Bermuda

Kenis, who had only been moving his lips at the unexpected words, asked back as if grasping at straws:

"Choices...?"

Hugo quietly turned his gaze to the window where rain was falling, visible through the thread-thin gap in the curtains.

"Yes. The first is to admit all your wrongdoings right here and now, and receive punishment along with a lawful verdict. Of course, you'll be expelled from the Council, everyone will know about this, and you'll be detained by your colleagues."

He deliberately maintained his composure as if it were no big deal. Rather than trying to intimidate him, he was simply laying out what would happen.

"Of course, your safety and that of your family will be guaranteed by me and the Council. If you faithfully cooperate with the investigation during your imprisonment, you'll become a specially protected subject after your release and can live safely with your family."

"..."

"However, all your charges are serious crimes, so I can't give you a definite answer on how many years it will take before your release. Also, you'll never be able to set foot in the central region again, and it's best not to think about joining any state institutions in the future. A dishonorable label will be attached to your name and body, blocking your path wherever you go."

It was the worst situation for the listener. Kenis's mind reflexively recalled Leonardo.

Knowing what people had whispered about him, how he had been treated, Kenis's face was tinged with despair.

He had dared to feel sympathy for him before, but now he might have to walk the same path.

"In return, I'll do my best to ensure you receive support from the governing territory until you settle down. It won't be luxurious, but you won't go hungry."

As Kenis lowered his head with a dazed expression, Hugo added a word as if administering medicine.

It was the most principled and humane solution. Admitting to the crime, receiving punishment for it, and then living under the protection of the organization after serving the sentence.

Moreover, even though he deserved to be harshly cast out, Hugo was offering to help him receive support until he settled down. Even Kenis, naive about the ways of the world, could understand how generous this treatment was. Honestly, given his current situation, there was no reason to refuse.

However, he was afraid of everyone knowing his shameful true face. He feared the criminal label that would stick to him and the cold stares of people in the world. But for now, this was the best option. Yet there was one problem that was still hard to bear.

As Kenis bit his lip tightly, Hugo, who had been watching, continued:

"And second."

The clear eyes that had been directed at the floor looked up. It seemed as if grape-like droplets might fall from his swollen ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) eyes at any moment.

"Keep this matter secret from everyone, and take the records to the location specified in the letter."

Hugo recited another option with an unreadable expression. For a moment, Kenis's face went blank, and he opened his eyes wide.

"...Pardon?"

As he asked back with a stupid look, Hugo, holding the densely written papers, lightly fanned them and explained again:

"I'm saying you become bait to reveal their identity. You're the only trainee member who joined the 1st Battalion and participated in the peninsula subjugation. The information you'll bring is high-grade intel they were desperate to obtain, even offering a large sum. They probably won't give up easily."

Of course, it wasn't certain whether they had ever intended to pay the large sum they offered. It would be fortunate if they just took the records and fled. Contrary to their earlier promise, they might ultimately try to destroy the evidence—even if it meant bloodshed. But considering various factors like silencing, they probably wouldn't want to escalate the situation either.

"I'm not saying I'll forgive you. For Leonardo's sake, who risked his life for you without knowing anything, I'm giving you a chance for atonement—to correct your mistakes."

"..."

"Persistently entangle with them and somehow create opportunities for contact. And don't reveal this to anyone until you die. You can't ask for help from your colleagues, your seniors, or anyone. It goes against principles to question your wrongdoings. This issue is for you and me alone to bear."

Hugo conveyed it in a chilling voice, as if pressuring Kenis.

"If you choose the second option, you'll have to act as a double agent while constantly suffering anxiety about being killed. You understand what I mean, right? Pretend to faithfully carry out what you've been doing, but instead pass information to me—until we completely eradicate those formless bastards."

His gaze was resolute. That was why Kenis was all the more at a loss for words.

He had come here of his own accord to escape fear, but now he had to return to their clutches. Moreover, he didn't know how long this would last. Even while performing surveillance for the past few months, he had felt like his blood was drying up every day, but if he had to face them as bait until the case was resolved, he might have to live in constant terror.

"I'll take responsibility for your family's safety in this case too. However, they'll have to relocate in secret to another place, leaving their hometown. They'll have to leave without saying goodbye to neighbors, taking only the bare minimum of their belongings, as if fleeing. They mustn't find out." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Either way, it meant he would guarantee the safety of his family. But the fact that his entire family would have to flee in the night because of him made it a difficult decision.

Kenis repeatedly squeezed his eyes shut and opened them. It was too big and heavy an issue for him to suddenly decide alone.

However, it was none other than himself who had brought this heavy reality to face both his family and Leonardo. If someone had to take responsibility, it should be him.

So he just needed to decide what to do, but he kept finding himself shrinking in front of the decision. Even with two choices before him, Kenis felt like he was backed into a corner.

Hugo stared at his hands that kept clenching and unclenching, and to urge on the hesitating Kenis, he spoke one last time:

"Kenis Weber, I'm not a very patient man."

Kenis flinched and quickly raised his head.

"The 1st Battalion receives more valuable rewards and benefits than other battalions because of the imminent dangers they face. And it's just as difficult to get in. Many people hope to join the 1st Battalion for various reasons, but they often retreat in frustration in front of the wall of ability and talent. So that position you luckily obtained is one that someone sincerely yearned and wished for."

Hugo spoke in a cold tone. It was a statement that pricked at one's conscience. It was the bitter reality that awakened someone who had entered the 1st Battalion through instigation.

"Do you want to stay in the 1st Battalion enough to keep that position?"

Hugo leaned back and slightly raised his chin, looking down at him.

"I'm asking if you can be worth that much."

Kenis's eyes, full of worry, wavered in confusion.

"That's..."

Fear, terror, guilt, and now the weight of a guilty conscience were added.

Kenis felt as if his whole body was being crushed by a transparent boulder. He wanted to throw these off and run away to a place where no one knew him. But if he did that, one thing still bothered him.

Kenis momentarily pushed aside the image of his family in his mind and recalled the golden eyes that had smiled brightly at him.

The gentle touch that had wiped away his tears, the beautifully curved red lips.

'You said you'd be good to me, right?'

'Make sure you keep that promise.'

A pleasant voice fluttered like the wind amid his anguish.

His trembling lips opened painfully, still unable to find their bearings.

"I—"

*****

After their private conversation ended, Kenis was only allowed to leave after stripping and undergoing a body search. This was to check if he was carrying any listening devices or other recorders. Fortunately, no suspicious devices were found other than what he had submitted.

Under Hugo's instructions, Kenis immediately took off his black uniform and returned to his hometown, accompanied by two members from platoons other than the 8th. This was to inform his family of the situation, albeit partially, and to pack his belongings. The two accompanying him were Hugo's subordinates, serving as both escorts and monitors.

Tok, tok, tok—

Hugo sat at his desk, organizing his thoughts. His gaze, staring blankly into space, had settled somewhat.

The sound of his fingertips tapping on the desk and the raindrops hitting the window created a dissonance.

Flynn, who was organizing the records left on the table except for a few sheets, brought a cup of warm tea to Hugo, who had been lost in thought for a long time.

"Why did you speak so harshly?"

The unfocused blue eyes shifted to Flynn. Soon, his eyelids moved slightly.

"Were you listening?"

"I could hear the voices."

"I suppose you were pressed against the door."

Caught red-handed, Flynn gave an awkward smile. The reason was that as soon as he and Gabe left the Commander's office, they had pressed their ears against the door, focusing intently, even postponing their work, wondering if today was the day of the 3rd Battalion Commander's expulsion.

There was no room for excuse since they had even used magical tools to hear the muffled conversation clearly. Although they hadn't heard everything distinctly, they understood enough of the context.

"I'm sorry..."

"If I hadn't brought you, you'd be subject to punishment too."

As the sharp gaze pierced his face, Flynn lowered his eyes, fidgeting. Hugo stared at him with a displeased look, then turned his head back to the rain-soaked window.

"Did my words sound harsh to you?"

"...Huh? Ah, yes... You spoke more coldly than I expected."

"..."

"He's a pitiful friend, isn't he? We also need people to uncover the mastermind. But it seemed like you were scaring him to the point where he'd think it's better to just be punished and have his safety guaranteed. Actually, you were planning to protect him regardless of his choice, weren't you?"

"..."

"Did you do it on purpose?"

"...Who knows."

Kenis Weber ultimately chose to remain in the 1st Battalion. It's uncertain whether he, ignorant of the world's harshness, understood what consequences his choice would bring.

But he said that more than anything else, he didn't want Leonardo to know about his wrongdoing.

He didn't want to hurt him with the knowledge that there had been lies in the time they spent together. If possible, he wanted to bury the truth in his grave and always meet Leonardo with a smiling face, just as before.

The moment Hugo heard this, he couldn't continue speaking.

The biggest influence on Kenis's decision was none other than his relationship with Leonardo. He knew they had grown closer due to some incident, but it seemed their bond was deeper than he had thought.

In conclusion, with Kenis volunteering to become a bridgehead to uncover the forces behind this instead of receiving absolution, they had gained a useful card. Moreover, since the affectionate Leonardo wouldn't be hurt, there couldn't be a better outcome.

Yes. It should certainly be a good thing.

Hugo felt a heaviness in a corner of his heart, as if he had pushed Kenis away with his own hands.

"It seems I needed absolution too."

Flynn quietly looked at his lord in response to his murmur, which had come out as if entranced.

Sensing it wasn't the atmosphere to add more words, Flynn naturally changed the subject.

"Um..., then I guess we should look into small territories suitable for relocation. Werewolf descendants still face a lot of discrimination, so lords and officials aren't very welcoming. It might be good to give them a heads up in advance..."

At Flynn's words, Hugo, having organized his thoughts, took a sip of the hot tea after letting it cool. Having quenched his thirst, he quickly emptied half the cup, then immediately stood up and picked up his uniform jacket.

"Is separate permission necessary? Just arrange suitable accommodation."

Flynn's mind momentarily stopped at Hugo's response, which seemed too easy. Then, belatedly understanding the meaning, he asked back as if puzzled:

"You mean to bring them into your territory?"

"Flynn, postpone all my personal schedules for the time being after today's work is done. And you too—get ready to leave right now."

Having affirmed by changing the subject, Hugo tied his necktie and adjusted his attire. Seeing him in a hurry, Flynn asked urgently:

"Where are you going?"

Hugo's eyes gleamed coldly as he tidied his appearance. After drinking the rest of the tea and wiping his mouth, he answered quietly:

"I'm going to see His Excellency."