Chapter 98

“…Ms. Yoo Ju, do you have any lingering feelings for Earth?”

“……”

‘…Did I ask something I shouldn’t have?’

Feeling like I might have made a mistake by asking something I shouldn’t have, Seo Yoo Ju finally answered.

“…Hmm… no. Of course, I worry about my parents still on Earth… but I don’t have much attachment. It feels like I’ve come too far for that…”

Well, I’ve only been here for about a year, but as a Returner, she must have spent a considerable amount of time in this world.

“Actually, when I was on Earth, I grew up without any lack, but it wasn’t particularly enjoyable. It just felt like living an ordinary life?”

“……”

“That’s probably why I don’t have much attachment. Besides, as Yoon Seong said, there’s no way to return to Earth anyway.”

After hearing Seo Yoo Ju’s answer, I nodded. It made sense.

I thought about asking Kang I-seo the same question, but then I remembered that she, like me, was from an orphanage, so I stopped.

‘…I don’t want to bring up any bad memories…’

Since I didn’t ask Kang I-seo, she approached me with a smile.

“But why didn’t you ask me?”

“…Ah… well…”

“Kek… It’s written all over your face. Are you being considerate?”

“……”

“Hey, why are you being shy? Huh? A man can be considerate of a woman too.”

Her words were clearly meant to tease me.

“…Who’s being considerate of whom? Don’t get the wrong idea…”

“Aigoo~ Is that so? Well, if you say so~”

“……Anyway, we have to go to the Royal Palace in a week, so just be aware.”

******

The day to head to the Royal Palace finally arrived.

The Royal Palace had promised to send people and a carriage, so we were waiting outside the Clan House at the appointed time.

“…That must be the carriage.”

Not long after we started waiting, a carriage approached the Clan House.

The carriage stopped in front of us, and two people got out, excluding the coachman.

“…Hello, members of the Eternity Clan. I am Ray Hakter, a secretary from the Royal Palace, sent to escort you. This lady is my assistant, Layla.”

‘…They sent a secretary?’

I didn’t expect them to send a secretary, who oversees administrative tasks. I thought they’d send a few knights at most.

Checking the status windows of Ray Hakter and his assistant, Layla, the woman’s status was normal, but the man’s was unusual.

‘…A secretary with high combat stats.’

His job wasn’t Legend Grade or anything, but his stats were quite high. He could definitely be a formidable combatant.

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Seo Yoo Ju, temporarily acting as the Clan Master, though I’m still lacking.”

“Ah, I’ve heard about your exploits. Haha… Please board the carriage. We’ll take you comfortably to the Royal Palace. It shouldn’t take too long, as we’ll use a warp point along the way.”

“Yes, thank you.”

We boarded the carriage, with Ray Hakter, his assistant Layla, and most of the clan members, except for Lee Jae-hyo and Song In-woo.

Originally, Lee Jae-hyo, who was involved in resolving this matter, was supposed to go to the Royal Palace, but someone was needed to manage the clan, so he stayed behind.

We were just sitting there awkwardly when Ray Hakter spoke up.

“…Anyway, thank you for resolving this matter. Honestly… the drug problem is a real headache… If left unchecked, it could lead to disaster.”

The drug problem seems to be the same here.

It’s no wonder the Opium Wars happened on Earth. Drugs are dangerous enough to threaten a nation’s survival if left unchecked.

“Actually, His Majesty has been suffering from this issue as well. As someone overseeing the nation’s affairs…”

‘The King of the Neutral Country… probably a young man.’

From what I’ve read since coming here, the King of the Neutral Country is currently a young man. He was originally the Crown Prince but became King about two years ago.

“Especially since this matter is entangled with the Eastern Alliance, His Majesty must be even more troubled.”

I had a question about this, so I spoke up.

“Hmm… I’m not sure if I should ask this, but do you know what might happen next? I’m concerned about the Eastern Alliance’s involvement, as you mentioned.”

“…Since you’re involved in this matter, I can tell you. Honestly… hmm… just a moment…”

“…..?”

“Um… sorry, but can I have a drink? I can’t function without alcohol…”

“…Huh?”

‘What the…’

I was stunned by his words, and his assistant Layla sighed and pinched his thigh.

“Ouch…! What was that for?”

“…Please, don’t do this in front of others. I’m too embarrassed to show my face.”

Ray Hakter scratched his head and spoke in a defeated tone.

“Come on… just this once…”

“Sigh… No. Please get a grip. You’re the secretary of this Neutral Country.”

“Hmm… it’s not like I want to do this…”

“…If you keep this up, I’ll have to report to His Majesty.”

“No no no! Wait, haha… Miss Layla? What’s bothering you so much…”

The rest of us were just awkwardly listening to their conversation.

It’s understandable that everyone was taken aback. After all, a man in the position of secretary was acting so strangely.

From the way Ray Hakter and Layla interacted, they seemed quite close.

The fact that an assistant could speak so casually to a secretary says a lot.

Realizing our discomfort, Layla apologized to us.





“Sorry about that. Um, Mr. Ray Hakter here has some… unusual quirks… so please try to understand. My apologies…”

“Not at all. Well, he might just enjoy drinking, haha… I like drinking too.”

It’s not that I don’t drink, but I don’t particularly enjoy it either. I’m just saying it out of courtesy.

“Oh… you seem to know a thing or two. That’s right. How can one enjoy life without alcohol? Alcohol is the spice of life… So, you must be Mr. Lee Yun-seong, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I heard you were the top contributor in resolving this matter… Hmm…”

‘…What’s this?’

For a brief moment, he seemed to be staring at my face, deep in thought.

“Well, anyway, to answer your earlier question… The situation in the Eastern Alliance is a mess… So, we don’t plan to respond at all, without any protests or complicated international procedures.”

“Ah, I see.”

“To be precise, even if we protest, it’s obvious we won’t get the response or compensation we want from the Eastern Alliance. His Majesty has decided not to engage with them at all.”

In other words, Ray Hakter is saying that protesting to the Eastern Alliance is pointless, so we’d rather not be involved at all.

“I understand what you mean. Thank you for explaining.”

“Not at all. I thought it was only natural to inform you, since you’re deeply involved in this matter as well.”

Of course. If there’s retaliation from Yanagiya Riki of the Eastern Alliance, our clan might be targeted, so it’s important to know these things.

Ray Hakter looked at us with a pleading expression, holding his hands together.

“So… can I… have a drink?”

The rest of the clan members were staring at him like he was an alcoholic.

“Yes, that’s fine. Please, go ahead.”

“Ahhh…! Thank you so much.”

“Secretary…”

“Hey, they said it’s fine, right? Just a little drink.”

“Sigh…”

“Don’t be so uptight. You won’t be popular with men if you act like that.”

At Ray Hakter’s words, a vein popped on Layla’s forehead.

“Really… just wait until we get back.”

‘This is… chaotic.’

It’s not just chaotic, but I’m also concerned about the earlier situation.

‘…Could it be…?’

Ray Hakter had briefly but intently looked at me earlier. Others might wonder why, but from my perspective, it’s different.

‘…There’s something bothering me.’

I’m getting a strange feeling from this man.

‘…Just a gut feeling, but I can’t shake the impression that he’s pretending to be dumb.’

Truly smart people never show off their intelligence.

Because the moment they do, people around them start wearing masks.

That’s why some people pretend to be dumb.

Because around dumb people, others show their true selves.

On the other hand, those who are only somewhat smart are often desperate to show off their intelligence.

This man doesn’t seem like the type who’s just somewhat smart—he feels genuinely intelligent.

‘…That momentary look in his eyes.’

But no matter how smart someone is, they can’t avoid having brief moments of vulnerability.

‘People aren’t machines, after all.’

When I meet someone new, I always observe their eyes carefully. Of course, not obviously, but subtly.

They say the eyes are the window to the soul. The emotions, state of mind, and other information you can gather in that short moment are substantial.

‘Is he suspicious of me? If so, how much?’

If it’s just a small suspicion, it’s fine. As long as it doesn’t lead to confirmation.

‘…If it gets urgent, I can always dispose of the drugs I have.’

Unless an audit suddenly happens, it’s not a problem. No, honestly, even if an audit happens, it wouldn’t matter.

‘The drugs are inside the Chimera.’

Unless they find the Chimera, no one can find the drugs I have.

As I was deep in thought, the man took out a bottle of alcohol and started drinking.

“Ahhh… this is why I can’t quit drinking. Especially since I’m indigenous, but I really enjoy the alcohol made by foreigners like you. It has a unique flavor.”

“You’re quite the connoisseur.”

“That’s right. Alcohol is my life partner. Oh, by the way…”

‘…I should think ahead.’

“…I’ve read all the strategy and promotional materials about the Eternity Clan. I heard that Ms. Yoo Ju is incredibly strong…”

“……”

“And Mr. Lee Yun-seong is said to be very intelligent. I heard he’s extremely smart.”

“Haha… that’s all exaggerated. It’s a bit awkward to say this, but the promotional materials about me from our clan are quite exaggerated.”

“You’re so humble!”

‘Sigh…’

Originally, I was planning to go to the royal palace and think about what to do about Ha Yu-ri, but that’s not the issue right now.

“Ahhh… I envy people who are smart. I’m a bit slow in the head, you see.”

What a joke. Someone who’s dumb and slow wouldn’t be sitting in the position of a secretary.

‘I hope the carriage I’m on isn’t heading to the execution grounds…’