174: Chapter 174 Participation (2)

Smith wobbled as he climbed to his feet. "Damn it, do you know what you're doing?! Someone, help! Guards! Arrest them for me!"

Alert patted down her clothes and stood up. "Doing what a person should do."

She looked at him, or rather, at the great detective standing behind him with a menacingly kind smile.

As for the people he was calling?

Those Military Police had all stopped at the door; it was simply that Smith had his back to the entrance, and a great detective stood between them.

Kano had already put away her trench coat and hat. Wearing her usual work attire, she quietly toyed with her sword.

—It wasn't a ceremonial rapier worn at the waist, but a proper, heavy broadsword.

The blade was covered in engraved symbols that looked like a psalm. The hilt was exquisitely crafted, and the crossguard was inlaid with dark gold-iron from the Republic of Kano, the finest of alchemical materials.

This was part of her rigging.

She stood ramrod straight, yet Smith hadn't noticed her. Perhaps he was so consumed by rage that he failed to see that his lackey Georg and his underlings had either fled or were playing dead.

She was expressionless, seemingly devoid of any emotion.

Alert looked away, watching Smith's impotent fury.

"Damn it, I'll fire you all! I'll make your families carry debts they can't pay off in a lifetime, and your descendants will be laborers for generations..."

"I believe that using family as a threat to coerce contract employees is not the conduct of a knight."

Smith's expression froze. The next moment, his entire body stiffened, and he broke into a cold sweat.

Then, he turned his head mechanically and saw that sky-blue ponytail swaying in the breeze.

"Smith Werner. I believe I reminded you about this once before; it seems you didn't take it to heart." Kano didn't look at him, merely toying with the sword in her hand. "If I recall correctly, you were the one at Wildenburg last time as well, weren't you?"

"Yes... yes, My Lady."

"As I've said, I am no 'My Lady'. I warned you before; do you still remember the Vow you took when you joined the Chivalric Order?"

"I... naturally, I remember..."

"Sincerity, devotion, diligence, tolerance. Self-discipline, self-restraint, protection, trust. Humility, responsibility, fairness, kindness." Kano gently stroked the blade. "According to the laws of the Chivalric Order, violators may be disciplined by others of the Order... including superiors and subordinates alike."

"According to the Chivalric Order contract, you have violated the following regulations: persecuting those who aid others, oppressing subordinates, harming children, amassing wealth through greed, forming cliques for private gain, and withholding wages."

She finally looked up at him. "Do you plead guilty?"

"I... I do not!"

Smith suddenly found his nerve. He knew he absolutely could not admit to it, or he would be finished!

"The Chivalric Order contract is long outdated! The current Federal Law is the only standard!"

"Article 1 of the Federal Law Approval Act: Federal Law is founded upon the laws of the Chivalric Order, using them as its core to build the pillars of stability for modern society. Do you acknowledge this?"

"I..." Smith fell silent, unable to defend himself from that angle. "I am innocent! All my actions are recorded in black and white within company regulations and contracts! This does not count as a violation!"

"Are you suggesting that the regulations of the Hualefu Group can override Federal Law?"

"I..."

"Fine, that is enough."

Kano raised her sword, the blade held vertically before her, masking half her face. "In view of this, in the name of Valhalla and the Temple of the War God, and by the names of the gods, I impose your sentence: immediate execution."

Smith wanted to say something more, but in the next second, his head had already hit the ground.

Blood began to spray from his neck, and then his body collapsed.

The splashing blood did not touch her clothes, and even the sword remained unstained.

Following procedure, she wiped the broadsword with the hem of her skirt and then sheathed it.

"Sister Kano..."

Kano's expression softened. She walked over and reached out to pinch her face. "I didn't expect you to actually do it... really. You gave me quite a shock when you rushed out like that."

"I felt I had to do it."

Kano paused, then let out a laugh. "Yes, you're right."

Watching the workers gather around, she turned her gaze back to Alert. "I'm not particularly good at these things, but I'm willing to believe you can handle the communication with them."

"Mm! Leave it to me!"

Alert went to talk to the workers, who were still caught between hesitation, gratitude, and confusion, while Kano looked toward the gate.

At that moment, the President of the Hualefu Group's Oronia region had arrived.

She walked over.

"Ms. Kano." The President bowed respectfully. "Peace be with you. Though, as you know, I hope for an answer."

"Because he deserved to die, I killed him," Kano replied, casually donning her trench coat. "It's as simple as that, isn't it?"

"But as you know, this time you will need to provide an explanation for this matter; it concerns the cooperation between our parties."

Kano gave a light chuckle, wearing that same professional smile as before.

She took out her bank card. "You can swipe for the compensation yourself; the PIN is on the back of the card. As for anything else, I believe you know the score. Kevin Muller and his filthy dealings—I do not wish to see them a second time."

"I understand. I will suppress the development of those 'illegal' industries as much as possible to satisfy you. I just wonder... do you need me to pull them out by the roots entirely?" The President was also smiling broadly; they looked like two thousand-year-old foxes.

"No need. I believe you understand my meaning." Kano's expression remained unchanged, unfazed by the other's implication. "You just need to know that if you feel uncomfortable, feel free to set up the target to impeach me."

"Certainly not. I understand your concerns and your meaning. Please take back your card; it was a mere machine, I will cover the repair costs myself."

"Very well then." Kano finally showed a hint of satisfaction. "Lastly, keep an eye on your personnel. I do not want another similar incident involving your group, understood?"

"Yes... I understand."

Kano turned and left.

The President returned to his car and snorted. Some things couldn't be severed just like that. It was a pity the Ship Girl's nature was too kind; if she had moved against him just now, perhaps their future could have remained quiet for a while.

But unfortunately, she hadn't, likely because she felt the Hualefu Group wasn't much of a threat.

What an arrogant woman, the President smiled. Then, his car started up and left the Industrial Zone.

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