Chapter 92
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Samuel’s gaze was fixed, almost burning a hole in it. Adrien’s necklace was a deep, nearly crimson red—much more intense than Joseph’s.
“But you’re not out of your mind, are you? I mean, I’m a higher level than you, and I’m just fine.”
Joseph, who had been darting his gaze everywhere in a panic, finally dropped his head in defeat. With the Commander—the so-called Light of Justice—holding the proof right in front of him, there was nothing left to say.
Adrien let the necklace drop with a sharp flick and issued her order.
“According to Article 5, Clause 4 of the Special Abilities Act, any Esper who commits physical or verbal violence against a Guide for the sake of guiding will be detained. Take him away.”
The soldiers waiting nearby immediately grabbed Joseph by both arms and led him out under arrest. Only then did the onlookers begin to disperse.
Still, a few glances lingered, since Adrien and Samuel were left standing together.
“…Thank you, Commander.”
Samuel said, bowing his head. Adrien clenched her hands tightly behind her back.
Her insides churned with guilt. She’d had no idea Samuel was being treated this way by the unit.
‘It’s because of me.’
It was obvious. Which Esper wouldn’t be curious about a Guide who’d once caught the Commander’s favor—only to be discarded soon after? How pathetic must Samuel look now?
Was pushing Samuel away really the best thing she could have done? Maybe it would have been safer, better, to keep him close and protect him—no matter what it cost.
‘…But is that really for Samuel’s sake?’
Or was it just selfishness—her desire to bask in the comfort of having a Guide with an insane 98% compatibility?
Adrien wasn’t sure anymore.
“…You’re not hurt, are you, Ensign?”
“I’m all right.”
“He grabbed your wrist pretty hard.”
“A bruise doesn’t matter.”
He was right—a little bruise was nothing for a soldier. But to Adrien Brillante, it mattered. She knew exactly how strong, how smooth the skin on that wrist was, its precise shade.
She even remembered how he’d shudder and gasp when she’d kissed the inside of his arm.
Now, if she touched him, it would be pain—not pleasure—that escaped his lips. The thought made her want to run after Joseph Walsky and return the favor tenfold.
“Have any other Espers been giving you trouble?”
If she was going to do something, it had to be productive—not just for her own satisfaction.
Adrien steadied herself and asked. Samuel hesitated, then spoke.
“Joseph Walsky, Nathan White, Kevin Depp, and Martin Clodid. All four are Esper lieutenants.”
The names were familiar. Adrien glanced at the shared guiding paperwork she’d left on the bed—sure enough, all four were on Samuel’s assigned list.
Wait—why was Samuel here, anyway? His transfer hadn’t gone through yet. If his regular assignment had changed to shared guiding, she would have been informed.
Which meant there was only one explanation: he’d been personally reassigned by a superior officer, at least at the rank of captain or above.
“…Linton.”
Adrien muttered, and found his name listed as the shared guiding supervisor at the top of the document.
“Did you meet these Espers while doing shared guiding?”
“No.”
“So… they were harassing you before?”
“Yes.”
With a sharp crack, a piece of the clipboard snapped off in Adrien’s clenched hand.
‘Damn it, Linton Vionne.’
She’d pleaded with him, but this is what happened. Maybe the real mistake was ever trusting Linton in the first place. Or maybe it went further back than that, to the moment she and Samuel Norah first got involved.
“Ensign Samuel.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Consider any assignment from Captain Linton canceled. I’ll inform you of your new post soon—please wait for further instructions.”
With that, Adrien vanished like the wind, her expression darker and more dangerous than ever as she strode toward Linton’s office.
* * *
The office door burst open without so much as a knock.
Linton, who’d been about to scowl, lit up when he saw who it was.
“Adrien!”
But Adrien’s face was grim. Linton, who’d started to step forward, faltered. Even Lieutenant Kate, who had stood up to salute, looked tense and wary.
“I told you not to touch him.”
Adrien flung the shared guiding paperwork at Linton’s feet. The slap of the file hitting the floor cut through the air, drawing Linton’s attention straight to it.
The temperature in the room dropped instantly as Adrien fixed Linton with a fierce glare.
“And you told me it wouldn’t happen. That you wouldn’t do it.”
Linton stood silent for a long moment, then finally looked up and let out a small laugh.
“What are you talking about, Adrien? That was ages ago.”
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