"There's something we'd like to ask you, General," Adrien said.
General Lennard leaned back in his chair. "What do you guys want to ask all of a sudden?"
General Lennard thought that maybe they might have something to say about the incident. The President's suspicions may be reasonable.
But that's not necessarily. Maybe it's just something else. So, the General invited them to sit on the chairs in front of him.
General Lennard glanced at the three of them. Waiting for what they really want to say.
However, what they gave was not an answer. But sprinkles of contents from inside a small bottle that Erend took out.
Last night, Erend contacted Aurdis again to ask for the liquid. Aurdis was a bit reluctant to give it to Erend. But with just a little persuasion, Aurdis immediately gave it.
Instantly, the General froze in place. His eyes went blank as if his soul had disappeared from within him.
"I think we've succeeded," Erend said.
The three of them saw the same effect as back then. So, they were immediately convinced that the liquid had completed its task.
"Good," Adrien said. "Let's start asking."
Billy immediately stood up and went to the door to keep watch. Meanwhile, Erend went to the window to watch the situation outside.
Adrien started asking the General questions. "General, answer my question honestly. Did you send somebody to spy on us?"
"Yes," replied General Lennard.
Adrien sighed. Erend and Billy looked at each other as if to say they had known the answer before.
"But why, General? Did we do anything suspicious?" Adrien continued his question.
"No. You didn't do anything suspicious to me. Those were the President's orders."
"President?" Adrien frowned. "Why does he suspect us?"
"You are the only ones who have ever set foot in the world of Elves and lived there for quite some time. The attack that took place at the secret facility of Project Apple was carried out by beings who could use Magic. So, you are the only ones that are the most suspicious according to the President's hunch."
"Well, he's not wrong," Billy replied.
"Yeah, he's got a sharp feeling. No wonder he's become President," Erend commented.
"So you really sent people from the intelligence department to spy on us and our families?" Adrien asked again.
"Yes." General Lennard nodded with his blank stare.
"Until when are you going to do it?"
"Until we are sure that you are innocent."
Adrien paused to think for a moment. Then, feeling he had gotten the right answer, Adrien ended the session.
~~~
"So what do you think, sir?" Adrien glanced at General Lennard and waited for his answer.
General Lennard blinked his eyes quickly. He felt something was missing from him. The General's head was blank as if a part of his brain had been forcibly removed.
"What happened?" General Lennard asked in confusion.
"I asked if the three of us could take some time off together, General. We have a family gathering to attend together," Adrien said.
"What?!" General Lennard looked at them in disbelief. "Have you lost your mind? We are facing a very difficult situation and you even want to ask for leave?!"
Adrien, Erend, and Billy were silent.
"There's no way I will allow you. Instead, I will give you the task of guarding the press conference that the President will do tomorrow," said the General in a furious tone.
General Lennard looked at the three of them in turn. He still couldn't stop thinking that the three people in front of him were actually asking for leave when the situation was like this.
"Alright, General. We'll do it," Adrien said with a look on his face he made to look disappointed.
"Damn right you will! Now get out get off my face!"
The three of them immediately left General Lennard's room and closed the door.
When they were outside, they fell silent with a look on their face like they were thinking about something.
"What are we going to do now, Captain? We already know we are being watched," Erend asked in a whisper.
"We have to convince them we don't have anything to do about it. Then, don't show them anything to make them more suspicious. That's all we can do," Adrien replied.
Billy sighed. "Damn it, just as I was about to relax after coming back from that facility, now we have to be on edge all the time."
Erend and Adrien could also feel Billy's anxiety. Because they are in the same state. Constantly being watched would of course make them restless.
However, they were able to face the pressure when they were in the bunker and against the Elf's sudden attack. At that time their lives could be lost at any time. But now the risk is smaller so they think they can manage it.
~~~
Meanwhile, in his room, General Lennard was still trying to understand what was going on.
This sensation that he felt gave him a strong sense of deja vu but he still couldn't wrap his mind around this.
The General's forehead was still creased at the thought. But after a long time of not getting an answer, he decided to shake off that thought.
'Maybe it's nothing.'
General Lennard contacts Thomas who is still with Conrad and Annie at the hospital where they are being treated. A few moments later Thomas answered in an irritated tone.
'General, it's hopeless. I think Conrad has lost his ability to use Magic.'
"We still don't really know that," said General Lennard.
Then there was a sigh from Thomas. 'I can't be here much longer. I have to double-check the files I managed to save from that facility!'
"I'm sure even if you found something it would be useless now. 98% of the facility's data and equipment has already been destroyed so even if you find something, we can't do anything about it," said General Lennard.
"You better wait for Conrad and Annie. The only thing we can hope for is them."
Thomas let out an annoyed groan. General Lennard hung up because he didn't want to hear the scientist complain anymore.
~~~
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢