Chapter 48: Exposure
"High-Hat Pirates captured! Awaiting orders!"
"Vice Admiral Vergo! Execute them—those bastards killed a Vice Admiral!"
"That's right! They don't deserve mercy!"
"Hang them!"
The G-5 Marines were seething with fury.
Every sailor who'd taken part in the capture was shouting, demanding the death of the High-Hat Pirates.
"…Didn't expect it to go this smoothly."
Binz watched the scene unfold with a satisfied smile.
"Looks like our mission's basically done."
But then, sensing something off, he glanced beside him.
Ain stood rigid, brows tightly furrowed, clearly deep in thought.
Binz groaned.
"You're still thinking about what that guy said? The pirates were caught! How can you still be suspicious of Vice Admiral Vergo?"
"It's too coincidental."
"What's too coincidental?"
"Everything."
Ain shook her head, still frowning.
"Last night we left the tavern, and someone immediately came to report that the pirates had been found. And now—now they're suddenly caught just like that."
"That's a good thing though, isn't it?"
Binz laughed, completely unconcerned.
"We caught the pirates—mission complete! Aren't you overthinking this? You're letting that guy's nonsense get to you. I think Vice Admiral Vergo seems perfectly fine."
"Is it a good thing?"
Ain's gaze drifted toward the defeated pirates, her eyes deep and cold.
"Just recently they attacked the base and even killed the base commander—a Vice Admiral.
If they're so easy to capture…
how did a Vice Admiral die to them so easily?"
Even Virgo hadn't lifted a finger, yet the pirates were caught without effort.
Binz froze.
He opened his mouth but no words came out.
He forced a smile.
"M-Maybe… maybe it's just a coincidence? Maybe the commander was sick that day… or they ambushed him? You're probably overthinking it!"
But once you start doubting…
you can't stop.
Seeing Ain still staring at him expressionlessly, Binz's forced smile slowly crumbled.
He sighed.
"Fine. You may have a point.
But we still have no evidence.
So… what do we do now?"
Ain fell silent for a moment.
"…We leave. Now."
But before Binz could respond—
"Leaving? Are you heading out already?"
Vergo approached them, having just finished giving orders.
His usually calm face now carried a warm smile.
"G-5 hasn't even properly welcomed you yet.
We were planning to celebrate capturing the pirates with a banquet in your honor."
"Hahaha! Ha… ha!"
Binz immediately straightened, forcing an enthusiastic grin onto his face before Ain could respond.
"Oh, we couldn't possibly impose! G-5 is busy enough right now, and we still have to report back to Headquarters.
But truly—Vice Admiral Vergo, your efficiency is incredible. We'll be sure to report your outstanding performance to HQ!"
"This is merely my duty."
"I know, I know! Don't worry—we'll be sure to report your hard work here at G-5 to Headquarters."
Binz laughed like an old fox, waving his hands casually.
"It's getting late. We'll head back, pack up, and be on our way. No need for us to interrupt your celebration."
Before Vergo could even respond, Binz grabbed Ain's arm.
"Come on, let's go! We have to prepare our report—we should head back immediately!"
Without giving Vergo a chance to speak, the two hurried off toward the interior of the island.
Halfway up the path, Ain's voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Don't go back to the G-5 base.
Go to the tavern."
"???"
"If Eiger's guess is correct, then we can't trust G-5 at all."
Ain's expression hardened.
"But no matter what, we must leave as soon as possible and report everything—including our suspicion of Vice Admiral Vergo—to Headquarters!"
"Y-Yeah. Yeah, you're right—we need to get out of here immediately. Definitely not going back to G-5."
Binz swallowed.
"Honestly, when Vergo walked up to us earlier… I suddenly felt a chill.
I'm starting to think that bastard really might've been telling the truth."
He tugged on Ain's sleeve.
"What are you spacing out for?! We need to leave—now!"
But just as Ain regained focus and took another step—
A calm voice sounded behind them, quiet but ice-cold:
"Chill? How did you feel it?
I shouldn't have exposed anything."
"?!"
Ain and Binz spun around in terror—
to see Vice Admiral Vergo standing right behind them, silent as a ghost.
Worse still—
They had heard exactly what he said.
He wasn't pretending anymore.
Dead panic flickered in Binz's eyes.
It's over.
He outright admitted it?! He's not even pretending anymore?!
But he still forced a smile, scrambling for a way out.
"V-Vice Admiral Vergo! What a surprise! Are you here to invite us to the banquet? Sorry, we still have work to—"
He grabbed Ain and whispered harshly:
"Go! Ain, move! Don't disturb G-5's banquet!"
"This won't disturb anything," Vergo replied flatly.
He adjusted his glasses, face expressionless.
"In fact, I came to invite you both personally.
I hope you won't refuse."
"No need! Really—we're very busy!"
Binz didn't hesitate for a second.
He spun around, trying to pull Ain away.
"Let's go! It's late—we need to leave, now!"
"..."
Ain glanced once more at Vergo's unmoving form, then turned to follow Binz.
But before they could even take a step—
Vergo's voice came again, colder than the sea at night:
"What a shame.
I had hoped you'd speak well of me to Headquarters.
But it seems…
I can't let you leave."
Ain and Binz froze.
The killing intent washed over them like a tidal wave.
Without another word, both drew their weapons and spun around.
"Attack!"
"That bastard couldn't have been more clear about it?!"
Ain crossed her twin blades, and Binz unsheathed his longsword, teeth clenched in fury.
But before either could make a move—
Vergo moved first.
BAM!!!
One simple kick—
and Ain was sent flying across the ground.
"Ain!!"
But Binz received no sympathy.
He got a kick to the face.
In the blink of an eye—
both were down.
"Two Headquarters inspectors…"
Vergo said as he landed lightly, adjusting his glasses.
"Who assisted G-5 in capturing the pirates—
but met with an unfortunate accident…
and died."
His voice was flat, cold, emotionless.
"So please—
stay here forever."
---
Meanwhile, at the tavern.
Although it wasn't even noon yet, the villagers had already come for drinks.
Eiger, wiping a glass behind the counter, paused mid-motion as he overheard their conversation.
"The pirates were caught! Vice Admiral Vergo caught them!"
"When? Why didn't I know?!"
"Just now! I heard it on my way here. Vergo led the Marines out this morning—already returned, captured every last pirate!"
"Every one of them? Amazing! Now we don't have to fear pirate retaliation!"
"As expected of Vice Admiral Vergo! I say he should be the next G-5 base commander—then no pirate would dare come near!"
"We've gotta celebrate! Bartender! Bartender! Bring us some drinks!"
But after shouting for a while, no drinks appeared.
Annoyed, the townsfolk turned around to scold the new bartender—
Only to freeze.
The bar counter was empty.
The bartender—
was gone.