Contract of Submission with the Enemy - Chapter 15
A masked man approached and spoke,
“I was curious about the woman who became the Major’s partner. You have a decent ability. I was impressed, especially by the swearing.”
His comment made the others laugh again. No one here would dare speak to Aster like that.
“Normally, trainees go through training for a period before being assigned to the most suitable unit based on their abilities. You’re the first to be placed in a unit immediately upon arrival, especially the Shadow Unit.”
“Why?”
“This isn’t a place just anyone can enter. That’s why a test was necessary. Everyone here went through similar tests. The scenarios varied based on their abilities.”
Rité looked at the masked faces, wondering about their abilities. They all seemed like well-trained killing machines.
Simultaneously, they removed their masks in front of her. Showing their faces was a sign of accepting her as a member of the Shadow Unit.
Aster spoke calmly,
“Now that the first field training is over, we’ll start theoretical lessons. Everyone, continue your tasks. Rité, follow me.”
Despite just finishing the test, they were starting lessons right away. It was merciless, but Rité bit her lip and followed him down the corridor.
The Shadow Unit was located underground. The corridor was empty, and their footsteps echoed.
Eventually, Rité quietly spoke,
“Can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“Was Nox… also in the Shadow Unit?”
Aster replied calmly,
“Yes. I trained him myself.”
Rité clenched her trembling hands.
“Why?”
Aster glanced back, puzzled by her question.
“Why did you train Nox personally?”
“Because he had the right abilities and I brought him here.”
“…”
Ten years ago, Aster had taken Nox and trained him as his subordinate. Thinking of Nox’s ten-year presence in this place made Rité feel strange.
“I didn’t know you were so responsible for people.”
Rité’s sarcastic comment was met with Aster’s firm response.
“I make sure to train those I bring here. That’s all.”
Aster continued walking and said,
“I have something to show you. It will serve as a strong motivation for your future missions. Consider it a gift for passing the first test.”
Not understanding his words, Rité stared at him, but Aster walked on silently. She followed him into a room where he pulled out a phone and made a call.
Rité cautiously observed the room, which resembled an operations briefing room. Having been betrayed once, she knew it was wise to familiarize herself with the terrain and layout of any place she entered. Aster glanced at her and smiled, as if he could read her thoughts.
Rité turned away with a dissatisfied expression but then widened her eyes at the sound of Aster’s phone conversation.
“It’s been a while. How have you been, Eisen?”
Eisen was Nox’s codename. From the phone came the voice of a young man, deepened by the passage of time.
“Yes, brother. I’ve been well. What’s the matter?”
Hearing her brother’s voice for the first time in ten years, Rité’s eyes filled with tears, and she covered her mouth to stifle a sob.
Aster glanced at her and continued his conversation.
“I just wanted to check in on you. How did that date go with the person I introduced you to?”
“It was fine, thanks. But I don’t think she likes me much.”
“Why’s that?”
“I tried to be careful, but I guess I got too excited and came on too strong. She’s been avoiding my calls.”
“That’s unfortunate. But don’t be too discouraged. There are plenty of other people to date. Let’s meet up for a meal soon.”
“I’ll treat you.”
“Alright. I’ll hold you to that.”
As the conversation seemed to be ending, Rité desperately wanted to call out to her brother.
“Nox…!”
But Aster looked at her and silently motioned for her to be quiet, pressing a finger to his lips. His expression had turned sharply serious, and Rité fell silent, her eyes wide with surprise.
After a pause, Nox’s voice came through the phone again.
“Okay. I’ll be in touch.”
The call ended.
Nox had referred to Aster as “brother,” but his tone was militarily formal and dry, unlike the playful younger brother she remembered. It was hard to believe that the once mischievous Nox was now an obedient soldier, following orders. Despite the changed demeanor, Rité instinctively knew it was Nox. She could never forget the unique timbre of his voice.
Aster turned to her and spoke.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t talk to your brother just yet. I wanted to let you know he’s alive, so I let you hear his voice.”
Rité asked in a daze, “Brother… Nox called you brother…?”
“Oh, that’s a code. He’s currently in enemy territory. He might be under surveillance or recording, so he can’t call me ‘Major’ over the phone.”
Aster continued with a slightly amused expression.
“I told him to be natural, but his acting skills haven’t improved much. That’s about as good as it gets.”
Nox had referred to Aster as “brother,” but never specifically as “Aster,” keeping his identity concealed. Rité, still in shock, asked again.
“So that talk about a date…?”
“It was about someone he’s been assigned to monitor.”
Aster’s expression turned serious.
“But it seems he was discovered. So, I told him to eliminate the target.”
“What?”
Rité was stunned.
“What do you mean? I didn’t hear anything about that…!”
Then she realized something.
When Aster said, “treat me to a meal,” he hadn’t meant food. He meant for Nox to “eliminate” the target. Rité felt a chill run down her spine. She now understood why Nox had hesitated and spoken so formally at the end of the call.
Aster, satisfied, said, “I’m glad I let you hear the call. You paid attention to every detail.”
Rité asked with trembling eyes, “What have you been making Nox do?”
“You’re not seriously asking me that, are you?”
Rité fell silent, her hands trembling. She couldn’t believe Nox was on an assassination mission in enemy territory.
Aster narrowed his eyes and spoke.
“If you want your brother to stop doing such things, you need to complete your mission quickly. Today’s lesson begins now.”
He handed Rité a stack of papers filled with codes used by the Carta army. Rité’s eyes widened as she skimmed through them. They looked like everyday language but held hidden meanings. She now understood why the Carta army’s information was so hard to come by.
Aster said, “Memorize all of it.”
Rité hesitated but didn’t ask what would happen if she failed. Holding the stack of code sheets made her realize the gravity of her new role in the Shadow Unit.
She was reassigned to a private room, an unusual privilege for a captive and a testament to Aster’s influence. She locked the door, changed out of her wet clothes, and put on fresh training gear. The scent of detergent from the new clothes was mildly comforting.
Exhausted from the day’s events, both physically and mentally, Rité collapsed onto her bed and fell into a deep sleep almost immediately. Despite her exhaustion, she clutched a fork she had found in the room, ready to defend herself if Aster tried to enter.