05.

“Sorry, Captain, but I’m on my way to work. The division commander is expecting a report today. Wouldn’t he be displeased if I were late?”

Erable didn’t have time to deal with this lunatic any longer. She was already fifteen minutes away from her scheduled arrival.

“…You’re so harsh. I told you to stop bringing up Dezeb! I’m practically dead!”

Birgo looked down at his crotch with a sulking face.

“My apologies. Hand me the clothes, and I’ll have them repaired by the afternoon.”

“Should I just take them off right here?”

“Sure. There are 13 minutes left.”

“Thirteen minutes is more than enough for one go.”

Oh, please. Just 13 minutes?

“What’s with that face? I’m feeling offended.”

“This is my face of concern for the commander, who’s probably waiting.”

“…Seriously, you’re too much. Stop talking about Dezeb, Erable. Let’s just do it once, and I’ll make sure you’re really dead.”

Don’t throw around death threats, you psycho. You’re making me rethink my will.

“Captain, I really need to go. If the commander asks why the report is late, I’ll have no choice but to honestly tell him that I was delayed because of you…”

“Alright, alright, just stop!”

＊ ＊ ＊

“Thank you, Erable.”

Dezeb Avganis smiled warmly as he accepted the report and his coffee.

To hide her trembling hands, Erable clasped them tightly behind her back.

‘Dealing with the dogs is honestly better…’

There were probably people who would line up, offering everything they had just for a smile like that from this man. But if they knew that what they’d have to offer was their life, they might think differently.

He was a Signum user with an unmeasurable connection, his physical level was 13.

The final boss of this world, and his beauty was as overwhelming as ever.

With jet-black hair, creamy skin, a perfect nose, and eyes that gleamed red as he smiled lazily, his lips were the same deep red as well.

Every time Erable saw his face, she was reminded of the fact that he was a level 13.

And with that reminder came the understanding that this was the top secret of the 41st Division. If this ever got out, it would mean death.

Not just her death, but there was no guarantee the Count’s family would be spared either. For the sake of secrecy, they’d likely be wiped out in one clean sweep. Thinking of that, Erable forced herself to smile dutifully.

“There’s a croissant from Jalo’s bakery. Would you like it?”

Dezeb Avganis disliked that bakery brand. He thought it was bland. As expected, his reaction was indifferent.

“Hmm, more than that, could you check the 2nd channel gate?”

“I’ll check it and submit the report.”

Back at her desk, Erable opened her laptop and rubbed her hands on her pants. Her palms were damp with sweat.

‘Just a few words with him, and… ha, I guess it’s bound to happen.’

Even after two years, it wasn’t enough time to get used to that man.

She felt it would take at least 20,000 years, and even then, she’d likely be dead before she could get accustomed to him, reduced to dust.

Erable clenched and unclenched her fists, trying to relax her stiff knuckles.

It would’ve been great if that man wasn’t in the lieutenant’s office right now, but unfortunately, today was the 28th—time for the regular monthly meeting.

Currently, the entire upper brass of the division was gathered in the lieutenant’s office. Why they had to do it here, she didn’t know.

Maybe it was for the high-quality coffee beans and expensive pastries. Or maybe it was because of her.

“Hey, coffee.”

“Me too.”

Erable quickly handled the orders and returned to her seat.

“Ah, I’ll have tea.”

“Where are the cigarettes?”

“Lieutenant, where’s the document I left here…?”

After completing a few more tasks, Erable finally got to start her own work.

It wasn’t all bad, though. Her pockets were getting fuller by the minute.

‘So, what’s on today’s to-do list…?’

Erable forced herself to focus on her tasks.

Errands were errands, but her actual job was a matter of life and death, so there was no choice but to concentrate.

Today, she needed to check the 2nd warp channel, process the equipment requests, and organize the newly stocked supplies, all while trying to make some progress in tidying up the storage room.

If she didn’t work efficiently, overtime would be inevitable.

‘Why are there 23 requisitions today? What’s with this load?’

The division was operating several special forces units that weren’t officially reported. While their main mission was terraforming, their actual operations involved illegal weapons smuggling, contract killings, mercenary work, and unauthorized planetary development.

A large number of the soldiers were recruited from those circles. In fact, their allegiances lay there first.

Loyalty to the empire? Not a chance.

They had already broken dozens of military laws, and some of those breaches carried charges of treason that could wipe out the entire division. But, unfortunately, no one cared.

“Have you tried it?”

“What, the D9? It’s alright. Doesn’t drain as much energy from the shells. Works well on level 4 targets and below, but there’s a bit of an overload.”

The men lounged around the office, lazily puffing on cigarettes, completely oblivious to everything else.

Every time she listened to their ridiculous conversations, the realization that her life was a mess hit her like a truck.

“It’s just a prototype anyway,” one of them said.

“Didn’t you say it was going somewhere?”

“Nober Federation. The lab guys will handle it.”

“Still, you should check on it. Why don’t you go?”

As Erable quickly processed documents, she shoved some stomach medicine into her mouth.

“Why should I? I’m heading to the Marquess of Gale’s estate later.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yeah, it’s artifact season.”

“Is it yours?”

“If I bring it back, it’s mine. Why are you pretending to be a law-abiding citizen?”

Erable never forgot to prepare for a quick escape because these people could easily start arguing, and it wouldn’t take long before they started bashing each other’s heads in.

“Oh, come on! Just swing by! Last time I went, they confiscated everything in the container, claiming it was a violation of regulations! They said they won’t return it unless we use an official route. Obviously, they just want to keep it for themselves.”

“Not my problem. Whoever touched it should deal with it.”

“Agh, it’s a pain!”

“What do you want me to do?”

Dezeb would just sit back and watch, entertained whenever the dogs fought, so there was no controlling the situation.

While keeping her documents organized, Erable downed a strong cup of coffee, opening the code to partially summon her spirit and linking it to her laptop.

Using her body as the central terminal, the information of Miro, the ST-20 spirit, transferred rapidly to her laptop. She plugged the cord into the back of her ear and massaged her stiff neck.

Her ears were ringing slightly.

‘…Not in good shape.’

The residual effects of the identification tag were still lingering, and her condition was deteriorating, making the noise worse. Erable opened her drawer and took a sedative after her stomach medicine.

She washed it down with more coffee and began reading the data on the screen.

Honestly, she was in a bit of a hurry. Today was the release day for *Romantic 4*, and if she wanted to see the movie, she needed to leave work before midnight.

“Do it yourself! Hey, Erable, pick up some cigarettes during lunch.”

“Yes, that’ll be 24 CP.”

Erable responded mechanically without taking her eyes off her laptop.

“What? Why that price?”

“I’m not feeling well today.”

“Isn’t this extortion? The price keeps going up without warning?”

“That’s how monopolies work.”

Her deadpan response made someone nearby snort out a laugh. She hoped they’d spit on their own pants, though that was just wishful thinking.

“You’re unbelievable.”

I’m working.

“Damn it, also swing by storage and bring me an empty box, size 20.”

“I can’t. My security clearance doesn’t allow me into storage.”

“Since when?”

“It’s always been the regulation.”

“So, you’re saying you can’t do it?”

His voice dropped, as it always did when he was about to get annoyed. That was how these assembly-line psychopaths worked.

Erable, typing additional search terms into her laptop, replied.

“I can. But the hazard fee will bring the total to 200 CP.”

“You’re robbing me! Don’t you have any friends in the D.C.?”

“No, sorry.”

Friends, my foot. I hate everyone equally, and honestly, I hate being alive in the same era as these people.

Let’s see… If I do this well, I might avoid overtime. Wait, the inventory has increased? Oh, it’s narcotics. Someone must’ve taken up a hobby involving drugs. Well, that’s a pretty standard pastime here.

It’s also a much more productive hobby than bothering subordinates who are trying to work.

In this division, the only person weak enough to experience side effects from drug use was Erable herself.

And as that weak person, she desperately wanted to leave work before midnight today.

“Fine, 200 CP it is.”

“I’ll have it ready for you by 1 p.m. tomorrow.”

Erable responded while plugging the third and fourth cords into the back of her ear.