The God of Jesters
Chapter 164 - 3.08.6 Unable to ask.

Chapter 164: 3.08.6 Unable to ask.

Rarely would things be hidden from the CBI. As it was an internal security matter, they were also used to keeping watch on all the dangerous elements, which included Fahna, whose location was in Blue’s mind even now.

So he was a bit surprised to hear that the old chief was able to hide something from him. "His family is dead." The police chief said with some sweat on his face. But all he got in response was disappointment from Blue. "That’s it?... You really thought you could hide such information from us?"

"You knew?"

"Why else would I come here... And considering he didn’t kill those officers when he met them after escaping from the hospital, there is a high chance he doesn’t know the truth."

Blue only accepted this job for one reason, it was to use it as a reason to end the years-old rivalry he had with Salvarez. But considering both were part of the government and he was a bit lower considering he was a human while Salveraz belonged to one of the famous Dwarven bloodlines, any incriminating action on his part against Salvarez would result in excommunication and then being hunted down by his own colleagues or even worse, the FAI, who on the surface managed intelligence outside of Pulgasari. But the truth was that they were government-employed assassins.

"Meaning you will take this job?" The police chief asked, with a sorry smile on his face.

And Blue replied while standing up from the chair with the support of his cane. "I wouldn’t have come, if I didn’t plan to kill him." He was going to have his fun, he was finally going to have his revenge.

Now all it needs is to create a perfect backdrop. A perfect reason to drag Salvarez out of his hole while giving Blue a justifiable reason that would be enough to kill him. And there was a plan forming in his mind already. "Bring me the belongings of his kids as well as a nephew."

******

Trash they were. Total trash in my eyes, if I had eyes that is. But you understand. Being one of the greatest cities on this continent, I had expected some tact from them, some purity and pride from their people.

Clarity from their government and impartiality from the judiciary system.

Those were my thoughts when I came to this city. And considering that it came into existence after a fellow friend from my old world spread unneeded information to a bunch of barbaric dwarves, I hoped they would pick up on some of the morales as well.

Though, that was not the case.

Even with the mask of civility that the dwarves wore on the world stage, their nature hasn’t changed much. Many among them still seek "more".

More money, more power, and more land. And to achieve that dream, they were ready to do anything.

Causing the respect I had for them in my heart to die down bit by bit. Showing me how they were as much of rats as the humans they looked down on. Just a different breed of rats and driven by foolish desires.

Well, you might be wondering why I had such random thoughts all of a sudden. The reason is actually pretty simple.

I have just come to realize how disappointing this place is. When he had spoken against this place, I had considered him to be a fool, but only now do I realize how wrong I was.

As long as you are limited by your lifespan, you will lack the ability to look at the bigger picture. As the need to survive and fulfill one’s basic desires takes priority. Holding many from achieving their full potential.

This was the case with this city. A broken old city that was on the path of unsustainable growth and came to cannibalize its own citizens for the so-called progress.

"What is it that you wish to ask me, Max."

"..."

He spoke nothing, he was still wondering if he should ask this or not. It was not because he was confused or any of that stuff. The reason he struggled to ask me any question was simple.

Max was scared, he had kept this fear in his heart for a long while now.

After escaping the place and finally reaching and ensuring that Sheva was safe, albeit a bit ill and tired from the last night’s escapades. Max had chosen to change his safe houses a total of three times by now. He can’t be sure if the mages would find him using their magic or not.

And through those two days of constant shuffling. He had thought up many questions in his head. But when the moment came and I crawled into his ears, he couldn’t speak a thing.

"Tell me of a safe place, I don’t think any place is safe at the moment." He didn’t say it, he didn’t ask the question I was looking forward to most. But considering I was not meant to know what he had been doing all this while, he answered.

"Gutters is always a good place. The rest of the options would require you to pay a price." I say it with a businessman-like attitude. "But before you choose the cheaper option, remember that most of the intelligence guild do operate from gutters. And they are known to keep track of what goes into their neighborhood."

"Hmm, then tell me who to kill. I will kill them." He still didn’t ask me, he just asked for a target. Which was odd. But soon I understood what was going on in his head.

The man was conflicted. He knew part of the truth and understood what sort of game I was playing. But he also feared facing reality. The reality of his daughter and how she might have died. A death which might include all the things he had witnessed this monster doing. Skinning people alive and doing some sort of ritual that was hard for him to fathom.

The pain, how much pain his daughter might have experienced. How long would she have suffered and how scared she might have been? All those emotions and thoughts that Max made up in his mind came crashing down on him.

So, in a bid to not confront this truth, he played some mind games with himself.

’Same goal, same target. I will keep doing his job... we both are after the same things anyway. And he will also not lie about his promise... I hope he doesn’t lie.’ Thought Max in his head. Or something similar along the lines, as my mental fluctuation translations were not always perfect.

"Ah, you itching for some action huh? Even heard you did some amazing things in the city. Loved it. Though a bit disappointed that you didn’t believe my words. I had thought you might have assassinated the killer of your father." I mocked him a bit, but he didn’t seem to be in the mood. "You shouldn’t worry about what I do with my target. For now, give me the name and pay beforehand. Give me a place to hide first."

"Of course, there is a perfect place in my mind for you. A place which would actually make your operations much easier."

"Just name it..."

"The metro, or at least one of the many tunnel systems formed by abandoned mines from the old times. Treat it like the Gutters, but incapable of sustaining life and much more dangerous. But due to the constant hard work of my men and some sacrifices, I have found some points that directly connect to the metro, making your travel easier."

"... Your team also operates from one of those places, doesn’t it?" He asked me and I could only smile. "Do you know how many tunnels exist in Bothal? Before the industrial revolution of this land, the Dwarves carved these mountains for almost a millennia. It will be much harder for you to find us."

It was my habit. Hiding in the tunnels, whether they be sewers or mines or metro. I had always preferred tunnels as they provided better maneuverability and shade from the curious eyes in the sky.

"So forget about it, you are never going to find us."

"For now, I wish for you to focus on your next target"

In my words, Max shut up for a while. He probably thought that I was offended due to his intrusive words and feared that any further words might break up our relationship. He didn’t dare to continue. Which was pretty cute, considering that I am never going to abandon him, till his last breath.

I will be on his side for a long time.

"Name them."

"Ivankov Letzer’s son, I want one of his kidneys, though ensure his survival if possible." A weird name that Max had never heard before. But a name that might shake the foundation of biology in the coming future.

That was Max’s next target. Well, to be specific, his son.

"Age?" He asked me.

"He should be around four at the moment."