“Do you think you can just get away with a sneaky honey trap?”
“I can’t believe I was fooled that easily—so maddening I could die!” Jioh stomped her feet in little hops.
‘Ha-ha, so that doesn’t work on you.’
Kido wore a crooked smile.
“Even so, I’m being pretty serious right now. I’ve thought long and hard before saying this. If you promise me, I’ll gladly hand the Our Lady of Tears over to you, Jioh.”
“……Promise what. Also—why do you speak Korean this well? Are you mixed? Which ‘Ki’ clan are you from?”
“My surname isn’t Ki—no, forget it.”
He almost got dragged along by her pace again. Shaking his head, Kido turned and walked toward the basilica.
He’d decided to hand it over; there was no longer any need to circle around on side roads.
When Guido Maramaldi, long missing, appeared on the streets after only a few days, movement grew busy everywhere.
His men who’d been nearby hurried to gather at his side.
“[Capo!]”
“[You’ve returned, Branch Chief! Thank heaven you’re safe.]”
“[Mm.]”
Accepting his coat and laying it lightly over his shoulders, Kido smoothed back his hair.
A long coat over a thin shirt,…