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On the way to the Silvermane Guards Restricted Zone, the group traveled with a sense of urgency, but the internal chemistry of the team had become... volatile.
"March." "..." "March?" "..." "Little March, are you really going to stay mad?" "Hmph!"
Kenta sighed, awkwardly putting some distance between them. He was undeniably the one at fault this time. Even though the root cause was Serval's "accidental" collision, March 7th was the victim, and Kenta—as the accidental beneficiary of that brief lip-lock—felt like a criminal under a spotlight.
Having been thoroughly iced out by March, Kenta tried to approach Seele to discuss the Bronya situation. But as soon as he got within three feet, he was met with a smile so sharp it could have cut through the permafrost.
"Oh? If it isn't Kenta Landau?" Seele said, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. "How does a big shot from a prominent family have time to pay attention to a pauper from the Underworld like me?"
"..."
Kenta withered. Seele had been like this since they left the workshop. She was clearly radiating a localized field of jealousy and sulking, and he had no tactical way to neutralize it.
I'm dead! This is all your fault, Gepard! You and your ' Landau marriage' talk! Kenta wailed internally.
Serval, walking ahead, appeared to be focused on the path but was secretly monitoring the chaos behind her. She wiped a non-existent cold sweat from her brow. Sorry, Kenta. Big Sister really can't save you from this one.
With both March and Seele refusing to acknowledge his existence, a gap opened up in the formation. Stelle's eyes ignited. I don't know why March is mad... but who cares! It's my turn now!
The gray little raccoon launched her offensive.
"Kenta, there are seven days in a week. Guess which one I like? Every day you're here..." "Kenta, I bought a bag of salt a few days ago. No need to say more about salting my love for you..." "Kenta, I want to eat noodles. Just to meet (miàn) you once..."
Kenta: "..."
Kid, you're making a complete fool of me. He didn't know where Stelle had learned these prehistoric, cheesy pickup lines, but he knew that if she kept going, he might actually spontaneously combust from embarrassment. He could practically feel the three-bedroom apartment he was digging with his fingernails.
"Alright, Stelle, please... stop talking..." Kenta begged, desperately steering the conversation toward the mission.
Stelle was happy to chat normally, but the sight of them together only added fuel to the fire behind them. March 7th watched them, her anger reaching new heights. He just stole my first kiss! Isn't it normal for a girl to be a little moody? How can he go and chat so happily with her?!
The group arrived at the Silvermane Guards Restricted Zone.
Serval immediately stepped forward, showcasing the power of the Landau name and years of "helping" the guards with their gear. She caught the eye of the guard at the entrance.
"Yo, Franz! Long time no see. How come you're still guarding the gate?"
The guard, Franz, scratched his head awkwardly. "Ah, Big Sister Serval... same as always. You're still as sharp as ever."
Within minutes, Serval had the group "disguised" as a technical crew sent to repair the Restricted Zone's heating system. With her connections and the fact that she was the Garrison Commander's sister, Franz handed over the temporary passes without a second thought.
Once inside, they reached the massive movable bridge—the only way to the north.
"To move this bridge, we need to authorize the mechanism's energy core," Serval noted.
But the path to the core was blocked by a heavy gate and several armed guards. "Without a Captain's authorization key, no one enters!" the guard on duty barked.
"Which Captain should I look for?" Serval asked.
"Captain Dunn is resting just ahead. If he signs off on your work order, I'll let you pass."
Stelle had a flash of inspiration. She turned toward Kenta, who was currently draped in a dark cloak, his face covered by a black mask. "Kenta, weren't you a Silvermane Captain before? Can't you just authorize us?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, every guard in the vicinity froze. The guard on duty squinted at the hooded figure. "Ken... Kenta? Wait! Is that Captain Kenta?!"
"..."
Kenta sighed, poking Stelle in the forehead. "Guess why I was wearing the mask, you genius?"
Stelle gave an embarrassed grin and tilted her head. "Ehehe, it was an accident..."
Kenta removed the mask, looking at the guard with a wry smile. "Yes, it's me. Well? Can my 'former' authorization get us through?"
The guard stammered. "I'm sorry, Captain Kenta, I... procedures..."
"Alright, alright, I was kidding. I won't make you break the rules. I'll go talk to the kid, Dunn."
The group found Captain Dunn nearby, who was in the middle of a stern lecture to his recruits. Hearing the familiar voices, the armored man turned around and nearly dropped his spear.
"Ser... Serval? And... Captain Kenta?!"
"Yo, Dunn," Kenta offered a simple wave. "Not bad, kid. You look like you've actually learned how to wear that armor since I left."
After the initial shock, Serval tried to feed him the "heating repair" lie. But Dunn wasn't a rookie anymore. He fell silent, his gaze shifting between his old mentors.
"Serval... did Gepard actually authorize this?" Dunn asked.
"Let me think... oh, he totally—"
"That's enough, Serval," Kenta interrupted. "He knows you're lying. I can tell you're lying."
Dunn raised his spear, his posture shifting into a combat stance. "Captain Kenta, I respect you more than almost anyone. But I am a Silvermane Guard. These outsiders are unregistered. I have my orders."
Kenta sighed. "Sigh. Looks like we have to do this the hard way."
Dunn's eyes burned with a decade of suppressed feelings. Back when he was a rookie, Kenta was the legendary Captain. Dunn had been the keyboardist in Serval's band, constantly following them around, bringing snacks, hoping to be noticed. But Serval's eyes were always on Kenta, and Kenta was always the unreachable standard of strength.
Come on! I couldn't even touch your shadow back then, Captain Kenta! But I am much stronger now!
Ten seconds later.
Kenta ended the fight with a single, precise chop to Dunn's neck.
"Seriously, kid," Kenta muttered, watching the Captain slump to the ground. "I was being polite. Did you really think you'd gotten 'hot stuff' on me?"
The "invincible" Dunn had fallen.
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