Chapter 164

The mercenaries had neither defensive coats nor any experience dealing with firearms. It should have been simple enough to escape from them using the pistol alone. Then why had Ratt been caught so easily?

Of course, he would not be able to escape the Surveillances pursuit forever, but he would have been able to hide himself for the time being. Isaac considered that Ratt had let himself be caught on purpose in fear of Surveillance, but it was nonsensical to think that Ratt would even consider such a thing. Information about Central was far beyond the reaches of his status. Then again, his knowledge of firearms in itself should have been impossible.

While Isaac was deep in thought, Soland ran over to him.

No! Was I late?

What happened to the meeting?

It is finished. Did you kill Ratt?

He committed suicide. Why?

We found a witness. A homeless man whod been hiding in the alleyways during the crisis testified to us. According to his account, Mr. Kalden and Ratt were in an argument. When Mr. Kalden shook off Ratts grip and turned around, Ratt pulled something strange from his pocket, creating a thundering noise. Mr. Kalden collapsed onto the ground afterwards.

Why did he say that now after all this time?

Ratt noticed the homeless man and chased after him as well. The homeless man escaped, but he didnt know which city official to tell and remained in hiding. For all he knew, Ratt was also an officer within the city.

That explains why that bastard tried to escape this moment.

Rivelia commented and Isaac nodded in agreement.

Thats right. Who knows when the witness would have testified.

Though this answered a few of his questions, new ones sprouted in its place. There was no reason for Ratt to waste time getting caught by the mercenaries when he knew he could have been found out at any moment with a witness still at large. He should have done everything in his power to escape, knowing that hed be a dead man once the testimony was released. Yet he was arrested with such ease.

Wow. Never thought someone like him would cause such a headache.

Isaac kicked Ratts body in frustration when Lanburton appeared.

Um

Why are you here now?

That is

Lanburton continued to mumble to himself, eluded by a complete sentence. Isaac sighed.

Alright. Lets see how far this goes. What could there be thatd piss me off even more?

Isaac sarcastically asked. Lanburton, his head buried in between his shoulders, squeaked out a sentence.

We lost contact with the airship that was transporting Anton. We believe its been shot down.

Yeah. That was a good joke. So what are you trying to say?

The Directorate of Surveillance is deploying a search party as we speak.

Lanburton swore to himself that hed have Reisha take his place in this conundrum as Isaac let out a deep sigh.

And Im still supposed to believe in Surveillance after all this? Why dont you just be honest and tell me what your plan is so I can just stop thinking and do as Im told. Dont you think this will benefit both partys sanity?

The Directorate of Surveillance

Yeah yeah. I understand you guys are just completely incompetent.

Lanburton frowned at Isaacs insult, but he could only keep his silence. The more he spoke, the more apparent Surveillances failings would be.

In the middle of night, John ran desperately through the forest. Heavy rain hindered his sight. The cumbersome baggage and rifle had been thr