The girl was like frozen on the spot. Blinking in surprise, the murmurs around kept rising.
"Now you all listen. I am getting tired of all this nonsense. If you feel like telling me or Nyx something, just do it to our face. So I can reshape it for you. I am Magnus' son, yes, but I am also Kaior Veyne, a Card Mage officer. You can keep blaming me for being born with the right card or strive to be better than me. It's up to you."
The crowd fell silent at his words, the murmurs dying in their mouths. No one dared say anything or stand up.
"Normally I wouldn't agree with this, but you asked for it," Leli said. Kaior took Nyx's hand in front of the shocked crowd.
"Kaior," she said in a low voice. "If we can't stand up for each other as partners in the Card Mage Police, we wouldn't be able to stand for each other as a couple."
Nyx's expression flashed with a flustered smile, turning to a tinge of red—something Kaior had rarely seen since they met.
"I will talk to Mirelle. And if she doesn't agree, I won't insist," Kaior said. Being biased, more than anyone, he knew how useful the Pocket Hourglass and Sifa could be. Practically speaking, if the mission was as dangerous as they claimed it to be, her abilities could save quite a number of lives. Why would Mirelle put her away? Kaior didn't want to flatter himself, but he had a vague feeling all of this was connected to him, Mirelle, and his father.
Kaior would find out soon. First, he needed to attend the briefing. Moving away with his friends, one after another, the crowd dispersed—amused by the comedy that had just taken place.
---
Kaior soon joined the third briefing hall. Here, the number of participants had reduced to barely twenty candidates. Some were Two-Star officers like Kaior, while the majority were Three-Star officers. Only Danzan and Donsentos were Four-Star officers.
Donsentos was a tall and sturdy man, dressed with a very prominent scar running down from his left ear to his mouth. The wound gave off a very aggressive vibe and appeared to have been very deep. With a welcoming smile, he clasped his hands warmly.
"Welcome, little mushrooms. I am Donsentos Mar. You can simply call me Mar if you wish. Or Inquisitor Mar, if you prefer. I am not like those bureaucratic nerds and will get right into the real deal. This time, my guys, we are escorting Grade Four criminals," he said with a smile.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop all of a sudden. Kaior took a deep breath, listening for more. He had already faced the strength of a Grade Three criminal himself and was clear on how dangerous they could be. Grade Four criminals were equivalent to the best Card Mage officers that existed, weaker only than the captains. Above them were Grade Five criminals—but only three of them existed, and Selis Variant was one of them.
"According to the boss, the defense of the last containment area has been compromised. To avoid any future leaks, the most dangerous criminals need to be transported first. The operation is divided into two phases, handled by two groups. The first group will be the face and handle the media, while the second group will be the shadows, escorting the real criminals," Donsentos said.
The more Kaior listened, the more he felt this operation was strange. Why broadcast such an event live with the media? Isn't this going to attract a lot of unwanted attention? Kaior could not wrap his head around the reasoning of these people.
"I know what you mushrooms might be thinking," Donsentos smirked. "Listen carefully. If the boss has been in place for so long, it isn't without reason. He will be leading the first group—those of the L category—on land with a train transport. The journalists and part of the criminals will be on it. Our mission is the most interesting. We'll be the second group—those from Category M. We will escort the Grade Four criminals through a secret route… in the background."
'This is indeed like father. Thinking a step ahead,' Kaior's eyes illuminated. Fidgeting in his seat, he finally got the answer. First, the broadcasting of the event was not just for show—it served an important purpose: to attract attention from the world, and precisely from those who wanted to prevent the convoy from reaching its destination.
It was clearly impossible to transport so many people at once without attracting unwanted eyes. Thus, instead of hiding, Magnus felt it would be easier to show them what they wanted to see. This was where the second part of the plan came into action.
The enemies might not suspect another convoy because Magnus would be escorting the false convoy himself. Given that his presence represented the will of the Card Mage Police, any sane person would think he'd be wiser escorting the real criminals, as—given his strength—he could handle most of the danger. It was easy for everyone to believe all the dangerous criminals were on board with him, whereas the real convoy had departed in a quieter scene with Kaior and the others.
"However, this doesn't completely reduce the risk of the second convoy being detected. That's why we need firepower in case things go south," Donsentos continued. "Get ready, prepare your decks and card launchers—we are leaving in twelve hours. Forget about being cool, bring only your best cards."
The officers all nodded in understanding, standing one after another, about to leave. But Danzan, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke.
"One of the criminals we are escorting is called the Seruth Monster. Are you still sure you want to be in this group?" Danzan said with a very casual tone. Yet his voice had a tinge of intimidation. It was hard to figure out if he was motivating them or trying to scare them. "This isn't a field trip. You better all get ready. I hate playing babysitter."
"This doesn't sound good. Why did no one tell us about something like that?" an officer questioned.
"Those are little details. Now get ready—we are departing soon," Donsentos said. For him, these insignificant details were not necessary for the officers to know.
Kaior wanted to ask more, but before he could, the man was gone without any further explanation. He didn't know who the Seruth Monster was, but he had heard rumors in the past. They spoke of a person you'd be better off never asking any questions about—for the truth of his answers had prices no one was willing to pay.
One after the other, the officers left with widely different expressions. Still, the excitement in their eyes had not diminished in the slightest.
"Danzan, I have something to ask you," Kaior walked up to the nonchalant figure. Like always, he sat with no particular emotion on his face, as if there was nothing in this world that was of interest to him.
"I would rather not answer. I don't feel like answering anything about Mirelle's decision. If you want your baby on board, just take her on. Who said you needed her approbation?" Danzan carelessly brushed him away, waving at Kaior as if he didn't even want him in front of his face.
Kaior was startled, but then had a thoughtful expression. "I never thought of something like that." Breaking the rules was something that had never crossed his mind—until Danzan casually mentioned it. From his attitude, it was clear he had some experience in the domain.
"Wait, wait… what are you talking about? I don't want the boss to believe I'm the one turning you into a rebel gangster. No way. Forget about it and talk to Mirelle directly," Danzan quickly sat up, almost falling off his chair. The change in attitude was so abrupt that Kaior couldn't help but wonder.
He never seems to care about anything unless it concerns the Investigation Department or my father. Why is he the only captain with four stars, unlike the five-star officers Fabian and Mirelle? Kaior wondered. Danzan was an enigma he was curious to decipher.
"I will talk to her directly then," Kaior said and left Danzan alone, the expression on his face completely unbothered by Kaior—something Kaior felt was not any different from that of those he had seen in the rehabilitation center of the Inquisitors.' Might be I'm thinking too far, ' he thought, leaving for Mirelle's office.