Where did it all go wrong?
For the past few weeks, Livio had been reflecting countless times. But no matter how much he mulled it over, he couldn’t find an answer. In truth, even if he realized now what the root of the problem was or what caused the situation to spiral to its worst, nothing would change. His life was on the brink of falling into an abyss.
Therefore, repeating the same thoughts wasn’t about curiosity or seeking solutions, but rather an attempt to maintain his sanity. Otherwise, he might lose his mind.
“…They’re here.”
Livio muttered in a low voice as he expanded his sense using mana. He could feel the presence of dozens of people surrounding the building and the mana of police officers entering without hesitation.
Including the reporters broadcasting the scene live, individual broadcasters, and onlookers, there were probably hundreds of people gathered around the Mars Guild branch now.
Despite feeling the energy of those coming to arrest him drawing closer, Livio remained calm. He stared at the firmly closed door with a composed expression.
Last night, the vice commander who had tried to flee the country was urgently arrested. And today, the commander, who had appeared in public for the first time in a month, announced the establishment of a special investigation team with a grim face. Shortly after, a warrant was issued for Livio, citing concerns about flight risk and destruction of evidence, just like with the vice commander.
Since it would take at least a few days, or up to a week, for the special investigation team to be fully formed, the investigation would be handled by a special task force combining the military investigation bureau and Winfried’s team until then.
As soon as the announcement was made, people flocked to the guild building in N-district. Some newspapers and broadcasting stations even started live broadcasts with the title “Breaking News.” A few bold individuals tried to enter the building but were chased away by security guards.
Meanwhile, Livio had remained in the guild master’s office, constantly racking his brain. Was there a way for him to survive this? But it was unlikely that he would come up with a solution now that he hadn’t found in weeks of thinking.
“Heh…”
A sound that could have been either a laugh or a sigh escaped through his twisted lips. Livio lowered his head slightly and rubbed his tired face with his dry hands.
There were already dozens of allegations against him. While the initial scandal focused on corruption he committed as the director of the Special Crime Investigation Bureau, now even incidents from 15 years ago that he barely remembered were being exposed.
If even half, no, even a third of these charges were proven, he would probably only leave prison after his death.
Livio gritted his teeth, suppressing the anger boiling inside him. It wasn’t as if he had been sitting idly by while the situation deteriorated to this point.
As allegations ranging from old incidents to recent misconduct surfaced daily like a serial novel, Livio had contacted all his past accomplices. Many of them, like the vice commander or the chief justice, still held high positions in the military. There were also quite a few who, though retired, held honorary advisory positions as military elders.
But they all ignored Livio’s attempts to contact them, as if by agreement. Anyone even slightly connected to him was being mentioned as a potential target for the special investigation, so it wasn’t so much that they were deliberately avoiding him as they were too mentally overwhelmed to answer the phone.
Perhaps some had already turned themselves in. No, they must have. Voluntarily coming forward before criminal charges were confirmed was the best way to reduce potential sentences.
Moreover, those who had useful evidence or mitigating circumstances related to this case were likely attempting plea bargains in exchange for active cooperation with the investigation and testimony. There were several candidates he could immediately think of.
Yuki.
Livio clenched his teeth at the first name that came to mind. Ten days ago, she had submitted her resignation and disappeared, her whereabouts unknown. But he had a feeling he knew where she might be. The answer was clear just from the news reports that had been intensively broadcast over the past week.
In particular, an article titled “Internal Whistleblowing by Mars Guild Member” contained details about recruiting an IT team member from the European branch to hack the security system and hypnotizing Carlos to attack Luke Illum – information that only she, as the operation manager, would know.
“…Damn that woman.”
How dare she betray me? Livio trembled, overwhelmed by a strong sense of betrayal. If Yuki had been in front of him, he would have reduced her to ashes in an instant. And it wasn’t just her. He had no idea how many others might have already betrayed him.
“Are you alright, Guild Master…?”
“Johann.”
Of course, not everyone had abandoned Livio. Besides the man called Johann, there were about twenty people gathered here. All of them were former Defense Force members who had been with Livio for at least 15 years and now held executive positions in the guild.
“I just received a call from the security guard downstairs. The military police have boarded the elevator.”
“I see.”
Livio nodded slightly and looked over his subordinates, who were standing with tense expressions, including Johann. While some, like Johann, remained loyal to him, it was clear that most had stayed out of necessity.
This was understandable, as the guild members currently here were those who had long been involved in Livio’s dirty work. It was obvious that their names would be on the warrant the military police were about to bring, and they would all end up in prison together if arrested.
Therefore, unable to simply resign like ordinary guild members, and knowing they would immediately be wanted as villains if they fled, they chose to remain by his side.
“Guild Master.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you really… going to proceed with the plan you told us?”
“Yes, my mind hasn’t changed. This will be my final battle.”
Johann gulped audibly when Livio answered without the slightest hesitation. The others reacted similarly.
“If you’re reluctant, you can leave now. Or go out and let yourself be taken into custody quietly.”
“No. Either way, we’re dead…”
Bang! Before Johann could finish speaking, the door opened without a knock. The one who roughly opened the door was a woman with a stern expression. Military police in uniforms rushed in behind her.
“Are you Guild Master Livio Logan?”
“I am.”
“I’m Captain Pierce Ames, deputy leader of the special investigation team. You probably know the situation, so we’ll proceed with executing the warrant immediately.”
After quickly introducing herself, Pierce held out an arrest warrant to Livio.
“Livio Logan, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court, and you have the right to an attorney…”
“Haha.”
Livio, who had been quietly staring at Pierce as she recited the Miranda warning, suddenly burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, just that all of this is amusing.”
“…You’re as brazen as they say. Or have you given up?”
“Well…”
“Whatever the case, please cooperate with the arrest. There are quite a few others here who will be receiving warrants as well.”
Pierce looked around at the guild members standing protectively on either side of Livio. It would take at least 30 minutes to present warrants and read Miranda rights to everyone here.
“Snipers are positioned outside the building. Anti-terror unit members are also waiting in the hallway. So please don’t offer any meaningless resistance.”
As soon as Pierce finished speaking, red dots appeared all over the office. Despite this, Livio continued to grin leisurely.
“You know what they say? A tiger is still a predator even without its teeth.”
“Excuse me?”
Pierce frowned at the somewhat out-of-place remark. Her years of experience as a military police officer were telling her something was amiss.
“You’ve underestimated me too much.”
Livio knew that if he was caught this time, he wouldn’t be able to escape like he did with the previous scandal. He knew the trial would go against him. That’s why he chose this path. If ruin was inevitable either way, he decided to resist spectacularly until the very end.
“They say a cornered cat will bite a mouse. Captain Ames, what do you think I’ll choose to do?”
“…! Everyone, take cover! Fall back!”
Pierce shouted urgently as she saw Livio raise his hand. But it was too late. There was a snapping sound as he flicked his fingers, and dozens of sparks appeared in the air. Then, with a deafening boom, they exploded.
* * *
“You’re going to make the ground cave in at this rate.”
“…Huh?”
“I said, stop sighing so much.”
Brenda lightly scolded Iberis as she put some documents on his desk.
“What’s this?”
“A request from central headquarters. They’re asking you to attend the special investigation as a victim and key witness.”
“That came already?”
“The special investigation was announced this morning, but for the past week, the special investigation team has been questioning internal whistleblowers like Yuki Shiroi who requested plea bargains. About five or six soldiers have also turned themselves in. They seem to have finished the initial questioning yesterday, so now it’s time for the witnesses. They probably want to coordinate schedules in advance since your internal report from four years ago is also going to be reinvestigated.”
“Hmm…”
Iberis hummed as he checked the official document. The special investigation would be set up at headquarters. Since he couldn’t go to New York every time he needed to be questioned, they were asking him to set aside a few days to attend.
“…By the way, have you still not made a decision?”
“Well, no.”
Iberis answered Brenda’s question with a sheepish expression. Although three days had passed since his heated argument with Lucas about imprinting, he was still wrestling with the decision.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
