Those Who Live Without the Law

Chapter 83

Mercenaries (2)

Cecilia also had her own share of concerns. Though she said she would entrust things to Kairus, people in power often broke promises without hesitation when circumstances changed.

When she sent Kairus into the sewers, if the chances of failure had been high, Cecilia had even been willing to kill Kairus and hire someone new.

'But there's really no need.'

Cecilia had concluded that it would be difficult to find someone more skilled than Kairus among those outside the organization that the Rose Garden could mobilize in the current situation.

After all, the fact that he escaped alive even while being pursued by Dana Watson already proved that he was within the top 10% in terms of skill, even compared to the operatives belonging to the Rose Garden.

"The requested supplies have all been moved to the fifth floor. Check, and if anything's missing, please contact me."

"How do I contact you…?"

To Kairus's question, Cecilia answered matter-of-factly.

"I’ll have a phone line installed in this office."

Kairus flinched slightly at the mention of installing a phone line. It was a very good thing. The time and cost required just to install a single phone line were enormous.

However, there was no way the Rose Garden wouldn’t monitor a phone line they themselves had installed.

He would have to use it assuming that everything said over the phone would also be relayed to the Rose Garden.

"Thank you for the consideration."

Even so, having it would be extremely useful.

Once the Pontus case was resolved, Kairus planned to formally take on commissions as a contractor in Bennett City, build connections, and collect the countless lost legacies of the House Featherwing.

Having access to a phone would be a great help.

"The supplies and the information gathered so far are organized on the fifth floor."

Having apparently finished her business, Cecilia put her raincoat back on and spoke to Kairus.

Then she opened a large glass jar sitting on a shelf, pulled out a candy, and tossed it into her mouth.

She acted as if this were her office, not Kairus’s.

"Oh, right. About the Yucheok Sword."

‘As expected, this topic came up.’

Kairus thought so to himself as he looked at Cecilia.

"Is it being confiscated?"

"Yes. It’s been decided that it will be stored in the committee’s meeting room until an owner is determined."

That was only natural. More and more organizations were seeking Pontus, and as a result, they were now establishing rules to decide its rightful owner.

In a situation like this, Kairus could no longer continue to possess the Yucheok Sword.

"Still, I appreciate you coming to collect it yourself."

Kairus obediently took out the Yucheok Sword and handed it to Cecilia along with the case.

"It’s a prettier ornament than I thought. If it becomes mine, I’ll decorate my bedroom with it."

The Yucheok Sword was incredibly beautiful, but it was a defective product that could never be used as a real weapon. Cecilia gave a fairly accurate assessment.

"Well then, take care."

Having achieved all her objectives, Cecilia left the office with a parting remark. And almost immediately, as if on cue, everyone in the office let out a deep sigh.

"So that’s the Representative of the Rose Garden, huh."

Irena spoke after taking a moment to breathe deeply.

"First impressions?"

"Terrifying. Did you see her eyes?"

Irena said as she pointed to her own eyes.

"Red eyes, yeah, they are memorable."

At Kairus's words, Irena shuddered.

"Who cares about the color. I’ve never seen such lifeless eyes before. And the way she talks—it all sounds like acting."

"Maybe some of it really is just acting."

In a city so rife with crime, she was a woman leading one of the most powerful organizations.

It would be important for her to keep others from reading her thoughts.

"She’s not someone you want as an enemy."

"Agreed. Let’s start by checking the supplies and documents the Rose Garden sent. She said it’s all on the fifth floor, right?"

Irena stood up, opened the door, and headed to the fifth floor.

"Looks like everything’s here, even without counting."

All the supplies Kairus had requested had arrived without a single item missing.

Even things like gas masks and filters were of better quality than what was available on the market.

While Melvin and Tanya assessed the quantity and quality of the supplies, Kairus and Irena reviewed the additional information provided.

"This is the Rose Garden’s map of the sewer structure."

It was laid out in map form. A fairly large and detailed map, but even so, it only covered about 5% of Bennett City’s sewer system.

"Just how big is this place? Doctor, can we really find the entrance to Pontus in here?"

Irena clicked her tongue in disbelief.

"It’s fine. The important thing isn’t how wide the area is."

Archaeologists were the type of people who scoured impossibly vast candidate sites to find incredibly small ruins.

They knew how to begin an investigation and how to approach it properly.

"You’ve been at this for years. I’m sure you’ve got your own info too."

"Indeed."

Melvin Istovan agreed with Kairus and spread out a map of Bennett City.

"We should approach from the southeastern sewer line."

Bennett City had a stable enough foundation to support the construction of the Antaria Grand Canal.

But even among those areas, the southeast was the most stable.

Considering the scale and intended function of Pontus, that area had the highest probability of being where Pontus was built.

"Let’s enter from somewhere else."

The hired hands would be keeping close tabs on how Kairus's team moved.

Charging in straight through the southeast was not a smart move.

It would basically be telling everyone where Pontus was most likely to be.

"We’ll head underground through the nearest entrance from here."

They would move southeast only after going down into the sewer system.

Fortunately, using the map provided by the Rose Garden, they could navigate to the target area.

"Of course, we’ll probably be ambushed along the way."

The most likely attackers were the hunters hired by Lukas’s Children.

"Hunters usually act more cautiously, but…"

Kairus wore a complicated expression. This situation was a little different.

Lukas had enough of a relationship with the hunters to participate in their mountain god ritual and share in the ceremonial wine.

The hunters would be operating actively.

"Once we’re underground, we’re likely to be attacked not long after."

"So they’re Daeyeon’s hunters. I’ve always wanted to fight them. Looks like I’ll finally get my chance."

Irena said, her eyes gleaming. Indeed, they were opponents even Imperial Knights rarely got to face.

"Aren’t you glad you came to Bennett City?"

"Absolutely not."

Irena replied firmly to Kairus’s comment. Kairus chuckled and looked over at Tanya.

"How is it? Any defects?"

"No, everything is exactly what I requested. Some tools, like the tourniquets, are even better than I expected."

It seemed the medical supplies were in perfect order as well.

"Good. Then let’s head out immediately."

"Right now?"

Melvin looked at Kairus with a surprised expression. He hadn’t expected them to depart this quickly, even with a tight schedule.

"There’s no time to slack off, Doctor."

If they were ready to work, then it was time to move. Mental readiness could be built up while on the job.

"Both of you should be able to carry around 10 kilograms, right?"

If a healthy young adult couldn’t even manage that, it would be a cause for concern.

What Kairus and Irena expected Tanya and Melvin to carry was just about that much.

Once you added each person’s gas mask, filters, and food rations, it would roughly total that weight.

"I’ll carry medical supplies instead of food."

"Ah, that’s better."

In urgent situations, Tanya Lysand needed to be able to administer treatment as quickly as possible, so it made sense for her to be in charge of the medical supplies.

The others wouldn’t know how or when to use them anyway. Plus, the weight and volume of the necessary medical supplies were no joke.

"What’s this…?"

Melvin looked curiously at a sealed pouch filled with yellow granules no bigger than a fingernail.

Tanya smiled and answered.

"It’s a type of sterilized sponge. It expands when it absorbs moisture and is used to stop bleeding."

Kairus shuddered slightly at Tanya’s explanation. Stuffing that sponge into a wound was not a pleasant experience.

"For most wounds, a tourniquet should be enough. Oh, Doctor, do you know how to use a tourniquet?"

At Tanya's question, Melvin shook his head.

"Then let me teach you now. Come here."

The method wasn’t particularly difficult, and Melvin picked it up quickly.

"You’re good at this."

"Thank you."

Watching the two of them, Irena clicked her tongue.

"Geez, at this rate, they’ll probably be sharing a sleeping bag down in the sewer."

"If you have time to worry about other people’s relationships, check the rest of the supplies."

"I’m almost done anyway."

At Kairus’s jab, Irena let out a sharp puff and finished checking the supplies.

"Whoa, this one only just started getting issued to the Order recently."

"What is it? Some kind of bandage?"

Kairus didn’t recognize the item. Irena smirked at him.

"It’s an integrated tactical bandage. It serves as sterile gauze, a bandage, and a tourniquet all in one."

Even the knight orders, who received the best equipment first, had only recently started using it. So Kairus, who had spent the last six years locked up in a correctional facility, had no reason to know about it.

"Man, the world really moved on without me while I sat still."

Kairus let out a quiet sigh as he learned how to use the bandage.

"You sound like an old man."

With preparations complete and Melvin’s training done, Kairus and his team had no reason to remain in the office any longer. They packed their gear and headed for the nearest manhole.

"Wow, it reeks even before we go in."

As the manhole cover opened, a powerful stench assaulted their noses.

From this point on, they would be living down there for anywhere between two to three weeks.

"I’ve already lost my appetite."

"You’ll eat once you’re hungry enough."

With those words, Kairus took the lead and dropped down through the opening to the sewers.

Melvin and Tanya followed him underground, and lastly, Irena climbed down and replaced the manhole cover.

"..."

Kairus took out a bead. It was an add-on that emitted light using the battle gear’s output.

As the bead lit up, the filthy sewer, hidden in darkness, finally revealed itself.

"I… feel like I’m going to throw up."

On the ground were suspiciously viscous, dark brown-black puddles.

Startled by the sudden light, silverfish and cockroaches darted in every direction, twitching their antennae.

And the overpowering stench forced its way into their noses.

"Why the long face?"

Kairus smacked a mosquito off his cheek and moved forward.

"The good news is that the mosquitoes native to Bennett City aren’t disease carriers."

Diseases spread by mosquitoes were dangerous.

"I wish all mosquitoes would just disappear."

At Irena’s grumble, Tanya smiled.

"There’s a reason Father created them, you know."

"Still doesn’t mean I have to like them. I’m allowed to imagine a world without them."

It wasn’t like they could realistically be wiped out anyway.

Using the light from the add-on, Melvin scanned his surroundings—both thrilled and saddened at once.

"This is truly remarkable. To think such a magnificent ruin is being so defiled…"

From Melvin’s perspective, it was inexcusable.

"Hey, Doc, this is what sewers are for."

"But they could at least be maintained, couldn’t they?"

He seemed genuinely upset, his voice shaking slightly.

‘These empty-headed criminal trash don’t even care about the treasures beneath their feet…’

‘Just a bunch of vulgar bastards obsessed with shiny yellow metal that pops out of the ground.’

Melvin kept those thoughts to himself. He instinctively knew this wasn’t the time or place to voice them.

He was in a vulnerable position and needed protection. And Kairus, who was providing that protection, did not have a gentle personality.

Melvin Istovan decided to keep his mouth shut. But that didn’t mean the contempt he felt for the city’s criminals had disappeared.