Chapter 39 – Winning People (2)

Natasha McGrain, raised by the hands of plunderers and had her life saved by Herman Melville.

Having pursued various studies and training in parallel to repay that debt of gratitude, she had before she knew it become a spy called first-rate.

Following Herman Melville’s orders, she had assassinated key figures, escorted them, won them over, and sometimes tempted them.

Having already been active as a spy for three years, she was someone who had perfectly executed a total of nine large and small missions.

To such a Natasha, this mission felt all too easy.

‘Aylen Vale… nineteen years old?’

Because the target of the mission written on the document was a yellow-bander who was only nineteen, two years younger than her.

Of course, age did not represent a person.

Since Natasha herself, who was counted as the most outstanding spy in the organization right now, was only twenty-four.

However, in her previous nine missions, Natasha had dealt with sly politicians and businessmen.

Both absolutely and relatively, this mission was bound to feel easy.

‘Still, I must not let my guard down. I do not know what variables might arise.’

This did not mean that her mindset toward the mission was light, however.

Since taking the hand Herman Melville held out, Natasha had resolved to devote her life to him.

She merely had the thought, ‘This task will be a bit easy.’

‘Top scorer of the qualification exam, and the legitimate son of Demian Vale.’

‘Aylen Vale, the legitimate son of Demian Vale, who took top honors in the qualification exam at nineteen.’

Those were the three special notes to remember, and there was also a detailed description of him as a scoundrel.

That alone was certainly astonishing content.

However, when examining the document, Natasha did not take it seriously.

Because those three things were ultimately limited to ‘magic engineering.’

She was someone who dealt with ‘humans,’ not magic engineers.

But the problem was the content that was not written in the document.

Such were the words Herman Melville had spoken when facing Natasha.

-He is an extraordinary fellow.

-Indeed. Since he took top marks at that age.

-I am not talking about his talent in magic engineering. If my guess is correct, the fellow has no interest in magic engineering.

-Then…?

-The fellow wants to become a leader. The hidden intention and logic behind his words were exactly those of powerful rulers. He looked as if he was born with such a destiny… but perhaps he created it with his own hands. It is an experience that cannot be possessed at that age.

-…!

Natasha could not understand.

That Herman Melville, who was outstanding enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Odin, would say such things about a mere nineteen-year-old greenhorn.

It was a review that had never been given to any leader, nor the second-in-command of the third ember, nor the businessman of the second ember active across the entire continent who had been the targets of her missions.

It was truly high praise.

However, Natasha did not ask back.

-Natasha.

-Yes, Dean.

-Escorting him is also important, but if possible, stay close to him. In my entire life, there has been no one as coveted as him. We must bring him to our side. Can you do it?

-Of course.

Tempting the opposite sex was something she had already done a lot, and it was a task she was confident in.

Because Natasha knew very well how much her appearance excited men.

It was also funny that something worthless, which was merely an outer shell, was more valuable than anything else in the world at times like this.

However, Herman Melville’s next order had a completely different texture from his previous orders.

-It is not a matter to be answered so easily. This is not unrelated to your life ahead either.

-…?

-I mean, marry Aylen Vale. Of course, he is a fairly decent guy. Decent enough to bet your future on.

-…!

Marriage. Although it wouldn’t mean love, Natasha felt as if she had been hit on the head with a hammer.

To do that, she would have to follow Aylen’s ember, which meant her range of activities as a spy on the front lines would be limited.

Also, she could not understand whether Aylen Vale was worth going to such lengths for.

Above all, she had a burning desire to assist Herman Melville by his side for her entire life.

However.

-If that is the Dean’s will… I understand. Sacrifice for the grand cause is something I have been prepared for since the moment I first met you.

Natasha accepted all of that in her heart.

Because there was always a reasonable basis for Herman Melville’s orders.

-Sigh… How can such a clever kid be so dense in these matters? Anyway, take care of yourself.

Although she did not quite understand the Dean’s final words, Natasha thought he was pointing out her own shortcomings.

Having thus prepared thoroughly with clothes that emphasized her figure and perfume that stimulated hormones, Natasha finally faced Aylen Vale.

‘His talent in magic engineering was truly nothing. How can a person be like this…’

She finally understood why the Dean had issued such an order.

Aylen showed no reaction.

Even if their skin touched under the pretext of being tailed, or a coquettish voice tickled his ears, he remained expressionless from beginning to end in the face of any temptation.

However, that was merely a glimpse of Aylen Vale as a human being.

‘Wasn’t this his first time leaving his ember? There is no way the intelligence was wrong.’

Aylen’s origin was a common, nameless ember.

The population was a mere thousand, literally a countryside level that was less than a tenth of a small city.

He, who must have never engaged in a high-level game of wits.

-Since when was the tail on us?

-Their number?

-The way to escape?

He knew a tail was attached from the start.

Seeing how he naturally responded to the single remark she threw, it was clearly the case.

But the most surprising thing was the fact that he fell behind not a single bit in acting and adaptability compared to her, who had three years of experience as a spy.

‘This man must be captured. Even if I have to sacrifice my life…!’

The Dean’s expression describing Aylen as sly was by no means an exaggeration.

He was already completed as a human being at the age of nineteen.

To the extent that she even thought the Dean might be considering him as a successor.

‘But… how should I approach him? Nothing has worked.’

But Natasha was confused.

How on earth was she to tempt this man who was bizarrely uninterested in her?

Moreover, those who saw the big picture like Herman Melville, who lived solely for the completion of the great task, were mostly unshaken by any temptation.

For instance, the captain of the Ember of Progress, which was the third ember that Natasha had handled, was like that.

‘For such people, there is no choice but to prove with ability. If I do not show usefulness, he won’t even spare me a glance.’

Thus, as soon as she entered the lodging, Natasha thoroughly checked security and did her best in her role as a spy, such as delivering essential information to him.

Because that was the only way to complete the orders of the Dean, whom she followed like a father.

And that seemed to be quite successful. Since Aylen listened intently to Natasha’s words while nodding continuously.

-The Dean’s contribution was very great in the Immortal Embers rising to become the first ember.

Not to mention staying close to his side, she had also secretly said such words in the thought that she might be able to win him over.

While expressing Heimdall’s regrettable past history and Herman Melville’s ability like that, she was sensing the completion of the mission.

“I see no reason why I should help Lord Heimdall. I think it would rather be better to align with the older brothers and sisters who have backing and plan the future.”

“…!”

Aylen merely replied in an emotionless voice, as if such pitiful circumstances were none of his business.

Perhaps it was natural.

Because there was no reason for him, who had intentions to become a leader, to hold onto Heimdall, who was a rotten rope.

The reason Herman Melville supported Heimdall was that even if he was only half, he was of Odin’s bloodline and possessed the minimum qualifications to inherit the Immortal Embers.

The capability as a leader he showed in his childhood was a decisive reason.

However, that flashing talent was known only to Herman Melville.

“I do not care who becomes the master of the Immortal Embers. To prepare for the future, it would be better for me if an incompetent person sits in that position. For I will also become a leader.”

Naturally, those reasons did not serve as reasons for Aylen to help the Dean and Heimdall.

Rather than making Heimdall a leader, he could just become the leader himself.

According to Herman Melville, Aylen was someone who possessed enough capability and ambition for that.

To bring such a person to their side, they had to propose some other condition.

“I won’t ask for complete cooperation. Just do not become our enemy for now.”

“Is that a threat or a request?”

“…I heard that Lord Demian Vale is having a hard time due to the golem development case. Our side will definitely support that.”

“I understand you came out to do that in the first place, though.”

“We can choose not to do so even now.”

“Then do as you wish. Since there is no obstacle to solving the problem even with the gold coins I have.”

“I know you do not truly think so. Lord Demian’s standing will narrow to an irreversible level.”

“You are under some misunderstanding. As you said, that is my father Demian Vale’s business, not mine.”

“…?”

“Rather, it is a good thing for me. If my father’s standing shrinks, it will be much easier for me to become the Head of the Magic Engineering Department.”

“…!”

If it worked, great; if not, so be it.

Despite his family being involved, his way of thinking was chillingly cold.

She felt she understood why Herman Melville had said, regarding Aylen, that the basis and logic of his words were similar to those of a ruler.

‘I expected it wouldn’t be easy, but to think it would be to this extent.’

Sure enough, he did not get pushed back in speech.

She had to put forth something bigger.

“We will support not only the procurement of materials but also the blueprints of the golem. A reliable one designed by the Dean himself.”

In that sense, the golem blueprint was worth that much. More so in that Herman Melville had designed it himself.

It was also the maximum item she, who worked directly under the Dean, could offer.

“Blueprints… You are willing to give even such a thing? Do I have that much value? It is hard to believe.”

‘It worked!’

Indeed, whether he knew its value, there was a reaction this time.

Cheering inwardly, Natasha did not miss this opportunity, like an experienced spy.

“I came here by the order of Lord Herman Melville, the Dean of Mechanical Magic Engineering. For negotiation. Wouldn’t it be impossible for someone like me to come without that much bargaining power?”

She elevated the value of the item by mentioning his name and title.

However, paradoxically, the golem blueprints were valuable yet valueless.

Because only an upper-intermediate magic engineer could design it, and its manufacturing also required a technician of that caliber, so even the Immortal Embers only held the blueprints and could not dare to produce it—that was what a golem was.

It would be fortunate if they could apply the component structure of the drawings to make a magic engineering prosthetic limb.

Or it would be wise to sell it to another ember.

“As the top magic engineer, you must know its value better than I do. Even if you exchange it for money, you will be able to receive at least a thousand gold coins.”

Of course, she did not bother to reveal the fact that it was under the assumption of finding the right owner.

“I am proposing this because I think Lord Aylen has the value of a thousand gold coins. Simply on the condition of not becoming our enemy.”

Like that, Natasha flattered Aylen so he would not think deeply about the blueprints.

But there was no telling.

The legitimate son of Demian Vale, the next great magic engineer, and a magic engineer who himself possessed mysterious talent.

But since nothing of his future was guaranteed right now, what did the Dean see in him that made him tell her to recruit him at all costs?

‘He seemed to say there is some quality, but what on earth is that quality…’

Curiosity arose, but Natasha stopped thinking.

Because Herman Melville’s choice was never wrong, and she only needed to execute the order to prove it was correct.

It was the moment when she thought Aylen was completely won over.

“So, to summarize Ms. Natasha’s words… is it correct that I am someone who must be held onto, even if it means giving such an item?”

Something was strange.

His faint smile, along with his tone full of confidence that she had walked into a trap, was peculiar.

“One could say so, but…”

However, by the time she felt that things had gone wrong, it was already too late.

Because words were like water; once spilled, they could not be gathered back.

“Forget the blueprints. Since they are useless to me. Give me something else instead.”

“Pardon? What kind of…”

Like that, along with the slowly rising anxiety, the initiative she thought she had fully captured had shifted to him before she knew it.

“I want you.”

“…!”

“Natasha McGrain, I want to have you.”

Having spilled all the water she held due to Aylen’s subtle induction, she could say nothing.

The words Natasha had spilled returned to her, contained not on the floor, but in his voice.