“I originally had no dreams. My dream was decided by that child from the orphanage days. Come to think of it, she was selfish from a young age. Always wanting the best things for herself.”

Jacqueline calmed her excitement as she recalled her orphanage days.

“Children without dreams have lifeless eyes. I probably looked the same back then. Muriel gave a dream to the dreamless me. She gave me a dream and saved my life. How could I hate her? Even when she acts insufferable, I forget my anger the moment she turns away and like her again. I’m such a fool. In reality, Muriel just picked one profession she wasn’t interested in and dumped it on me. I’m the only one who’s sincere about her.”

Michael wiped Jacqueline’s tears and spoke the words he had wanted to tell his younger self and Melinda.

“But now you’re attending university, and when you graduate, you’ll become a teacher. Growing alongside your dream is miraculous. So don’t belittle it just because someone else gave it to you.”

“That sounds nice. Growing alongside my dream.”

“Remember this. You are someone’s light. Don’t devote yourself too much to people who don’t treasure you, and don’t extinguish the light within you because of unrequited feelings.”

In the middle of their conversation, a secretary knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

“Sir, that person has arrived.”

Michael looked at the grandfather clock in his office.

“Jackie, could you wait until six? I’ve reserved a nice seafood restaurant, and I’d feel awkward going alone.”

“I’ll send Melinda a telegram.”

“Thank you for accepting my invitation. I’ll need to work hard to escort two lovely ladies this evening, won’t I?”

Michael straightened his clothes while looking in the mirror. Seeing him checking his appearance nervously when he was usually so laid-back gave Jacqueline a fresh shock. 

So this is what a man dedicated to his profession looks like. Wouldn’t Melinda fall for him if she saw him like this?

“That’s it!”

“Hmm?”

“Show that side of yourself to Melinda.”

“Looking in the mirror? Why?”

“Well… never mind if you don’t understand.”

After tidying his appearance, Michael left his office with Jacqueline following behind. Just then, a client and his entourage were entering the office.

A dignified middle-aged man with a sturdy build opened the door and carefully guided his master.

“Master, please be careful.”

The sound of footsteps and something more dull could be heard. 

Tap, tap, tap… 

A man entered, tapping the floor with his cane in movements precise like military drill. He wore his gentleman’s hat at an angle, concealing his face and expression.

The atmosphere in the office suddenly grew heavy. The imposing aura emanating from the man in the black three-piece suit swallowed all noise. The office staff silently scrambled about, like dropping a sea predator into a tank of ordinary ornamental fish.

Jacqueline looked down at the rhythmic tapping sound on the floor. Upon closer inspection, it was an umbrella-cane. She thought that everywhere he stepped seemed to turn colorless, then raised her head.

Standing with impeccable posture was Oscar Walter von Oestenberg. The man commonly known as Major General Oestenberg, the war hero.

Jacqueline marveled.

“Wow…”

The newspaper photographs had failed to capture his true appearance. Oscar Oestenberg was the most handsome man Jacqueline had ever seen. Even more astonishing was his overwhelming presence.

“Master, one moment. This terrain is unfamiliar, so let me guide you.”

“Very well, Heather.”

Oscar took Heather’s arm. Standing next to the well-built man, his body appeared even more sleek and solid. Heather brought Oscar to Michael. With a deep voice that commanded attention, he confirmed if this was the person they were looking for.

“Are you Mr. Rohasch?”

“Yes, I am Rohasch.”

Jacqueline could observe Oscar Oestenberg up close. Between the slightly tilted gentleman’s hat, his prominent nose bridge and sharp jawline were visible. His face was breathtakingly handsome, but his expressionless features and cold aura gave him a frightening impression.

Suddenly, sensing a gaze upon his face, Oscar moved with agility. 

Click, clack. 

For the brief moment of a second hand’s movement, Jacqueline met his mysterious gray eyes. Startled, she quickly lowered her head.

‘That’s Major General Oestenberg.’

Not knowing about the Miracle of Hansen meant you weren’t a citizen of the Lungen Republic. 

It had been a critical location that would determine the outcome of the war, with allied forces outnumbered. The entire nation had anxiously followed real-time telegraph updates on the war situation.

Finally, when news came that their forces had won, everyone wept with joy. The news of Oestenberg and his troops defeating the enemy despite being outnumbered was a miracle and hope for citizens exhausted by the long war.

Oscar Walter von Oestenberg was a national hero.

‘Is he finally going to sue the journalists?’

He had declined to attend last year’s victory ceremony despite being practically the main character. The reason given was severe injury, and the Prime Minister had issued a statement wishing the war hero a speedy recovery.

The yellow press had pounced on this like prey, writing sensational articles. The series titled “The Fall of a War Hero” sold instantly, and even now, a year later, the yellow press continued to attack the war hero with persistence.

Any educated intellectual would quickly recognize it as political maneuvering. While attention was focused on Oscar Oestenberg, legislation favorable to the Prime Minister had passed. 

Many pointed to the Prime Minister or his people, but there was no substantial evidence proving the two incidents were connected.

Jacqueline stole another glance at Oscar Oestenberg. Deep-set eyes, a sharp nose bridge, and firmly closed lips. Was this what nobility from the monarchy era looked like? 

Even Jacqueline, unaware of his close royal bloodline, sensed something special about Oscar Oestenberg. An indescribable discomfort. It was the aura of a ruler with blue blood.

He was someone everyone admired regardless of gender. Jacqueline was no exception.

When the experienced Michael stepped forward to handle the client, the office atmosphere relaxed considerably.

“Welcome, Major General Oestenberg. Since you’ve retired from the military, I should now call you Chairman.”

“Oscar is sufficient.”

“Then, let’s go into my office.”

Once Oscar Oestenberg and Michael entered the representative’s room, everyone finally exhaled. Someone murmured about feeling drained, and everyone silently nodded in agreement.

Even without sight, he naturally found the seat of honor, resembling an old monarch. Meeting such an extraordinary person made the notion of an equal world without class distinctions feel like a farce.

Michael politely introduced himself to the client.

“I am Michael Rohasch. I represent the Saint Law Firm and also serve as a legal advisor to the Financial Bureau.”

“Oscar Walter von Oestenberg. As I mentioned earlier, Oscar is sufficient.”

“Yes, then. Mr. Oscar.”

Though using honorifics, his tone remained authoritative. Despite being a civilian after retirement, he still exuded the coolness and charisma of a battlefield commander. The aura of someone who had been covered in blood was too strong for ordinary people to withstand.

Michael felt tense, like he had returned to his days as a rookie lawyer.

‘No wonder the office was in chaos earlier.’

But Michael was no ordinary person either. Working as a criminal defense attorney, he had encountered all sorts of trash, and sometimes found himself drawing the knife first. Of course, those incidents remained secret from the two women he loved.

“What brings you to me?”

“First, let’s sign a confidentiality agreement.”

“Attorneys are legally obligated to maintain client confidentiality, but very well. Let’s sign it.”

“Heather, bring the contract.”

Michael carefully read the single-page contract Heather brought. He examined both sides for any fine print, then signed.

“Let me ask, just in case. Do you know what a criminal defense attorney does?”

“I know well.”

“Then you must also know what kind of people I have to meet. Are you seeking consultation? Or are you here to make a request? Either way, it weighs heavily on my mind.”

Michael had respect for the war hero and hoped he only needed consultation. So he offered advice he would never normally give.

“A hero should remain a hero. For the sake of those who live clinging to hope. This may sound demanding, but it can’t be helped. Sometimes one must forcibly accept responsibilities befitting their position.”

The job of a criminal defense attorney wasn’t to catch the worst criminals but to protect them. 

Occasionally, Michael personally caught and locked up inhuman beasts, but unless it was a special case, his main duty was negotiation and agreement between gangs and the government. Only Michael, who could move between the shadows and light, could do this job.

Eventually, Oscar answered.

“It’s a request.”

“I understand. Let’s hear it then.”

“First, I’d like some advice.”

“Please speak.”

“Do you know a man named Otto McLaren?”

“I do. Wasn’t he the former action captain of Kazispa? He’s known to have gone into hiding after being expelled from the capital due to differences with his boss.”

“There’s a painkiller circulating among veterans. It’s a small pill with purple crystals, known to be effective for war trauma.”

Oscar’s lips twisted upward.

“A subordinate I cherished died because of that drug. Besides my subordinate, there are others who have been affected by it. The military is watching this matter seriously but cannot intervene directly. Veterans are civilians, after all.”