chapter_0078

77 – It’s Not Only About Being Cautious and Hostile

77 – It’s Not Only About Being Cautious and Hostile

A breath slipped from her slightly parted lips, scattering into a chill.

Confused memories of Daniel treating her kindly surfaced unbidden in Lucy’s mind.

They had spent two seasons together.

Now, as she recalled the memories that had accumulated to the point of being called nostalgia, Lucy suddenly shook her head.

“The essence does not change.”

Lucy was a spy for the Allied Nations.

No matter how kindly Daniel treated her, the fact that he was the “enemy” did not change.

Espionage activities during wartime were no joke.

She must not get swept up in emotions.

There could be no gentle war where a good person would not kill.

“However…”

At this moment, when doubts were churning in her heart, she could not bring herself to harm Daniel.

“What if what is written on the paper is true?”

If it was the Allied Nations, not the Empire, that conducted human experiments, then Count Kaledra had been lying to Lucy all along.

Though Lucy wanted to believe that Kaledra, who was like a father to her, would not lie to her, the contents of the paper continued to raise her suspicions.

“Therefore, until it is confirmed that the contents of this document are false…”

It was right to withhold killing Daniel.

Having made her decision, Lucy put away her pistol.

She tucked the gun into the holster on her belt and returned the document and photo she was holding to the inside pocket of her officer’s coat.

Immediately stepping back, Lucy opened her eyes halfway, catching the moonlight filtering through the window.

After gazing at Daniel for a while, lost in inexplicable emotions, Lucy turned away.

After erasing any traces of her intrusion, she walked to the front door and took one last look back at Daniel.

As she watched his back amidst her swirling thoughts, Lucy activated her optical camouflage and opened the front door.

She stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind her.

Left alone, Daniel slowly opened his eyes while leaning back against the sofa.

“…Has she gone?”

As he squinted to look around, he could not see Lucy.

Wondering if she had truly left, Daniel glanced toward the front door and let out a sigh of relief.

With his survival assured, the tension in his body melted away, leaving him feeling drained.

“Yesterday, Lucy’s attitude seemed a bit strange…”

In the office, when he had changed his rank insignia, Daniel had caught a fleeting glimpse of guilt on Lucy’s face.

Why had she felt guilt instead of anger? As he pondered while working, Daniel arrived at the conclusion that he might be assassinated.

Even a pet, after six months, naturally develops affection; how much more so would a person, having spent over six months together?

In that state, if he received an order from above to eliminate a target, no matter how cold-hearted a spy might be, they would inevitably show guilt.

Daniel thought the same applied to Lucy, and after arriving at his lodging, he stayed up all night on the sofa without sleeping.

He placed his officer’s coat over the back of the sofa, allowing the “Lucy Project” document to peek out from the inside pocket.

If Lucy came to assassinate him, she would inevitably have to investigate the officer’s coat.

Later, while he was sitting on the sofa passing the time, he heard someone at the front door picking the lock.

Thinking it was Lucy, Daniel leaned back against the sofa and pretended to be asleep.

While he could have handed her the paper directly, doing so would likely lead Lucy to conclude that he had “forged the document to survive.”

“Being a test subject for the Allied Nations, she must have been brainwashed without realizing it.”

Thus, Daniel feigned sleep, hoping for a situation where Lucy would “accidentally” discover the document.

This way, Lucy’s trust in the document would increase.

If Lucy thought the contents of the document might be real and felt confused, her chances of survival would increase exponentially.

The reason Lucy remained loyal to the Allied Nations and followed orders was fundamentally based on her belief that “the Allied Nations are not involved in biological experiments.”

So, even a slight crack in that firm belief would lead Lucy to question her judgment.

As Lucy approached, Daniel was relieved to see her move just as he had anticipated.

From a macro perspective, it was true that Daniel had protected Lucy from the Security Agency, and it was also true that he had turned a blind eye despite knowing she was a spy.

Moreover, it was a clever tactic because Lucy was not someone who blindly and fanatically pledged loyalty to the Allied Nations.

“But…”

Honestly, it was uncertain whether Lucy would continue to hesitate about the assassination.

This meant that such life-threatening situations could arise again at any time.

“Yet, I can’t request an investigation from the Security Agency…”

Currently, Daniel was at odds with the Security Agency due to pressuring the agency’s deputy chief in the staff headquarters.

Moreover, a single document that could not be proven was ineffective as evidence, and if his subordinate was a spy, then that superior would also be subjected to investigation, making it akin to a suicidal act.

If it were to be discovered during the investigation that Lucy had hidden the fact that she was a spy, things would become exceedingly difficult.

“Then…”

The only method Daniel could currently pursue was to gather evidence that the Allied Nations had conducted biological experiments on Lucy.

“If I could secure evidence that proves the Lucy Project…”

Lucy would no longer follow the orders of the Allied Nations and could be freed from the risk of assassination.

Not only that, but he might also gain a human weapon capable of taking on an entire battalion as an ally.

“But how…”

As Daniel pondered how to turn Lucy around, he shook his head.

Worrying wouldn’t yield any sharp solutions.

Then suddenly, a spy movie he had seen long ago came to mind.

It was a film about a spy who fell in love with their assassination target and ultimately betrayed their home country’s orders.

Recalling the plot of the movie, Daniel chuckled at the absurdity of it.

“That woman, devoid of blood or tears, could never love me.”

It would be faster to subdue Lucy by force.

Thinking it was an absurd notion, Daniel extinguished his thoughts and rose from his seat.

Having survived, he intended to celebrate with a glass of whiskey.

–

At the same time, in the Eisenkrone Imperial Palace.

In Princess Selvia’s bedroom.

“Let’s see. The budget proposal to be allocated to the National Propaganda Department next year…”

Selvia, dressed in luxurious silk pajamas, was reviewing various documents.

Having recently taken on the role of regent, she was receiving the same reports as the current Emperor, and dealing with them made her feel that even her sleeping time was precious.

Just as she was reading through the documents, a knock sounded.

Turning her head to see who it was, the door opened without her permission.

On the other side of the door stood a noblewoman with golden hair and blue eyes, smiling.

Mariante von Amberg.

She was Selvia’s mother and the Empress, the wife of the Emperor who ruled this Empire.

“You’re working hard until dawn. You could still rely on your father for a while.”

As Mariante approached and spoke, Selvia shook her head.

“You can’t become an Emperor just by will. If I don’t get used to it now, I won’t be able to manage the state affairs properly later, so it’s right to put in the effort.”

“You’re truly my daughter; how commendable.”

With a soft laugh, Mariante sat down beside Selvia.

Noticing her mother, Selvia quickly tidied up the documents and set them aside, looking at Mariante.

“…But mother, do you have something to say?”

“Indeed. The truth is, I came to give you some advice after hearing your conversation with him.”

“Advice?”

When Selvia asked back, Mariante nodded.

“Yes. His name is Daniel Steiner, right? The young officer who successfully led the speech this time. Out of curiosity, I did a little digging, and it seems he has ambition and ability, so he is likely to rise to great heights in the future.”

Mariantes lightly grasped Selvia’s hand.

“My daughter, while you say you should be wary and hostile towards Officer Daniel, I think a bit differently. If you want to put a leash on Daniel Steiner, there are more humane methods.”

“…Humane methods?”

“You know well that a man who has much to lose and values honor cannot be free from responsibility. So, if Daniel becomes a prominent figure in the Empire and does not listen to you, use the weapon that only a woman possesses.”

Selvia, who did not understand, frowned.

“A weapon that only a woman possesses? There can’t be such a thing.”

“There is. I captured your father with it and gave birth to you.”

“What do you mean…?”

With her words trailing off, Selvia’s eyes widened.

As Mariante quietly watched her daughter, who was at a loss for words in shock, she withdrew her hand.

“I may not know much about politics, but I understand that merely being wary and hostile is not the only answer. Of course, you must never be hasty. I am merely suggesting one of many methods.”

Selvia remained frozen.

As she looked at her daughter, who was still unable to recover from the shock, Mariante stood up.

“Selvia, remember this. No matter how outstanding a man may be, he becomes a fool in the face of lust.”

After delivering her cryptic words, Mariante walked out of the bedroom.

Only then did Selvia let out an unknown groan and blush.

She could not understand her mother.

“Why would she come suddenly and say such disgraceful things…?”

Shaking her head, Selvia picked up the documents.

She tried to refocus on state affairs, but Mariante’s words swirled freely in her mind, making it impossible to concentrate.

Then, without realizing it, Selvia found herself having strange thoughts and covered her face with both hands.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably, regardless of her will.

“Get a grip, Selvia. Please…”

To be honest, she felt like she could die from embarrassment.

A word from the author (Author’s note)

Thank you to Anraksa50 for your support of 130 coins. Your encouragement for this good work really motivates me! I will do my best to ensure you feel this is a good piece in the future! Thank you for your support!

Thank you to 789696 for your support of 5 coins. Ah… Don’t worry about that part; it will continue to come up as the story progresses. I’m glad to see you have affection for my work. Thank you very much for your support, and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Thank you to the anonymous supporter for your support of 10 coins. I haven’t read the book you mentioned, “Dilemma Dictionary,” but it sounds very interesting based on your explanation. If I get the chance, I will read it. Moreover, I am at a loss for words for your affection towards my work and your support. If your intention was to make me happy, you have succeeded. I will do my best to write a good piece in the future. Thank you very much.

I also want to thank all the readers who have read this.

Then, I will see you again tomorrow!