A War Hero With No Regrets

49 – Hidden behind the justification (2)

“What does that mean?”

Werner Grime could not believe his ears.

Charlotte Evergreen?

She was promoted to colonel at the end of the war, and she knew long ago that she was working at a place called the Future Military Technology Research Institute under the DAPA.

Future Military Technology Research Institute.

The mecca of imperial military innovation, the alpha and omega.

It was a place that Charlotte Evergreen was always interested in.

Inconsistent with her position as county governor, she was extremely passionate about technological research.

But for what reason did she steal the hydrogen bomb?

And you detonated it in the middle of a major city in the Republic of Bostania?

“The intelligence agency is also currently wanted. They say he went missing along with the hydrogen bomb. “After prodding, it seems like it’s a fait accompli.”

“There wasn’t much movement from the inspector general’s office or the intelligence command, right?”

“There’s no way you could tell me with common sense, right? The stolen hydrogen bomb exploded in the Republic? “This is not a matter that will end in a few pages of the book of sermons.”

It was a valid argument.

In the unprecedented situation of the capture of the hydrogen bomb, who will be responsible?

How do we atone for the sacrificed citizens of St. Francis?

This was an unprecedented incident that had to be buried at the national level.

“But… Charlotte couldn’t do that….”

Werner Grimm muttered softly.

Although he had a rough mouth, he was definitely a member of the Graveyard.

She was a person who could confidently say that she knew her personality, inner self, and abilities better than anyone else, so she did not understand even more.

Her swear words may be thick, but Charlotte frowns and gags at the sight of blood.

There were several instances where he said he would rather sacrifice himself and was injured while traveling around the front lines as a non-combat soldier and was carried away.

At the same time, I took terrible care of my subordinates and comrades, which led to many conflicts with Werner.

Not just this episode.

‘But after a while, she would apologize every day, wiping away tears and snot.’

Charlotte Evergreen stole the hydrogen bomb and detonated it in the Republic?

It is impossible to establish.

As a result, the worst-case scenario naturally came to mind.

What if detonating the hydrogen bomb was actually the President’s plan?

What if Charlotte Evergreen was a victim of having her identity stolen in the process?

Or what if, when the Republic of Bostania points out that the Empire is behind the nuclear explosion, they are chosen as the sacrifice to shoulder all responsibility?

Once the imagination started, it continued to grow.

So where on earth is Charlotte now?

Clatter, boom!!

Werner Grime stood up from his seat as if he was having a fit.

Lieutenant Dante steps back in surprise.

“Gu, Director… ?”

“Has Charlotte Evergreen’s identity been secured?”

The blue eye light flickered.

An overwhelming energy that engulfs the entire space.

Dante had never been on the field with Werner before.

Only then did he realize again that his superior was a legendary war hero.

Those venomous eyes.

It belonged to a person who had passed through life and death dozens of times.

Dante felt as if his body was becoming stiff, as if he was facing a wild beast.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Please contact me if anything happens.”

“Uh, where are you going?”

Werner did not answer Dante’s question.

It was the same as when I heard the news of Leia Gilead’s discharge.

However, this time there was a place I had to go.

‘Graveyard.’

I had to go there.

We had to check whether something was wrong with Akasha and at the same time check the fate of those remotely connected.

It was not only war hero Luthus Ethan who had developed over a period of over 100 years, including all regressions.

Ultra-advanced quantum computer Akasha.

It was time to retrieve Luther Ethan’s ‘formula for victory’.

“If anything happens, be sure to contact me….”

“No, I will go with you this time.”

“… ?”

At that moment, someone opened the door to the director’s office and came in.

“Karin.”

Werner’s cold gaze turned to Karin again without fail.

“… !!!”

I was out of breath.

My body shrinks without me knowing.

Goosebumps appeared on my forearms and my cheeks felt numb.

It was my first time seeing this.

Just by looking at it, it is reliable and the warmth that puts people’s hearts at ease.

But now, the man was just radiating death from all over his body.

The pressure is on a different level from the last time I faced a female drug dealer.

“You stay here.”

It was a cold yet firm voice.

An attitude of not giving even a moment’s space.

Carin Maven looked like she was about to burst into tears without even realizing it.

Surely she hasn’t built enough trust to this extent?

If this is the case, isn’t it enough to give up her side?

‘No, I don’t want you to give me your side.’

If you coldly throw away even those who just follow behind you, what path are you trying to take?

What are you doing this for?

At least if you think I am your lieutenant.

If you had dragged me, who had been locked in a room and only wanted to die, into the bright sunlight.

Please let me accompany you on the path you are taking.

I have a duty to do so.

“… No, I do not want.”

Karin never backed down from the emotions boiling deep in her heart.

The moment to step back from here.

Because I was sure that she would definitely regret it.

The original Karin Maven died the day Emerald Lake collapsed.

What has been haunting the closed fortress until now is the ghost of a battlefield that has not yet escaped the nightmare of the past.

But finally, life and hope came to the ghost.

Now it was time to repay that debt.

“Well, I’m your lieutenant. “I have a duty to assist the director anytime and anywhere.”

I have already committed it.

She straightened her bent back and shoulders and looked at Verner Grime, trying hard to stop her welling tears.

“No matter what the director says, I will follow. You cannot restrict my actions. The director said it. Here, at the Security Strategy Bureau, you are told to be who you want to be. “Don’t be caught up in the past!”

Dark red eyes filled with faith pierce him.

“So… “Don’t stop me, Director.”

She tried to pretend she was okay and stood up straight, but Karin’s shoulders were shaking.

-So please don’t stop me, Lutus.

Someone’s voice is overlaid on Karin’s words.

Even the trembling of her body after committing the crime was the same.

Werner Grime couldn’t bear to throw Karin away at that sight.

Because he was so similar to the people he once loved and still loves.

Werner hesitantly extended his hand towards Karin, but then quickly withdrew it.

“….”

Instead, he just carefully passed by her and beckoned her to him.

That was the only answer I could give at the moment.

***

The helicopter departed from Forbidden Lake and arrived at the Graveyard after flying for several hours.

In the helicopter, Karin and Werner did not exchange a single word.

A heavy, awkward silence.

But that too did not last long.

This was because a tombstone rose eerily beyond the horizon.

Communication control tower.

The Graveyard was still located in the same place.

“That’s right there…” .”

Graveyard.

Karin, who was looking outside, swallowed her voice.

She had her Forbidden Lake and she had her Graveyard to Werner Grime.

She overcame the past, but the director was still haunted by the past to a frightening extent.

Karin Maven was now facing a deep part of her past.

Just by looking at the foreground, you could see how fierce the battle took place here.

The scenery, which already looks stark and ominous, is combined with the demolished parts, creating an even more ruin-like atmosphere.

Graveyard.

Is there a fortress that goes so well with the name “Cemetery”?

When the helicopter landed in the empty space, Werner got out of the helicopter without saying a word and headed toward the center of the fortress.

At that time, Karin was trying to chase after her with her fast steps.

“Karin, I’m really sorry, but can you wait here…?” ?”

Werner Grime stopped her.

A moment ago, the eyes were not filled with only cynicism and venom.

As the Director of the Security Strategy Bureau, I sometimes cooked delicious dinners and even walked along the lakeside under a full moon.

Berner Grime was back to his usual self.

“….”

“As an outsider, you cannot enter this area. In return, I promise not to do anything else that might worry you. Please wait here.”

Karin nodded instead of answering.

There was no particular reason why she went out of her way to follow Werner, even disobeying her orders.

It cannot be denied that her desire was to get a glimpse of the past that was hanging around his neck.

But it was also because Werner Grime seemed so dangerous.

How much has happened in just these few days?

As one of the people who lives most closely with Werner Grime, Karin Maven could easily notice small but significant changes in him.

It was dangerous.

As a person who had once thought about committing suicide and actually came close to it, the look in Werner’s eyes today was very similar to those back then.

If I push it, it feels like it will fall off.

It was very difficult for Karin Maven to just look at it.

Since he saved him, he thought he should repay him as well.

However, going deeper than this was a huge disservice even to Karin.

If you followed me with an excuse that was no different from being a beggar, then of course you have to yield this much.

“Then…” .”

Werner Grime looked at her, nodded, then turned around and went inside her fortress.

Akasha.

How long has it been?

Once inside the fortress, the person standing there was no longer Lieutenant Colonel Werner Greim of the Security Strategy Department.

He was Brigadier General Luthus Ethan, the former commander of Fort Graveyard.

The end of such progress.

A huge mechanical device connected with all kinds of wires was still sitting there silently.

But Lutus had no choice but to stop on the spot.

This was because there were already passengers.

“… “Who are you?”

Luthus immediately pulled out his pistol and aimed.

An unidentified person covered in brown mat.

“It’s been a while.”

The moment he was about to pull the trigger, a familiar voice sounded in his ear.

When I look back, I see shiny blonde hair reflecting the light of Akasha.

“Luthers.”

Luther Ethan could not bear to open his mouth.

It was a very stupid expression.

Charlotte Evergreen.

“I definitely thought you would be here by this time.”

Because blue eyes that looked exactly like his were staring at him.