Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 118
“Oh, oh.” Alveira turned her head and gave Alois and Joshua a look that was half amused, half exasperated. “Darius wants to borrow you two.”
“No.” Darius raised a finger and shook it. “Just him.” He fixed his sharp, hawk-like gaze on Alois, his amber eyes piercing.
Under the young officer’s stare, Alois felt a sudden tension all over his body, as if a weak current was running through his skin, making his hair stand on end. Even more terrifying, Joshua, standing next to him, met that knife-like gaze head-on and unflinchingly glared back. A silent confrontation unfolded quietly in the conference room.
Alois felt a splitting headache. “I… I’m not worthy…” he squeezed out a few words as if constipated.
“Senior, do you remember what I once said to you?”
“Not really…”
“I need an ace pilot.” Darius said each word deliberately, as if afraid Alois wouldn’t understand. “Do you remember now?”
Damn it. “I think I remember…” Alois’s voice seemed to come from a grave. “Speaking of which, I’d recommend Titia from the Lady of the Night. She’s far more capable…”
“But I,” Darius continued to slow his speech, “want that person to be you.”
Joshua took a step forward but was pulled back by Alveira. He glared angrily at the princess, then at Alois, as if urging him to reject this unreasonable request quickly.
Alois wanted to find a wall to bang his head against. Joshua! Joshua, you misunderstand! He’s not what you think! “Your request flatters me… Can I go with Joshua?”
Darius smiled, but there was no humor in his eyes. “Senior, do you think this is a school trip where you can bring a plus one?”
“But I remember you said if we defected together, you’d welcome us both.”
“Yes, I did say that.” Darius’s smile vanished. “But I think Mourner is more suited to stay by the Princess’s side. Don’t you agree, Your Highness?”
Alveira was startled, not knowing when the ball was kicked to her. “Well… I think a package deal is quite nice…” She thought to herself, ‘Merciful Lord, I’m just an innocent bystander. Why drag me into the grievances of the most troublesome men in the universe?!’
She desperately signaled to Darius, hinting that these two couldn’t be separated, but Darius ignored her gestures. After a moment of indecision, the Princess finally waved her hand. “You decide among yourselves. Report to me after you’ve reached a conclusion!” She then walked out of the conference room, feeling relieved.
The three men were left standing, staring each other down, none willing to budge. Alois was overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness. Combined, their ages could rival General Anderwell’s, yet they squabble like children over a toy. “Joshua,” Alois said, “please step outside. I need to talk to the Major General alone.”
“It’s Admiral,” Darius corrected.
“I don’t care what you are. Even if you become Marshal, you’ll always be my junior.” Alois turned to Joshua. “I just need to talk to him for a few minutes.”
“What if he tries something inappropriate?”
Darius almost laughed out loud. “What about Senior makes you think he could attract me?”
“So you’re questioning my taste?”
“Enough!” Alois pushed Joshua out of the conference room. The assassin reluctantly watched the metal door close in front of him. Nearby, the Princess cheerfully waved. “Hi, you came out too?”
Joshua glanced at the silver-gray door, then at the gloating princess (only at such times did she show any age-appropriate behavior), and whispered, “Do I seem so useless? Not even worth bringing along as family?”
“Alright.” Alois turned to face the stern-looking Admiral Darius Bayes. “So, what exactly do you want?”
“I have no ulterior motives,” Darius said, walking toward him. “The Sword of the Queen original pilot was killed. I need an experienced ace to lead those rookies who’ve never seen a battlefield.”
“I sincerely recommend Titia from the Lady of the Night. She’s much stronger than I am.”
“But she didn’t graduate from the Empire Military Academy, nor did she ace Empire History.” Darius stood right in front of him now. “Do you know how the pilots talk about you? They treat you like a campus legend. They say any pirate crew with you is the most terrifying in the galaxy. With you on board, our army’s morale would soar.”
“But Joshua is also excellent,” Alois argued. “He’s the assassin Mourner. Everyone has heard of him. No one isn’t afraid of him.”
“I’m not afraid.”
Darius suddenly grabbed Alois’s left hand and pulled up his sleeve. “What happened to your hand, Senior?”
Alois had answered this question countless times recently and was slightly annoyed. “I had some trouble. I was kidnapped on Olympus and lost a hand.”
“Did Winnet’s people do it?”
“…How do you know?”
“He’s the only one daring enough to do such a thing. Don’t forget, it wasn’t his first time.” Darius’s amber eyes flashed. “Nice prosthetic. It doesn’t affect your piloting, does it?”
Alois tried to pull his hand back, but Darius held it firmly. “Of course not.” He muttered, “You saw the last battle.”
“Yes, I saw.” The Admiral noticed Alois always wore gloves. While it was likely to hide the metal prosthetic, he pulled off the glove—revealing a ring on the senior’s ring finger, adorned with intricate patterns.
“Are you married?” Darius asked in surprise. “To whom? Mourner?”
As he expressed his astonishment, Alois quickly pulled his hand back. “We haven’t had a wedding yet.” He was a bit embarrassed. “And what’s it to you!”
“I need to think about whether to prepare a wedding gift.”
“Save it for yourself!” Alois said irritably.
Darius grunted. “Is that why you don’t want to be separated from Mourner?”
“So what if it is?”
“This is the military, the battlefield, not a playground. We can’t afford personal sentiments.”
Alois widened his eyes. “Do I need you to tell me that?” He poked Darius’s chest hard. “Besides, can you honestly say you’re not biased?”
Darius hesitated, then said, “You’re my senior. Whatever you say makes sense. I should have known ten years ago!” He angrily punched the door. “Fine, bring him along!”
The door shook and slowly opened. The Admiral stormed out, his boots making a loud noise as if he were trampling on rebels.
You’re still the same as ten years ago, just as annoying, damn brat! Alois shouted in his heart.
Outside the conference room, the Princess and Joshua were nowhere to be seen. Instead, Leo stood there with a mischievous smile. He rubbed his hands together and approached eagerly. “Did you reach an agreement?”
“Where are the Princess and Joshua?”
“Her Highness is extremely busy and is on the bridge now. She sent Joshua to pack his things.”
“…Pack what?”
“Luggage, of course. Aren’t you moving to Major Gen… Ah, no, Admiral Bayes’s flagship?” The eyes of the AI seemed to be shining. “Need me to feed your cat?”
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