Codename Vestia #Chapter 39 - Read Codename Vestia Chapter 39 Online - All Page

Chapter 39

“Eight people.”

Tora spoke abruptly.

“That’s the number of Ituhas who entered Legion with Rato. Every single one of them came back alive. How do you think that’s even possible?”

The Ituhas standing behind him looked almost solemn, their expressions subdued.

“That idiot must have tried to play the hero all by himself again,” Tora said harshly.

“The last time I heard from Rato, he said this.”

“‘Marti will soon be free.’”

“I thought it was just his usual hopeful talk, something he always said. But that fool… he went and tried to handle it all on his own.”

“……”

When Jain said nothing, Tora stretched out a hand, as if to prompt her to think it through.

“And here’s what I think. Did MCTC really not know? About Rato and Legion meeting up? Or could it be that they used Rato as bait to dig up something? After all, if you’re going after the leader of the Ituhas, you’re fishing for a pretty big catch.”

Tora’s tone suggested that even if it were true, it wouldn’t surprise him much.

And though neither of them voiced it, they both knew the truth: there were two leaders of the Ituhas. From MCTC’s perspective, losing one of them in an unexpected accident wouldn’t be a huge loss.

Tora’s cold gaze showed that he was fully aware of this fact.

“The truth is, Ituhas are mercenaries a disposable card to use and toss away.”

After a brief silence, Jain spoke.

“So, all this time, the image you’ve shown us has been an act.”

“That’s not true,” someone interjected quickly. It was one of the Ituhas, speaking up without hesitation. Another followed immediately, refusing to back down.

“Not true at all.”

“As if we’d ever let it be.”

“Shut up.”

Tora cut them off, then stepped forward toward Jain.

“Sorry, but I’m going to have to search you.”

Behind him, the Ituhas murmured among themselves.

“The leader doesn’t have to handle the search personally, you know.”

“But he’s always the first to step up for this kind of thing.”

Tora rolled his eyes. Turning back to Jain, he asked, “Want me to let someone else do it?”

Jain pressed her lips together tightly before replying, “Go ahead.”

Tora slid his hand into Jain’s jacket. As his hand moved toward her waist, Jain twisted her body.

“Wait, that tickles.”

For someone so rigid she could put a birch tree to shame, the sound of her squirming and reacting was quite provocative. But Tora knew better this was all part of the plan.

He was fully aware it was a ploy, yet he couldn’t stop himself from lingering on her slender waist that fit perfectly in his hand. It wasn’t until Jain’s expression changed, her gaze sharpening like a chameleon shifting colors, that he realized something was amiss. By the time she wrapped her arm around his neck, he hadn’t even reacted.

“Don’t move a finger,” she said.

From behind, Jain’s piercing gaze gleamed as her hand moved to press the syringe she had plunged into Tora’s neck.

“Leader, you knew, didn’t you?”

The Ituhas commented in tones of utter disbelief.

“That’s definitely the face of someone who knew… and still got caught.”

Tora spoke, his head tilted to the side.

“Hey, sorry, but I could push you away with force, you know.”

“Then go ahead and try.”

Overpowering her physically wouldn’t have been difficult, but doing so would mean losing any chance of gaining Jain’s trust. Not that she trusted him now, but she certainly would even less afterward.

“Lieutenant, I think you’re misunderstanding something,” Tora said.

“I have no intention of breaking my contract with the government. Sure, they’re wary that we might defect to Legion, but if I sided with the bad guys, Marti would probably beat my legs black and blue.”

Jain looked at him with a face that resembled someone spotting a centipede.

“Getting scolded by ‘Mama’ is your reason?”

“I just want to find Rato,” he said, his tone serious.

When Jain didn’t budge, Tora added in a skeptical voice, “And if Rato dies while we’re wasting time like this, I’d have every reason to break the contract with the government.”

Finally, Jain withdrew the syringe. Tora turned away, rubbing his neck. Jain tossed a nearby towel toward him, presumably to wipe off the blood.

“I can’t make this decision on my own.”

“I understand. Let me speak to your superior.”

The Ituhas murmured quietly among themselves.

“Looks like the boss has a bit of charisma after all.”

“Living long enough, you really see everything.”

Jain, unable to hold back, snapped, “Are the Ituhas a comedy troupe?”

It didn’t seem like this was the first time she’d heard such a comment. Tora simply shrugged.

“People say that a lot. But honestly, it’s a bit of a squad thing. Everyone in Rato’s squad, for instance, seems like they’ve overdosed on seriousness.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Jain retorted sarcastically.

On the screen, the SAU director remained silent.

“[…….]”

Tora smiled faintly. “So, does this mean we’ve reached an agreement?”

The SAU director sighed heavily.

“[On behalf of the military, I extend our apologies. We only took such extreme measures out of concern for safety and security….]”

Tora raised his hand to stop him.

“I’m not here to listen to apologies. Now that we’re working together, I’m asking you to extend a bit more trust.”

Looking directly at the director, Tora said firmly, “The Ituhas do not betray.”

Ituhas do not betray.

That phrase was famous in their circles. Though mercenaries, once the Ituhas joined hands with someone, they never abandoned their comrades, turned their backs, or ran away. They upheld loyalty, even at the cost of their own lives.

This was why, despite being mercenaries, the Ituhas were highly regarded.

“As it stands, we’ve entrusted Patroness’s safety to the military. Not as a hostage because that would really piss us off but as a gesture of trust. If we’ve gone this far to show faith, don’t you think you owe us at least a little in return?”

Countless headlines about the Ituha began circulating.

The Ituha were strictly involved in military operations, remaining largely unknown to civilians. They neither sought honor nor the world’s recognition. On the contrary, they avoided public attention at all costs, primarily to keep their homeland, the Satadi Island, hidden.

Their position bore similarities to the Peshmerga (the military forces of the Kurdish Autonomous Region), which had once contributed to defeating the Islamic terrorist group IS. However, Ituha’s objectives differed in that they were not pursuing independence but solely the elimination of the Grand Duke.

In reality, Satadi Island, Ituha’s base, had a population smaller than a single administrative district and was continually declining. This was an inevitable outcome given the island’s isolated environment. The government had long proposed opening Satadi Island, but the Satadi Tribe had steadfastly refused.

Their refusal was backed by Ituha, a military force whose power and influence could not be ignored. Consequently, the government couldn’t simply impose its will.

‘I used to think their insistence on secrecy was just about preserving their way of life.’

But looking back, it seemed more likely they were trying to hide Gamal.

Even MCTC was kept in the dark about Gamal’s existence. Without realizing it, MCTC had effectively acted as a shield against the outside world, enabling Gamal to remain hidden until now.

In hindsight, Tora’s lighthearted demeanor might have muddled the situation, and even the director of SAU seemed to decide it wasn’t worth scrutinizing further.

***

“[Understood. Lieutenant Summer will then return….]”

“I’d prefer the Lieutenant to assist me instead,” Tora interjected smoothly.