9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 95 - War, Never Again War (3)

A fairly sumptuous table had been set.

Daniel had started cooking, saying he wanted to show off something, but after nearly burning the omelet and making salty stew, Richard and Oscar stepped in to clean up the mess.

Both had extensive experience living alone, so they were skilled at cooking. Daniel looked a bit sulky, but this was better for everyone gathered.

Looking at the crowded table where everyone had gathered, I became incredibly hungry.

‘Now this is a home-cooked meal.’

The meals provided at the official residence were patient food or something—despite feeling luxurious, they somehow lacked taste compared to their high-class appearance.

I devoured the food like I was possessed, while also feeding Colin, who was lying at my feet, some unsalted ham.

I was right to ask Captain Himmel and Major Damier for this favor. The moment I saw Colin running up barking excitedly, I almost burst into tears and hugged him.

“Daniel, tell us the detailed story. You said you had some incredible adventure?”

Daniel’s letter had been very brief. Something about obtaining a legendary dragon thanks to Fael.

‘Come to think of it, staging that dragon show based on just that was pretty reckless.’

A chuckle escaped me.

Daniel and Namir told us about what happened in the Great Desert.

“Fael was a pureblooded elf? Golden Clan?”

“My brother said it was okay to reveal this to the White Raven Order and Bletter.”

Namir nodded.

The story about Tan was mysterious and fascinating, but shocking. Even though we’d called him a legendary dragon, such an incredible backstory.

And the circumstances of how the elven kingdom that had been repeating cruel rituals collapsed.

Everyone was speechless.

Even Assad, who hadn’t been shaken by the news that Fael was a pureblooded elf, had his eyes trembling at this.

“Such…”

“Now I understand why he asked us to keep it secret.”

“A secret lost even among the elves themselves!”

“But, that aside.”

I tapped the table. There was something that bothered me.

“I asked you to find something that could make money, right? The dragon worked out well, but money? What am I supposed to make money with?”

“He just told me to bring Tan!”

Namir bristled indignantly.

“My brother stayed in the desert, so he’ll find treasure soon! What do you know, you human!”

“Oh, such touching brotherly love. Calm down, it was just a joke. Just showing Tan to people had great value. And I’ve already thought of a way to make money. By the way, does the Schufaben food suit your taste? Should I give you another bowl?”

The plate in front of Namir was completely empty.

“Huh? Uh-huh, yeah.”

Namir, whose momentum had deflated, nodded with a dazed expression.

“Lucas, stop treating the dragon like a tool.”

Oscar grumbled from the side.

“And why did you leave Tan with the air force? We could take care of him—”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Where around here could house a house-sized dragon? And who would take care of him? You? Would you quit the factory? Get a grip.”

When I snorted, Oscar wilted and crumpled in the corner.

“That’s enough, right? The more detailed stuff is in my travel journal.”

Daniel said with a smile.

“Now Lucas, tell us your story. How much of the news is true?”

“What exactly did they say? Let me see.”

***

Oscar brought the newspapers piled in the kitchen basket and spread them out. I shoveled stew into my mouth while glancing sideways at the newspapers, counting off points on my fingers.

“Being in a brief coma, true. Regaining consciousness yesterday, false. Turn the page. Getting stabbed, true. Surprise attack by Cortana forces? Obviously false. Exemplary military service? Do I need to say anything?”

Hannah burst into giggles.

She was probably the witness to my dissolute ways.

“And?”

Erika asked with her arms slightly crossed. Uh, this feels ominous.

“You all know, right? I was locked up in the Supreme Leader’s residence until yesterday. It was really like hell.”

“You met with Kruger?”

“Yeah. He said he wanted to make me his close aide. And he forced me to memorize a speech.”

“Are you sure it was forced?”

Erika’s voice was very cold, making everyone turn to look at her in surprise.

“We were all there when you gave that speech. You said it yourself, that the Supreme Leader would put you in front of the public. You said he definitely would. Plus, they promoted it on the radio all afternoon yesterday, so we could all go.

But I never expected it would be to this extent. Who held a gun to your head? Would your head explode if you didn’t shout about punishing Cortana? Lucas, you set the people’s hearts on fire. Do you realize that?”

Her words made the cheerful atmosphere sink.

“Yeah, that’s right. Even I felt my chest swelling with emotion. Anyone who didn’t know the situation would have wanted to grab weapons and charge out immediately.”

Oscar awkwardly chimed in.

“You didn’t know either, did you?”

Georg asked anxiously.

“……”

I put down my spoon.

“What do you take me for? A despicable traitor?”

“That’s…”

“How dare you suspect me?”

I’m hurt. Me, who got beaten in prison and even suffered confinement and threats!

“I told you, I’m going to kill Kruger.”

“I know that.”

Erika’s expression was quite cold.

“But you won’t choose your means and methods, will you? Since it’s revenge.”

Silence flowed.

‘What if…’

What if war were necessary to kill Kruger? Could I accept that?

What do I want to do?

I just wanted to survive…

But what about now?

Do I just want to kill that demon?

‘No.’

I shook my head lightly.

That was crazy talk.

“I didn’t deliberately call for war. I was threatened. Ah, but that doesn’t mean I thought ‘I was threatened so I had no choice!’ and enjoyed giving the speech. Even if war were absolutely necessary to kill that bastard, I would desperately try to prevent it.”

That was my original goal.

To survive.

Not to get swept up in madness.

Erika looked into my eyes. As if she could read truth and lies by doing so.

“Do I seem like I’m lying?”

“No, but you seem like you don’t know what you want yourself.”

“……”

Her words stabbed right through me.

“Lucas, I’m worried. We all know you’re trying to prevent war. But I’m afraid that somewhere in your heart, you might be seeing this as a good opportunity. Because you want to destroy this country.”

My heart began to ache with sharp pangs.

‘Sharp girl.’

“Hey…”

My face must have hardened, because Oscar fidgeted nervously and gave Erika meaningful looks.

And I smiled brightly.

“Very sharp, Erika! But don’t worry. Even if I did harbor such feelings, I would never actually support war. Think about it—if war breaks out, I’d get dragged into it too! Would I want to suffer like that again?”

“Hmm…”

Only then did Erika’s expression soften a bit. She knew what kind of person I was.

“Ahem.”

Richard cleared his throat.

“So, how are you planning to prevent it? Should we all put our heads together?”

“No, not yet. I need to watch how things develop. Actually, the diplomats are probably already moving busily. I threw out a secret weapon.”

***

“Haa…”

Queen Marianne I’s fingers trembled finely as she set down the letter.

Letter paper densely filled with carefully written characters.

The letter envelope had no postmark, date, or address. The messenger simply handed over the letter and disappeared.

The Queen slowly pondered the contents.

「Greetings to Your Majesty the Queen.

How is your health in this cold season? Here at the foothills of the Colt Mountains, soldiers are enduring difficult days due to unseasonable heavy snow and cold waves.

Watching soldiers with shovels and rakes clearing snow, I feel my mind and body growing weary.

Such chills—perhaps in a previous life I was an army private.

Haha, just joking.

(middle section omitted)

I write this letter to humbly request one favor, though it may be presumptuous.

Your Majesty, finally ‘that time’ is approaching.

On the first day of the new year, if anything happens to me, there’s a 9,999 out of 10,000 chance our predictions were correct.

Your Majesty, this humble subject dares to say.

I will never die.

Please know this.

Nevertheless, if rumors spread that I have died or am in mortal danger.

There is something I would like Your Majesty to do for me, Rubellia, and the entire continent.

(latter section omitted)

P.S.—Please do not blame the messenger if they seem rude. They are simply faithful to their mission. Please ask nothing and question nothing…

— Your Majesty’s small friend, Luca.」

Marianne looked again at the newspapers and reports from agents piled beside the letter.

“Lucas, your foresight is truly remarkable.”

She muttered and rose from her chair, calling for an attendant.

“I shall go to the Prime Minister’s office.”

The continent began to stir.

***

Leisure amid busy times.

It means a brief idle moment in the midst of frantic busyness.

That perfectly described my current situation.

“Tastes good. Can I have another cup? Heat it up warm, add more chocolate and honey too.”

“Just drink whatever you’re given.”

“You wanted to say ‘shut up and drink it,’ didn’t you?”

“No. I wanted to say stop drinking chocolate milk.”

2:30 AM.

In the darkened restaurant of a luxury hotel in Lüdelheim District 3, I was having idle chatter with Assad while waiting for someone.

‘It’s really inconvenient now that our hideout is gone.’

Even though I could borrow Fael’s hotel without charge.

Then Johann appeared in front of me and sat down. Without any footsteps, like a quiet predator who just slipped in.

“Is it snowing outside? Want something to eat?”

“Don’t give him anything.”

“Sorry, Assad says no.”

Johann frowned slightly in annoyance.

“Stop the nonsense.”

He pulled a letter from his coat pocket and handed it to me.

“Ah, finally.”

It was a reply from the Queen.

She briefly sent regards and praised my foresight.

“Negotiations with the Prime Minister went well, so there should be good results… Hmm, fortunate. Thanks. Though the hard work goes to your subordinates.”

Even with my teasing, Johann remained calm. Something feels off.

“Don’t tell me you read the letter?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Why? I was going to tell you anyway.”

“How can I trust you?”

The guy who stole and read someone else’s letter has some nerve. But instead of being disappointed, I nodded.

“So you made good use of it?”

“I put money in.”

So here’s how it works.

Just like illegal sports betting ran rampant in Korea, gambling flourished in this world too.

It was illegal for now, but perhaps as part of a policy to dumb down the population, there was no real crackdown. The police and Ossel who should be cracking down were actually backing it instead.

Gamblers seemed to bet on all sorts of things, and the hottest topic right now was ‘war.’

Would there be war or not? If so, which side would declare first? If not, what would be the reason?

Naturally, the ‘war will happen’ side had low odds, while the ‘no war’ side had high odds.

Looking at the current atmosphere, it wouldn’t be strange if it erupted at any time.

Johann said he bet money on both sides. He couldn’t go all-in on ‘no war’ because he didn’t trust me.

He bet a huge amount, but there was no worry about being cheated. The operator was someone bound to Johann anyway—if they tried to run, they’d be dead.

Honestly, I’m a bit envious.

I thought about putting money in too but quickly gave up.

Not only would my friends absolutely oppose it, but the moment the Supreme Leader discovered I had gambled betting ‘no war,’ I’d be dead on the spot.

“Lucky you, you’ll make some money. I want to fall into get-rich-quick schemes too~”

“What’s the dragon’s gender?”

Johann suddenly asked, ignoring my whining.

“You mean Tan? He’s male, why?”

“I’d like you to announce that to the media.”

“Why, what for?”

“I bet money on that too.”

Pfft! Laughter burst out.

“Hahaha! You money-crazed bastard, you’re really a legend!”

I giggled and thought.

Was Johann’s goal really money? Or power? Something else?

‘If I asked, he’d just put on a poker face.’

It’s obvious without looking.

“Done laughing?”

When my panting subsided, Johann asked with a bored expression. He handed me documents.

Reports on the movements of Alina Himmel and Appel Damier.

“Captain Himmel was forced to take sick leave and returned home. Ah, they didn’t touch her family. That’s a relief. Major Damier returned to Ferint… Is he really Damier?”

“Unknown. Internal Ferint affairs are hard for us to touch.”

Ferint isn’t basically an intelligence agency. It’s an armed group that started as a knight order and became an independent organization.

You could call it Kruger’s hands and feet that do all sorts of work.

‘It might be the most dangerous place.’

While I was lost in thought, Johann had already disappeared from sight. Without a word of goodbye.