A Corpse that Defies Orders (2)

I looked around in silence. Except for the stunned bug that was lying on the ground, there were still plenty of others to extract information from. Of course, confidential information might be known only to their leader, but it didnt matter. With this number, the quality of information can afford to be slightly lower.

Its fine even if only their leader knew the mastermind or collaborator behind the Third Honor. In any case, they were the ones who showed their fangs to the Empire first, obsessed with their delusions of the Apels revival. They will definitely come up with other tricks, and we just have to find and kill them.

Yes, there was no problem.

Killing him wont be a problem.

After reaching that conclusion, I approached the bug. The Masked Unit members who were grabbing his arms quickly moved back, and the 1st and 4th Managers followed behind me.

I lifted the unconscious bugs head to wake him up, but something was wrong. His eyes were rolled back and white, his body was crushed and unrecognizable, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth.

Hes dead.

At my words, the Masked Unit members body trembled. He was already dead. It seemed like the 4th Manager failed to control her strength in her haste to kick him.

I looked at the bugs upturned eyes for a moment, then applied force to my hand and burst his head open. It was meaningless since he was already dead, but I felt like I had to vent my frustration somehow.

After roughly wiping off the blood on my hands, I turned around. The 4th Manager seemed lost, and the 1st Manager was nervous.

What should I do?

The 1st Manager deliberately delayed the interrogation process, and the 4th Manager had killed him.

Both were reprehensible enough if you ask me.

After looking at both of them alternately, I sighed lightly. I didnt like how they were lowering their heads. Normally, I wouldve cast it aside. After all, it was expected that the 1st Manager would enjoy having new toys, and I knew that the 4th Manager was proactive in matters related to me.

Yet I didnt confront the 1st Manager right away, and I stayed still knowing that the 4th Manager would rush out. It would be a bit hypocritical to scold them after all that.

Although I heard something unexpected in an unexpected place

Fuck.

The more I thought about it, the more annoyed I became. I was about to wipe this frustration off my face when I noticed that my hands were still wet with blood. The 4th Manager, who had been watching me from the corner of her eye, carefully gave me her handkerchief.

Executive Manager, if its okay with you, please use this

Her voice was stable, but seeing her trembling hand holding the handkerchief made me completely forget about reprimanding her. Yeah, luck wasnt on my side. What just happened was just bad luck.

Thanks.

I returned the handkerchief to her after cleaning my hands. And I patted her shoulders as if telling her that everything was okay now.

Theres really no one else who cares about me except for Fenelia. Thank you for getting angry in my place.

Although shed taken my work from me, she dealt with the target in my place. It was done in good faith, so I decided to let it go.

I left behind the 4th Manager and walked toward the 1st Manager. She trembled even more, perhaps thinking that all my anger would fall on her. Dont worry. I wont get angry at you.

Elizabeth?

Yes! Executive Manager!

It was funny seeing the 1st Manager shout with all her might and looking so nervous. I smirked and patted her shoulder.

You just made a mistake. Right?

N-No, I should have done it faster.

Its a mistake. Youve been doing well so far, Elizabeth, so making a mistake occasionally is fine.

As I consoled her, her trembling gradually subsided. Where can you find a superior who thinks about his subordinates like this?

But youll do well this time, right?

Yes!

I was satisfied after hearing her answer like a soldier.

Seeing how hes aware of what happened in the North, theres definitely someone collaborating with them.

Ill figure it out!

Okay. Lets do our best.

Seeing how she nodded, made me think she was definitely going to do her job this time. The 1st Manager always showed results when she was serious.

Ill be going to the booth for a while. I need to show my face before the day comes to an end.

Wed gone out with the excuse there was someone we had to meet, so they would get suspicious if I didnt appear at all. I had to show my face at least once before returning.

* * *

I barely managed to calm down after watching the Executive Manager return to the Academy. My heart began beating really fast when he patted my shoulder and called me by my name instead of my position.

Hehe

Fuck.

Things are really fucked up.

He was suppressing it deep down, but his composure had definitely been shaken.

Most people that have experienced war before have their own jinx. The Executive Manager was one of those people.

He never called anyone by their names. No matter the situation, he always called them by their designation. His jinx was calling us by our names.

In his two years in the North, hed lost a lot of people he was close to by calling them by their names. Among all the people that were sent to kill Kagan, he was the only one who returned alive.

But calling me by my name instead of my position meant that he was so overwhelmed with rage that he didnt he care about his own long held superstition. This only happened when he was truly furious.

Son of a bitch.

I glared at the head of the leader of the Third Honor. I treated him well because he was a new toy, but I never expected him to cause something like this. Im glad the Executive Manager didnt let out his anger. Now that I think about it, not expressing his anger and hiding it was even scarier

Fenelia, are you okay?

I turned my gaze from the headless son of a bitch to Fenelia. The Executive Manager, who had a special place in her heart, called her by her name. I couldnt imagine how shocked she must have been.

She was still bowing her head and mumbling something. From Fenelias perspective, who lived only by looking at the Executive Manager, it must have felt like the sky was falling. I sighed lightly and approached her to offer some comfort.

TheExecutiveManagerSaidHeOnlyHasMeTheExecutiveManagerSaidThanksTheExecutiveManagerCalledMeByMyNameTheExecutiveManager

Ah.

It seemed like I was worried for nothing.

While leaving Fenelia behind, I walked toward the other Third Honor members.

I called out members of the Masked Unit. They also seemed angered. Well, it was expected. After all, someone had cursed the Executive Manager in front of them.

Bring that here.

Yes.

I pointed to someone who seemed unconscious. They quickly walked toward him and dragged it to me. Since interrogation is only possible when theyre conscious, I slapped him to wake him up.

As soon as he opened his mouth to scream, a member of the Masked Unit put a gag in his mouth. Yes, theyre quick to catch on, making it easier to work with them.

I didnt want to go this far. But your leader was rude to us. Thats too bad.

Taking out a dagger from my pocket, I was speaking when I suddenly thought it was strange. Why do I feel regretful? Were the ones who suffered the damages unilaterally. Isnt he to blame for not managing his leader properly?

Now that I think about it, Im not sorry.

I could work comfortably.

After nodding, I checked out the state of the dagger then cut the skin of the Third Honor member before me.

How many cuts will you be able to handle? Try to resist as much as possible.

* * *

I managed to stop becoming a higher-up who unleashed his anger on his subordinates. It seemed like Id developed patience. I used to lash out immediately, without giving it a second thought.

Someone who achieved success through the blood of his comrades.

I couldnt help but frown at those words. Even if Ive developed patience, I couldnt help but feel horrible. The worst thing is that I couldnt deny those words. After all, they were right.

I barely managed to cast those thoughts aside when I entered the Academy and was about to reach the booth. Oh damn, was I too late? I began walking faster but noticed that the booth was empty. It seems like Im late, indeed.

Ah, Oppa!

I was about to return to the forest when I heard Louises voice. It seemed like she was sitting inside the booth.

Why are you still here?

Im the president of the club, so I wanted to wait at least until oppas here.

I laughed at Louises words.

What about the others? Im sure they didnt want to leave yet.

People from the three countries took them.

Louise simply answered. However, I could already imagine how much Villar had struggled to do that. Taking them away from Louise was probably really hard. But then, who dragged Erich and Ainter? Was it the work of the three foreigners who had to keep the two in check?

They keep each other in check really well.

No one took the lead. But at the same time, they didnt let anyone take the lead. Their balance matched weirdly.

Oppa, can you give me your hands?

My hands?

I extended my hands without thinking about it, then instantly regretted it. Although I had cleaned my hands, there was a chance there was still the smell of blood. Shes someone who needed to grow, only looking at good things. It wasnt something she should smell.

But Louise didnt seem to mind that. She put a small pouch on top of my hands. Luckily, it doesnt seem to smell.

I made it a lot sweeter this time!

Really?

They say its better to eat something sweet when youre tired.

My body hardened at Louises worried words.

Its just that Oppa looks tired. I wanted to be of help to you.

Okay.

Eh Oppa? Just like Ive said before

I should tell you if something is bothering me?

Hehe

Looking at Louises shy smile, I then looked down at the pouch. Sweet foods are good when youre tired. From who did I hear that before?

Thank you. Ill eat it well.

I smiled back at Louise, who was beaming.

After confirming that Louise had returned to the dormitories, I returned to the forest.

Its better to eat something sweet when youre tired.

Then, I opened the pouch that Louise had given me and took out a cookie. It was a neatly shaped cookie that was carefully made by Louise. I couldnt have imagined something so neat back then.

Carl! Ive prepared something good!

Ta-dah! How about this? Im sure you dont often get the opportunity to eat sweet things in the North!

Hey, have you checked yourself in the mirror? You look very tired.

Sweet things are the best when youre tired! Ive made these for you, so eat them!

Little brat, dont sulk alone. If somethings bothering you, you can tell this noona anytime!

Ah.

Fuck.

Perhaps it was because I heard those words right after hearing a similar thing from that damn bug, or maybe it was because I heard something similar from Louise. Memories from the past suddenly came rushing back to me.

I looked at Louises cookie for a moment and then took a bite.

Its delicious.

Yes. Louises cookies are delicious.

The cookies Ive tasted in the North were delicious too. They are the best among the ones Ive tasted.

Thats why Louises cookies are also delicious, just like those Ive eaten in the North.

Yes. Louises cookies are delicious. Definitely.