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Chapter 24
The handsome man, wearing a sly smile, looked as beautiful as ever.
With the graceful bearing characteristic of a nobleman combined with the cold, controlled demeanor of a soldier, his refined beauty shone all the more brilliantly.
However, Lieutenant Feist, who was watching, felt not admiration but a chilling sense of fear first.
“…What are you going to do now?”
Lieutenant Feist asked.
Only then did Leto, who had been fixed at the window, turn his head.
“Well, naturally…”
This time, the smile he wore looked genuinely pure and joyful, unlike the previous one.
“I have to prepare for the wedding.”
“…Pardon me?”
“It’s alright, it’s alright.”
Leto lightly patted Lieutenant Feist on the back.
“I’ll personally give you the invitation. You don’t need to give a wedding gift—just come and eat as much as you want.”
Lieutenant Feist’s jaw almost dropped again.
“Where’s the chaplain? I don’t see him.”
“Right? Colonel Benedikt is strangely absent today.”
“Is there some religious event or something?”
The military dining hall was bustling with voices as usual.
“But hey, did you hear?”
“Is that true?”
“No matter how much I hear it, I still can’t believe it…”
Because of the military’s hierarchical culture and conservative atmosphere, no one spoke recklessly, yet everyone was discussing the same topic: the arrest of Major Plancy.
Major Plancy had been dismissed from his post immediately upon arrest.
He was currently being held in the headquarters’ detention facilities, though no detailed information was available.
“It spread in just one day…”
Noah, looking around, finally took a spoonful of soup.
“Wouldn’t it have spread otherwise?”
Ami teased, tearing off a piece of bread.
“It’s strange if the rumor didn’t spread after everything you did.”
“I’m reflecting…”
“Calm down, you mad dog.”
“Why am I a mad dog?”
“Why, pray tell, am I the mad dog?”
Ami, mocking Noah’s words, rolled her eyes.
“The military police were freaking out when they arrested the culprits on the spot.”
“Who’s who?”
“Their faces were unrecognizable…”
Though the criminals deserved punishment, it was pitiful to confront Noah, whose anger over a love affair had reached its peak.
Thus, the military police had to quickly treat the culprits to identify them.
“The chaplain was called at dawn and used healing magic,” Ami said, making the sign of the cross and praying for Colonel Benedikt.
“…”
Having nothing to say, Noah silently took another spoonful of soup. By now, only the chunks of food remained in the bowl.
“The royal knights will be transferred to the capital tomorrow.”
“What about the logistics command?”
“Apparently, that major didn’t do his job properly in the first place.”
Ami chewed on her fork absentmindedly, complaining.
“Most of the work seems to have been handled by the brigadier below him. Even now, he’s temporarily filling the commander’s position.”
If nothing else happened, he was expected to be promoted to commander soon.
“Well, that’s enough about work,” Ami said, leaning forward suddenly.
“Now it’s your turn.”
“What is it now…”
Feeling a sense of foreboding, Noah cautiously moved back.
“This.”
Ami wiggled her pinky finger.
“Have you reconciled?”
“Should I break your finger?”
“Aw, come on, tell me.”
Ami quickly bent her finger in a playful gesture.
“I’m your best friend, so I have the right to know.”
Noah pouted but then shrugged as if giving up.
“We’ve reconciled.”
“Good, that’s a win for me!”
“…Was there another bet I didn’t know about?”
He thought she was a friend, but she wasn’t quite one.
“It wasn’t really a bet…”
Seeing Noah’s stiff expression, Ami realized her mistake.
With an awkward laugh, she continued her explanation.
“I just added a little game to ease my worry.”
“…”
“Everyone else said it would be the brigadier, no, that guy. But I trusted your gullibility and bet on reconciliation!”
Ami proudly asserted that this was a victory earned through true friendship.
‘Why is my life like this…’
Everyone around her was like this.
Feeling a mix of exasperation and relief, Noah finished his meal and took a light walk before heading to the command office.
“So, marriage it is, huh?”
Ami looked up at the shade overhead and asked.
“They said the brigadier’s proposal was sincere. Since you’ve reconciled, are you going to marry right away?”
“Ah.”
Noah murmured absentmindedly, suddenly remembering a fact he had completely forgotten.
“…You forgot?”
“…I was too angry to remember.”
The conversation paused. Noah was lost in thought about the marriage, while Ami was slightly worried about her friend’s future.
‘Back then, he definitely…’
Ami still remembered from their cadet days.
“Don’t you want to do anything besides being a soldier?”
“World domination. Legalized murder. Punishing perverts.”
“Ami, what happened to you?”
“How did he even pass the aptitude test…?”
They had been chatting aimlessly with roommates before sleep. Among their talk were childhood dreams.
“Noah, what did you want?”
“…Marriage.”
“Ohhh, did you like someone?”
“I didn’t care about romance at all.”
At the time, Noah looked much more indifferent and weary than now.
Everyone was surprised by Noah’s answer, yet amused by this unexpected side.
“Tell us more!”
“What kind of man did you want to marry? Any dream wedding?”
“Nothing special.”
Noah gave a faint smile and spoke of his childhood dream.
“I wanted to marry someone my parents chose, and even if it was awkward at first, gradually understand each other and build a family together.”
“…Isn’t that an arranged marriage?”
“…Are you a noble grandma or something?”
A girl dreaming of an ‘arranged marriage’ in this modern era.
Though the conversation ended in shock, Ami grew closer to Noah from that day. She realized that had been the start of their closer friendship.
‘He’s a bit… conservative, traditional.’
So Ami was slightly worried. Would Noah let the brigadier control him into marriage?
“…Will you quit the military when you marry?”
“Huh? Why?”
Noah’s answer was unexpected.
“Why would I quit the military?”
He looked as if he had heard something absurd.
“I’ll continue my life even after marriage.”
“Hehe, right?”
“Why are you laughing all of a sudden? It’s gross.”
“Uh-uh, nothing!”
Feeling better, Ami linked arms with Noah and clung to him.
Noah pushed her away, but not seriously.
“So, what did As and Clare say?”
A breeze changed the air at just the right moment.
“I’m in favor of this marriage. The brigadier has no obvious flaws. His personality might be tricky, but you’ll handle that.”
But Ami’s opinion was, after all, from an ‘outsider’s’ perspective.
Nowadays, few marry for family background, but marriage still united two families.
Family opinions mattered.
“As and Clare…”
Noah trailed off, then suddenly smiled.
Clearly amused.
“Ah-ha.”
Ami, realizing his meaning, smiled along.
“Our brigadier finally found his match.”
The following days passed relatively peacefully.
News of the private ship almost being smuggled out spread across the kingdom.
Newspapers competing to report it named the incident the “Navy Major’s Treason Case.”
“Quite a pretty title.”
“What happened to the knights?”
“Probably passed away first, who knows.”
After tossing the newspaper aside, Leto stepped in front of reporters to announce the Navy’s stance regarding the incident.
Blue uniform adorned with numerous military decorations, black pants emphasizing his sturdy legs, polished shoes.
Hair neatly combed back with pomade, hat perched atop.
Finally, the handsome face showing restrained emotion.
That day, instead of a statement about the Navy’s regrets or future preventive measures, the front page featured a large photo of Vice Admiral Oceanus.
The newspapers sold out instantly.
“Sure enough, nothing calms things like a good-looking face.”
“What’s with the pile of newspapers in your hands?”
“The photo of the vice admiral is reportedly selling for ten times the normal price.”
Ami bragged that she collected all the newspapers from the headquarters.
Noah asked,
“…Do you lie down and fight for it, or give up the newspapers?”
“Of course, I fight for it!”
Sacrificing herself for the newspapers proved quite profitable.
Criticism of the Navy noticeably died down, while interest in the special ship and private vessel lingered for a while.
Even that faded after a week.
“Mrs. Delat and her son moved away.”
“I heard from my younger sibling.”
Noah and Leto shared news of the remaining people in the break room.
“Mrs. Delat suspected this southern trip from the start, it seems.”
Her persistence beside her negligent husband wasn’t out of love; that had long vanished.
She submitted all the evidence she had collected to the Navy the morning her husband was arrested.
“They even proceeded with the divorce immediately.”
Noah thought quietly that it was well-deserved.
He remembered the young, arrogant son of Sir Delat, who had cowered in front of his father—a lingering image.
Clare’s words came to mind as well.
“…That brat might calm down now.”
Noah turned his head, meeting Leto’s gaze.
They exchanged faint smiles.
“However, Major Plancy’s side isn’t looking good.”
“Ah…”
Noah let out a regretful groan.
