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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Reunion
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The next day.
Daniel, who had arrived at the General Staff Headquarters for work, went to the Operations Staff Office to report on his mission and found himself taken aback.
"We've been waiting for you, Chief of Operations!"
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner! Congratulations on your safe return!"
"We heard about the results of the conference! Just as expected of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel!"
The staff members, upon spotting Daniel, stopped what they were doing and showered him with applause and praise.
That unusual shower of praise seemed to contain more flattery than sincerity.
'It feels as if they're lining up behind a future power-player...'
Thinking about it from their perspective, it wasn't far off.
Not only had the war hero, presumed dead, survived, but he had also successfully concluded a meeting with Prime Minister Bellanos.
On top of that, he'd had a private audience with His Imperial Majesty immediately upon his return? It was only natural to see him as a rising star in the current Empire, which was entering a period of power transition.
In truth, Daniel had barely escaped with his life during that private audience with the Emperor, but as he couldn't voice that, he merely nodded vaguely.
As they exchanged pleasantries, the door to the Deputy Chief of Operations' office opened.
Ernst, emerging from his office, broke into a wide smile upon seeing Daniel.
"Daniel Steiner!"
Ernst, calling his name, approached Daniel.
"Welcome back! Do you know how worried I was about you? I'm truly grateful you've returned safe and sound!"
"Ah, Deputy Chief of Operations."
Daniel started to salute, but Ernst waved his hand, stopping him.
"A salute between us? Nonsense! It's fine, you can go on home now."
"...Go home?"
"An order came down from above to grant you immediate rest as soon as your mission completion report is received. So, take the entire day to rest well."
He wasn't sure if it was the Emperor's influence or Selvia's, but he could feel the intention to grant him convenience.
Reporting for duty and immediately being dismissed felt a little strange, but he couldn't refuse an order from his superiors to rest, nor did he need to.
Just as Daniel was about to nod, Ernst added.
"Oh, and tomorrow, you are to report to the Imperial Palace, not the General Staff Headquarters."
"The Imperial Palace? Surely His Imperial Majesty hasn't summoned me again?"
"Hm? No, it's not. This time, Her Imperial Highness the Princess wishes to see you. It seems she likely has some questions regarding the Bellanos conference."
It was fortunate news to hear it was the Princess, not the Emperor.
'Selvia, who is at least somewhat favorable to me, is better than the Emperor, who unilaterally regards me with suspicion...'
Of course, given their social standing, meeting either of them was indeed a burden.
Still, meeting Princess Selvia was several times better than meeting Emperor Berthram.
"I will keep that in mind. But..."
Daniel, looking around, asked with a puzzled expression.
"My aide isn't here. Is she perhaps working in my private office?"
"Your aide? Ah..."
Ernst, who had paused as if he'd forgotten something, let out a cough.
"Actually, your aide is currently on leave."
"On leave, you say?"
"Yes. She seemed quite shocked after the ship sinking incident, so I advised your aide to apply for extended leave. I judged that she would need a rest, given the death of her direct superior. Of course, you're perfectly alive now, aren't you!"
Ernst playfully patted Daniel's waist to make light of the situation.
However, Daniel's expression remained serious throughout, so Ernst continued, somewhat deflated.
"Well... she's probably resting at her quarters now. So, what I'm saying is, wouldn't it be good for you to check on your aide yourself?"
At Ernst's subtle suggestion, Daniel frowned.
'He wants me to go to the quarters of the woman who tried to assassinate me?'
It was an extremely dangerous act, like sticking one's head into an alligator's jaws.
Daniel, who absolutely did not want to do it, paused just as he was about to give a refusal.
'...Too many eyes watching.'
If his aide was shocked and holed up in her quarters, and he showed no sign of concern, his reputation would clearly plummet.
The Emperor was already scrutinizing him, looking for flaws, so he couldn't afford to provide such gossip.
In the end, Daniel gritted his teeth and forced a strained smile.
"Thank you very much for your advice. I will take your suggestion, Deputy Chief of Operations, and visit my aide's quarters."
Having no choice was more painful than he'd imagined.
"Indeed! Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, our Empire's hero, truly has a generous heart! What are you all doing? Not applauding!"
Having a tactless superior was equally painful.
*
Meanwhile, at Lucy Emilia's quarters.
"..."
Inside the room, where the light was blocked by blackout curtains, Lucy was curled up on the bed, staring blankly downwards.
Her hair was dry and brittle from not washing for days, her eyes lacked vitality, and dried tear streaks were clearly visible on her cheeks.
Her appearance was a mess, as she had holed herself up here since her leave was approved, not stepping out even a single pace.
But Lucy couldn't pay any attention to such things.
Her mind was entirely filled with guilt and regret.
'Because of me...'
Lucy's consciousness was drifting through the distant past.
Specifically, the terrible memories from the past.
"What's your name? My name is Subject 96. That's what people here call me."
For Lucy, her earliest memory was always Subject 96.
That girl was the only being who brought color to Lucy's monochrome childhood.
The friendly child managed to befriend Lucy, who treated her coldly, and Lucy, slowly opening her heart, eventually became friends with the child.
The child often told her that if they succeeded in escaping this place, they would surely eat delicious food together.
In the hopeless research facility, Lucy gradually grew fond of the child.
However, the small dream they had sealed with a pinky promise could never come true.
"Subject 96 has been disposed of. If you don't want to be disposed of too, do your best."
One day, Subject 96 disappeared.
As if she had never existed.
At an age when she didn't even properly understand what separation meant, Lucy comprehended death.
'Even after that...'
Her drifting consciousness flowed a little further into the future.
A mansion appeared.
It was Count Kaledra's grand mansion.
There, Lucy was able to live a new life.
Everything was abundant, there was nothing she couldn't have, and everyone treated her kindly.
Living in a dream-like world, Lucy discovered a maid of her age.
The maid had a bright personality and was talkative, so she quickly became close with Lucy.
The quiet Lucy was able to understand what the outside world was like through the maid's words, and she could imagine the coziness of a wheat field as the sun began to set, and the coolness of the wind blowing from the sea at noon.
After a long time, Lucy once again opened her heart and became close with the maid.
Overjoyed at having made a close friend, Lucy had even indulged in a bit of childishness with Count Kaledra.
"Father! Can I go on a trip with my friend? I think one day would be enough!"
Kaledra smiled kindly and asked for her friend's name.
The naive Lucy told him the name, and the maid did not come to the mansion for work the next day.
According to rumors, she had been in a terrible accident and died.
From that day on, Lucy never called Kaledra 'Father' again.
"..."
Lucy's eyes slowly closed.
And she clenched her teeth tightly.
Emotions with nowhere to be expressed were festering within her.
Emotions, overriding reason, dominated Lucy's heart.
Lucy, letting out a dying breath, thought.
Subject 96 died because I liked her.
The maid died because I liked her.
'Because I liked him...'
Daniel Steiner died.
They say if a coincidence happens three times in a row, it's destiny.
Reason screamed that it wasn't true, but her heart, devoured by emotion, was already turning black.
It was more comfortable to deny herself than to affirm herself.
'If everyone I come to like dies like this...'
Why should she continue to live?
What glory could there possibly be in such a life?
She didn't want to think anymore, and she didn't want to suffer.
She was also tired of suspecting Count Kaledra.
It was the moment Lucy, who wanted to end everything, slowly opened her eyes.
Knock, knock—
A knocking sound came from the entrance.
Just as she wondered who it could be, a familiar voice was heard.
"Aide! I came because I heard you were here..."
It was Daniel Steiner's voice.
Lucy, her eyes wide with surprise, immediately shook her head.
No. That can't be. Daniel Steiner is dead.
"Aide? What are you doing, not even locking up? What if a burglar gets in?"
The voice she thought was a hallucination grew louder and louder.
Her breathing was becoming shallow and rapid.
Lucy, thinking 'just in case,' got up.
Her body, stiff from days of inactivity, creaked involuntarily as she tried to move suddenly.
"Ugh..."
A ringing echoed in her ears, and her vision flickered.
Her breathing grew more ragged, and her body wouldn't obey her.
Nevertheless, Lucy slowly regained control of her body and finally succeeded in getting out of bed.
"Aide! If you're not in your quarters, I'll be heading back now!"
No.
Lucy, shaking her head desperately, approached the door and grasped the doorknob.
After a deep breath, Lucy opened the door and stepped out, and she could see.
Daniel Steiner.
Her superior, and the foolish man who loved desserts.
"...Aide?"
Daniel, seeing Lucy's disheveled appearance, registered his confusion.
Lucy, who had been staring at Daniel for a while, began to move.
She wanted to run, but her body, starved for days, wouldn't move properly.
"Danie..."
Her voice wouldn't even come out properly.
Her deeply hoarse voice cracked here and there.
Lucy, clearing her throat and finally moving, looked up at Daniel from close range.
Her disheveled hair fell down, obstructing her vision, but it didn't significantly hinder her from seeing Daniel.
"Daniel Steiner..."
Lucy, who had called her superior by his given name, slowly raised her hand.
Her hand, rising slowly as if caught in a net, touched Daniel's cheek.
Daniel was flustered but didn't pull away, and thanks to that, Lucy knew the touch in her hand wasn't false.
Daniel Steiner wasn't dead.
She didn't know how or why, but tears suddenly welled up at that fact.
She had cried so many times already that she thought no more tears would come.
Lucy, who didn't want to show her crying face, lowered her head.
Her hand, like her head, also lowered and grasped Daniel's red tie.
"Lieutenant Colonel. Your tie's position is..."
Lucy, who had tried to change the subject more naturally, ultimately couldn't hold back her sobs.
Moist whimpers escaping through her teeth echoed sadly between the two of them.
Unable to bear it, Lucy gently tugged on his tie and buried her face in Daniel's chest.
Her trembling shoulders, ragged breathing, and faint sobs spoke volumes about Lucy's emotions.
Lucy, sobbing like a fool, gathered all her strength and spoke.
"Wel..."
Amidst unprecedented emotions, Lucy expressed her heart with utmost restraint.
"...Welcome back. I thought the Lieutenant Colonel was..."
But then, as if white paint had been spilled, her mind went completely blank.
Daniel, who had remained silent, suddenly raised a hand and patted Lucy's back.
Thanks to that, Lucy couldn't hold back and burst into tears.
As if she had returned to her childhood, when she had missed the moment to cry.