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Why do you ask?

It's time for your routine report, isn't it? I've been waiting all night. The big shots up top don't have any new ideas?

Why should I tell you?

I have a right to know. We're colleagues, aren't we?

And I'm personally very interested in the way you change your duties each month.

Fine. I guess we would need codenames to refer to each other in case something happens.

I'm under the Notarial Hall this time. The usual. Independent special operations. Duty name... it's...

What's the name?

...Suffering.

Um. What? Why?

How should I know! They said they watched some slasher flick and then decided they were going to change it to this with no explanation...

Suffering? All right. At least it's less cringey than last time's 'Chosen Overseer.'

Hmph. They're taking the piss out of someone else's job, and why did the Notarial Hall agree to it?

Did they think for even a moment, what if I had to meet Wei Yenwu? How am I supposed to announce myself?!

'Hello. I'm Suffering from the Laterano Notarial Hall. It's a pleasure to meet you.'

Was 'Tomb Knight' better? Or 'Super Sticky' from last month? Or 'Treasure Guardian' that came earlier than them?

When you first volunteered to go with me, I really thought Laterano had an organization called the Treasure Guardians, you know...?

That's enough!

...I'm writing a letter to Laterano right now. If they don't give me a perfectly ordinary assignment, they better not expect to get regular correspondences from me anymore.

You need to understand where they're coming from. It's not easy to trust a horned Sankta.

Can't they just give me a normal assignment?!

An exceptional promotion would be cause for suspicion. And being so frantic all the time will give you wrinkles, Miss Suffering.

Woah, don't take it so seriously. Drawing your gun at the first disagreement is a pretty bad habit.

Whatever. Watching your performance all night made me sick. You're such a ham.

Then is it about time we leave Lungmen? I could take you shopping, as a way of making it up to you.

...Yeah, that's a good idea.

Which reminds me, you must've made a lot of money this time around? How about sending some my way? A little hospitality?

We're both from Laterano. Who's the host here?

Fine. By the way, this angel's halo is blindingly bright.

They get in the way sometimes.

Lucky you don't have that problem, fallen angel.

Are you jealous? I could buy you a fluorescent lamp to wear on your head.

Sounds like a pain. How do you deal with it?

Instinct. The moment we start using language, the halo appears.

Like the first time you blurt out 'mama' or 'dada?' What a beautiful image.

Haha. Exusiai's first word was 'sis.' Even though they're not blood related, they still...

Enough. Let's not talk about her sister. Even if Laterano doesn't care, it's not a topic for casual conversation.

It's because you leveled this precious gun at the captain that you fell.

Do you really plan to tell her the whole story someday? The little sister of your beloved battle-sister?

Hm... You've followed me this long and I still haven't told you. It might be that you, also my 'beloved battle-sister...' have a really bad temper?

I'm only under obligation to remind you that you must not speak even one word of what happened at Kazdel.

But what about my travel memoir?

Sounds great. Hey, why don't you go get your staff back from that freaky guy before I write you up for it.

You're running out of time.

Yep. You're right. I'll do exactly as Suffering says.

You...

...Boss, is there more work to do?

Before you leave Lungmen, I'll have a real pain in the ass job for you, no doubt.

Wait, you're not dead...? How much did you hear?

A gentleman don't eavesdrop on two ladies havin' a private conversation.

Plus I don't need to. Bein' omniscient and all.

...so you heard everything.

Whatever. You're Emperor. It's fine.

Did you really feel like you wanted to kill him back there...? I guess that's our Suffering...

Shove it. Don't talk about me like I'm some kind of villain.

Would you ever consider joining Penguin Logistics? You wouldn't have to keep swapping around these cringey codenames.

...I must keep track of you, as a Laterano.

Right. It's just an idea I had. It's hard not to use your real name, you know.

Aight, time for you to bounce. This ain't a Laterano cathedral. We don't welcome Suffering here.

I... whatever.

I'm going to go... send a letter.

...Damn it.

Uh huh. Every one of them reports gets some government office swappin' your name around, huh? Seems like you're real popular over there.

I think at least half the reason they do it is just because it's fun for them.

It's fun, huh? Mmm, makes sense. Sounds like at least a couple Laterano big shots know how to live.

...Hold up. Fun... someplace fun...

Aight, I got a idea. Mostima, you're gonna like this job. You know what? This job's gonna blow you away. You just wait 'til I hit you up.

It really worries me when you talk like that, boss... But the sun's almost up. I better go find her.

Since everything here's all wrapped up with a nice little bow, it's time for me to leave. Say goodbye to everyone for me.

Especially Exusiai. And buy her dinner for me.

Don't worry about it.

We all gonna see each other again real soon.

...Wow... the sun's coming up.

How do I get back? Uh oh... I think I'm lost...

Oh, I'm here. How do I always end up coming back here?

Is that...?

Mostima? Oh, she's praying. I better not bother her...

I wanna see the sunrise!

Sorry, he's drunk. Can you let us by? Thanks!

Erm... Okay...

Damn! Mostima... she's already gone.

(But it looked like there was some kind of red shadow next to her? Did I see that right?)

Hey, that kid over there's in the way.

Me?

You're the prince of MDL, aren't you? The rich as hell prince!

Why don't you come with us? Just need a minute of your time.

...Again?

...Um, heh heh, well...

What are you laughing at?

Hey! The little punk wants to fight! Let's get him, boys!

Speed of Light / DJ OKAWARI

——Special Thanks——

Candy catering — Victoria Rainbow Sweets

Major expenditures on stupid things — Mountain Dash Logistics

Getting beaten for no reason — Tung's Finballs

Extra — Suffering from Laterano...?

Possibly being dead — The Gambino Family

Guest appearance while taking a walk — 'Rat King' of the Lungmen Slums

And the glorious, the incredible, the unstoppable,

who clear any obstacle, solve any case, complete any job,