Surviving without God

The girl with the rabbit-like face flashed a brilliant smile. The bespectacled boy awkwardly waved his hand. Gunther let out a heavy sigh.

“Maybe I should tell Brody to tighten the mansion’s security even more?”

No. In truth, the security level was already sufficient. Brody was obsessively thorough when it came to such matters. She had already poured enormous sums into the place, installing high-grade alarm systems and even defensive artifacts throughout the mansion.

— When you deal in information, you make a lot of enemies, she had said.

It was simply that the caliber of their uninvited guests — from Moon Wolf to Levain and Blanc — was absurdly high. In any case, the moment Gunther saw the faces of the platoon members, the fleeting atmosphere of rest instantly dissipated, and a cold tension once again seized his body.

— So... what exactly happened for you all to show up together like this?

Levain, turning the Operate Link Gunther had given him over in his hands, replied:

— One second... I’ll connect it to the Fourth Platoon line and then explain everything. I should’ve done it earlier, but it slipped my mind.

— ...No rush.

— Once the line is ready, the device will connect directly to our transmitters. Basic information like location will display automatically. There won’t be any issues unless we enter an area with a high concentration of kaldium particles, like the Labyrinth, or a place with jamming waves. But watch out for eavesdropping or hacking attempts.

His slender fingers manipulated the device with practiced ease. Gunther had noticed before that Levain adored magical tools. He handled them masterfully, and there was genuine love for the craft in his eyes. Even now, his pupils shone as he examined the Link.

— By the way, you do know your Link is elite gear, right? You can’t even get these in the Middle City. The guy who helped us in the Labyrinth — was he the one who gave it to you?

— How did you guess?

— Just a feeling. He’s from the Upper City, isn’t he? Judging by his skills, he’s a true elite fighter.

...Upper City, huh.

Gunther froze for a moment, then shook his head.

— ...I honestly don’t know much about him myself.

— Hm, yeah, Arcane Runners tend to be secretive types.

Speaking of which, there had been no news from Dimona since she met the “Runner of Pendrox” in the Labyrinth. A message had briefly appeared saying she would drop by soon, but since then — silence.

“I hope Dimona doesn’t decide to climb in through the window too...?”

For some reason he had a feeling she definitely wouldn’t come by the normal route. As Gunther thought about that, his gaze shifted to Blanc, who was constantly rustling around with something. She was curiously inspecting his room.

— Heeey... the rookie lives like a Spartan. Don’t you like decorations at all?

...In his entire life he had never cared about such things. Catching Blanc’s hand as she secretly tried to shove a plush rabbit into his drawer, Gunther asked:

— Why didn’t Tarsha and Parco come with you?

— Huh? Oh, those two already went ahead to the operation site.

Gunther sighed again. In the end, the entire Fourth Platoon had been mobilized for the mission.

— ...Looks like the vacation is officially over.

Thunk—

Levain held out the Link with the connection already configured and said:

— We’re always short on manpower.

Blanc puffed out her cheeks and added her own complaint:

— I... I didn’t even get my hopes up. Though I already reserved a spot at the hot springs...

The number of Luthien fanatics was overwhelming, while the number of organization members was limited. The manpower shortage was a brutal reality. In the game there were breaks between scenarios, but in reality no one could afford such luxury.

“A real black company, if ever there was one,” Gunther thought gloomily. Brody’s flushed face surfaced in his mind. She was probably itching to report their results as soon as possible...

— Can this mission be finished quickly?

— I’ll explain now.

Levain’s expression turned serious as he began the briefing.

— First of all, you know how hard Luthien is trying to seize control of the Border City, right?

— I know.

— Exactly. The enormous wealth extracted from the Labyrinth, and the flow of people that follows... all of that is a resource Luthien desperately needs. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Because of that, endless schemes were constantly woven. The most common methods were bribery and assassination of opposition figures. It was enough to remember that the upcoming “climax of Act One” was supposed to be the assassination attempt on Mayor Michela.

“The moment when full-scale war between Luthien and Night Raven begins.”

Those who wanted to devour the city at any cost versus those trying to stop their ambitions. Levain frowned and continued:

— Recently those lunatics from Luthien, as you’ve noticed, have completely run wild. But here’s the strange thing: some opposition figures who were supposed to restrain them suddenly switched to Luthien’s side, abandoning all shame.

— T-that’s very strange. Some of them are people we had connections with. They’re definitely not the kind you can simply buy...

Gunther narrowed his eyes.

“Now that I think about it, Luthien’s influence has surged dramatically over the past few days.”

[Luthien Influence in the Border City: 13 852]

The spike was unusually large, enough to worry him even during the Labyrinth mission.

Thunk—

Then Levain pulled several folders from inside his coat. They contained information on the defectors. Gunther’s gaze slid across the documents and halted on one particular line.

— Read the general outline? That’s the reason we’re being sent to the Upper City today.

— ...So we’re supposed to find the reason for the betrayal. But shouldn’t tasks like that fall under the Information Department? What are they doing?

Levain shrugged.

— I don’t know the details either. I only heard that something happened to the info guys.

— Something happened? What exactly?

— Apparently some of the agents responsible for the Upper City disappeared without a trace... anyway, they’re asking us for help.

Well, it was the usual pattern: when the main department hit a dead end, the Executive Division stepped in.

— Still, this assignment isn’t particularly dangerous. There’s no elimination order — it’s just an investigation.

That sounded reasonable. But one question remained.

— Alright. Suppose so. But all these people live in the Upper City, right? How exactly are we supposed to get there?

The Upper City was the district where the Border City’s powerful and influential lived, and its security level was outrageous. There were no loopholes like the “ghost elevators” that moved between the Lower and Middle Cities — the only entry was through special guarded elevator shafts.

“It’s literally separated from everything else and floating in the air.”

Even if you tried approaching from outside using flight magic, the interception systems would simply shoot you down. Without permission from the city authorities, you couldn’t even set foot there. Gunther could have asked Brody, who had connections among servants in the Upper City, but preparing documents and going through procedures would take too long. However, Levain’s face showed absolute confidence.

— We found a way. You could say it’s thanks to you.

— What?

— You’ll see when we get there. Let’s head to the rendezvous point.

Thanks to me...?

As Gunther felt a strange sense of foreboding...

Swish—

Levain and Blanc dashed toward the window frame. Blanc gracefully leapt onto the hovering Seren Gless outside the window. Levain also jumped out lightly and beckoned Gunther with his hand. Gunther let out a quiet sigh.

— ...You know, I can actually leave through the door.

— Ah.

— Hehe.

.

.

.

Ding—!

[A side-story scenario has appeared! Defectors?]

[Summary]

— Among the opposition figures of the Border City, individuals once known for their unwavering integrity are defecting to Luthien one after another.

— This bizarre betrayal cannot be explained by simple bribery or blackmail. Gather evidence!

***

It happened when Gunther’s group arrived at one of the special elevators. Normally this passage would be heavily guarded by armed sentries, but now there was not a single soul here.

— ...Maybe you could take off that gloomy mask already?

Aside from that voice, which had just broken the silence.

— I’m only helping because I want to see your pretty face... otherwise there’s no pleasure in the process.

A silhouette slowly drifted out from the shadow of the structure. First came the acrid smell of tobacco, followed by a raspy chuckle. Gunther’s gaze fell on the numerous medal ribbons glinting in the moonlight. As always, she was in full uniform.

— ...Seraz.

— Hello, handsome.

The face covered in old scars twisted into a bizarre grin as she winked.

Seraz Bolton. Chief of the Operational Command Staff of the Public Security Bureau. That was the helper Levain had mentioned.

“...Damn it.”

Gunther lowered his head for a moment, then, putting on an insolent grin, removed his mask.

— ...Looks like our success in the Labyrinth pleased you?

— Yeah. I came to the conclusion it’s better to associate with terrorists than with my rotten colleagues — it’s less nauseating.

Gunther added a bit of irony. Exactly the style Seraz liked.

— Still, I’m glad to see you again.

— Ha. If it weren’t for bonuses like this, I’d have turned in my police badge long ago.

Gunther tried his best to ignore Blanc widening her eyes and nudging Levain with her elbow, while Levain whispered back, “See? I told you Gunther has a lot of hidden talents.”

Well... the effort to appease Seraz had paid off.

— Anyway... — Seraz stuffed tobacco into her pipe and with her other hand pulled something from her pocket. It was a temporary pass stamped with the seal of the Public Security Bureau.

— I’ll repeat it one more time: all I can do is get you into the Upper City. If you get caught, I won’t bail you out. Well... unless I personally walk into the interrogation room and beat you ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ a little less.

— Much appreciated.

— And one more thing: this pass won’t get you into the zone of the “real high-ranking people.” My authority isn’t enough to issue documents for that area. So don’t even think about sneaking in there. You don’t want to be executed on the spot or thrown into Greyhall, do you?

Gunther nodded. The “real high-ranking people” she referred to were members of the city council. Access to their residences and workplaces was physically restricted. The residents there recognized each other by face, along with their servants. A truly closed society.

— But the Upper City sector for lower officials — the garbage pit for bureaucrats like us — that part is open.

Gunther recalled the documents Levain had shown him. Most of the defectors were indeed high-ranking officials from the Public Security Bureau.

— Now the point: from this moment on, I’m summoning all my subordinates and colleagues to an emergency meeting.

— ...And?

Seraz spun the pipe between her fingers and smiled broadly.

— That means the police officers’ houses will be completely empty.

— ......

— What are you waiting for? Rob them. Clean them out.

.

.

.

[Alphonse of Red Street excitedly mutters that it’s time to demonstrate his skills]