GMWB 59

chapter 59

As soon as Leto and the officers stood up to proceed with further actions:

“That bastard!”
“It’s not us! We were tricked too!”
“Damn it! You—how dare you…!”
“This is impossible! That can’t be true!”

The perpetrators from the 7th Fleet grabbed Captain Ephelena and threw her to the ground.

The nearby military police rushed to restrain them, but in that brief moment, Captain Ephelena took two punches to the face and a kick to her abdomen.

“Ugh! Guh!”

Curled up like a shrimp, Captain Ephelena coughed up saliva, holding her stomach with both hands, groaning in pain.

“…Isn’t it strange?”

Watching the scene indifferently, Leto spoke.

“To me, they all look the same. What’s so unjust that makes them act like that?”

“I couldn’t tell you.”
Chief of Chaplains Benedikto agreed.

“Still, if I may add my humble opinion…”

His gaze fell on the perpetrators of the 7th Fleet, who were being restrained but shouting in despair.

They were now belatedly seeking apologies from the juniors they had bullied.

“Sorry for what we did,” they said.

But their apologies were hollow, purely a pitiful attempt to avoid the horrific consequences awaiting them.

“…Not a single person who acted arrogantly relying solely on power ever had a happy ending.”

There is no weapon as unstable as power.

The hearing had ended.

The cruel acts were officially recognized as fact, and all victim testimonies were accepted as true.

The supporting evidence and witness accounts had been far too solid—this outcome was inevitable.

The perpetrators were immediately handcuffed on the spot.

“As of now, you are dismissed from all positions and will remain as private soldiers during the investigation…”

The military police explained the subsequent investigation and trial procedures.

To their stunned ears, the procedural announcements sounded like divine punishment. Some even cried.

Noah wanted to slap the back of their heads and ask what they were crying about.

“Ah, by the way,”

Leto said, watching their backs as they were led away.

“The 7th Fleet commander was arrested early this morning.”

The list of charges was extensive:

Bribery from Count Ephelena, covering up crimes within the unit, falsely blaming victims, and forcing them to retire.

“And the dishonorably discharged victims will be recommended for reinstatement after the Navy completes its investigation.”

A civilian-dressed visitor who had come to the military a few days ago for questioning was one of them.

Judging from the current situation, their reinstatement was only a matter of time.

Though their return to the military was unlikely, their determination was unmistakable.

“They also plan to sue for defamation and claim compensation through a civil lawsuit. The military will gladly assist them.”

Leto sincerely advised that there would be plenty of moments of despair ahead, so they should save their tears and not start whining already.

“…People can be remarkably cruel, can’t they?”

Lieutenant Feast whispered to Noah, audible only to him.

“It’s a relief, isn’t it?”

Being on the same side.

Seeing the despairing perpetrators secretly made Noah feel relieved.

“Admiral,”

Noah approached Leto.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Well, did I really do anything?”

Leto shrugged lightly and looked at the soldiers sitting among the victims. They comforted each other, wearing expressions of relief.

Finally, they had regained their pride and honor.

“…They are true soldiers.”

Leto could not take his eyes off them.

“Being crushed by power is terrifying. But they endured it and had the courage to resist. That’s truly admirable.”

“Absolutely.”

Noah loved Leto even more after hearing that.

So he spoke honestly.

“You are also remarkable for honoring their courage, Admiral.”

“Not at all.”

“If your wife had seen this, she would be incredibly proud of you.”

Leto, unprepared for the compliment, widened his eyes briefly, then gave a soft smile.

“That’s the highest praise.”

In their eyes, respect and affection for each other shone.

“…But it really was nothing.”

Leto didn’t consider what he had done to be remarkable.

“It was simply what needed to be done.”

After answering vaguely, as if he had merely stuck a fork into a prepared meal, Leto headed to where the victims had gathered.

He gestured to them to salute him, then began asking questions.

The tense expressions of the soldiers gradually eased, and some even smiled.

“It seems he is offering words of encouragement.”

Lieutenant Feast, observing, also had a smile on his face.

“Even if nothing else, that side of the Admiral is truly admirable.”

“Agreed.”

Noah knew.

To resolve this case, Leto had even called the Marquis of Okeanus directly.

“May I deploy personnel to the Marquis’s territory?”

After receiving permission, Leto assigned people.

They photographed Count Ephelena and the 7th Fleet commander secretly meeting and exchanging bribes as evidence.

Agents were also assigned to gather testimony from employees regarding the 7th Fleet perpetrators.

“It seems the rumors were off.”

Lieutenant Feast commented.

“Everyone says the Admiral was demoted to a commoner after marriage, yet it was the Marquis of Okeanus who helped him.”

“Indeed…”

Noah was surprised as well.

He had secretly thought poorly of the Marquis, yet he had actually helped Leto.

‘Was he not a bad person?’

Was it true that Leto really considered the Marquis a person of character?

Then why didn’t he attend the wedding and why did he send that letter to me instead of Leto?

‘…Ah, the letter.’

Noah remembered he had not yet replied to the letter expressing a wish to meet.

‘I’ll be home early today…’

He decided to discuss it with Leto. If his suspicion was wrong, he would have to apologize.

News of the hearing spread quickly within the headquarters.

The official results posted on the bulletin board were scheduled to appear in the Southern Newspaper tomorrow.

However, the allegation that the 7th Fleet commander had taken bribes from Count Ephelena was excluded.

“Public perception matters.”

Five minutes before leaving work, Leto, excited for his rare on-time departure, licked his lips lightly and said.

“Hiding things isn’t always the best, but not long ago, a private ship was almost smuggled out.”

Several incidents had occurred over the past few months.

Even if the results turned out well, it was obvious the Navy would be criticized.

Hence, Leto decided to temporarily investigate the 7th Fleet commander privately.

Of course, he didn’t know how long this would last.

“In the worst case, we might need some media manipulation…”

“What do you mean?”

Despite it being almost quitting time, Noah was still working on paperwork.

The preparation for the hearing had piled up his tasks.

But he was nearing completion of the urgent matters.

“Well, we could persuade a few reporters to write favorable articles about the Navy…”

“Or maybe request interviews from some of the victims?” Noah suggested.

“There are surely people who feel grateful to the Admiral because of this. With a small request, they might mention the Navy’s assistance.”

“….”

Leto was momentarily speechless.

“…Is that unusual?”

Receiving no response, Noah lowered the corners of his eyes slightly.

“No, it’s not… exactly.”

Leto answered honestly.

“I thought you wouldn’t like such things.”

“No time to fuss over that.” Noah muttered.

“Honestly, the Admiral truly helped. If they have any conscience, they’ll assist a little.”

“Captain…!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Leto covered his mouth with both hands and shouted.

“Did everyone hear that?”

The crew, including Noah, looked at Leto with exasperated expressions.

“Captain Vello said he loves me!”

“Sorry, I’ve been tired lately, that’s all.”

“Stop pretending. Lately, you’ve been subtly confessing your love…”

“I’ll take you to the hospital after work today.”

Clearly, there were issues with his ears, head, or both.

Noah apologized to the crew as the end-of-shift bell rang.

“Time to leave!”

Ami jumped up from her seat.

“Let’s go watch that bastard Ephelena pack his things! No, I’ll go help him pack!”

As everyone prepared to leave following Ami’s enthusiasm, Leto handed the car keys to Noah.

“The Captain is back.”

Leto’s face, announcing the return of the commander, was grim.

“You mean Captain Adbello?”

“Unofficial return. The ship is docked temporarily at the 3rd Fleet port, and he will formally return to headquarters tomorrow.”

“Is he at headquarters now?”

“So now I have to go listen to his nagging…”

“Good luck.”

Noah patted his back encouragingly.

Still feeling disappointed, Leto dragged his large feet behind Noah.

“…A kiss might cheer me up.”

“I just told you to separate work and personal matters.”

Noah spun around, giving Leto a playful glare, then looked around.

Fortunately, they were alone in the command room.

Leto smiled.

“No one’s here?”

“…Anyway.”

Noah took Leto’s hand and pulled him to a chair.

Leto’s lips, expecting a kiss, drooped.

“……!”

But soon, the warmth and subtle scent of Noah’s embrace made his eyes widen.

“You were amazing today.”

Patting his back gently, Noah whispered in Leto’s ear.

“You are someone who can truly protect honor and courage.”

“…….”

“Thank you for proving my choice was right.”

Noah embraced him tightly, pressing a loving kiss on his forehead.

“Let’s continue the rest tonight.”

Noah looked at Leto, slightly flushed.

“…….”

Watching him in a daze, Leto silently nodded.

His face was just as red as Noah’s.

“…If this continues, grandma will tease me.”

Embarrassed, Leto couldn’t meet Noah’s eyes, grumbling.

Still, he reluctantly turned to leave.

Noah, feeling the same, headed quickly to the locker room.

‘Anyway…’

After changing, Noah got on his red car and thought carefully.

‘My brother came, grandma came…’

And Leto had seen his brother.

At home, he still had to reply to the letter sent by the Marquis of Okeanus.

“…Sigh.”

Noah felt exhausted once again.