Episode 124: Ex-Wife #6
Inside the office, a man and a woman leaned over the desk, silently reviewing documents.
Their gazes moved swiftly across the illuminated pages, and in the quiet space, only the soft rustling of paper could be heard.
“Hmm…”
Suddenly, Yohan stroked his chin and furrowed his brows. He was carefully examining the personal details of applicants who wished to join the elite unit.
“Is something wrong?”
As he let out a low hum, Elena, who had been organizing documents beside him, quietly inquired. As always, she maintained a cold, emotionless expression.
“Forming an elite unit isn’t easy.”
Yohan was devoting significant effort to establishing a new elite force within the Purification Bureau. The strength of this unit was directly tied to the survival rate of the officers, so thorough preparation was essential.
“We need a lot of people, but finding the right ones is difficult. Even if we select only first-class knights and mages, it’s a problem if they lack experience.”
Was it still too early to form an elite unit? There weren’t many warriors who met the criteria.
“But is it really necessary to form the unit so soon? Isn’t the Director here? We didn’t suffer much damage last time, after all…”
Elena asked with curiosity.
Her question was valid. With Yohan having reached the transcendental realm, why bother forming an elite unit? With a single spell, he could obliterate even high-ranking demonic beasts.
Of course, there was a reason.
“My focus is on sealing the demonic lairs. And last time, we only avoided major losses thanks to reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom.”
Yohan set the documents aside for a moment before continuing.
“The number of reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom wasn’t large, but they were on par with our public officers—perhaps even superior. The Saintess Arbella alone possessed power beyond the special class.”
The holy knights and priests themselves were formidable forces, but the Saintess was in a league of her own. With her small, delicate fists, she unleashed overwhelming destruction.
“Ah… I see.”
Elena nodded in understanding.
“I didn’t realize at the time because the Director handled sealing the demonic lairs without much trouble, but it must have been thanks to the Holy Kingdom’s support. Even when special-grade demonic beasts appeared, the Saintess took care of them immediately.”
She had been there herself and knew it firsthand. When the signal for a special-grade demonic beast appeared, the Saintess Arbella was always the first to rush in and end the situation.
“I was being short-sighted.”
“No, not really.”
Yohan chuckled lightly and leaned back in his chair.
“We’ve never deployed without the Holy Kingdom’s reinforcements before. It’s natural to think that way.”
After all, thoughts and perspectives were shaped by experience. It wasn’t that Elena was lacking in insight.
Yohan straightened up from his slightly relaxed posture.
“Anyway, that’s why I’m forming a unit specifically to deal with special-grade demonic beasts.”
Matching the strength of the Holy Kingdom’s forces would be impossible, but an elite unit would still significantly reduce casualties.
After all, it would be a dedicated team for handling the most dangerous demonic beasts.
“By the way, how are the other officers doing? It’s their first time handling this, so I imagine there are a lot of issues.”
“Ah, about that.”
Elena sifted through the documents on her desk and handed a few reports to Yohan.
“A midterm report just came in.”
“Let’s take a look.”
Yohan examined the documents, which contained details on the locations of demonic lairs spread across the Empire, along with their threat levels.
The task assigned to the other officers was to investigate these demonic lairs throughout the Empire.
Based on their findings, the team would decide which areas to prioritize for purging.
Elena added an explanation.
“The demonic lair threat levels range from the highest, ‘Special Rank,’ down to ‘First Rank’ through ‘Fifth Rank.’”
“Hmm…”
Officially, the Empire’s Second Division of Imperial Bureau, responsible for managing demonic lairs, could safely handle up to Second Rank demonic lairs.
Anything beyond that required assistance from the Bureau’s first division.
Demonic lairs ranked First and above were breeding grounds for high-ranking demonic beasts.
“I didn’t expect there to be so many high-level demonic lairs in the empire.”
“Well, the land is vast, after all.”
The empire held the largest territory on the continent. It was only natural that the number of demonic lairs would be high.
“You’re doing well.”
Yohan nodded in approval.
“But we still can’t get a proper estimate. We should put this on hold until the investigation results are complete.”
“I agree.”
He handed the reports from the military officers back to Elena and rubbed his face with his hand.
Reading through the reports gave him a lot to think about.
“There’s the investigation, forming an elite unit, an upcoming expedition… There’s just too much work.”
“The Purification Bureau was only just established, after all.”
There weren’t enough personnel to handle all the tasks. Since it was newly founded, it was also essential to structure it properly.
Even with support from the Second Division Office, that assistance only applied to expeditions.
Routine administrative work was another matter entirely.
“This is a bureaucratic nightmare…”
“Well, if we endure for now, things should get a little easier later.”
Elena gave him a small smile, offering some comfort.
She, too, disliked the heavy workload, but she carried it out with a sense of responsibility, duty, and pride.
The Purification Bureau was an institution that would save the continent.
“Let’s at least eat something first.”
“Agreed.”
Yohan stood up and grabbed his coat.
Even indoors, the air was chilly.
“What about Assistant Rudbeckia?”
“She’s currently being given a tour of the building.”
It was still early afternoon.
If she was getting a tour now, she would likely be arriving soon.
The work assignments had already been finalized in the morning.
“Let’s head to the dining hall.”
“Oh, I’ll finish this up first and join you later.”
“Take your time.”
Yohan gave her a light smile and left the office.
As he walked down the corridor toward the dining hall, he ran into Rudbeckia, who was heading toward the office.
She was gazing out the window with a faint smile.
“Assistant Rudbeckia.”
“Oh, Yoha— I mean, hello, Director.”
When Yohan called her, Rudbeckia smiled awkwardly.
Her green eyes trembled slightly, as if betraying emotions she had tried to keep hidden.
“…”
That gaze struck deep in his chest.
Yohan suddenly felt breathless.
Something within him swelled up, though he couldn’t understand why.
Whenever he looked at her, a suffocating frustration welled up inside him.
Something was on the verge of surfacing—yet it remained just out of reach.
Why did he feel such unfamiliar emotions whenever he saw Rudbeckia?
As he hesitated, unsure of what to say, Rudbeckia lifted her gaze to him.
“Are you on your way to the dining hall?”
“Yes… Would you like to join me?”
“I’d be honored.”
Rudbeckia smiled with her eyes, tilting her head slightly.
Her long golden hair cascaded over her shoulders with a soft rustle.
The two walked down the corridor together.
Sunlight streamed through the windows.
Though the late winter air was still cold, the sunlight remained warm.
Yohan asked, “It’s your first day at work. How is it so far?”
“I’m not sure yet. I just finished the building tour, after all.”
“…I see.”
Yohan cleared his throat unnecessarily and adjusted his posture.
Something about being around her always stirred complicated feelings, making the atmosphere subtly awkward.
“I hope the Purification Bureau’s mission suits you.”
“Hehe, I already like it.”
Rudbeckia chuckled softly, turning to Yohan with a smile.
Her brows curved gently in amusement.
“Just being able to work alongside you is an honor, Director.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. Simply walking beside you like this is enough to make me happy.”
Her words could have sounded like mere flattery, but she was sincere.
She was simply happy to see Yohan again.
And to be by his side once more felt like a blessing.
And so, she was satisfied that she could rebuild a relationship that had gone astray from the start.
“That’s… a relief.”
“It certainly is.”
Rudbeckia smiled softly.
Feeling awkward for no reason, Yohan simply stared straight ahead. It was a typical remark for newcomers, but there was something different about the way she said it.
As they walked in that uncomfortable silence, they soon arrived at the dining hall on the first floor of the Purification Bureau.
The meals were determined based on the ingredients available that day. After placing their order, the staff would bring the food to them.
Before the meal arrived, an awkward silence settled between them once more.
Looking around the dining hall, Rudbeckia clasped her fingers together and smiled.
“The menu includes salmon meunière, which is one of your favorite dishes, Director.”
“Hmm…?”
Yohan blinked slowly. Had he ever mentioned that he frequently ate salmon? He was sure he hadn’t.
This was their first time dining together.
They hadn’t even talked much.
He had no idea how she knew.
Of course, people like Elena, Eris, and his lover—who had shared many meals with him—knew about his preference.
But Rudbeckia had just started working today. She hadn’t even met Eris yet.
Had Elena told her?
Yohan quietly called her name.
“Secretary Rudbeckia?”
“Yes?”
“…How did you know that I like salmon?”
“Oh.”
Rudbeckia’s face stiffened abruptly. Her gaze shifted slightly to the side.
“I-I heard it from Secretary Elena…!”
“I see…?”
Yohan stared at her blankly. Something felt off. It didn’t seem like she had heard it from someone—she spoke as if she knew him well.
Almost as if… she had known him for a long time.
‘…Am I just overthinking it?’
The strange feeling didn’t quite go away, but Yohan shook his head and brushed aside his thoughts.
In the lingering awkward and heavy atmosphere, they quietly waited for the food to arrive.
***
The tense meal finally came to an end.
Back in her office, Rudbeckia let out a quiet sigh.
‘I almost slipped up because it felt too natural…’
Because she loved Yohan so much, she instinctively remembered his preferences.
He liked fish. Among them, he particularly enjoyed salmon for its soft texture and clean taste.
Having spent so much time with him, Rudbeckia knew this all too well.
Freeche, being famous for its fishing industry, had always provided Yohan with fresh seafood.
As a result, Rudbeckia, who originally preferred salads, had also grown accustomed to eating fish.
Perhaps that was why?
The moment she saw salmon meunière, she instinctively mentioned it without thinking.
‘…I have to be careful.’
Raising suspicions wouldn’t do her any good. It would only make him more wary of her.
Unlike before, if she wanted Yohan’s love, she had to approach him slowly.
‘Step by step, just like climbing stairs.’
There was no need to be impatient. No need to rush.
This time, Yohan wasn’t going anywhere.
Clenching her fist in determination, Rudbeckia’s eyes burned with resolve.
This time, she would truly win his love.
She had been given another chance, after all.