Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

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

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Chapter 22

“Do I need to repeat myself again? Is your recording device just for show?” In the police station, Joanna Begrel crossed her legs, puffing on a cigarette, filling the interrogation room with smoke. The officer frowned, impatiently tapping the recording device with his index finger to express his anger. But the pirate woman ignored this, continuing her ways.

“But ma’am.” The officer tried to keep his voice calm. “Your ship fired a beam cannon in the spaceport, which is a serious violation of Neo Venice spaceport control regulations. Moreover, you and your subordinates disrupted city traffic, putting great pressure on both the police and the media…”

“Is that my fault?” Joanna blew out a smoke ring. “I was being chased. If I hadn’t done that, I’d be dead. Then my subordinates would start a rebellion in Neo Venice, and the beam cannon would directly hit your council building instead of damaging an advertisement board.”

“Are you threatening me, ma’am?”

“You’re very perceptive, sir.”

The two glared at each other, and sparks seemed to flicker in the air. Alois, holding a coffee cup, moved closer to Joshua but stopped when the officer assigned to watch them gave him a warning glance. Joshua’s shoulder wound had been bandaged. “It’s a minor injury, nothing serious,” the doctor had said. “I guarantee a quick recovery without a scar!” Alois seriously doubted the doctor’s skills.

A female officer entered the interrogation room, whispering a few words to the officer. The officer’s frown relaxed, and he turned to the pirate woman. “Thank god, those lazy council members enacted the damn ‘Non-Interference Agreement’. The two flying cars and their occupants you shot down don’t belong to Neo Venice, so you won’t be charged with murder by the prosecution but will be charged with ‘disturbing public order’. Do you need to contact a lawyer, or should we assign one for you?”

“Can I make a phone call?” Joanna smiled.

Ten minutes later, the female officer reentered the interrogation room, whispering in the officer’s ear. The officer frowned again. “Thank god, ma’am, you really are well-connected. The charges against you have been reduced to ‘traffic violation causing an accident’. After paying the bail, you can leave.”

“Thank you.” Joanna smiled like a true lady. “Can I use a card?”

Outside the police station, a black bat-winged flying car hovered in mid-air, waiting. A man stood in front of it, dressed in black, blending into the night, but his pale face and hands were visible, like an old ghost.

“Oh, isn’t this Old Hikari? Why wait outside? It’s so cold! It’s warm inside the police station, and they even provide free coffee. Go in!” Joanna gestured behind her.

“This was our mistake, Captain.” Hikari bowed slightly in apology. “We offer our sincere apologies. Please forgive us.”

“Forgive?” Joanna’s mouth twitched. “I was followed as soon as I left the Portia Casino, and they were well-prepared. I was attacked before I even left the spaceport! And you call this a mistake?” She approached him, lowering her voice. “You did it on purpose, you old geezer. You knew someone would follow me and let them. Are you doubting my abilities, or do you want to taste my ship’s main cannon?”

Hikari had a look of “you guessed it”. “I’m really sorry, ma’am.” He bowed. “Your actions have proven the ‘Mad Queen’ reputation is well-deserved. Now we are completely at ease.”

“Fuck off!”

“Again, we ask for your forgiveness, ma’am. You know, I’m old, and sometimes overly cautious.” Hikari gestured, and the bat-winged car descended steadily, its door sliding open. “Let’s discuss this further somewhere else.”

“Haven’t we talked enough? Any more and we’d be dating.” Joanna looked disgusted.

“You have a great sense of humor.” Hikari slowly climbed into the car. “Please, come in. You’re staying at the Noah Hotel? We can talk there.”

“Do you want to enter an unmarried woman’s room? Give it up, old geezer.” Joanna climbed in, calling Alois and Joshua to join. “Drop them off first, then we’ll sort everything out in the car. If I get attacked again before leaving Neo Venice, I’ll tie that damn box to a timed bomb and throw it into the council building!”

“No problem, ma’am. As you wish.”

Alois and Joshua sat beside Joanna. The car door slid shut silently, and Hikari pressed a few buttons before turning back. “Where to, gentlemen?”

Alois looked uneasily at Joshua, who looked to the pirate woman.

“Take them to the Takut Hotel.”

The car ascended, flying into the traffic lane above the river, following the traffic signs obediently. “The Takut Hotel. It’s a nice place with good service, reasonable prices, delicious food, and the restaurant on the south side offers a view of the Lovena Sea…” Hikari said dreamily.

Joanna leaned back and closed her eyes. “Chatterbox. Shut up.”

Hikari obeyed.

They soon arrived at the Takut Hotel. The car stopped at the entrance, and a bellboy immediately came to greet them.

Joanna opened one eye, glancing at Alois and Joshua. “Go on.”

“Will you be okay alone?” the assassin asked.

“No worries.” The pirate woman closed her eyes again. “An omnipresent eye is watching me.”

For a believer in God, this might refer to the Almighty’s constant care for His people. But Alois understood she meant Leonard. Where there were surveillance cameras, there were his eyes.

Suddenly, he felt sympathy for the clueless old Hikari.

The Takut Hotel’s security system was top-notch, with the latest fingerprint lock technology on the doors, preventing theft and avoiding guests forgetting their keys. (After complaints from disabled guests, the hotel installed regular locks as well.)

Joshua pressed his fingerprint on the lock. A small green light accompanied the unlocking click. He entered the room, followed by someone quickly slipping in and closing the door.

The room was dark, but the city’s orange lights faintly illuminated the young man’s triumphant expression, leaning against the door.

“You look creepy when you smile,” the assassin said lazily.

“Can I sleep with you tonight?” Alois asked.

“Your room is next door.”

Joshua took a step back, but Alois climbed onto his shoulder, careful not to touch his wound. The young man’s slightly uneven breathing was evident in the dark. “Let’s sleep together, Joshua.”

“I’m very tired. I need to rest.”

“Just lying together, nothing more, I swear.” Alois moved closer, almost touching Joshua.

Joshua removed the young man’s hand from his shoulder, then traced up his arm to his neck. He pressed his palm against Alois’ throat, feeling the young man’s Adam’s apple quiver. “I can accept everything but this,” the assassin said quietly. “If you try anything, I can’t guarantee I won’t accidentally kill you.”

“I’ll be good and do nothing,” Alois pleaded hoarsely. “I promise!”

Joshua, annoyed, pushed him away. “Go back. Don’t test my limits on this.”

“Joshua…”

“Move, or I will kill you.”

Alois pouted, stepping back disappointedly.

Joshua thought he would leave dejectedly. But he didn’t. The young man stepped forward again, tightly grabbing the assassin’s clothes, his voice trembling. “Then kill me. I’m not afraid of death.”

“But I’m afraid you’ll die.” Joshua carefully hugged Alois’s head, pressing him against his chest. “I don’t want to mourn you.”

Alois heard the assassin’s heartbeat—rapid, like a drum. His own heart was no better, beating wildly as if it would burst out of his chest at any moment. No, Joshua, you’re already killing me, Alois thought.

“Go back.” Joshua let go.

Alois tried to appear calm, hoping the night would hide his blush.

“Then I’ll go,” he said. “Can I get a goodnight kiss?”

Joshua laughed. “Don’t push it.”

But he still lifted the young man’s chin and planted a kiss on his lips.

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