“Even without imprinting… if I lose you, Major, my soul will be completely shattered.”
Lucas asserted. While Iberis seemed to believe that the patients he met suffered because their imprinting was broken and their soul connection severed due to their partner’s death, Lucas’s view was different.
They simply couldn’t bear the sorrow of losing their loved ones and let go of their sanity. This was also what he would experience when he lost Iberis in the future.
“And not everyone who loses an imprinting partner ends up like the patients you saw. Those in the isolation ward were probably cases of sudden, unprepared separation.”
“…Considering our job, wouldn’t such cases be more common?”
Iberis timidly argued. Does anyone in the world truly know exactly when they’ll die? Unless they had precognitive abilities or chose euthanasia, most people met death unexpectedly.
“That’s true, but… unless it’s a really unexpected accident, we can still prepare ourselves to some extent. Like writing a new will or contacting family before a difficult mission.”
“Hmm.”
“If you’re worried about frequent emergencies due to our job, we could solve that by quitting the military.”
“That’s not as easy as you make it sound…”
Iberis sighed heavily, seeming frustrated. Perhaps because he had lived half his life as a soldier, he found it difficult to imagine himself as anything else. Of course, there were other reasons too.
“Assuming the fact of our imprinting becomes known, it might actually be safer to stay in the military.”
Although they had experienced terrorist attacks by villain organizations and the European branch incident last year, that was due to information leaks and inside help. Basically, the Defense Force boasted stronger security and military power compared to ordinary companies or guilds. After all, all soldiers, including office workers, were ability users.
Moreover, due to the nature of the Defense Force, there were branches in every country. With the whole world as their domain, it wasn’t easy to escape once entangled with the military.
“Unless someone is extremely confident in their abilities or completely insane, they wouldn’t dare to infiltrate a military base. It would also be incredibly difficult to escape the investigation network after attacking us… I think it might be better to maintain our current status.”
Iberis carefully expressed his opinion. As a major and captain respectively, belonging to the middle and junior ranks of the Defense Force, they enjoyed diplomatic immunity comparable to that of ambassadors in any country when it came to using their abilities. They also enjoyed various other privileges, such as special police rights.
Moreover, becoming a civilian would inevitably restrict the use of abilities. This was one of the reasons why Livio was currently cornered. Considering various factors like this, the conclusion was that it would be safer to continue serving in the military. However, Lucas seemed to think differently.
“Whether we live as soldiers or civilians, those who want to target us will do so. It might be a bit more comfortable in the military, but both you and I have the power to protect ourselves. We could also hire bodyguards… Anyway, I don’t think we need to insist on being soldiers.”
Lucas argued in a strong tone. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he opened his mouth.
“Ah, if you’re worried about money…”
“What are you talking about? I have plenty of money.”
Iberis made a sulky expression. Although he had established a foundation to support the bereaved families of his colleagues and spent a lot of money every year, he was an S-class Esper who received a much higher salary and allowances than soldiers with similar experience.
“Well, with your abilities, you must have accumulated considerable wealth so far… Even if money were short, why worry when you have me?”
Lucas boasted confidently. It wasn’t just empty words; Iberis’s bank account would never run dry even if he indulged in luxury every day. Even at this moment, Lucas’s wealth was growing.
“What would you do if you left the military? Ability users have an obligation to work in jobs related to the Rift.”
Iberis asked, citing the established principle. Since it was clear that the world would perish without the cooperation of ability users, as he said, those who awakened as Espers or guides were required to contribute to world peace.
For this reason, awakened individuals had to work in similar fields unless they retired from active duty due to aging or fatal injuries. Those who refused were branded as villains.
In return, governments and guilds offered numerous benefits to retain ability users, such as high salaries, tax reductions, medical support, coverage of third-party damages during Rift attacks and monster subjugation, and a broader range of justifiable actions compared to ordinary people. It was a give-and-take: enjoy various rights in exchange for fulfilling your duties.
“Then we’ll establish a guild, simple as that.”
Lucas replied nonchalantly. In fact, he knew why Iberis was so passive. Although he tried not to show it, his gentle lover, unlike a typical soldier, had a very strong sense of duty.
Perhaps because of his difficult childhood, Iberis wanted to make the world a better place, even if just a little. To reduce the number of unfortunate children like himself.
Although not as much as Iberis, Lucas also had a sense of responsibility towards the weak. However, he felt no sense of belonging to the Defense Force. He had originally enlisted for personal reasons, and the military he had observed beside Winfried was a thoroughly corrupt organization. It was impossible to develop any loyalty to such an organization.
“There are many ways to help those in difficult situations without necessarily being a soldier. So it’s just a matter of you making up your mind, Major.”
Lucas emphasized that there were many things they could do even after leaving the Defense Force. In fact, he had been consistently supporting children who lost their families to Dungeon Breaks to become self-reliant. He also regularly donated to refugee protection associations and Dungeon Break victim organizations.
“And although there were circumstances, if my true identity is revealed, there will be many people in the Defense Force who will be uncomfortable with my existence.”
Lucas intended to reveal his identity once Livio Logan was arrested. As a victim and witness, to ensure no one could tamper with his trial.
That’s why he wanted Iberis to quit the military even more. If he insisted on staying, Lucas would have to either work as his guide through a freelance contract or stick with him in the Defense Force, but honestly, he didn’t like either option. It was obvious that things would become troublesome in many ways once his identity was known.
Above all, Lucas wanted Iberis to stop sacrificing himself. Gently grasping his scarred hands, he softly caressed the newly healed skin with his thumb.
“Even without that, I just… I’d like you to live more comfortably after everything is over, Major.”
“Luke…”
“Well, whether to quit the military or not is a matter for later… Anyway, I absolutely cannot bear the thought of you leaving my side early.”
Lucas brought up the main point again. Iberis’s eyes slightly twisted at the conversation that had become a broken record.
“Even if something goes wrong and my health deteriorates after imprinting, your body will definitely improve from its current state. That alone is worth trying.”
“I…”
“You said it back then, didn’t you? That you’d give me all the time you had left.”
Lucas quickly interrupted as Iberis showed signs of refusing again. Then he brought up what Iberis had said to him on the day they became lovers.
“I’m greedy, so I want the time I can have with you to be very long. I want you to stay by my side, healthy, for a long, long time. I told you before, didn’t I? Let’s live together until we’re 125.”
Lucas, who had raised the corners of his mouth playfully, soon pressed his lips tightly. Then he lowered his head and rubbed his forehead against the back of Iberis’s hand. He looked as if he was begging.
“So please consider imprinting positively. I won’t ask you to make a decision right here…”
Lucas pleaded earnestly, clinging to Iberis and embracing him. After learning about his parents’ enemy, he became even more obsessed with Iberis’s complete recovery. It was an expression of his desperate need not to lose the person he had come to love for the first time in his life.
“Please? Eunsu…”
At this heartbreaking plea that made his chest ache, Iberis’s gray eyes shimmered with moisture. Unsure of what to do, Iberis’s lips quivered before he mumbled softly.
“…I’ll think about it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ll read all the materials you brought and consider it seriously, so can you give me some time?”
Although his mind was firm that they shouldn’t imprint, it was difficult to ignore Lucas who was clinging to him, saying he couldn’t live without it. The only action Iberis could take was to postpone the decision for the time being.
“Of course.”
Fortunately, Lucas didn’t push Iberis any further. He just smiled with a mix of relief and joy on his face, as if that was enough for now.
Seeing this, Iberis quietly swallowed a sigh, feeling troubled. Judging by Lucas’s attitude, it seemed like this tug-of-war without a winner would continue for a while.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
