Faced against Kainens resolve, bloodthirst slowly evaporated from Rivelias eyes. In that moment, Kainen followed Isaac and began clapping slowly. The clap spread like a plague, and other agents began following along one by one as if they were possessed.

The applause echoed all over the village, and Isaac spun in circles with his arms wide open and shouted out excitedly.

Thats right! Harder! Louder! So Central, and this fucked up world, and the fucking Empire hear you! Applaud so they know retards like you exist!

The intense applause echoed above the cold bodies on the ground. Saints and his agents shivered in fear of this abnormal sight, caught in the middle of this village possessed by madness.

Rivelia approached Isaac, who sluggishly moved his body around as if dancing to the rhythm of the applause.

Hm? Why arent you clapping damsel?

I swear on my sword and my life that I will kill you myself one day.

Rivelia declared coldly, and Isaac responded with a sincere, bright smile. He bowed magnificently, his left foot behind his right, and swung his arms in exaggeration, placing his right hand on his chest and his left on his back.

I will gleefully await that day.

Isaac arrived at New Port City to restock his weapons supply. When he climbed up to his residence on the rooftop, he spotted Rizzly cowering in a corner and asked.

What are you doing there?

Cant you tell? Im just contemplating why Im living like this.

Rizzly grumbled as he got back on his feet, and Isaac couldnt help but smirk after taking one look at Rizzly.

I see they had their fill with you.

It was no joke, I tell you.

Patches of Rizzlys white fur were missing as if he was balding, replaced with a colourful range of ink.

Wheres Kunette and Reisha?

They are on their way here now.

Send them off again tomorrow.

Please! I beg of you, spare me!

Hearing Isaacs cruel orders, Rizzly prostrated himself at Isaacs feet. The sight of a giant bear groveling at his feet as if it was constipated may have made him popular with girls, but it was just revolting to Isaac, who knew of Rizzlys human form.

Since when did North Bear Tribes use cuteness as a weapon?

Hng. Thats a habit I grew dealing with human females Anyhow, I will die if it continues like this!

No.

Just as Rizzly hung his head with a grim look at Isaacs unswerving attitude, he spotted Kunette and Reisha peeking their heads out the entrance of the rooftop behind Isaac. Rizzlys eyes gleamed and he returned to his human form as continued the conversation.

Are you not taking Kunette nim with you because youre worried she will see unsightly scenes?

Kunette and Reishas ears perked when Rizzly asked the question.

Rumours really do spread fast. Where did you hear it from? Or was it that obvious?

Though the agents of Security volunteered, tempted by its reward, they were originally spies sent from other Directorates. It was a given their information would be updated in real time.

Its the first mission of the Directorate of Security. All other Directorates are keeping you on close surveillance just to see how you work.

So they know everything Ive done.

Yes. Men from Strategy are at a loss for words, as it exceeded their wildest imaginations while Analysis is, how to say, grinding their teeth at how Rivelia nim was treated.

What about Surveillance?

How the human factions felt was irrelevant. Surveillance was what was important. No matter how strong humanity was, its civilization would be knocked back into the medieval ages if the other races of the Directorate Surveillance decided so.

The morales and common sense of another race is of no concern to us.

It was a cold, hard fact. Only humans forced their beliefs and standards onto others.

Anyway, is that really the reason you excluded Kunette nim and Reisha?

Rizzly quickly asked in a hurry, noticing Kunettes eyebrows were narrowing for every second they spent on tangents. Isaac took out a cigarette and nodded.

Well its part of the reason. Its not a good show for kids to watch.

Ha! Kids

Rizzly almost accidentally burst out in laughter at hearing the word kids, but Kunettes eyes gleamed like a knifes blade.

Ahem. If thats the case, you dont need to worry about it.

Whys that?

As Ive said before, the morales and common sense of humans is of no concern to us. Whether the human is righteous and just or evil beyond comparison, they are both humans to us.

Isaac was somewhat shocked at Rizzlys response. After a pause, Isaac snickered.

Is that so? Kuku. I guess that makes sense too.

Rizzly let out a sigh of relief at Isaacs laughter and asked.

Then how about the three of you move together in the next

No.

Isaac shook his head. A wave of despair hit Rizzlys face, and the glares from Kunette and Reisha grew increasingly hostile. Rizzly desperately tried to convince Isaac.

Is it really that important that they go and play with the fake?

Of course. I need to set up my alibis early on in case someone suspects me.

Then cant you set up fakes for Kunette nim and Reisha and have the fakes roam the city together?

Huh? Does that work?

Isaac tilted his head, then smirked.

But that still wont do.

Why!

Rizzly screamed, and Isaac looked back quizzically at why Rizzly reacted such a way. He breathed in his cigarette and answered.

Reisha isnt a problem. But Kunette is still a child.

Im telling you that child part

Suddenly, Kunette exposed her molars at Rizzly. Rizzly immediately shut his mouth, and Isaac, still oblivious, muttered in a bitter tone.

Because it bothers me even if we are different races. Kids should eat well, play well, and sleep with the thoughts on what to play tomorrow. But even now, there are children who starve, who sell themselves for a single coin, who steal a loaf of bread just to survive. This world is fucked enough with only adults killing each other. No matter how they die, itd be nice to give them a single memory to go back to. To remember the good old days, rather than cursing the world.

Rizzly seemed at a loss for words and simply looked at Isaac. Isaac smirked.

I know Im not in a position to say this, but its probably the only good left in me, and

Hypocrisy. A contradiction. He who demanded that children should live good lives was simultaneously the reason for their fates as orphans and children of widowed parents.

Tsk! Now Ive become all emotional because of that damsel. Forget it.

Isaac remembered Rivelia crying as she hugged the dead boy in her arms. He clicked his tongue, and Rizzly scratched his head. Kunette and Reisha seemed to have disappeared.

Ive returned.

Saints said, and he noticed Isaac wasnt in a good mood. Saints sent a questioning look at Rizzly, who was next to Isaac. But all that returned was a shake of his head. Saints decided to choose his words carefully.

How was the trade?

We sold them at the market price.

They say war makes money, and it sure has an excellent margin.

Although Seven Grand Merchant guilds had close ties with Central, they still didnt partake in any actions that crossed the line. So Saints had to create a phantom merchant guild in order to act.

The Seven Grand Merchant Guilds sell military goods to both families. Isaac steals it and hands it to Saints. Saints phantom guild sells those supplies back to Seven Grand Merchant Guilds. The Seven Grand Merchant Guilds takes it and sells it back to both families. Was this really trade, when one party didnt spend a single coin on producing and basically recycled goods they obtained from their customers?

Theyll notice quickly.

Saints spoke with worry. Though the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds bought them without a fuss because of Isaacs request, they would most definitely grow suspicious with time.

Isaacs merchant guild was selling military goods when he didnt have any means of production, and most of these goods are products that are made by their own guilds. Itd be strange if they didnt notice.

Doesnt matter. At that point, we can directly sell it to the Count and Marquis. Wed make a profit even if we sell them at half price.

Im sure the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds would be angered.

Even if Isaac was selling them much cheaper than them, Isaac was making a profit since he didnt have to factor in production costs. The Seven Grand Merchant Guilds needed to compete against their own products, which was most definitely impossible.

But they couldnt even complain since this was Centrals work and Isaac was involved in it. They had no choice but to bleed money.

More importantly, what about that brats siblings?

Um, I think itll take some time.

Saints hesitated before he answered. Isaac turned and looked at Saints coldly. Saints remembered Isaacs insanity back in the village. His spine shivered, and he quickly answered.

When the rumour of civilian casualties spread, more and more people started approaching the brats siblings to try to get at their compensation money.

Doesnt matter. We need to keep our promises.

But wont they just take everything from them if we do?

In my world, we have a saying that goes hide a tree in a forest.

Do we sponsor this brats entire extended family?

We are making a profit without spending a single coin here. Im sure it wont matter if we use it for the good of this world for once. And tell Smartass to send over some of his men. Its obvious who would aim for money in those childrens grubby hands. Tell him to fuck up all of them. Im sure theyll disappear once they realise someone from the shadows is protecting them.

Yes sir.

And what about what I asked you to look for?

Saints glanced around, keeping his guard up against the Rizzlys growing suspicion, and handed Isaac a thick pile of paper.

I understood everything once I started investigating under your orders Sir Isaac.

So youre sure?

Yes. Only the oldest locals in that province barely knew about this information. Seems they really tried their best to hide this?

Isaac slowly looked through the documents Saints handed to him. Curious, Rizzly approached and tried to peek over his shoulder, but he was immediately rebuffed by Isaacs glare.

Am I not allowed to know?

This is the damsels homework.

Isaac answered Rizzly nonchalantly. He then set the documents on fire, turning them into ash before speaking to Saints.

Who else knows about this information?

Even Central missed this. No, Analysis may have information on this, but they were bound to miss it since it wasnt required in their comprehensive analysis. Currently its just me and you, Sir Isaac.

Currently?

Hehe. Once Central investigates my movements, they are bound to find out.

True.

Isaac nodded in agreement and turned to Rizzly.

Rizzly.

Yes.

Make sure you pass this warning not just to Surveillance but Strategy and Analysis as well. This is the homework Ive given the damsel. It doesnt matter if she asks for it first, but if you guys give the information to her when she doesnt even ask for it, I will make sure to kill every agent from the culprit Directorate on sight.

The threat was all the more scary knowing it wasnt a joke.

Ill make sure to send it properly.

Rizzly nodded, but Saints hesitated before asking again.

But, are you really going to continue?

What, you feel sorry or something?

Well

Dont tell me theres an innocent little thought in your head thats saying this has never happened before?

We cant do anything about whats already happened, but we can at least stop what will

No, with Centrals decision and my involvement, the matter is already done.

Yes sir.

Saintss head hung at Isaacs declaration. He was disappointed by his higher ups for authorizing this incident, but what really pissed him off was that they involved Isaac in it.