Episode 15 - Branch Pruning 1

“So... you think there's more to pry out of me? Like I said, my memory isn't intact, so there's nothing more I can tell you?”


Seeing Kaftin draw a line in advance, she shook her head slightly.


“I looked into some records about Vesren. So I guess I got a little curious...”
“......”


He avoided her gaze, lips sealed as if reluctant to speak of him.
As if unwilling to share anything beyond what he’d already told her.


“If that person… is your master, did you voluntarily become his disciple?”
“…It was just… a coincidence.”
“What kind of coincidence?”


Seeing her curious expression, Kaftin finally sighed and spoke.


“My memories of that time are hazy, so I don't know the details myself. When I came to, he was taking care of me, and as I helped with his daily life, I found myself learning from him before I knew it.”
“So that's how it was.”
“Yeah. I think I stayed there a little over two years... short if you call it short, long if you call it long.”


He gazed off into the distance for a moment, seemingly recalling that time, then quickly closed his mouth again.
Seeing this, Whispermere, sensing something was still bothering him, felt an even stronger urge to probe deeper.


“You said he passed away... Was it because his injuries worsened?”
“Ha. Not a chance. If it were from aftereffects, he would've died at least ten years ago. He had trouble moving, but there was nothing seriously wrong with his body.”
“Then how on earth did he...?”


Kaftin stopped her from prying further by lightly slamming his hand on the tea table.


“...That's enough. He's dead. That's all there is to it.”
“No. I think this is an important part. Since your justification for fighting the Four Gang Lords is his revenge...”
“I won't say any more.”
“……!”


Whispermere was certain.
No matter how you looked at it, it was clear he was deeply entangled in Vesren's death.
He clearly didn't want to recall that incident.


“...I understand. I won't ask for more.”
“......”
“Then I'll move on to another question.”
“What else are you trying to dig up...?”
“Your weakness.”
“......”


Boldly declaring he'd hear the weakness directly from him, Kaftin let out a chuckle.


“You're bold too. You want to hear your own weaknesses from yourself?”
“Yes. Based on what I've gathered so far, if you realize someone is trying to indirectly uncover your weaknesses, you won't let them get away with it.”
“…….”


This woman was definitely no ordinary opponent.
She was undoubtedly talented enough to lead a branch of the Information Guild at such a young age.


It was no simple feat to grasp Kaftin's own personality—hardly sane by any standard—to this extent in such a short time.


“So you're saying you'll attempt a head-on approach?”
“Yes. Surprisingly, this method seems effective for someone like you.”
“…….”


After a moment lost in thought, Kaftin opened his mouth as if to confirm.


“That must be a question planted by the Four Gang Lords, right?”
“……!”
“No need to answer. I figured as much. Trying to avoid falling out of favor with the Four Gang Lords by exploiting my weakness, huh?”
“...I never imagined you'd read that far...”


Having instantly deduced Whispermere's position, Kaftin let out a chuckle before speaking.


“Alright. I suppose I can tell you a few things... Though knowing them might not mean much.”
“Are you sure?”
“Didn't I say? Knowing my weakness doesn't mean you can exploit it. It depends on how you play it...”
“That may be true, but... the Four Gang Lords have considerable capital and connections. You should be prepared.”
“...Prepared? I already am. I always am...”


Kuku, Kaftin laughed softly, slowly raising a finger to point at the empty space.


“First, I hate high places.”
“……?”
“So, if there's nowhere or few places to put my feet, and it's high up too, I get psychologically intimidated.”
“Ah. You mean acrophobia.”
“Yeah. Well... it's not that serious, but it's true my movements get slower than usual.”


Kaftin raised another finger.


“Second... I hate the ocean. Well, I don't eat much fish either.”
“That's... surprising.”


Looking at his broad build, anyone would assume he was a strong swimmer, yet he unexpectedly disliked being underwater.


“Unexpected? You're the one... My skeleton has metal mixed in, making it incredibly heavy. If I tried diving, I might never resurface.”
“......!”
“Well... I do have a secret weapon prepared for that, but it's just that – a secret weapon. I'm leaning towards not getting submerged in deep water at all.”


After a brief pause, he spoke again.


“To put it bluntly, if you want to land an effective blow on me, the most realistic option would be to haul in a cannon like the ones used on warships and start firing.”
“Well...”
“Other than that... a Master-level Aura Blade user could easily sever my limbs. I have magic countermeasures, but this body has no defense against aura attacks.”
“......!”


Whispermere swallowed hard at the unexpected sight of him calmly revealing all his fatal weaknesses.
Why was he telling her so easily?


“I-Is it really okay to just blurt out things like that?”
 “Huh? Well, it might be a bit awkward. But... since I know these weaknesses well myself, and you've prepared your countermeasures, telling you won't cause any major problems."


His nonchalant wave dismissing the matter made cold sweat break out involuntarily.
Was it really okay to reveal this so easily?


“Why are you so stiff?”
“Ah, no, it's just...”
“Kch-! Don't tell me you're wondering if I'm lying?”
“Ah, no, that's not it...!”
“Too bad. Remember this. I'm basically a man who mixes three truths with one lie.”
“......”


My mind went cold.
Just as I suspected.
He had subtly hinted that at least one of the weaknesses he revealed was a lie.


If he misjudged and attacked that weakness, the Four Gang Lords would collapse without gaining anything.


"And... if someone else had asked, I wouldn't have had to go this far. “
”……?“
”When a woman I've finally started to like finds herself in a difficult situation, I should be prepared to help her out to some extent... don't you think?“
”……."


His Kuku and delighted expression seemed deliberately sly.
How could someone who made such a face be just barely an adult?


“So, is that all you want to know?”
“Ah... yes. For now...”
“I see. Then it's my turn to ask.”
“......!”
“I don't need anything else... For now, I'd like you to tell me the location of the Four Gang Lords' drug workshop.”


A spark ignited in Whispermeer's mind.
The reason he was asking this was obvious.
He clearly intended to completely destroy the drug business, one of the Four Gang Lords' primary funding sources.


“Th-that...!”
“I'm giving you this much service, so you want me to return the favor? It's not like I'm rushing into the temple to settle things with the Four Gang Lords right now... huh?”
“Ugh... Ugh...”


It was certainly better than that, but if his attack caused the drug division to collapse, he would undoubtedly face the Four Gang Lords' wrath.


After all, she was the only person currently in contact with him under the Four Gang Lords.
It would be painfully obvious where the information had leaked from.


“Hehehe... Troubled, aren't you? I knew it...”
“......”
“Well, if you won't tell me, then I have no choice... I'll go find that bastard Athunga right now, grab him by the collar...”
“I-I'll tell you! I'll tell you, okay!”


Smiling as if amused, he rose to leave. To stop him, she finally had to speak.


“But... could you promise me just one thing?”
“...What now? I don't do troublesome jobs.”
“...I'd prefer you didn't attack the people working in the workshop.”
“That's difficult. Survivors are witnesses, right? I can't do anything that goes against my principles.”


Whispermeer's lips went dry at Kaftin's firm refusal.


Though they worked under the organization, strictly speaking, they were just hired laborers.
Some had even been dragged there against their will.


Inflicting a horrific fate on such people weighed too heavily on Whispermeer's own conscience.


“...Can't we do something about that...?”
“No. Just as we severed the Four Gang Lords' fingers and toes joint by joint, we'll crush their businesses and subordinates like ants being stomped to death. Not a single one will be spared.”
“To that extent...!”


She faltered, suddenly remembering her own Information Guild was also under the Four Gang Lords.


“Does that mean... our guild too...?”
“Ah, yes. It's just a matter of time. I'll be visiting soon enough.”
“......!”
“Heh... Why? Wasn't this the outcome you expected? Didn't you cooperate with me knowing that?”
“Th-that...”


Her mind became chaotic.
Clearly, in terms of seniority alone, she was practically a newbie within the guild.


The only reason she could become a branch chief was purely due to the discernment of the previous branch chief.
Because of that, she didn't hold much sway even within the guild branch chiefs' meetings.


“Then... when that time comes, will you kill me too?”
“......”


As she began to speak in a strained voice, Kaftin avoided her gaze.
Just as expected.


“...I'm still considering it.”
“......!”
“You know the reason, don't you?”
“......”


Not harming women and children.
And the fact that she was cooperating with him in her own way were major obstacles preventing him from deciding to kill her.


Because of that, he had deliberately postponed dealing with her information guild—one of the groups he should have eliminated first according to his original policy.


“Anyway... you should think carefully too. About what you'll do from now on.”
“......”
“Surely you're not betting on me failing, are you?”


She shook her head at his subtly pressuring remark.
Such a thought had never crossed her mind since their first encounter.


A physique beyond comprehension, an intellect that sometimes sent chills down her spine... and a malevolence and madness that made her heart clench just from facing him.


Even if the Four Gang Lords were the night's kings who dominated an era, the story changed when facing a demonic beast in human form like this.


Unless a dragon straight out of legend actually appeared... no one could stop him.


At least not on this earth.


-To be continued-