M 59

“Well, I suppose someone who boldly violated international conventions wouldn’t care about rank insignia.”

“…You’re accusing me without evidence.”

“Well, let’s reveal that in court. The report’s already been submitted.”

“Do you think that will change anything?”

Military trials are different from ordinary ones. There are no judges, prosecutors, or defense attorneys. Only the accused and the jury, who hold the power to deliver a verdict. These jurors—comprised of senior officers and military elders—are the arbiters and the law itself. Their decisions could be as whimsical as sentencing people to death out of annoyance or sparing lives when cajoled by favors. It was nothing more than setting up a toy in the center of a circular arena-like courtroom and mocking it according to their daily moods. The process wasn’t disclosed externally, nor was it recorded under the pretext of security, so the solemnity or dignity that ordinary people vaguely expect couldn’t be found even if one looked for it.

Of course, for cases with big repercussions like Kim Seok-cheol’s, even the jurors would act cautiously. However, all negotiations and settlements take place outside the courtroom. Originally, those in high ranks could always govern their subordinates. Without needing permission from above, Ki Tae-jeong could have filed a complaint against Kim Seok-cheol long ago. The reason he had silently waited until now was that he lacked a pretext to convince the jurors to sweep away Kim Seok-cheol, his family, and everyone involved.

“At worst, I’ll end up with a pay cut or suspension for a few months.”

Kim Seok-cheol awkwardly smiled, hiding his trembling hands behind his back. After all, he had a weapon that Ki Tae-jeong could never possess, even if he were to die and be reborn: connections formed through his long-standing, resilient family and bloodline.

“But I want to emphasize again that our family won’t just stand by and watch what you, Brigadier General, have initiated.”

“That’s right. It’s a pity. A fairly historic family is about to be torn apart because of a stupid son.”

Ki Tae-jeong handcuffed Kim Seok-cheol’s swollen wrists. Kim Seok-cheol momentarily staggered, unable to bear the weight. It’s true that the handcuffs were a bit heavy, made of special material with various devices attached, but not to the extent that an adult male couldn’t handle. To think a bastard who can’t even bear this much weight is wearing a lieutenant’s insignia. That’s right, Kim Seok-cheol’s family was impressive. However…

“You should have remembered that there are also quite a few people who have been grinding their teeth at your precious family for a long time. People who have been waiting for you to slip up even once.”

“That’s…!”

“And the evidence is too perfect, isn’t it? Even if everything here burns…”

Ki Tae-jeong glanced behind him before turning his gaze back to Kim Seok-cheol.

“You won’t be able to make excuses for the items that those criminal lowlifes have pilfered, will you?”

“Those are just simple drvgs.”

“Simple drvgs that change one’s physiology to enable pregnancy? You’re saying interesting things, Lieutenant Kim.”

“It’s true that I supported the ‘Harvest’ project, but I didn’t produce any actual results. That’s a completely different story, so don’t wrongfully accuse an innocent person.”

“Come to think of it, the traces of army soldiers who suddenly disappeared recently also abruptly ended here…”

Ki Tae-jeong glanced at the burning warehouse.

“Aren’t you underestimating modern military forensics too much? Even if it’s burned, we can still track traces sufficiently. We can trace everything from what a person ate and drank to what drvgs they took right up until the moment of death.”

Ah, is it natural that Lieutenant Kim doesn’t know this because he’s never been in a real battle? Provoked by the mocking tone, Kim Seok-cheol couldn’t hold back and retorted.

“Are you trying to insist that I brought those soldiers here and did something to them? That I made them take some strange drvg?”

“You should know that overreacting only raises suspicion…”

“Who in the world could remain calm when being accused without evidence like this!”

“Why wouldn’t there be evidence when you left the most perfect proof in the House?”

Ki Tae-jeong stepped closer and placed his hand on Kim Seok-cheol’s shoulder. It didn’t seem like he applied much force, but it felt as if his grip was tearing through flesh and crushing bone.

“Didn’t you know that Lee Sehwa’s body had changed to be capable of pregnancy?”

The voice was so calm that Kim Seok-cheol couldn’t immediately understand what he had just heard. He had to chew over the words he had just heard several times in a daze. What did he say?

“It’s certain that he wasn’t originally of that physiology.”

Lee Sehwa? Became capable of pregnancy? When? When was the last blood test? There were no signs of it then… Wait a minute. How does Ki Tae-jeong know about Lee Sehwa, no, about how his body changed? He never told Lee Sehwa about the effects of that drvg. Even if Lee Sehwa spilled everything he knew, he shouldn’t have known about this…

“No way, don’t tell me you two…”

…That was it. Ki Tae-jeong actually slept with Lee Sehwa, so he knows how that backside reacts. If the drvg had taken full effect, it would have secreted fluids from behind like any other male body capable of pregnancy.

“‘Slept withr’? What an unpleasant term. For that poor person who was constantly manipulated by LieutenantKim’s threats and whose physiology changed without even knowing it.”

“How the hell would you know Lee Sehwa can get pregnant unless you slept with him!”

Kim Seok-cheol lost his composure and shouted at the top of his lungs. His bloodshot eyes were about to pop out. It was outrageous. This was certainly not language one could dare use towards a superior, let alone a one-Star officer. However, Ki Tae-jeong didn’t reprimand him. He just pressed a button on his watch with an expressionless face. A small hologram floated above the panel. Only then did Kim Seok-cheol realize that this entire process had been recorded on video, and he clamped his mouth shut.

“There were many ways this could’ve gone, but I figured the best way to make you confess everything you’ve done was to confront you with Lee Sehwa. I hated the idea, but it seemed like the surest method…”

Although he didn’t spill all the detailed plans, this hologram was enough to prove that Lee Sehwa’s changed physiology was related to the drvg Kim Seok-cheol secretly made, and that Kim Seok-cheol was aware of it.

“I forgot how much dumber Lieutenant Kim is than I thought.”

Ki Tae-jeong clicked his tongue softly. Kim Seok-cheol’s dullness wasn’t a matter of intelligence. It was because of those precious family elders of his. They should have at least taught him to be careful about such behavior, that there’s a limit to what they can cover up. The generational arrogance that they could somehow shield any mishap with the shadow of power, the price of believing in that prestige, has ultimately resulted in this outcome.

“If only you weren’t so pathetically ugly. Then maybe Lee Sehwa wouldn’t have ended up choosing me.”

Ki Tae-jeong grinned and threw his other glove onto Kim Seok-cheol’s face. It was clearly intentional. He knew all too well where Kim Seok-cheol’s inferiority complex towards him would explode the most. As expected, Kim Seok-cheol, having completely lost his reason, began spewing curses and profanities, but his outburst was drowned out by the sound of the helicopter attempting to land.

Several more flares burst, and a wind much fiercer than before swept through. The walls and iron gates surrounding the warehouse shook violently. With a sound like the earth was collapsing, Ki Tae-jeong’s subordinates who had been waiting outside rushed in. The heavily armed soldiers ran to ignite the warehouse, while the rest surrounded Kim Seok-cheol. Ki Tae-jeong casually flicked away the sparks that flew towards him with a bored expression.

“Take him away.”

Kim Seok-cheol was dragged away in a noisy fashion. It was clear he hadn’t done any real physical training; a single soldier was enough to restrain him despite his erratic outbursts.

“Brigadier General.”

Lieutenant Park, who had belatedly disembarked from the helicopter, hurried to Ki Tae-jeong’s side.

“Why so late?”

“We needed to confirm because the communication kept cutting off while calling the fire helicopter. I’m sorry.”

“Radio interference?”

“It seems the communication in the area was temporarily paralyzed due to the explosion.”

Handing over the uniform cap that Ki Tae-jeong had thrown off, Lieutenant Park looked at the warehouse that had started to collapse. He couldn’t help but sigh. Recently, cleaning up fire scenes that left only ashes had become his weighty duty. First the shelter, and now the warehouse… He had expected Kim Seok-cheol to cause trouble, but not in such a crude manner. Did he think the family elders would cover up even the intentional incineration of hazardous materials, beyond the ‘Harvest’ related incidents?

“What about Lee Sehwa?”

“Oh, yes… I heard he arrived safely. But he seems a bit tired, skipping meals and sleeping constantly.”

“Skipping meals and just sleeping? Lee Sehwa?”

“Yes. He must be tired after the long car ride, plus the shock…”

Lieutenant Park emphasized that entering the Castle wall, especially 5-Star, was a very surprising event for an outsider, and that Lee Sehwa had never even seen the inside of 1-Star, let alone 5-Star. Only then did Ki Tae-jeong’s sharp expression soften slightly. No wonder Sergeant Major Choi referred to Lee Sehwa as ‘madam’ behind their backs.

“According to Sergeant Major Choi…”

Should he really share this? Sergeant Major Choi had shared a few stories about Lee Sehwa, insisting that the Brigadier General must know. Of course, it was true that Ki Tae-jeong was treating Lee Sehwa quite generously in many ways, at least by his standards. But in the end, Lee Sehwa was just a witness and evidence to resolve Lieutenant Kim’s case. Would Ki Tae-jeong’s mood improve by hearing about how excited Lee Sehwa was sightseeing outside? Lieutenant Park was somewhat skeptical. Anyway, reporting on Lee Sehwa’s condition while moving to the official residence didn’t seem to deviate greatly from his duties, so he decided to share everything Sergeant Major Choi had told him.

“He said his eyes widened as soon as they entered the Fortress. He tried not to look surprised, but kept staring out the window the whole time.”

Ki Tae-jeong didn’t respond or even nod. He seemed completely uninterested in the story about Lee Sehwa, focusing instead on confirming whether his subordinates had safely escorted Kim Seok-cheol away and if anything could be salvaged from the warehouse. Lieutenant Park cleared his throat a few times, feeling awkward about possibly having done something unnecessary.

“Is that all?”

“Pardon?”

“About Lee Sehwa.”

“Oh, yes. He was amazed when explained where this place was… and marveled at how clouds could be hanging in the middle of buildings, as if he’d never seen tall buildings before.”

“And?”

More? Lieutenant Park swallowed hard. He couldn’t remember all the trivial details Sergeant Major Choi had rattled off, which were almost too embarrassing to include in an official report. What else did he say?

“I heard he laughed when he saw the famous bakery building in 4-Star. Saying he’d never seen such a huge bakery before.”

Without taking his eyes off the unfolding situation, Ki Tae-jeong kept repeating the same words. And. So. More. With a monotone voice, he cornered Lieutenant Park, demanding he spill everything about Lee Sehwa.

“When he saw a river for the first time, he was so surprised he even stuttered.”

Lieutenant Park looked once at his superior, who was staring ahead with piercing eyes, and once at the flames that were dancing provokingly as if flickering their tongues. Ah… this might really be…

“He seemed to like how the building lights reflected on the water surface, immediately pressing his palm against the window and leaning in close…”

***

“Ugh….”

Sehwa thought about getting up, but his body wouldn’t budge. He tried shifting his position by exerting force starting from his toes, but it was no use.

Ki Tae-jeong’s official residence was located in the center of 5-Star. Even though other cars yielded due to the imposing license plate on their vehicle, it still took quite a while to arrive. The skyscrapers begin to light up along the river, the massive building supposedly filled only with desserts, the overwhelming scenery that unfolded immediately after passing 5-Star’s checkpoint. Sehwa’s jaw dropped in amazement, but… that didn’t last long. An inflated weariness began pushing away the surprise and admiration.

By the time they arrived, darkness had settled in densely. Though Sergeant Major Choi suggested he look around freely, Sehwa felt uncomfortable wandering around while the owner was away. Given Ki Tae-jeong’s personality, he probably wouldn’t be tolerant of such behavior… Above all, he was very sleepy. While his heart fluttered at entering this unimaginably nice house he’d never seen before, he just wanted to rest first.

So without time to look around, Sehwa just slept continuously in the room Sergeant Major Choi showed him. He collapsed without even taking off his outer clothes, closing his eyes in a drunken-like stupor. For nearly two months, all he’d done was eat and sleep. The most strenuous activity had been sex with Ki Tae-jeong. His body, now accustomed to comfort, was completely exhausted just from traveling a long distance in a nice car.

Still, he needed to get up. Though Sehwa wasn’t experiencing sleep paralysis or hallucinations, it remained distressing until he could regain his senses. Sehwa wiggled his toes a few times. This much movement was possible without difficulty. Taking a deep breath through the constriction, he managed to barely lift his leaden eyelids. This too was manageable. However,

“…Ah.”

Ki Tae-jeong’s face was right in front of his nose. Sehwa froze instantly, all his efforts rendered futile. His drowsiness vanished entirely without any effort. When did he… come here? Sehwa finally realized why he was sweating. Ki Tae-jeong’s firm arms were wrapped around his body like vines. The heat radiating from his bare body was thoroughly penetrating Sehwa.

What should he do…. Sehwa rapidly blinked his eyes. How did one normally swallow? What was the typical frequency for blinking? Why was his nose suddenly catching in their field of vision, becoming distractingly… noticeable? Things usually done unconsciously felt awkward and irritatingly difficult to bear. His body, having forgotten actions as natural as breathing, creaked awkwardly.

No, but really, why… was this person here? Of course, this was Ki Tae-jeong’s official residence, so where he slept was up to the owner. However, hadn’t there been… almost no instances of sleeping in the same bed with him after s3x? It was hard to remember clearly. Most times ended with falling asleep like passing out, or actually losing consciousness. No wonder he hadn’t even known that Ki Tae-jeong had been washing his body.

Most of all, this wasn’t even after a night of tangled passion. He had no idea why Ki Tae-jeong was deliberately sharing the small guest room bed with him, sticking so close to him as he slept.

Being careful even with breathing, Sehwa hesitantly lifted the blanket to check. If the clothes sticking to him weren’t from sweat, then maybe…. Ki Tae-jeong was the type of person who would do all sorts of things regardless of whether his partner was asleep or not. So Sehwa carefully checked below, but fortunately, the clothes were intact. Sniffing carefully, there wasn’t any trace of the lewd scent of bodily fluids either.

“…Why.”

At the sudden voice from close by, Sehwa’s body flinched violently. Ki Tae-jeong’s voice, tinged with drowsiness, was much deeper than usual. The slightly raspy tone carried a languidness reminiscent of when he’d climaxed a couple of times.

“To a person sleeping so deeply….”

The man’s closed eyelids slowly lifted. His gaze was surprisingly clear for someone who had just woken up. Sehwa, as if under a spell, had to receive all of the intense gaze pouring out before them without being able to move. It was… as overwhelming and embarrassing as taking and swallowing his d1ck from behind.

“Worried I might have stuck my cock in?”

Ki Tae-jeong’s lips bore a languid smile as he pulled Sehwa’s body tightly against him.