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Chapter 93
“…Hey, you’re in big trouble now.”
Gloria clicked her tongue at the spies and subtly stepped aside.
Vis stepped forward along the path his wife had cleared.
Removing his glasses, he revealed the presence he usually kept hidden. Even Albus couldn’t hide his surprise at the sheer force of Vis’s presence up close.
Vis possessed the same dazzling beauty as in the youthful photos Clare had of him.
The only change was the wrinkles time had carved into his face, seemingly jealous of his beauty.
Yet those traces only emphasized his radiant presence even more.
At the same time, an overwhelming murderous intent grew stronger.
The spies’ unrepentant attitude had pushed Vis past his patience.
In truth, he had already reached his limit long ago.
Recent incidents in the south had left him in a foul mood.
He hadn’t shown it before because Gloria always cursed on his behalf, venting the anger he suppressed.
But today… even if Gloria tried, it wouldn’t be enough.
“…Ladies.”
He smiled at Gloria and Aitra. That was the last of his patience.
In fact, the sound of his glasses breaking earlier was a signal that his patience had snapped.
Because of those pathetic fools, Clare had nearly been endangered, and Noah would suffer because of what was to come.
Perhaps As, too.
“Would you step aside for a moment?”
At Vis’s polite request, Gloria and Aitra willingly left the room.
“So, do I have to team up with you…”
Beyond the closing door, Albus rolled up his sleeves. His thick, muscular arms tensed.
“Please, let’s take it easy.”
“I’ll try my best.”
By the time the door fully closed, the two men were wearing black leather gloves they had brought along.
Gloria and Aitra, having come up from the basement, chatted briefly in the sitting room.
“Do you know why those two wear black leather gloves?”
“I… don’t.”
Aitra had never really thought about it.
But as the daughter of a navy officer and mother to one, she naturally understood naval customs and history.
“It’s a kind of superstition,” she said.
“That’s right. It’s like a superstitious ritual.”
Back when torture was legal, navy officers wore black leather gloves before touching suspects or perpetrators.
This kept their hands free from blood or filth, and any stains could be wiped off easily.
Now that torture was illegal, it had evolved into a form of intimidation, a psychological edge.
“Just imagine it.”
Gloria elaborated.
“A rough-looking navy officer enters a narrow interrogation room where you’re stripped of freedom.”
And then, deliberately, he puts on black gloves?
The glossy black leather fits tightly, emphasizing the hands.
“If he looked at the suspect while wearing them…”
“It would instill fear, that’s for sure.”
Gloria smiled.
“But not today.”
The black gloves Vis and Albus wore in the basement were no mere threat.
The spies were blindfolded and gagged anyway.
Then why the gloves?
“…Better prepare a bath.”
It’s going to get messy.
Gloria said nonchalantly.
“Captain.”
Aitra asked, breaking the silence.
“What do you think?”
“Hmm…”
Aitra had left out many details, but Gloria knew what she was curious about.
She herself wondered.
“What is that scum planning?”
Dimone Nyx.
From the defection case of former director Plancy to the spy infiltration today, and even the explosion in the Finichi district.
All paths led back to Director Nyx.
He was still only a suspected collaborator with the Empire.
Of course, it was only a matter of time before his guilt became undeniable.
Yet one question remained unresolved.
Why would Director Nyx ally himself with a collapsing defeated nation?
“I could understand if it were the opposite…”
Seven years ago, Adlavor achieved a great victory, while the allied nations, including the invading Sisto Empire, were utterly defeated.
Since then, the allied nations had been on the decline.
Among them, the Sisto Empire was in the worst state.
Most pirates coming to Adlavor were citizens who had lost their homes.
The empire had collapsed overnight due to reckless war and economic devastation, despite its thousand-year history.
In short, there was nothing to gain.
“You can’t understand a lunatic’s thoughts with common sense.”
Even the eccentric Gloria couldn’t guess.
“Marquis, any ideas?”
“Same here.”
Aitra hated Director Nyx more than anyone.
She knew him well, yet his intentions were unreadable.
There was only one observation:
The day she swore vengeance through tears of blood.
“You’re insane.”
That was the only truth she knew about Nyx.
That dawn, three spies imprisoned in the Oceanus mansion were handed over to Tenebre.
“…Were they touched?”
Ati asked, inspecting the fragile spies.
In front of him stood Vis, calm and composed.
The grandfather, now without glasses, exuded timeless beauty.
“There was an incident during their arrest,” Vis said casually.
Yet neither Ati nor any Tenebre believed him.
“…Huh.”
No one asked further.
“Apparently, there was an issue in the process.”
After all, handing over the spies was part of the “arrest process.”
Though the spies disappeared during the night, the Oceanus mansion greeted the morning as if unaware.
Unlike the sunny yesterday, the sky was overcast, heavy with clouds ready to rain.
“Oh, grandpa’s not wearing glasses?”
Clare, wearing the uniform she brought to the Oceanus mansion, was surprised to see Vis without glasses.
“Looks weird without them?” Vis asked, stretching his lips.
“Mm! You look amazing! I’m worried Grandma might tease you.”
“Ha! Then shall I go without glasses today?”
“Enough nonsense. Wear these.”
Just then, Gloria, having brought a spare pair, put glasses on Vis. He bent slightly to adjust his height.
Watching, Clare noticed Karina wearing the same school uniform.
“Even my cousin is in uniform?”
“I’ll be studying at Marey School during the break,” Karina said, rubbing her uniform.
It was her first time attending school, so she felt a flutter of excitement.
“I’ll introduce you to my friends! They’re all great companions!”
“Well, let’s go then.”
“Thank you for letting me stay overnight, cousin.”
“The pleasure’s mine, cousin.”
“Bro, come visit this weekend.”
“I will. You too, study well.”
Everyone began their day.
The red steed smoothly entered its designated parking spot at Navy Headquarters.
Reto stepped out, clearly in a foul mood.
“Having to spend golden leave chasing those nuisances…”
He was irritated at having taken a half-day with Noah to catch the spies.
He had suppressed it yesterday upon learning Noah was heir to the Pieta family.
“Cheer up.”
Noah patted Reto lightly on the back.
Reto pretended to cry and leaned on Noah’s shoulder. Fortunately, Noah didn’t push him away.
“So you like it?”
Adbello, who had arrived in a black car, poked near his ear with a finger.
“Did my order to take a half-day upset you, Vice Admiral Oceanus?”
“Not at all, sir.”
The sulky frown instantly turned into a bright smile.
“Sir…”
Noah felt conflicted watching her husband’s social struggles.
“I was simply amazed by your immense generosity, sir. If you hadn’t ordered us to take a half-day, this plan wouldn’t have succeeded…”
“This guy would float in the sea with just his mouth above water.”
“No, he’d float perfectly like a life vest. That way he wouldn’t die and would return to his wife.”
“…Why did you marry him?” Adbello asked Noah.
“No matter how I think about it, only his looks and body make sense.”
“Captain, did you hear? Even the Admiral admits my looks…”
“Get lost!”
Noah ignored the noisy superiors and entered the building alone.
After changing into a plain ship uniform, Reto looked dejected, waiting for her.
“Leaving me alone?”
“I thought I’d be late waiting. Please understand.”
“How cruel. Can I at least kiss you?”
“Do you not distinguish between work and play?”
Noah reached out and pulled Reto’s head toward her, lightly nibbling his lips.
“…Ouch.”
Reto slowly licked the bitten lips, as if deliberately showing it.
Noah pushed his face lightly, telling him to stop.
Reto complied, went to the changing room, and quickly came out in his ship uniform.
“The Admiral said I’m joining from today.”
“Oh, right.”
Noah remembered what she had forgotten.
She prepared Femina for Reto.
Now, all that remained was training Reto to handle the sword properly.
“But, is this really okay?”
Even after preparing everything, Noah hesitated.
“Perhaps the Vice Admiral will get unfairly involved.”
