Chapter 117
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“Doesn’t matter.”
“Let’s see…Not bad. Quite a few decent nobles in here. So, which invitation are you planning to accept?”
Linton casually rummaged through the box Samuel was carrying.
“Even if your circumstances have changed, your status hasn’t. Nobles tend to look down on commoners who get too arrogant.”
“Is that so?”
“It’d benefit you to build some social connections. How about it? Want me to help?”
Instead of answering, Samuel simply looked down at him.
At some point, Kate had moved to stand protectively behind Linton. Smiling faintly, Linton stepped closer and leaned toward Samuel’s ear.
“That way, you’ll spend less time obsessing over my dedicated Esper.”
His whisper came through gritted teeth.
“You spread those rumors on purpose, didn’t you? Were you that proud of imprinting with Adrien?”
Samuel couldn’t help it, he laughed. Lifting his head, he stepped back slightly and tugged at his shirt collar.
“The marks are still there.”
His tone stretched lazily.
“Want to see them again?”
“…You! Did you just drop formal speech with me?”
“Why? Is there some rule against two captains speaking casually?”
“Ha! Hey, Samuel Norah!”
Yes. Just as Linton said, Samuel was proud.
She had chosen him. Of course he was proud.
Until now, Samuel had been nothing more than an insignificant Silver-level guide. He hadn’t even dared imagine being seriously linked to Adrien.
But things had changed.
Samuel Norah was no longer that provincial rookie ensign.
He was now the guide with the strongest guiding in the Empire, the only one capable of satisfying Adrien completely.
His lack of pedigree or noble blood no longer mattered. In fact, perhaps Adrien would find a man with fewer political entanglements and no social ambition easier to deal with.
And if Samuel could offer her endless comfort and pleasure in return… Who could possibly be a better match?
“No matter how many times the commander takes someone like me, her reputation won’t suffer. If anyone takes a hit, it’ll be the dedicated guide.”
“……”
“And even then, only if their relationship wasn’t all that solid to begin with.”
“You—!”
Samuel had assumed simply showing the imprint marks would provoke Linton.
Linton took the bait even more eagerly than expected. His hysteria had only worsened with each passing day.
People around the unit had already started whispering that Linton, after being rejected by Adrien, was finally showing his true colors.
Until now, he had only shown his ugly side in front of Samuel.
Not today.
Now others were seeing it too, and the murmurs spreading around them were growing impossible to ignore.
Watching the scene unfold, Peter let out a silent groan.
‘So this was your plan all along, Samuel Norah…!’
Samuel Norah had never been innocent. Life had been far too harsh to allow that.
To protect himself—a poor guide with a dangerously beautiful face—and his younger sister, who looked just like him, cleverness alone had never been enough.
He had needed to be cunning.
“I think I’ve shown more than enough respect as a junior officer. And now that the guiding-control lessons are over, I see no reason to keep being formal with you.”
“You’re going too far, Captain Samuel.”
Kate cut in, frowning as she stepped between them.
Samuel smiled faintly.
He had suddenly remembered how Kate used to dump endless menial tasks on him in Linton’s office.
The hierarchy in the Special Forces revolved around rank and ability level. Sometimes age or social status complicated things, leading people of equal rank to use polite speech anyway. But failing to do so was hardly grounds for criticism.
And Samuel Norah was now the Empire’s strongest guide. He had no reason to bow his head to anyone.
As he studied Kate quietly, realization suddenly struck him.
Ah. So that was the answer to the question he’d had in Linton’s office.
“Then perhaps I’ll stop here—for Lieutenant Kate’s sake.”
“Hah? You really—!”
“Oh, but before I go, I do want to thank Captain Linton.”
Linton froze.
“…What?”
“Your lessons will be very useful when I’m guiding the commander.”
“…What?”
“Didn’t hear me? I’ll be taking charge of her guiding regularly too. Since you’re only Gold-level, handling the commander alone must be difficult.”
“……”
“Funny. Doesn’t that sound familiar?”
It was almost word-for-word the kind of thing Linton himself had once said to Samuel. Linton gave a hollow laugh, glaring daggers at him.
“So you’re made captain, became some famous guide everyone knows, and now you think you’re untouchable?”
“Exactly.”
Samuel smiled brightly.
“I really don’t see anyone above me anymore. But can you blame me?”
The confidence was almost shameless. Worse, it was impossible to argue against.
Linton stood there speechless. It was a flawless victory for Samuel.
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