
"Anything else?"
"Hmm, so I can take that as your acceptance of the request?"
"Yes."
"Good decision."
As always, Brigadier General Victor laughed heartily and patted me on the shoulder.
"Then, until next time."
"Already leaving? Since you're here, why not stay for a drink? Got some good liquor recently."
"I don't have time for that."
Of course, it'd be a lie to say I didn't feel the temptation.
'How long has it been since I last had a drink…'
Since falling into this cursed world, I hadn't had a single day of proper rest.
And it wouldn't be changing anytime soon.
That's what made Victor's offer all the more appealing—but also why I didn't have the luxury to hang around.
"Well, drop by if you have time next time. I'll save the good stuff for you."
"That would be appreciated."
"Come on, it's us."
Whatever 'us' meant in this case, I chose not to point it out.
He was saving liquor for me—how could I turn that down with a sarcastic remark?
After saying my farewells, I stepped out of Blue Line's front lines.
Just as I'd expected, the meeting with Victor had been quite a success.
["That's good news."]
'From Victor's and the Blue Line's point of view, it was an offer they couldn't refuse.'
Establishing a trade route—Silk Road—connecting the Ark's interior and exterior was simply that appealing a proposal.
Still, it only became possible because of the trust I had with Victor.
No matter how good a proposal you brought, if the one speaking had no credibility, no one would move.
["Even so, I really don't like that guy. His face, his vibe… just too sly."]
Esther turned her head in the direction of Victor's location and stuck her tongue out.
Even if Victor could see that, he'd probably just brush it off as cute.
'He is a pretty sly one.'
["Right? I knew it."]
Esther nodded emphatically.
I found her expression a bit amusing and started to chuckle, but quickly turned my head when our eyes met.
["…Why are you laughing?"]
'No reason.'
["Hmmm… Felt like you were mocking me."]
'Just your imagination.'
["No it wasn't… You definitely mocked me…"]
Her eyes narrowed into thin slits, glittering with suspicion like a flounder.
Ignoring her, I turned away and kept walking.
'For now, both Ganesha Tripathi and Brigadier General Victor are on board.'
Ganesha Tripathi and Brigadier General Victor.
Key figures in the Rose Line and Blue Line, respectively.
'That leaves… the Navy Line and Red Line.'
Of course, it would be ideal to persuade people from other lines too—but unfortunately, my current connections only stretched so far.
'Going to the Navy Line right now might be tricky… but if I'm doing this, I should do it right.'
After the Turncoat attack incident, the Navy Line's atmosphere had taken a sharp downturn.
Even after ousting Ivan Belov and appointing a new leader, the unrest and public anger hadn't faded.
'No, if anything, the Belov family's heightened vigilance made the internal atmosphere even worse.'
No matter how much they called him the King of the Night, the Belov family was still, at its core, a mafia.
Even the Navy Line's police were powerless before the Belov family. There was no way the line's internal atmosphere could be good.
["Will you really be okay? After what happened last time in the Navy Line…"]
"I'll be fine."
["Sigh…"]
Esther seemed worried, but it didn't matter. I wasn't going to the Navy Line as the Turncoat Pawn, after all.
'If my identity gets exposed later, sure—it'll be a disaster… but if I'm not found out, it's fine.'
Leaving the Blue Line behind, I headed straight for the Belov estate.
Normally, I would have contacted the Navy Line's Special Tactical Response Unit—but there was no need for that anymore.
"What brings you here?"
A member of the Belov family blocked my path.
Unlike before, they were more courteous now—they knew who I was.
"I'm here to see Tatiana Belov."
"Please wait a moment."
I didn't have to wait long.
There was no need for lengthy identity checks or authentication anymore.
"Go ahead."
I followed the guide into the estate.
"This isn't the direction I remember."
"She moved her office."
"Is that so?"
Not surprising.
Given the changes she's gone through recently, it made perfect sense.
Heading toward the annex on the right side of the estate, I pushed open the front door.
Creeaak…
The annex wasn't lavish, but it wasn't shabby either—just a basic, functional estate.
Guided upstairs to the second-floor office, I knocked on the door.
Knock knock—
As the door opened, the chair that had its back turned to me slowly swiveled around.
Tatiana Belov.
Once merely a liaison officer in the Navy Line's special unit, she was now the undisputed successor to the Belov family.
"…It's been a while."
"Yes."
Tatiana didn't look good—even putting it mildly.
Dark circles under her eyes.
Documents scattered everywhere.
And… an overwhelming ether scent so thick that even Esther flinched.
["Ugh… what's that smell?"]
Esther covered her nose.
Of course, it wasn't like she could actually smell it, so the gesture didn't mean much.
"I doubt this is just a courtesy visit… Do you have business?"
"Yes. I have a proposal."
"A proposal? For me? Or… for the Belov family?"
"You could say the latter."
Tatiana nodded.
"I'm going to establish a major trade route that connects the Ark inside and out. I'd like the Navy Line and the Belov family to support and cooperate with this plan."
"A trade route… Sounds interesting."
Unlike Ganesha Tripathi or Victor, who had both shown surprise, Tatiana merely gave a small nod.
More accurately, it felt like she'd lost the will to live.
"What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to throw your support behind this plan, both with the Belov family and the Navy Line."
"That's not difficult. Alright."
Convincing Tatiana Belov was almost disappointingly easy.
In fact, it didn't seem like she cared that much about the matter.
She was treating something that could change the fate of the Ark as if it were trivial.
'Well, it's not really my place to judge.'
Strictly speaking, I did bear some responsibility for the way Tatiana had changed.
But there was nothing I could do.
It's not like I could come clean and tell her I was the Turncoat Pawn.
"Then, until next time."
"…Wait."
"What is it?"
"Do you… know anything about the Turncoat Pawn? Anything at all."
I didn't need to ask why Tatiana was looking for the Turncoat Pawn.
'Revenge, no doubt.'
The Belov family never forgets a slight.
They always return what they receive.
That's how the mafia—and the rulers of the Navy Line—operated.
"No, unfortunately not."
"…I see."
Tatiana nodded slowly, as if resigning herself.
She looked genuinely disappointed—which told me just how badly she wanted to catch Pawn.
"If you ever find out anything about the Turncoat Pawn or other Turncoats, please come to me."
"I will."
"Thank you."
"I'm counting on you with this task."
"No need to worry. If what you said is true, opening the trade route will be a huge help to the Ark."
It wasn't just a help.
It could resolve more than half of the pressing issues both inside and outside the Ark.
Establishing the Silk Road—this episode held that much weight.
'Then…'
Having successfully completed my meeting with Tatiana Belov, I headed straight to the Red Line.
To meet Lieutenant Colonel Banol.
Compared to Ganesha Tripathi and Brigadier General Victor, Banol might not seem like much.
And yes, his name did pale in comparison to those who held power over the Rose and Blue Lines.
But Lieutenant Colonel Banol had a weapon of his own:
His long-standing influence and trust as a veteran field officer who'd protected the Ark for years.
'Outwardly, it'll look like Banol is the one convincing the Red Line's leadership—but that's fine.'
I knew Banol.
Which meant I also knew: convincing him was as good as convincing the Red Line itself.
Upon reaching the outskirts of the Red Line, I didn't head straight inside. I stopped first at the Red-17 front.
There was someone I hadn't seen in a while.
"…Carl Marcus? It's been a while."
"Yes. Have you been well?"
"Thanks to you. I've heard you've been doing great things recently."
Honestly, now that I had moved onto the Orange Line stage, there was no real need to check in with Lieutenant Imosha anymore.
Up to this point, building rapport with her had simply been for convenience.
'Still, it's not entirely pointless.'
Imosha was one of the most capable field officers on the Red Line's front.
Even if she wasn't useful now, keeping this connection alive would surely prove valuable someday.
Standing at the front of Red-17 Gate, I chatted casually with Imosha.
Most of it was just small talk.
"Well then, I should get going."
"Ah… I hope I didn't take up too much of your time."
"Don't worry about it."
After parting with Imosha, I headed straight into the Red Line.
It was time to meet Lieutenant Colonel Banol.