Instead of reaching out to accept the gift, I crossed my arms and curtly rejected his suggestion. I wonder. Going by your thoughts, the Star Squad would take priority. It hasn't been long since squad Yellow Lightning returned to base, has it? They need more rest.

Actually, their senses would be sharper as they had been raiding until recently, Tragula remarked, a silky smile in his eyes. It seemed he had the wrong idea that I was taking care of him out of goodwill. What a joke. I laughed and explained, What I mean is, we don't need more firepower than this to slay the dragon.

But

The choice of members for the upcoming raid wasn't made only in consideration of the dragon-slaying. It also prepares the broader future of the Dark Knights. Squad Purity won't be removed from the team. I ended with a troubled laugh. I could hear the cogs spinning furiously in Tragula's head at the mention of broader future. He didn't know anything about the internal affairs of the corps. After all, he had been excluded from the Dark Knights until now. He had to be sensitive about the power distribution.

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I suggested teasingly, If you really want to have squad Yellow Lightning join, how about you go and talk to Axion about it? Your squad could replace the Red Wolves. I knew, and Tragula knew as well that this was impossible. His face twisted into a frown. Squad participation was a sensitive issue. Even if Axion wasn't interested in the power issue within the corps, asking to replace his squad was asking to be cursed. Who knew, though? Considering Axion's personality, I wouldn't put it past him to add some fire magic to his cursing. I added, Oh, if your suggestion is out of reluctance to join the special unit, then please feel free to tell me. We've been raiding with six until now, so I was thinking of going with six this time as well.

N-no. It's an honor for me to accompany the special unit.

Honor, my foot. I felt incredulous seeing him lie with such a straight face. Tragula hastily gestured with his hand as if to wave away my thought. I bet he sensed he was about to lose what opportunity he had because of his greed. Seeming to think that his impression would only worsen at this rate, he bowed and apologized. It seems I've troubled you with needless words when you must be busy with the raid preparations. I will be taking my leave now.

After speaking, he discreetly left the bottle of liquor he had brought on my office desk. I pointed at the bottle, staggered by his blatant ploy, and said, Take that with you.

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No, I only brought it because a good brew came in. I don't drink much, you see.

With that said, Tragula scurried out of the office as if he were running away. After he left, Mary came in. She poured some tea into my empty teacup and said, with a smile, The Yellow Lightning squad leader must've been bothering you.

My fatigue must have shown on my face. I tapped the end of my pen against my ink bottle and returned a bitter smile. Well, it's not like he could've gone to bother the captain. That's why he's clinging to me.

And offering a bribe? Noticing the bottle on the table, Mary lifted it up with mirth on her lips.

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Ahh I said I didn't need it, but he left it.

Then what shall I do about this drink?

Indeed. What should I do? Cupping my chin, I took a moment to gaze at the bottle of liquor Mary was holding. Knowing me all too well, she was holding it with the label facing me. A 30-year-old Opulence Hmm It wasn't bad. Actually, it could be said that Tragula had put quite some thought into his choice. The bottle was worthy as a bribe for the vice-captain of the Dark Knights. It was a grade of alcohol I couldn't have even dreamed of when I was with Fabian Corps.

I felt like drinking with Mayer these days was only raising my standards for drinks. I always accepted his invitations to share a glass for a reason. Even if the atmosphere turned somewhat gloomy, it was worth it. The man had a stock of liquor that was worth all the gems collected by the Knox family and more expensive than their weight in gold. It couldn't be helped that I felt disinterest in the 30-year-old Opulence. But since that prized collection of Knox strictly belonged to Mayer I needed something to sip by myself. Coming to a decision, I said happily, The liquor has no sin.

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Then I'll store it away well. Mary laughed as if she had expected my answer and took away the bottle. I didn't feel like Tragula would have poisoned the alcohol he was using to bribe, but you never knew. I made a mental note to ask August to purify it later on. My trust toward Tragula and the 30-year-old Opulence were separate matters so I chose to cherish his gift.