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Join the Server“You have a lot of secrets.”
“Don’t all charming women?”
Faced with Masaki Hinaki’s suggestive smile, Ephnel twitched the corner of her mouth.
She sighed and tossed the folder down.
“Let’s not bring up my past anymore…”
It was true that Ephnel had hidden many things.
Although some had gradually been revealed, there were still many suspicious points she had never mentioned to anyone.
Even with Masaki Hinaki, Ephnel didn’t like to talk much about herself.
She changed the subject.
“Anyway, I’m the Acting Group Leader of ‘Group Three.’ So, what do I need to do?”
“Nothing at all.”
Masaki Hinaki leaned back on the sofa with her arms crossed.
Her answer surprised Ephnel.
“Nothing at all?”
“Mhm, you just need to enjoy the power this position brings you. Whether it’s funds, manpower, or authority, you can use them as you like. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this feeling.”
“Is this really… not a money-laundering tool?”
“Hey!”
Masaki Hinaki shot Ephnel a glare.
“Don’t you go twisting someone else’s hard work! I put a lot of effort into getting ‘Group Three’ off the ground, you know!”
“How on earth did the Human Federation approve the establishment of such a reckless ‘department’…”
“That’s also a ‘secret’!”
“Ah, forget it… a wasted question.”
Ephnel didn’t want to dwell on this issue any longer.
She pursed her lips and steered the conversation back.
“So this is the second matter?”
Masaki Hinaki nodded.
Ephnel sighed lightly, taking it as a silent agreement.
“Fine.”
Masaki Hinaki smiled and didn’t say much more.
She wasn’t at all surprised by Ephnel’s current reaction.
From the very beginning, Ephnel had been this kind of person: very gentle, but also very decisive.
Although there were times when she was troubled by her thoughts and would hesitate, she would also display extremely strong initiative after making a decision.
Most importantly, Ephnel possessed a strong, resilient, and warm heart, with the strength to face and examine things squarely.
That was why she had chosen Ephnel as the executor of “Group Three.”
“Oh, right. The existence of ‘Group Three’ is still a high-level secret for now. Perhaps the commander who comes here later will know about it, or perhaps not. You can also choose whether to make it public or not. But in any case, Ephnel, just do as you see fit. You have that authority.”
Masaki Hinaki added.
“However, Group Three still has one problem to solve—as an independent department with integrated intelligence and combat functions, the newly established Group Three is severely short on manpower. Yonomori Nami is in charge of intelligence and internal affairs management, Nishizaki Yuki is in charge of medical and related research departments, but for Agent combat strength, there’s only you.”
“You didn’t invite other Agents?”
“No… It’s not that I don’t trust them, but right now there’s no way to include them in the group as well. It can’t be helped—because the existence of Agents involves a complex network, intervening in it would cause a lot of trouble. Just getting you into ‘Group Three’ already took all my effort, so other Agents can’t be brought in for the time being. Oh, right, we can put little Yukina into ‘Group Three’ now, because she’s a complete rookie and doesn’t have an identity record in the ‘Agent Network,’ so just her won’t be a problem.”
Ephnel looked at her little sister, who had been sitting beside her without a word.
Before Ephnel or Yukina could say anything, Masaki Hinaki added, “By the way, if Yukina is placed under your command system, then when the organization gives her a mission, you have absolute authority to reject the order without facing any consequences. Simply put, because your command over your group members takes precedence over other orders, Yukina only needs to listen to your instructions. So you can use this convenience as a protective umbrella for Yukina… In addition, Yukina’s file will also be moved to the group, and people without high enough clearance won’t have any possibility of viewing it over your head.”
Ephnel frowned slightly.
The suggestion Masaki Hinaki gave sounded as if it were tailor-made for Ephnel, but precisely because of this, Ephnel hesitated.
She never believed that good things would fall into her lap for no reason.
“Naoko, can I join?”
At this moment, Yukina, who had been silent, suddenly spoke softly.
Ephnel’s gaze met her clear eyes.
“I want to be with Naoko, no matter where we go… so I want to join too. Can I?”
Ephnel pursed her lips, not giving her own opinion, but instead looking at Masaki Hinaki.
“Can I trust you?”
“You can.”
Masaki Hinaki nodded, her gaze more serious than ever before.
“I swear on my life.”
“Alright then, let Yukina join too.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“After all, you’ve placed enough trust in me too, haven’t you?”
The members of Group Three were all “trustworthy” people.
In other words, Masaki Hinaki had placed Ephnel in such a position.
Masaki Hinaki gave a faint smile and looked at Yukina.
“Little Yukina, welcome to ‘Group Three’.”
“Please take care of me…”
“Alright.”
Masaki Hinaki paused, then continued speaking to Ephnel.
“Then, after I return to the central province, I will start working on increasing the enlistment quota for Group Three. So before that, I hope you, Ephnel, can gather and provide some candidates you trust. People like Yonomori Nami who can be completely trusted, or talented individuals you have your eye on who are capable and valuable, you can have them join ‘Group Three’ and be placed under your command.”
“I don’t have any experience in personnel management…”
“Relax, it’s not that troublesome. Specific matters can be handed over to Yonomori Nami. You just need to recommend candidates. For example, if there’s a suitable person among your friends, as long as they are trustworthy, you can recommend them to Yonomori. Or, if there are talented people you’re interested in from other fields, you can also mention them to Yonomori. She will be responsible for contacting and investigating them to confirm if they are suitable.”
“Friends…”
Ephnel lowered her gaze slightly.
She didn’t have many friends.
Or rather, she had long since taken the initiative to completely cut ties with the self known as “Yanase Naoto.”
After leaving university, she had changed her address, changed her number, and lived with a new identity.
If there was anyone who still had a “connection” with Ephnel after that, then there was only one person—Futaba Eri.
That girl, who in her memory was a bit stubborn, even a bit difficult.
She had just seen her near the hospital a few days ago.
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