There’s Something Special About Her - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15
The layout of the Main Building, which spread wide and took the shape of the Korean letter ㄷ, could be briefly explained as follows.
The Eastern Wing, where the morning sun streamed in generously, housed the Medical Ward and the direct family’s administrative spaces.
In other words, since Killian had neither a wife nor an heir, everything except the first-floor Medical Ward remained empty.
Meanwhile, in the central second floor of the Main Building facing south stood the Duke’s private quarters, and above that lay mostly public spaces—the administrative office I had been dragged to, the great hall, and the like.
The remaining Western Wing functioned much like the center, serving as the offices of the seven Executive Officers and other key figures in the organization.
It resembled a formation where subordinates flanked Duke Knox on either side.
‘I think they said it was three floors.’
And now I was climbing the stairs of the Western Wing in the Main Building.
Though it was called morning, work hours had already begun, so an Action Team member loitering about the Main Building would inevitably draw attention.
It was precisely when I stepped onto the staircase leading to the third floor.
“That brat?”
Without any attempt at discretion, a rather loud voice came from a group stationed at the second-floor corner, watching me intently.
Judging by the insignia on their uniforms, they belonged to the Diplomatic Division, which handled negotiations with outside organizations.
“So that’s the young, small one everyone’s talking about.”
“That little thing subdued the assassin gunning for the Duke?”
“The fools who believe that rumor are the real problem. Look at the frame on that kid.”
“Why? Maybe they’re a master of such incredible skill that weight class doesn’t matter. Who’s that person anyway? Helena from Wickes. Isn’t that woman also lanky?”
“Here this idiot goes again with nonsense. No master would waste themselves in the Action Team.”
Oh no.
Startled by my name suddenly brought up, I nearly stumbled on the step I was climbing.
“Why are you lot spouting that woman’s name all morning and carrying on? It’s bad luck.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Ha, when you were in the Information Department, that woman gave you such a headache, didn’t she. Ever since then, you’ve been like that the moment you hear the name Helena.”
“If my day goes sideways, blame it all on you.”
Grumbling words were followed by a stream of crude curses.
Well, I’ll admit I was rather harsh back then.
When I was trying to increase my influence in Wickes, I completely decimated the Knox Information Department.
Of course, thanks to that achievement, I was able to solidify my position as Edward’s aide.
Hoping the noticeably thinning crown of someone’s head wasn’t my fault, I knocked on the door to my destination.
Knock, knock.
A man with an extremely rigid expression opened the door and asked curtly.
“Who is it?”
“I’m Runelk Ains of the Action Team. Might I have a brief moment with Deckon Gold?”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I don’t. It’s just a matter of delivering something, so it won’t take long.”
“Tch, please.”
Deckon Gold’s adjutant let out a hollow laugh and made no effort to hide his disapproval as he spoke.
“Gold is busy. He’s not the sort of man the Action Team can just see whenever they please.”
“I understand, but… could you at least pass along a message?”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
Then the door shut right in front of my face.
But a moment later, when the adjutant opened the door again, he stepped aside to let me enter.
“He’s in the inner office.”
Whatever conversation had taken place in that brief interval, while his speech remained clipped, the overbearing attitude had completely vanished.
“Thank you. I’ll make sure not to take up too much of Deckon Gold’s time.”
After a respectful bow, I crossed the threshold of the office door that was already wide open.
“Ah, Runelk.”
“…Deckon Gold?”
The state of Deckon Gold, reclining halfway on a large couch in the office, seemed somewhat off.
His blonde hair, dampened and disheveled, clung to skin glazed with a faint sheen of perspiration, and his blue eyes held a languorous, feverish glaze.
A beautiful man in disarray.
The kind of dangerous air that warned against drawing too close.
When I hesitated and remained motionless, Deckon Gold asked with a puzzled expression.
“Why are you standing there without coming in?”
“If you’re not feeling well… I can come back another time.”
“No, I’m in the middle of receiving punishment right now.”
As he said this, he lifted one arm and waved it slowly, revealing a bracelet clasped around his wrist—a vein-marked arm that looked decidedly masculine.
Unlike the delicate beautiful man that was Deckon Gold, it was crude and thick, resembling a shackle.
“I was the one who meant to introduce the Green Merchant Lord to the Duke. While unintentional, I made a mistake and must accept the punishment. It’s called a Mana-Blocking Shackle.”
So it really was a shackle, not just in appearance.
The Mana-Blocking Shackle was, as the name suggested, a punishment that forcibly suppressed the Mana within one’s body.
Skilled practitioners who cultivated by accumulating Mana within themselves normally wielded it freely in daily life, but this prevented that entirely.
It was considered a Serious Punishment—often described as equivalent to losing an arm and a leg.
Moreover, since the Mana that should circulate through the body was locked away, harsh side effects resembling severe body aches typically followed.
“Jiphyungbu came to find me last night and fitted it. For the next ten days, things will be like this. I’m afraid I’ve shown you a rather unsightly state, Runelk.”
“No, unsightly isn’t quite the word I’d use…”
In several respects, it seemed more like a powerful image.
In any case, once I understood that Deckon Gold was merely suffering the side effects of the Mana-Blocking Shackle, I settled into a seat across from where he lay.
“This morning, some kind people shared Cookies with me. You came to mind, so I thought I’d bring them along. Though I’m not sure if you prefer sweets.”
Deckon Gold keeps a dedicated pastry chef at his residence in Knox Castle, so devoted is he to chocolate and desserts.
According to the intelligence I had gathered, he’s also known to be a renowned epicurean.
In any case, I came having done my research.
“Cookies… now that you mention it, I haven’t eaten anything yet. With the Mana-Blocking Shackle on, my appetite has vanished entirely.”
Deckon Gold accepted the cookie-filled bag with a limp hand, and as the sweet fragrance reached him, a subtle smile crossed his face.
“To receive such a fine gift and have me come to mind… I’m genuinely touched, Runelk.”
“I’m glad you enjoy sweets.”
“I’ll need some tea to go with the Cookies.”
Deckon Gold reached for a button on the table as he spoke.
“No, let me do it!”
I protested upon seeing hot water, a teapot, and other items sitting perfectly well in one corner of the office, but Deckon Gold firmly shook his head.
“Runelk, you’re my benefactor and my guest. That’s precisely what an adjutant is for. My skills are lacking—I’m essentially just consuming Knox’s precious funds without doing much—so the least I can do is prepare tea.”
“I see…”
I’d just glimpsed a hint of the notoriously sharp Deckon Gold.
The adjutant, who entered with a respectful knock, glanced at me upon hearing Deckon Gold’s order to bring tea for a guest, then quietly began preparing it.
I made a show of discomfort, shifting in my seat a few times, but in truth it was convenient and pleasant.
How long had it been since a servant poured me tea?
“Mm, these must be freshly baked. Thanks to them, I feel my strength returning a bit.”
Deckon Gold made quick work of his portion without seeming to mind the rustic, hand-rolled appearance of the Cookies.
But seeing the still-full plate before me, he asked.
“Don’t you like sweets, Runelk?”
“No, I do… I’m just a bit nervous…”
I laughed awkwardly, rubbing my palms against my knees as if wiping away sweat from my hands.
“I came unannounced, and I’ve been reflecting whether it’s even appropriate for me to sit across from an Executive Officer like this—whether I’ve overstepped.”
“Runelk, or rather… Ruki. May I call you Ruki?”
“It’s just a nickname the seniors call me casually, so… feel free to call me whatever’s comfortable.”
“Right then, Ruki. As I mentioned in the Medical Ward, you’re my benefactor. And somehow, I find myself wanting to grow closer to you.”
It wasn’t a bad proposition.
An opportunity for a low-ranking operative to befriend an Executive Officer.
If I were truly Runelk Ains of the Action Team, I would consider this a once-in-a-lifetime gift from heaven.
Of course, for someone in my position—bound to Knox for the foreseeable future, living or dying—it was also a useful card to hold.
“So if there’s anything I can help with, come find me anytime. Whether it’s some discomfort while you’re settling into life in Knox, or something sweet like today.”
Deckon Gold spoke warmly, one eye winking.
…He’d be frighteningly good at seduction.
“Thank you for saying so, Deckon.”
Addressing someone by their given name rather than their surname was something done only between those with considerable familiarity.
When I called him by name, breaking from my earlier formality, Deckon broke into a delighted smile.
I stared at his face—unmistakably specialized in the art of charm—and carefully broached the subject.
“Actually, I did come with something I wanted to tell you.”
“What is it? Do you need a raise?”
“That’s… not unwelcome, but no. Yesterday with the Green Merchant Lord, I remembered noticing something strange.”
“Something strange?”
The smile vanished from Deckon’s face, replaced by the cold visage of his true self.
“I’m not certain, but he seemed perfectly fine until his demeanor suddenly changed. When I subdued him, his eyes turned bloodshot, and the foam at his mouth seemed to have a purplish tint at first…”
That was why I’d sought out Deckon Gold immediately after my night shift ended.
To have Knox resolve the question that troubled me like a splinter beneath my fingernail.
“It looked like the symptoms of a Mana Rampage Drug addiction.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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