Chapter 49: Secrets
"What a pity."
Vergo adjusted his glasses, looking at the two people he had kicked aside. His usual gentle façade vanished completely, replaced by a cold, tranquil indifference.
"You could've just left quietly.
Why insist on doing unnecessary things?"
"You suspected us from the start?"
Ain rose to her feet, brows furrowed.
"Was it because of our investigation last night?"
"From the moment you stepped into G-5, everything you did was already in my grasp."
Vergo didn't bother hiding anything. His tone remained calm.
"Even your 'hidden' third investigator—I found him as well.
I've given you my explanation.
Now it's your turn."
He tilted his head slightly, almost curious.
"Ain. Binz. Survivors of the newest Marine Instructor Class…
According to my information, Headquarters originally planned to send Vice Admiral Garp—the Hero of the Marines.
So why send the two of you instead?
And that bartender in the tavern… who is he?
Why can't I find any information about him in Headquarters' database?"
"..."
Because he wasn't from Headquarters.
Wasn't a Marine now.
Wasn't even supposed to be here.
Ain and Binz exchanged a silent glance.
Even without speaking, they both understood one thing clearly:
This "pirate capture operation"…
was planned.
Once Vergo realized they were investigating him—
he never intended to let them walk away.
And more importantly…
"It seems G-5 isn't fully under your control yet."
"What a clever girl."
Vergo clapped slowly, amused.
"If your partner hadn't made such a scene in the tavern, I might've overlooked you."
"I…"
Binz froze, shame flooding his face.
He lowered his head.
"Sorry, Ain… I should've trusted Eiger, just like you."
Then he gritted his teeth, eyes firming with resolve.
"I'll hold him off.
You go find Eiger.
Leave with him—and report everything to Headquarters!"
"Don't listen to him."
Ain cut in calmly, eyes never leaving Vergo.
"He realized something was wrong long before we did."
"Looks like my guess was correct."
Vergo nodded lightly, smiling faintly.
"So then… tell me.
Who is that bartender?
And since when did Headquarters start doubting me?"
"Headquarters has long suspected you."
Ain narrowed her eyes.
"If you surrender now, perhaps they will show you leniency…
Vice Admiral Vergo."
Her voice was calm, but her hands gripping her twin blades trembled slightly—she wasn't nearly as calm as she pretended.
As expected—
Vergo frowned.
But his expression remained composed, as if he had already predicted everything.
"So Headquarters doesn't suspect me."
"..."
He caught on immediately.
"I had my doubts."
Vergo shrugged.
"If Headquarters suspected anything, the Hero of the Marines' warship would already be docked at G-5."
Seeing the grim faces of Ain and Binz, his smile grew sharper.
"So if it wasn't Headquarters…
where did you get your information about me?
How much have you uncovered?
Will you tell me?"
"Keep dreaming."
Binz glared darkly.
"We're not telling you anything."
"That's fine."
Vergo didn't seem bothered in the slightest.
"I have plenty of time to ask.
Let's hope… this isn't as bad as I think."
The moment he finished speaking—
His figure vanished.
Ain and Binz's eyes widened.
Soru.
They spun, weapons raised—
But they never got the chance to react.
"I'm sure you'll tell me everything soon enough."
Vergo's voice came from directly behind them.
They began to turn—
But a crushing impact slammed into their backs.
Vergo's kick.
In the next instant, both of them were kicked away like rag dolls.
With a deafening bang, the force of the impact sent the two crashing through a massive tree, toppling it instantly.
Vergo stepped forward, expression flat.
"So I'll ask again.
Are you ready to tell me how you found out?"
"In your dreams… cough, cough!"
Binz spat a mouthful of blood and wiped it away with the back of his hand.
Lying beneath the fallen tree, he glared at Vergo with fury blazing in his eyes.
"You damn spy."
The moment the word left his mouth, Vergo's calm expression twisted into something dark.
"Spy?"
Behind his sunglasses, a dangerous gleam flickered.
"So you really do know more than I thought.
Where did your intel come from?"
"You wanna know?"
Binz grinned, curling a finger mockingly.
"Then come here and I'll tell you."
Vergo didn't waste time entertaining his taunts—his figure vanished instantly.
The moment Vergo disappeared, Binz's expression sharpened.
A heartbeat later, a smile appeared on his bruised face—he had sensed the movement.
—as Vergo lunged from the front.
"AIN! RUN! GO FIND Eiger!"
BANG!!
Vergo's boot smashed directly into Binz's face, snapping his head back and sending him tumbling, eyes rolling white.
But despite the brutal impact, Binz didn't loosen his grip on Vergo's leg.
Vergo barely reacted. His voice dripped with contempt.
"A useless trick.
You really think you can escape with your level of strength?
Or do you believe that 'Eiger'—that pretend bartender—can protect you?"
"I don't know… but I do know that if word gets out, you'll be worse off than me."
Binz's face was swollen and distorted from the kick, but he still forced out a grotesque grin.
"And the one behind you… your 'master'…
He'll suffer too.
You damned spy!"
"…"
Vergo paused only for a breath, adjusting his sunglasses.
"You really think you'll get the chance to send anything out?
Still…"
BANG!
He kicked Binz off his leg, sending him flying like a broken doll.
"…you're right about one thing.
If word spreads, Young Master will be in trouble."
Binz landed unconscious.
Vergo vanished again.
A blink later, he was already behind Ain, who was sprinting desperately toward the town.
She felt it—
and immediately spun around, twin blades raised—
But she was already too late.
Vergo extended a single finger, aiming at her side as if to skewer her outright.
Shigan.
His finger pierced clean through her waist.
Blood burst out in a crimson spray as Ain was flung backward like a rag doll.
Vergo calmly adjusted his sunglasses, voice icy.
"That makes two.
Now there's only one left."
But then—
A voice drifted over, calm and almost casual.
"Looks like you two got beaten up pretty badly."
Vergo's entire expression shifted—surprise flickering in his eyes.
He lifted his head—
But before he could fully turn, a strained, trembling voice cut through the air:
"Eiger!"
Ain, bloody and barely conscious, called out with relief, excitement, and desperation.
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