LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 84
Lucy Emilia, who emerged from the General Staff Headquarters, activated her optical camouflage in the deserted alleyway.
Carrying on her way, she managed to arrive at the textile factory located on the outskirts of the district.
Stepping past the entrance, she spotted workers diligently laboring inside.
“Wait….”
It would be more accurate to call them spies disguised as workers.
As Lucy surveyed them, she deactivated her optical camouflage.
The spies, who had been moving about the factory, stopped in their tracks, astonished.
After a brief moment of hesitation, one of them drew a hidden pistol from his coat and aimed it at Lucy.
It was understandable; not only had a person suddenly appeared in an empty space, but she was also wearing the Empire’s officer uniform.
“Identify yourself! How did you get here?!”
The man at the front shouted, and Lucy opened her mouth with a hint of annoyance.
“A soaring eagle knows nothing of the ground below.”
This was a code known within the Allied Nations’ intelligence department.
Realizing she was on their side, the man lowered his firearm.
“…What brings you here? I haven’t heard anything about a report at this hour.”
“I need to see the Branch Leader. So, please guide me.”
“What nonsensical talk is this… Do you think the Branch Leader will meet someone like you on a whim?”
Letting out a sigh, Lucy narrowed her red eyes.
“Please tell them that Hongsha (紅絲) has come. Then, I’m sure they’ll allow me in.”
The mention of Hongsha caught the man off guard, making him gulp nervously.
According to him, there was only one woman using the codename Hongsha in the Allied Nations.
‘She’s a legend who has executed numerous assassination orders and is known as Count Kaledra’s trusted aide….’
It was hard to believe such a big shot had come visiting, so he pulled out a radio from his pocket.
“Wait a moment.”
The man took a moment to communicate through the radio, and during the exchange, he seemed slightly startled, bowing his head to the invisible counterpart.
“Yes. Understood.”
After respectfully responding to the voice on the other end, the man turned back to Lucy.
With a dazed expression, he blinked a few times, cleared his throat, and spoke.
“The Branch Leader says to come in. Follow me.”
As Lucy nodded, the man walked toward the fabric dyeing machine.
After pressing a few buttons, he pulled a lever, causing a loud ‘thud’ to echo.
The noise of a winding mechanism followed, and the fabric dyeing machine was pushed aside.
Once the machine was completely out of the way, a staircase leading underground came into view.
Lucy nodded slightly in acknowledgment and descended the stairs.
As she opened the steel door at the bottom of the staircase, a concrete wall spread out before her.
The first thing she noticed in the massive bunker-like space was a map of the district hanging on one wall.
Alongside the map, radar screens and surveillance equipment were lined up, where numerous spies operated electronic devices.
She knew they operated from a base in the heart of the Empire, but this was her first time visiting in person.
As she surveyed the surprisingly large space, she noticed a man approaching from a distance, accompanied by a secretary.
Feeling his presence, Lucy turned her gaze and recognized the man.
It was Theobald Vernau, the Branch Leader of the Allied Nations Intelligence Department Palentia Branch.
Though it was her first visit to the branch, Lucy had encountered Theobald a few times for work-related matters in the past.
However, she didn’t want to acknowledge him.
As Lucy stood still, waiting, Theobald came closer and stopped in front of her.
“Lucy Emilia. What brings you here? I don’t have time, so just get to the point.”
His business-like tone drained any spark of familiarity from the encounter.
Skipping the pleasantries, Lucy got right to the main issue.
Theobald fell silent for a moment.
He was contemplating whether it was appropriate to divulge this information to Lucy.
After mulling it over, Theobald figured it was only a matter of time before Lucy found out the full story, and nodded.
At hearing the confirmation, Lucy’s hands trembled slightly.
Overwhelmed with unprecedented emotions, Lucy eventually locked eyes with Theobald.
“…Was sinking a vessel with civilians aboard truly a necessary action for the Allied Nations? And why was this hidden from me by the headquarters?”
The subtle anger embedded in Lucy’s words grated on Theobald’s nerves.
He frowned openly.
If only you had eliminated Daniel Steiner earlier, this mishap wouldn’t have happened. Besides, why should headquarters tell you everything? Just because you have Count Kaledra’s protection, do you think you are somehow special?”
Lucy clenched her fist tightly.
“…I have carried out numerous assassination operations under the orders of the Allied Nations. So I thought they would trust me in matters regarding assassinations.”
“Lucy.”
“I was the one who was supposed to assassinate Daniel Steiner. It was my decision and my execution. So why didn’t the Allied Nations trust me?”
“Lucy Emilia.”
“Yes. Naturally, considering the various circumstances, I can understand the lack of trust. But that means you should have at least informed me that my mission had changed! But the Allied Nations—”
Theobald slapped Lucy’s cheek.
Smack—
The sound of skin meeting skin echoed loudly in the enclosed space.
As Lucy exhaled sharply in surprise from the hit, Theobald said,
“Calm down and listen. The Allied Nations are merely moving forward for the greater good. So, do not question it and return to your mission standby.”
Under normal circumstances, Lucy would have nodded and turned to leave, but not this time.
“…You said not to question, did you.”
Her voice came out in a whisper.
It’s for the country. It’s for the greater good. It’s for the citizens. It’s for the world. It’s for peace. It’s for revenge. It’s for balance.
These were the words the Allied Nations and Count Kaledra had given her every time she raised a question.
Even though she knew it wasn’t a valid reason, Lucy always nodded without protest.
The Allied Nations were the good, and the Empire was the evil.
But could she truly define the Allied Nations, which led to Daniel Steiner’s demise along with civilians, as good?
Especially when they hadn’t said a word to her despite her loyalty.
“How long…?”
Lucy glared at Theobald and bit her lip.
“Am I not to question anything?”
A tumult of repressed anger began to blaze within her.
She knew she shouldn’t let that anger fester, but Theobald had no meaningful words to offer her.
So, as silence enveloped them, Lucy turned on her heel in frustration.
Theobald didn’t stop her, and Lucy left, making her way up the stairs and out.
This left Theobald sighing quietly, then turning to his secretary.
“Report to Count Kaledra. The only successful subject, Test Subject 187… no.”
While gazing at the spot where Lucy had just left, Theobald felt a headache coming on.
“I think Lucy Emilia may have changed her mind.”
*
Once outside the branch, Lucy walked aimlessly.
This time, she truly hoped for an adequate explanation from the Allied Nations, but the feeling of emptiness lingered, knowing it had all gone to waste.
As she touched her cheek, where Theobald had struck her, Lucy, with lifeless eyes, sensed the light around her increasing.
She could hear the sounds of cheerful citizens blending with laughter at her ears.
Absentmindedly lifting her head, Lucy realized she had passed through the alleyway and had emerged onto the broad avenue.
A refreshing breeze brushed past as her gaze turned toward the other side of the road.
[Golden Rose Bakery]
That flashy sign belonged to the place where she had first tasted the Empire’s desserts.
As if entranced, Lucy walked across the road toward the bakery.
Then, drops of rain began to fall from the dark clouds covering the sky one by one.
As the raindrops started to fall, the citizens around her opened their umbrellas, but Lucy did not.
She simply continued walking, as if reaching the bakery was the only goal in her life.
Arriving in front of the bakery, Lucy spotted a couple at the window indulging in desserts.
The man had a playful smile on his face, while the woman hesitated yet brought a parfait to her mouth.
In that moment, Lucy reflected on her past experiences enjoying desserts here with Daniel.
“…”
As the rain began to pour heavily, Lucy’s uniform and coat became soaked.
Passersby glanced at Lucy, who stood there dazed in the rain, with confusion.
However, Lucy didn’t care about the stares; she simply continued to reminisce about the past.
— How is it? Does the dessert suit your taste?
Daniel’s words from that bakery vividly echoed in her mind.
Recalling the taste of the parfait she had eaten at that time, a faint smile appeared on Lucy’s face.
But the smile quickly faded, leaving only emptiness behind.
‘Did you say we should eat stollen at Christmas?’
What a foolish and pitiful person he was.
Moreover, he was the kind of jerk who made promises he couldn’t keep, not knowing when he would die while trying to protect his aide.
“And….”
He was also a kind individual who risked his life to fight against the Security Bureau for the sake of his aide.
But now, she could never see him again.
He had vanished from this world, along with the diplomatic vessel.
Lucy chuckled softly at the absurdity of it all.
It seemed ridiculous that someone who appeared to shed not even a drop of blood could die in an instant.
‘You foolish man…’
As Lucy mocked Daniel in her thoughts, her laughter abruptly turned into sobs.
With her eyes shut tightly, Lucy bit her lower lip, and tears began to gather in her eyes.
In the pouring rain, Lucy raised her hand to wipe away her tears, exhaling a breath laced with coldness.
Ironically, it was only after entering a world without Daniel Steiner that Lucy could truly realize.
‘I… I truly like Daniel Steiner…’
She acknowledged it deep in her heart.