Guntur let out a deep sigh, the kind that carried the weight of unreadable thoughts. He leaned back slightly, gaze drifting toward the ceiling as if gathering the right words.
"Shina... have you read the full report on the damage from the Cerberus incident?"
"I have," Shina replied without hesitation—but for the briefest moment, her expression shifted. A flicker of something—grief, guilt, or perhaps frustration—passed across her eyes.
It was quick. Almost imperceptible.
But Guntur caught it.
He didn't comment. Instead, he continued.
"Then I think... you might need to hold back. For now."
Shina's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Guntur said slowly, "you should ease up a little... especially regarding the Bloodminers."
The silence between them thickened like a fog.
Shina remained quiet for a heartbeat, then another. Her Crimson eyes narrowed. "That makes no sense," she said at last, voice growing colder. "We're the Empire's anti-terror unit. How could we possibly loosen our grip on those bastards? That's our entire mission."
Guntur leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. His expression turned serious—calculated, like a man choosing his words as if lives depended on them.
"Because it's more complicated than you think," he said quietly.
Shina tilted her head slightly, her tone sharpening. "How complicated?"
"The Royal Palace is starting to get involved."
That caught her attention.
She uncrossed her legs and sat upright. "What has the Royal Palace done?"
"They've requested multiple reports," Guntur said, his voice lowering. "Specifically regarding your unit's movements, your methods... and your Bloodminer investigations. Since the Cerberus incident, the Noble Council has started applying pressure on us—on the Generals."
He paused for a moment, watching her reaction.
"They're demanding that we tread carefully. Quietly. They don't want noise... not now, when public trust in the Royal Palace is already shaky. If word got out that the Empire let terrorists slip through the cracks, the entire court could be accused of negligence."
Shina's hands clenched unconsciously, but her voice remained calm.
"So they're more worried about their image than actual security."
She crossed her arms tightly, a clear sign of resistance. "I don't take orders from nobles. Or even the Emperor, for that matter."
Her words didn't carry anger—only resolve.
"I'm protecting the stability of the People. Not the whims of politics."
Guntur exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. He knew this part would be tricky.
Mentioning the Emperor... it stirred something deeper.
"If the Emperor decides to step in directly," he muttered, almost to himself, "and dispatches the Knight of Wonders... then things will get messy."
Shina's eyes narrowed again. "The Wonders?"
Guntur's expression twisted, half annoyance, half warning.
"Yeah. The so-called 'Wonders'—those flashy Emperor's knights who act bossy toward us, the soldiers. If they get involved, we'll be knee-deep in formality, ceremony, and egos the size of Warship."
He leaned back again, arms crossed.
"I'd rather not get dragged into a mess with those 'wannabe aristocrats.'"
Shina said nothing at first. Her gaze dropped to the untouched tea beside her. Then, slowly, she lifted it to her lips—cool and composed.
But her silence spoke volumes.
"Thank you for your concern, Lieutenant General," Shina said softly, placing the cup of tea back on the table with a quiet clink. Her eyes, however, gleamed with unwavering fire. "But I'm not backing down. Nothing and no one can stop me."
Guntur let out a quiet groan, leaning back with a hand on his forehead. This woman…
Stubborn. Relentless. Exactly like her reputation.
But also... not someone he could control—not anymore.
"I figured as much," he muttered under his breath. Then he sighed and shifted forward again. "So? What's your next move?"
A small, confident smile tugged at the corner of Shina's lips.
"I've detected Bloodminer activity in City of Gallery."
That made Guntur straighten. "Gallery?"
The name clearly surprised him—and not without reason.
"That's... a Non-Government's territory. Isn't that city under the Rules of Aenocyon Guild?" he asked, furrowing his brows. "If I'm not mistaken, their Third Division commander—Baron the Living Blade—is in charge of that city. He is one of the All Stars"
Shina gave a small nod, not breaking eye contact.
Guntur looked increasingly troubled.
"Getting involved with an All Stars like him is almost as annoying as dealing with the Royal Palace," he muttered with a grimace. "Be careful, Captain Shina. You're walking into a hornet's nest."
"I know," she replied calmly. "I'll tread lightly."
Guntur paused, then added with more weight in his tone, "Listen... if anything happens to you in Gallery, I won't be able to intervene. Not this time."
Shina tilted her head. "Because of General Panzer?"
Guntur nodded gravely.
"With Panzer joined late to the Military Operation in Fallen Heaven, I'm acting as the Empire's interim military head. My hands are... more than full."
Shina's gaze didn't waver.
"I understand. You don't need to worry about me, sir."
There was no pride in her voice. Just clarity. Determination.
"I'll do what I must."
Guntur studied her for a long moment—then, eventually, allowed himself a faint, resigned smile.
"I don't doubt it."
Before Shina could reach for the cup again, Guntur speak again, his voice dropping a tone sharper than before.
"Listen carefully," he said. "No matter what happens—do not wage war with Aenocyon. No matter the provocation."
Shina didn't answer immediately. Her eyes flicked toward the floor, thoughtful... calculating.
"I won't make any promises," she said at last. "But I'll try."
Guntur sighed. That was the most he could expect from her. Maybe even more than he should've.
"That's the first matter," he said, straightening in his seat. "The second… is about Canis Majoris."
The name struck like a sudden wind.
Shina tensed, the atmosphere in the room shifting instantly.
"Canis Majoris…?" she repeated, eyes narrowing. "What about him?"
It was clear she hadn't expected that name to come from Guntur's mouth. Her guard rose immediately.
Guntur didn't elaborate at first. His expression darkened, gaze distant.
"You need to be careful around that man."
"You know him?" she asked, her voice cautious.
"We've clash a few Times back then," Guntur replied curtly. "He's not someone you want as an enemy."
Shina's eyes narrowed. "Is he that strong?"
"In combat ability, he's on par with me," Guntur admitted. "But that's not what makes him dangerous."
He paused. Then, slowly, he added, "It's what's inside him."
Shina blinked. "Inside...?"
"He's generally a laid-back and diplomatic person. But there are moments when he loses control and goes on a rampage. When that happens, it's very hard to stop him. I don't know if it's his true nature, but it's nothing to take lightly. The point is—don't make him angry!"
Shina said nothing. The image of Canis's calm eyes flashed in her memory—the way he spoke, the way he stood. Always composed. Always distant.
"If you're curious about who he really is," Guntur continued, "go to the Imperial Guild Department. They've gathered some... interesting files on him."
Shina remained still, her gaze now unfocused. Her thoughts swirled like a storm behind calm eyes.
She'd been chasing shadows. Clashing with enemies in the open. But what if the real war was against something—someone—far more elusive?
Her fingers gripped her sleeve lightly.
Will I really win this war… in the end?
No one in the room could answer that.
Not even her.
{Chapter 57 end}