Riskbreaker. Charged with protecting country and citizens, the VKP (Valendian Knights of the Peace) agents skilled enough to earn that name are few. Together, they form the Dangerous Criminal Task Force, apprehending or sometimes just secretly "dealing with" major felons. Consequently, Riskbreakers must have two things; well above normal fighting prowess and the ability to make lightening quick judgment calls on when to use their given right to murder. Of course, those skills are only for use in cases of national interest.
In other words, a Riskbreaker is not his own man.
Were the Parliament, Valendia’s ruling body, and all the organizations it commands assembled together into one gargantuan living organism, the Riskbreakers would be that huge monster’s fangs. An individual "fang" cannot act of its own will. It must act as the "brain" dictates, biting into the game at which it is aimed, ripping and chewing the flesh so that all parts of the creature may gain nourishment. In that great beast that is national authority the Riskbreakers are the piece aimed at its enemies, the "fangs" disposing of them with a few quick snaps.
Such a system leaves no room for individuality. A Riskbreaker’s thoughts must center around his loyalty to Parliament, all his actions on preserving Parliament’s authority. He follows orders in blind faith, unknowing of all the reasons behind them. It is not for a simple "fang" to delineate between "right" and "wrong".
Yet no matter how willing a man is to kill off his "self", being human, it is incredibly difficult for him purely to act as a "fang". True "fangs" must squash their humanity into near non-existence, yet they must also raise their will to survive to its uppermost limits. If a man simply focuses on honing the physical skills necessary, shoving the awareness of his humanity off to the side, his spirit will dwindle and dwindle until it dies altogether. Then, no matter how incredible his fighting abilities, when faced with true felons, each of whom harbor a spark of chaos in their soul, that man will never come back alive.
The capability to renounce both individuality and humanity, yet retain spirit --- only those who can fulfill that conflicting, contradictory requirement have what it takes to survive the life of a Riskbreaker. That is what Parliament expects. Given simpler words, they expect the impossible.
In all the years since the official founding of the Dangerous Criminal Task Force, it has never escaped the chronic problem of a low average survival rate. Only one agent breaks that curve, successfully and safely completing mission after mission---
Ashley Riot.
About all anyone really knows about him is that he was once a member of the Kingsguard, voluntarily forsaking that post and falling into the lightless world of the Riskbreakers. To the VKP, he is the perfect "fang". Even the most difficult missions--- the majority of which involve acting as a "protector of the law", quietly silencing anti-government factions--- he brings to a flawless close with an iron will, coming back safely time and time again.
Since being assigned there, he has "handled" over 100 cases. While the vast majority of other Riskbreakers have either lost their lives or lost their nerve at the incessant slaughter, consequently being stricken from all records, Ashley continues to complete missions with unshakable indifference, raising neither complaint nor question.
An impossible, incomparable warrior. A perfectly loyal servant. The impartial law made into living flesh. Ashley Riot is truly the "unbreakable fang", the "unscratchable blade". All humanity forfeited, all ties of companionship severed it is easy to believe that he has ground even his heart into a polished sword.
Ashley Riot, the most reliable of all the VKP’s Riskbreakers is now the prime suspect in the murder of Duke Bardorba. Two months have already passed since the search for him commenced, yet not a single trace of his whereabouts has been uncovered. Within the VKP, it is widely believed, though unofficially so, that learning the truth behind the whole mystery is impossible.
One week prior to the murder, a single event creates a tie between Ashley Riot and Duke Bardorba. The Mullenkamp Cult, under the orders of their young leader, one Sydney Losstarot, assaulted and infiltrated the Duke’s Manor, and it was Ashley who was ordered to remedy the situation.
However, the number of suspicious points is far larger. Firstly, why was Ashley, an elite member of the Dangerous Criminal Task Force, given that assignment instead of the Templars, a group specifically created to deal with cults? Secondly, it has come to light that the intervention by the Crimson Blades was ordered by the Cardinal without the consent of Parliament. Thirdly, an unknown beast was sighted within the manor proper during the incident. It’s reported that blows were exchanged, but those who could further testify to that fact either died during the incident itself or shortly afterwards under mysterious circumstances. Word or whereabouts of any other survivors is as of yet unknown.
In addition, Ashley’s specific assignment was the pursuit and capture of Sydney Losstarot, not the Duke. Once he departed for the Manor he vanished completely, only to resurface once, one week later, as the final visitor received by the recuperating Duke at his Secondary Residence. He had no communication with Headquarters at all, completely unlike any of his previous missions. Hence, we have no information as to what occurred during that one week period.
Only one subject will be avoided, the place to which Ashley pursued Sydney; Lea Monde, the ancient and dark city 25 years destroyed by the Great Quake. What happened to him there, and why the greatest Riskbreaker ever became Valendia’s most wanted violent criminal--- we have no means even to suppose an answer.
From a mundane swordsman to a vagrant
who bears the world on his shoulders. Let’s step behind the eyes of Ashley
Riot and discover what really happened…………