Chapter 178: The Red-blooded Dreamer (4)

Chapter 178: The Red-blooded Dreamer (4)

Reuniting with the Information Department's Executive Manager was a disaster.

Communications with the Information Department's Executive Manager were rare, and for a good reason. But this time, just picking up the receiver was enough to stop my breath.

— Executive Manager, is everything okay at the Academy?

"Oh, yes."

He looked pale and his eyes were aflame with unexplained fury as his body swayed slightly from side to side, looking like the epitome of burnout.

I nearly failed to respond properly to his wretched, tear-inducing state. Asking about the Academy's well-being seemed ironic when it came from him, who was clearly anything but fine.

'How did he end up like this?'

If he wasn’t looking, I would have burst into tears right there. I knew his default state was being overworked, but even this was just too much.

— That’s good to hear. What a relief.

I quietly looked down as he let out a small and genuine sigh of relief.

Such a sight was both pitiful and frightening. Would I look like that in the future?

'You didn't have to show me.'

His 'kindness' in showing me such a daunting future nearly brought me to tears.

Perhaps the Information Department’s Executive Manager, in his youth, was also taught these lessons. Maybe he was just inheriting the empire's legacy of overworking...

— It would have been quite a headache if there were problems at the Academy, too.

My bizarre fantasy was interrupted by a sigh of exhaustion.

"Is it about the North?"

I ventured a guess after seeing the Information Department’s Executive Manager rub his neck. If a matter was severe enough to distress someone of his rank, then it must be the North, especially given the recent turmoil there.

And the Information Department’s Executive Manager quietly nodded in response.

— It was a good thing that we prioritized the North over the Red Wave.

I didn't argue with him because I felt the same way. Between the annoying but manageable rebels and the North which nearly brought down the Empire, the North was the obvious choice.

My only regret was that the empire, or rather the Ministry of Intelligence, was focusing too much on the North. This could make getting support for myself more challenging.

— We had quite a time deploying the Masked Unit for this one.

'Oh.'

It seemed that he read my thoughts.

His words were calm, but the message wasn’t. I hadn’t expected the Masked Unit to be deployed in this situation. I just assumed that they’d be sent to the North.

"Thank you for your consideration."

— It's only natural. Don’t worry about it.

Though he told me not to worry, we both knew he meant, 'I’ve provided you with support, so handle it without any fuss.'

Of course, I planned to handle it smoothly. Why would I make a scene and wear myself out?

Besides, with three managers involved, this mission was basically fail-proof.

"I'll return them quickly."

— That’s good to hear.

For the first time throughout the conversation, the Information Department’s Executive Manager finally managed a smile.

***

The 2nd Manager’s discovery of a spy and the dispatch of the Masked Unit by the Ministry of Intelligence was a rare double cause for celebration.

"Isn't this overkill?"

In contrast, the news of the Masked Unit's arrival made the 1st Manager tilt her head. Although she seemed happy to be able to see the 4th Manager, she probably thought it wasn’t necessary.

Seeing him so upset made me wonder what had happened.

"Come on, you just have to stay in the lab. Isn't that easy?"

Unlike my serious concerns, the 1st Manager seemed oblivious to the severity of the situation and smirked as she spoke.

Or perhaps she understood but chose to downplay it.

"It's like a prison, a prison."

The 2nd Manager shuddered as he replied.

But calling it a prison seemed too harsh. How could a lab compare to prison?

'Even prisoners have rights.'

Master’s students, apparently, did not. In that case, prison wins.

However, I couldn’t voice these thoughts as the two began to grapple with each other.

***

I unwrapped the bandage from my shoulder with trembling hands.

The wound from the North healed unusually slowly. It was probably because of the spell used by the high-ranking sorcerers.

'Finally.'

But that didn’t matter. What mattered was that the wound had completely healed.

My heart raced only after confirming that there was no scar on my shoulder. Now, I could go to him.

— The injury is worse than expected. You should rest until you’ve fully recovered.

"Understood."

Several of us, including myself, were wounded during the conflict in the North. Though it wasn’t critical, the healing was unnaturally slow, prompting the entire Masked Unit to return to the base.

We didn’t feel any pain, but we didn’t know how their sorcery worked. Thus, it was only right to be prudent and receive treatment at the base given the unpredictability of its effects. I wanted to take this opportunity to catch my breath, but—

— We might need to find another unit for the Academy mission.

"...What?"

Hearing that, I became anxious. The Academy mission was clearly important.

I strongly argued with the Minister of Intelligence that we could proceed immediately, but it was denied because he said we couldn’t risk permanent injury.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the Special Service Agency was too focused on the North to find a replacement for the Masked Unit. It was ironic that we, who were still in recovery, were now considered the most available personnel.

— We will send you on the mission once you recover, but we’ll have to consider other options if it takes too long.

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

That was enough. The vague condition of 'if it takes too long' meant that the Minister had already decided to send the Masked Unit.

Although the healing took longer than the healer had predicted, no replacement unit emerged. I was relieved not to lose the chance to see the Executive Manager.

"Take care not to overdo it. Avoiding injury is the most important."

If so, I should focus on healing. The Executive Manager would worry if we had even the smallest cut.

I recalled his concerned look and his warm touch as he tended to my wound before. It was comforting, but I didn’t want to see his sad eyes again.

'Executive Manager.'

Holding the unblemished bandage tightly, I bowed my head. I wanted to see his happy face, not the one filled with worry.

And now, I could. As the Minister of Intelligence had promised, I was now free to move.

'...Master.'

I am coming to see you /genesisforsaken