Chapter 79: Upheaval in the Imperial Capital
After returning to the Imperial Capital, Syura established a new secret police force, [Wild Hunt].
Originally, the Prime Minister had intended for him to assist in strengthening security. Unexpectedly, Syura took advantage of Esdeath's absence to act on his own, beginning to seize power and suppress others, even using his military status to inflict violence upon the citizens of the Capital. And these actions were merely to satisfy his own irredeemable, wicked hobbies.
"So, he's the next target?"
"Ah. Getting rid of him is beneficial for both of our sides, isn't it?"
In a small alley, Kobayashi was meeting with Leone and Lubbock. And it was he who had taken the initiative to contact them.
A sneak attack from the shadows... I will not tolerate it!
Furthermore, Syura's recent large-scale search for the members of Night Raid had also caused them considerable trouble. The two sides hit it off immediately and decided to join forces to eliminate him.
Subsequently, Kobayashi gave them the intelligence.
"Syura's Teigu is named [Shambhala]. Its effect is to teleport people to any location in an instant, but its drawback is that the farther the teleportation, the more energy it consumes, and it cannot be used consecutively."
"Mmm... a tricky Teigu."
Lubbock pinched his chin, his expression somewhat grave.
Although [Shambhala] didn't provide any offensive boost to its user, its teleportation effect was quite troublesome. A moment of carelessness, and one could be teleported away and fall into a pre-arranged trap.
Kobayashi waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "That's not my problem. I've told you the Teigu's effect and his whereabouts. The rest is up to you."
"What? Don't tell me you're not going to help?" Leone was a little agitated.
Kobayashi held up his index finger and reminded her, "We agreed from the start, didn't we? I provide the intel, you do the work."
"Hey, hey, hey, don't be so heartless!"
Lubbock came over with a grin and slung an arm over Kobayashi's shoulder. "The past is the past, now is now. We all know how hard Syura is to deal with. You can't just leave all the dirty and tiring work to us, right?"
The meaning behind his words was obvious. If Kobayashi didn't help this time, Night Raid wouldn't make a move either. After all, Syura was mainly targeting the Jaegers right now. Night Raid could very well wait for them to fight it out and then come in to clean up.
But if Syura were to be suppressed by the Prime Minister and their forces were forcibly integrated, that would be bad news for them.
Of course, Kobayashi wouldn't let that happen either.
"Alright, then I'll help out a little."
He agreed without much thought, then snapped his fingers. "There's a Teigu user in Wild Hunt named Champ. I'll take care of him."
"Oho~ you're quite malicious, Kobayashi."
Lubbock narrowed his eyes, his voice low. "You chose him on purpose, didn't you?"
Clearly, he had guessed it. To agree to help so easily and then specifically name one person... it would be strange if there wasn't something going on.
Kobayashi, however, was not flustered at all.
"So, is it a deal? Or not?"
"It's a deal!"
Kobayashi's attitude was also decisive. If they didn't agree, both sides would back off. In any case, he would absolutely not be at a loss. It was precisely because Lubbock knew this that he hurriedly agreed.
"Well then—"
After the business was done, a wicked smile suddenly bloomed on Lubbock's face. He nudged Kobayashi and said, "Ko~~ba~~ya~~shi~~, you spent three days and three nights on a deserted island with a beautiful woman. Tell me, did anything heart-pounding happen?"
I forgot. Lubbock was a complete gossip.
Even though he was envious and jealous of other men being intimate with women, he always had to get to the bottom of these things. It was hard for Kobayashi not to suspect that he had a cuckold fetish.
But...
"Mmm, it did."
The corner of Kobayashi's mouth twitched, and his pupils constricted slightly. "On the island, my heart was pounding the whole time. If I hadn't been reasonably restrained, I might have made a move on her. Of course, if I had done that, I would have surely met with a desperate end."
Although he spoke ambiguously, Lubbock understood his meaning.
Being alone with that super-domineering queen, Kobayashi would have to be on high alert at all times. The slightest slip-up would surely lead to death.
He patted his shoulder sympathetically, saying nothing, yet it was as if he had said everything.
Kobayashi blinked.
Did Lubbock misunderstand something?
"Oh, don't look so down."
Leone threw her arms around Kobayashi's head and buried it in her chest. "Let me overwrite the memory of that queen! How about it? Big Sis is still the one you should be looking forward to, right? Come on, want to come back and play a game with Big Sis that only adults can play?"
"Ooh! An adult game! I'm so jealous!"
Lubbock looked at Kobayashi with envy.
However, Kobayashi had already seen through her personality. It was impossible for her to actually do anything lewd.
"That's enough idle chat."
He broke free from her embrace and said to them seriously, "The intelligence on Syura and his subordinates has been provided. I'm sure you can defeat them easily, but remember not to be careless... Also, don't do anything unnecessary."
"Alright, alright, we know."
Lubbock and Leone waved their hands dismissively.
The two of them quickly moved through the alley and eventually disappeared.
Leone was leaning against the wall, and the elegant man who was hiding himself in the shadow of a corner said, "The opportunity has been given to you. Whether you can seize it is up to you, Run."
"Many thanks."
A strong killing intent was contained in Run's eyes.
When the two of them returned to the Jaegers, Wave was comforting Kurome.
After asking, he found out that when the two of them were on patrol in the streets today, Kurome had been harassed by Syura.
Of course, Wave had sent Syura flying to save her, instantly winning her favor.
[Nice job]
Kobayashi secretly gave him a thumbs up. Wave rubbed his nose shyly, but still looked quite proud.
"By the way!"
Kurome hurried away and came back quickly, holding a cake in both hands. "Someone gave me a cake. Let's eat it together."
"How rare. You're actually sharing food with someone," Wave said, slightly surprised.
"Originally, there was no share for you, Wave."
"That's too pitiful."
The usual clowning around, as if the earlier gloom had all dissipated.
Suddenly, the main door was opened.
Esdeath walked in from outside. "I wonder if there's a share of that cake for me?"
"Captain?" Run stood up and asked, "Are you back from your audience with His Majesty?"
"Ah."
Esdeath had gone to the palace immediately after returning to the Empire and had only just now come back.
...
"I didn't expect something like this to happen. Wild Hunt simply has no respect for us," Esdeath said, her face showing displeasure.
When the tiger is not in the mountain, the monkey proclaims itself king.
If Syura weren't the Prime Minister's son, Esdeath would surely have twisted his head off.
Run continued to report, "Their recent movements have been very big. They've built a strange factory. I wanted to investigate, but they refuse to let anyone in."
Recently, in order to gain his trust, he had pretended to fawn on Syura. Unfortunately, the time had been too short, and he hadn't been able to find out much.
"Also..."
"Spitting out your words is not like you, Run."
"My apologies."
Run placed a file in front of her. "During the time you were away, Captain, I did some investigation. The humanoid Danger Beasts that have appeared in the surrounding area should be Syura's doing. Furthermore, the timing of your and Kobayashi's teleportation was too much of a coincidence. I'm afraid..."
"The one who teleported me away was also him, correct?"
Now, Esdeath was truly angry.
She slammed the table and stood up. She was about to say something, but after seeing Kobayashi, she suddenly calmed her anger and sat back down in her chair.
"Let's forget about this matter."
"...Eh?" x3
The few people sitting around the round table looked at Esdeath, then at Kobayashi, and a thought arose in their hearts.
Something definitely happened between the two of them on that island!
(End of Chapter)