Chapter 98 - Reunion
『 TL – Divinity 』
『 PR – Vein 』
The next morning.
Daniel arrived at the General Staff Headquarters and went to the Operations Staff Office to report on his mission, only to be taken aback.
"We've been waiting for you, Operations Staff Officer!"
"Congratulations on your return, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner!"
"We heard about the results of the meeting! As expected of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel!"
The staff members, upon seeing him, stopped their work and showered him with praise and applause.
However, their effusive compliments seemed to contain more flattery than sincerity.
'It's like they're trying to get on the good side of the future leader...'
Thinking about it from their perspective, it wasn't entirely wrong.
The war hero they thought was dead had not only returned alive but also successfully concluded the negotiations with the Prime Minister of Bellanos.
And on top of that, he had a private audience with His Majesty immediately after his return? It was only natural to think of him as the rising star of the Empire, currently in the midst of a power transition.
Daniel, who had barely survived his audience with the Emperor, couldn't reveal the truth and simply nodded.
After exchanging greetings, the door to the Chief of Operations Staff's office opened.
Ernst, emerging from his office, beamed at the sight of Daniel.
"Daniel Steiner!"
Calling his name, Ernst approached him.
"Welcome back! Do you know how worried I was about you? I'm so grateful that you returned safely!"
"Ah, Chief of Operations Staff."
Daniel tried to salute, but Ernst waved his hand dismissively.
"No need for salutes between us! Just go home and rest."
"...Go home, sir?"
"We received orders from the higher-ups to give you a break as soon as you report on your mission. So go get some rest today."
He wasn't sure if it was the Emperor's or Sylvia's doing, but he could sense their intention to grant him a favor.
It felt strange to be dismissed from work right after arriving, but he couldn't refuse the order from the higher-ups, nor did he need to.
Just as Daniel was about to nod, Ernst added,
"Ah, and tomorrow, you're to report to the Imperial Palace instead of the General Staff Headquarters."
"The Imperial Palace? Don't tell me His Majesty has summoned me again?"
"Hmm? No. This time, it's Her Highness who wishes to see you. She probably has some questions about the Bellanos negotiations."
It was good news that it was the princess, not the Emperor, who summoned him.
'Compared to the Emperor, who's wary of me, Sylvia, who is at least somewhat favorably disposed towards me, is better...'
Of course, it was still burdensome to meet with both of them due to their social status.
Although meeting Sylvia, the princess, was better than meeting Emperor Bertram,
"I'll keep that in mind. But..."
Daniel looked around and asked with a curious expression,
"I don't see my adjutant. Is she working in my private office?"
"Your adjutant? Ah..."
Ernst hesitated for a moment as if he had forgotten, then cleared his throat.
"Actually, your adjutant is currently on vacation."
"On vacation, sir?"
"Yes. She seemed quite shocked after the ship sinking incident, so I suggested she apply for a long leave. I thought she needed some time to rest, considering the death of her direct superior. Of course, now we know you're alive and well!"
Ernst lightly patted Daniel's waist in an attempt to lighten the mood.
However, since Daniel's expression remained serious, Ernst continued with a subdued tone,
"Well... she should be resting in her quarters now. So, wouldn't it be a good idea for you to check on her yourself?"
Daniel frowned at Ernst's subtle suggestion.
'He wants me to visit the woman who tried to assassinate me?'
It was a dangerous act, like sticking his head in an alligator's mouth.
Daniel was about to refuse when he paused.
'...There are too many eyes watching.'
If he didn't seem concerned about his adjutant, who was supposedly confined to her quarters due to shock, his reputation would plummet.
And he couldn't afford to give them more reasons to gossip, especially with the Emperor looking for any fault he could find.
Daniel gritted his teeth and forced a smile.
"Thank you for the advice, sir. I'll follow your suggestion and visit my adjutant's quarters."
Not having a choice was more painful than he thought.
"As expected! The hero of our Empire, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, has a heart of gold! What are you all waiting for? Applaud!"
Having a clueless superior was also quite painful.
═ ⋆★⋆ ═
Meanwhile, at Lucy Emilia's quarters.
"......."
In the room with the blackout curtains drawn, Lucy was curled up in bed, staring blankly downwards.
Her hair was disheveled from days without washing, her eyes were lifeless, and dried tear stains were visible on her cheeks.
She had been cooped up in this room since her vacation request was approved, not stepping outside even once, so her appearance was a mess.
But she couldn't focus on any of that.
Her mind was filled with guilt and regret.
'Because of me...'
Lucy's consciousness drifted to the distant past.
More precisely, to the horrific memories of the past.
—What's your name? My name is Subject 96. That's what they call me here.
Lucy's first memory was always of Subject 96.
That girl was the only source of color in Lucy's monochrome childhood.
The friendly girl was able to befriend Lucy, who treated her coldly, and Lucy, slowly opening her heart, eventually became friends with her.
The girl would tell her that they should go eat delicious food together once they escaped this place.
In the hopeless laboratory, Lucy gradually grew fond of her.
But their small dream, sealed with a pinky promise, would never come true.
—Subject 96 has been disposed of. You should do your best if you don't want to be disposed of as well.
One day, Subject 96 disappeared.
Completely, as if she had never existed.
At an age where she didn't even properly understand the concept of parting, Lucy learned about death.
'And after that...'
Her wandering consciousness drifted to the somewhat distant future.
She saw a mansion.
It was Count Caledra's grand mansion.
There, Lucy was able to live a new life.
Everything was abundant, she had everything she could ever want, and everyone treated her kindly.
Living in that dreamlike world, Lucy met another maid her age.
The maid had a bright personality and was a chatterbox, so they quickly became friends.
Through her words, Lucy, who was quiet, learned about the outside world and imagined the coziness of a wheat field at sunset and the refreshing breeze from the sea at noon.
After a long time, Lucy opened her heart again and befriended the maid.
Overjoyed at having a close friend, Lucy even acted spoiled towards Count Caledra.
—Father! Can I go on a trip with my friend? Just for a day!
Caledra smiled kindly and asked for her friend's name.
The naive Lucy told him her name, and the maid didn't show up for work at the mansion the next day.
Rumors spread that she had died in an accident.
Since that day, Lucy stopped calling Caledra "father."
"......"
Lucy slowly closed her eyes.
And she gritted her teeth.
Because the emotions she couldn't express were turning into a knot in her heart.
Her emotions, which had surpassed her reason, were dominating her mind.
Letting out a dying breath, Lucy thought,
Subject 96 died because I liked her.
The maid died because I liked her.
'And Daniel Steiner died because I liked him...'
They say that when a coincidence happens three times in a row, it becomes inevitable.
Although her reason screamed that it wasn't true, her heart, consumed by emotions, was already tainted with darkness.
It was easier to deny herself than to affirm herself.
'If everyone I come to care for dies...'
Why should she continue living?
What glory was there in such a life?
She didn't want to think anymore; she didn't want to suffer anymore.
She was tired of even doubting Count Caledra.
It was then that Lucy, wanting to end everything, slowly opened her eyes.
Knock, knock—
A knock came from the front door.
Just as she was wondering who it was, a familiar voice reached her ears.
"Adjutant! I heard you were here..."
It was Daniel Steiner's voice.
Lucy's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly shook her head.
No, that couldn't be. Daniel Steiner was dead.
"Adjutant? Why isn't the door locked? What if a robber breaks in?"
The voice, which she had initially dismissed as a hallucination, grew louder.
Her breathing quickened.
Lucy, with a flicker of hope, forced herself to sit up.
Her body, stiff from days of lying in bed, creaked as she moved.
"Ugh..."
Her ears rang, and her vision blurred.
Her breathing became even more ragged, and her body refused to obey.
Nevertheless, Lucy slowly regained control of her body and finally managed to get out of bed.
"Adjutant! If you're not here, I'll be on my way!"
No.
She shook her head desperately and stumbled towards the door, grabbing the doorknob.
After a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped out.
And there he was.
Daniel Steiner.
Her superior officer, and that foolish man who loved desserts.
"...Adjutant?"
Daniel looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Lucy, after staring at him for a while, started walking towards him.
She wanted to run, but her body, weakened from days of starvation, wouldn't cooperate.
"Daniel..."
She couldn't even speak properly.
Her voice was hoarse and cracked.
Clearing her throat, Lucy finally reached him and looked up.
Her messy hair was obstructing her vision, but it didn't hinder her from seeing Daniel.
"Daniel Steiner..."
Lucy, calling her superior officer's name informally, slowly raised her hand.
Her hand, moving as if caught in a net, reached his cheek.
Daniel was surprised, but he didn't flinch, and Lucy could feel the warmth of his skin against her hand.
Daniel Steiner wasn't dead.
For some reason, tears welled up in her eyes.
She had thought that she couldn't cry anymore after all the tears she had shed.
Not wanting to show him her tears, Lucy lowered her head.
Her hand also fell, clutching his red tie.
"Lieutenant Colonel, your tie is..."
Trying to change the subject, Lucy couldn't hold back her sobs any longer.
A choked sob escaped her lips, echoing sadly between them.
Unable to hold back, she gently tugged on his tie and buried her face in his chest.
Her trembling shoulders, ragged breathing, and soft sobs expressed her emotions.
Sobbing like a fool, Lucy finally managed to speak,
"Welcome..."
Overwhelmed with emotion, she tried to restrain herself as she confessed her feelings.
"...Welcome back. I..."
But then her mind went blank.
Daniel, who had been silent, suddenly raised his hand and patted her back.
This made Lucy burst into tears.
As if she had returned to her childhood, when she had missed the chance to cry.