Chapter 76

“Understood. I’ll go.”

After all, it was where I was planning to go anyway, so there’s no need to make a fuss.

“Will you do it?”

At my words, she visibly brightened up.

“You seem excessively happy, more than I expected?”

“Well, thanks to you, one less task for me.”

Astra glanced over the pile of documents on her desk and then looked at me.

Well, she’s already busy handling that mountain of paperwork, and having to attend external events must be a hassle too.

“Then, why didn’t you ask other executives earlier?”

It’s not like I’m the only executive around, surely this is something you could’ve asked others to handle?

Why didn’t you?

She hesitated, choosing her words carefully, then fell silent.

“…Maker, you might not know this, but our executives are more… unique than you’d think.”

…It sounded like she was about to say they’re incompetent.

Anyway, I think I get what she’s trying to say.

“So, it’s not that you didn’t ask, but that you couldn’t.”

“That’s right. Well.”

Originally, Eclipse had four executives.

Including me, that makes five.

But there’s a problem…

‘Except for Astra, everyone has some kind of flaw.’

Not in terms of ability, though.

To put it nicely, they’re unique; to put it bluntly, their personalities are flawed.

‘A hothead who barks without thinking when angry, a swordsman who cuts first and asks questions later, and a complete loner, hikikomori, training room otaku.’

Definitely, entrusting these guys with interacting and socializing with other villains?

Predictably, from that day on, Eclipse would no longer receive invitations to Black Night.

“You must have had a hard time.”

“…Well, I’m used to it by now.”

A somewhat resigned smile.

Astra smiled like an old man who had become indifferent to everything.

“Speaking of the other executives, are they still on their missions?”

The other two executives, not Astra or the training room.

I meant the hothead and the swordsman.

“It seems there’s been some trouble with their missions.”

“What kind of mission could it be…”

It’s been about a year since I became an executive of Eclipse, and I still haven’t even seen the faces of those two executives.

Even though they’re clearly in charge of the organization’s military strength.

And they’re struggling?

“Well, Maker, those two were already on missions when you joined, so it’s natural to be curious.”

Astra then calmly sipped her tea.

“But don’t worry too much. They’re the kind of people who only cause us trouble when we worry. They’ll surely return when the time is right.”

“Is that so?”

“If they had the intention, they would have returned by now.”

Astra spoke with certainty.

‘If Astra says so, there’s no need to worry.’

Actually, even if I were concerned, I had no intention of helping or checking on them.

“First, about the things to be cautious of at the Black Night party…”

Let’s focus on this matter for now.

***

Bang!! Bang bang!!

Bang!!

At the same time.

In some area of Egypt, intense gunfire echoed from early morning.

“Haha! Got one!!”

“Ugh! Are you laughing now!!!”

Hiding from the gunfire flying everywhere, the men.

A large man covered by a cloak barked angrily at a middle-aged man holding a sword.

As his companion got angry, the middle-aged man scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“Well, I trusted them when they kindly offered to guide us, but I didn’t expect to be betrayed like this.”

“You useless trash!!”

The large man clenched his fist and glared at the middle-aged man.

“I shouldn’t have trusted a fool like you!!”

“…Hey, weren’t you the one who followed me saying this was the right path, you crazy bastard?”

“You said this was the right way!”

“Ah! I thought it was!”

The men started glaring at each other.

They were so busy bickering that they forgot they were being targeted by guns.

“If it was the right path, we wouldn’t be in this situation!”

“Hey! If you’re so dissatisfied, find the way yourself!”

“You useless swordsman!”

“You useless bastard!!”

The middle-aged man poised to draw his sword, and the large man clenched his massive fist, ready to strike.

Whoosh- Kwaaaang!!!

But, in the end, they had to step back from the incoming bombardment.

Pshhh-

A sandstorm momentarily obscured them.

“…Let’s deal with them first and then think.”

“Tch, I guess they started this fight on purpose.”

“Eh, do you really think I’d do that?”

The middle-aged man laughed heartily and walked towards the enemies.

“Since it’s your mess, you clean it up, swordsman.”

“You just stay put, big guy. I’ll clean it up neatly.”

“Ugh!”

Step step.

Alone, with just a sword in hand, the man leisurely walked towards the enemies.

“Hello?”

“……”

Click.

“Not much of a welcome, huh?”

At his greeting, hundreds of guns aimed at the middle-aged man.

“Fire!”

“Sorry, but we’re a bit busy.”

Bang!! Bang! Bang!!

And the moment everyone fired their guns at the leader’s command.

Swish.

“-Horizontal slash.”

All the bullets flying at high speed were neutralized by the man’s single sword stroke.

As if dodging bullets earlier was just a joke, the man moved with ease.

“Shall we finish this quickly?”

With those words, the enemies began to fall one by one to the man’s sword.

***

Knock knock.

“Maker, are you ready?”

On the day of the Black Night invitation.

Creak-

“…Oh.”

As I opened the door in response to Astra’s question from the other side, she looked me up and down in admiration.

“…It’s quite nice, more than I expected.”

“I don’t see much difference from the uniform, though.”

Even though it’s a party suit, it’s more about neatness than flamboyance.

In fact, the uniform I wore during terror missions seems more flamboyant.

It feels somewhat plain.

“What are you talking about! Uniforms and suits are definitely different. Anyway, the fit is very nice.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

I briefly thanked her and moved around a bit.

“By the way, does this reflect Astra’s taste?”

“Huh?”

“The chest and thighs feel a bit tight…”

It’s not exactly uncomfortable, but compared to other parts, it’s noticeably snug.

Every movement emphasizes those areas.

“W-what are you talking about, Maker! How could I have influenced a custom suit?!”

Well, tweaking the design is one thing, but altering the measurements arbitrarily is unlikely.

“Ah, thinking about it, maybe it’s not the suit’s fault.”

Then, pondering what the issue might be.

I looked at Astra with a mischievous smile and flicked the black harness I was wearing.

“Is this really Astra’s taste?”

“…No, it’s not!”

“A harness with a suit, I’ve seen it online. Usually, lovers do that kind of…”

“Wah!! Wahhh!! Wah! Wahhh!!!”

Before I could finish, she interrupted me, screaming.

Her face turned red as if it would explode, like a virgin who’s never been in a proper relationship.

“Pervert.”

Seeing Astra’s reaction, I felt playful and covered myself with the jacket, laughing as I looked at her.

At my words, Astra trembled all over.

“Even so, indulging in such fantasies with a colleague from the same organization…”

“No, I’m not!”

She pointed with a trembling hand at the man tidying up alone in the room.

“T-the person in charge of Maker’s outfit this time must have done it!!”

“Did you call, Astra?”

“42, it’s been a while.”

“Long time no see, Maker.”

Actually, we had already greeted each other inside.

Yes, the person in charge of my outfit this time was 42.

“Maker, since the suit you’re wearing has a clean design, I added a few subtle points. If you don’t like it, I can change it immediately.”

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

I only brought it up to tease Astra, but this is sufficient for enjoying the party.

“By the way, it’s unusual for you to know about fashion too.”

“I majored in that in college.”

For a moment, I wondered why such a person would work here, but I decided not to say anything.

‘There must be a story. There’s more than one or two members like that.’

Deciding to let it go, I looked at Astra, who was fanning herself to cool down.

“They said someone would come at midnight, right?”

“…Yes, someone will come to pick us up at midnight.”

“But isn’t our organization secretly hidden? How will they find us?”

“You should have raised that issue when the letter arrived.”

That’s true.

“Whatever, as long as they come to pick us up, it’s fine.”

As long as we get to Seoul, it doesn’t matter how.

Security issues are for Astra to handle.

I adjusted the collar and checked the time.

[11:57]

Before long, only about three minutes left until departure.

‘Then, now.’

Shall we go enjoy the party?

I smiled and put on my coat.

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