Chapter 156

The base camp was very busy in the daylight. Although it hadn't been long since breakfast time, the majority had already finished their meal and got up from their seats first for personal maintenance and cleaning up.

Because of that, the surroundings were very noisy, but regardless, Leonardo sat alone in front of the bonfire with a haggard face, chewing on sausages. His face, blankly staring at the burning flames, was worn out with fatigue. It was because he had lost sleep at night.

'It can't be. He can't be that stupid.'

Although he looked like he was barely moving his jaw with a dazed mind, his head was very busy, filled with denial. However, the flames in front of his eyes flickered as if denying the denial, as if saying he was indeed stupid and scratching the back of his head. His appetite dropped.

Last night, there was a good reason why Leonardo suddenly grabbed Hugo's face and said embarrassing things like it was unfair. It was because he had also felt the energy that Hugo had felt.

Moreover, that energy was very familiar to Leonardo. He hoped it wasn't the case, but it seemed not just similar, but exactly the same as the energy of the ring's owner in his pocket.

Of course, he hadn't seen it clearly, and it didn't make sense for him to still be here, so he had been denying it until now after staying up all night. However, his "intuition" kept pushing his thoughts in a bad direction.

The familiar and chilling energy of fire that was suddenly felt on the rocky hill in the middle of the damp forest. In his perception, it was Nero. However, Nero should have left this peninsula. There was no way he had been here until now.

But then, what was it that he had felt? Thoughts followed like an infinite orbit, chasing each other's tails.

Leonardo, who had struggled to swallow the sausage in his mouth, put the fork down on the plate with a thud. Then, he leaned back on the chair, which had a low backrest and couldn't support his head, and quietly scanned his surroundings.

Yes, it was possible that he hadn't left the peninsula yet. Maybe it was because of a mission that he didn't know about. But he couldn't understand the psychology of why he had been loitering in the middle of this base camp where the Council was swarming, and even near the Commander.

"This is driving me crazy, really."

"Is something the matter?"

Leonardo, who had been muttering while roughly brushing his bangs, abruptly turned his head to the side at the sudden voice. An unfamiliar face was standing at a distance of about 3 meters.

"..."

Judging by the splendid badges on his chest, he seemed to have a fairly high position, wearing the Council's combat uniform.

Since he was sitting here alone, it seemed that the person he was talking to was himself, but among the commanders, there was hardly anyone who would strike up a conversation with him except for Agrizendro, Battalion Commander Rivera, and the 8th Platoon Leader, so Leonardo scanned him with strange eyes.

For a very brief moment, he thought, 'Could it be Nero...?' but the more he examined, it wasn't.

An armband indicating the 7th Battalion Commander of the Southern Branch was visible on his forearm. Leonardo turned his head without answering. He bit into the sausage he had put down again, meaning that he didn't want to get involved with any of the high-ranking members of the Council. Then, the other person approached two or three more steps and hastily added,

"Ah, I am Javier Crow, currently serving as the 7th Battalion Commander. It is a great honor to meet you here."

"..."

"But I've been watching you for a while, and you don't seem to be in a good mood. Is there a problem? If I can solve it, tell me about it."

The man, who introduced himself as someone currently serving as the 7th Battalion Commander, approached quite favorably with a good-natured smile. The name sounded familiar, as if he had seen it in passing on the list of aristocrats.

Naturally taking a seat on the empty chair on the right, he began to speak, saying that he was glad to meet him and that he would help him, prefacing it with a formulaic introduction.

Leonardo, who had been chewing on the sausage with his mouth tightly closed, just blankly stared at him who had come right next to him. His words that he had been watching him for a while didn't sound very pleasant. It didn't seem like goodwill without a purpose either.

A few members passing by stared intently at the unfamiliar sight of the two sitting together. When Leonardo slightly frowned at that, the 7th Battalion Commander immediately turned his head and scolded the members as if warning them.

Then, the members hurriedly left, apologizing, and he turned his head again with an extremely friendly expression. His actions were quick and definite, so it seemed like he had approached wanting to gain his favor, but the reason was unknown.

Leonardo picked up the water bottle he had hung on the armrest and took a sip. Then, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he said with uninterested eyes,

"I want to be alone."

It was a rather polite remark. However, there was no change in the good-natured smile that seemed like a mask. Rather, he put his hand on the armrest and came unnecessarily close.

"Don't say that. Are there any inconveniences?"

Whether the food was to his liking or whether the sleeping arrangements were comfortable, his appearance of trying to strike up a conversation somehow seemed quite hasty, as if the conversation would be cut off. As much as he leaned forward from there, Leonardo's upper body retreated back.

After the one-sided small talk, there was a sudden praise for the glory of the war hero. Words about the need for improvement in treatment followed. Honestly, if it had been usual, he would have lightly ignored it, but when the conversation turned to that, he couldn't completely close his ears.

It was admirable in a way that he was trying so hard even though he must be structurally the weakest in this base camp. However, as he kept hearing only flattering words, he became convinced that this man had a purpose rather than truly considering meeting him an honor.

Therefore, Leonardo decided not to drag it out.

"What do you want to say?"

The 7th Battalion Commander's words, which had been continuing, were cut off by the abrupt question that came in. He seemed a bit flustered, but as expected from an aristocrat, he put on a smile again. His hand went over the armrest of the chair and up to Leonardo's forearm.

"What I'm saying is that if we cooperate, we can fulfill each other's needs. For example..."

His gaze, which had been rising together, stopped at one point. The mouth and eyes of the 7th Battalion Commander, who couldn't finish his sentence, struggled to find their bearings for a moment and then instantly stiffened.

Leonardo, who had been showing discomfort, suddenly felt a shadow cast over his head. Soon, a familiar body odor and a low voice were heard from behind his back.

"What are you talking about?"

A heavy voice and touch descended on Leonardo's shoulder. The strong force slid down his forearm and lightly tapped the 7th Battalion Commander's hand that had risen where it shouldn't have. It was a silent warning of discourtesy.

"Ah... Commander."

At that, the 7th Battalion Commander, who had hurriedly withdrawn his hand, stood up from his seat with a noticeably tense face. Then, as if he had been caught doing something bad, he rambled on with a different story than a moment ago, saying that he had been talking to him because he looked pitiful being alone.

Leonardo, who had been looking him up and down as if his words could be twisted to sound like he had talked to him because he looked pitiful, frowned.

'What, his attitude is completely different.'

He didn't like how they were grinning at him while being so afraid of Kazad. The 7th Battalion Commander and the others were all the same, and he didn't like any of them. As he was looking up with an absurd face, the shadow that had been cast over his head slowly moved to the side.

Hugo pulled one of the chairs on the left and placed it next to Leonardo while intently staring at the 7th Battalion Commander. Then, he sat close and ostentatiously wrapped his arm around his back and shoulders.

Hugo, who had no intention of listening to excuses in the first place, gestured outward as if telling the 7th Battalion Commander, who was standing awkwardly, to step back appropriately.

"I'll be here. You must be busy, so you can go now."

It was essentially a way of telling him to get lost quickly. Leonardo blankly stared at Hugo at the voice that sounded strangely displeased.

"Ah, yes... I understand."

In the meantime, the 7th Battalion Commander, who had been persistently clinging, was about to easily detach himself as soon as the Commander appeared, as if nothing had happened.

He, who had been appealing until the end that he had been here just to keep him company without any purpose, left an awkward smile and the words "It was a pleasant conversation." to Leonardo before hurriedly leaving.

Now that he thought about it, the reason he had been strangely rushing seemed to be because of the Commander.

Leonardo stared at his back, which was being expelled too easily, with an absurd expression. If he was going to retreat like this, flustered, why did he come in the first place?

"What were you talking about?"

A large and soft touch caressed his shoulder and casually asked. Leonardo, who had been staring at the 7th Battalion Commander moving away, shifted his gaze to Hugo and said,

"He asked if I had any discomfort. So I said no."

"What else did you talk about?"

Seeing him ask again even though he had heard everything from the person himself, it seemed like the two didn't have a very trusting relationship. Judging from the mention of cooperation, it seemed like he was trying to make a deal with him, but just in case, he decided not to mention that. When caught between a battle of nerves, it was better to keep his mouth shut than to convey words here and there.

"Nothing much. Well, I wasn't really listening properly anyway."

The blue eyes of unfathomable depth stared intently. The hand that had been resting on his shoulder moved up along his neck and cheek and lightly rubbed.

"...I see."

Leonardo pushed him away appropriately, being conscious of the surroundings as it was an action that would draw people's attention. Then, he asked him, who had suddenly appeared and was acting friendly.

"But why did you suddenly come? Didn't you say you had something to take care of earlier?"

Hugo withdrew his hand without saying much and answered,

"I was worried about leaving you alone, so I came to check, and it seemed like you needed help."

"Me?"

Leonardo, who pointed to himself with his finger to confirm, saw Hugo's head nod once and let out a chuckle as if it was absurd.

"I'm not a child, you're being excessively caring. Or are you very interested in me?"

"Let's say both."

Having said that, Hugo leisurely leaned his body against the back of the chair. Judging by his posture, leaning sideways with a disinterested face, it seemed like he intended to stay here.

Whether he should be uncomfortable or glad about this, Leonardo was briefly confused inwardly, then placed the plate that had been on his lap on the empty chair on the right. Then, he picked up the water bottle he had hung on the armrest and held it out to Hugo. It meant to fill it up.

"You don't like that person, do you?"

Hugo didn't particularly answer the question that came abruptly with the water bottle. There was neither affirmation nor denial in his expression as he received it.

"Why do you dislike him when you're both from the Council?"

The leather water bottle, which was almost empty and flimsy, became heavier and heavier as soon as it touched Hugo's hand. Leonardo, who had been appreciating the ability that always looked convenient, asked again as he received the fully inflated water bottle back.

"Because he's from the aristocratic faction?"

After the last question, he took a glance and took about two sips of water. Hugo, who had been silent for a while, opened his mouth while staring at Leonardo's Adam's apple moving up and down as he swallowed the water.

"You seem to have a lot of interest in politics."

A small exclamation followed the taste of the cool water, which was different from earlier. Leonardo, who had roughly wiped his mouth with his sleeve, closed the cap of the water bottle with a satisfied face.

"Very much. As much as you're interested in me."

Although he noticed that he didn't want to answer, Leonardo deliberately pretended not to know with an innocent face. Hugo replied with a small chuckle.

"I don't think it's ordinary interest."

Seeing Hugo, who gave an equally extraordinary answer, Leonardo clicked his tongue inwardly. He had felt it for a long time, but it seemed like he shouldn't approach His Grace with word games.

It was a retreat for now. As he scratched his cheek and looked around for no reason, his eyes turned to a certain place.

"Then what about that person?"

Hugo's gaze also moved, following Leonardo's gaze. At the far end, Meterion was visible. It was unknown since when, but he was also looking this way.

"He's also from the aristocratic faction, even though he's from the same Central Branch."

Although it was quite a distance, their eyes definitely met. It seemed like neither of them had any intention of avoiding each other, so a childish battle of nerves was about to continue, but thanks to a member who was there and timely spoke to his superior, it could be stopped quickly.

Looking at them disappearing beyond the tent soon, Hugo answered the question.

"...He is a capable colleague."

Examining his expressionless face, Leonardo quietly gauged the relationship between the two. Then, he leaned towards burying the secrets related to Meterion Clinder that he had seen at the mining team's hideout for now.

In the first place, to prove that, he had to admit that he had gone there, so he had no intention of mentioning it for the time being, but also because there was nothing more tiring than getting involved in political fights and becoming a witness.

Feeling the persistent gaze, Hugo glanced at Leonardo. Then, he placed his hand on top of the head of Leonardo, who kept asking difficult questions with a face that knew nothing, and lightly ruffled his soft hair, as he often did to Flynn in his childhood.

"It's an adult conversation. It's better not to be curious."

Leonardo, whose hair had been messed up when he let his guard down, made a dumbfounded expression. He quickly came to his senses and pushed Hugo's hand away, grumbling in a slightly irritated voice and using the flames in his hand to fix his disheveled hair.

"Geez, am I not an adult? I'm an adult too, you know?"

Hugo's lips naturally curved up at the sight of him acting tough with a childlike tone that anyone could see was not.

Laughter was leaking out between them, so Leonardo asked why he was laughing and argued a few more words. Although he wanted to tease him more because he was quite cute, Hugo cleared his throat and suppressed his laughter, thinking it was also discourteous, and calmly said,

"That's not what I meant. I'm saying you don't need to know everything yet."

Leonardo, who had been looking at him with dissatisfaction, could newly guess how much he considered him a kid. It was annoying, so he didn't want to talk anymore, but then he realized that was even more childish.

As he frowned and tightly closed his mouth, looking like he was offended, Hugo glanced at his expression. Leonardo, who had been crossing his arms and tapping the ground with the tip of his foot, finally opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

"You said there's a meeting later, right? I want to attend too."

At his sudden words, one of Hugo's eyebrows rose slightly. The meeting that would take place in about an hour was quite large-scale, with all the commanders of the Council participating in the peninsula subjugation gathering. As such, it was also a place full of the tiring gazes that Leonardo disliked so much.

He didn't know what he wanted to prove by doing this, but it was clear that his sudden decision to attend the meeting did not stem from very wise thinking.

"...While I would appreciate your attendance, you don't have to push yourself. Leonardo. That meeting is-."

"What do you mean push myself? You said it's an important meeting that will determine the future direction, so of course I have to attend too."

However, Leonardo was already adamant as if he had made up his mind.

"Let me join in on that adult conversation."

"..."

Hugo, who had been trying to persuade him again, soon closed his mouth.