Chapter 84

After leaving the General Staff Headquarters, Lucy activated her optical camouflage in a desolate alleyway.

Walking straight ahead, Lucy arrived at a textile factory located on the outskirts of the district.

Passing through the entrance and heading inside, she saw workers diligently toiling away.

‘No…’

They were actually intelligence operatives disguised as laborers.

As Lucy scanned them, she deactivated her optical camouflage.

The operatives moving about the factory froze in shock.

One of them, after hesitating for a moment, pulled out a hidden pistol and aimed it at Lucy.

Appearing out of nowhere wasn’t strange enough—wearing an officer’s uniform from the Empire made their caution justified.

“Identify yourself! How did you get here?!”

Responding with a tone that sounded like she was dealing with a nuisance, Lucy opened her mouth.

“A soaring eagle never understands the affairs below.”

This was a password known within the Allied Nations’ intelligence division.

Realizing Lucy was friendly, the man lowered his pistol.

“…Why are you here? I didn’t hear any reports scheduled for this time.”

“I have business with the branch chief. Please guide me.”

“What nonsense… Do you think the branch chief is someone you can just see whenever you want?”

Lucy sighed softly and half-opened her crimson eyes.

“Tell him the Crimson Thread has arrived. He’ll allow it.”

At the mention of “Crimson Thread,” the man swallowed nervously.

He knew there was only one woman in the Allied Nations who used that codename—a legend who carried out countless assassination orders and was a trusted confidant of Count Kaledra.

‘An assassin who’s carried out so many missions… and close to Count Kaledra…’

It was hard to believe such a big shot had come. The man pulled out his radio.

“Wait a moment.”

Deciding he needed to verify her identity, the man exchanged some words over the radio.

Mid-conversation, the man’s expression turned slightly startled before bowing to whoever was on the other end.

“Yes. Understood.”

After answering respectfully into the radio, the man turned to Lucy.

“The branch chief says you may enter. I’ll guide you.”

Lucy nodded, and the man walked toward the fabric dyeing machine.

After pressing a few buttons and pulling a lever, a loud thud echoed through the space.

The sound of gears turning filled the air as the dyeing machine slid aside, revealing a staircase leading underground.

“This way, please.”

With a nod, Lucy descended the stairs.

Opening a steel door at the bottom, she entered a room with exposed concrete walls.

In this bunker-like space, the first thing visible was a map of the city hanging on one wall.

On either side of the map were radar screens and surveillance equipment, where numerous operatives were busy operating electronic devices.

‘This is the Palentia Branch…’

Though she knew they operated secretly within the heart of the Empire, this was her first visit.

Impressed by its scale, Lucy looked around when she noticed someone approaching from afar with a secretary in tow.

Recognizing the figure upon noticing the presence, Lucy identified him as Theobald Berno, the head of the Palentia branch under the Allied Nations’ intelligence agency.

Though she’d met him several times before on official business, Lucy didn’t feel like acknowledging him now.

Standing silently, she waited until Theobald stopped in front of her.

“Lucy Emilia. Why are you here? We’re short on time, so get to the point.”

His formal tone erased any trace of familiarity.

Deciding pleasantries weren’t necessary, Lucy got straight to the matter.

“I have a question. Was it the Allied Nations that attacked the diplomatic vessel carrying Captain Daniel Steiner?”

Theobald paused briefly.

He was contemplating whether revealing the truth to Lucy would be wise.

Ultimately deciding that she’d uncover the whole story eventually, he nodded.

“Yes. We deemed it necessary for the Allied Nations and acted accordingly.”

Upon hearing his confirmation, Lucy’s hand trembled faintly.

Caught in unprecedented emotion, she remained silent for a while before locking eyes with Theobald.

“Is sinking a civilian ship truly necessary for the Allied Nations? And why was all of this hidden from me by headquarters?”

The subtle anger in Lucy’s voice grated on Theobald’s nerves.

Frowning openly, Theobald snapped:

“If you had eliminated Daniel Steiner sooner, this mishap wouldn’t have happened. Besides, why should headquarters inform you of everything? Just because you’re under Count Kaledra’s protection doesn’t mean you’re special.”

Lucy clenched her fists tightly.

“I’ve carried out countless assassination missions under the orders of the Allied Nations. I believed they would trust me in matters related to assassination missions.”

“Lucy.”

“Daniel Steiner was supposed to be assassinated by me. It was my judgment to make and my mission to execute. Why didn’t the Allied Nations trust me?”

“Lucy Emilia.”

“Yes. Of course, considering various circumstances, it’s understandable not to trust me. But if that’s the case, you should’ve at least informed me that my mission had changed! Instead, the Allied Nations…”

Before she could finish, Theobald slapped Lucy across the face.

Smack!

The sound of flesh meeting echoed loudly in the enclosed space.

Taking two deep breaths after being struck, Theobald spoke.

“Calm down and listen. The Allied Nations moves forward for the greater good. Stop questioning and return to standby mode.”

Under normal circumstances, Lucy would’ve nodded and walked away, but not this time.

“You’re telling me not to question…”

Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

For the sake of the country. For the greater good. For the citizens. For the world. For peace. For revenge. For balance.

These were the reasons the Allied Nations and Count Kaledra always gave Lucy whenever she questioned things.

Knowing these weren’t valid excuses, Lucy still obediently accepted them without complaint.

Because the Allied Nations represented justice, and the Empire represented evil.

But could the Allied Nations, which caused the deaths of civilians alongside Daniel Steiner, really be called righteous?

Especially when they failed to inform someone who had shown unwavering loyalty?

“How much longer…”

Staring at Theobald, Lucy gritted her teeth.

“Do I have to suppress my questions?”

A smoldering rage began to build inside her.

Knowing she shouldn’t let it loose, Theobald had nothing more to say to Lucy.

So he maintained silence, prompting Lucy to abruptly turn and leave in frustration.

Theobald didn’t stop her as Lucy ascended the stairs and exited outside.

Sighing deeply, he turned to his secretary.

“Inform Count Kaledra. The sole successful subject, Test Subject 187… no…”

Looking at the spot where Lucy had stood, Theobald rubbed his temples.

“Report that Lucy Emilia might have changed her allegiance.”

*

Exiting the branch office, Lucy wandered aimlessly.

Hoping for proper answers this time from the Allied Nations, she felt only emptiness knowing everything had gone awry.

Rubbing her cheek where Theobald had struck her, Lucy walked forward with lifeless eyes, gradually noticing more light entering her vision.

Voices of smiling citizens reached her ears.

Raising her head absentmindedly, Lucy realized she’d emerged onto a main street from the alley.

In the refreshing breeze, Lucy’s gaze crossed over the road.

[Golden Rose Bakery]

That flashy sign marked the place where Lucy first tasted the Empire’s desserts.

Entranced, Lucy crossed the road toward the bakery.

Just then, raindrops began falling from the dark clouds covering the sky.

While passersby unfurled umbrellas upon feeling the rain, Lucy didn’t bother.

Approaching the bakery became her sole purpose in life as she continued walking.

Reaching the storefront, Lucy spotted a couple enjoying dessert by the window.

The man laughed playfully, while the woman hesitantly brought a parfait to her lips.

Their image overlapped with Lucy’s memories of eating dessert here with Daniel.

“…”

As the rain grew heavier, Lucy’s military cap and coat soaked through.

Pedestrians passing by stared curiously at the girl standing motionless in the rain.

But Lucy paid no mind to their gazes, lost in reminiscing.

─How does the dessert taste?

Daniel’s words from that day rang vividly in her mind.

Recalling the flavor of the parfait she’d eaten back then, a faint smile graced Lucy’s lips.

But the smile soon faded, leaving behind only futility.

“You said we’d eat stollen during Christmas, didn’t you?”

What a foolish and pitiable person.

And what a bad guy, making promises he couldn’t keep when neither of them knew how long they’d live.

“And…”

He was also someone who fought fiercely against the Security Bureau to protect his aide-de-camp.

Yet now, he was gone.

Vanished from the world along with the diplomatic vessel.

Lucy chuckled softly at the absurdity of it all.

The man who seemed invincible had died so quickly—it was laughable.

“What an idiot…”

Mocking Daniel in her thoughts, Lucy’s laughter suddenly turned into sobs.

Closing her eyes and biting her lower lip, tears began forming at the corners of Lucy’s eyes.

In the pouring rain, she wiped her face with the back of her hand and exhaled a cold breath.

Ironically, it was only in a world without Daniel Steiner that Lucy finally realized…

‘I… liked Daniel Steiner…’

Deep down, she loved him.