She opened the door as soon as she had knocked on it three times.
Inside the room was already waiting a man with a stern face. The man sat in his chair smoking a cigar.
His thick mustache was like a dark shadow that fell on the top of his lips.
The man's face had a hard look like someone used to a dangerous life. His eyes were the same as Major Lennard's eyes.
As soon as the man saw Erend and Billy's arrival, he smiled. But Erend and Billy felt that his smile didn't look like a normal smile at all.
Rather it looks like a smile given by a predator when it sees its prey.
Erend immediately realized that the man was the one who would deliver a promise, as well as a threat to both of them.
"I will excuse myself, sir." Major Lennard left the room.
Looks like her job is done here. At least for now.
"Sgt. Drake, Sgt. Brook." The general motioned for the two of them to take a seat.
Erend and Billy immediately obeyed. The general's voice seemed to reverberate throughout the room, echoing his power.
When Erend recalled it once more, the general did have the same aura as his daughter.
"You probably already know me," General Lennard said. "I also know you through everything you did."
Then the general let out a small grin. Maybe he meant to smile. But because of the structure of his face, so the smile was more like a smirk.
Erend and Billy didn't know how to react. So they chose to smile and nod.
"You took the country by storm when you released those clips and files on the internet," General Lennard said. "Why did you guys choose to do that, and not tell us first?"
Erend sighed and spoke. "We think the risk is greater, sir. If we reveal it to the military, we could be killed by the people who betrayed us."
Seeing the brave Erend, Billy also expressed his thoughts. "Y-Yes, general. We've been through that a few times. Besides, we can't say we joined the military on our own in the first place."
The general's dagger-sharp eyes stared at Erend and Billy in turn. Erend and Billy seemed to see a flash of anger and the thought that he was going to take a gun and shoot them both in the head.
But it turned out that the general just showed his usual smile.
"Hmm, you guys are quite smart. That way, you can save your own ass. If your face has appeared on the internet, it will attract interested people. So if you disappear suddenly, the military could be affected."
Erend and Billy felt their heartbeats harden. Did he just say that they were planning to eliminate them once they got back here if they didn't release the file?
Erend and Billy exchanged glances that seemed to convey the same fear of terror. But they didn't say anything.
"I thought you knew the situation," General Lennard said.
"Yes, Sir." Erend and Billy answered almost simultaneously.
"Good." General Lennard nodded. "Since you guys have done a good job by uploading a big blemish in the military, and putting your face on it. You guys have been considered heroes."
Erend and Billy listened with rapt attention.
"But I think you guys are also pretty smart for not revealing anything in detail about the Elves' artifacts and the president's involvement." General Lennard leans closer to them. "Why don't you do it?"
"That's because we want to ensure the safety of ourselves and our families, sir," Erend replied with a straight face.
General Lennard looked at him. A moment later he smiled again.
"I see. You really aren't stupid," General Lennard said.
Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk had discussed this before.
The information about the president's involvement and the true meaning of the Elves' artifacts had become their asset.
The three of them knew that the military would not just let them, or their families live quietly by only revealing their faces and the information that they had been framed publicly.
They also need something that can make them valuable in the eyes of the military, so that they are deemed necessary to be defended.
General Lennard had understood that too. He didn't have to ask whether they had the information stored somewhere. And ready to be released to the public if the situation compels them.
General Lennard had been in this business for quite some time. He understands how it all works. Secret information is a formidable weapon.
"We will promise to look after your families, provide housing for your families in the urban areas, and keep your jobs in the military. As long as you don't divulge this secret to anyone," General Lennard explained.
Then his gaze stabbed at the two of them in turn. "What do you think?"
"We thought it was a good thing, sir," Erend said.
"Yes, we are grateful for this position. You have no idea how happy we are right now. Hahaha!" Billy said with a laugh.
But General Lennard didn't seem the least bit impressed. Erend thought, maybe he noticed the sarcastic impression in Billy's voice.
"That's good. As long as you two are happy," General Lennard said in a cold, even tone. Not even accompanied by his usual smile.
Seeing that reaction, the smile on Billy's face disappeared. He seemed to have realized his mistake.
"If the two of you make a mistake, the consequences will not only befall you. But also your family. You understand?" General Lennard asked in a sharp tone.
"Yes, sir!" Erend and Billy answered simultaneously.
"Don't think that you can act arbitrarily just for keeping a secret," General Lennard added firmly.
"Yes, sir!"
"Okay, you can leave now."
After the tense encounter, the two of them exited the General's room. Once out of there they finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Shit, that was intense," Billy said.
"Fuuuhhh..." Erend exhaled. "Yeah, you're right."
Then they started walking away from the room.
"I thought we'd be ready for it all because we expected it," Billy said. "I didn't think the aura of a general could be like that."
Erend was silent for a moment. His eyes were on the floor and his face was gloomy.
"What's wrong?" Billy asked.
"Everything," Erend said. "We are hated by the Elves, and when we are in our own world, we are in the shadow of death."
Billy just stared at Erend without being able to say anything. Because what Erend said was true.
"I don't know if I really have to protect a world like this." Erend took a deep breath.
"What do you mean?" Billy asked with a confused expression on his face.
Erend turned to Billy and gave a weak smile. "Never mind."
Billy knew that there was a burden on Erend's shoulders that he couldn't share with anyone.
But Billy felt that the burden was a bit too heavy for Erend to bear alone.
~~~
Aurdis and Saeldir are now in the Magic shield core room as usual. They were again engaged in a heavy conversation.
It felt like Aurdis and Saeldir had always felt that they had been involved in heavy conversations lately.
It can't be helped. Because only the two of them in this Elf kingdom could do it.
"(If the two of us went to visit the Fores Elf, it would look very suspicious,)" Saeldir said.
Aurdis nodded in agreement. "(Yes, I know. But that's the only way we can ask them for help, right?)"
Saeldir sighed. "(If only the King hadn't given the order for us to cut ties with the Forest Elves.)"
Aurdis presses her lips together. At first, her father did break the ties of the Forest Elves due to a slight difference of opinion.
If only her father hadn't made a rash decision, surely now this matter would be much easier to solve.
"(There's no point in regretting something that happened,)" Aurdis said.
"(You're right,)" Saeldir said. "(Then I will go.)"
"(No. I'd better go,)" Aurdis objected.
"(You can't go. That would be even more suspicious. They'd be wondering. Especially Aerchon.)"
"(But with me, maybe we can talk more easily,)" Aurdis said.
Saeldir looked at Aurdis thoughtfully. Not only was she an Elf princess. But Saeldir also knew that Aurdis had a good relationship with the Queen of Forest Elf.
That might be an advantage that makes the conversation easier.
"(But, how do we deal with Aerchon's suspicions?)" Saeldir asked.
"(I'm going to say that I wanted to go see the Queen of Forest Elf for fulfilling her summons.)"
"(Are you sure it will work?)" Saeldir asked with an unsure expression.
"(I'm sure. After all, it's not like we're at war with the Forest Elves. I can still freely visit them because I'm in a good relationship with them,)" Aurdis said.
Saeldir thought for a moment. But in the end, he also thought that what Aurdis said was a good idea.
"(Alright,)" Saeldir said. "(I'll stay here. But you can bring my amulet so I'll come right away if you need help.)"
Aurdis nodded. And so, the plan to visit the Forest Elves had been decided.
~~~
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