Chapter 240 : The Meaning of Betrayal (3)

The Meaning of Betrayal (3)

After the traitors' presence was revealed, the cutscene ended. While Gyeongbok and the viewers wondered why play had become possible again, alan opened his mouth.

"Hoo, I think it would be best to check the situation first. Alex, it's hard, but can you recount what happened at that time?"

At that question, Gyeongbok hesitated for a moment but soon retraced the events of the prologue and explained.

"Yes, that's right. The reason why the Safe Shifter was able to find the Hired Gun's hideout so easily was exactly this. With a traitor among us, it's no wonder they found it so quickly!"

― Is the player being checked if they remember correctly?

― Feels like we're in a deduction part?

― Oh, haha, I see it

― But didn't some of the gang members bail? Isn't it possible they didn't know?

― True, haha, if you betray, you've probably been out for quite a while?

Gyeongbok opened his mouth again, answering several viewers' doubts.

"They would have had plenty of time to plot. After the Hired Gun carried out their plan, everyone would scatter and not even know where the others went. No one would know who met whom even more."

"That's what Bullseye Langston said, right? I saw it in the report."

"Right. I heard something similar. That's why we stayed on the island until that letter arrived."

It was an explanation for the viewers, but Alan and Light responded.

― Oh, haha, it really is a deduction part

― Still, you explained everything so perfectly

― If you misremember, those two will probably fix you, haha

― You could take it as a deduction part, but it feels like they're just整理리ng things, too, haha

Then Light furrowed her brow and tilted her head.

"But why did someone pretend to be the boss? What did they have to gain by lying to me?"

"Hm, maybe that's the very reason for the betrayal."

Everyone's eyes naturally turned to Alan at his remark.

"That Romwell guy might have harbored resentment toward the real boss. Maybe he wanted to take out the boss and install himself in that position."

― Oh, haha, that's certainly possible

― The detective agency founder's experience is showing, huh?

― Trying to climb over everyone else?

― Very much a typical outlaw way of thinking, haha

Viewers agreed with that. Light's expression darkened at his words.

"So my information was wrong. I almost got used like a fool and couldn't even help......"

"No, that's not true. If you didn't give us this montage, we'd never have known there was a traitor."

At Gyeongbok's words, she lifted her head.

"If we go after these three, we'll catch both gangs. With a montage this detailed, it shouldn't take that long."

"Mhm, you're absolutely right. We can't miss a single one. For now, the Hired Gun is standing out more, so that's where we're focused."

When Alan agreed, light's expression brightened again.

"Seems like we have things整理ed. But it's too soon to celebrate. Don't forget, we still need to figure out what these guys plan to do with all that dynamite. Looks like it's back to the field for me after a long time."

"Are you going to personally interrogate them?"

He smiled at Gyeongbok's question.

"Of course. Isn't this a tense situation? The police department has a hard time with 'improvisation'. That's why I have to do it myself."

Alan then handed all the other montage sketches to Gyeongbok.

"Give these to the police department. It's better to leave the tracking to the force with more manpower, after all. It'll be faster for each of us to focus on what we do best. And please update them on the situation."

"Understood."

"Leave it to me."

Gyeongbok and Light replied. Alan nodded and left.

* * *

"You want to speak directly with the chief?"

At Gyeongbok's explanation, the city police officer in the blue uniform crinkled his nose.

"Agent First Class Alex of the detective agency? A request from Alan, the agency chief? You think you can meet with the police chief without an appointment just by saying that? Do you think this is some kind of rural saloon?"

He blew out a sigh in disbelief and waved them off.

"Go back and make a proper appointment, then come again. Jeez, I'm so busy..."

With that reply, the chat window lit up.

― Weird place for a speed bump, wtf

― This is just a power struggle, haha

― Seriously, godple showed his badge and this guy just got mad for nothing, huh?

― So obvious, this guy is just a low-level clerk, haha

― Wait, that's the criminal montage right there!

― Is his brain fried that he can't tell what's important?

― This is why the detective agency is thriving, lol

― At this rate, the citizens will catch the criminal and the police will take the credit, haha

― Seriously, what kind of police... huh?

― Gasp!

― Enough already~

Viewers had expected that they could speak with the police chief. But the unexpected turn led to complaints.

But the main party, Gyeongbok, wasn't fazed at all.

'Here he comes.'

Unlike the police officer in front of him, he felt a positive energy approaching.

"What's all this commotion?"

"Oh, federal Marshal! Well..."

"Alex of Preston Detective Agency, at your service."

Gyeongbok cut off the police officer and explained things directly to the marshal. The ignored police officer's face turned red, but he didn't dare interrupt again.

"I see. I'll take you straight to the chief."

Perhaps because his attitude differed from that of the police's, the policeman glared daggers at the marshal.

"And, I'll apologize in advance for this colleague's rudeness."

Hearing those words, the police officer's eyes widened with shock. The federal marshal then turned to him.

"What's your name?"

"R-Rob, sir!"

"All right, rob. Have you ever seen the Repeater this gentleman is carrying?"

"The... Repeater...?"

As the nervous police officer shifted his eyes, viewers burst out laughing.

― You're screwed, huh?

― Lovely, sweet karma!

― Karma is in season, haha

― Don't you know the High Noon Repeater, punk?

― Seriously, has this Rob-bab not learned his lesson?

― Rob-bab, are you nuts, haha

With the officer tense, the federal marshal sighed.

"You haven't even heard of the High Noon Repeater? This is a firearm issued exclusively to senior federal marshals by the Security Bureau. If someone has one, it means one of two things."

"T-Two...?"

"They're either a gunslinger capable of taking down a senior marshal, or someone proven trustworthy enough to be entrusted with one. Got it? If what's on that shoulder of yours isn't just for show, you should know that."

― Ridiculous level of hazing, haha

― Fact: Godple is both

― Seriously, honestly even the federal marshal can't beat him

― From the line, looks like this event only triggers if you have the High Noon Repeater?

― Oh, good catch! Even an outlaw can just deal with a senior marshal and take the gun, haha

― Taking it by force then acting like you received it? Hardcore outlaw, lol

Viewers were pleased by the exchange, but the police officer's face turned pale as his uniform.

"If it's just for decoration, you'd best get rid of it. Doesn't look so good, does it?"

― Wow, piling on the humiliation, huh

― Is this what American-style hazing looks like?

― The Wild West really had no mercy

― Why do I feel the pain, even though it's directed at him?

― Ah!

― That's our story...

― Insert sad frog meme

As no answer came, the federal marshal glared even harder.

"N-No, sir!"

"Then you know what you need to do. Apologize to them properly while I go see the chief."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

Not until the police officer responded tensely did the federal marshal bow his head to Gyeongbok and leave.

"R-Really, I'm sorry. I had no idea..."

"Don't know? Is your police career over, then?"

Gyeongbok replied jokingly.

That single line completely changed the chat's tone.

― Seriously, are you showing K-style hazing?

― Argh... my head...!

― PTSD ON!

― Godple, I thought you were a good guy, but you're scary!

― No, haha, you saw correctly, then!

― Army and black-company-style hazing, wow

― Why isn't the outlaw tendency rising?

The cop was left flustered by that single remark.

Fortunately(?) the federal marshal soon returned.

"The chief will see you right away. This way, please."

Gyeongbok and Light followed him into the chief's office. The screen flickered and the police chief nodded their way.

"The Hired Gun and the Safe Shifter conflict, and traitors caught in the middle..."

Three montage sketches lay on the desk. The police chief extended a hand with a serious expression.

"This is extremely valuable information. Our thanks to the detective agency for sharing it so willingly."

"Catching outlaws outweighs everything."

Gyeongbok smiled and accepted the handshake. A faint smile appeared on the chief's lips as well.

"That's a very fine attitude. Thanks to you, we can all breathe a little easier."

He then lifted an index finger, as if remembering something.

"Oh, the dynamite at the church was recovered by us, so you needn't worry about that."

"That's a relief."

"But we can't relax just yet."

The chief's face grew grave again.

"Even counting the dynamite from the basement and the wagon, there's not enough total. It'd be enough to hit a bank, sure, but when you consider how much the mining company kept..."

"So the gang might still have dynamite."

"Yes, that's very likely. They probably smuggled it in bit by bit, rather than risking a large shipment."

Light replied, and he nodded.

"The problem now is that the gangs will surely hear about the arrests."

― Oh, true?

― There's been gunfire in the city, no way rumors aren't spreading, haha

― Wait, are they about to run for it?

― Didn't Alan say they might attempt mass terror?

― What's going to happen now?

The police chief was thinking along the same lines as the viewers.

"We have no idea how they'll act next. We need to be even more careful and fast than before. That's why I entrusted the interrogation to the agency."

"To get intel quickly?"

"Yes. As chief, I shouldn't say this, but... proper legal interrogation might not be quick enough."

He laughed self-deprecatingly.

"Ironically, to save lives and keep order, I have to overlook the law. I hope my decision wasn't wrong."

― Oh? That's coming up here too?

― Enforcing the law by outlaw methods, haha

― Frankly, if you went by the book, it'd all be over before you got anything out

-???: Even criminals have rights!

― Ha, in the Wild West, there's no such thing!

― But why is the chief normal though?

― Serious, a just high-ranking official? That's rare!

― It's a cliché breaker, haha

― It's actually normal for the higher-ups to be decent, wtf, haha

Viewers took a liking to him, but Gyeongbok saw it differently.

'He's about as straight as the Rich Hills sheriff.'

The vibe he gave off was not quite villainous, but not really righteous either.

In any case, the story went on there. Gyeongbok and Light left the police department and returned to the agency.

"Oh, this time we have another cutscene."

As they entered, control was taken away. The two were guided down, unlike before, to the basement rather than the top floor.

"Ah, did it go well with the chief?"

In the dimly lit basement, where darkness outweighed the faint lamplight, alan's smiling face appeared.

"That's...?"

"Hm? Oh, never mind, that's not mine. Hahaha, man, it's been so long since I did it myself, it's not as clean as I'd like."

When the light revealed what had been hidden in shadow, viewers recoiled in shock.

― Leather apron and a red cloth, whoa

― Yikes;;; Is that all...?

― Sudden mood shift, what is this?

-???: I'll show you~ the new me~

― No, haha, this is way too different!

― The cheerful uncle is now suddenly a torture expert?

― Right, haha, same smile as before, but it feels totally different.

Light flinched, but Alex's eyes went dull and deep.

"Yes, I delivered the message."

"What did he say?"

When Alan asked again, the screen flickered.

"To save lives, he'll overlook the law? Huh, he talks a good game..."

Alan sneered at Alex's report.

"Guess he's under pressure after all. Well, with his own neck on the line, can't blame him."

"His neck? Is his position more important than saving people?"

Light frowned at the answer. Alan shrugged his shoulders.

"Saving lives is the top priority? How many people die in this city, do you think? Alex, you've seen it too. You know how many drifters there are here. Do the police care about them dying?"

He wasn't expecting an answer. Alan waved his hand as he continued.

"To be precise, the chief doesn't care that people are dying. He's just scared because it's about to happen right now."

"What's different about now?"

"Oh, you two wouldn't know. The President is scheduled to visit soon."

"The President?"

Both their eyes widened. Question marks shot up in the chat.

Alan explained the reason directly.

"It's an inspection. The President is taking the train clear from the East to see for himself how Western expansion is going. But if dynamite goes off in the city before that? The chief's own nerves will explode, too."

Alan chuckled as if pleased with his own joke, but seeing the others not laughing, he gave an awkward cough.

"Ahem. Well, in any case, I hope nothing goes wrong. That's why I'm trying so hard now. If the President's security arrive, catching the crooks will get a lot easier."

Alan brushed off his hands and turned.

"Still, we can't just sit and wait. Eliminating the threat directly is best. Let me know the moment you figure something out."

With that, he went back into the interrogation room. Alex and Light nodded to each other and left.

Only the faint lamplight remained as everyone departed.

"I never would have guessed the President would show up..."

― Right, haha, something big is coming

― I feel like the President's going to get caught up in this somehow, I'm telling you

― They wouldn't flag it in a cutscene for nothing, haha

― The scale's getting amped up

Gyeongbok's comment had immediate agreement from the viewers. In that time, the light went out completely and the screen went dark.

[A few days later]

Words appeared on the screen, signaling the passage of time.

― What, haha, I thought the chapter was already over

-???: "A few days later..."

― Spongy meme?

― How is this sound so vivid, haha

As the viewers relaxed, the scene shifted.

Under sunny skies, many people were busily moving about. Alan, seated in the square, watched them and puffed on a cigar.

"Something's wrong, something's very wrong..."

He blew out smoke and shook his head. Soon, the camera panned to show Alex and Light seated across from Alan.

"Normally, by now, anyone would have sold out not only their gang but their own families if they'd died. But he won't say a word."

"Is he that afraid of the Hired Gun?"

Alex's question put a wrinkle in Alan's brow.

"No, it's something different. Fear? No, that doesn't fit. Loyalty? Again, doesn't seem right. Outlaws look out for themselves—no way they'd be this loyal."

"The only good news is that there haven't been any more incidents lately. Maybe the plan went wrong and they've already made a run for it?"

Light's question made Alan and Alex both look grim.

"Chief! Alan, sir!"

A voice called out in haste. All three turned toward it.

"We've found the hideout, finally!"

"Oh! Really!?"

Alan sprang to his feet and turned to the other two.

"Ah, I'd already ordered a reverse search on the wagon route the guy was using, independent of the interrogation."

― Oh, haha, so efficient

― Can't discount the value of experience, I tell you

― Maybe there's a new hint?

Viewers were happy, but only briefly.

The detective stepped forward, face still hard, and held something out.

"What's that?"

"No way...! Why is this here?!"

It was a neatly folded flag. When the detective unfolded it, a red background with a blue X and white stars appeared.

All three faces went stiff.

"That's the Confederate flag, isn't it!?"

Alan, shocked, was mirrored by a flood of question marks in the chat.

― What's so surprising about that flag?

― What the heck, haha

― Info: The Confederates supported slavery in the American Civil War

― It's been used as a racist and white supremacy symbol, haha

― Our countrymen might not know this, I'm telling you

― Thanks, westernWagon!

― So that guy who was caught was a racist?

― Oh! So the whole Hired Gun gang is like that?

A few viewers quickly filled in the details for everyone.

"I see! So that's why! They weren't just ordinary outlaws, but ideologues! No wonder they wouldn't talk under interrogation!"

Alan realized why the man had stayed silent. Alex's eyes grew sharp.

"In that case... their target might not be gold or money."

He looked at Light.

"Light, didn't you say Romwell's group was connected to the railroad company?"

"Yes. Why?"

At that moment, a lightbulb went off in Gyeongbok's head.

"It all connects now."

With a pop, words appeared in the chat. Gyeongbok continued his explanation.

"The Hired Gun wasn't after the railroad company boss alone. And the President is coming by train, right? They're after the inspection schedule."

― Oh?

― Wait, then is it—

― OMG, the goal is to assassinate the President!

― No way!

― No, just rob the bank, please!

Viewers were shocked as they realized the goal. But some still had doubts.

― But the kids buried the dynamite near the bank, didn't they?

― So are they going to wait until the President gets near the bank?

― If he doesn't visit the bank, doesn't that mess up their plans?

In the cutscene, light voiced a similar doubt, helping to quickly reveal the answer.

"The bank was never the target. Like Jerry said, robbing the Federal Bank is too tough to be a routine crime."

"So it was bait to distract the police and detectives!"

Alan's face turned ashen.

"We can't sit here! The President is arriving today, and there's not much time left! With welcoming crowds, it'll be so easy to get close!"

― Gasp!

― Just now in the cutscene, weren't people heading out somewhere?

― They were all gathering to welcome him?

― This is totally Assassin Credit, isn't it?

― Stop referencing other games, haha!

― I got so into it, I forgot my homework, haha

Alex and Light's expressions changed in an instant.

"We'll head to the train station first."

"Please do! I'll send all remaining detectives at the agency there! Have everyone in the hideout go as well!"

"R-Right!"

Everyone scattered in a hurry.

― Why the heck is a gang plotting an assassination of the President, haha

― This is what the Wild West is?

― See how scary racism is, wow

Viewers chuckled even at the suddenly changed mood.

― Hey! Assassin! There goes "one shot, one kill"

Godple!

-???: "This was the place I was shot in the President's assassination! There's just one hole!"

― No, haha, was THAT the assassination!?

― Death and lines at the judgment in hell, huh? haha

― Perfect detective means you stop it in one shot, right?

-(Spoiler) The assassination fails

If it's Gyeongbok, he'll stop it. Based on countless experiences, it was a belief rooted in confidence.

If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.