Legacy (Part 1)

"Johnny Reno?" A somewhat frail-looking lawyer, who seemed like he hadn't had a decent meal in a while, sat across from Reno and asked.

"Yes, that's me," Reno replied.

"I'm Kennard, a lawyer from the Landon Law Firm. I've been commissioned by the Sirton Town Police Department to deliver this to you." Lawyer Kennard took out a black notebook from his personal luggage robot and handed it to Reno.

"What is this?" Reno glanced at it and asked.

"It's from Dandy Bag, addressed to you," the lawyer pushed the notebook over.

Reno took it and opened it, indeed finding his name written on the cover along with Johnny Reno's address.

Reno didn't open the notebook but looked at the lawyer. "Can you tell me what happened before his death?"

"Yesterday evening, his body was found by the side of Highway 27. It was confirmed as a suicide, estimated to have occurred about three days ago."

"He wasn't found for three days?"

"It's not uncommon. Most people don't drive on the ground. Highway 27 averages about one car passing every seven days. He didn't leave anything before his death, just this notebook. Inside, there's a will stating that his estate is left to you."

"His estate?"

"Yes," Kennard replied. "Dandy Bag had no relatives, never married, and had no children. But he also didn't have much property; he had a drinking habit, and most of his possessions were spent on alcohol... except for a small house in Newton City, here are the keys." The lawyer handed over the keys.

Just as Reno was about to take them, Kennard said, "But you'll have to pay 80,000 Federation Credits for it."

Reno was surprised. "Eighty thousand? Why so much?"

"The house isn't worth much, but it's in a decent location, valued at around 300,000. According to regulations, you must pay 30% inheritance tax, which is 90,000. As a military academy student, you are entitled to a certain level of reduction under the law. I've managed to get you a 20,000 reduction, but you'll have to pay me 10,000 for it."

Reno shook his head. "I don't have that much money."

"That's not surprising," Kennard said. "Before I came, I did some research on you. You're from Seldon Star, your parents were military, but died at the hands of pirates after retiring. You grew up on relief and got into Alpha Academy. Like Dandy Bag, you have no family and live on scholarships... a model student."

Reno looked coldly at him. "If you know so much, why come to me?"

"I'm just loyal to the commission," Kennard replied. "And there's a solution to this."

"What solution?"

"Sell the house. I can personally buy the house, so you'll get cash without worrying about taxes. Of course, I won't pay the full amount. I can offer 200,000 for the house. How about it? You can write a statement selling your inheritance rights to me, very convenient."

Reno looked at the lawyer but didn't answer, just picked up the notebook and opened it.

Inside were the words left by Dandy.

"Johnny Reno, when you see this, I'm already dead. Don't mourn for me; life always fades away, I just took the step I should have taken long ago. My soul died on the battlefield long ago, now it's just letting my body catch up with its rhythm."

"Thanks to Marshall for everything he's done for me. Everyone thought he brought me here to teach you, but only I knew he was saving my life, letting me find a sense of existence, but also tightly binding me. Thank you all, let me see the light in life and find the meaning of living."

"But now, I'm no longer your instructor. I can let go of all burdens and run towards freedom, towards the end of the universe, where my companions are waiting for me. Do you believe in a new destination for the soul after death? I don't know, but the gods do. They told me that every god, after death, will have its own soul. Maybe they're right, I seem to see my comrades calling to me... they're waiting for me."

"I have no relatives, Reno. I'm leaving you my house in Newton City, 162 Sinson Street, which I got with one eye and one leg. There's something inside, maybe useful for you. The key is in my pocket; I think the police will help you find it."

"Goodbye, kid. Dandy Bag."

After reading the will, Reno looked up at the lawyer.

Lawyer Kennard was still smiling.

"How did you think about it?" he asked.

Reno shook his head. "Sorry, I don't intend to sell the house."

"Well, I admit that the offer of 200,000 was a bit low," Kennard shrugged. "But if there's no bargain, who would buy it? Alright, I'll give you a step further, how about 210,000?"

Reno shook his head again. "It was something Dandy traded his life for, and he said there's something for me in the will. I won't sell it."

"Ah!" Kennard laughed. "He's just a poor guy, except for a house, he has nothing valuable to leave you. Alright, alright, I'll offer 250,000."

Reno still shook his head. "So, 80,000, right? I'll find a way to raise the money."

Kennard grew impatient. "Hey kid, I'm trying to help you. There's no way you can come up with that much money."

"That's my concern, Mr. Kennard," Reno replied, tucking away the black notebook and keys, signaling the end of their conversation.

"Damn it!" Kennard exclaimed.

He raised his voice, "Alright, I'm a good guy after all, how about 280,000?"

Reno stood up and headed towards the door.

Kennard became frantic. "300,000! I'll give you 300,000!"

Reno halted his steps.

He turned to face Kennard and said, "I think I understand now."

"What?" Kennard was taken aback.

"The house is worth more than 300,000, isn't it?" Reno's face remained composed.

Kennard's expression froze.

After a moment, he chuckled, "You're sharp, kid. But it might not be in your best interest. You should know, the higher the price of the house, the more taxes you'll have to pay."

"I'll manage," Reno replied.

He walked towards the exit.

"You can't do it!" Kennard raised his voice. "The execution period of this will is three months, and there's no way you can raise one million Federation Credits in three months."

"What did you say?" Reno looked back at Kennard in astonishment.

Kennard shrugged. "You heard me right. The house is worth over three million. You lucky and unlucky guy, without my intervention, you'd have to take it at face value."

A few words sprang from Reno's lips, "You're a greedy villain!"

...

On his way back, Reno spotted someone approaching him.

It was Kortman.

He intercepted Reno and said, "I heard about Dandy Bag, it's truly regrettable."

Reno looked at him, his expression cold, saying nothing.

"I know what you're thinking," Kortman said. "You think I killed him? Damn it, I had no idea he'd do that. If I knew it would end like this, I would never have fired him! How could I have known an old soldier would commit suicide!"

"That's because you never understood soldiers, Mr. Kortman, you're not a soldier," Reno replied coldly.

He tried to move past Kortman to leave.

Kortman reached out and grabbed his arm. "Maybe you're right, but that doesn't mean I have no conscience. I admit I may have been too pragmatic about academy management issues, but that doesn't make me a murderer. I never wanted him dead!"

"And what does that change? The man is dead, and your words mean nothing to me," Reno responded.

"At least I can get some forgiveness and understanding from you," Kortman replied earnestly.

Looking at his sincere expression, Reno was moved in that moment.

For a moment, he truly wanted to say, "I can forgive you."

But at that moment, the image of Kennard flashed through his mind.

When he suggested selling the inheritance rights to him, he appeared so indifferent.

If it weren't for his reluctance to disappoint Dandy Bag, he would have been fooled.

Looking at Kortman's "sincere" face, Reno thought for a moment, then said, "I'm afraid I can't forgive you."

"Why?" Kortman stepped back, looking shocked.

Reno spoke slowly, "Your appearance here, seeking my forgiveness, may not be because of your conscience, but because of other reasons. Just now, I suddenly realized that Dandy's death might bring you some bad consequences. Many people may now believe you forced Dandy to his death, which is detrimental to your reputation, right? So you came to me because you knew Dandy had designated me as his heir. As long as I'm willing to forgive you, understand you, it means many others will forgive you and understand you."

Kortman's face turned pale.

Reno gently shook his arm, freeing himself from Kortman's grasp.

He continued forward.

"Johnny Reno, no matter what, I'm still the dean of this academy. It's better to be friends with a dean than to be enemies!" Kortman implored.

Reno paused for a moment, then turned to look at Kortman.

"I was just guessing earlier, but now I'm sure," Reno said.

Kortman's body froze.

Then Reno smiled, "Apparently, your conscience isn't as clear as you think."