GMWB 101

Chapter 101

“Major General.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Wasn’t this supposed to be an ideological inspection?”

“If it were the Security Bureau’s original intention, then yes, it would be.”

Reto admitted it without hesitation.

In fact, almost everyone knew the Bureau’s intentions.

And most people had also noticed that this counseling session was meant more to assert their presence and set the tone than anything else.

“How many counseling sessions have you had, sir?”

Noah asked.

“Me?”

Reto counted on his fingers and thought carefully.

“Five successful ones?”

“You’ve had five of those?”

“But it’s fun.”

Reto genuinely enjoyed his sessions with the Security Bureau.

“Actually…”

He hesitated as if about to confess something important. Then, as if having made up his mind, he nodded lightly.

“Since I got married, my personality has become much more docile.”

“……”

“……”

Noah and all the special unit members fell silent. They had plenty of arguments they could make, but no one was foolish enough to openly contradict their superior.

Even though they likely sensed the awkwardness, Reto’s shameless self-reflection continued.

“I guess it’s because I’ve found peace of mind. I’m more careful with my words, and I’ve changed a lot of my sarcastic tones.”

“Cough.”

Ami suddenly coughed.

“C-cough! Damn it, cough!”

“Lieutenant Chitia.”

But Reto had already noticed everything, so Ami, whose name was called, obediently dropped to the floor for ten seconds.

Noah looked at his friend’s reckless bravery with a twinge of pity.

Reto continued.

“Anyway, I guess all that had built up inside me.”

He meant that after finally venting to the Security Bureau, stresses he hadn’t even realized he carried were gone, and he felt refreshed.

“Counseling isn’t counseling for nothing.”

“Ho-how much did it torment…? No, nothing.”

Noah quickly retracted the question. Not out of pity for the Bureau, but because it wasn’t helpful for his own mental health. Listening would just frustrate him.

“I’ll be going.”

“If you go, give them my regards.”

Reto waved as he spoke, leaving Noah with the impression that he and the Bureau were extremely close.

“Captain Bello, right?”

The man who greeted Noah as she entered the counseling room was a red-haired man of decent appearance.

He wore a polite smile, but the exhaustion and fatigue etched on his face were impossible to hide.

“…Thank you for your hard work.”

Noah found herself feeling sympathy for a Security Bureau employee without realizing it.

‘No wonder they look exhausted.’

The Bureau had begun investigating the entire Adlabore military, starting with the navy.

However, it was said that fewer than fifty Bureau employees visited the navy.

Meanwhile, roughly 5,000 sailors were stationed at this headquarters alone. And that number didn’t even include those currently at sea on ships.

‘Was it ever even possible to investigate the whole army?’

Just then, the red-haired Bureau employee smiled tiredly and said:

“I knew from the start that they—meaning the Bureau—wouldn’t be warmly welcomed. Would you like some tea?”

“We’re not rejecting them. And no, thank you.”

“Captain, have you recently seen the Bureau employees’ faces?”

“I’ve passed by them a few times.”

It was easy to see why they looked exhausted, and Noah knew the reason. It wasn’t just because of their enormous workload.

“The navy genuinely enjoys visits from the Bureau.”

Noah’s statement was sincere.

With Admiral Advelo’s approval, the navy participated in these sessions willingly, even to the point of forcing themselves to be cheered up during the Bureau’s interactions.

Even Reto would ask Bureau staff for counseling when bored. Those forced to entertain his requests often left in tears.

And Reto wasn’t the only one doing this.

“Are you the military chaplain chief?”

The red-haired man happened to mention Chaplain Benedict.

“He receives counseling three times a day.”

“…Three times?”

Noah asked, surprised despite her neutral tone.

The red-haired employee smiled faintly, as if understanding Noah’s reaction.

Noah thought he reminded her a little of Reto.

‘Though the Major General is handsomer.’

Even so, the employee’s arm was bent inward again.

“He usually provides counseling to others, but now that he’s receiving it himself, it seems novel and enjoyable.”

‘Is “novel” the right word?’

Noah looked at the employee with a confused gaze. Not only did he resemble her husband in manner, but his personality was twisted in the same way.

“And the one employee who counseled Major General Okeanus got in big trouble.”

“I see.”

“He will likely be disciplined when he returns to the capital.”

The employee kindly shared even what Noah hadn’t asked.

‘Annoying bastard.’

The red-haired employee quickly fell in her estimation.

“Ah, my name is Arca Ofe. Let’s begin counseling. Think of it as just a brief procedure.”

“Understood.”

“First, Captain, your name is…”

The counseling session began.

Arca flipped through a blue file containing Noah’s personal information, asking formal questions. Noah nodded and responded accordingly.

While these routine questions passed, Noah thought:

‘…Just like Ami said.’

It was impossible to detect subversive thoughts or rebellious tendencies from such trivial questions.

‘Then why bother?’

Her fingers interlaced under the table tensed slightly.

She understood the Bureau’s wounded pride—they hadn’t contributed to catching spies—but the Bureau’s actions seemed absurdly behind the times.

And apparently, the employees felt it too.

‘Is it even possible to investigate the whole army?’

Noah’s initial doubt resurfaced. Could fifty people really counsel or screen five thousand to find subversives?

‘Each would have to handle at least 100 people.’

Even dividing ten per day, it would take ten days. Factor in weekends, and it’s at least two weeks.

The navy wasn’t just at this headquarters. Countless naval units were stationed along the Adlabore coast, each with significant personnel.

And after the navy, the army and knights remained.

‘…Impossible.’

Then what was the point of this?

“Captain Bello.”

As Noah’s brow furrowed in confusion, the call brought her back to focus.

“You must find this boring?”

“I couldn’t focus… Sorry.”

“I understand.”

Arca smiled at Noah.

“….”

Noah couldn’t help but find his smile irritating. So forced, so unreadable.

‘Is he a noble?’

At that thought:

“Actually…”

Arca changed the subject.

“Isn’t this ridiculous?”

“…What do you mean?”

“This meaningless counseling we’re doing. Can this possibly uncover subversive thoughts or identify rebels?”

Then he dramatically closed the file.

“Of course not.”

It was absurd—a Bureau employee criticizing their own actions.

“….”

“….”

Noah remained calm, just as when she first entered. But her blue eyes flashed sharply.

Arca only smiled mysteriously.

Tension filled the room.

Arca spoke first:

“What are you thinking?”

“I don’t expect you to be curious.”

“Not exactly fun, is it?”

“I won’t deny that.”

“Don’t you wonder why I’m doing this?”

“Sorry, I’m married. Don’t tell me it’s okay. I have a deer-like husband and beast-like sisters…”

“That answer is rather embarrassing.”

Arca covered his laughing mouth, shoulders shaking at the chuckles escaping.

‘Has he lost his mind from too much counseling?’

Noah stood, thinking the whole thing ridiculous.

“Counseling’s over now…”

“Your brother must give you a lot of trouble, huh?”

Entering Tenebre.

Noah froze mid-turn. Her wide eyes and roughened breathing weren’t visible from behind, but futile nonetheless.

She exhaled deeply.

“…You.”

Sitting back down, she spoke a certainty forming in her mind.

“You’re not part of the Security Bureau.”

“Did I give it away?”

Arca shrugged.

“When did you notice?”

“Now I’m certain, but I suspected from the start.”

The man before her subtly drew a line from the Bureau.

“I knew from the start that they—meaning the Bureau—wouldn’t be warmly welcomed.”

“And the one employee who counseled Major General Okeanus got in big trouble.”

As if to say he wasn’t part of the Bureau at all.

“Yes, I’m not a Bureau employee.”

Arca admitted it willingly.

“I originally wanted a more formal meeting…”

“Get to the point.”

Noah interrupted bluntly.

“Otherwise, I’m leaving.”

“Impatient, aren’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

Noah smirked and lifted her leg from under the table. In an instant, the table between them vanished.

Bang!

Bang!

The repeated crashes were from the table hitting the ceiling and then falling back down.

The table was completely destroyed, and the ceiling bore the mark where it had struck.

“I restrained myself, that’s all.”

“….”

“If I hadn’t, who knows what my leg would’ve hit?”