Chapter 305 Good Reward
The surroundings were quiet, the street noise far away, the only sound being the soldier's rapid, almost dying breathing. Fina twirled her clothes uncomfortably with her fingers. Mr. Ghost said nothing, simply watching Victor calmly as his words brought him to the brink of collapse.
"Your 'business' has attracted quite a few people." The black-haired young man maintained his usual calm demeanor, even speaking coldly, "Even if you're interrupted this time, there will always be another. With all due respect, your life is already counting down."
"I should have died long ago," Victor said wearily. "I should have died in the icy north like my comrades..."
The ghost stared at him with its terrifying gray eyes. "Even if you are branded a traitor forever? Even if the Shrike family hypes up your achievements as a tool to atone for your sins and return to power?"
“…”
How pitiful, Fina thought with a mixture of sympathy and awe, he looked as if he was about to choke and pass out.
"You may not trust me." After giving the man a moment to think, the professor softened his tone and said, "But I am your best choice right now.
The emotions on the young soldier's face changed dramatically.
"You should know that the decision regarding the Shrike family was made jointly by the Silver Iris Royal Family and the Royal Court Council." Nova decided to give him the final blow. "In other words, your king won't make the decision for you."
After a long moment, the soldier slowly raised his head and said in a hoarse voice, "...What do you want?"
"I don't think this is a good place to talk," the professor replied calmly.
He stood up, one hand casually in the pocket of his coat, his beautiful smoky-gray eyes drooping as he looked thoughtfully at the disabled soldier slumped on the ground, wondering what he was thinking.
Victor felt a little embarrassed by the man's gaze. He reached out with difficulty and stuffed the precious copper box into his arms, then knocked on his broken leg: "You see, I can't move on my own..."
"I know." The black-haired young man responded lightly, still motionless.
...What is he waiting for? Fina looked at Mr. Ghost in bewilderment. She didn't think he was the type to give others such a hard time. But the Dragon Knight had unknowingly gently grasped his arm.
"...Mr. Ghost?" Fina looked at him nervously and subconsciously took a step forward.
"Please wait a moment," the professor said coldly. Seeing the other two looking at him in confusion and anxiety, he was silent for a moment, then explained expressionlessly, "My legs are numb after squatting for so long."
Fina: “…”
Victor: “…”
Fina's expression almost couldn't be tensed, and Victor's mouth couldn't help twitching. The tense atmosphere was inexplicably eased a little.
"plz follow me."
After regaining control of his limbs, the black-haired young man turned and walked towards the end of the street. Victor was surprised to find himself floating in the air. Fina, who found that the scene seemed to be repeating itself, could not help but make a few meaningful clicks of her tongue and turned to chase after him.
After passing through a maze of alleys, their final destination was a small, almost abandoned opera house that looked old. Due to Cassius II's well-known habit, there were countless such small theaters in the royal city.
So it just happens to be used as a temporary base, thanks to the generous support of Mugana College under the Oakensele Society.
The professor was the first to reach out and push open the carved bronze door. The hinges groaned harshly, and a gust of musty, dusty wind blew in his face. In the dimly lit hall, rows of crimson seats stretched toward the stage like pools of congealed blood.
But when they walked around the stage and into the backstage, Victor was surprised to find that there were actually people there, and quite a few of them—some were arguing in low voices, while others were hurrying around with documents. When they saw the "ghost" beside him, no one saluted. At most, they just stopped and nodded, called out "Chief" or "President", and then went about their business. The latter just nodded in return.
But there were so many people doing this that no matter where the black-haired young man went, he was like the center of a whirlpool, firmly attracting the attention of people around him.
Victor could discern the awe, admiration, and nervousness of those who watched; this young rebel leader was surprisingly highly respected and respected. The latter, however, seemed to be walking in a hurry, with a stern face, as he led him through the crowd to a closed room, probably converted from a former prop room.
The clutter had been cleared away, leaving a massive oak table piled high with documents and a sand table dotted with models. Most eye-catching was a large map of the royal city on the wall, with key locations marked with colored pins and a few scribbled lines. With his military background, Victor could discern the underlying meaning, and a heavy feeling welled up in his heart.
This group of rebels came fully prepared. He didn't know what they wanted to do, but it was probably not a gentle gathering.
Victor was placed in a faded velvet armchair. The lighting in the theater was not good, and the kerosene lamp was lit. The ghost's outline seemed a little blurry, as if it would dissolve into the shadows at any moment. The mysterious sorcerer appeared silently behind the black-haired young man, and Victor suddenly realized with horror that he had unknowingly forgotten his existence.
"Coffee? Or wine?"
Victor was flattered that the ghost had placed a glass in front of him. He sat up straight and said, "Wine, thank you—if it's okay."
Alcohol would help him pour out those extremely painful memories from his throat, in exchange for some help that might or might not be useful.
"...Okay." I don't know if it was an illusion, but the other party seemed to click his tongue, but still turned around, dug out a bottle of rum from somewhere, and poured him a glass. The amber liquor reflected a warm light in the glass.
But there was nothing in front of him.
"I don't drink." Seeing the man hesitantly survey the empty table before him, Ghost sat in another armchair, his hands folded under his chin. Under the light, his smoky gray eyes gleamed like glass orbs. "If you're concerned and want someone to test the poison, I suggest you try coffee instead. I can demonstrate this myself."
Victor: “…”
Is this... a joke? He hesitated, wondering if he should give the other person some face and laugh a few times.
The young soldier exhaled, then suddenly grabbed the wine glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. A searing heat flowed down his throat, condensing into fire in his stomach, forcing him to vomit out all the anger about betrayal and death in the icy snow, all the rage he wanted to roar at the world.
Those gray eyes looked at him calmly. "Now, please tell me what happened to the Iron Shield's Glorious Assault Company in the Brafar area."
…
Fina lingered outside the door. Mr. Ghost hadn't let her in to listen, and she naturally didn't dare eavesdrop, but she was still somewhat concerned about the fate of the young soldier who looked a bit like her brother.
"Miss Wood."
Fina froze, subconsciously clutching the edge of her clothes, and silently turned around. The girl bowed respectfully to the slender figure shrouded in a cloak, "Sir Azuka..."
Even indoors, the man didn't remove his hood, perhaps disliking the idea of everyone staring at him. Within the People's Party, while everyone around Ghost was legendary, thanks to his status as a dragon rider, this lord was undoubtedly one of the most mysterious and adoring leaders. He was an exceptionally powerful alien sorcerer, nearly inseparable from the Chief... and rumors circulated that his relationship with Ghost was complicated.
Well, emotionally it's not that simple.
But if anyone dared to gossip about Mr. Ghost and was caught by Mr. Ore, they would likely face the horrific treatment bestowed upon them by traitors and spies, dying without knowing how. Even the usually good-tempered Marcyline and Mr. Graven had turned their backs on those who had secretly spoken ill of Mr. Ghost. It was said that Marcyline had even punched someone in public.
Fina felt that the guy deserved it, just because their chief was an ordinary person, he dared to associate him with some extremely disgusting and sticky vicious speculations... Mr. Ghost might not care about it given his personality. Although the stupid and bad guy had his jaw broken by Marcylin on the spot, Fina swore that if she were there, she would have kicked him a few more times and cursed at him to feel relieved.
However, although Mr. Ghost is a very respectable and lovely person, this gentleman really makes people feel fear and awe, as if facing a storm that is gathering on the horizon.
"Don't be nervous." The other party seemed to smile slightly, and his voice was gentle and clear enough to make people let down their guard and subconsciously follow his instructions. "The professor asked me to tell you that you can go and do your own thing first. Sergeant Victor Lawes will be properly cared for and accommodated."
They said there was no need to be nervous, but Fina would never forget the horrific experience when they first met. She had even scolded them, and even in her dreams she wanted to sit up and slap herself twice. This made her even more nervous, but Fina still cautiously inquired, "Has he decided to join us?"
"The professor admires him very much." The Dragon Knight did not answer directly, but said calmly: "He is a man worthy of admiration, and a good man. Good people may not be rewarded, but at least they should not disappear from this world quietly."
"Go do your own thing." Seeing Fina frozen in place, the voice beneath the hood remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable sense of oppression: "Can you show me the draft of the report the professor assigned you yesterday?"
The girl shuddered violently, turned around and ran away: "...I, I need to change it!"
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