Absolute Loyalty

While Luke was investigating the Clover Armed Airship Robbery in the Secret Intelligence Bureau's detective chief's office, the various factions in Cape District began to stir.

The Security Bureau issued an announcement to the entire city:

"No acts of violence are permitted during the day. Everyone must prioritize keeping the docks operating normally.

A curfew will be enforced at eight in the evening. (York Street, Windbreak Alley, Toss Street, Tinas Street, and the area near Sea-Gazing Lighthouse are exempt from the curfew.)

The curfew will be lifted at four the following morning, and Cape District will return to normal."

At the same time, everyone and every faction hoping to carve up the Mad Axe Gang's territory received a verbal notice from the Security Bureau: the bureau would not help them in any way, and they were not allowed into the curfew zone at night. As for anything else... do as they pleased!

As dusk approached, the streets of Cape District emptied. Windows and doors were shut tight, and people avoided turning on their lights if they could.

Everyone living in Cape District knew something big was going to happen that night.

At the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau, all but a portion of the civilian staff who had gone home were on standby.

They were still chatting and playing cards, but their weapons were kept within easy reach.

Shelley knocked on the detective chief's office door and came in.

Under the desk lamp, Luke signed his name on the last document and handed it to Kailina, who stood beside him. "You can go home now. It's not safe tonight, so you can sleep in the bureau dormitory. Also, arrange a room for me."

"Yes, Detective Chief." Kailina walked out.

Shelley sat across from the desk.

"Detective Chief, everything's been arranged at Mad Axe Gang Headquarters. The men below sent 467 mercenaries in total. They're all with Lambert now.

"They have a castle they can use, so they should be able to make it through tonight.

"What should we do? Wait here?"

Luke tidied his somewhat cluttered desk and put his fountain pen in its holder.

As he did, he said to Shelley, "This fight won't be settled in a single night. If the Security Bureau keeps its word and stays out of it, there's no need for us to stay up all night, either.

"You've served in the military and seen combat. Arrange for the men to take turns resting, and post sentries around the building."

"I've already arranged the sentries... Detective Chief, do you want me to secretly help the Mad Axe Gang?"

"No. The agreement between the Secret Intelligence Bureau and the Security Bureau was something Holt and I worked out. If the Security Bureau notices you there, it'll only make the Mad Axe Gang die faster.

"Our most important task is to protect our own side and make sure no one takes advantage of the chaos to storm our headquarters."

Shelley said confidently, "Who would dare attack the Secret Intelligence Bureau?"

Having finished tidying up, Luke stood. He put on his coat and hat, then picked up his cane.

He added to Shelley, "The situation in Cape District is far more complicated than you imagine. A great many people want us gone. One careless mistake, and I could end up like my predecessor.

"I'm going to rest in the dormitory. I'll leave the defense here to you.

"You're an excellent soldier."

Shelley stood and saluted Luke. "Rest assured, Detective Chief! I absolutely won't let anyone threaten your safety."

Luke returned the salute briefly and left the office.

The Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau occupied a ring-shaped building, with its four wings surrounding a parking lot in the middle.

The front of the building housed the offices. The other sections included a cafeteria, dormitories, recreational facilities, warehouses, a mechanical workshop...

Many of the bureau's bachelors lived in the dormitories.

Given the current situation in Cape District, Luke obviously couldn't go back to Shelley's home, so he decided to stay in the bureau dormitory.

He got the key to the detective chief's private dormitory from the dormitory manager.

Room 203.

When he found the room, Kailina was standing outside with two female clerks, all of them carrying a pile of things.

There were blankets, pillows, toiletries, and a meal box.

When she saw Luke, Kailina, who was holding a white enamel basin, said, "Detective Chief, your dormitory hasn't been used in some time, so we've come to clean it for you.

"Here's your dinner, too."

"Thank you."

Kailina and the two female clerks said together, "It's our duty."

Luke took out his key and opened the door.

Although no one had lived there for some time, someone had cleaned it regularly, so the room was still quite tidy.

It was more spacious than he had expected. There was a living room outside, a bedroom inside, and a private bathroom.

Kailina and the two female clerks came in to make Luke's bed, put the items they had brought where they belonged, and give the room a quick clean.

After the two clerks had left, Kailina closed the door.

"Please come with me, Detective Chief."

Luke was puzzled when he saw Kailina walk into the bedroom.

Kailina usually seemed so shy and reserved. He hadn't expected her to be so open-minded.

This kind of romantic encounter had come out of nowhere!

But he had things to do tonight, so he needed to keep himself in check.

Luke followed her into the bedroom and said, "Kailina, I think we..."

Kailina took off her black-rimmed glasses, revealing the beauty they had concealed. Luke was immediately stunned.

Then Kailina swept back the hair covering her right ear.

Her right ear, all the way back to her occipital bone, was entirely metallic. Its outer shape resembled an upside-down disc and could extend and retract within a certain range.

Kailina tied her long hair into a bun. Her outer ear slowly rotated, and light shone through the gaps.

Now Luke knew that his thoughts had definitely been going in the wrong direction.

So he stood aside to see what Kailina was up to. Then he heard mechanical gears turning inside the walls.

Kailina said to Luke, "Detective Chief, the Security System in your room has been activated. Please look into my eyes. I'll grant you the detective chief's confidential clearance for the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau."

Luke walked up to Kailina. Her eyes, which had been deep blue, were now a watery blue. Flecks of red light flowed in an orderly pattern through the pupil of her right eye.

"Detective Chief, please come closer."

Luke moved forward until he was almost pressed against Kailina. "Is this close enough?"

Kailina tilted her head back to look up at Luke, who was taller than her, and rose onto her toes. To keep her balance, she placed her hands on either side of Luke's waist.

Then Kailina's body went rigid, and her eyes lost all expression.

An emotionless voice came from her mouth. "Meteor Detective Chief, I am a confidential alchemical cyborg jointly developed by the Empire Alchemical Machinery Research Institute and the Supernatural Biology Research Institute.

"Model: MQJY54

"Serial number: p7w59423-69

"Name: Kailina Lindberg

"Position: Confidential Secretary to the Detective Chief of the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau, Raging Wave City

"I have recorded your identifying features. During your tenure, I will be absolutely loyal to you.

"Please confirm."

Luke looked into Kailina's eyes and said, "Confirmed."

Kailina's eyes immediately regained their expression.

She quickly let go of Luke and stepped back, saying rather awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Detective Chief. I didn't mean to offend you. As your confidential secretary, I must ensure my absolute loyalty and prevent anyone from stealing the Secret Intelligence Bureau's secrets."