Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 18

At 6:30 in the evening, Alois and Joshua arrived punctually at the entrance of the White Shadow Casino. The casino was located at the very bottom of the commercial street, with layers of arches blocking the remaining sunlight, casting a crisscross of shadows. Below the steps at the entrance was the surging sea. The water at this moment was dark as black ink.

A pure black gondola skimmed over the water, splashing high waves. Joshua pulled Alois back a step, avoiding the fate of being drenched. The gondola stopped in front of them, and the cabin door slowly opened. Joanna Begrel, with her red hair swinging, stepped onto the stairs. Her attire had transformed from that of a medieval mercenary to a mafia queen, with eight-centimeter high-heeled leather boots, a flowing black trench coat that reached her ankles, white silk gloves on her hands, and sunglasses perched on her nose.

Wearing sunglasses at night was indeed strange, but Joanna acted as if it were perfectly natural. She peered at the two of them through her lenses. “Dressed so well, are you two going on a date?”

“Accompanying you on a date,” Alois replied.

Joanna slapped him on the back of his head. “One more wisecrack, and I’ll kick your balls.” She stomped her foot hard, the high heel of her boot clacking sharply on the marble floor—a sound that sent a chill through one’s heart. Alois hunched his shoulders and obediently followed the female pirate into the casino.

“Straighten your back and look imposing!” the captain commanded. “Is this how a bodyguard should look? If I had known, I wouldn’t have called you along!”

“I will make you see that your choice was correct, Captain!” Alois assumed the dignified demeanor he had in the Royal Guard, speaking with righteous determination.

Joanna rolled her eyes.

The casino was bustling with people. The seats in front of the slot machines were all occupied, and the dice tables were surrounded by gamblers and tourists new to Neo Venice, their wallets bulging. Some people curiously eyed Joanna and her entourage, but a cold glare from Alois made them quickly turn their heads, pretending they hadn’t seen anything.

“Good evening, Captain Joanna.” A waiter in a suit approached, bowing respectfully to Joanna. “This way, please.”

“Has Hikari arrived?” Joanna asked casually.

“Yes, he has been waiting for you for quite some time.”

“Oh, I’m truly ashamed.” But her tone lacked any hint of shame.

Alois and Joshua exchanged glances. Joanna had come to the casino, bringing two bodyguards—clearly not just for a gambling spree. She had arranged to meet someone named Hikari here, seemingly for a serious discussion. Alois felt uneasy, suspecting he was being drawn into a secret transaction, which deeply unsettled his law-abiding nature.

The waiter led them to an elevator, taking them down to the third basement level. Since the first floor was almost level with the sea, the third basement level was undoubtedly below sea level. Alois expected it to be a dark, enclosed space, like the abandoned parking lots where evil forces always rendezvous in movies.

But when the elevator doors opened, what lay before him was a straight corridor, with glass ceilings and walls, through which he could see the deep ocean outside. There might be underwater lights installed, casting a faint blue glow. Schools of colorful fish leisurely swam around the corridor, and luminous jellyfish drifted past Alois, disappearing into the dark ocean depths.

At the end of the corridor stood a metal door. The waiter pressed the doorbell and announced loudly, “Mr. Hikari, the captain has arrived.”

After a few seconds of silence, a crack appeared in the middle of the metal door. The gap slowly widened into a narrow entrance just wide enough for one person to pass through.

The waiter stepped aside, gesturing an invitation. “Please.”

Joanna was the first to step through, followed by Joshua. Alois nervously followed. The metal door closed with a bang behind him, filling the young man with a sense of inescapable tension.

The room beyond the door was spherical, with glass walls offering a wider view of more fish and jellyfish. The room contained two sofas facing each other and a coffee table, with a piece of purple pearl coral from Neo Venice standing beside one sofa, adding a touch of grandeur and liveliness to the ethereal underwater chamber.

On one of the sofas sat a man. At first glance, Alois thought he was in his forties, his thinning hair a testament to the passage of time. But then he seemed younger, his skin smooth and fair, his hands resting elegantly on his knees, looking far from middle-aged. After a moment, Alois felt the man might be much older than he appeared, for his eyes were lifeless, exhausted.

“Old bastard Hikari, why choose such an aquarium to do business?” Joanna casually flicked her coat as she sat on the sofa opposite the man, removing her sunglasses and placing them on the coffee table. Alois and Joshua stood behind the sofa, ready to protect their captain or attack Hikari if needed.

“Joanna Begrel,” Hikari said, his voice hoarse and grating like a dull saw cutting wood, making one uncomfortable. “Captain, I recall inviting only you.”

Joanna gestured dismissively. “No matter, they are my people.”

“I understand your concern for your safety.” Hikari tapped his knee with his index finger. “If it were me, I would also bring a few people to feel secure. But today’s business is extraordinary. I don’t want anyone else to know about it, even if they are loyal and tight-lipped.” He raised his lifeless eyes, staring at the two young men behind the sofa, a gaze that, though not malicious, was chilling.

The sight made Alois shiver. He glanced at Joanna, then at Joshua, who was frowning, clearly displeased, as if facing not Hikari, but a plate of broccoli.

“Well…” Joanna pondered for a moment. “Alright.” She turned to them. “You two wait outside. Let me talk to old Hikari alone for a while.”

Joshua said, “Then we’ll wait at the door for you.” His tone was respectful, as if he were truly a dutiful bodyguard.

“No need,” Hikari said. “Waiting is a pointless waste of time. Since you’re in Neo Venice, why not enjoy yourselves? The White Shadow Casino has many new attractions to satisfy you both.”

This statement clearly aimed to drive Joshua and Alois out. The assassin was even more displeased. “Captain, we await your orders.”

The female pirate shook her head. “Forget it, go enjoy the casino. I’ll contact you when we’re done.”

Joshua nodded, pulling Alois by the sleeve as they exited the spherical chamber together.

The metal door opened and closed again. Finally, only Joanna and Hikari were left in the chamber. The captain lounged on the sofa, shifting to a more comfortable position, and lazily said, “Alright, it’s just us now. Speak quickly. I also hate wasting time.”

Hikari smiled. “The captain is straightforward.” He took out a small silver box from behind the sofa and carefully placed it on the coffee table. The box was plain, without any decoration, making it impossible to guess its contents. Only a combination lock was embedded on the lid.

The man pressed the box. “I invited you here today for this.”

“Is it a gift for me? I’m so thrilled!” Joanna joked. Hikari didn’t laugh, making the female pirate feel a bit awkward. “What’s inside?” she asked sullenly. “Just to be clear. I don’t deal in drugs.”

“It’s not drugs.” Hikari’s eyes lit up with a spark, like embers about to go out. “Inside is a big secret.” He lowered his voice. “Whoever gets it will get the galaxy.”

Joanna was taken aback. “Is it a copy of ‘A Brief History of Time’?”

This time, Hikari laughed. “No, my dear captain, my respected ‘Mad Queen’ Joanna. This secret is beyond your imagination. It can overturn the political landscape of the entire galaxy. Whoever gets it will become the eternal ruler of humanity.” The man hissed. “And all you need to do is deliver it safely to the buyer.”

“Then the buyer will rule the universe?” Joanna’s mouth twitched. “You speak so grandly. Aren’t you afraid I’ll open it myself?”

“The box is sealed. If you force it open, the mini tactical nuke inside will explode, taking you and the secret with it into the universe.” Hikari paused. “The box also has a combination lock. Only the buyer knows the code, which we’ve already given him. By the way, the lock is encrypted by the AI of the Neo Athens Academy, so no one can crack it.”

Joanna scratched her chin. “It does sound foolproof.” She said, “I suppose many will vie for this ‘big secret’?”

“You’re truly perceptive.” Hikari nodded. “We lost two elite teams just bringing it to Neo Venice. No one else in the galaxy can handle this task but you.”

“Given that you profit-driven bounty hunters sacrificed so much, it seems this big secret is indeed extraordinary.” Joanna leaned forward slightly. “So, old Hikari, what’s in it for me risking my life for you?”

“You’ll be satisfied with our offer,” Hikari said. “Eighty million galactic credits, plus the removal of your bounty within the Empire.” The man smiled slyly. “Of course, if the buyer succeeds in ruling the galaxy, you’ll never be wanted anywhere again.”

Joanna leaned back on the sofa.

“The terms are tempting,” she said dryly. “May I have a few days to consider?”

“You must decide now, esteemed captain.”

A school of colorful Cyrene tropical fish swam past Joanna’s feet. She stared at the smooth, reflective floor, seeing her own reflection. The woman in the reflection had a pale face, wrapped in red hair, as if soaked in blood.

Finally, the female pirate conceded. “Who’s the buyer?” she asked.

Hikari was overjoyed. “You’ve surely heard of him, perhaps even met him.” The man’s hoarse voice took on an excited tone. “Winnet Chabais, Duke of the Empire.”

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