HOASM~20

~Chapter 20~ 

Carlos left right after the tournament ended, without showing his face to the team, and went home.

The next day.

I was stamping through endless group documents, feeling the breeze brush past me.

A lavish emblem with a golden lion.

The emblem, baring its teeth as if roaring toward the sky, was both the symbol and pride of the Velos team.

When I first saw it, I had thought the whole concept was twisted and the design ugly.

But I decided to reconsider my past judgment.

Time really is a healer—after a while, looking at it carefully, I found it rather cute.

If you looked closely, it resembled a feline more than a ferocious beast.

‘If this is the kind of twist, then I’m not so simple-minded myself.’

Following that thought, my eyes wandered toward the tent.

The temporary protection facility set up by the Security Department, secured with round pillars on both sides and covered with large blue cloth.

Inside, there was activity from new faces who hadn’t existed three years ago.

The person of note was showing the utmost kindness, personally greeting each victim from the affected territories who came to the tent.

The scale of damage and the definition of “victim” varied for each person, making it incredibly difficult to treat everyone equally.

And yet, Carlos was managing it.

“Is there anything else causing you inconvenience?”

“Well… sir, because of the explosion, the bricks of our house all collapsed, and reconstruction is urgent…”

“Do not worry about that. I will make sure it is fully restored.”

His smile didn’t leave his face.

Many nobles who made a name for themselves generally disliked contact with commoners.

Fortunately, Carlos accepted even the delight of an elderly person who held his hand tightly.

“Thank you! Truly, thank you, sir!”

“…No, I’m the one who must work hard.”

The flicker of surprise in his eyes lasted only a moment.

He handled the sudden hand-holding skillfully and continued the conversation.

If anyone looked on, they might think he had angel wings sprouting from his back—he had reached the pinnacle of benevolence.

Normally, in incidents like this, only human casualties are counted precisely, and individual property damage is handled separately by hiring contractors.

But since Carlos was the team leader, he held all the decision-making power.

There was no need to mention rules.

The rest of the Velos Security Team simply stood back, watching his acts of kindness in astonishment.

“Next, please.”

Sniff, sob! “Security team leader! Listen to this! Suddenly there was an earthquake, and our warehouse just… collapsed!”

“Please calm down first. I’ll listen carefully.”

From there, he even startled me a bit.

Wow. Handing a handkerchief to a tearful lady like that—what a touch.

I covered my mouth in astonishment and couldn’t stop murmuring in awe.

This is real. Here is the real deal!

Usually, by this time after fieldwork, fatigue and silence would settle in—but here, it seemed they never existed.

The atmosphere only grew warmer and more lively.

Middle-aged and elderly victims blushed as they clung to Carlos.

My eyes narrowed instinctively.

The more I watched, the more curious and puzzled I became.

‘What is this guy…?’

Is it because he’s a prince? His social skills are unreal.

An unexpected sight made my brow furrow.

A subtle unease crept over me.

Today was his first official field visit since his team leader appointment.

Ability users assigned to security teams had to protect their territories with their lives, so frequent field trips and business trips were essential.

No one knew when or where security would collapse or strange incidents would occur.

It would have been ideal if the team had dozens of members, but this world imposed “rare ability” restrictions.

So, the security team in the territory consisted of no more than about ten people.

Among them, the Velos Security Team I belonged to was particularly small because our individual abilities were highly valued.

At least now it was bearable, but for three years before Carlos joined as team leader, we had been operating with only four members.

Dice, Isid, Meichel, and me.

F-rank abilities could be ignored with outstanding office skills, but A, B+, and C+ ranks were extremely rare in this world.

So even after starting from the bottom, I had managed to quietly blend in for three years.

Now it felt like I had honey pots in both hands.

“About the team leader…”

“Hm?”

“I heard he was supposed to be ruthless, but it seems you really have to see someone for yourself to know.”

In the middle of a messy construction site, Meichel leaned in and whispered as I sat on a makeshift chair, sucking on a lollipop.

I pretended to ponder for a moment before silently stamping the document.

“Stop bothering me, Meichel. I’m in the middle of stamping.”

If I messed this up, disaster. This was the luxury budget document she liked.

Ignoring Meichel’s chatter, I focused intently on stamping the black letters.

Gradually, I felt my scattered thoughts calm down.

Unlike me, she seemed ready to jump with excitement at what she heard.

“Well? No, you always think I’m picking fights when I say anything!”

“Then… isn’t that true?”

“Heh… Today isn’t one of those days. I really mean it. I didn’t think so at first, but the team leader seems like a good person.”

Meichel smiled, brushing her red hair back behind her ears.

“I’m… interested.”

She even folded her arms modestly to make herself as small as possible.

Her usual shyness, only shown to Isid since joining the team, felt oddly foreboding.

What? Interested?

“Pfft.”

I accidentally spit out the water I had been about to drink.

I didn’t want to, but I was just that shocked.

Startled, Meichel stepped back, panicking.

“Hey! Disgusting!”

“W-wait… Meichel. Did you just say that? You mean it?”

I quickly tidied the documents on my lap and wiped my mouth, urging her to answer.

“What?”

“Just curious. Answer me.”

She didn’t retract her statement, frowning slightly but serious.

“I mean it. I’m interested.”

“Then… what about Isid?”

“Fernando Youngsik? Why bring him up now?”

“Hm?”

“Hm?”

We stared at each other in confusion.

I was even more flustered than she was.

My usually calm eyes darted aimlessly.

Wait, does this mean Meichel switched her affection from Isid to Carlos?

I didn’t care who she liked, but this was about positions.

From a minor male role to a major one—what is she trying to do?

“Not allowed.”

I shook my head firmly.

“What’s not allowed?”

“Your interest. Don’t give it to the team leader.”

“What? Why?”

“Too precious.”

Meichel looked stunned at my simple words.

I, on the other hand, couldn’t back down.

I finished my lollipop, clasped my hands over my lap, and spoke coldly.

“Listen carefully, Meichel.”

A cold wind blew through the construction site.

The sweat on my forehead dried instantly in the chill.

I continued firmly.

“This advice is for the precious, awkward Meichel. Listen well.”

“I guarantee you this—”

Listen carefully, you.

“If you start liking the team leader, this stock is doomed.”

“St-stock? Doomed?”

“Yes. Someone has already hoarded everything. Even if there’s no room, you’d be throwing yourself into it blindly. In some countries, that’s called a failed stock.”

In this world, the heroine is Yoel.

‘Yo’ is for Yo, ‘El’ for Elchevita.

I clicked my tongue, tossed the lollipop, and gently patted Meichel’s shoulder as I pulled her closer.

“Remember this. Soon, a silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty will come to buy that stock.”

Everything, all in one go!

I kept my voice low, warning her. Meichel nodded almost hypnotically.

Good. That’s settled.

Carlos remained calm and kind, as before, tending to the victims in the tent.

And Isid, beside him…

Where was Isid?

“Oh, where did Isid go?”

“I’m here.”

“…?”

Feeling a gentle poke on my cheek, I turned slowly.

Isid had moved from beside Carlos to stand closer to me.

“When did you come?”

“Not long ago. You were talking so seriously that I couldn’t interrupt.”

Isid chuckled, rubbing his nose as if helpless.

“Congratulations, Rose. You’ve already received a letter from that silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty.”

He waved a letter with a photo prominently attached.

Striking a pose, a silver-haired girl with sky-blue eyes.

I opened my mouth in shock.

“Wait, you know the Princess of Croa?”

Yes—it was none other than Elchevita.