The Original Web Light Novel Project

  Volume 02, Chapter 23: [ Risky Deal ]

  Original work. By the author 'Pili.'

  That same morning, miles away in the capital, stood a secondary building of the Royal Guard overlooking the border.

  Security was unusually tight at that time. Two soldiers in distinctive white uniforms stood in front of the small outer door.

  That place was usually used for quick meetings. But… this morning, the air was tense as some unusual person was present in that private meeting room.

  Seina Karino sat at the head of a long, polished wooden table.

  She seemed calm as usual, yet the slight strain around her eyes showed how tired she was. She still didn't want to show it.

  Opposite her sat Ryuuji Yamaake. He was not wearing his usual casual PHG attire, but rather a more formal coat.

  His gaze showed unshakable confidence as he sat facing her.

  Standing near the window, next to Seina, was a tall guy. He looked a few years younger than Seina, with similar hair color. He wore the uniform of the Interior Security Force, but it was more customized and refined.

  "So…" Seina finally broke the silence. "You saw the report, Mr. Ryuuji."

  Ryuuji nodded slowly as he listened to her.

  "I did. I’m really sorry to hear what happened in the west district. It was… a terrible tragedy."

  Seina rested her chin on her interlaced fingers.

  "That wasn't like the usual attacks we're familiar with. It was a direct threat."

  She looked at the map spread out on the table. Red markers indicated the areas hit by the Night Crows.

  "Their timing was too precise," Her voice turned low and tight with frustration. "They struck exactly when our patrols are at their weakest. They knew exactly our shift timings… They understand our vulnerabilities."

  "You think there was a leak?" Ryuuji crossed his arms as he asked.

  "I don't just suspect it," Seina replied, her voice cold. "I know it."

  She glanced toward the guy next to her.

  "It’s more complex than it appears, isn’t it?"

  The boy glanced aside as he crossed his arms.

  "We have thousands of guards, Seina. Information may slip. People talk in taverns. This might be more realistic than having a traitor in higher position."

  "Or maybe you're just not looking hard enough," Seina replied to him.

  He didn't flinch.

  "Are you okay?" He asked instead, his face didn’t show much concern. "You look tired."

  Seina narrowed her eyes. She seemed unusually bothered.

  "I'm fine. Just… handling the mess you failed to prevent."

  She signaled to him with her hand.

  "You can leave for now. I need to discuss the countermeasures with Ryuuji privately."

  The guy stared at her for a moment. Then, he simply nodded with eyes closed.

  "Understood."

  He walked out of the room, his footsteps heavy on the stone-paved floor. He shut the door firmly behind him.

  All the while, Ryuuji was simply observing intently. His gaze never left that boy's face.

  Seina let out a long breath, slumping slightly in her chair.

  "Pardon me for asking. But, who is this person?" Ryuuji stared at her curiously.

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  A few seconds passed before she replied.

  "He's my brother," she replied, "He was recently promoted to become the sergeant in charge of the kingdom's internal defense. That's why you probably haven't seen him with me before."

  Ryuuji scratched his cheek. "Oh, I heard before that you have a younger brother. I didn't expect him to become that high-ranking so quickly. Impressive."

  Seina rested her head on her clasped hands.

  "He may have a lower rank than me, but he's pretty lazy. I’m curious about what makes him like that."

  Ryuuji watched her carefully.

  "Family business is complicated." His tone was quiet and respectful.

  "Everything is complicated these days." She replied.

  "You're carrying too much alone."

  "It's my responsibility." Her response was brief yet gentle.

  "You don’t have to isolate yourself to handle it." He seemed slightly worried about her.

  But she ignored that part.

  Seina straightened up, and her mask of authority slid back into place.

  "Let's get to the point, Ryuuji. The Royal Guards are stretched thin. Public trust has been plummeting recently. So we may need support."

  Ryuuji leaned back in the chair.

  "The PHG was always ready to assist, Seina-sama. But you know our policy. We are free agents."

  He paused for a moment, then resumed.

  "Are you really sure about that?"

  "Yeah. I know," Seina replied calmly. "But extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

  She pulled a document from a folder and slid it across the table.

  He scanned the contents carefully with his eyes.

  "This is…"

  "It’s a proposal," Seina said. "A formal partnership request."

  She leaned forward, her eyes locked intently.

  "I want to integrate select members of the PHG directly into the Kingdom's defence structure. Into a specialized unit. The 'Youth Elite Guard'."

  Ryuuji put down the paper and stared intently at Seina.

  "This is a serious step. You want to turn my mercenaries into kingdom soldiers?"

  "I want to give them the authority to act," Seina replied. "Right now, your people are hesitating because they fear legal repercussions. I want to remove that barrier. Afterall, instability may be looming. If the Night Crows are trying to undermine the system, we must reinforce it. Strengthen internal stability."

  Ryuuji went silent for a moment, weighing the possibilities and their future impact.

  "And who do you have in mind for this… unit?"

  Seina sighed for a moment before replying.

  "Actually… I'm still thinking about Hiroki Kurogane's group. And most importantly, Ayuri."

  Ryuuji's face showed doubt about what she had just said.

  "Them? They're amateurs. Skilled, yes, but they lack experience."

  "They still survived Renne," Seina pointed out. "And more importantly… they have a grudge. I saw Hiroki's eyes that day… his hatred was real. That makes him predictable, but it also makes him incorruptible. This was why I initially held back from choosing them. But things have changed now."

  She paused for a moment.

  "I considered the possibility that he might be the spy. His past is… blank. But his reaction to the kidnapping was too raw to be faked."

  Ryuuji nodded slowly.

  "Indeed. He's the kind of guy you don’t turn your back on."

  "And for the others," Seina continued. "Kenji Nakamura. His family background wasn’t fully documented. But his loyalty to his friends seems absolute. Nothing suspicious enough to accuse."

  "So you trust them?"

  "I trust their motivation, and that’s more than enough for now."

  Ryuuji exhaled slowly as he closed his eyes, thinking about her offer.

  "It's a risky move, Seina. If this goes wrong, not only the PHG's reputation will be destroyed, but also people's trust in the kingdom and your role will be shaken as well."

  Her fingers tightened slightly.

  "I'm aware. That’s why I'm offering you this."

  She nodded toward the end of the document.

  Ryuuji looked at the number written at the bottom.

  "Two million KUR?"

  "Plus a full upgrade to the PHG facilities," Seina added. "New equipment. Better training grounds. Perfect to increase recruitment capacity."

  Ryuuji’s lips curled into a faint smirk.

  "You really are desperate, aren't you?"

  Seina didn't smile.

  "I'm pragmatic. Do we have a deal?"

  Ryuuji looked at the amount of money mentioned again, then at Seina’s determined face.

  "That’s generous. Our priority has always been the safety of the people and the kingdom," he said as he stood up. "If this helps protect them… then yes. We have a deal."

  Seina let out a slow breath, a fraction of the tension leaving her shoulders.

  "Thank you, Ryuuji."

  "Don't thank me yet. Just be careful how you move from here."

  Ryuuji bowed slightly, then turned and walked toward the door.

  He opened it and stepped out into the hallway.

  Standing a few meters away, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, was Seina's brother.

  He wasn't doing anything. Just standing there waiting.

  Ryuuji’s gaze met his eyes for a moment.

  The brother looked back, his expression was completely blank.

  "…"

  Ryuuji felt a cold sense of unease towards this guy.

  Ryuuji didn't say anything. He just nodded once, curtly, then walked past him toward the exit.

  The brother didn't move. He just watched Ryuuji go; his eyes stayed on the PHG master's back until he disappeared around the corner.

  Back inside the room.

  Seina remained in her chair. The room was silent now.

  She leaned forward, resting her head sideways against the cool wood of the desk.

  She closed her eyes.

  "This is going to be a nightmare."

  She thought of the Night Crows. Renne. And who’s the real leader pulling the strings.

  "They are always one step ahead… How?"

  "How do they know our movements before we even make them?"

  She clenched her fists for a second.

  "I have to know… who is the real threat."

  She lifted her head, staring at the empty chair where Ryuuji had sat.

  "This is going to be difficult."

  "If I fail here…"

  Her voice was a whisper in the empty room.

  "…It might be the beginning of the end."

  [TO BE CONTINUED…]