"That's right." Chada nodded. "You're called the Legend Management Bureau, and we're called the Time Company. There are many Time Companies throughout the British Empire. Not only is competition fierce, but employment is very unstable."
"Good grief..." Du Yu exclaimed. "I'm suddenly starting to feel like I misjudged you. You don't have it easy either..."
"This was my own choice, sir. I need money." Chada lowered his head, his hair hiding his eyes. "For enough money, I can return to anyone's past and help them reshape their life. I've done a great deal of dirty work for that."
Du Yu and the others exchanged glances, sensing that this man might possess a strength others could hardly imagine.
"But... your Time Company actually serves mortals too?" Du Yu asked. "Doesn't changing people's pasts at will throw the world into chaos?"
"Of course it's illegal, but the company tacitly permits it. The profits are simply too great. Many wealthy people around the world are our clients." Chada gave a bitter smile. "The company might appear to turn a blind eye, but once a major problem arises, the responsibility falls on us Controllers."
The others fell silent, offering no reply.
"Among the Controllers in our country, I can't make any friends, because we're all competitors at each other's throats." Chada stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and told them, "Instead, I find you foreign Controllers quite approachable. Before I know it, I've shared things I usually keep bottled up."
Du Yu shook his head helplessly. "If you weren't so cold-blooded, I'd be willing to be your friend. But the things you do are just too frightening."
"Sir, do I have a better option?" Chada said slowly. "If I didn't do this, I'd lose my job."
"Well..." Du Yu said. "It's partly down