"Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 13

　"Cocytus. A river in the underworld of Greek mythology. A frozen hell that spares no traitors."

At that time, Nathan was working as a consultant.

He was scheduled to make an appearance at Rocca di Luce during the day.
Today's bodyguard for Augusto was Vittorio.

On his way back, Leonardo, disguised as a banker, took out his smartphone.

At the same time, he placed a paper bag on the ground.

Nathan waited a full minute before answering the call.

"It's going down today, right?"

"Yeah. Everything is ready. We’ll do it before we get caught."

"What can I do?"

"Keep their attention for five minutes."

"Got it."

The call ended, but Nathan waited another two minutes after Leonardo adjusted his phone before putting it away in his jacket.

Once Leonardo left, Nathan picked up the paper bag.

Inside was a laptop.

It was a dummy that perfectly replicated the one Matteo had left behind, even down to the scratches.

It had been created based on images taken by Nathan and Vittorio at their respective timings using a small camera.

Nathan headed to Hotel Paradiso to take a break.

He was slightly too worked up.

If he didn't calm down, he was bound to make mistakes.

"I'll have a coffee."

"This isn't a café. If you want to be a customer, you need to stay here."

The manager said this with an exasperated look. Nathan always seemed to evoke that expression from him.

"My apologies."

"I don't mind, but sit down."

He was led to the counter, to the same third seat from the back.

The café space always had noticeable empty seats, but it was a hidden gem. The coffee brewed by the manager was refined, with a delicate yet robust flavor that reflected his personality.

"You seem to be in a good mood."

The manager gestured around Nathan’s eyes with his fingers.

"When the whites of your eyes turn blue, your instincts sharpen."

"Is that what I look like now?"

"Yeah. You’ve got a man’s face."

"…You really pay attention, don’t you? I thought I was confident in my poker face."

Nathan relaxed a bit with the fragrant coffee. The manager's character probably helped with that.

"How many years do you think I've been in the service industry? To me, you and Augusto are like chicks."

Augusto.

Nathan hadn't expected to hear that name from him. He widened his eyes.

"Do you know why Augusto can act like a king in this town? You’re smart enough to understand."

"…Yeah."

His business was essential for the town's development. That much was certain.

He paved the roads, built shops, and attracted customers.

It's true for all businesses: if there are no customers, commerce can't exist. He utilized people's desires to draw in customers and brought profits to his shops and the town. He also took on the dirty work that everyone else hated. But the methods he used…

"But there are unforgivable sins as well…"

"Exactly. Good people suffer, women are sold, and countless innocent lives are taken. His glory has also created victims. While some may feel pity for him, everyone is stunned by the undeniable fact that he and those close to him have simply jumped into their own inferno."

"…"

"You don't realize it while you're in the midst of it. And people want to justify their own suffering. What should be small troubles become large and complex. They turn themselves into 'a king suffering from noble troubles.'"

"Manager…?"

What was he trying to say?

But suddenly, Nathan felt his vision expand.

Yes, he shouldn't be trapped by Augusto.

He also shouldn't be trapped by himself.

"The goddess of fate favors the brave. Nathan, you'll be fine. But one thing to consider is that you don't need to bear everything. Augusto has fallen into his own inferno; there's no need for sympathy. Sympathy is a degrading emotion. Right now, just believe in your own mission."

Nathan continued to gaze intently at his eyes, furrowing his brow.

"…Why?"

"Do you know what that means? You shouldn’t underestimate the service industry. Smell, eyes, posture, words. Everything introduces who you are."

He involuntarily ruffled his hair. The deep understanding he gained unexpectedly made Nathan feel a sense of defeat.

It was almost refreshing.

"…That's frightening. If you became a detective…"

"You’d see things more clearly from the outside. You understand."

Sympathy for Augusto.

A fragment that had been sunk somewhere.

The manager's words touched that emotion hidden deep within Nathan’s heart. A slight sympathy for Augusto and doubts about his own mission surged to the surface.

He might be similar to him.

Suspicious, cautious, and slow to open up his heart.

But they were not the same.

"You must not imitate him. You must fulfill your own mission. That's all."

Nathan left.

His face was filled with determination. His eyes sparkled with intensity.

"Young, aren't they?"

The manager murmured.

At Rocca di Luce, Nathan was gathered with Augusto, the executives, and his close aides. Following instructions, Vittorio stood behind Augusto without even glancing at Nathan. There were six bodyguards present.

It was not a big deal; the cameras had already been tampered with. Vittorio, who also worked as a cleaner, pretended to be working while sticking a tiny photo in front of the camera. Now, the plan was to switch out the laptop during a moment of distraction. That would be the end of it.

Across the marble table, Augusto opened his mouth. “How’s business?”

The executives each reported in turn. Nathan pulled out a list of new clients from his business bag. Inside the bag was a dummy laptop covered with a black cloth. Nathan placed the bag on a chair in the back.

“Not bad,” Augusto said, but then shot a cold glare at one of the executives. “Sales have dropped significantly.”

“Sorry, Capo. There have been fewer car accidents lately.”

“Then cause some. What’s the point of having a repair shop?”

Augusto’s reprimand continued. His quiet anger heightened the tension in the room. At that moment, Nathan’s personal smartphone, which he had had Vittorio bring, rang. Nathan shot a brief glance at Vittorio.

“What is it?” Augusto asked, unable to hide his irritation as he looked at Nathan.

“Sorry. It’s a date invitation.”

“Is it Shunka Aono?”

“No…”

Nathan smiled at Augusto, and the executives twisted their mouths in amusement at Nathan’s blunder—just then, a loud boom echoed. The pressure from the wind caused the Rocca di Luce to shake as if an explosion had occurred.

(That’s quite a spectacle.)

Nathan and the others ran to the window. They saw a cloud of dust from the explosion, making it hard to discern the details.

“What’s happening?” confusion erupted in the great hall.

Then, a blackout occurred—just as planned. Nathan turned around, and Vittorio moved silently like a cat.

The blackout lasted only about ten seconds. As power was quickly restored, everyone began to talk at once.

“Was that a fireworks factory?”

“No, wait, there are police cars racing by!”

“Damn it, Capo, we should escape!”

The bodyguards tried to get Augusto to stand, but he remained still.

“If we move, we’ll be found.”

“Augusto is right. They can’t get in up to this point.”

Nathan said quietly. Rocca di Luce was a fortress. The corridors were convoluted, and various traps were laid out. Without a map, it would be impossible to navigate quickly.

“What was that?”

“Based on the direction, it seems to be a fireworks factory.”

“An accident?”

“I’ll check later, but we weren’t planning any incidents, so it’s likely an accident.”

The executive explained calmly, and Augusto nodded.

“Fireworks. They were used at the hotel party too. They look beautiful when launched into the night sky, but in this manner, it’s nothing but tragic.”

Augusto’s calm demeanor gradually restored composure among the executives. Some even sighed in admiration of him.

Nathan glanced at Vittorio. Instead of looking at Nathan, he rubbed his nose twice. That was the signal for success. It seemed a bit early, though.

“Augusto… by the way, is the password okay?”

“More importantly, there’s something I’m concerned about.”

Augusto’s voice resonated strongly enough to silence any dissent. Gathering everyone’s gaze, he finally continued.

“Betrayal is tiresome. Just when I thought the Leonardo incident had settled down, signs of betrayal are surfacing again. I don’t know who it is, but remember this: this is what happens to traitors.”

Augusto pulled out a photo—pictures of the traitors he had killed within the organization.

“Keep your subordinates in line.”

With that, Augusto stood up.

The next day, Vittorio traveled to Japan. His blood relatives were in Italy, but he had relocated under police protection, and his wife was waiting for him in Japan. It was safe.

What Vittorio handed to Nathan was the laptop Matteo had left behind. This would lead to the resolution of the case.

Nathan's smartphone rang. It was Leonardo.

“How did it go?”

“The fireworks factory was a blind spot. It served as a good distraction.”

The phone call had been a warning from Leonardo about the explosion.

“I have the laptop... Now I just need the password.”

“Right. I’m waiting for contact from Arata Shindo in Japan.”

“Retrieve the laptop for me. My home is being watched. I’ll leave it in a room at the Hôtel Paradiso…”

“Understood.”

Nathan was surprised by how quickly Vittorio had worked, but the shelves weren’t locked. He was so excited that he had said, “I was lucky. I thought it would take longer.”

Nathan collected the now useless lock pick.

Augusto was suspicious, cautious, and never showed any weakness. The small crack he finally revealed was significant.

“...Lucky, indeed.”

"To be continued"→ "Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 14

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