Chapter 47: The Spy and the Sergeant

After Hyun-woo and his company made their way out of the shop, someone else approached.

It was someone whose one year of careful preparation had led exactly to this moment. She had spent the last twelve months in the Emerald Bastion building the absolute perfect disguise: “Lirael,” a quiet, soft-spoken half-elf tailor who was painfully shy, easily flustered, and seemingly harmless. The kind of woman people instinctively wanted to protect rather than suspect.

Today, she was finally making her move.

[Lirael Pov]

I stood outside Seraphina’s boutique for only a few seconds before pushing the door open.

The silver bell chimed brightly. I flinched deliberately at the sound, clutching my satchel tightly against my chest like a nervous shield.

The eccentric elf looked up from her work, her amethyst eyes lighting up with curiosity. “Hello there~ New customer, or…?”

I bowed my head immediately, my cheeks already warming as I spoke in a soft, hesitant voice. “U-um… excuse me. My name is Lirael. I… I heard you were looking for an assistant. I came right away to apply for the position.”

Seraphina set down her pins and raised an elegant eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Straight to the point. Bold for someone who looks like she might melt if I raise my voice. Alright then, Lirael. Interview starts now. Why should I hire you?”

I fidgeted with the strap of my satchel, keeping my eyes mostly lowered as I answered. “I-I’ve been working as a freelance tailor in the outer districts for the past year. I specialize in reinforcement enchantments and adaptive fabrics… especially for clients with… unique physiques and abilities. I heard that you make clothes for the Guardians. It is my passion to make unique clothes.”

Seraphina circled me slowly, studying my simple but skillfully made outfit. “You’ve done your homework. Most applicants get scared off just hearing the word ‘Guardians.’ What makes you different?”

I bit my lower lip, shifting my weight. “I’m… not very brave. But I’m good with my hands, and I know how to stay quiet. I’ve seen how the Gorgons' clothes need to handle scales, venom residue, and sudden… emotional shifts. I won’t stare or cause drama if the human who’s been seen with them comes in. I just want honest work and a chance to learn from the best.”

The elf’s eyes sparkled with intense interest. “Ah, so you’ve heard about the pretty boy, too. He’s been spending quite a lot of time with Medusa and her sisters lately.”

I nodded quickly, letting a faint, manufactured blush color my cheeks.

Of course you are the only one who would casually refer to Mistress Medusa without any honorifics, I thought coldly.

“Y-yes… everyone talks about how close he is to the three Gorgons. I promise I won’t make things awkward.”

Seraphina clapped her hands once. “Fine. Practical test. Measure me properly. If you can handle that, you’re hired on the spot.”

“Y-yes, ma’am,” I whispered, pulling out my own enchanted measuring tape with slightly trembling hands.

As I worked—precise, gentle, and professional despite my shy demeanor—my mind remained ice-cold. I carefully suppressed every ounce of my dark aura, burying my true power so deeply that even her famed Ultimate Appraisal wouldn't trigger.

This was the golden opportunity the Hollow Oath had been waiting for. Seraphina was the personal tailor to the Guardians. Working here would put me in the exact same room when they came for fittings and adjustments. Where the Gorgons went, Hyun-woo, the target, would eventually follow.

Perfect access.

After I finished, Seraphina hummed approvingly. “Not bad at all. Gentle touch, steady measurements, and you didn’t faint when I teased you about the Guardians. You’re hired, Lirael. Start tomorrow.”

I bowed deeply, my voice soft with manufactured relief. “Th-thank you so much. I won’t let you down.”

Seraphina waved a hand, already pulling up a glowing crystalline tablet. “Good. We have a big project coming up soon. The human boy needs a full set of adaptive clothes. I already gave Medusa the materials list. You’ll probably meet him when they come in for a suit.”

I kept my expression shy and slightly awed. “I-I’ll do my best to be useful…”

As I left the boutique, the silver bell chiming softly behind me, my violet eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction beneath the timid mask.

Finally.

The pretty boy and his monster women had absolutely no idea that the shy new assistant who had just been hired was a poisoned blade, aimed directly at the heart of their little paradise.

*************

The streets of the Emerald Bastion were alive with the soft glow of floating lanterns and the low murmur of mythical citizens going about their day. Hyun-woo walked between Medusa and Vespera, feeling both incredibly lucky and slightly overwhelmed.

Medusa’s cool hand rested comfortably in his, her emerald scales catching the ambient light with every step.

On his other side, Vespera clung to his arm with unapologetic possessiveness. Her new crimson-and-gold dress was drawing more than a few stares. The dragoness’s massive chest pressed warmly against his bicep, and she kept shooting proud, fiercely territorial glances at anyone who looked for a second too long.

“You’re drawing quite the crowd, Consort,” Vespera purred, her voice low and deeply satisfied. “As you should.”

Hyun-woo just looked at her, but didn't say anything.

Medusa gave a soft, disdainful huff. “Try not to set the entire district on fire with your ego, lizard. We’re only here for a little stroll, after all.”

Hyun-woo chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. “ I am so glad that you two are getting along with each other quite well… ” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Both of them knew it, too.

But before either woman could reply with a sharp retort, a familiar voice called out from across the street.

“Private Hyun-woo?!”

Sergeant Nesta stood frozen near a street vendor.

Her eyes widened in absolute shock as she took in the sight: Hyun-woo, casually dressed, walking arm-in-arm with Mistress Medusa and an unknown, strikingly beautiful black-skinned woman whose presence simply screamed dangerous .

Nesta’s heart hammered against her ribs. Pure, paralyzing terror warred with her ingrained military discipline. She had been quietly searching for a way to reach him for days, asking around the outer territories about how to contact the Guardians, even risking subtle inquiries near Gorgon territory.

And here he was, right in front of her.

Now or never, she told herself.

She straightened her posture, forcing down her fear, and crossed the street with purposeful strides. She saluted sharply, even though he was no longer under her command.

“Hyun-woo,” she said, her voice steady but carrying a note of genuine warmth. “It really is you. I… heard about what happened in Pearland. I’m glad you’re safe.”

Hyun-woo blinked in surprise, then offered a genuine, soft smile. “Sergeant Nesta. It’s good to see you, too. I’m sorry I disappeared like that. Things got… complicated.”

Medusa’s grip on his hand tightened slightly, her emerald eyes narrowing with cool, protective assessment. Vespera, on the other hand, tilted her head like an apex predator evaluating new prey, her six golden eyes gleaming with open curiosity and a subtle warning.

Nesta swallowed hard, keeping her expression perfectly professional despite the suffocating, intimidating aura rolling off both women in waves. “I understand. After what happened in Pearland… and everything since… the higher-ups have been looking for you, too. But I wanted to check on you personally.”

Hyun-woo glanced at Medusa and Vespera, then back to Nesta. “Thank you. That means a lot.” He paused, his expression turning serious, then added gently, “Actually… there’s something I need to handle. Sergeant, would it be possible to go to the base? I want to formally resign from the military.”

Nesta’s eyes widened slightly, but she nodded quickly. “Of course. I can escort you right now. It’ll make the paperwork smoother if I’m there.”

I can't just simply ask him to spy on the Guardians for Command, she realized grimly, not when those exact Guardians are standing right beside him looking ready to tear my head off.

Medusa’s expression remained perfectly calm, but her snakes hissed softly in clear reluctance. She didn’t like the idea of handing him over to military matters, even briefly. “Must you do this today?” she asked, her voice cool but laced with heavy possessiveness.

Vespera’s tail twitched with open irritation. “Hmph. If my Consort wishes it, then fine. But make it quick. I do not have a good feeling about this.”

Hyun-woo gave both women a reassuring squeeze. “It won’t take long. I just… I need to close that chapter properly. I joined to prove something to myself, but things are different now.”

Medusa let out a long, reluctant sigh, her cool fingers brushing his knuckles. “Very well. But we’re coming with you.”

Vespera nodded once. “Agreed. Reluctantly.”

Nesta led the way, trying desperately not to feel intimidated by the two apocalyptic monster women flanking the man she once knew as a simple, talentless private.

The walk to the nearest military outpost connected to Eden’s Vault was tense but quiet.

As they approached the reinforced metal gates of the outpost, soldiers instantly snapped to attention, their faces draining of color at the sight of Medusa. Whispers spread through the ranks like wildfire— Mistress Medusa… and who is that walking with her?

Hyun-woo, on the other hand, walked quietly, lost in his own thoughts.

There is something I am really curious about, he thought, his eyes narrowing at the military compound ahead. Just what exactly does the upper management want from me?

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