Meanwhile, the mafia organization members fell into chaos upon confirming that their boss, Nickel, was dead.
After a brief commotion, they soon began a serious discussion on who had killed their boss.
During this, a member claiming to be an eyewitness emerged.
The witness’s name was Baldron Mekarana.
Baldron had been opening a second-floor window to smoke when he saw a woman leap from the third floor where the boss was located.
At first, Baldron thought he might have hallucinated it, but after learning that the boss was found dead inside his room, he became certain the woman was the assassin.
Baldron informed the other members, and in their rage, they united with the intention of finding the woman to avenge their boss.
And now…
Frowning, Baldron scanned the fifth-floor windows of a restaurant through a folding telescope.
“Brown hair, wearing pure white knitwear… charcoal coat draped over her knees, a modest shoulder bag by the chair. Black flats on her feet, and she’s unusually tall for a woman…”
Aside from the sunglasses, everything matches the description of the woman who killed the boss.
After searching nearby streets, they’ve finally located the woman who assassinated their boss.
“What a despicable wench…”
Lowering the telescope, Baldron gritted his teeth.
How dare she murder their boss and then leisurely enjoy a fancy meal at a restaurant? It’s intolerable.
Isn’t it like she’s mocking their entire organization?
Attempting to calm his seething anger, Baldron put away the telescope and pulled out a radio.
As he glared at the woman slicing steak on the fifth floor, Baldron pressed the transmit button.
“I’ve found the woman who killed the boss. Location: Rayven Street 22, Das Abendlicht Restaurant. She seems about to finish her meal, so all members are requested to converge here.”
*
After finishing her meal and stepping outside the restaurant, Katman Schultz bowed his head slightly.
“Madam, I’ve committed a grave offense against you. Even if I had ten mouths, there’d be no words to justify it. Allow me to sincerely apologize once more.”
In silence, Lucy stood as Daniel responded for her.
“There’s no need to repeatedly apologize. Professor Myrin understands perfectly well, doesn’t she, Professor?”
Daniel gave her a nudge, and reluctantly, Lucy nodded.
Seeing this, Daniel smiled faintly and continued.
“Well, we’ll take our leave now.”
“Aah, indeed. Captain, it was an honor speaking with you.”
“And it was a great gain for me to converse with a police inspector who tirelessly serves the Empire. Farewell.”
With a bow, Daniel turned and walked away with Lucy.
After walking a short distance and looking back briefly, they noticed Katman stroking his chin a few times before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
Relieved, Daniel let out a sigh of relief.
“You may speak now.”
After regaining the ability to speak, Lucy paused for a moment before saying,
“…You treated me like an idiot.”
“Not an idiot, but someone with aphasia. And as I mentioned, I only intervened to rescue you from the security bureau officer. Isn’t that right?”
It wasn’t untrue.
Without Daniel’s help, Lucy would have faced direct suspicion from Katman.
Though her pride was hurt by accepting aid from an enemy, she knew she had to acknowledge it.
“This debt I will repay someday.”
Whispering quietly, Lucy made Daniel involuntarily break out in cold sweat.
He couldn’t tell if her promise to “repay” meant offering help or intending to kill him.
Since there was no way to read Lucy’s mind, Daniel awkwardly nodded.
“…I appreciate your sentiment, but there’s no need to feel obligated to repay it. Instead, how about we part ways now?”
Otherwise, the dessert shop would close soon.
While Daniel wanted to heal with some dessert, Lucy shook her head.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
What did she mean all of a sudden? Feeling oddly uneasy, Daniel blinked silently as Lucy glanced around furtively and spoke.
“Listen while we walk. We’re being tailed. Not just behind us, but across the street and even a block ahead, there are people watching us.”
Tailing? Immediately narrowing his eyes, Daniel scrutinized the pedestrians on the street.
Sure enough, some men in suits were acting suspiciously. A few had their hands in their coats, likely ready to draw guns at any moment.
Their movements were clumsy for spies.
But they were clearly organized—a private group.
If members of such a group carried guns, there could only be one answer.
“Mafia goons.”
It seemed they were targeting Lucy, causing Daniel to grimace and furrow his brow.
“Professor, what exactly have you done to warrant the mafia tailing you?”
But Lucy didn’t respond.
Instead, she quickly assessed the situation with her sharp gaze and tightly grabbed Daniel’s hand.
Cold yet gentle.
“Captain, I’m about to run into the alley twenty steps ahead. You’re a target too since you’re with me. If you want to live, follow me.”
It wasn’t that she particularly cared about saving Daniel.
However, if Daniel died, the Empire would investigate, and Lucy, who was with him that day, would inevitably get caught in their dragnet.
That was something she wanted to avoid, so Lucy kept her grip firm on Daniel.
“Wait! Professor, if you have a plan, let’s discuss it together…!”
When they reached the twentieth step, Lucy suddenly spun around and kicked off.
“Shit! They’re running!”
“That damn broad spotted us! Chase them!”
“Kill her!”
Behind them, shouts erupted, followed by gunshots.
A bullet whizzed past Daniel’s ear.
Instinctively ducking, Daniel quickened his pace while glaring at Lucy.
“…What grudge do you have? Did you kill the mafia boss or something?”
Though bewildered, now wasn’t the time to indulge in curiosity.
“Left!”
Following Lucy’s command, Daniel rounded the corner of the alley.
Halfway down the alley, Lucy abruptly hid behind an industrial trash can.
Daniel also instinctively crouched beside her, catching his breath.
“Why are we hiding? Are you planning to take on all the goons here?”
Nodding, Lucy pulled out a detonator with a red button from her shoulder bag.
In case she was pursued by the mafia, she had pre-installed bombs inside the walls on both sides of this deserted alley.
‘Impressive preparation…’
Understanding what Lucy intended to do, Daniel held his breath and waited.
“They went down a dead-end street! Chase!”
“Shoot them on sight! Kill that kid next to her too!”
Shouting, the mafia members stormed into the alley.
But they couldn’t see Lucy or Daniel.
Unaware that the two were hiding behind the trash can, the mafia members cautiously moved further in.
“What? We definitely saw them enter.”
“Did they climb over the wall? Can they really jump that high?”
“Damn it! Did anyone check behind the trash cans?”
At the moment the voices drew closer.
Without hesitation, Lucy pressed the detonator button.
Immediately afterward—
KABOOM!
An enormous explosion shattered the walls, erupting in flames.
The powerful shockwave nearly knocked Daniel off his feet, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut.
“Ugh… Damn…”
Ringing in his ears.
After taking a few deep breaths, Daniel slowly opened his eyes.
Regaining his senses, Daniel clenched his teeth and stood up.
Looking back at the site of the explosion, he saw dozens of collapsed mafia members lying amidst the rubble, groaning in pain.
“Huh…”
Staring blankly at the scene, new footsteps approached from beyond the alley.
Thinking it might be the remaining goons, Daniel placed his hand on his holster, but the footsteps sounded light and cheerful.
“Explosion! Did you hear that?!”
“What happened? Did a pipe burst?”
“Let’s check it out! It could be a scoop!”
Turned out it was journalists, always rushing to any accident scene.
Relaxing, Daniel removed his hand from the holster and said,
“Do you know what you just did…?”
Turning to address Lucy, he realized she was gone.
Had she leapt over the wall during the explosion? That high?
Sighing in frustration, Daniel watched as reporters arrived.
They froze upon seeing the scene.
Seeing nearly thirty people sprawled in blood-soaked heaps in the alley, with an intact military officer standing nearby, was intimidating.
Wondering what the situation was, the reporters looked down and widened their eyes.
“These guys… aren’t they Nickel’s henchmen?”
Each of the fallen men bore the same hyena tattoo on their necks.
This confirmed they were members of Nickel’s mafia organization.
Realizing this, the other reporters looked up.
Recognizing the officer’s identity, smiles spread across their faces.
They smelled a scoop.
“It’s Captain Daniel Steiner!”
“Wait… Goodness! It’s really Captain Daniel!”
As reporters started fussing, citizens drawn by the explosion sound began gathering.
Arriving at the alley, the citizens mirrored the reporters’ expressions, murmuring amongst themselves.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Daniel raised his hands and tried explaining.
“Ladies and gentlemen, there’s been a misunderstanding—this wasn’t my doing…”
But his voice was drowned out by a reporter shouting,
“Everyone gather here! Captain Daniel Steiner has once again served the Empire! He’s wiped out a mafia organization!”
Believing the reporter, the citizens erupted in cheers, shouting Daniel’s name.
Soon applause filled the air, prompting Daniel to close his eyes in resignation.
“Insanity…”
It wasn’t surprising anymore.
