Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: White Crow Unit ― Erika (3)
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Before the sun had even begun to rise, behind the magic research building at Lüdelheim Comprehensive University.
Erika clutched her upscale leather bag to her chest, glancing around cautiously.
After waiting a moment and hearing only the chirping of early-rising birds, with no sign of anyone nearby, she let out a sigh of relief and pulled a stack of flyers from her bag.
She'd heard that the magic academy students had finished their group project yesterday and gotten a day off. They were probably all passed out drunk somewhere far from the research building.
After careful consideration, she slipped the flyers into hidden spots where no one would easily notice: under secluded windows, behind protruding bricks, and among the branches of shrubs.
How much time had passed?
As Erika carefully worked, she sensed someone nearby and straightened up.
She turned around as naturally as she could manage, but her eyebrows twitched in surprise.
"You...!"
Lucas was shambling toward her, looking far more exhausted than usual.
In an instant, the anxiety and unease swirling in Erika's heart melted away like snow.
"Morning."
He approached with a weary smile, snatched the stack of papers from her hand, and without a word, began posting the flyers.
"I don't need help—."
"Shh."
Lucas pressed a finger to his lips.
"No, seriously, why—."
"Shh!"
He gestured toward the sky, waving his hands emphatically. It was clear: shut up and get to work before sunrise.
Her stomach boiled with frustration, but she clamped her mouth shut to avoid making noise.
The flyers were scattered all across the magic academy grounds.
Erika scanned the area around the building. Perfectly hidden, not a single suspicious trace visible from the outside.
"Wanna grab breakfast?"
Lucas struck up a casual conversation as if nothing had happened.
"No."
"Then take this at least."
When she refused curtly, he pulled a paper-wrapped sandwich from his coat's inner pocket.
"I don't need it."
"Take it. It's a bribe. A bribe to get you to come back."
"I told you that won't happen."
Erika glared at him, eyes flashing, but Lucas just grinned.
"Whatever. Just one question. Why didn't you show up yesterday? Did something happen with the White Crow Unit?"
She tried to sound nonchalant, but Erika was on high alert.
His face hardened for a moment, making her heart skip. But he quickly flashed his usual grin, as if aware of her watching.
"Nah, just personal stuff. Why do you ask? You're not even in the White Crow Unit anymore."
"What?"
"It's a secret organization. Can't reveal operations to outsiders. Not even former members. Didn't you say you weren't coming back?"
The world spun in a dizzying haze.
'Former member?'
Strange whispers echoed in her mind.
'He's right.'
'I'm not one of them anymore. I left on my own two feet.'
'Wasn't it arrogant of you? Begging to come back like you're something special.'
A torrent of emotions surged through her, impossible to pin down. Nausea rose, and she clamped a hand over her mouth.
"You okay?"
Lucas's voice faintly registered. Blood drained from Erika's face as she shoved away his hand reaching to support her.
"Hey...!"
"Just go."
When he tried to follow, she waved him off and broke into a run.
She had to find Daniel.
She wanted to apologize. To say quitting was a mistake, that she couldn't imagine how broken she'd be without the White Crow Unit.
But she couldn't. Not because of pride, but because it was too humiliating, too shameful. She knew those words wouldn't come out.
It stung that Lucas seemed to see through her weakness, so she had no choice but to run. Even knowing she'd regret it later.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Cough, cough! Damn it. What kind of college girl runs that fast?"
I braced my hands on my knees, gasping for breath. After hacking up a storm, I wiped the drool from my chin and looked up.
Students were milling about the brightening campus. Like that deer we'd snuck past the guard post, Erika had vanished in a flash.
'Was it that shocking?'
Just pointing out she wasn't a member anymore.
I'd tossed it out casually to gauge her reaction, but her total meltdown and flight? Bizarre.
I caught my breath, stood slowly, and shuffled to a nearby bench.
One thing was clear.
Among the White Crow Unit members, Erika loved the group the most.
'Surprising.'
And whatever her life had been like, I could tell she was tough on the outside but soft within, and her attachment to the White Crow Unit stemmed from some deep wound.
No, it wasn't just attachment—it bordered on obsession.
If so, this would be easy.
She wanted to come back anyway.
A little later, I pried myself off the bench with effort and set out to find Erika again. My coat pockets rustled crisply with every step.
I circled the campus meticulously, eyes peeled. Even in these harsh times, I passed countless vibrant young people laughing and enjoying their youth.
Near the school gate, I finally spotted her back.
But.
In front of the grand gate carved from a massive boulder stood an intimidating line of people.
Men in Ossel uniforms stood rigidly, blocking the path, rifling through students' bags one by one, dumping contents onto the ground.
"What the hell? Random search?"
My brow furrowed instinctively.
Thinking about it, in a dictatorship like this, it was weird they hadn't surveilled the top university until now.
I didn't know the trigger, but they'd clearly decided to tighten the reins.
'Legal basis? Of course not.'
If even a daily newspaper reader like me hadn't noticed, it wasn't official procedure.
Good thing I had nothing risky on me.
Well, except my ever-present notebook.
Hangul, hanja, English—who knows what they'd think. Could get dragged off as a foreign spy.
"Not that fighting back would help..."
"What is this? This is illegal human rights abuse!"
A loud voice erupted suddenly. A male student argued with an Ossel trying to snatch his bag, raising his tone.
"Show me the warrant for this investigation! Otherwise...!"
Thwack!
"Crazy reactionary scum!"
"Ugh..."
The Ossel clubbed the student down. He groaned, rolling on the ground as they shook out his bag, spilling books and stationery everywhere.
"Look at this. Carrying seditious literature out in the open?"
The Ossel smirked, picking up a worn, tattered book.
"No need to look further."
The bleeding student was hauled up forcibly.
As he was dragged away in irons, fear spread. Students submitted stiffly to searches, no more resistance.
"Psycho bastards..."
The contempt slipped out unwittingly, but thankfully, we were far enough away.
I sighed, strode forward, and grabbed Erika's shoulder.
"Erika."
She flinched and turned. Disgust lingered on her face, not fully erased.
"Why'd you run off like that? This place is dangerous right now—."
"Hey, you with the bob cut!"
One of the Ossels scanning the crowd beckoned us.
Terror flashed in Erika's eyes.
'Ah, damn. Those flyers!'
I'd seen her stuff the leftovers in her bag. If caught, it'd be way worse than seditious books.
"Didn't you hear me? Let me see that bag."
The Ossel called again, annoyed.
'No time.'
I bit my lip hard.
"Erika, trust me for a sec."
"What?"
I grabbed her hand and headed toward the Ossel, snatching her bag en route. Naturally, like it was mine all along.
"Who the hell are you?"
The tall Ossel glared down menacingly.
"Haha, tough job, huh?"
"Cut the crap!"
As I reached into my coat, he raised his baton, but what I pulled out was no pistol—it was my ID.
"I'm actually out on official duty today."
I flashed it open nicely. He snorted.
"9th Grade Clerk? What business does a 13th District worker have here?"
I checked his insignia.
One white stripe. Captain.
Figures—they'd send the grunts for dirty work.
I jutted my chin up and crooked a finger at him.
"Ear here."
Caught off guard, he bent down, and I whispered.
"Captain Johann Werner assigned me this."
He gasped in surprise.
'Nailed it.'
Ossel was all about hierarchy and abuse of power, so dropping a rank should work in a pinch.
And they wielded far more authority than assigned. They inspected the military on whims and dumped pointless tasks on police routinely.
Using a 9th Grade Clerk as an errand boy? Nothing odd there.
"I was secretly tracking reactionaries and found this today."
I pulled the flyer stack from Erika's bag and showed it.
"Fellow Ossel, could you pass this to the captain? This is just what I collected—who knows how much more is hidden. Better search the whole school."
He nodded dumbly, taking them.
"Thanks for your work."
I led Erika through the gate.
I kept my eyes forward until we were clear of the Ossels, then bolted into an alley. Erika, still holding my hand, matched my pace in confusion.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Huff, huff..."
Lucas arrived at a quiet streetcar stop, breathing raggedly like his lungs might burst. Erika hesitated, then awkwardly patted his back.
"Hoo..."
Finally calming, Lucas shoved the bag he'd been carrying straight into Erika's chest.
"Ditch the bag now. Suspicious if you keep it."
Then he dug out the crumpled sandwich from his coat pocket.
"Eat this on the way."
A hot lump surged in her throat. Erika stared at him blankly, her usual composure shattered.
With trembling hands, she slowly took the sandwich.
"Th-thanks."
It was all she could manage.
"You should be thankful."
With his usual world-weary face, Lucas spoke earnestly.
"Erika, come back."
He met her eyes, enunciating clearly.
"Daniel told me. You're the first member. As you said, you and Daniel founded the White Crow Unit. I admit it. I don't know what you don't like about me, but tell me and I'll fix it. Come back. We need you."
Erika blinked.
A pang hit her chest.
Relief? Guilt? She couldn't tell.
People said she seemed cold and aloof.
She often heard curses that she didn't fit in, acting superior alone.
She didn't care what trash-talk came from their filthy mouths.
She'd fled her shameful father and abandoning mother, living in her own world.
Shutting out eyes and ears, lost in thoughts she couldn't share, she never bothered correcting rumors.
But Daniel—and the White Crow Unit—accepted her without hesitation. Praised her as a comrade, gave her purpose.
She missed that time. Terribly.
"But."
She wiped rising tears and looked up at Lucas.
"How can I come back? After blowing up like that."
Lucas chuckled.
"No one cares, you self-conscious nut."
"Self-conscious what?"
"Kidding. As long as you come back, it's fine."
"Richard left because of you."
"I'll bring him back."
Erika gazed at Lucas.
Where did that overflowing confidence come from?
"...For real?"
"I swear. With all my heart."
Erika smiled.
The first in months.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Using my name? Cocky little punk."
That night, Johann received the flyers from an Ossel who'd come from another district.
"Revenge, huh? Heh, interesting."
A cruel smile crept across his face.