Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: White Crow Unit ― Oscar (3)
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Oscar recalled the silver dragon that had gleamed with dazzling light.
Sonya had been guarding the estate long before Oscar was even born.
The female silver dragon would gaze at people with clear, azure eyes from one corner of the vast garden.
Oscar's oldest memory was also related to Sonya.
He had been held in his father's arms, filled with awe at the sight of the enormous creature he'd never seen before.
When he reached out his hand, Sonya gently brought her face closer, and stroking her smooth scales elicited a pleasant rumbling purr.
Those serene yet brilliantly shining blue eyes embracing a human child who was hundreds of times smaller than her.
In that moment, Oscar fell in love with the dragon.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "That's awesome! So you've been friends with Sonya since you were little?"
"Exactly!"
"And a silver dragon, the second-rarest after gold ones—you're pretty lucky, huh?"
"Once you fall for those scales, no one can escape their charm."
"Right? I think the same. I first saw a dragon at fifteen, and..."
'He seems to like dragons more than people. Well, they do look pretty majestic up close.'
Unlike my casual impression, the air force officer—the pilot who owned a dragon named Elisabeth—seemed deeply impressed.
Oscar's eyes sparkled as he talked about 'Sonya,' and the pilot enthusiastically responded.
They went on about the shimmering scales and sturdy claws, and I could only smile awkwardly and nod, feeling like an outsider in their little world.
"Oh, right, we haven't introduced ourselves properly. I'm Ian Keller, lieutenant. Don't call me Lieutenant Keller all stiff-like—just Ian."
"Oscar Fischer."
"An honor to meet you. Lucas Redan."
I finally got a word in once Ian snapped out of it and started introductions.
"Speak casually, like I said. So, what were you talking about? Oh, right—your family's dragon Sonya is currently serving in the air force with your older brother? What's his name?"
"Maximilian Fischer. Ring a bell?"
"Oh, Lieutenant Fischer! Not from my squadron, but we've crossed paths a few times. This world's pretty small, you know. There aren't even 500 dragon owners nationwide. You know that, right?"
"Of course. I've seen Sonya's number—385."
"Yeah. Don't worry about Sonya. From what I saw during joint training, she's doing fine. Never heard any rumors of Lieutenant Fischer failing a dragon's regular checkup or performance eval, so at least she's healthy."
Oscar's face lit up enough to see under the dim moonlight.
"Thanks! Really, thank you!"
"No big deal. Hey, since we ran into each other, wanna grab a drink? Over at the banquet hall. The factory boss is already out cold, and everyone's in a wild party mood."
It was a sudden invitation. Ian Keller seemed just as chatty, impulsive, and sociable as Oscar.
"I'd love to, but..."
I glanced at Oscar.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Why'd you turn it down?"
The streetcar rattled and shook.
The magic lantern dangling from the ceiling cast a dim glow, and the boxy, all-metal interior felt stark and utilitarian.
City lights streaked past the windows, while seated passengers or those gripping handholds dozed off languidly.
The scene was just like Korea's subways, stirring a wave of nostalgia in me.
"Gotta keep an eye on you."
Oscar, sitting beside me, answered curtly. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Surveillance, huh? Still, we should've gone. Chances to hang with air force officers don't come often."
"That's why we got his contact info."
"I got it, not you."
I'd politely asked for it before parting with the disappointed Ian.
Not like I wanted a date or anything. Just figured it might come in handy later.
Ian handed over his home address and phone number without hesitation.
"Next time we meet, let's have a deep dive on dragons!"
he'd said. He seemed to mistake me for a dragon geek too. I shivered at the thought.
"Ahem, anyway, one more question."
"What? No, don't ask."
Oscar squinted, sensing what was coming.
"How's a rich kid who owns a dragon working in a factory?"
No answer. Oscar clamped his mouth shut, clearly refusing to spill.
"Hm, did you fight with your big bro 'cause he's the eldest and hogging Sonya, then storm out?"
"H-how'd you know?"
Oscar looked genuinely shocked, blurting it out with a stunned expression. I gave a faint smile.
"Obvious, isn't it? You love dragons—Sonya especially—so it had to be related. Plus, you're curious about her but won't go straight to your brother. Only one conclusion fits."
"Whoa, you're... impressive."
Oscar gaped, sincerely awed.
"You nailed it. Don't wanna get into details, but yeah, we fought, and that's why I left home. You could be a detective."
"Flattery will get you nowhere. Honestly, didn't suspect at first. 'Fischer' doesn't scream old nobility or mega-rich family. Who'd guess dragon owners?"
"Sounds like some old fisherman by the sea, right?"
A cynical flicker crossed Oscar's face.
"Our family's nouveau riche—bought our title with money. It happened a lot during the chaos, but we couldn't change the name like others. The blue-bloods kept us under constant scrutiny. No matter how much cash we made, we were just merchants to them. Both sides were fools, really."
I stared at him steadily.
'So that's what he's been thinking. Not just a carefree kid after all.'
I revised my view of Oscar slightly. He grinned sheepishly and tilted his head with an elegant gesture.
"Never thought I'd spill all this to you."
"Knew you would eventually. Once I decided to recruit you, it was inevitable. No easier mark in the White Crow Unit than you."
"What?"
"We're here. Let's get off."
"Wait, hold on—what'd you just say?"
I ignored him, stepping out the streetcar door and tossing it over my shoulder.
"Your place is the other way, right? It's late—crash here."
"Uh, that's..."
"That's what? After mooching breakfast from Mrs. Schmidt till morning."
"I'm only that shameless."
"Shut up and follow."
His loss if he didn't. I muttered to myself and kept walking. The autumn night air was refreshing.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ One morning, Oscar suddenly realized something was off.
He was midway through chewing delicious egg fritters and pickled pork.
Across from him, Lucas—back from a walk and looking disheveled—tossed sausage bits one by one to Collin, while Daniel, seated next to him, scribbled on a commissioned article with papers spread across the table, clicking his pen.
"Daniel, focus on your food during meals. Look, egg splashed on the paper."
Mrs. Schmidt nagged, then turned to Oscar with a warm smile.
"Need anything, Oscar?"
"No, Mrs. Schmidt. This pork is amazing."
"Thank you, dear."
Oscar rolled the words around in his mouth for a while before cautiously asking Mrs. Schmidt.
"Mrs. Schmidt, how many days has it been since I started staying here?"
The landlady shook her voluminous perm and tilted her head, glancing at the wall calendar.
"Let's see, you came last Monday, so exactly a week."
"I see. Sorry about that. I should pay for lodging."
Oscar smiled awkwardly, but Mrs. Schmidt waved it off.
"Nonsense! This isn't an inn. You're Daniel and Lucas's friend."
"Ooh! So touching, ma'am!"
He hugged her and pecked her cheek lightly. She blushed with a kind laugh.
Oscar grinned back, then sighed as he turned away.
A week!
The day he'd successfully infiltrated the factory, Lucas had strong-armed him into staying late, and he'd crashed on the boarding house living room sofa.
And somehow, he'd kept doing it, like he was bewitched.
Wake up, tag along on Lucas's walk, eat breakfast, watch him head to the office, work hard at the factory, follow him back, crash on the sofa.
And now it had been a week.
Time had flown by without him even noticing.
Oscar racked his brain for what was wrong.
Was he too soft?
'No, it's Lucas's fault.'
Lucas never complained about him tagging along. If anything, he waited at the factory entrance like it was natural.
Every day, without fail.
After 'surveilling' his commute home, Lucas, Daniel, or Mrs. Schmidt would inevitably offer him a place to stay.
Perfect for surveillance, so he accepted.
Truth be told, it was pretty fun.
Daniel was the White Crow Unit's leader and a trusted friend, so nightly meetups were welcome.
Easier to discuss unit operations or important matters too.
The surprise was Lucas.
I knew he could talk, but not like this. With his snarky impression and constant jabs, I'd never imagined.
A few days ago, during drinks in the boarding house kitchen with Daniel and Lucas, the guy had bantered so sharply that I'd often find myself mesmerized, listening raptly.
His deadpan jokes had me in stitches more than once.
And he'd even read dragon books, chatting for hours.
More than enough to make Oscar forget any grudge.
'Was this all planned?'
The realization hit like a bolt, making his vision flash.
Come to think of it, Lucas would go eerily quiet after every deep talk.
Maybe he wasn't naturally cheerful—just acting the part around him?
While Mrs. Schmidt was out of the room, Oscar nudged Lucas.
"Hey, Lucas. Something's weird. Who's surveilling who? Feels like I'm the one being watched. You planned this, didn't you? No way, right?"
Daniel, seriously writing beside him, made a weird snort like he had a booger.
Lucas folded his newspaper and smirked.
"Took you long enough, idiot."
Clear mockery. Daniel patted Oscar's shoulder consolingly.
"I like that about you, Oscar."
"Your thickheadedness."
Lucas piled on, turning Oscar's face beet red.
"Y-you bastards! You teamed up to fool me! To make me trust Lucas!"
"Well, technically, Lucas suggested it, and I went along."
"How could you...!"
"So?"
Lucas downed a glass of milk, stood, and said indifferently.
"What now? Aren't we friends already?"
"Friends..."
Oscar muttered blankly. His eyes met Daniel's apologetic smile.
He was Oscar's first friend in the city, the most reliable one.
The White Crow Unit came to mind.
Countless nights and days of anguish together.
Crafting secret codes to evade detection, heads together for compelling slogans, swearing to protect each other.
It had been fun and fulfilling.
Objectively, as Lucas mocked, it was just rookies playing pretend revolutionaries.
But Oscar believed he'd changed through it.
Even if it was mere delusion.
"At least I made friends."
Oscar nodded, convinced.
"And more friends, the better. Hey, Lucas! I forgive you. But you too—"
"What're you doing? Not going to work?"
Lucas was already at the front door. Oscar scrambled for his coat and followed.
"I forgive you—"
"Yeah, yeah, heard you. Thanks. Oh, can't pick you up starting today—find your own way."
"Huh?"
It would take Oscar a bit longer to realize Lucas was methodically winning over the uninitiated members one by one, with him as the first target.