Neo opened his eyes. As the giant that had been enormous closed its eyes, and instead the old tin robot began operating, Sestain let out an admiring "Wow."

"How is it? This way, you won't have to worry about this huge bulk, right?"

While they could overlook everything else, Neo, who had taken over the Giant's body, was something the security forces had to recover directly. At the very least, having to secure this after being dispatched was a matter of pride they could never compromise on.

Sestain had been worried about this point and was contemplating what to say, but Neo cleverly handled it himself.

"Wow! I'm back to normal!"

Neo rejoiced upon regaining his body and jumped up and down. Seeing that almost comical sight, Sestain couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"Are you taking that massive steel bulk with you?"

"Yes. Since we've been dispatched this far, we need to recover it. You've saved us a lot of trouble by getting rid of that big lump yourself."

Even though the Giant was deactivated, it was still evidence in itself. It was clear that the Tirna City government would take this and use it to politically pressure Battle Trench.

At that moment, one of the two airships hovering in the sky began to slowly lower its altitude.

Soon after confirming the report that came through the radio, Sestain frowned deeply.

"Ha. This damn hyena."

While he was muttering to himself, the airship had already descended to the ground and landed in a suitable empty space.

Guards poured out from inside. Up to that point, it was fine. The problem was the middle-aged man who disembarked last, receiving respectful assistance from the other guards.

He wore the uniform symbolizing the guards, but unlike the other robust guards, his plump body belonged to someone who had never exercised once in his life.

His neatly parted 2:8 hair was slick with oil. He walked up to Osian with an arrogant face, stroking the tips of his mustache with his fingertips.

"Ahem."

After clearing his throat once, he spoke to Osian in a deliberately stern tone.

"I am Deputy Inspector Kuranmor of the Tirna Security Force. And soon to be the next Inspector. Surely you've heard of me?"

Osian stared blankly at Kuranmor with a "who is that?" expression. Then a skinny man who appeared to be Kuranmor's secretary shouted angrily.

"You insolent fool! Bow your head immediately! You are now a prime suspect in the terrorism of District 38!"

At those words "prime suspect," Osian's eyebrows twitched. It was the same for other knights who were eavesdropping on the conversation.

Suspect? And terrorism? For a moment, Osian couldn't understand what Kuranmor and his aide were talking about.

But seeing their shameless faces and the implicit anger directed at them, Osian could understand how the situation was unfolding.

"Hey, Kuranmor. What are you talking about?"

And Sestain also didn't like this situation. He thought this talk of terrorism and suspects was nonsense.

"I haven't heard anything about this."

"Hmph. Of course not. This is a judgment I've made autonomously as the field commander!"

Kuranmor responded confidently despite being somewhat intimidated by Sestain’s fierce gaze. Osian observed this interaction carefully.

'They're from the same security force, but they belong to different factions.'

Kuranmor was openly trying to position himself above Sestain. As far as Osian knew, Sestain was an Executor of Tirna. Naturally, an Executor's status was above all guards.

But judging by Kuranmor's attitude, that didn't seem to be entirely the case.

'I see. Executors are those who stand at the top through force. Naturally, their evaluation standard would only be how well they fight.'

But problems aren't always solved by force alone. Tirna has its own laws. And an organization like the security force would be of considerable size.

The larger an organization grows, the more diverse its internal factions become, which inevitably leads to political struggles.

'The Executors, including Sestain and Alensia, probably represent the faction symbolizing the guards' military force. And Kuranmor is the opposite. Whether it's wealth or politics, it doesn't matter. They're clearly those who've secured their positions through means other than force.'

And considering Kuranmor's position, it was evident from the situation that he didn't yield much to Sestain, who was an Executor.

Rather, Kuranmor was now confidently asserting himself with a firm justification regarding the current situation.

"Can't you see these people are involved with this giant automaton! Anyone can see this amounts to terrorism!"

"Oh really? Until just now, weren't you the one staying on high altitude, scared that this giant piece of junk might attack? Where did this sudden courage come from? Now that the situation seems to be resolving smoothly, are you trying to take a spoonful of credit?"

"How dare you insult me! What's wrong with stepping forward as Tirna's security force!"

"If that's the case, you should have moved with me from the beginning. You positioned yourself safely in the back, put me and my subordinates in danger, and now that it's almost over, you come and try to snatch the achievement without any effort?"

Sestain’s anger was justified. Kuranmor's attitude was clearly that of an opportunist to anyone watching. Especially since this battle was clearly Battle Trench's fault, yet Kuranmor went as far as to designate Osian's group as suspects.

"Yes, I thought something was strange. When I tried to depart early, there were people inside insisting it was nothing."

"Wh-What?"

“Just like during the Saint Tree incident, I don't know why there are so many pigs secretly feasting behind our backs."

Originally, Sestain could have arrived at the scene even earlier than the end of the situation. But the reason he ended up arriving late was because there were differing opinions internally.

Unlike Sestain, who argued they should take action immediately, some executives ordered them to stay put, saying it was nothing.

Of course, their orders were eventually overruled when the situation in District 38 intensified. Sestain had already realized from then that they had received substantial lobbying from Battle Trench.

"When I heard that a gentleman with a heavy bottom who usually doesn't come to the field was coming with me, I thought something stank badly."

Sestain smirked and tapped the hilt of his sword with his thumb.

"If I hadn't been here, you would have tried to pin the blame on innocent people and silence them, right? Even destroying evidence."

"Are you daring to slander me! If not, Executor Sestain! You're almost defending these suspects!"

That implied that Tirna's Executor had teamed up with terrorists. Whether it was true or false didn't matter. What mattered was that it could appear that way.

'Blatant railroading.'

But Kuranmor was in a position to turn such a forced accusation into truth. Sestain, emanating a murderous aura, asked:

"Hey, Kuranmor. How long do you think you can keep your neck so stiff?"

"And you, how long do you think you can keep glaring with such force in your eyes?"

Kuranmor smiled sinisterly. Seeing that, Sestain, instead of gritting his teeth, smiled ferociously and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

If this continued, internal conflict would arise.

But Sestain was at a disadvantage. He was merely a field officer, while Kuranmor seemed to have connections with higher-ups.

And the person with those connections was likely closely linked to Battle Trench. They probably received a large sum of money from them, so they were trying to cover up this incident.

'Ha. Should I just take a disciplinary action and go all out?'

Sestain seriously considered it. He had disliked that arrogant fat guy's face from before. Wasn't he the one who constantly held onto the Executors and tried to whittle down their authority?

However, the situation itself was unfavorable to him. Usually, considering that Kuranmor was able to step forward so confidently, he clearly had something to rely on.

The fact that the Anti-Terrorism Department had stepped in meant that at least the Intelligence Director was involved. Considering that some members of the Supreme Council were also on their side, it was extremely unfavorable for Sestain.

"Khuhu. If not, are you thinking of drawing your sword? That would make it look like you're helping the terrorists."

Osian's group was already being designated as terrorists by Kuranmor.

"Can you handle this?"

"I should be asking you. Trying to stop us, can you handle it? Even if you're the top Executor, you can't do anything about this. If not, would you like me to let you contact the higher-ups?"

Kuranmor mockingly waved the radio. As Sestain was pondering what to do, Osian stepped forward.

"You two are talking well without the concerned party. Don't you want to hear our opinion?"

In response to Osian's indifferent voice, which didn't match the situation, Kuranmor's secretary shouted angrily.

"Shut up! How dare you, vile terrorist!"

"I wish you would keep your mouth shut as well."

When Osian stared at him, the secretary's face turned pale. The moment he met that gaze, he felt as if he was sinking into a deep sea. Ignoring him, who was trembling as if doused with cold water, Osian extended his hand to Kuranmor.

"The radio."

"What?"

"Didn't you say you'd let me contact the higher-ups? I'll do it myself."

"Is this guy crazy?"

Kuranmor couldn't understand Osian's confident attitude. Contacting the higher-ups himself? With that attitude, Kuranmor inwardly sneered.

"Looks like you have some connections. Seems you haven't grasped the situation yet."

"That's not for you to worry about."

At those words, deep wrinkles formed on Kuranmor's forehead. As his subordinates beside him were about to step forward in anger, Kuranmor gave a meaningful smile.

"Alright, go ahead and try. It might be your last chance, so you might as well struggle a bit."

Saying that, he handed the radio to Osian. His intention was, how much could someone like this struggle anyway?

"Hey, even so, this is..."

Sestain was about to say that this was inevitable, but Osian ignored such reactions and fiddled with the radio.

"Hmm. I think the emergency identification code was this."

Muttering that, Osian began to communicate with someone over the radio.

"This is Osian."

Kuranmor and Sestain narrowed their eyes. The fixer seemed to be asking a favor from someone he had connections with, but his attitude was nothing short of confident.

Shouldn't one at least grovel or be desperate when asking a favor from a high-ranking person?

'Of course. He's probably contacting some unimportant guard.'

Regardless, Osian finished the transmission with a brief explanation of the current situation.

"Hey, are you done?"

"No. There's one more."

Kuranmor's eyebrow twitched, but he soon suppressed his anger. Though the guy seemed to be stalling for time, he was already a mouse in a trap. With thoughts of imposing the maximum sentence for his insolence here, Kuranmor decided to endure the momentary annoyance.

"This is Osian. I have something to report about the situation."

Thus, Osian had a few brief exchanges with an unknown person and ended the transmission.

"Are you done now?"

"Yes, I am."

"I've seen your struggle to the end, but I'd like to tell you it was all for naught."

Kuranmor mockingly said as he received the radio back, but Osian remained impassive. No, he was rather too nonchalant. With that demeanor, Kuranmor thought Osian still hadn't grasped reality.

Just as he was about to take Osian's group into custody, it happened.

"De-Deputy Inspector Kuranmor! I-I have a report!"

A guard who had been on standby inside the airship came running, making a fuss.

"What is it?"

"Orders have come from above."

"Good. Immediately capture these terrorists and..."

"Th-That's not it!"

"What?"

"The order is to release these innocent people immediately."

Innocent people? Kuranmor's eyebrow twitched.

"Don't you understand the situation! Who dares to give such an order!"

"The mayor himself issued it directly."

"...What?"

At those words, Deputy Inspector Kuranmor felt like he had been hit on the head with a hammer.