Chapter 44 …
“Ah… this is…”
Ascelia didn’t know how to respond, so she just stood there. She gazed emptily at the necklace in the deputy director’s hand.
How on earth did the deputy director end up here at this hour?
She had always been the one overseeing the experiments in the lab.
“It seems you’re curious about how I’m here.”
When Ascelia lowered her gaze, the deputy director spoke to her.
“Come here.”
“…Yes.”
Ascelia slowly released herself from Calisten’s embrace and stood before the deputy director, bowing her head.
The deputy director led the way out of Calisten’s room. Ascelia, flustered as the necklace was handed to her, quickly grabbed it as soon as it was offered.
“Put it on.”
“…Yes.”
Ascelia obeyed and put on the necklace the deputy director gave her. Seeing Ascelia’s long hair shorten, the deputy director smiled with interest.
“Body modification should be at least Y-rank.”
“….”
“Aren’t you supposed to be A-rank?”
Noticing that Ascelia’s outfit was Z-rank—and that it belonged to Alexis—the deputy director said:
“Does Alexis Rainier know about this?”
“…No.”
Ascelia said this because she didn’t want Alexis to be troubled.
“Calisten doesn’t know either. He thinks it’s because of the medicine.”
Ascelia didn’t want Calisten to suffer a greater shock and awaken prematurely. If he ever discovered that she was a low-ranking woman who had unintentionally deceived him, their trust would be completely broken.
“It’s all my fault. So please, punish only me.”
Ascelia spoke almost like a prayer. The deputy director looked at her coldly, silently. Ascelia couldn’t tell whether she was truly angry or just thinking something else, so she trembled with her head bowed.
The deputy director, who had been looking down on Ascelia, lifted her chin and made her meet her gaze. Ascelia, remembering the last time she was slapped, instinctively looked down.
“Do you really want to bear everything alone?”
“Yes.”
Ascelia said calmly. She wanted to take full responsibility herself, so that neither Calisten nor Alexis would suffer.
“Then you must follow my instructions carefully.”
At last, Ascelia could look the deputy director in the eyes.
The deputy director raised her brows with interest, watching Ascelia.
“From now on, cooperate completely with me. Even if Z-999 refuses, you must volunteer first.”
“…Yes.”
“Then I will keep your secret.”
The deputy director, judging from Ascelia’s behavior, truly believed that Z-999 knew nothing. Alexis was suspicious, though.
If Z-999 had known, he would have revealed everything when asking for a deal.
“It would be better if you didn’t take me.”
“It would be better if you don’t resist.”
Alexis held the back of the Kerno leader’s neck, dragging him along. As a result, the Kerno leader’s feet scraped the ground painfully.
“My name is Calisten.”
“What?”
“And yours?”
Alexis already knew Z-999’s name was Calisten because Ascelia had called him that often.
But seeing someone with the same face and name…
Furthermore, the immense amount of magical energy he radiated felt strangely similar. Yet he seemed too weak to be considered an awakened one, as if he had magic but didn’t know how to use it.
“You said you’re of royal blood?”
“…You came prepared with my information.”
“That’s right.”
Alexis sighed as guards appeared, blocking their path.
“Do I kill them all and take you, or just tell them nicely to step aside?”
“Please explain why you are taking me. Then I will comply.”
“Do you think I would believe that?”
The Kerno leader sighed and said:
“Everyone, stand down.”
“But commander! We can’t!”
“Oh, you are called a commander?”
Alexis felt a bit sorry for the rebels calling the Kerno leader their commander. With the original leader gone, the forces would be powerless until a replacement was found.
“I said I’ll follow willingly, so please tell me why.”
As Alexis loosened his grip, the Kerno leader stood up, stared at him, and signaled the rebels with guns to lower them. Confused, the rebels complied.
Alexis scratched his head and said:
“I don’t really know. The royal family told me to capture you.”
“Then why did you seem surprised when you saw me?”
“You resemble someone I know.”
Alexis answered honestly, seeing that the other was honest. Seeing a rare platinum-haired woman among the rebels, with her hair tightly tied, he didn’t want to kill her. She looked different from Ascelia, but the hair color was too similar.
“Now, follow me willingly.”
“What happens to me if I follow you?”
“I don’t know. But since they said to bring you alive, I probably won’t kill you.”
The Kerno leader exhaled heavily, troubled.
“Is this a rushed order?”
Not exactly. Alexis’ orders were to annihilate the rebels within a month and capture the Kerno leader, who was of royal blood.
“It’s not urgent.”
“Then could you give a short grace period before taking me?”
“I’d rather not.”
He knew finishing the mission quickly meant he could secure a safe haven with Ascelia sooner.
“I might be of help to you.”
“You can’t give me what I want.”
The Kerno leader smiled. He interpreted Alexis’ words as a willingness to negotiate.
“Are you looking for XXX-666?”
Alexis’ eyes widened.
“You know about that guy?”
“Yes.”
“Right, but that’s not my mission.”
Alexis intended to use magic again.
“I’ll hand over XXX-666. And you can tell me what you want.”
“You can’t give me that.”
“I’m quite capable. Try me.”
Just as Alexis was about to attack him, the Kerno leader stopped him.
“Don’t you want to leave the lab?”
Alexis’ hand froze near the Kerno leader’s neck.
“I’ll get you out—without anyone knowing.”
Alexis paused, considering. The deputy director was strict. She rewarded when expectations were met, but even if he disappeared with a new identity, he might still need to act on missions.
He used to enjoy this mission. Why would he mind using his powers?
But now, he didn’t want to die, even if he got hurt. Before, dying in battle might have been his dream; now he wanted to live, to have a child resembling Ascelia.
And if…
If he died on a dangerous mission sent by the deputy director, would the lab leave Ascelia unharmed even if he kept her secrets?
It was obvious Ascelia’s life would be in danger the moment he died.
Through this, his thoughts shifted from dreaming of a future with Ascelia to her safety.
“Show me XXX-666 first. I’ll tell you what I want next.”
Alexis became curious about XXX-666, who had escaped long before he awakened, leaving only rumors behind.
“Yes, follow me.”
He needed to confirm how XXX-666 was still alive, without sedatives. Normally, awakened ones require sedatives when using their powers beyond a limit, or their hearts would explode.
After Ascelia received the necklace from the deputy director, she had to return to Calisten’s room.
‘Go wait there. Until I call you.’
The deputy director sent her back with that instruction.
Ascelia stood in front of Z-999’s room and pulled out the card the deputy director gave her to unlock the door.
-Beep.
Before she could even open it, the door slid open, causing her to flinch. She accidentally collided face-first with Calisten’s broad chest, who suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Huff…”
“Ascelia!”
Startled by Calisten’s tight embrace, she froze. He looked unstable, still affected by the medicine.
“Cal… what’s wrong?”
“Don’t go anywhere.”
Calisten held her tightly, still seeming drugged.
“I wasn’t trying to kill you, Ascelia.”
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry.”
