Collapse and Resolution

The desk kicked by Shinnosuke struck Langlitt's body, causing the blaster's barrel, previously aimed at Shinnosuke, to veer off and pierce through the interrogation room's lights.

At the same moment, Shinnosuke lunged forward, tackling Langlitt and sending him flying down the corridor, slamming him into the wall.

But Shinnosuke's counterattack ended there.

Besides Langlitt, the only ones present were members of the military police.

Even though caught off guard, he reacted quickly, but Shinnosuke was immediately overpowered.

He was pinned face-down, kicked in the face, blood spurting from his nose and mouth.

His neck was then stepped on, rendering him completely immobile.

Langlitt stood up, picked up his blaster, and aimed it at Shinnosuke once more.

"Pointless struggling. This time, it's over."

Even in a position of overwhelming superiority, Langlitt still couldn't resist making one more pointless remark.

"You're the one who's finished. Drop your weapon now—save yourself!"

Shinnosuke spat out blood along with his reply.

"Hmph, enough with the bravado!"

A pointless statement, just like any petty criminal's cliché.

Without that, he might have actually succeeded in finishing Shinnosuke off.

However, Langlitt had forever lost that opportunity due to his own recklessness.

"Drop the gun. I warned you!"

Langlitt sneered down at Shinnosuke, utterly confident in his victory.

"It's over..."

Bash!!

"Gwah!...What?...Gyaa!!"

Langlitt was shot through the shoulder as the blaster fired.

Before he could drop the weapon, Madelia lunged into his chest and severed his right hand and forearm.

Markus delivered a powerful, controlled strike to Langlitt's wrist as he tried to crouch, then charged in with full force. Madelia spun around and drove a knee into the face of the soldier pinning Shinnosuke, then kicked Shinnosuke's other face before severing the lower leg of the soldier who had his foot on Shinnosuke's neck.

The soldiers around him attempt to turn the tide, but the outcome of the battle is already clear.

Maderia stepped in front of ShinnoSuke, holding his combat knife defensively against the squad members, while Marks pointed his blaster at the soldiers.

"Stand still! Your illegal actions are already known to Military Intelligence. Any further resistance will only worsen your situation. Disarm yourselves immediately!"

At the same time as Marks' warning, intelligence unit rapid response forces led by Captain Celia Cruiser and military police special forces stormed into the precinct.

The development was too sudden.

Cruiser must have pre-arranged it, keeping forces on standby nearby.

"Intelligence Division. Major Langlitt, you are under arrest. Initial charges include embezzlement of military supplies and violation of the Human Protection Act related to human trafficking."

Major Cruis, showing the arrest warrant issued by the judicial court.

"..."

"There are likely other charges as well, but we were unable to complete the formalities in time. Those will be addressed through the process of re-arrest. Lieutenant General Langlitt, as an arrested individual, you have the right to remain silent. Whether you can maintain silence during interrogation by Intelligence remains to be seen, but you do possess that right."

Lieutenant Cruise watched as Synnosuke was helped up by the Madelia forces, delivering his announcement as he did so.

"All military police personnel present here are under arrest for immediate detention and assault, and I'll add incitement to these charges for the brigadier general as a bonus."

"Damn it! I'm not going down without a fight!"

Lieutenant Cruise calmly smiled, accepting Langlitt's words as they came, just as any villain would expect.

Yet, the gaze was chillingly cold—so cold it sent shivers down the spine.

"That's right, just a little chat. Recently, several suspicious travelers have entered this colony from the 6325 Star Alliance. Normally, we'd deny them entry, but since their stated purpose is tourism, we've allowed them to proceed without interference. According to reports from my subordinates on watch, they're not sightseeing at all—they seem intensely focused on searching for something. But what could they possibly be looking for?...Ah, regarding Lieutenant Colonel's handling, the military police headquarters is being extremely cautious. I understand it might be a matter of rank and dignity. If you'd prefer, we could detain him here at our branch office. Of course, that would mean less surveillance, increasing the risk of an unforeseen incident. Or, if you'd like, we could release him immediately and switch to voluntary home-based investigation?"

"H-huh... this, this woman fox!"

"Fufufu. I can't even count how many times I've made you suffer, Colonel. As the fox of Intelligence, I've finally redeemed my reputation."

Lieutenant Cruiser gave orders to his subordinates, watched as Colonel Langlitt and his men were led away, then turned to Shinnosuke, who had just been released from handcuffs and regained his freedom.

"Mr. Kasimura, thank you for your cooperation. I'm sorry it took so long....However, you have quite serious injuries. If you'd like, we can arrange treatment and a medical examination at the military hospital. Of course, the costs will be covered by the military."

Shinnosuke shook his head.

"I'd prefer to decline. I don't want to owe the military anything."

"I see. Then we'll escort you to the dock."

"That's fine by me. I've had enough of dealing with the military."

"I see. But even if you don't wish to meet again, I think we'll cross paths in the future. Please take care."

"Please, just let me be..."

With those words, Shinnosuke started walking, supported by Marks and Madelia.

"Master, your condition has changed. Shall I or Madelia carry you?"

"Stop it. I'm not letting you two carry me like a princess."

And thus, the long-standing rivalry between Shinnosuke and Langlitt was finally settled.

When Shinnosuke and the others left the precinct, they were met by Seira and Milliena.

It seemed Milliena had come to pick them up in her own car.

"Shinnosuke-san. Thank goodness..."

"Shinnosuke-sama, we're so relieved you're safe."

Seeing the two, Shinnosuke nodded.

I must have worried all of you.

I'm not worried at all. But how about your body? What about the injury on your face?

"It's no big deal. Anyway, I'm hungry... no, I'm actually thirsty."

I thought you might, so I brought it along.

With that, Milena handed over a single bottle.

The vibrant purple liquid inside is Shinosuke's favorite synthetic fruit tea.

Moreover, out of concern for Shinosuke's condition, it was kept at room temperature.

"...Mireena, sorry, right now I'd rather have regular water."

"Eh?...Wait, what?"

Starting tomorrow, I'll begin posting the new installment of the "Freedom of Career Selection Series."

This will be my first time working on two projects simultaneously, but until this series is completed, I'll focus primarily on this one.

The new project consists of ideas I've jotted down as they came to me, so the posting pace will be quite slow.

Please feel free to check it out.