There’s Something Special About Her - Chapter 33

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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 33.
I bowed politely to Dupon Clansher.
“I’m Runelk Ainz. It’s an honor to see you again.”
“So you’re keeping in touch with the Action Squad member, Decan?”
Dupon Clansher didn’t respond to my greeting—his eyes were fixed on Decan Gold.
But there was no resentment in my expression, no wounded pride.
For a low-ranking Action Squad member, an executive was truly like a star fallen from heaven.
Someone as distant as the sky itself.
What was unusual was Decan Gold—the one who called out to me first as I passed, stubbed out his cigarette, and welcomed me with obvious warmth.
“Of course, sir. Runelk is my savior, after all.”
“That’s right.”
Dupon Clansher laughed softly and took his leave.
“Stay on good terms with each other.”
As he went, he ruffled Decan Gold’s hair affectionately one last time.
Decan Gold watched him recede with fond eyes, then seemed belatedly embarrassed and offered an explanation.
“He’s been watching over me since I was young, so he sometimes treats me like a child.”
“I see.”
It was a pleasant enough scene, but my smile held little sincerity.
Just before climbing the steps to the main entrance, I caught Dupon Clansher glancing back—and the corners of his eyes were curved with amusement.
‘Finding someone else’s predicament entertaining, are we.’
Lucky I’m quick to read the room.
An ordinary person would have sweated profusely.
Clear water at the top means clear water below.
It seemed he’d inherited the same temperament as Killian Knox.
“Shall we head to my office and share some tea?”
I nodded, masking my displeasure.
***
“Please call if you need anything.”
The adjutant, now naturally bringing tea to Decan Gold and me, bowed formally and withdrew.
Unlike Decan Gold’s cup, which gave off a sweet fruity aroma, a dark reddish-brown tea sat before me.
‘Did that bastard deliberately give me something odd?’
I glared at the closed door the adjutant had left through before cautiously raising the cup to my lips.
Fortunately, it wasn’t bad.
A bitter-sweet fragrance, deep and lingering, with a clean, refreshing finish—a black tea of decent quality.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s quite good.”
“I’m glad. I got it in specially because I thought Runelk might enjoy it.”
“Your adjutant seems skilled at brewing tea.”
“Well, he should excel at something.”
Decan Gold stated this coolly and without the slightest hesitation as he sipped his own tea.
But now I found myself agreeing with his assessment to some degree.
For an adjutant who failed to maintain proper security, at least he made decent tea.
Yet when Decan Gold set down his cup, the crude shackle-like bracelet still remained on his wrist.
Noticing my gaze, he smiled ruefully and spoke.
“That’s right. I’m still under the Mana-Blocking Punishment.”
“Even so, you look far healthier than last time.”
“I suppose one gets used to it after wearing it this long. I still can’t use my mana, which is inconvenient, but the pain has faded.”
“That’s a relief.”
I replied matter-of-factly, though inwardly startled.
Growing accustomed to the Mana-Blocking Punishment?
No longer painful, merely inconvenient?
It made no sense.
The Mana-Blocking Punishment is not something one simply adjusts to.
If it were that simple, it would never be imposed as a severe sentence on serious offenders.
The only explanation for Decan Gold’s recovery was his strength—genuine physical strength.
Pure, unyielding bodily fortitude.
He was more substantial than he appeared.
“This is strange, though.”
“What is?”
“That Mana Overload Drug you told me about last time. As soon as I heard about it, I reported it immediately.”
“If you reported it…”
“To His Grace the Duke. I thought my sentence would be reduced significantly.”
Decan Gold tilted his head and traced the shackle with the tip of his finger.
“Instead, it became longer.”
“It wasn’t shortened?”
“Even Runelk finds it strange?”
“Did you learn the reason?”
Decan Gold answered with an ambiguous expression.
“His Grace said, ‘It’s punishment for failing to maintain security properly.'”
“Ah, no.”
Because of me.
Because I had snuck into this office and examined classified documents, Decan Gold’s Mana-Blocking Punishment had been extended.
The moment I realized this, his appearance transformed in my eyes.
The face I’d thought looked perfectly fine just moments before suddenly seemed pallid, fragile—as if a single tap might knock him down.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
Let me do something, anything. Please.
I asked with genuine urgency, but Decan Gold—oblivious to my guilt—burst out laughing.
Don’t laugh.
I feel worse when you laugh.
“Ahahaha! Runelk, you really do have a cute side to you.”
“I do not.”
Really, I don’t.
But despite my firm denial, Decan Gold now had tears welling in his eyes.
“Haha, so what can Runelk do for me…. Let me think.”
He rubbed his smooth, flawless jaw thoughtfully, and his eyes glinted with mischief.
“I know. Tell me about Runelk’s troubles.”
“My troubles?”
What good would that do him?
Wouldn’t it be better to ask for money or a gift?
“If you need my weaknesses…”
“Pfft, that would be nice too, but for now I’m curious about your worries.”
“Hmm.”
An unexpectedly difficult request.
Troubles?
In all my years, had I ever lived as well and slept as soundly as I do now?
Nothing came to mind.
I was about to ask him to request something else when—
“I’m excited at the prospect of counseling Runelk about your troubles.”
As Decan Gold reached for his cup with a smile, the shackle on his wrist clinked.
‘Damn it.’
I squeezed my eyes shut, racking my brain for some fabrication—any lie that would satisfy him.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a “trouble” so much as a frustration I couldn’t quite solve.
“It’s nothing major, really…”
“Yes?”
“There’s a superior I want to make a good impression on, but she’s not the type to open her heart easily.”
Of course, I was talking about Gisela Roth.
For all the good my position as her subordinate did me, she had virtually no interest in me. How could I possibly win her over?
“Hmm, it’s actually quite a dilemma. I can see why it’d bother you.”
Decan Gold’s expression turned serious, and he fell into contemplation.
“Is your superior the type who’s susceptible to flattery or bribery?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Then she’s rather difficult…. If someone lusted for money, you could just slip them a gold bar and be done with it. That would be easy.”
“Exactly.”
I still had Gold Envelopes tucked away in my closet by the bundle, but bribing Gisela Roth would backfire spectacularly.
She’d reject it outright.
“I think the real issue is that she’s built up a high Fence around herself.”
“Ah yes, people like that do exist.”
Decan Gold clicked his tongue once, softly.
“They’re the most troublesome. Until they convince themselves, no amount of persuasion from others will get through.”
“That’s exactly it!”
Was it possible he knew Gisela Roth?
At my wide-eyed surprise, Decan Gold shrugged.
“Actually, I’m that type myself.”
The smile he offered was somewhat self-deprecating.
“But there’s an advantage—once you cross into my Fence and become part of my circle, you become mine. A reliable ally.”
“So how do I cross that Fence and get inside?”
“If I were you, I’d first build a new Fence around myself.”
It was a statement whose meaning wavered between clear and utterly opaque.
As I tilted my head repeatedly in confusion, Decan Gold smiled faintly and continued.
“If that superior truly has a nature like mine, crossing her Fence won’t be easy—not unless she opens the gate herself.”
“But at the rate things are going now, I don’t see any future.”
“It takes time. Someone like Runelk, anyone would want. Rather than trying too hard to excel at everything, the important thing is not doing what she dislikes. In my experience, that’s how people come to trust you.”
“…I’ve already failed. The bridge is burned.”

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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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