“Yesterday, the Southern Dispatch Investigation Team sent in their progress. Although it was a total mess and I had a tough time confirming everything, it seems you managed to identify all the warlocks you’ve taken down.”
A woman sitting on the sofa facing Yeon Minha lifted her cup and spoke.
Behind the well-dressed woman, a nameplate reading ‘Principal Haewolhwa’ faintly came into view on the desk.
“Director Lee Jisang of the People’s Liberation Front Southern Forces, commonly known as ‘The Tiger of the South.’ It has been positively identified as that black-listed individual you know.”
She looked almost the same age as Yeon Minha, but the weight of her words revealed the many years she had experienced.
Furthermore, her body exuded a subtle scent reminiscent of sweet grass.
“Additionally, there are 5 identified red-listed individuals, 32 yellow-listed individuals, and including them, there are 234 brigands that infiltrated Jinryeong, totaling 482 when we account for those surrounding the canyon…”
Haewolhwa shook her head as if she’d heard an unbelievable joke.
“Honestly, I’m still quite bewildered. I’ve read the official report three times already. If it weren’t for the unique particle trace left by Marvelous, no one would have believed this. That one person took down all of them…”
Marvelous was certainly the model name of the blade he wielded.
A high-performance blade from S&C, owned by the Heukryeon family, but very few could exploit its full potential; now, only a select group of elite mages were said to use it.
Yet, in her memory, he skillfully handled Marvelous as if it were a part of him.
“…”
Yeon Minha listened intently, drinking her tea with elegance.
Hearing the principal’s story made her feel as if she was floating up to the sky for some reason, even though she was clearly listening to someone else’s tale.
Yeon Minha had to put in considerable effort to mask her feelings.
This was just one of the strange symptoms she had been experiencing lately.
“That child always goes beyond my expectations…”
The principal mumbled and turned her body, her gaze directed toward the large strategic map embedded in the middle of the office wall.
The northern part of the peninsula was painted black and nothing could be seen. Even the south only had a territory where administrative power reached that was less than half of what it should be.
Symbols and identification codes of various anti-state entities and rebel forces were disorderly marked all over.
“The brigands that intruded into Jinryeong have been identified as the elite Southern Forces’ 1st Battalion of the PLF. The military estimates that they have suffered irreparable damage for at least 5 years.”
Haewolhwa muttered while observing the most prominent identification code of the People’s Liberation Front.
“Jinryeong has suffered great destruction, but there is even a prospect that the South may regain stability for a while. With the demon army reemerging in the North, this is a huge contribution that no one can deny.”
“Is that so…”
“I’ve heard that this time, the Golden Military Merit Medal may actually be awarded. It’s practically a certainty. In such clear matters, even Paecheon wouldn’t dare oppose it. They might fear backlash, so they’ll keep their mouths shut this time.”
Good news brought an involuntary smile to Yeon Minha’s lips.
Noticing that, Haewolhwa made a peculiar expression and quickly seized the opportunity.
“You seem so happy for someone else’s achievement. The recipients of the Golden Military Merit Medal will be two people. That child. And you.”
“…Huh?”
Yeon Minha, who had been trying hard to maintain her dignity, finally widened her eyes and turned her gaze to the principal.
“Furthermore, the other children who participated in this commission are also likely to receive the Chungmu Medal.”
“What does that mean…?”
It was reasonable to expect the Chungmu Medal. However, the Golden Military Merit Medal was the highest award bestowed for achievements that could have national repercussions.
The bonus points could easily flip her ranking, where she was trailing behind Baek Seoyeon, but more importantly, it came with great honor and various additional benefits that would last for generations.
But she hadn’t earned that credit.
If she had decapitated the leader herself to prevent the complete destruction and contamination of Jinryeong, it would be different, but she couldn’t comprehend why she was being treated as if she had achieved the same merit.
“Why me… what did I do…?”
“You did quite well. You took down dozens of brigands by yourself. Was it 84? To be honest, that’s a huge accomplishment that ordinary people wouldn’t dare attempt.”
“But just because of that…”
“Oh, and I should mention one thing I haven’t said. You are to be officially recognized as the one who hunted down Lee Jisang. Additionally, about half of the brigands killed this time also count as your achievements…”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Yeon Minha clenched her teeth and cut off the principal’s words. The principal simply looked at her with a peculiar smile still on her face.
“I must point out that this was proposed by that child first.”
“What… are you… saying?”
But with Haewolhwa’s next words, the anger Yeon Minha had built up dissipated like smoke.
She suddenly recalled his words spoken in passing on the battlefield.
‘Golden Military Merit Medal. Congratulations in advance.’
“Such dedication, isn’t it? Anyone would think he’s your husband. Right?”
“H-husband…?”
“Speaking of which, you seem to be looking rather good these days. So many surprising things happening. Could this all be thanks to that child? I’ve heard recently that the two of you are ‘very close.’ Who would’ve guessed it would come to this…?”
“Cl-close, you say…! Even if you are the principal, such inappropriate jokes are…!!”
The principal’s tone emphasized certain phrases in a strange way.
Feeling prickled by the comments, Yeon Minha rebuked her, fueled by the odd coexistence with the masked male student occupying her mind.
Sure, the principal was treating her well due to political reasons. But once the truth about that was revealed to the outside world, she wouldn’t be able to show her face anywhere.
“Precisely. It’s probably just for appearances that you’re stepping to the forefront. He thinks his ordinary results alone should suffice. You must be thinking you’re entitled, so he decided to lend a hand. Honestly, they’re not just ordinary results…”
The principal’s mischievous smile grew wider as she looked at Yeon Minha.
“Take this; it wouldn’t be a bad thing for you. Especially considering the current situation faced by the Jeokhwa Family.”
“…I understand for now. I think I should be leaving. I’ll see you next time.”
With that, Yeon Minha immediately rose from her seat.
She had felt restless and couldn’t sit still any longer.
After greeting the principal and opening the door, she turned back to ask.
“Um, have you figured out what the ‘messenger’ they mentioned is?”
“…For now, we suspect it might be the concept of demons, but it is still unclear. I’ll let you know once the investigation results are in.”
“…Is that so. I understand.”
Yeon Minha nodded and exited the principal’s office. The sound of her footsteps grew faint as she quickened her pace, implying she had something urgent to attend to.
“…”
After Yeon Minha left, Haewolhwa silently gazed at the map she had just studied.
The principal had been all smiles while sending Yeon Minha off, but now a deep darkness loomed over her face.
*
“Why are you doing this? Get a hold of yourself.”
Yeon Minha spoke gently to her reflection in the mirror. Her face, hidden behind her disheveled hair, was completely flushed.
It was fortunate no one was around; otherwise, it would be a sight to make anyone think she was insane.
“I can’t believe this…”
Murmuring softly to herself in despair while facing her pitiful appearance, Yeon Minha was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions like never before in her life.
The cause was, quite evidently, that masked male student.
His ambiguous attitude toward her was also a significant source of her confusion.
Sometimes he treated her worse than a back-alley cat, and at other times, he handled her as if she were a precious work of art…
“…Sigh.”
As those memories flooded in, she couldn’t bear to face herself any longer and hung her head low.
“No, no, no…!”
At first, she suspected that perhaps it was just an extension of the fear she had toward him. But soon after, she realized how misguided that guess had been.
Every time she thought of him, her mood lifted. Even when they exchanged just a few words, she found herself desperately trying to suppress the rising corners of her mouth.
There was no way she could call these feelings fear if she wasn’t losing her mind.
Immediately following that realization, a shocked Yeon Minha desperately sought to deny her feelings.
“Get a hold of yourself. You are Yeon Minha, a person of considerable importance in this country…”
Yeon Minha regarded herself as someone who could distinguish between right and wrong.
And she was well aware that he was someone entirely different from others, such as pitiful individuals who tried to leech off her for anything they could get.
She had no intention of ignoring the kindness he had shown her either. He had risked his life to save her from peril. The debt of saving one of the five families was certainly not insignificant.
As if that weren’t enough, he was willing to share the great honor of the Golden Military Merit Medal with her. While her personal pride wouldn’t allow it, if, as the principal said, he was plotting something grand and wanted her involved, she had no way of refusing.
Even if she showed her dissatisfaction, once he pressed the contents of the agreement in front of her, it would all be over.
In any case, she was determined to return a favor that exceeded what he had given her, and she was also willing to forget the past when he had treated her harshly.
However, having such thoughts and experiencing these nonsensical feelings emerging were entirely different matters.
As mentioned, she was a person of noble distinction. Aside from Baek Seoyeon, there was no one of her caliber in her age group. Be it in looks, skills, or background, none could compare.
How could she possibly afford to carelessly give her heart to anyone? It was even less logical when she thought about who that person was.
A freakish pervert who shamelessly treated women poorly and roughly. He had treated her harshly too, after all.
Moreover, he was surely ugly and unseemly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t constantly wear that mask that only exposed his mouth…
“…Wait.”
As Yeon Minha had been lost in thought, an idea suddenly popped into her mind, prompting her to raise her head.
Soon, her face begin to brighten like a full moon.
Yeon Minha had just thought of a very good way to calm these absurd feelings.
It was a standard set by her very own high and picky aesthetic sense.
“That’s right… Let’s do it that way…!”
Yeon Minha hurriedly made her way toward the ward where he was, heart racing in anticipation.
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