When the name Riegrow was mentioned, Malik frowned slightly. He then tilted his head thoughtfully before speaking slowly.

“So, could that friend be……?”

“Yes, you must already know. It’s Mr. Jeong Tay, the younger brother of Mr. Jeong Jay.”

Richard mentioned it casually. Christoph only glanced at him with an expressionless face.

“Is that so…… According to what Aziz told me, he once had a brief conversation with that person and felt that he was quite upright and a bit stubborn. What do you think, from your perspective?”

Malik asked Richard, then glanced at Aziz. Richard tilted his head slightly and said: “Well, I don’t know.”

“Christoph probably knows the character or habits of that young man better than I do. But from what I see…… he doesn’t have any issues, though the people around him are quite picky.”

Richard spoke softly and smiled. Malik also smiled meaningfully: “Haha, the people around him……”, he repeated, seeming to ponder something for a moment.

The sound of horse hooves echoed rhythmically. Malik is riding on his horse then trotting gently into the forest as if taking a stroll. He looked around the increasingly sparse trees along the path, then suddenly widened his eyes.

“There’s a stream flowing below. A stream in the forest…… It’s a beautiful scene, let’s take a break.”

He stopped his horse under a moderately sized tree and dismounted and the others followed suit.

However, despite mentioning the stream, Malik didn’t look in that direction anymore but instead wandered under the tree canopy and sat on a suitable rock.

“It’s very quiet here, very perfect for a conversation.”

Malik smiled and said.

Richard sat on a rock opposite, Aziz stood behind Malik, while Christoph and the entourage did not sit. Christoph glanced at the rock next to Richard, then leaned against a tree behind him, while the servant seemed to linger near the horse as if caring for it. Christoph looked at the servant suspiciously but said nothing.

“Since we’re discussing matters with those who work with information, there’s no need to beat around the bush. I will say it directly that the lord I serve very much wishes to bring Mr. Jeong Jaeui to our enterprise. However, as you know, he works with UNHRDO and persuading him cannot be placed under any transactional conditions to repay any debt with Tarten.”

The story that Malik told straightforwardly meant that Tarten was aware.

Richard nodded without showing any emotion, but Christoph was leaning against a tree with his arms crossed then frowned.

Christoph had heard about this from Tarten’s internal exchanges. Al Faisal – precisely the protector of that person – wanted to bring Jeong Jay to the independent laboratory related to maintaining his enterprise.

This was understandable. Jeong Jay’s name had become an absolute brand in certain fields. Even if no tangible results were obtained from him, just his name alone was enough for the laboratory to operate effectively (threatening competitors).

But now, the situation was different from a few years ago.

When Al Faisal and his younger brother – Prince Ali – were in a fierce power struggle, Prince Ali assumed the position of Foreign Minister last year ending that power struggle. After that, no one could hinder his career anymore.

Al Faisal had gained power, so the additional value from Jeong Jay’s name was no longer as significant.

Yet, he was still adamant about requesting Jeong Jay. They seemed to be making an all-out effort, to an almost incomprehensible level, causing many to wonder if it was worth the effort.

There were suspicious voices from within Tarten. The opinions varied regarding whether Jeong Jay had other values unknown to them.

In the end, no conclusion was reached, only that Al Faisal still wanted Jeong Jay.

“…….. So, is there anything else that Tarten can help with that cannot be easily resolved? I have thought about it and concluded that it is about an unpaid debt.”

Christoph frowned and tilted his head while Malik continued to speak.

“Do you remember the unidentified bombing in Riyadh a few years ago?…… Regarding that, I probably don’t need to explain much. You might know more than we do, so I’ll skip it.”

Yes, at that very moment, even Tarten was almost overthrown.

It was already well known that the second son of the Riegrow family was a madman, but no one dared to think he would do something so insane.

When it was revealed that Ilay Riegrow was behind the terrorist attack in Riyadh, all intelligence agencies from Tarten’s No. 1 Intelligence Agency to the No. 6 Intelligence Agency had to mobilize overnight.

The moment Riegrow’s name was mentioned, Christoph frowned slightly. At that time, he had been in Lebanon on a short-term contract with the Israeli military to confront Hezbollah, so he was unaware of the news. Only when the contract ended and he returned did he hear the news and was stunned: ‘Rick had bombed all of Riyadh to save Jeong Jay and destroyed the entire mansion of Raumaan Abid Al Saud’.

Christoph had also heard that Jeong Jay was a highly coveted genius, but why did Rick save that person?!

This inexplicable mystery was only resolved a few days later when he learned that Rick actually wanted to save not the genius Jeong Jay but the criminal Jeong Tay, who was also captured as a reward. However, once again, why put so much effort into saving an insignificant person like Jeong Tay? The opinions became even more varied, but those questions were soon answered.

It was said that Rick took in Jeong Tay and the two walked side by side – according to rumors Christoph heard – they went to Berlin and stayed there. After that, nothing more needed to be said.

At that time, the name Jeong Tay became the most talked-about name among those who knew the madman Rick, as well as in the old T&R Special Unit and Tarten’s Intelligence Agencies.

“Why hide that person in Berlin and operate alone everywhere like that? Let me see that person’s face.”

A few years ago, Christoph, who had only known the name Jeong Tae from rumors during a short encounter with Riegrow, muttered indifferently. And Riegrow had smiled brightly and said in a cold tone.

“It’s worn out.”

“…….”

Suddenly, Riegrow’s words from back then came to mind and Christoph’s eyes immediately lit up.

At that time, he had thought this person was crazy, but now thinking back, it made him even angrier.

Was that why he kept it hidden? Then the face of that person now must have hundreds, thousands of holes from being watched too much.

While Christoph was clutching his stomach in anger and grumbling, Malik’s conversation continued.

“………… However, the lord I serve was concerned that among those criminals, there is the younger brother of Mr. Jeong Jaeui.”

Malik spoke with a tone of great regret and sympathy. Hearing that made Christoph snort quietly and look down.

He knew that there were times when he had to turn a blind eye and say nothing, but these were things that should not be said in front of someone with too much information.

“It’s not that Jeong Jay’s younger brother is among the criminals, but someone has added his younger brother to the ranks of the criminals………”

Instead of sneering, Christoph bluntly muttered.

His voice was so low that no one could hear it, but Richard, standing right in front of Christoph, silently looked at him with cold eyes. Christoph fell silent again.

Then Malik continued speaking, but Christoph barely listened. He didn’t care whether Al Faisal wanted to welcome Jeong Jay or not. The most important thing in this story was―.

“………. Therefore, if everything can be resolved peacefully and we gain the cooperation of Mr. Jeong Taeui, it would be great, but after both sides discussed opinions, it seems difficult. The lord I serve has instructed that in that case, we can use appropriate force to a suitable degree.”

The moment Malik’s words ended, Christoph, who was absentmindedly watching the flowing water, suddenly became serious. He only turned his eyes towards Malik.

Richard quietly listened and only nodded and when Malik fell silent, he gently opened his mouth.

“Are you saying that even by using any material means, you want to obtain the cooperation of Mr. Jeong Tay?”

Malik smiled brightly. Behind him, Aziz, looking serious, also appeared uncomfortable and subtly shifted his gaze.

“Do you intend to rely on Tarten?”

When Richard asked again, Malik shook his head.

“Not at least right now. Because we ourselves cannot decide the direction of how to repay the debt without thorough discussion and reporting back to the lord I serve. Perhaps after discussing, the result won’t be much different. But now, first, I want to ask for a small favor before repaying the debt.”

Malik was waving and smiling and finally, he adjusted his posture seriously to say the final words.

“Does that mean……?”

When Richard asked again, Malik smiled. After a moment of silence, he hesitated a bit before speaking.

“Today, we are very grateful for hosting a hunting party for us, but it is possible that one of the people I brought might make a mistake and cause someone to get hurt. It would be unfortunate if such an incident happened in Tarten’s territory, but please be lenient and hope for understanding…… Ah, of course, we don’t know if that will happen or not and if it doesn’t, even better, but who knows what might happen.”

Richard was silent, his face remained calm and gentle as usual, but he seemed to be deeply thinking and said nothing for a long time.

And behind him, Christoph was looking at Malik with an expressionless face. Then his gaze gradually shifted to Aziz standing behind him and then to the servant tending to the horse not far away.

On the middle and index fingers, there were calluses. It was notable that the shape inside the thick vest revealed something slightly protruding – a handgun – which was not a suitable weapon for hunting.

Richard’s gaze also briefly passed over the servant, but he pretended not to notice and turned back to Malik. His gaze was a bit awkward but still carried a gentle smile as usual. This made it even harder to guess his true thoughts.

“An unfortunate accident…… It would indeed be regrettable if such an incident occurred to guests in our territory.”

Richard’s awkward smile and slightly tilted head as if in difficulty were not out of reluctance but rather turning a blind eye.

At that moment.

“If it’s an appropriate degree of force, what level is that?”

Christoph, who had been silent until then, suddenly asked.

Malik, who maintained a nonchalant attitude as if not wanting to participate in the conversation, seemed surprised by the sudden question and widened his eyes. But then he smiled lightly.

“Haha…… an appropriate degree means as long as it doesn’t affect life and doesn’t cause permanent injury, it’s probably suitable.”

Christoph fell silent again.

Meanwhile, Richard was intently watching Christoph.

He quietly faced Christoph with an expressionless face, hiding his inner emotions.

You’re not here to interfere with my work. You shouldn’t cause more trouble.

Christoph didn’t look at Richard. He stubbornly kept his eyes on the servant’s fingers. Those were the hands accustomed to pulling the trigger, just like Christoph.

Richard frowned while looking at Christoph for a moment, but then returned to his usual expression as if nothing had happened and looked back at Malik.

“Unfortunate accidents are best avoided, but if inevitable, we’ll have to accept it.”

Malik smiled lightly: “Yes”, at Richard’s gentle words. He slowly nodded.

“Then we’ve rested enough… Let’s start hunting. It’s been a long time since I hunted a red fox, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Malik slowly stood up from the rock. The others followed suit and Malik turned around. The servant tending to the horse noticed his gaze and slightly bowed.

No words were exchanged. Only brief eye contact.

Malik seemed to notice the servant’s glance and spoke casually.

“He’s a very good hunter. He will move separately from us. I hope he also catches a beautiful fox.”

Richard nodded. He looked at the servant for a long time and when that person was about to mount the horse to leave, Richard spoke.

“In the hunting area, there are not only foxes but sometimes also wild beasts. So be careful.”

“That’s a wild beast not to be provoked,” Richard added and the servant looked at him in surprise but nodded timely and turned away.

“Wild beast……”

Malik murmured subtly and smiled bitterly.

“In unrestricted hunting grounds, the hunter always has the overwhelming advantage.”

Malik whispered softly, snorted and then turned to show that the conversation was over.

“Well, let’s get started then……―”

However, just as Malik was about to speak, he suddenly fell silent when he turned around.

Behind Richard, Christoph with an expressionless face was raising his gun.

The gun he nonchalantly held without aiming precisely seemed to be playing around, yet his grip pointed accurately at Malik’s head without hesitation. The distance between them was not far.

Malik briefly changed his expression but quickly regained his usual calm and looked at Christoph with a faint smile.

“That’s a well-maintained gun. It’s strange that it doesn’t seem to be a typical one used for hunting foxes.”

At Malik’s words, Richard’s face, who was turned away from Christoph, suddenly stiffened. Right in front of him, Christoph without blinking kept the gun pointed at Malik. A light *Click* the sound of the safety being released echoed.

“The gun that person is holding is also not suitable for hunting foxes.”

Christoph muttered indifferently. His finger gently placed on the trigger.

“Christoph, lower the gun!”

Richard’s low, sharp voice.

Since entering the forest, this was the first time the smile had disappeared from his face. In fact, it was rare to see him with such an expression.

His fierce gaze was fixed on Christoph as if urging him.

“Christoph, did you forget your promise?”

“…… Last time, a wild beast saved that person, this time it’s my turn.”

Christoph calmly whispered.

At that moment, the servant who had been walking away in the distance noticed the unusual commotion behind him and turned back in surprise.

And the moment he saw the gun in Christoph’s hand.

Instinctively, he drew a gun from his coat. Christoph slightly tilted his gun to the side and gently squeezed the trigger.

A short and dry gunshot rang out.

A small lead bullet whizzed right past Malik.

No one uttered a word in that moment of silence.

And then.

A strange groan echoed.

Right below his heart, the servant stared at the small hole in his body.

He let out a strange, faint groan in shock and confusion as if he couldn’t comprehend the situation and  then glared at Christoph. He managed to draw his gun and aim at Christoph, but it was too late. Another hole appeared in his hand holding the gun.

“…………!!”

No one could say anything, everyone was silent before the unexpected and unanticipated situation. Meanwhile, Christoph murmured and looked emotionlessly at the servant who had fallen off the horse onto the ground.

“Oh my……, how unfortunate for a guest in our territory to encounter such an unfortunate accident.”

Christoph echoed Richard’s words as if reading from a book and slowly lowered his gun.

Malik with his face drained of all color, looked at the servant clutching his stomach and groaning in pain. Aziz also looked at the servant with a serious expression, then turned his furious gaze toward Christoph.

And Richard.

For a moment, it seemed as if he had lost all emotion. His frightening gaze was fixed on Christoph as he muttered in a low voice.

“Christoph……!”

However, Christoph paid no attention to that gaze and slightly tilted his head, calmly facing Malik, who was staring at him.

“No life-threatening injury and no permanent disability, isn’t that what you meant?”

“……―!!”

Malik seemed about to say something but couldn’t. The smile had completely vanished from his face.

After Aziz ran over to quickly check the servant’s wound, he glanced at Malik. Aziz signaled with his eyes after carefully examining the wound. Malik nodded in response.

Aziz promptly helped the servant onto the horse and climbed up behind him. As he turned the horse, Aziz glared at Christoph with hostility.

“This foolish act won’t end with you taking responsibility alone……!”

After leaving a furious remark, Aziz galloped away hastily. The sound of horse hooves gradually faded into the distance.

And only three people remained in the silence.

“I didn’t expect the response to my words to be like this.”

Finally, Malik broke the silence.

He usually had a slightly sad expression and always smiled naturally when he spoke, but this time, there was no trace of a smile. He looked at them with a face as stiff as ice.

“I didn’t expect Tarten to help us in this way.”

Malik spoke in a quiet and restrained voice. Christoph’s lips twitched.

That wasn’t Tarten. That was Christoph’s individual action.

But here, those words held no weight.

“Mr. Christoph Tarten, I understand your point.”

Malik spoke softly but firmly, emphasizing the name Tarten.

At that moment.

“I apologize. It’s all my fault.”

The person who bowed deeply and uttered an apology was Richard.

Christoph with an expressionless face, slightly widened his eyes in surprise at him. The shock was enough to erase even his emotionless demeanor.

As far as Christoph knew, Richard had never bowed his head to anyone outside of his family elders.

From the start, he never created situations that required an apology and  his personality was not one to bow before others.

Although he always smiled in appearing friendly and approachable, Christoph knew that wasn’t his true nature. Christoph understood the understated but immense pride Richard held.

And now Richard was bowing for something he didn’t cause.

Christoph clenched his mouth shut. His tightly closed lips twisted slightly.

Malik looked down at Richard, who was bowing deeply with cold eyes. His icy gaze did not waver.

“Personally, me, the lord I serve and  the enterprise to which I belong have trusted Tarten greatly. If not for that trust, we would not have the current relationship. Because of that trust, we could discuss important and secret matters.”

“………”

“Even if it’s an individual’s action, the responsibility of an individual cannot be entirely separated from the group. That’s the rule of this world.”

Malik spoke in a deep and steady voice. But that voice felt tightly shut despite its calm and gentle appearance. Inside, it contained anger and hostility.

Though just a servant, he was still a colleague. A fellow countryman had been severely injured in an unforeseen incident. Their nature was neither gentile nor peaceful.

“For whatever reason, one of our people has been injured…… As you said, it truly is an unfortunate event. Especially now, when we are preparing for an important event.”

Malik concluded his words. At the end of his speech, a hint of discontent was subtly hidden in his tone.

Richard without raising his head suddenly spoke seriously.

“I apologize. I have nothing to say, but I will take responsibility for this and issue an official apology. In the name of Richard Tarten, I beg for your forgiveness.”

―In the name of Richard Tarten, I beg for your forgiveness.

The moment those words left Richard’s mouth, Christoph gritted his teeth unconsciously.

If it weren’t for this situation, even under the threat of death, he would never have uttered those words. Not only would he not say it, but he also never thought he would have to.

Malik looked down coldly at Richard with furrowed brows.

Christoph took a deep breath and glared fiercely at Richard.

He looked at Malik. His sharp gaze met Malik’s.

“A debt should be repaid in kind…… In that case, I will take responsibility for this debt.”

Christoph raised his hand, holding the gun. Malik’s eyes narrowed briefly. In front of him, Christoph without hesitation, placed the gun lower near his own heart, where the servant had been shot. He looked at Malik.

Malik frowned. His gaze at Christoph was cold.

Perhaps Malik didn’t believe Christoph would shoot himself. Or maybe he really wanted to accept that debt.

Malik sneered coldly and gestured for Christoph to proceed and  Christoph nodded.

He had been ready for this from the start. He was prepared to pay the price.

The finger on the trigger didn’t hesitate. His face showed no sign of emotion.

However, just as Christoph was about to pull the trigger. Richard, who had been watching him with a cold and terrifying gaze, suddenly rushed forward as if attacking Christoph then violently yanked his arm away. Richard then slapped Christoph hard on the cheek without mercy, one after another.

*Bang* The dry gunshot rang out as the bullet, misfired due to the sudden jolt, hit a tree trunk.

Before Richard, who didn’t hesitate to slap Christoph’s face. Christoph, caught off guard, staggered back a few steps. Realizing he had been struck, Christoph raised his head high and glared at Richard with a fierce gaze.

But Richard didn’t look at Christoph.

He stood before Malik.

Richard knelt, his hands on the ground and  slowly bowed his head.

His rigid face bowed nearly to the ground.

“I know you might think I am shamelessly disgraceful, but if you consider your feelings toward your friend as similar to mine toward my comrade, I would be very grateful. Although he is hot-tempered and impulsive, he is my cousin. Please forgive us so that no one else gets hurt.”

Richard remained silent for a moment. His clenched jaw trembled slightly for a moment.

“—No matter what you do and  even if your friend is hurt, it cannot be satisfying. But I hope it doesn’t ruin our long-term relationship. I sincerely apologize.”

After speaking, he bowed his head deeply as if to touch his forehead to the ground. Christoph looked at him with a pale face.

“Richard…… —Stand up.”

Christoph said quietly.

Both Malik and Richard remained silent; only Christoph’s voice echoed, but Richard didn’t move. Meanwhile, Malik slowly looked down at Richard.

The man who had never apologized to anyone, who had never begged for forgiveness from others or even been looked down upon, was now kneeling on the ground.

“Richard…… —Stand up!!”

Christoph’s voice grew louder.

As if only Christoph were alive there, the other two remained motionless.

Christoph swallowed hard and then rushed to Richard, grabbing his collar and pulling him up.

“STAND UP, STAND UP. WHY DO YOU INTERFERE IN MY AFFAIRS……! GET OUT!! I WILL BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES MYSELF!”

“—Christoph. Do you think shooting yourself in the chest will solve everything? I will bear full responsibility for your actions from now on, so stay quiet. Remember, for the name of Tarten, you cannot act on your own.”

Richard said softly, his voice harsh, gritting his teeth.

He roughly pushed Christoph away and turned back to Malik.

When Richard knelt down again, Malik finally spoke:

“—I understand your point.”

Malik’s cold and distant voice had softened slightly compared to before.