episode_0069

“Yesterday, the investigation team dispatched to the South sent me an update on the progress. Although it was difficult to confirm because everything was mangled, they say they have identified the identities of all the warlocks you murdered.”

A woman sitting on the sofa opposite Yeon Myeong-ha took her mouth from her teacup and said.

Behind the neatly dressed woman, a nameplate on the desk that reads ‘Principal Haewolhwa’ vaguely comes into view.

“Lee Ji-sang, Chief of the Guerrilla Guidance Department of the Southern Army of the People’s Liberation Front. Commonly known as the ‘Tiger of the South’. It has been determined that the black man you know is definitely a wanted person.”

Although she appeared to be almost the same age as Yeon Yeon-ha, her past years were evident just in the way she spoke.

Additionally, its body gave off a faint, grass-like scent in all directions.

“In addition, there were 5 red wanted people, 32 yellow wanted people, including them, 234 bandits who had infiltrated the camp, and including those surrounding the canyon and its surroundings, a total of 482 people… ”

Haewolhwa shook her head as if she had heard a ridiculous joke.

“Honestly, I’m still in a daze. Even though I’ve already read the official report three times. No one would have believed it if Marvelous’ unique particle traces had not remained. The fact that most of these people were killed by just one person… ”

Marvelous was clearly the model name of the blade he used.

It is a high-performance blade from the bespoke lineup released by S&C, the company that owns Black Lotus, but it is said that only a few very talented circulatory magicians are currently using it as there are few who can extract its full potential.

However, in her memories, he was handling Marvelous gracefully, as if he were one with him.

“… ”

I listened to her while drinking tea with a graceful, compassionate gesture.

Listening to the principal’s story, for some reason, her mood felt as if it was floating into the sky.

Even though I was obviously talking about someone else.

I had to put in a lot of effort not to show that I pity someone.

This was also one of the strange symptoms she had been experiencing over the past few days.

“Well, that kid always exceeds my expectations… ”

The principal mutters something and turns around.

Her gaze was directed to the large battlefield map posted in the middle of the office wall.

The northern part of the peninsula, which was divided in half, was painted pitch black and nothing was visible. Even in the south, the territory clearly within administrative control was so small that it did not reach even half of it.

In addition, various symbols and identification codes of anti-state groups and rebels were scattered all over the place.

“The bandits who invaded the camp were identified as the 1st Regiment of the Southern Army, the elite of the PLF. The military estimates that they have suffered catastrophic losses that will not be recoverable within at least five years.”

Haewolhwa muttered as she looked at the identification code of the People’s Liberation Front, which was the largest and most widespread among them.

“Although Jinryeong was largely destroyed, it was predicted that stability in the south could be restored for a while. Now that the demons are on the move again in the north, this is a huge achievement that no one can deny.”

“Is that so… ”

“From what I heard, the Gold Star Military Service Medal may indeed be awarded this time. In fact, it’s almost like a confirmation. In such a clear matter, even Paecheon would not dare to express an opposing opinion. I might get a backlash if I’m not careful, so I’ll keep my mouth shut this time.”

Upon hearing the good news that follows, the corner of Yeon Myeong-ha’s mouth turns upward without realizing it.

Haewolhwa, who did not miss him, made a strange expression and quickly dug into the gap.

“You seem to be happy about something like it’s someone else’s business. There will be two recipients of the Gold Star Military Merit Medal. That kid. And you.”

“… Yes?”

Yang Yeon-ha, who had been struggling to maintain her dignity, finally opened her eyes and looked at the principal.

” Not only that, other children who participated in this request will also be awarded the Order of Chungmu.”

“What is that… ”

The Order of Chungmu is acceptable. However, the Gold Star Military Merit Medal is the highest level of decoration awarded when a person has made a meritorious contribution in connection with a major event that could have national influence.

Not only will she be able to immediately overturn the ranking that is behind Baek Seo-yeon by a large margin with those additional points, but she will also be given great honor and various additional benefits to her descendants.

However, the credit is not mine.

He could not have known that he had prevented the complete destruction and contamination of the Jinryeong by cutting off the head of the water monster himself, but he could not easily understand why he was treated as having achieved such a feat.

“Why on earth did I… What did you do… ”

“I did quite a bit. You killed dozens of bandits alone. Did you really say there were 84 people? To be honest, that’s a big mistake that most people can’t even think about.”

“But to that extent, Venus… ”

“Oh, and there’s one thing I didn’t say. It is said that you will be the official subjugator of Lee Ji-sang. And about half of the bandits who died this time were also due to your exploits… ”

“… What do you mean by that now?”

Yeon Myeong-ha gritted her teeth and abruptly cut off the principal’s words. The principal still just looked at her with a strange smile on his lips.

“There is someone else who definitely made a contribution… that is… ”

“I assure you, this was suggested to me first by that child.”

“What… still… ?”

However, at Haewolhwa’s next words, the poison that was filled with compassion instantly dissipated like smoke.

Also, the words he said in passing on the battlefield suddenly pass through my head.

‘Golden Star Military Merit Medal. Congratulations in advance.’

“Isn’t that truly sincerity? Anyone looking at it would think it was the West. Huh?”

“West, West… ”

“Now that I think about it, doesn’t your face look great these days? It’s full of amazing things. Is this all thanks to that child? From what I heard, you two are being ‘very close’ these days. Who knew it would turn out like this… ”

” says it’s close… ! No matter how much you call yourself a principal, such bad jokes… !!”

The principal’s tone strangely emphasized certain expressions.

There was a part of me that was prickling inside, so I complained to the principal and complained even more.

It was because her strange cohabitation with the masked boy filled her mind.

First of all, the principal is treating him not bad due to the political situation, but the day that fact becomes known to the outside world, he will not be able to show his face anywhere.

” was done. I guess it’s because it looks good when you come to the forefront. He said that his track record of subjugating the rest of the miscellaneous would be enough. I didn’t think it was wrong, so I said I would add my strength. Actually, it’s not even miscellaneous to begin with… ”

The principal’s face is filled with a mischievous smile as he looks at such a pity.

“Take it. There’s nothing bad about you, right? This is especially true considering the current situation.”

“… I understand for now. I think I should go. See you next time.”

After speaking, Compassionate immediately stood up.

From the middle, I couldn’t feel like sitting still.

After greeting the principal and opening the door, she turned around and asked the principal.

“Has it been revealed who the revealer they were talking about is?”

“… First of all, there is speculation that the concept of demons may have been imported, but it is not yet certain. I will let you know when the results of the investigation come out.”

“… Is that so. Okay.”

He nodded sympathetically and left the principal’s office. The sound of footsteps accelerating as if something urgent is happening can be faintly heard beyond the door.

“… ”

After Yeon Myeong-ha left, Haewol-hwa stared at the map from before again in silence.

It was the principal who had seen off Yeo Yeon-ha with a bright smile just a moment ago, but now there was an unprecedented darkness on her face.

***

“Why are you doing this? Come to your senses.”

Yeon Myeong-ha looked at herself in the mirror and spoke softly. Her face, which was covered by her uncharacteristically disheveled hair, was flushed red.

It was a shame because there were no people around, but it was a sight that wouldn’t be strange at all even if someone saw him and thought he was insane.

“I’m going crazy, really… ”

Facing her own pitiful body, Yeon Myeong-ha muttered softly as if she were lamenting.

Recently, she was experiencing emotional turmoil that she had never experienced before in her life.

The cause, of course, was the male student wearing the mask.

His dual attitude toward himself could also be said to be one of the main causes of such confusion.

At one point he treated her like a back alley prostitute, and at other times he treated her with a gentle hand, as if he were handling a precious work of art…

“… Hi.”

As the thought of that time comes to mind, I can no longer see my own face and end up lowering my head.

“No, no, no… !”

At first, I suspected that it might be an extension of the fear I had for him. However, it wasn’t long before I realized that my guess was wrong from the beginning.

Every time I think of him, I feel better. I had to desperately hold back the corners of my mouth that wanted to rise even in the few words we exchanged briefly.

Unless you’re out of your mind, you can’t call your current feelings fear.

And immediately after that realization, the shocked, compassionate man desperately tried to deny his feelings.

“Please come to your senses. I pity you. It is said to be one of the most prestigious bodies in this country… ”

He considered himself a person who had compassion as a person who knew how to distinguish between merit and demerit.

And he also knew very well that he was completely different from the other guys, for example, the miscellaneous guys who tried to steal something from him.

He also had no intention of ignoring the favor he had received. He risked his life to save her from death. The credit for saving the members of the five families is by no means small.

As if that wasn’t enough, he was even willing to share with her the great honor of the Gold Star Military Service Medal. Her personal pride would never allow him, but as the principal said, if he had a big picture in mind and wanted to put her there, there was no way she could refuse him.

Even if you express your intention, if he exposes the contents of the contract, it will be over easily.

In any case, she was thinking of returning more than what he had given her, and was willing to forget the harsh treatment he had had in the past.

But such things and the emergence of these absurd emotions are completely different things.

As the saying goes, she had a body of great dignity. In the same age group, there was no one who could compare to her except Baek Seo-yeon. No matter what conditions are added, such as appearance, skills, or background.

How could it be possible for him to give his heart away like that? This is even more absurd when you think about the subject.

He is a perverted lecher who treats women harshly and without consideration. Wasn’t she also severely abused by him and had her secret and private space brutally trampled upon?

Also, it is clear that his appearance was unsightly and ugly. Otherwise, there’s no way I’d be wearing a mask that barely exposes the mouth…

“… Wait.”

Yan Yanha, who had been lost in her thoughts for a while, suddenly raised her head at a passing thought.

Soon her face began to brighten like a full moon.

I came up with a great way to calm this ridiculous feeling of pity.

It was a fairly high and demanding standard for her, stemming from her innate sense of aesthetics.

“Okay… That will do… !”

Feeling pity for him, I quickly walked towards the ward where he was.

I tried to calm my reflexively pounding heart at the thought of seeing him.