Night Raid, the infamous assassin group of the Imperial Capital.
If the murderer Zank the Beheader merely caused Oca's superiors to be dissatisfied and apply pressure, then Night Raid...
Oh, the higher-ups never expected the City Guard to actually take out Night Raid's thugs anyway.
Oca's bosses knew perfectly well that every last member of Night Raid was a Teigu user.
The only people who can fight a Teigu user are other Teigu users, with the rare exception of those masters who have honed their bodies and skills to the absolute human limit.
And Night Raid's group of Teigu users was clearly a high-quality bunch.
Zank the Beheader had fallen, almost certainly at the hands of another Teigu user.
And based on prior intelligence, Night Raid—who routinely assassinated officials and merchants in the Imperial Capital at night—was the most likely suspect.
"Search! Search carefully! Those Night Raid rats are strong individually, but the fact they didn't stick around means they must have been injured in the fight with Zank!"
"We don't expect to catch them, but if we can find any clue about these madmen, the higher-ups will definitely praise us!"
"Yes, sir!"
Although the City Guard members felt a twinge of fear knowing Night Raid might be nearby...
...they were clearly more terrified of their captain, "Ogre" Oca, who was standing right in front of them.
Night Raid might not take their heads, but if they failed this assignment, Ogre Oca would absolutely torture them to death.
Only that little fool Seryu, who didn't know Oca's true face, actually thought he was an upright man. Ha.
"Eh? Koro, what's wrong?"
Seryu, who had been searching for clues, suddenly heard her dog-like biological Teigu, Hekatonkheires, barking at her.
"What is... Seryu, what's going on?!"
Instantly understanding Hekatonkheires's meaning, Seryu saluted Oca and spoke in an urgent tone.
"Report, Captain! Koro says he smells blood, in that direction!"
Pointing, Seryu said anxiously.
"I suspect the criminals fled that way! Requesting permission to pursue!"
"...Hold on. Let me think."
Looking at Seryu's expression, Oca hesitated.
He had given the City Guard's Teigu to Seryu... in reality...
Well, it was purely because Seryu had passed the test. She was the only test subject who survived and could use Hekatonkheires.
Seryu had a strong sense of justice. Logically, she should never get along with a scumbag like Oca.
But that was only if Seryu knew his true nature.
Unfortunately, Seryu trusted her master, who had given her the Teigu and trained her. Even if someone told her Oca was a bad person, she would just assume they were a villain trying to drive a wedge between them, rather than doubting Oca.
Now, Seryu wanted to pursue a suspected Night Raid member... Honestly, Oca didn't want Seryu taking such a risk.
After all, Seryu was his trump card.
He had survived this long not just because he was well-connected and skilled at scheming, but also because he had a Teigu user as his disciple.
If Seryu ran into another Teigu user on this chase and lost, Oca couldn't guarantee that his hidden enemies wouldn't come knocking.
"Captain! We can't lose this chance! If he smells like blood, he must have been injured in the fight with Zank!"
Extremely agitated, Seryu clenched her fists and said to Oca.
"I won't let anyone else in the Imperial Capital die because of those indiscriminate killers!"
"...Which means there's no stopping you, is there?"
Looking at Seryu's expression, Oca—still—didn't want to let her go.
But he had to admit, she had a point.
The chances of them being injured after fighting Zank were high. Seryu was skilled, and it would be two-on-one. The odds of victory were good.
"Fine, I'll allow it. But before you go, you must remember my order."
"An order? Please, Captain, instruct me!"
"Come back alive, Seryu."
After a long sigh, Oca spoke to Seryu in a tone of deep concern.
"Don't force yourself. It's okay if you fail. But if you lose your life... I'll have a real headache on my hands."
"...Yes, Captain! Officer Seryu swears to complete the mission!"
Completely mistaking Oca's words for a master's concern for his student, Seryu excitedly left the scene with Hekatonkheires.
Captain... No, Master. I will not let you down!
"Alright, what are you all gawking at? Get back to work!"
Oca roared at the guards around him, his expression instantly reverting to its usual viciousness.
"Don't miss a single clue! I want you to tear this place apart if you have to!"
"Report, Captain!"
Nearby, a City Guard member ran up to Oca at full speed, saluted, and said urgently.
"The men on duty at HQ just got a report. A family in the wealthy district was just slaughtered."
"...What did you say?!"
Hearing this, Oca combined it with the intel from the current scene, and that name flashed in his mind again.
Night Raid... You arrogant bastards.
Splitting into two groups in one night. It seems you really don't take the Imperial Capital's defenses seriously at all.
.........................