Chapter 43

It’s a tense situation.

As Daniel tensely watched, Lucy calmed her anger and let out a low sigh.

After all, it was true that she agreed when Prien offered to order, and it was also true that she didn’t mention anything specific she wanted to eat.

“But…”

From Lucy’s perspective, wanting to eat the éclair that Daniel had praised so highly left her feeling somewhat uneasy.

So, with half-open eyes, she looked down at the mint chip ice cream.

The taste of this bright teal-colored ice cream was completely unpredictable.

If the mint chip ice cream turned out to be bad, it would ruin her rare day off.

She didn’t want that, so as Lucy deeply examined the mint chip ice cream, Prien narrowed her sleepy eyes.

“Hmm. Her expression isn’t good…”

What could be the reason? It didn’t take much thought to figure it out.

“Looks like she doesn’t like being interrupted on a date.”

Lucy clearly wanted to spend some quality time alone with Captain Daniel, but someone else stepping in made her mood sour—so it seemed.

In reality, it was because of Prien’s impromptu ordering of “mint chip ice cream,” but Prien hadn’t caught on to that fact at all.

Well, mint chip ice cream is delicious, after all.

In Prien’s mind, mint chip ice cream was a flawless dessert with no dislikes.

Of course, there are occasionally people who hate mint, but they’re such a tiny minority that it wasn’t worth worrying about.

“Anyway…”

Prien didn’t like seeing Lucy hanging around Daniel, who was practically a saint leading the Allied Nations toward victory.

Though she personally respected Lucy’s work ethic, that was a separate issue.

Prien knows how many historical greats have suffered due to women problems.

Love tends to blind and cloud judgment.

Thus, Prien couldn’t just stand by while Lucy flirted with Daniel.

“If it were normal dating, I might not interfere… But…”

Lucy is hiding something.

While others might not notice, Prien could tell that whatever Lucy was concealing ran deep.

Not knowing what kind of ill effects this might have on Daniel, she remained vigilant.

If Lucy was luring Daniel for some ulterior motive, she wouldn’t forgive her.

“I wanted to try that éclair…”

On the other hand, Lucy simply wanted to eat the éclair.

Hesitating, Lucy shook her head, deciding against asking Daniel to cut her a bite-sized piece.

There was no way she could make such an impolite request to her superior officer.

Ultimately, Lucy decided to settle for the mint chip ice cream and picked up her spoon.

As Lucy scooped up a bite of the ice cream, her eyes involuntarily widened.

The sweet yet refreshing flavor spread through her mouth, opening up a whole new world of taste.

Removing the spoon from her mouth, Lucy quietly murmured,

“It’s delicious…”

Upon hearing this, Prien initially looked surprised before breaking into a genuine smile.

“Captain Lucy! You like mint?”

“Yeah, looks like I do.”

“In that case, why didn’t you say so earlier? There are a few places I know in the district. Would you like to go together?”

Lucy blinked a few times, looking troubled, then glanced back at Daniel.

It seemed like she was asking if it was okay.

Daniel, holding his coffee cup, responded,

“Do as you please. When we return to headquarters, they’ll recognize our efforts and give us plenty of rest time.”

Lucy nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Seeing this, Daniel smiled subtly after taking a sip of coffee.

“He’s completely hooked on desserts now.”

He felt a little guilty toward the Allied Nations.

After all, the once-dessert-dismissing Lucy was now gone.

How must they feel about me corrupting their capable spy’s palate?

“Even if one’s ideals may be questionable, the tongue is always honest.”

Just as Daniel was about to enjoy his éclair, he paused upon sensing Lucy’s gaze.

He noticed her eyeing the éclair.

Given how much praise he’d given it in the office, it was only natural for her to be curious.

Fully understanding Lucy’s feelings, Daniel cut the éclair in half with a knife, placed it on a small plate, and handed it to her.

Lucy looked surprised as she met Daniel’s gaze.

“Captain, this isn’t my share.”

“It is now. I’m too full anyway.”

“…Thank you.”

With polite gratitude, Lucy accepted the plate, speared the éclair with her fork, and took a bite.

“…!”

Instantly, Lucy’s pupils dilated.

She was even more astonished than when she ate the mint chip ice cream.

Regaining her composure quickly, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her excitement.

Watching from nearby, Daniel chuckled softly.

“As I suspected from the start, she struggles to express her emotions honestly…”

If Lucy had a tail, it would probably be wagging wildly right now.

Lost in this thought, Daniel sliced the éclair into bite-sized pieces and popped one into his mouth.

“Ah.”

Indeed, the éclair lived up to Lucy’s reaction—it was delicious.

*

After finishing dessert, Lucy stepped outside the shop and sent Daniel and Prien ahead first, citing other business.

Though puzzled, Daniel and Prien nodded and walked away.

Once they were far enough, Lucy approached a man leaning against a pillar of the store.

Wearing a black beanie, the man turned to look at Lucy.

“…What?”

“You’re bound to get caught if you follow so conspicuously. I’ve noticed you loitering around since five days ago.”

The man furrowed his brow at Lucy’s words.

“What? What nonsense is this…?”

“The eagle flying high can never understand the matters below.”

The man flinched.

This was a coded phrase used internally within the intelligence division of the Allied Nations.

Realizing Lucy was a spy, the man swallowed nervously.

Staring intently at him, Lucy quietly relayed her message.

“Follow naturally.”

Changing direction, Lucy began walking.

Uncertain how things would unfold but sensing he had no choice, the man kept a distance and trailed behind her.

Lucy continued walking as if heading somewhere specific, but with each step, the area grew increasingly deserted.

‘Where is she leading me?’

The increasingly anxious man bit his lower lip.

Continuing to scan his surroundings, the man eventually reached an abandoned construction site.

With all workers having clocked out and no citizens living nearby, it was a completely desolate place.

Trying to lighten the tense atmosphere, the man spoke first.

“Wow! Didn’t expect to meet a comrade here! And you posing as that guy’s aide-de-camp? This is actually great. We’re planning to assassinate Daniel Steiner. Can you help?”

Lucy sighed lowly.

“That’s not an order from the United Nations.”

The man fell silent, knowing it was true.

“All investigations regarding you are complete. There have been previous instances where you acted independently.”

“…And? Has my independent action ever harmed the United Nations? Besides, Daniel Steiner could potentially cause massive damage to the United Nations in the future. It’s right to eliminate him.”

“Once again, that’s not an order from the United Nations.”

The man gritted his teeth, thinking this woman was impossible to reason with.

“So what? Are you telling me to sit back and watch? Or is there another form of assistance you’d like to offer?”

“You’re mistaken. I’m here to eliminate you.”

“Eliminate…?”

Did she just say kill a fellow teammate? Surely it was some kind of absurd joke.

At that moment, Lucy turned around.

Bathed in the moonlight, Lucy exuded an inexplicable sense of intimidation.

“The United Nations aims for the Kingdom’s defeat. If you assassinate Daniel Steiner, it will be seen as contrary to the United Nations’ intentions.”

“Hold on…”

“Furthermore, my assigned mission is to ‘neutralize any agents who have betrayed or disobeyed orders.’ Your actions fall under both categories.”

Her tone left no room for doubt.

Letting out a hollow laugh, the man suddenly drew his pistol from his coat.

Before Lucy could respond, the man pulled the trigger repeatedly.

The sound of gunfire echoed as bullets flew.

However, none hit Lucy.

Whoom—

A blue barrier formed by Lucy intercepted the bullets mid-air.

“Blocked… in that instant?”

Confused, the man watched as Lucy dissolved the barrier.

As the barrier disappeared, the bullets suspended in midair fell lifelessly to the ground.

“I apologize, but there’s no malice.”

Lucy drew her revolver from her coat.

Seeing this, the man screamed in fear.

“You crazy bitch! Even if it’s an order from higher-ups, are you really going to kill a fellow agent like this…!”

Unfortunately, his sentence went unfinished.

Bang!

A bullet pierced straight through his skull.

The man staggered momentarily before collapsing onto the ground.

“…”

Confirming the man’s death, Lucy lowered her revolver.

Then, irritated by the moonlight reflecting off her weapon, she turned her head.

There lay a cracked full-length mirror discarded carelessly.

Lucy glanced at herself in the mirror.

Her silvery-white hair shimmered under the moonlight, contrasting with her red eyes.

Recalling Daniel’s words earlier today, they unconsciously surfaced in her mind.

“Just… Today, you seem especially beautiful, so I couldn’t help but look.”

What exactly did that mean?

For Lucy, who had never considered herself pretty, it was quite a perplexing compliment.

After all, the only words she usually heard from men were screams or curses.

Her mission from the United Nations was to execute traitors, after all.

As Lucy mulled over Daniel’s words, she absentmindedly gazed at the sky.

“Milky Way…”

Judging by the abundance of stars, it appeared night had grown deep.

She should head back soon to prepare for tomorrow’s work.

Clearing her thoughts, Lucy slowly resumed walking.

Along the way, she let out an involuntary sigh.

Lucy had gone through countless events and killed numerous people.

Known as the “Reaper with Red Eyes,” she struck fear into the hearts of traitors.

But even Lucy had one thing she feared.

“Work sucks…”

Regrettably, it was nothing more than her dread of going to work.

Despite being the harbinger of doom to betrayers everywhere…

Somehow, this was her one weakness: the dreaded morning commute.