Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Diplomacy is Also a Means of War (2)
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If I gave the wrong answer, I was dead.
No, I wouldn't actually die.
Not unless I'd been caught plotting a terrorist attack like that late Lieutenant Colonel Rierson, who'd already gone off to heaven.
On our continent, with its social structure so akin to feudalism, nobles weren't killed lightly.
Typically, even if captured as prisoners, they were treated with utmost courtesy, housed in five-star hotels and all.
'That doesn't mean I should get caught here.'
If these guys got suspicious and nabbed me, the mission would fail.
"The three of us are engaged to be married."
The immigration officer clicked his tongue as he looked at me.
Not even bothering to hide his envy, huh?
For a lowly civil servant like him, pulling that stunt against a foreign noble—at an immigration checkpoint, no less—could easily land him a death sentence if things went south.
Still, I couldn't exactly blame the guy for feeling that way.
Two beautiful young women in the prime of their lives, both his? Who wouldn't be jealous?
The immigration officer realized his blunder in an instant and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant Colonel! I must've lost my mind! Please forgive me!"
If I were just some tourist, I could've made a fuss over the rudeness.
But this wasn't a sightseeing trip to Mount Kumgang or anything...
Questioning his impoliteness here would summon the guards and drag us into an investigation.
I hadn't told them not to draw attention, but we sure as hell shouldn't go looking for it.
Let's use this as an opportunity to skip the rest of the tedious procedures and snag a few perks.
"......"
"I'm truly sorry. Please, just spare my life, Lieutenant Colonel."
As I applied silent pressure, Monica approached from behind.
A beaming smile lit up her face.
She turned to the immigration officer.
"Do we really look like we're together?"
The officer launched into flattery like he'd bolted an engine motor to his mouth.
"You're about to get married, aren't you? Anyone can see you're a perfect match destined for a hundred years of happiness. It's like you're straight out of one of those romance novels sweeping Marco Kingdom these days—the hero and heroine themselves..."
Monica's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.
"You two match so perfectly, it even makes me jealous."
"Is that so?"
"You're like a masterpiece painting together."
"He says it that strongly—why not just let it slide? Seems like he's jealous because we three—no, you and the Lieutenant Colonel—look so good together."
Fighting with the immigration officer here wouldn't do us any good.
Better to get the paperwork done quick and enter the country.
Monica must've thought the same, suggesting we overlook it since he'd complimented how well we matched.
"You think so?"
"Yes. You've carved out time from your busy summer schedules for a fun vacation..."
For a split second, I caught Monica smacking her lips.
Must've been my imagination.
Monica could be forward, sure, but she wasn't the type to devour an innocent guy.
"Monica, if you put it that way, I suppose I have no choice."
Suddenly, I felt a hot, prickling gaze from behind.
This didn't feel like my imagination.
Monica glanced between my face and the back a few times before grabbing my left arm firmly.
She hugged it close—close enough that her chest just barely brushed against me.
"They say Marco Kingdom has so many great spots. I'm already thrilled thinking about touring them together."
"Not here."
"It's not like we'll wear out from a little watching."
Once the mission ended and the truth came out—that we weren't actually together—it would leak eventually.
But no one watching this would doubt it was real.
'No idiot will try making a move on Monica now.'
They'd all assume she was my woman.
"Immigration cleared for all of you."
"Thanks."
The officer handed me something then, as if trying to seal my lips...
Not money—what the hell was it?
"This lists the restaurants, lodgings, and attractions most frequented by Marco Kingdom nobles visiting Basel City. At this hour, I'd recommend the Marta Falls."
His bribe attempt?
Way better than cash.
For our current situation, anyway.
"Appreciate it."
"Let's go already."
Monica urged me on.
I knew she liked me, but I hadn't expected her to be this aggressive.
"Lieutenant Monica—no, Monica..."
Lina's face flushed red as an apple.
Her words started stumbling.
"Even so, isn't this a bit too... too close? Grabbing the Lieutenant Colonel's arm... and hugging so tight your chest is practically touching...? As a noble lady..."
Monica flashed a villainess-like smile and puffed out her chest.
Her breasts jiggled, and in that instant, something soft pressed against my arm.
My gaze flicked there involuntarily.
Human instinct—unavoidable.
Like watching a heavy object drop from above.
"Lina, we're on vacation right now."
"Right...?"
"When else are we gonna enjoy it? If it makes you that unhappy with the Lieutenant Colonel...?"
Lina fidgeted with her hands.
She bowed her head.
"No, it's not that. It's just... expressing affection so blatantly isn't befitting a noble's dignity..."
"I'm from Lichten."
"......"
Lichten—like Hamgyong Province in Joseon, or some backwater mountain region.
The class divide between nobles and commoners wasn't that stark there.
People even married across lines if their eyes met.
Monica lowered her voice to a whisper, just for us.
"...... We've got tails. Little rats."
We'd all expected it—me, Monica, Lina.
They wouldn't tail just any young officer on vacation.
But a Golden Eagle Medal recipient? The Empire's top candidate for Field Marshal?
They were watching us like we'd brought a vice minister.
'Fucking lunatics.'
"Better act natural, Lina."
Monica whispered something in Lina's ear.
Lina's face went from red to painted crimson.
"The Lieutenant Colonel and I are together... We're together..."
After staring intently at me for a good three minutes, Lina nodded and swallowed hard.
She grabbed my other arm and hugged it just like Monica.
Two women on my arms—flowers in both hands.
"Monica, the Lieutenant Colonel's mine."
"Getting a little too eager, aren't you?"
"You latched onto his arm first."
The two bickered playfully.
At least they weren't grabbing hair like in some drama.
Thank goodness. Really.
"I'm starving anyway—shall we find something to eat?"
As we looked around, Lina's eyes locked onto a shop.
"Wouldn't proper food be better?"
Lina met my gaze squarely, countering with utter seriousness.
"Lieutenant Colonel, dinner's soon. Eating a full meal now would make it awkward later."
"Fair point."
The clock at immigration had read 3 p.m. sharp.
Dinner in three hours—a heavy meal now felt off.
"Marco Kingdom cafes serve simple sandwiches, salads, light fare with coffee. How about a light lunch there for now?"
"If that's what you want, Lina."
This was a vacation, after all. Enjoy it while we could.
Higher-ups would cover the expenses anyway.
Monica acquiesced but tossed a jab at Lina.
"Can't resist sweets, can you, Lina?"
"What's wrong with liking dessert?"
"Nothing. Just saying—it's cute, like a little girl."
Lina squeezed my arm harder in response.
Enough for her chest to press substantially against me.
Realizing it, she blushed and looked down.
In their dynamic, Monica was definitely the dominant one.
Like lava and flame.
We settled at a cafe and ordered.
I got a sandwich and coffee; Monica, the same plus dark chocolate.
Lina ordered four slices of cake. Straight cake.
Hard to believe she stayed slim eating like that, but...
"...... Cake doesn't make you gain weight."
One look at Lina's impressive military spirit pouch and I got it.
She moved a lot too, probably.
Yeah—all that food must fuel her spirit pouch.
Soon, our orders arrived.
Lina ate her cake slice by slice, a blissful smile on her face.
So cute it made Monica and me zone out staring for a moment.
If she'd stuffed her cheeks a bit more, Monica might've poked them, calling her hamster-like.
"Lieutenant Colonel, you won't have any?"
"...... Is the cake that good?"
"Yes. This chocolate cake's bread is intentionally a bit bitter... but the whipped cream on top is so sweet, perfectly balanced! And the strawberries in this whipped cream cake..."
Lina spent a solid five minutes raving about the cake.
The cafe manager shrugged, pretending not to listen.
Lina, like a runaway train, halted abruptly once she finished.
Embarrassed, probably.
Still cute, so all good.
"I bet you'd like this chocolate cake, Lieutenant Colonel... Want to try some?"
"After I finish my sandwich, sure."
Lina glanced between Monica and me.
She forked a piece of cake and held it toward me.
"Here, try it."
I felt a bit shy, but Lina looked even more so—couldn't even meet my eyes.
She'd mustered her courage, though.
"Thanks, I'll dig in."
As I took the bite, Monica got jealous of Lina.
"I can do that too, you know."
"...... I did it first."
In the end, those two fed me so much of their orders that dinner was out of the question.