TBETW Chapter 16

Chapter 16 – Building Trust

Main Story 1, Chapter 7, Part 1

Novel Title: 獣はかくして囚われる (The Beasts are Ensnared This Way)

Author：風結子 沙野 (Fuyuko Sano)

Illustrator：小山田 あみ (Oyamada Ami)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 鹿倉 陣也 (Kagura Jinya -MC) & ゼロ (Zero -ML)

*Please read at freenovels.net, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“I might consider teaming up with you.”

Over a late breakfast, Kagura told Kiriyama.  

“But you’ll need to show me something to earn my trust.”  

Kiriyama, using his cutlery with his usual refined grace as he ate his English breakfast, asked, “What would it take for you to trust me?”  

There was no way Kagura could ever truly trust this man.  

Kiriyama Shungo was the kind of person who controlled both the black and white pieces on the chessboard by himself, as if it were the natural order of things. He didn’t even seem to possess the concept of arrogance—it was simply who he was.  

―――There’s no way I’d trust him the way I trust Zero.

In no capacity could Kiriyama ever replace Zero.  

That conclusion was unshakable. Still, if Kiriyama could be used, Kagura was determined to exploit him to the fullest.  

Kiriyama, a legal prodigy, had connections to virtually every seat of power in Japan, as well as direct ties to Li Azhar.  

Above all, Toono Ryouji treated Kiriyama with notable favor, even going so far as to arrange frequent sexual liaisons between Kiriyama and Renjou.  

―――If anyone can lower Toono’s guard, it’s him.

It might even be possible to set the stage to eliminate Toono entirely.  

But given Kiriyama’s nature, Kagura decided to test him first, to ensure he wouldn’t be abandoned at the critical moment.  

“I want to meet with Sanae Suguru alone, outside the confines of ‘Invincible Castle’.”  

It was a significant hurdle—one that should be difficult to clear.  

Yet Kiriyama, without breaking rhythm with his cutlery, replied, “Fine.”  

The ease of his consent left Kagura momentarily taken aback.  

He suspected Kiriyama might concoct some excuse to avoid it. But in his usual meticulous way, Kiriyama followed through on his word.  

***

“Sanae!”  

As soon as Kagura stepped into the designated hotel room, Sanae rushed over, colliding with him in his eagerness.  

“You’re really okay! I heard you were, but I couldn’t stop worrying…”  

Frowning, Kagura asked, “Heard from who?”  

Still clutching Kagura’s arm as if afraid he might disappear, Sanae replied, “From Kiriyama, of course.”  

“Kiriyama?”  

“Yeah. The night you went missing a week ago, he called me. He said you were safe but told me not to let anyone else know you were gone—not even the other officers. He said causing a commotion would only make things worse for you. So I didn’t even tell my mentor or Somei.”  

Apparently, when Kagura was abducted and taken to ‘Invincible Castle’, Kiriyama had immediately contacted Sanae and given him instructions.  

If Sanae had been searching for Kagura openly, he might have put himself in danger too.  

Though it was surprising that Kiriyama had reached out directly, Kagura couldn’t deny that his quick thinking had been helpful.  

“That guy really is the second-in-command of a mafia disguised as the justice system,” Sanae muttered. “He knows everything—it’s terrifying. Even now, I wasn’t fully convinced you’d show up until I saw you with my own eyes.”  

After patting Kagura’s body to confirm he was unharmed, Sanae let out a relieved sigh.  

“I’ll make some coffee. Take a seat.”  

Before sitting in the chair by the window that Sanae indicated, Kagura drew the blackout curtains completely shut, turning on only a floor lamp with a dark shade. It didn’t provide much light, but it would obscure the burn scars on his nape.  

―――That damn otter would chirp like crazy if he noticed.

“It’s kind of dark in here,” Sanae complained, bringing over two cups.  

Considering that Kiriyama had arranged for this room, there was a chance it was bugged.  

Even so, the fact that Kiriyama had agreed to Kagura’s demand was significant.  

―――And I managed to reassure this guy while I was at it.

Sitting across the small table, Sanae’s eyes were moist with emotion behind his glasses.  

“There’s been no progress on the human trafficking case, but my mentor and the others have tracked the movements of a few scam groups.”  

“International Crime Division living up to its name, huh?”  

While it had been confirmed that the trafficking of Japanese nationals was connected to the Eastern Alliance, anything involving ‘Invincible Castle’ was beyond the reach of law enforcement.  

―――If Toono is eliminated, the Eastern Alliance’s connection to Li Azhar will be severed. That will weaken their influence over ‘Invincible Castle’ and reduce the number of future victims.

Kagura had harbored murderous hatred for Toono ever since learning the truth about Haruka.  

But now, it wasn’t simply ‘I want to kill him’.  

―――I must kill him, no matter what.

It was no longer an emotional desire but a duty that needed to be fulfilled.  

Having glimpsed the true depths of hell, Kagura realized a profound change within himself.  

Something cold and unyielding had taken root deep in his core.  

Perhaps it was akin to the icy resolve that dwelled within both Zero and Kiriyama.  

“I have something I don’t quite understand about the advice from Prosecutor Kiriyama,” Sanae said, looking troubled.  

“It’s about Elio-san.”  

Sanae had hit it off quite well with the Macanese man introduced through Somei.  

“Prosecutor Kiriyama specifically warned me not to tell Elio-san anything about your disappearance or the investigation.”  

“Why?”  

Sanae tilted his head slightly.  

“He didn’t explain… But when I met Elio-san the day after you disappeared, he had terrible injuries.”  

At the sight of Sanae pointing to his nose, the memory of breaking an assailant’s nose in the dark came rushing back.  

So that’s what happened, Kagura thought.  

The underground area near the outer harbor ferry terminal. It had been Elio who told him that the location was avoided even by locals.  

Elio is connected to Toono and Li Azhar; he was part of the team that carried out the abduction.

“Tell Somei to cut ties with Elio,” Kagura instructed.  

Even if there had been trust in the past, people change—especially in these rapidly shifting times. As a Macanese and a junket operator, Elio’s position was delicate and unstable in this country.  

Perhaps he was simply practicing what Li Azhar referred to as ‘observing and going with the flow’.

Sanae furrowed his brow deeply.  

“You should tell Somei yourself.”  

Kagura smiled faintly as he rose from his chair.  

“I’ll do that—some other time.”  

“Wait a second. Aren’t you back for good?”  

Startled, Sanae sprang to his feet and grabbed Kagura’s arm.  

“…You’re still planning to leave tomorrow, as scheduled, right?”  

Sanae had sharp instincts and would likely see through it, but Kagura couldn’t afford to tell the truth.  

“I have a bit more to do before I’m done. Once I finish, I’ll definitely return.”  

He gently patted Sanae’s shoulder, loosening the grip on his arm.  

“Seriously… I hate this.”  

As Kagura exited the room, he heard Sanae mutter in a teary voice.  

Outside the hotel, a black limousine awaited him, the same one that had brought him here. The driver opened the door, and Kagura stepped in.  

“So, you’ve come back. That means you’ve decided to trust me,” said Kiriyama, reclining on the long seat.  

“To the bare minimum,” Kagura replied, taking a seat far from Kiriyama and glaring at him sideways.  

“I want to meet Toono Ryouji.”  

“Making demands already?”  

“I want to meet Toono alone.”  

“That’s too greedy. That beauty won’t allow it.”  

Renjou’s presence would make things difficult, but arranging the meeting took priority.  

“And I’ll need a concealable handgun.”  

Even though Kagura’s intentions were clear, Kiriyama didn’t show the slightest reaction.  

“I’ll have it prepared. When do you need it?”  

“Tonight.”  

There was no guarantee that Toono would still be at the ‘Castle’ tomorrow.  

“You sure know how to push your luck,” Kiriyama said bitterly before confirming, “You understand the terms, don’t you? If you work with me, you’re severing all ties with Zero.”  

“…”  

A pang of pain clenched Kagura’s chest as he clenched his teeth.  

―――I won’t be seeing Zero again anyway.

Shooting Toono meant Kagura wouldn’t leave the ‘Castle’ alive. Renjou would make sure of it, no matter what.  

“Yeah, I get it.”  

Kagura closed his eyes before his emotions could surface.  

Behind his eyelids, he saw an image of Zero with a whole cake, digging into it with a fork. The sweetness of the whipped cream on Zero’s lips seemed to linger on his tongue.  

―――For myself and for Zero, I’ll see this through.

This wasn’t just for himself; it was for Zero as well. That thought stoked a heat deep inside him, fueling his resolve.  

The limousine abruptly slowed, and Kagura braced himself against the seat as his body tilted.  

Kiriyama muttered, “Again?”  

The car came to a complete stop, and someone knocked on the window.  

Kiriyama ordered the driver via speaker to unlock the doors.  

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*Translator’s Note: Guess who’s back? -K

Next update: 2025.12.02

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