episode_0031

The administration was located in the southern part of the empire, specifically in Altai, located in the southwestern part.

Altai is one of the frontiers of the empire, and although it is similar in size to Seoul, it is a poor city with a population of less than 50,000 people.

The reason it is located in a place like this is, of course, to isolate dangerous pixies like dogs. In short, you can think of it as a nuclear power plant that needs to be built, although you don’t know when it will explode.

What city would welcome this?

On the other hand, most administrative agencies’ headquarters are located in Tarkis, the capital of the empire. If you travel by land, it takes more than 24 hours even if you take the highway, so a plane is a necessity, not an option.

The good news is that in Korea, I am a high-ranking official, slightly below the level of a minister.

Thanks to this, when I board a plane, I ride first class, and a high-class limousine comes to meet me at the airport. So, even if you have to move for a long time, you can stay quite comfortably.

There are a total of four seats in the back seat of the limousine, arranged so that people can sit facing each other front to back.

Among them, I am sitting in the very back seat, which is commonly referred to as the head table, Bir is sitting next to me, and Alessia is sitting in the front facing me.

“Has Alessia ever ridden in a luxury limousine like this?”

“No, this is my first time riding one in my life.”

“Nothing, right?”

“Ah… Yes.”

I also had a fantasy about limousines when I first rode in one. But there was nothing special about it, it was just a car with wide seats, nothing more or less.

When I saw it on TV, I was expecting something like a cocktail bar.

“Have you ever been to Tarkis?”

“No, this is my first time coming to Tarkis.”

“Thanks to me, I got to sit in first class, ride in a limousine, and go to Tarkis. Be thankful to me.”

“Yes, thanks to you, Director. Thank you.”

“I didn’t really mean to be thankful.”

Still too hard. It’s almost suffocating to be stuck between Vir and Alessia.

‘I’m sure they’ll bring some frivolous guys too.’

Even if you regret it later, it is already too late.

After traveling for some time, the limousine stopped at the National Defense Bureau headquarters.

The friendly driver opened the door and I got out of the limo, putting on my mask. The fresh air was supposed to greet me, but it was blocked by the mask and I still felt stuffy.

Heading to the office following the guidance of Robben’s secretary who came to meet him. Naturally, the attention of the Defense Bureau employees was focused on us.

Since I am covering my face with a mask, the culprit is probably Virus. She stands out just because of her looks, but since she’s dressed like a maid, it’s almost like she’s asking me to just take a look.

I was already used to this kind of gaze, but it seemed burdensome to Alessia. Even if you want to walk faster, there is nothing you can do because you have to match the secretary’s pace.

A neat, elegant, and leisurely gait that cannot be found in a management office that only focuses on practicality and gives little consideration to dignity.

‘I can feel the frustration of following a slow NPC in a game.’

But in Rome, you must follow Roman law. Since we are a defense country that values dignity, we must also maintain dignity…

‘Wait a minute, the Director of the Defense Bureau came to the Management Bureau and did not follow the Law of the Management Bureau, so why should I follow the Law of the Defense Bureau?’

When this thought occurred to me, I walked ahead of the secretary.

“Uh, now, wait a minute?”

The secretary was embarrassed and quickened his pace. I walked faster to avoid being caught up.

“Director! Please wait!”

I glance behind me and see a secretary walking precariously in high heels. I made a gesture to Alessia, and Alessia realized my intention and hugged the secretary.

“Aaaah..! W-what are you doing?”

Anyway, the destination is Robben’s office. There’s no way the third-ranking person in the Defense Bureau would have an office on the first floor, so we’ll just have to find an elevator.

I tried to look around with this in mind,

“This way, this way.”

The secretary pointed in the direction with a resigned expression.

“Nice to meet you. This is Robben Marcus, Director of the Defense Reform Office.”

“This is Siegfried, Director of the Pixie Management Bureau.”

Robben shook my hand with a friendly smile. Then, he looked at the secretary being hugged by Alessia and asked with a puzzled expression.

“Did my secretary break her leg?”

“No. It’s not like that.”

Only then did Alessia put down her secretary. The secretary looked at Alessia with a somewhat regretful expression.

Why are your eyes like that?

“Then I’m glad. Come in.”

Robben leads me into the office. I motioned for Bir and Alessia to wait and then went inside.

“No matter how much you are the director, I was honestly embarrassed that you asked to meet me so suddenly.”

“Thank you for responding to my sudden request. You didn’t postpone your schedule because of me, right?”

“No, I just happened to have some time left.”

I politely said hello and wrote something on a piece of paper lying on the table. Robben looked closely at what I wrote and shook his head.

‘I guess I have to be concerned about wiretapping devices even though I’m in my own office.’

What I asked in writing was whether it was safe to talk here.

“The reason I came here in person is because of the newly developed strengthening drug Oz8.”

“Ah, I see. But why me instead of the director or deputy director..?”

“You two have a tight schedule. Since this is an issue that needs to be conveyed urgently, I am passing it on to Mr. Marcus.”

I came up with a suitable excuse and started writing down the real business on paper. Robben also responded appropriately to what I said and focused on the contents of the paper.

“Oz 8 may react with the ingredients of Oz 7 and cause side effects. So, if you plan to introduce Oz8, you must refrain from taking Oz7 for a long period of time. The period is approximately half a year to a year at most.”

“Oh, that’s why you said it was urgent. Director, I will tell you directly. Still, you could have told me in writing, but you came to see me in person… ”

“Because it is certain that it will be delivered in person only if it is submitted in writing and buried under other documents.”

I put a period in what I had written slowly and handed it to Robben.

“And since I personally have business with Mr. Marcus, I came to visit him like this.”

“If it’s personal..?”

“Young officials, who are among the few, should become close friends.”

“Hahaha. That’s right.”

Robben seemed to have read everything I wrote, smiling and nodding.

“Then, I will treat you to a drink at my house. I happened to receive some good alcohol as a gift.”

“Good. I will wait until work time.”

“No, let’s go right away. Anyway, I’ve already cleared my schedule for later.”

“Didn’t you just happen to say that your schedule was empty?”

“That’s just a greeting.”

“Haha, I think I will have a good relationship with Marcus.”

“Me too.”

We shook hands lightly. Robben took out a lighter from his pocket and burned the paper I had written on it.

“If you go out first and wait, I will prepare and leave. I have to contact my wife.”

“Are you married?”

“It’s been quite a while. Director, are you married?”

“No, I am not yet.”

“Do not allow it to happen. It’s like putting a leash on yourself.”

As Robben said that, he smiled happily and smoked a cigar.

“I will keep your advice in mind.”

I also smiled slightly and left the office.

*

*

Robben’s mansion was simpler than expected. Of course, it was more luxurious than the houses where ordinary people lived, but it seemed insufficient to be called the house of the third person in charge of the National Defense Bureau.

“Bir, you have something else to do.”

Before entering the mansion, I gave a separate order to Bir.

A rehearsal to infiltrate the residence of the Director of Defense and the Deputy Director. Although Vir is able to easily overcome all kinds of security, you still need to practice.

Vir left to carry out orders, and Alessia and I were about to enter Robben’s mansion, but the mansion’s security guard blocked Alessia.

“Armed weapons are prohibited inside the mansion.”

“I have to protect the director. To do that, you need a minimum amount of armament.”

“It’s the same for me too. Arming is prohibited inside the mansion.”

Neither Alessia nor the bodyguard backed down.

“Then Alessia waits outside.”

“Yes? Director, then… ”

“It’s okay. It’s a housewarming party, so what’s the problem?”

Robben is not an idiot, and there is no way he would kidnap or kill a high-ranking official who came to visit him officially. If a problem arises with me, the person most suspected will be Robben, so he will have to protect me.

Besides, Robben has nothing to grudge against. I have many enemies in the Defense Bureau, but Robben is an incorruptible official who does not hang out with such corrupt bastards, so he would rather like me.

“You have passionate subordinates.”

Robben, who was watching from the side, smiled and said as if it was fun.

“I think it’s the same there too?”

We huffed and entered the mansion. And then we were greeted by a woman, Robben’s wife.

“Welcome. This is Helen Marcus.”

“Hello, this is Siegfried.”

I bowed slightly to her and said hello. Robben greeted his wife by kissing her cheek.

I could feel honey dripping from their eyes as they looked at each other.

‘Wow, it’s so sweet.’

Romance stories aren’t my type of thing.

We sat at the table and drank tea. I can’t drink tea because I don’t take off my mask.

Robben looked puzzled and asked me.

“Have you ever caught a cold? You keep wearing a mask.”

“No, I’m using it because I don’t want my face to be known.”

“Shouldn’t you tell me too?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then, please rest comfortably. My wife’s tea making skills are so artistic that you will regret it if you don’t try it.”

“Well, of course.”

I slowly took off my mask.

“Ah… ”

Robben briefly expressed his admiration.

“I’ve always heard that he’s handsome, but I didn’t know he was this good.”

“Be careful. My wife is jealous.”

Robben was shocked and looked at his wife. My wife was glaring at Robben.

‘This is interesting…?’

Robben’s wife, Helen, didn’t seem particularly interested in me. No matter how single-minded she is in loving only her husband, it’s strange that he doesn’t even give me a second glance.

Just as people who are not interested in celebrities turn their eyes when they see a celebrity in passing, it is normal for people to turn their eyes to something beautiful, regardless of romantic feelings.

Of course, there are a very small number of people who have strong tastes and do not consider me beautiful.

For example, Bailey, who is not attracted to me because I am a muscle fanatic and corrupt person, or a certain employee of the management office who likes a generous man.

However, looking at the handsome Robben, it doesn’t seem like he has any particular tastes in his wife.

There are only two cases like this. Either he has a very strong mental ability, or he has already gotten used to it because he sees my face often.

Since both of them are far from ordinary women, I feel something strong about them.

“Before getting into the main topic… Could your wife please leave the room for a moment?”

“Director, I have been discussing various matters with my wife. You can think of the two of us as one, so there will be no problem.”

“Well, in that case.”

I drank the tea that was placed in front of me. As Robben said, it was a fairly well-brewed tea. Originally, I had no idea what tea tasted like, but after drinking it often, I was able to roughly tell the difference between well-made tea and poorly-made tea.

“Let me start with the conclusion. I would like Mr. Marcus to become the Director of the Defense Bureau.”

“…Director?”

“Yes.”

I took out the materials I had brought and laid them out on the table.

“This is evidence of all kinds of corruption occurring in the Defense Bureau. Most of them are related to the Deputy Director. If you blow this up, the Deputy Director will fall.”

“……How did you get this?”

“The management bureau has many capable informants.”

Robben looked through the materials.

“It may be possible to bring down the deputy director. So what does the Defense Director plan to do? I’m sure this time, I’ll cut off the tail and end up with only light punishment.”

The director of the National Defense Bureau, that raccoon old man, is incompetent, but he protects his own plate amazingly. So far, many revelations have been made by sniping at him several times, but he has stubbornly survived, skillfully cutting off his tail each time.

“Don’t worry. The Defense Director will be handled naturally along with the Deputy Director. Mr. Marcus just needs to sit still.”

“……That sounds like you are going to use an unclean method.”

“That’s about it for the greater good.”

Robben looked surprised after hearing what I said.

“Until now, I have misunderstood the director. Ah, in a good way.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I can’t believe that the director was thinking the same thing as me.”

Robben had already made several attempts to purify the Defense Bureau. However, it was impossible to overcome the strong wall of power through legitimate means.

Slowly, Robben must have realized that he had to use a slightly dirty method rather than a legitimate method.

“I have a plan that I have prepared for a long time. This is a plan that the Director will be very interested in.”

“I’m already interested. What a coincidence… ㄱ”

Suddenly, I felt dizzy and my vision began to spin.

“This… what… ”

Robben was smiling slightly between his closed eyelids.

“I’ll tell you when I wake up. Have a good night’s sleep.”

‘What the fuck…’ They say there is no one in the world to trust… ‘

It became dark before my eyes.