ITBFL | Chapter 49

Episode 49

Office of the Black Leopard Order, Erne Knights.

“I still don’t understand. Why in the world did Captain Denver pair us with the Golden Lions?!”

Milia spoke while pressing her forehead. Beside her, Nervan shook his head with a “tsk” sound.

“There must be a reason.”

Regardless, the returning division commander didn’t seem troubled at all.

How could he be like that? Milia was always amazed at the division commander’s calm demeanor.

‘He must have suffered greatly while he was missing, so maybe doing a joint operation with the Golden Lions doesn’t even register as hardship for him?’

Though he hadn’t yet shared exactly what kind of hardships he went through.

“Commander, today is the first joint operation meeting.”

Hedel reminded him of the schedule beside him.

“Let’s eat and then head straight to the meeting room.”

Cassium stood from his seat, and his lieutenants followed.

“Commander, Milia and I will finish organizing the Adelly Village incident before we join you.”

“What’s the current progress?”

“Ah, it’s almost wrapped up. We’ve asked the Imperial Magic Device Department to verify it, so once that’s done, it should be finished.”

“I’d like to see the related records.”

“I’ll bring them to the meeting room this afternoon.”

“No, give them to me tomorrow.”

“No, I’ll be happy to do anything you ask, Commander.”

Nerven said with a grin.

“I’m still so grateful that you’ve come back. Just doing what you ask makes me happy.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“I mean it.”

Though he had a slightly teasing expression, Cassium could see sincerity in Nervan’s face and smiled faintly.

He also knew just how much his subordinates had worried about him while he was a rabbit.

“Then I’ll see you this afternoon, Commander.”

Milia and Nervan turned toward the office. Cassium left the room with Hedel.

“Commander.”

As they descended the stairs and passed through the corridor, Hedel spoke.

“You might say no, but there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Speak, Hedel.”

“This joint investigation… you don’t actually dislike it, do you?”

Cassium paused for a moment. Under the shadows cast by the midday sun, his gaze turned to Hedel.

“That’s right.”

There was a resolute determination in his eyes.

Hedel immediately understood what that “that’s right” meant.

“I’ll support you, Commander.”

“Thank you, Hedel.”

“If there’s anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Then I’ll gladly ask for your help. There’s something I’d like to know.”

Though saying “let me know if I can help” is usually just a formality, the commander genuinely looked like he had something serious to ask.

“How did you get close to your wife?”

“Commander, the fact that you’re curious about that means……”

“Yes.”

Although he was in his third year of marriage and still newlywed, he was genuinely happy that he could help the commander.

“I’m going to confess.”

“…!”

Sunlight from the clear afternoon shone down behind Cassium.

His voice, filled with firm resolve, carried a strong sense of determination.

Hedel instinctively knew there was no point in asking how or why the commander had come to feel this way, or whether he was really okay.

The commander had already made up his mind.

And supporting that, helping him reach a good result, was the task left to me as his aide.

“Well, the thing is……”

The two men’s steps slowed as they headed toward the street.

Hedel began to pass on his secret techniques to Cassium.

And throughout it all, Cassium was so focused on Hedel’s words that he couldn’t even hear the sounds around him.

“We should start the investigation at the Forest of Myoseok.”

“What nonsense! We should be investigating the foundation of black magic first……!”

“It’s dangerous to jump in without securing enough clues……”

“If we just scratch the surface collecting clues, when will we ever finish?!”

Small meeting room of Erne.

My gaze moved from the Golden Lions seated on the left to the Black Leopards seated on the right, in turn.

Both knights looked visibly agitated.

‘I knew they wouldn’t get along, but this is worse than I thought…….’

I shook my head inwardly.

‘Captain Denver, of all possible partners, why did you pick the Golden Lions for this joint operation?’

Are you planning to bring ruin to Erne?

I shook off the dizzying feeling and tapped on the table.

“Everyone, quiet down and speak one at a time. Don’t interrupt!”

We needed to organize today’s discussion and set some guidance. Just as I took a deep breath and was about to speak…

“Then I’ll begin.”

Cassium took the floor.

“It seems opinions are split on where to start the investigation. Let’s have a show of hands for each opinion…”

“Show of hands?”

My eyebrow lifted slightly as I listened quietly to Cassium’s words.

“The Black Leopards have two more people right now. And you want to decide by majority vote?”

“Then do you have a more democratic method than a majority vote?”

“Shouldn’t we first open the possibility that we can reach consensus through proper discussion?”

“Given how the discussion’s gone so far, I think we’ve already had enough.”

“It’s just been fighting. We need to reset the tone and have a proper discussion now……”

Just then, someone coughed.

Cassium and I both shut our mouths.

A brief silence fell.

‘Everyone’s quiet except you.’

‘Like you didn’t talk just as much. You were noisy too.’

We exchanged glances and silent words. Then, again, someone coughed.

I opened my mouth to speak again, then slammed the table.

“That’s enough for today! Let’s all organize our thoughts and reconvene later.”

At this rate, we’d just keep fighting and get nowhere.

As the meeting ended, the room burst into movement as people poured out. Combining both divisions certainly made for a large crowd.

I was about to head to the office when Cassium followed in my direction.

“What? Why are you following me?”

“Shouldn’t we have our own discussion before the next meeting?”

That was true. If we went straight into the next meeting, it’d just be more of the same.

“Fine, should we go back to the meeting room?”

“No. The air in the meeting room isn’t good.”

“What? We’ve been using that room just fine until now……”

“Anyway, I’d prefer somewhere else. Somewhere with a view of nature, maybe.”

I tilted my head slightly at Cassium’s baseless insistence.

“…Fine, whatever.”

But it’s always the baseless stubbornness that’s hardest to argue with, so I decided to just go along with it.

‘What’s up with him?’

Well, we’ve been holed up in a meeting room all this time—maybe he just needs a refresh.

Cassium, who had taken the lead walking, turned back toward me.

Then he slowed his pace.

Soon, we were walking side by side, heading toward the corridor of the knight’s quarters.

— You have to set the mood well first.

Cassium recalled Hedel’s advice once again.

Honestly, he didn’t think it would be that hard. He already knew what kind of atmosphere people typically liked.

“This is the place.”

When Cassium opened the door, a softly lit room appeared under a large chandelier.

The modern beige wallpaper was spotless, and a scented candle sat on a table covered with a deep navy-blue tablecloth.

“Welcome.”

Well-dressed staff greeted the two of them.

A golden flag in a framed display hung on the wall, signifying that the emperor himself had visited this place.

Hardly anyone disliked this kind of atmosphere, regardless of age or gender. It was a place that was always fully booked, but he had snagged a canceled reservation by chance.

Well, not exactly by chance. He’d waited near the restaurant all afternoon for a cancellation, and the moment one came in, he reserved it.

‘I’ve met the basic conditions…’

“Let’s go somewhere else.”

‘…What?’

Cassium’s eyes trembled.

Did he mishear?

“What are you doing, Cassium?”

But Lize had already walked away from the entrance, putting distance between them.