The Saint and The Devil of Another World! Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Dogs of Order and The Ghosts of Rebellion

Read chapter 3 of The Saint and The Devil of Another World! by ShonFrost99 on NovelPedia.

Rain quietly fell across the sleeping city. Not enough to flood the streets. Not enough to wash away the smoke. Just enough to make the neon lights bleed across wet pavement like melted paint. District Six was already awake. Factory chimneys coughed black smoke into the dark sky while electrical tram cables crackled overhead. Glowing advertisements flickered endlessly between old stone buildings that had survived long before the Heroes ever arrived. A smiling Hero held a bottled drink high above the streets. “THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT!” Below it— three homeless veterans slept beneath damp newspapers beside a closed bakery. The city continued moving forward. Whether its people wished to or not. Heavy boots marched through the rain. The Anti-Bandits Unit. ABUD. Black coats swayed beneath dim street lamps while revolvers and steel swords rested against armored belts. The wolf insignia stitched onto their shoulders was enough to make civilians immediately lower their heads and move aside. Not because ABUD enjoyed terrorizing civilians. And their reputation as thugs is unwarranted. But if The ABUD appeared, Then something had already gone wrong. “…Temporary closure order?” a young officer muttered quietly. Lieutenant Leon Hart stared at the operation document in disbelief. And unfortunately— He recognized the address written on it. Moonlight Café. “…Seriously?” Beside him, Vice-Captain Gareth adjusted his gloves calmly. “Do not complain during duty.” “I’m not complaining.” “You are visibly complaining during duty, Lieutenant.” Leon sighed. The operation report listed the charges clearly: Obstruction of authorities. Public disorder. Suspected extremist involvement. Aiding dangerous fugitives. All because: a councilman got insulted. And slapped. “…This is excessive,” Leon muttered. Gareth did not answer. The rain continued softly around them. Street vendors quietly prepared morning stalls beneath glowing signs. Factory workers carrying metal lunch containers crossed intersections while old horse carriages awkwardly competed with noisy automobiles for road space. District Six has awoken. “…Remember this carefully,” Gareth suddenly said. The younger officers immediately straightened. “No unnecessary violence.” “No destruction of civilian property.” “Honor the spirit of Chivalry.” “Yes sir!” “Magnificent.” The Moonlight Café slowly came into view beneath the rain. Warm lights glowed behind the windows. The smell of tea and bread drifted faintly into the street despite the weather. Morning preparations had already begun. One officer stepped toward the entrance carefully. Knock. Knock. Knock. The interior immediately exploded into panic. “AHHHHH!” “IT’S THE ABUD!” “I TOLD YOU WE SHOULD’VE HIDDEN THE CASH REGISTER!” “WHY WOULD WE HIDE THE CASH REGISTER?!” Why would they hide the cash register? Leon thought. The front door slowly opened. A maid employee stood there frozen in terror. Still wearing cat ears. “…Good morning,” Gareth said politely. The maid stared at the armed officers surrounding the café. Hieehhh…” the maid let out a noise. Several employees nervously peeked from behind tables while the manager nearly collapsed after spotting the wolf insignia. “O-Officers,” he stammered, “w-we are a lawful establishment—” “We know.” “…Then why are there so many of you?!” Unfortunately, Gareth could not answer honestly. Because the truthful answer was: a councilman demanded a dramatic response to protect his wounded pride. Instead, he calmly handed over the official document. “By authority of the District Council, this establishment is placed under temporary investigation until further notice.” Silence filled the café instantly. The manager’s face slowly paled. “…Temporary?” Leon quietly looked away. Nobody trusted the word “temporary” anymore. Temporary taxes became permanent taxes. Temporary security measures became permanent surveillance. Temporary emergency powers became permanent authority. “She insulted a councilman and aided a fugitive,” Ga