TSSAH 33

Chapter 33

I bowed politely to Dupont Clansher.

“My name is Runelk Ains. It’s an honor to see you again.”

“Do you keep in touch with action squad members often, Deacon?”

Dupont Clansher didn’t respond to my greeting and looked at Deacon Gold instead.

Not that I was in any position to feel offended or slighted.

To that extent, an executive was like a real, living star to a low-ranking action squad member.

Someone who existed as high up as the sky itself.

It was Deacon Gold who was the unusual one—calling out to a passing me first, even putting out his cigarette to greet me warmly.

“Of course, brother. Rookie here is my savior, isn’t he?”

“I see.”

Dupont Clansher let out a small chuckle and left first.

“Keep getting along well.”

He even gave Deacon Gold’s head a gentle pat at the end.

Deacon Gold, who had been watching Dupont Clansher walk away with an affectionate gaze, belatedly explained with a hint of embarrassment.

“He’s watched me grow up since I was very young, so he still treats me like a child sometimes.”

“I see.”

It was a rather pleasant scene to witness, but there wasn’t much sincerity in my smile.

That was because, just before Dupont Clansher climbed the stairs and entered the main gate, the corner of his eye had curved slightly as he glanced back this way.

‘So he enjoys watching others squirm.’

Lucky for me, I’m quick on the uptake.

An ordinary person would have broken out in a cold sweat.

As they say, clear water flows from a clear source.

Since he was Killian Knox’s subordinate, it seemed he’d inherited that temperament too.

“Shall we go to my office and have some tea together?”

I nodded, concealing my displeased feelings.

“If you need anything, just call.”

The adjutant, who had naturally served tea to me and Deacon Gold, gave a polite bow and stepped outside.

Unlike Deacon Gold’s cup, which gave off a sweet fruity aroma, a reddish-brown tea was placed before me.

‘Did that bastard give me something weird on purpose?’

I shot a glare at the door the adjutant had exited through, then cautiously brought the teacup to my lips.

Fortunately, it wasn’t bad.

It was a black tea with a deep, bitter aroma and a fresh, clean aftertaste.

“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”

“Ah, yes. It’s delicious.”

“I’m relieved. I had it brought in because I thought Rookie might like it.”

“Your adjutant seems to brew tea well.”

“He has to be good at at least that much.”

Deacon Gold, who had casually uttered such a cold remark, drank his own tea.

But by now, I found myself somewhat agreeing with his assessment.

An adjutant who didn’t secure the door properly—at least he could brew tea well, I suppose.

As he set his cup back down, I noticed that Deacon Gold’s wrist still bore the crude, shackle-like bracelet.

As if sensing my gaze, Deacon Gold gave a wry smile and spoke.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m still undergoing the mana-blocking type.”

“Still, your complexion looks much better than last time.”

“Well, I’ve gotten used to wearing it this long. It’s still inconvenient not being able to circulate mana, though.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

I replied calmly, but inwardly I was rather surprised.

Gotten used to the mana-blocking type?

It no longer hurt, just felt uncomfortable?

That was nonsense.

The mana-blocking type wasn’t a punishment you could simply get used to.

If it were that easy, it wouldn’t be a severe penalty imposed on those who committed grave offenses.

Nevertheless, the reason Deacon Gold seemed fine was likely because he was a strong person.

Pure physical fortitude, that is.

He seemed to be the type with more substance beneath the surface than I’d initially thought.

“It’s strange.”

“What do you mean?”

“That mana overload antidote you told me about last time. As soon as I heard it, I thought, ‘This is it,’ and reported it right away.”

“Reported it to…”

“To His Grace the Duke. So I thought my punishment would be much shorter.”

Deacon Gold tilted his head and traced the shackle with his fingertip.

“But instead, it got longer.”

“Longer, not reduced?”

“Doesn’t that seem strange to you too, Rookie?”

“Did you happen to hear the reason?”

At my question, Deacon Gold answered with an ambiguous expression.

“His Grace said, ‘This is the penalty for failing to secure your door properly’…”

“Oh, dear.”

It was because of me.

Because I had snuck into this office and checked confidential documents, Deacon Gold’s mana-blocking sentence had been extended.

Thinking that, his appearance suddenly looked different to me.

The face I had thought looked perfectly fine just moments ago now seemed a bit pale, and he appeared fragile, as if he might collapse if pushed.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

Please, let me do something.

I asked earnestly, driven by guilt, but Deacon Gold, unaware of my inner turmoil, burst into laughter.

Don’t laugh.

I feel worse, so don’t laugh.

“Hahaha! Rookie, you really have an endearing side.”

“No, I don’t.”

I really don’t.

But at my firm denial, Deacon Gold was now tearing up from laughter.

“Haha, something Rookie can do for me… What would be good.”

He rubbed his smooth, flawless chin in contemplation, then his eyes sparkled with mischief.

“I’ve got it. Tell me about Rookie’s worries.”

“Worries?”

What would you do with that?

Wouldn’t it be better to ask for money or a gift instead?

“If you need leverage over me…”

“Pfft, that’s a good idea too. But for now, I’m curious about your worries.”

“Hmm.”

It was a truly difficult request.

Worries, she says.

Had there ever been a time in my life when I ate and slept as well as I did these days?

Nothing came to mind at all.

So I was about to tell him to ask for something else instead.

“I’m looking forward to helping you with your worries, you know?”

As he smiled and reached for his teacup, the shackle clinked against Deacon Gold’s wrist.

‘Damn it!’

I squeezed my eyes shut and racked my brain for something—even a lie—to make up, when it occurred to me.

There was something that, strictly speaking, wasn’t quite a “worry,” but was still annoying me for lack of a clear solution.

“It’s really nothing major, but…”

“Yes?”

“I have a superior I want to impress, but they’re not the type to easily open up.”

Naturally, I was talking about Gisela Loth.

How could I win over someone who paid me so little attention that the title “mentor” felt meaningless?

“Hmm, that actually does sound like a problem. I can see why it would bother you.”

Deacon Gold’s expression turned serious as he murmured in agreement.

“Is your superior the type who responds to flattery or bribery?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

“Then that’s trickier… If they were greedy for money, you could just slip them a gold bar. That would be easy.”

“Exactly.”

I didn’t have any gold bars, but I still had a pouch of gold-leaf envelopes left in my wardrobe.

Still, giving a bribe to Gisela Loth would backfire a hundred times out of a hundred.

“Rather than material things, I think she’s the type with high personal fences.”

“Ah, I know those kinds of people.”

Deacon Gold clicked his tongue at the end of his words.

“Those people are the most troublesome. Unless they’re convinced on their own, they won’t listen to anything anyone else says.”

“Exactly, that’s the personality!”

Could he possibly know Gisela Loth?

As I widened my eyes with that suspicion, Deacon Gold shrugged.

“Actually, I’m that type myself.”

He added with an awkward smile.

“But there’s a upside too. Once you’re inside my fence, from then on, you’re my person. I tend to become a reliable ally.”

“Then what should I do to get over that fence and inside?”

“Hmm, if it were me, I’d start by building a new fence around Rookie’s surroundings.”

It was a statement that felt both clear and elusive at the same time.

As I kept tilting my head, Deacon Gold continued with a gentle smile.

“If that superior really has a similar personality to mine, getting over the fence won’t be easy. Unless I open the gate for you myself.”

“But at this rate, I don’t see any future.”

“It’ll probably take time. Anyone would covet someone like Rookie. Just don’t try too hard to do something perfectly, and more importantly, don’t do what that superior dislikes. In the end, I tend to trust that kind of person.”

“…I’ve already messed that up. It’s over.”