Chapter 16 - Sweet Traces Part 16: Do You Regret Marrying Her?

In the command room, Luciano wore his headset, ensuring that no one could overhear Filia's voice. After glancing at the surveillance footage, he noted that our forces had yet to engage with the beastly army, granting him a bit more time."What do you wish to say?""Uh, Commander, I'm so sorry!" Filia replied while running, her superior physical condition allowing her breath to remain relatively steady.Her apology was, in essence, an acknowledgment of her own mistakes."There's no need to apologize to me; I only require my soldiers to follow orders.""Heh, fine! I promise I'll obey your commands this time," Filia said, eager to continue the conversation."Commander, may I ask you a personal question?"Without a moment's hesitation, Luciano coldly replied with two words, "You may not.""Oh! Commander, are you as stern with your wife when you are together?"Luciano: "...""Commander? Are you still there? Hello? Hello?"Luciano: "...""Why are you so silent? Commander..."Filia's words were abruptly halted as she gestured for her team to stop, having spotted the squad of beasts escorting the defecting engineer toward the teleportation gate."We're very close now. As I instructed, take down those two large ones first. I will handle the sorcerers. Remember, teamwork is key to our victory. Understood?"Calmly executing her strategy, Filia received nods of acknowledgment from her comrades."Move out."With that command, Team Five, under the cover of their squad's mage, activated their invisibility spells and swiftly advanced toward the enemy.Filia had forgotten to turn off her headset microphone, and everything she said was being heard by Luciano.In the brief span of just a few minutes, she once again revealed herself to Luciano. This girl not only possessed great skill but also demonstrated astute intellect; while others might rely on brute force, she fought with wisdom.Though a bit stubborn and rebellious, these traits were inconsequential. Perhaps, in future decisive battles, she might rise to prominence and become a new generation of heroes.As he watched Team Five successfully annihilate the enemy and return safely with the defecting engineer, Luciano looked at Filia for the first time through a lens of admiration.Meanwhile, the forces of the Star Alliance, having deployed part of their main troops, accomplished their mission successfully.Once all battles had ceased, Luciano removed his headset.General Ning, the army's chief commander, clapped Luciano on the shoulder."Lucho, this girl named Athena is truly impressive. Teach her well; she will make a name for herself.""Indeed, her individual capabilities are exceptional, and her teamwork is commendable." Rarely did Luciano praise anyone and his words left the others in the command room in stunned amazement."Ha ha ha! Do you regret it? Did you marry too early? I've always said you should find someone in the forces; you must have missed out on such an excellent girl!" General Ning, being of an older generation, was one of the few in the Star Alliance's military who dared to speak so to Luciano.Luciano's right hand instinctively brushed against the ring on his left hand's ring finger, and he looked down with a scoff."I don't regret it; my wife is quite wonderful. She's sweet and adorable, and her cooking is delightful. Once the battles are over, you must come to my place and sample her culinary skills."In that moment, a light sparkled in Luciano's eyes, revealing a soft side that General Ning had never seen before in the typically stoic man."Ha ha! Sounds good! By the way, Lucho, tonight the members of the Ruby family will be aboard the Zeus for a visit, and the young lady will be coming as well. You'll have to manage that," General Ning hinted.Luciano sighed, the warmth in his eyes suddenly turning cold. "It's nothing; I'm already married, and I'm capable of handling it.""That's good to hear," General Ning concluded, rising to leave.Luciano turned his attention back to the surveillance monitor, once again observing Athena as she withdrew. He pondered the necessity of enlarging this young lady's network."David, for tomorrow's Ruby family banquet, notify Brook and Athena to attend.""Understood, Commander." Upon receiving the order, David hesitated, leaning in closer to Luciano."Commander, the young lady's presence this time might..."Throughout the upper echelons of the Star Alliance, it was common knowledge that the eldest daughter of the Blood Clan's Ruby family, Lorsey, held affection for Luciano. The Ruby family was the largest military-industrial conglomerate in the Star Alliance, with a portion of Zeus' manufacturing attributed to them.Therefore, even the president himself was careful to maintain favorable relations with the Ruby family, and as the Air Force commander, Luciano was particularly pressured not to alienate their young lady.This just deepened Luciano's resentment; how he wished Vivi were by his side right now.After a deep breath, Luciano stood up and donned his hat."There's nothing to fear; we must face it. Let's go."Just as the soldiers returning from their mission arrived back at the Zeus, a crimson ship docked in the landing area.Resembling the Moonlight ship but slightly smaller, the vessel emitted a dark red glow, akin to a blood moon."Whose ship is that?" Filia casually inquired.Cole, who had been following her, quickly answered her question."That belongs to the Ruby family, specifically the young lady Lorsey. Quite striking, isn't it?""It looks quite similar to the Moonlight," Filia remarked."Not just similar! They were designed by the same architect. The Moonlight came first, while the young lady had the designer create an identical model, a couple's version, to pursue the commander," Cole explained."Ah? What does that mean?" Filia, slightly bewildered."You didn't know? The young lady has been chasing the commander for years—using all sorts of tactics, from intimidation to playing the victim. Unfortunately, our commander is a werewolf, and werewolves rarely marry pureblood vampires. Nonetheless, she hasn't given up and is here once again.""But the commander is already married!" Filia was teetering on the edge of anger."True, he is married, but given the young lady's tenacious nature, she likely won't relent even with the commander's marriage," Cole shrugged."Darn it!" Filia shot a glare at the ship, cursing under her breath.Yet, just as she was about to board the elevator to the -3 level, she caught sight of a tall figure clad in a white military uniform, striding toward the red vessel.