Chapter 98

The next day.

After clocking in at General Staff Headquarters, Daniel stopped by the Office of the Operations Staff to submit his mission report and was left flabbergasted.

“We’ve been waiting for you! Operations Staff!”

“Colonel Daniel Steiner! Welcome back from the dead!”

“We heard about the results of the Belanos talks! You really are something else, Colonel Steiner!”

Staff officers who spotted Daniel immediately halted their work, clapping and showering him with praise like he was some kind of rockstar.

Though it seemed less genuine admiration and more calculated flattery.

‘Feels like they’re trying to cozy up to a future power player…’

Not an entirely wrong assumption when you thought about it.

The war hero everyone thought was dead not only survived but also successfully wrapped up negotiations with the Prime Minister of Belanos.

And then had a private meeting with His Majesty the Emperor right after returning? It wasn’t hard to see why people were treating him like the rising star of the Empire during this period of political transition.

As for Daniel himself, having just barely escaped death during that private audience with the Emperor, he simply nodded mutely, unable to voice the truth.

After exchanging pleasantries, the door to the Head of the Operations Staff Office opened.

Colonel Ernst Bark emerged from the office, grinning ear to ear upon spotting Daniel.

“Daniel Steiner!”

Ernst approached Daniel with big strides.

“Welcome back! Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been about you? Thank goodness you’re back safe and sound!”

“Ahh… Head of the Operations Staff.”

Daniel started to salute, but Ernst waved him off.

“None of that between us! Alright, get back to your duties.”

“…My duties?”

Ernst chuckled.

“Orders from above came down saying that as soon as you submitted your mission report, you’re to be granted mandatory rest. Looks like someone up top cares about you. Take the day off and relax.”

Whether it was Emperor Berthelm’s doing or Princess Selvia pulling strings, the intent to give him special treatment was clear.

Getting sent home right after showing up felt a bit strange, but when higher-ups tell you to rest, you don’t argue—and there wasn’t much reason to refuse anyway.

Just as Daniel was about to nod in agreement, Ernst added:

“Oh, and tomorrow, report to the Imperial Palace instead of the General Staff Headquarters.”

“The Imperial Palace? Is His Majesty summoning me again?”

“Huh? No, this time it’s Her Highness the Princess who wishes to see you. Probably has some follow-up questions regarding the Belanos negotiations.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t another meeting with the suspicious Emperor but rather Princess Selvia, who at least seemed somewhat friendly toward him.

‘Better to deal with Selvia than the Emperor glaring daggers at me…’

Of course, given their royal status, both encounters still came with plenty of pressure.

But compared to Emperor Berthelm, seeing Princess Selvia was definitely preferable.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Though…”

Daniel glanced around before asking curiously.

“Where’s my aide-de-camp? Is he handling business from my personal office?”

“Aide-de-camp? Oh…”

Ernst hesitated for a moment, then cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Fact is, your aide-de-camp is currently on leave.”

“On leave?”

“Yeah. After the ship sinking incident, he seemed pretty shaken up, so I advised him to apply for an extended vacation. Figured losing his direct superior like that would take its toll—though obviously now we know you’re alive and kicking!”

Ernst playfully patted Daniel on the back to lighten the mood.

But since Daniel remained expressionless, Ernst grew deflated and continued.

“Well… He’s probably resting at his quarters right now. Thought you might want to check in on him yourself.”

At Ernst’s subtle suggestion, Daniel furrowed his brow.

‘You want me to visit the woman who tried to kill me?’

It was akin to sticking your head into a crocodile’s mouth—suicidally dangerous.

Daniel was about to decline when he paused.

‘Too many witnesses watching…’

If word got out that he didn’t even bother checking on an aide-de-camp supposedly traumatized over his supposed death, his reputation would plummet. Especially now when the Emperor was already scrutinizing his every move for flaws—he couldn’t afford to give them more gossip material.

With gritted teeth, Daniel forced a strained smile.

“Much appreciated for the advice. Following the Head of Operations’ recommendation, I’ll stop by my aide-de-camp’s quarters.”

Having no choice sucked way worse than he expected.

“Exactly! Our empire’s hero, Colonel Steiner, has a heart of gold! What are you all standing around for? Show some applause!”

Having a clueless superior was almost as painful as having no choice.

*

Meanwhile, at Lucy Emilia’s quarters.

“…”

In a room cloaked in darkness thanks to blackout curtains, Lucy sat curled up on her bed, staring blankly downward.

Her unwashed hair was matted after days without care, her eyes lifeless, and dried tear tracks clearly visible on her cheeks.

Since being granted leave, she hadn’t left her quarters once, and it showed in her disheveled appearance.

But none of that mattered to Lucy.

Because guilt and regret consumed her mind completely.

‘Because of me…’

Lucy’s thoughts drifted back to distant memories—specifically, the horrific ones from her past.

– What’s your name? Mine is Test Subject 96. That’s what they call me here.

For Lucy, her earliest memory always revolved around Test Subject 96.

She was the one splash of color in Lucy’s otherwise monochrome childhood.

Despite Lucy’s cold demeanor, the cheerful girl managed to befriend her. Gradually, Lucy began opening up and eventually became friends with her.

This girl often talked about escaping the facility together and eating delicious desserts afterward.

In the bleak world of the research lab, Lucy slowly grew fond of her.

But the small dream they sealed with pinky promises would never come true.

– Test Subject 96 has been terminated. If you wish to avoid the same fate, give your best effort.

One day, Test Subject 96 vanished.

As if she’d never existed in the first place.

Young Lucy, who barely understood what goodbyes meant, learned what death was.

‘And later…’

Her thoughts drifted forward to a slightly newer memory.

A mansion appeared.

Count Kaledra’s grand estate.

There, Lucy lived a new life.

Everything was abundant; nothing was lacking, and everyone treated her kindly.

In this dream-like world, Lucy met a maid around her age.

The chatty and bright maid quickly befriended Lucy.

Through conversations with the maid, the quiet Lucy learned about the outside world—the warmth of golden wheat fields at sunset and the refreshing breeze from the midday sea.

Over time, Lucy opened her heart again and formed a close friendship with the maid.

Thrilled to have a friend, Lucy even threw tantrums to Count Kaledra, asking for permission to go on trips with her new friend.

– Daddy! Can I go on a trip with my friend? We’ll be back in a day!

Kaledra smiled kindly and asked for the maid’s name.

Naive Lucy gave it to him without hesitation, and the next day, the maid never returned to work.

Rumors spread that she’d died in a terrible accident.

From that day forward, Lucy stopped calling Kaledra “Father.”

“…”

Lucy’s eyes slowly closed as she clenched her teeth tightly.

Unexpressed emotions festered inside her, overwhelming rational thought.

Feelings ruled her heart, drowning out reason.

It was easier to hate herself than to love herself.

‘Because I cared…’

Test Subject 96 died.

Because I cared…

The maid died.

‘Because I cared…’

Daniel Steiner died.

When coincidence happens three times in a row, it becomes destiny.

Reason screamed otherwise, but emotion had already stained her heart black.

Because it was easier to loathe herself than to embrace self-worth.

‘If everyone I care about keeps dying…’

Why should she continue living?

What glory could possibly exist in such a life?

She no longer wanted to think or feel pain.

Suspecting Count Kaledra had grown tiresome.

Just as Lucy decided to end everything, her eyes fluttered open.

Knock knock—

A knock echoed from the entrance.

Recognizing a familiar voice through the door,

“Hey, aide-de-camp! I heard you were here, so I came to check…”

It was Daniel Steiner’s voice.

Shocked, Lucy shook her head.

No way. Daniel Steiner is dead.

“Hey, aide-de-camp? Why aren’t you answering? Leaving your door unlocked like this is dangerous, you know.”

The voice grew louder, confirming it wasn’t an auditory hallucination.

Lucy’s breathing quickened as she struggled to sit up.

Her body, stiff from days of immobility, creaked painfully.

“Ugh…”

Ringing filled her ears, and her vision blurred.

Her breathing grew more erratic, and her body refused to cooperate.

Still, Lucy pushed through, managing to climb out of bed despite the odds.

“Oi, aide-de-camp! If you’re not here, I’ll be heading back!”

No!

Frantically shaking her head, Lucy stumbled toward the door and grabbed the handle.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped out.

There stood Daniel Steiner.

Her superior officer and the dessert-loving idiot she knew so well.

“…Aide-de-camp?”

Seeing Lucy’s disheveled state, Daniel looked confused.

For a moment, Lucy just stared at him before taking a hesitant step forward.

She wanted to run to him, but her malnourished body wouldn’t obey.

“Da-Daniel…”

Her voice cracked and splintered.

Struggling to steady her voice, Lucy finally moved closer until she stood mere inches away.

Her messy hair fell into her face, partially obscuring her view, but it didn’t matter—she could still see Daniel clearly.

“Daniel Steiner…”

Summoning the courage, Lucy slowly raised her hand.

Like a fish caught in a net, the movement was sluggish, but her hand eventually reached Daniel’s cheek.

Surprised but not recoiling, Daniel allowed Lucy to confirm the touch was real.

Daniel Steiner was alive.

For reasons unknown, tears welled up in her eyes.

She thought she’d cried all she could, yet here they were again.

Not wanting to show her crying face, Lucy bowed her head.

Her hand followed suit, instinctively clutching Daniel’s red necktie.

“Colonel… Your tie placement is…”

Trying to change the subject naturally, Lucy ultimately couldn’t hold back her sobs.

Muffled cries leaked through her teeth, echoing sorrowfully between them.

Unable to resist any longer, Lucy gently tugged on the necktie, burying her face in Daniel’s chest.

Her trembling shoulders, ragged breathing, and soft whimpers conveyed her raw emotions.

The foolhardy aide-de-camp sobbed openly as she mustered all her strength to speak.

“Well…”

In the midst of overwhelming feelings, Lucy restrained herself as much as possible to express her heart.

“…Welcome back, sir. I…”

But suddenly, her mind went blank, like spilling white paint over a canvas.

Breaking the prolonged silence, Daniel unexpectedly placed a hand on Lucy’s back and patted it gently.

Encouraged, Lucy couldn’t hold back any longer, bursting into tears.

Returning to the days of her childhood when she missed opportunities to cry properly.