Chapter 116
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This was something they had to resolve themselves. There was no other way.
“I can’t leave this to anyone else. I’ll handle it personally.”
“What? Commander! But—!”
“You’re the one who stirred this up, and now you’re backing out, Doctor? I know monster territories better than anyone, and I’m the one best suited to keep this quiet.”
“And what about a field guide?”
Alex asked, eyes widening with genuine concern.
“You said the new directive takes effect today. Even if it’s a covert mission, I absolutely can’t approve of you going alone. You might lose control and die before you even find a monster.”
“You’ve got quite a way with words. Captain Charlize, will you accompany me?”
“Wait—what? Why is Captain Charlize even being brought into this?”
Alex practically jumped out of his seat.
“You’re planning to take a guide who already has a dedicated Esper? Major Robin has only just returned and resumed his duties—are you going to shove him aside again?”
“…I think there may be someone more suitable, Commander.”
Alex nodded vigorously at Charlize’s calm words, despite their opposing tones.
Adrien looked between the two of them—somehow united in purpose—and let out a long sigh.
“You’re telling me to take Captain Samuel Norah, aren’t you?”
“Of course! I heard you two have more or less made up, so what’s the problem? This is about the mission. Are personal feelings really more important?”
“…Things are getting interesting.”
At this rate, would she even be able to keep her promise to accept only minimal, external guiding?
Rubbing her face in frustration, Adrien suddenly paused.
“…Wait. Where did you hear that Samuel and I made up?”
* * *
“Captain Samuel, you’ve got another mountain of letters today.”
“Oh, Peter.”
Samuel had just stepped out of the mail office when he ran into Peter. Just as he said, Samuel was holding an entire box filled with letters.
All of them had arrived that very day—social invitations, greetings, and requests, from Espers and nobles alike.
Ordinarily, Espers were treated as the more valuable party. But high-level guides were a different story. After all, high-level Espers required equally powerful guides to function properly.
In that sense, Samuel had become something of an irresistible lure—an endless source of temptation for Espers.
And ever since rumors spread that he had formed a deep imprint with Adrien Brillante and was still walking around the Security Guard perfectly fine, his popularity had only skyrocketed.
It wasn’t just Adrien’s influence people were after. Everyone had realized that Samuel alone could guide multiple Gold-level Espers at once.
“So, burning them all again today?”
“Of course. Though honestly, I’m still not used to you speaking politely to me.”
“I should be the one saying that.”
Peter scowled at him briefly, then broke into a grin. Samuel smiled back.
Despite the sudden promotion of his friend and comrade, Peter treated him no differently. Thankfully, their peers had also sincerely congratulated him.
Most of their seniors had as well. They fully acknowledged Samuel’s achievements and newfound abilities. But there were always exceptions.
“…Samuel, should we take another route?”
“Why?”
“…Over there. Captain Linton.”
Up ahead, Linton and Lieutenant Kate were standing in the path, deep in conversation. Even though Linton hadn’t noticed them yet, Peter nervously tugged at Samuel’s sleeve.
“There’s no need to run into him again and start a fight, right? Let’s go around, Captain.”
The training sessions between Samuel and Linton had quickly become infamous. Every time they entered the same training room, shouting and loud crashes would follow.
And it was almost always one voice doing the shouting—Linton Vionne, the man who had lost his title as the empire’s most perfect guide, consumed by jealousy.
After every session, Samuel would walk out with at least one or two injuries. After the most recent one, his lip had been split open, blood still clinging to the corner.
No matter how many times Peter asked what had happened, Samuel would only smile faintly and say nothing.
Most assumed it was just Samuel being himself, protecting even an incompetent senior.
“Captain? Hey—please, let’s just go—ugh, seriously.”
Peter’s grip slackened. Too late.
Linton had spotted them. His eyes sharpened instantly.
Cutting off his conversation, Linton strode toward Samuel. At the same time, the attention of nearby personnel began to gather.
Linton glanced at the pile of letters in Samuel’s arms and let out a short laugh.
“Popular, aren’t you… Ensign—ah, that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue anymore. Captain Samuel sounds better, doesn’t it?”
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