“You’ve completely fallen for him. It’s serious, very serious.”
Winfried grinned as he watched Lucas, who couldn’t take his eyes off Iberis shaking hands with the European branch director. Seeing Lucas worry about being disliked by the object of his unrequited love was a sight he couldn’t have bought even if he’d paid for it.
“Now I see why your matching rate rose unusually quickly. I wondered how it could be like this when you’re not even Name counterparts… It was the power of love.”
“Please don’t tease me.”
“Tease? I’m purely admiring.”
A hint of affection lingered in the corners of his gently curled lips. How much had he worried about Lucas, who didn’t get along with people? For Winfried, who had been concerned about him, this was something to welcome with open arms.
“I should pray that the Major accepts your feelings soon. From what I saw yesterday, it seems like there might be good news soon…”
“Don’t you know the saying ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch’? I’d rather not get my hopes up unnecessarily.”
“Alright, alright. You’re saying stop because it’s bad luck, right?”
Despite Lucas’s attitude of interrupting him and looking serious with a stiff face, which could have been unpleasant, Winfried generously let it slide. That’s how excited he was, like a child, about Lucas’s love life, who was like a son to him.
“Anyway, it must not have been easy to gather courage… How did you manage to confess?”
Winfried muttered, still thinking it was amazing. Even though his condition had improved a lot, it wasn’t easy to love someone who might get sick again at any time. Even if they understood each other’s feelings and started dating, there would always be anxiety in a corner of their minds about when tragedy might strike.
“I did hesitate… but it wasn’t that difficult.”
“Hmm?”
“I like the Major too much to do nothing out of fear of separation.”
Lucas calmly expressed his feelings. It’s not like he didn’t have doubts. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t anxious. Having lost his parents before, he painfully understood the agony and sense of loss that comes with losing a loved one.
That’s why he was scared. No one knew better than Lucas how poor Iberis’s physical condition was and how slim the chances of a full recovery were.
So, since realizing his feelings, he was often overwhelmed by the fear of facing a future without Iberis and the possibility of failing to protect another loved one.
Iberis had also experienced a great loss like Lucas. Knowing this, he understood why Iberis was attracted to him but hesitated to cross the final line. Iberis must be scared just like him.
“It wouldn’t look good to run away scared of something that hasn’t happened yet. Above all, I intend to do my utmost to cure the Major completely so that my worries don’t become reality.”
“Yes, if it’s you, I’m sure you’ll find the answer soon.”
Winfried sincerely encouraged Lucas. Though not well-known, he was one of the top talents in the field of ability user treatment and guiding.
Lucas had been called a prodigy since childhood due to his exceptional intelligence. The genius who worked several times harder than others, managing a tight schedule that made even 24 hours a day seem insufficient for his parents’ revenge and his sister’s treatment, achieved remarkable results at a young age.
If Lucas, who had made Blake Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Company a rising power in the industry in just a few years with the new drugs and medical devices he developed, surely he could treat Iberis, whom many doctors had given up on.
“So, what do you like so much about Major Hyun? His face? His personality?”
Winfried couldn’t resist his curiosity and asked slyly. He had been itching to ask in detail about what had happened between the two.
“Well, it’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. His jewel-like eyes, his high nose, his cute lips, they’re all pretty and adorable…”
Lucas spoke softly, intently gazing at Iberis as he came down from the platform and returned to his seat.
“His kind and affectionate personality, his gentle way of speaking, his upright posture and humble attitude, how he’s the most reliable superior at work but in normal times has an clumsy and innocent side that doesn’t match his age… I just like everything about him.”
“My, my, you’ve really got it bad.”
Winfried burst into hearty laughter and followed Lucas’s gaze to Iberis.
“Anyway, don’t worry too much… Try to talk to the Major when the timing is right. If you explain the circumstances, he’ll understand. He might be a bit surprised, but still.”
“I should.”
Lucas let out a small sigh. He knew it couldn’t be helped given the situation, but he still hated the idea of Iberis being even slightly disappointed in him.
However, continuing to hide his identity from him was also wrong. As the saying goes, it’s better to face the consequences sooner rather than later. He needed to reveal the truth to Iberis as soon as possible.
“I hope it works out well.”
Seeing Lucas’s darkened expression, Winfried raised his hand and patted his shoulder encouragingly.
* * *
“This way, please.”
Billy, a new guide at the European branch, led Lucas with a flushed face. He couldn’t help but be nervous meeting someone he had respected for a long time.
Captain Luke Illum.
He was the object of admiration for guides in the Defense Force, certain to become a military executive in the near future. Billy too had heard about Lucas’s exploits so many times since enlisting that it was etched in his ears. Naturally, he became interested in Lucas.
He’s really handsome. No, should I say beautiful?
Billy kept glancing at Lucas, who was quietly following behind, and inwardly marveled. A face where prettiness and handsomeness coexist – the world seemed so unfair. He lived up to his reputation of not only being skilled but also breathtakingly beautiful.
“The lecture hall is quite far.”
“What? Oh, yes. I’m sorry. Well, because there are many distinguished guests attending this award ceremony… We had to choose a place as far away from the event hall as possible…”
“There’s no need to apologize. I was just saying.”
Lucas slightly raised his hand to show Billy, who was fidgeting and watching his reaction, that it was okay. Then he fell back into thought.
‘This time our agents have succeeded in entering Mars Guild’s information team and secretariat.’
Just before the award ceremony ended, Winfried informed Lucas about the news brought by his secret information agents.
‘How? We’ve been trying continuously but failed every time.’
When Mars Guild had just launched, Winfried had three of his direct intelligence department agents disguise themselves as freelance ability users and get hired. But they had consistently failed to produce any significant results. This was due to the severe closed nature of Mars Guild’s internal structure.
‘As you know, most Mars Guild members are those who left the military following Livio. Because they occupy key positions, it’s difficult for non-military background members to get promoted or enter core departments.’
‘That’s right. I remember hearing that there’s a prevalent attitude of looking down on guild members without a military background.’
‘Correct. But after Isaac Miller died, a vacancy in work opened up. Rachel Kwan, who was the deputy team leader, succeeded him as the information team leader, and she carried out a massive purge.’
‘A purge?’
‘Yes. I heard they originally had a bad relationship. It seems she cleaned out Isaac’s confidants to take control. Thanks to that, vacancies were created, and our agent was able to enter.’
‘What about the secretariat? How did we break through there?’
‘Ah, that side urgently recruited personnel as a few people went to Japan at the request of the vice guild master and the first secretary.’
Livio’s Mars Guild is currently receiving full support from the Japanese government. Although it was selected as a Defense Force cooperative guild, they couldn’t neglect their work in Japan where their base is located. Winfried relayed to Lucas the circumstances sent by the agent who entered the information team without omission.
‘I found out that there are some who felt betrayed by former Major General Logan after seeing Isaac Miller being taken down. They say the internal situation is very chaotic. I guess they realized that they too could be discarded at any time because of this incident.’
‘It’s an opportunity for us.’
‘That’s right. When people feel a crisis, they tend to look for a way out for themselves, don’t they? So I told our agents to spread bait and work on anyone who seems like they could be drawn to our side if they catch our eye.’
‘Do we have anyone in mind?’
‘The top priority target is Yuki Shiroi, the guild master’s second secretary.’
‘Yuki Shiroi…’
‘She’s a guide who, despite not being from a military background, showed a high matching rate with former Major General Logan and rose to second secretary in one go.’
‘Hmm.’
‘According to rumors circulating within the guild, she should have been purged along with Isaac Miller originally. But she survived because former Major General Logan favored her so much.’
‘I see. Since she’s not from a military background, there must be quite a few people who look at her unfavorably… If such rumors are circulating, she must be under a lot of stress.’
‘There’s already a report that she’s feeling alienated among guild members. As a secretary, she must know a lot, so it wouldn’t be bad if we could recruit her.’
‘Are we going with a strategy to crumble them from the inside by using an insider like Yuki Shiroi?’
‘For now, that’s the best method. What do you think?’
‘I agree with your opinion, Major General. Is there anything I can help with?’
‘Hmm, not yet. For now, both you and I are in a position to hope that our agents succeed in approaching Yuki Shiroi.’
‘I hope things go well.’
Lucas, who was calmly recollecting his conversation with Winfried, was pulled from his thoughts by a sharp voice hitting his ears.
“What? You, you… Why are you here!”
