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Chapter 29
“Lieutenant General.”
Warrant Officer Feast spoke to Reto, who sat at the head of the table.
“We expect the date to be sometime early next month.”
“There’s no fixed date yet?”
“Well, it all depends on the general’s decision, doesn’t it? According to reports, the general’s unit size has increased, so it looks like he’ll take a little more time before making a move.”
“Hmm…”
Reto rested his chin on one hand, which he had carelessly propped up on the table.
The pitch-black naval uniform he wore was notorious for being the ugliest in the entire navy.
And yet, with his well-trained physique filling it out, anyone could tell that the real difference came down to face and body.
“…Your eyes will fall out.”
Amy teased Noah, who had been staring at Reto for some time now, with a giggle.
“Using the meeting as an excuse to ogle, huh?”
“Shut up.”
Noah scolded her with a laugh, but without denial.
Just then, his eyes met Reto’s.
“…Shall we go today?”
Catching his meaning, Noah gave a small nod.
“I’ll make arrangements.”
“Good.”
With a final word of caution to stay alert until further orders came down, Reto adjourned the meeting.
“Captain Velo.”
Someone called Noah as she left the conference room.
It was Lieutenant Colonel Ice, who had walked out before her.
“What is it, sir?”
“Do you have some time right now?”
“The lieutenant general just gave me one task, but aside from that, nothing urgent at the moment.”
Special Fleet duties rarely changed much—training followed by paperwork, or paperwork followed by training. Then patrol duty in their personal ships.
And for those on watch, night patrols at sea.
“Was today your patrol shift?”
“No, sir.”
“That’s what I thought. That’s why I picked today.”
Lieutenant Colonel Ice grinned slyly.
Noah thought that in moments like this, he resembled his much younger superior officer.
“Come by the main conference room after lunch.”
“Understood.”
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing strange. You know me, Captain. I swear on my daughter, it’s nothing dangerous or suspicious.”
“I didn’t say anything, sir.”
Ice chuckled awkwardly, as though guilty for no reason, and clapped Noah on the shoulder.
“See you later then.”
Left alone in the hallway, Noah rubbed the back of her neck.
‘What was that about?’
She’d known Ice even before being assigned to the Special Fleet.
His youngest daughter, Sensha, was childhood friends with Clara, so their families were already acquainted.
“…You can come out now.”
Noah spoke toward the empty corridor.
From around the corner stepped a tall, handsome man with silver hair.
“What did the colonel say?”
Noah shrugged at her smiling superior.
“He asked me to stop by the main conference room after lunch.”
“Sounds suspicious…”
Sliding behind her, Reto wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin atop her golden hair, nuzzling like a baby bird.
“There’s nothing suspicious.”
Though it must have been heavy, Noah didn’t seem to mind. That alone pleased Reto enough to dare press a kiss to her forehead.
Eventually, Noah pushed his face away with one hand.
“Try to keep private and official matters separate, sir.”
“Doesn’t matter what you say—can’t deny you let me kiss you.”
Even so, Reto pulled back easily, arms dropping away.
But instead of keeping distance, he planted himself directly in front of her.
“My fiancée making appointments with another man… tragic. And with a man, no less.”
“Colonel Ice would be mortified to hear that.”
Ice was famous at headquarters for being both a doting husband and an overprotective father.
His greatest current obsession was preventing his youngest daughter from marrying a soldier at all costs.
“Still, I can’t help being jealous.”
Reto grabbed Noah’s hands and swung them lightly as if on a swing.
Watching her arms sway helplessly, Noah gave a faint smile.
“I just reminded you to separate public and private.”
“You’re so strict…”
He reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her reddening ear.
“But still…”
His touch was careful, almost reverent.
“Your ears are so honest. Cute.”
Bending close, he brushed a kiss against her earlobe, crimson eyes gazing into hers with soft curves.
“Did I ever tell you how much I adore my captain’s round little ears?”
“….”
Noah covered her ear with her hand.
She cursed the heat rising beneath her palm.
At lunchtime, Reto gave Noah a warning.
“If Ice shows any sign of doing something stupid—kill him.”
Lieutenant Colonel Ice, who was just heading out with a lunchbox packed by his wife, froze mid-step, mouth agape.
“Colonel Ice isn’t that kind of person.”
“If anything seems suspicious—just kill him.”
“Killing an ally is a serious crime.”
“It’s fine. I’ll call it self-defense.”
Trust me.
With his hand pressed dramatically to his chest, Reto looked more trustworthy than Noah had ever seen him.
“…Good grief.”
A sigh slipped out.
Do I really have to spend my life with this man?
‘…I suppose I could.’
Sadly, Noah was still looking at him through several thick layers of rose-colored glasses.
“I’ll be going then. Enjoy your meal, sir.”
“Sure. I’ll be having lunch with the colonel.”
“What? Wait—I was going to eat alone…!”
Captain! Captain Velo!
Ignoring Ice’s desperate cries from behind, Noah walked toward the mess hall.
Amy and Celine followed.
“What’s up with the colonel?”
“Did he talk bad about the lieutenant general behind his back again?”
“No idea.”
Even though Major General Flancy had stepped down due to disgrace, the mess still maintained its elegant standards.
“I heard someone got locked up,” Celine said, twirling pasta on her fork.
“People saw a transport truck parked at the ‘Black Building’ early this morning. The rumor’s already everywhere.”
The “Black Building” referred to a single-story black structure inside naval headquarters.
As with many restricted areas in the military, only authorized personnel could enter.
That shabby hangar storing their personal ships was one such place.
But the most notorious of all was the Black Building.
“Rumor is they torture people there,” Amy added with a shiver.
Celine frowned.
“Torture is illegal.”
“Celine, you’re so naïve. Because it’s illegal, they hide and do it there.”
“Well… maybe.”
Noah, too, half bought into Amy’s conspiracies.
“That man isn’t in the brig right now.”
They’d been told he was detained, but no one had actually seen him in the brig.
“That’s true, but still…”
Celine looked uneasy. She clearly didn’t want to be swept up by wild rumors.
“…Spreading baseless gossip does no good.”
Truthfully, Noah agreed with her.
“Without confirmation, speculation is unnecessary.”
“Exactly what I was saying!”
“What? Noah, weren’t you agreeing with me earlier?”
“I wasn’t agreeing—just pointing out a possibility.”
Popping a tomato from her salad into her mouth, Noah continued.
“We don’t even know the Black Building’s real purpose. Jumping to conclusions only stirs trouble.”
“Well, in this rigid life, we need at least some rumors for fun…”
“That’s the military for you. Above all, it’s a place where you watch your tongue.”
Noah finished her meal and rose.
“I’ll be going ahead.”
“Why? You got called?”
“The colonel summoned me earlier.”
“So that’s why the lieutenant general dragged you off?”
“See you later.”
Leaving the mess, Noah headed to the main conference room as Ice had instructed.
Before knocking, she sensed movement beyond the door.
‘…There are quite a few people in there.’
She had thought only Ice would be waiting, but at least half a dozen others seemed present.
“Excuse me. This is Captain Noah Velo.”
A voice called her in—Colonel Ice’s.
“Come in.”
But the one who greeted her was someone else entirely.
“….”
The moment Noah saw who was inside, she was struck speechless.
“It’s been a while, Captain Velo.”
A middle-aged man with streaks of gray in his red hair greeted her sternly.
Noah’s eyes darted to the sleeve of the man seated beside the head chair.
Thick gold trim, with two medium bands spaced apart.
An embroidered eagle, and a grand sail.
“Not since graduation. Two years, I believe?”
“…Headmaster.”
“Yes, I am still headmaster.”
It was Vice Admiral Voltria, the superintendent of the Naval Academy.
He tilted his head slightly, signaling her not to just stand there.
“…My apologies.”
Noah shut the door, then saluted the gathering of admirals watching her from their seats.
“Captain Noah Velo, Special Fleet Command.”
Her fingers, held straight at her brow, trembled ever so slightly.
“I greet the great admirals of the navy.”
Admiral.
A title used only in the navy, referring to general officers who bore stars on their shoulders.
Unlike the army and the royal knights, who used the title general, it was a unique designation.
But precisely because of that, the word admiral carried a different weight.
Power that cut across the boundless sea and reached beyond the horizon.
That was what an admiral represented.
Even if in reality, admirals seldom set sail themselves.
And yet here they are…
The stars of the sea—these towering figures—were now all gazing solely at Noah.
Their very presence radiated crushing pressure. She had recognized it instantly the moment she stood outside the door.
Stay calm.
Noah quickly reviewed her military career.
She had always taken pride in her diligence, so she was certain this summons wasn’t for censure or questioning.
That leaves only one possibility.
Her marriage to Reto.
And yet—even that answer felt strangely doubtful.
