Chapter 73: Old Friends and New Threats

The carriage rolled through one street after another, finally stopping at the entrance of the Purburg Station Mansion.

Yuli blinked, staring out with a puzzled expression.

Outside, a large crowd stood in a chaotic cluster before the mansion. She frowned, confused.

These people…

Too far away, and the lighting was dim—she couldn’t quite make out what was happening. Taking Fran’s hand, she prepared to get off.

“Come on, we’re home.”

Fran nodded, following her out of the carriage. He matched her pace as they walked toward the mansion entrance. The scene was utter chaos—the mansion staff were negotiating with the group of outsiders. As Yuli drew closer, a familiar face came into view.

“Kate Cillin?”

Yuli exclaimed in surprise, her voice tinged with excitement. The blue-haired girl with a braid, called Kate Cillin, turned around.

“Yuli!” she cried out joyfully upon seeing her.

“How come it’s you? What are you doing here?”

Yuli rushed forward and hugged the girl. They laughed and spun in a circle. The blue-haired girl looked up, grinning. “I’ve been waiting for you! I’m terrible with words and couldn’t explain things to your people—wasted over ten minutes!”

“Huh?” Yuli scratched her head, finally remembering the crucial point. She let go and asked her old friend, “So… how did you get here?”

“Pfft, it’s because of you! You wrote to headquarters asking for help from our old tank battalion brothers. The leader checked the roster and arranged for me to bring the team. I was already training at the naval base, but now I’m back to be Miss Yuli’s bodyguard again~”

The girl’s tone carried a hint of complaint, but her mood was cheerful. Well… who would turn down a chance to work peacefully with an old friend, just to go fight across the ocean against the Bretons?

Yuli blinked in astonishment, pointing at her. “So that means… you, and…”

She turned to look at the others the girl had brought. All dozen or so people standing at the door were faces she recognized. They smiled and greeted her, each shouting, “Hello, Battalion Commander!”

This…

These were all her old brothers from the tank battalion!

Great!

Yuli spun around excitedly. “So, you’re all staying here to work with me?”

“Of course!” Kate patted Yuli’s back happily. “Don’t worry, they’re all good brothers, trustworthy people!”

“Great, great, great…” Yuli couldn’t stop nodding. Kate waved her hand and lightly tapped her chest, laughing.

“No need to be formal with me. So, how’s life in Purburg? Now that I’m here, Miss Yuli, shouldn’t you give me an official position? Hmm… let me think… How about I be your secretary? Same as before, assisting you!”

“Well… uh… that might not work.”

Yuli shook her head awkwardly. Ah…

It did seem like she should make Kate her deputy, but…

Sorry, you’re too late. The spot’s taken.

Oh dear…

Yuli suddenly remembered she had left Fran behind. She turned to see him standing helplessly nearby, his big watery eyes staring at her innocently, occasionally glancing at the blue-haired girl beside her.

As if to say, “Who is she? What’s your relationship with her? Boohoo…”

She didn’t want to be mistaken for a cheating woman!

Yuli quickly went over to Fran, patted his head, and whispered in his ear, “She’s a friend, an old friend. Sorry, I got too excited. Don’t be upset, okay? Let me introduce you.”

Fran obediently nodded, suppressing his emotions, and followed Yuli.

Emotions?

What emotions?

Fran smirked imperceptibly behind Yuli. Did that silly woman think he was jealous?

Not to mention that he had only been getting close to her and maintaining this ambiguous relationship for his undercover mission—he didn’t care about her actions at all!

Even if he truly liked Yuli, this situation wasn’t worth getting upset over, right?

Tch, it’s not like she hugged another man. Girls hugging each other, how…

Wait, what?

Fran’s eyes sharpened. He studied the blue-haired girl’s appearance, then thought about Yuli’s strange preferences…

Sigh—

Threat level rising!

Fran perked up, silently bracing himself against this “dangerous” enemy.

“Ahem, Kate, let me introduce you. This is my current personal secretary, Fran. He’s a cute boy~” Yuli pulled Fran in front of Kate, patted his head, and introduced him to her friend.

“Oh ho?” Kate smirked at Yuli, then leaned in close to examine Fran.

The way she looked at him like a precious antique in a museum made Fran extremely uncomfortable. He could even feel her breath.

After a long moment, Kate straightened up with a sly grin, her eyes meeting Yuli’s.

She said nothing, yet said everything.

“Wha… what? Don’t look at me with that pervy expression! There’s nothing between us like you think…”

Yuli blushed and turned away, practically admitting guilt.

Kate couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Pfft, hahaha! Sister Yuli, you’re living the good life in Purburg, huh? Found your little treasure again, didn’t you? Got him right in your grasp, huh? Nice!”

Yuli pouted in annoyance. “What are you talking about? Don’t be ridiculous!” she said, turning away shyly. After a moment, feeling too embarrassed, she quickly changed the subject and introduced the girl to Fran.

“Fran, this is Kate Cillin. She was my deputy in the tank battalion. This time, headquarters transferred her here to… well, still assist me!”

After the introduction, Kate generously extended her hand to Fran. “Hello there, little secretary! Your ‘husband’ and I used to ride in the same tank. Please take good care of me~”

Why did that sound so catty?

But the girl before him appeared valiant and spirited, somewhat like Yuli—a tomboy who could get along with her.

Fran reluctantly shook her hand. Meanwhile, Yuli slapped Kate in annoyance. “Don’t talk nonsense! What ‘husband’? You’ll scare Fran!”

“What? Your ‘wife’ looks unflappable. Good, suits a secretary. As for me… I’ll stick to being a bodyguard.”

Kate seemed to have a very reasonable self-assessment.

Fran pouted unhappily and stared at Yuli with resentment.

Stare—

Yuli panicked and quickly waved her hands, then hugged Fran.

“Don’t be mad, don’t be mad…”

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