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chapter 51
“Major General.”
Someone was already in the interrogation observation room.
“Director Benedikto.”
Leto’s eyes naturally went to his attire.
Instead of a military uniform, Benedikto, head of the military chaplaincy, wore a dark monastic robe that looked more suited to a clergyman.
After a brief nod, Leto asked,
“Still refusing to speak?”
“He’s completely sealed his lips and even entered a fast.”
“Ah… we can’t torture him recklessly…”
Since the war seven years ago, the Kingdom of Adlabor had strictly regulated humane treatment of prisoners and banned torture, reflecting public opinion regarding war crimes.
As a result, except for special operations, the military couldn’t torture enemy soldiers or suspects of military crimes at will.
“First…”
With a sigh of frustration, Leto glared at the semi-transparent mirror showing the inside of the interrogation room.
“Have you identified him?”
Inside, the fisherman who had shouted about a pirate appearing in the cathedral a week ago sat tied to a chair.
“All the sailors rescued that day said they didn’t know him.”
“That’s why I had him captured and detained.”
He had seemed suspicious from the start.
The place where the Finger Pirates appeared was quite far from the cathedral.
Even putting aside that he had escaped the pirates safely, it was strange that he swam such a distance while injured.
Moreover, instead of seeking the naval guard or the police, he came solely to the cathedral, which had only his mother’s boundless grace.
Coincidentally, a naval couple happened to be getting married there.
“Principal Voltria and Brigadier General Orin said they saw him arrive in a small boat outside the window.”
“A small boat?”
It became increasingly absurd.
The fishing vessel that had been kidnapped was equipped with life jackets but not large enough to carry a lifeboat. There was no trace of installation.
“Could he be a pirate remnant?”
“A pirate couldn’t endure such a long interrogation.”
“Director Benedikto’s psychological interrogations are rather terrifying…”
Even Colonel Plancy, who was imprisoned somewhere in headquarters, had gone half-crazy and lost his wits after meeting with Benedikto several times, despite usually being a composed man.
“The likelihood he’s a foreign spy is much higher.”
“Why is the country like this?”
Leto clicked his tongue.
It felt unsettling to just let it pass.
There was the previous attempted smuggling incident of a private ship.
One of the investigators involved grew and manufactured drugs on the outskirts of the capital and distributed them to the empire.
The pirate gang used as intermediaries was reported by the unidentified man now in the interrogation room.
“…We’ll need to report this to the king.”
Leto exhaled wearily.
Knock. Knock.
At that moment, someone entered the observation room.
“Major General.”
Lieutenant Colonel Ice approached Leto with a worried expression.
Sensing something unusual, Leto’s facial muscles tensed sharply.
“An agent from ‘Tenebre’ has arrived.”
Pressing a hand to his forehead to suppress his irritation, Leto asked,
“Why did they come?”
“They’re taking an important witness under naval protection.”
“Damn it…!”
Benedikto swore harshly and slammed his seat as he stood.
Tenebre.
A secret organization of the Kingdom of Adlabor, one of the nicknames for the king’s direct intelligence unit.
Operating solely under the king’s orders, some called them “the king’s dogs.”
Rumor had it that the Duke Adbello family despised Tenebre.
Neither side ever made an official statement regarding this.
They didn’t confirm it, but they didn’t deny it either.
Regardless of rumors, public perception of Tenebre was never good.
Their brutal actions in the name of the king were enough to make people frown.
“The king’s dogs are here.”
“What business brings them?”
“They say the Major General went to meet them now…”
“Are they really here to take Colonel Plancy?”
The news of Tenebre’s arrival spread quickly throughout headquarters.
“….”
Noah reacted more sensitively than anyone else to this news.
“Did you see their face? What do they look like?”
“Of course not.”
Amy said, casually chewing hotel cookies.
“What good would it do to see them?”
Those who trampled laws in the name of a greater cause needed to be dealt with, Amy waved her hands dismissively as if swatting a fly.
“But why are you so curious?”
The normally standard-frequency-like person who usually ignored such things and focused on the unit’s atmosphere was unusually interested.
Amy teased,
“Did you fight with the Major General?”
“Lieutenant, drop and give me twenty.”
“Wasn’t it?”
After a five-second drop-and-give, Amy brushed herself off.
“Anyway, today’s mood is rough.”
Amy grumbled,
“The meeting ran late, so the schedule got delayed, and that crazy captain caused trouble again this morning…”
“You said something about him buying breakfast at the shop before?”
“Yeah!”
Amy launched into a tirade about the awful captain as if waiting for someone to ask.
“Looks like he baked dough from sewer sludge, yet acts like he’s all high and mighty?”
“You’re something else too.”
Even though the military provided free meals, Amy insisted on buying breakfast at the shop.
“Our mess hall food is good, though.”
Noah didn’t understand.
Naval meals were reputedly higher quality than other branches.
They were the first to conduct internal dining inspections, and suppliers competed publicly, ensuring high standards.
Furthermore, an external nutritionist always planned the menu.
As a result, naval cooks were more demanding than in other branches, but post-service, they were highly sought after by restaurants and hotels.
“But I don’t have an appetite in the morning…”
Amy propped her chin on her hand in discomfort.
“I’m a bit delicate, you know.”
“Noah, arrest her,” someone joked.
Noah decided not to worry about Tenebre or that damn captain for now.
The important thing was today’s schedule.
“Ensign.”
Noah called Ensign Fist.
“Shall we begin our training first?”
With Leto and Lieutenant Colonel Ice absent, Noah was the next highest-ranking officer at the special ship command.
Waiting for them could disrupt the day’s schedule.
Ensign Fist agreed.
“Tenebre’s sudden visit will take some time. I’ll wait for the Major General here, so please go ahead.”
“Understood.”
The team moved to the pool for training.
But someone had arrived first.
“…What the hell?”
Celine frowned, and the others looked similarly shocked.
The indoor training pool was a strict military facility, yet a man was swimming freely.
“This is insane.”
Amy was stunned.
It looked like someone was treating a military facility as a personal pool.
Moreover, his freestyle swim cut through the water with flair but no efficiency.
“Could it be Tenebre?”
Someone murmured.
Noah knew even Tenebre wouldn’t act this recklessly.
They were the king’s direct unit; they wouldn’t disrespect the king’s name like this.
While everyone struggled to comprehend the absurdity, the man finished swimming and emerged.
“Ugh!”
Medella covered her eyes in shock.
The man wore a minimal triangular swimsuit. Some gagged at the sight.
“…Hey.”
Amy tapped Noah’s arm.
“That’s the captain.”
“The captain who got you?”
“Yeah! That guy’s him!”
At that moment, the captain stood directly in front of Noah.
“…Ah.”
His disdainful tone set the first impression.
Amy had exaggerated before, but the complaints were actually quite mild.
“The captain who married Major General Oceanus’ woman.”
The captain openly scanned Noah, training swimsuit and all.
His gaze was almost criminal.
Noah, a diligent taxpayer, was furious thinking this scoundrel lived off taxes.
“Hey, hey.”
Amy whispered to Noah,
“Just hit him once.”
Just that ugly swimsuit deserved a punch! They promised to cover for it as self-defense. Celine joined in.
Noah ignored them and faced the man.
“This facility will be used for special ship training from now on.”
In other words, get lost.
“No flexibility, huh?”
The captain slicked back his wet hair and smirked sarcastically.
“Ugh!”
Someone actually gagged. The team comforted their weak-stomached colleague.
“First time visiting headquarters?”
“What?”
“The indoor pool is a military facility. Private use is forbidden.”
“….”
“And special ship training is classified. Unless a joint schedule is set, it mustn’t be exposed.”
“Oh, someone’s strict.”
The man stepped closer, raising his voice.
“You don’t even rent this place.”
“We did.”
“….”
“I just said, special ship training is confidential.”
Noah’s neck was stiffening.
Patience cultivated alongside Leto was reaching its limit.
“…Hey.”
The red-faced captain asked ominously,
“Do you know who I am?”
“I don’t know exactly, but I think I can guess.”
Noah snickered.
“Never met anyone who asked that who turned out impressive.”
And here he was, right in front of him.
