CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 135- WORSE

Kevin leaned back casually, lifting the can. "Thanks," he said before cracking it open. A crisp sound broke the night’s silence, followed by Rogan doing the same. Both of them sat there under the dim moonlight, sipping the rare drink as their eyes wandered to the endless sky above.

"So," Rogan asked after a moment, his tone steady, "how does it taste?"

Kevin exhaled, still staring upward. "I don’t know... feels like I could go insane."

Rogan raised a brow. "I wasn’t asking about you, I meant the beer."

"Oh, hahaha, sorry." Kevin chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

Silence fell again, heavy yet oddly comforting. The night air carried only the faint hum of insects. Finally, Rogan spoke, his voice quieter this time. "You seem to have a lot on your mind."

"Yeah... something like that," Kevin admitted.

Rogan tilted his head, eyes still on the stars. "If you want, you can talk about it. Who knows, it might ease the weight a little."

Kevin shifted the can in his hands, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Do you... actually want to hear it?"

Rogan leaned back, resting his small frame against the cold stone. "I’m not bragging," he said flatly, "but people say I’m a good listener."

Kevin let out a quiet laugh of relief. "That’s... reassuring."

For a moment, he simply stared at the shimmering surface of the beer. Then, with a deep breath, he started. "Actually, it’s about one of my subordinates. Her name’s Nia... She’s always been close to me. Always around. Supporting me. It’s almost like she’s my personal assistant, the one I could turn to for advice, someone I could rely on."

He paused, running a hand through his hair. "Sure, Belle’s there too, but she’s too hot-headed, and too short-sighted. Nia, though... she always understood. Talking to her felt different."

Rogan stayed silent, eyes steady, listening without interruption.

"But lately..." Kevin’s voice dropped lower, almost uncertain. "Lately she’s changed. She’s colder. She ignores my orders. Works on her own, keeps herself busy. Some people even think she’s already decided to leave Lightdawn. But I can’t believe that. I know her, at least I thought I did. There’s something wrong. Something she can’t deal with on her own."

His hand tightened around the can, metal groaning softly. "I want to help her. I need to. But no matter what I do... she just pushes me away."

Rogan finally took a slow sip of his beer, letting the silence stretch before he spoke. "You care too much," he said flatly.

Kevin blinked. "What do you mean by that?"

Rogan set the can down beside him, his small hands resting on his knees. "People like her... when they pull away, it’s not because they suddenly hate you. It’s because they’re wrestling with something inside themselves. The more you chase, the farther they’ll run. Sometimes the best way to help... is to stop pressing."

Kevin frowned, the words cutting deeper than he expected. "So you’re saying I should just... leave her be?"

Rogan’s eyes, calm yet piercing, turned toward him. "I’m saying, if she trusts you, she’ll come back on her own. If she doesn’t..." He shrugged, taking another drink. "Then maybe she was never really yours to keep."

The weight of those words lingered heavily in the night air. Kevin looked down at the untouched beer in his hand, unsure whether it felt warm or unbearably cold.

Rogan chuckled faintly, his voice still flat but carrying a strange weight. "Don’t overthink it. I’ve never even felt love myself."

Kevin smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Then better stay that way. Falling in love only makes you age faster."

But Rogan shook his head. "I want that... even if it makes me older." His words lingered in the cool night air before he suddenly rose to his feet, dusting off his shorts. "Well, think it over carefully. I’m tired. I’ll head back."

Kevin gave him a genuine smile, lifting his can slightly. "Thanks, Rogan. I really mean it."

Rogan didn’t answer, didn’t even look back. He just raised one small hand in a lazy wave and walked off into the shadows, leaving Kevin alone under the vast night sky, the sound of his fading footsteps swallowed by the quiet.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Julian was with the others, discussing something. Veronica, sprawled out on the sofa from exhaustion due to training, sighed in relief, "Ahh, finally, a soft sofa."

Celestia, with a scolding tone, said, "Veronica, don’t lie down right after eating; it’s not good for you."

Zoe mirrored Veronica, lying on the sofa as well.

Emma chimed in, "Exactly, you’re setting a bad example for Zoe."

Veronica, still catching her breath, pouted slightly and muttered, "I’m just tired... can’t I rest a little?"

Celestia crossed her arms, her expression softening just a bit. "A little is fine, but don’t make it a habit, okay?"

Zoe giggled quietly from the sofa, looking amused at the scolding, while Emma shook her head with a small smile, "See? This is exactly why she needs guidance."

Julian, observing the scene with a faint smile, leaned back and said, "Let them rest for now. Tomorrow we continue training."

Veronica gave a small, grateful nod, closing her eyes, while Zoe snuggled into the sofa, clearly enjoying the comfort.

Then Julian asked Aya, "How’s the progress on the weapon?"

Aya replied, "The weapon’s coming along smoothly, although... there were a few minor disagreements."

Emma said, "You’ve been working hard too, Aya."

Clarissa added gently, "Yes, Aya has been striving on her own, doing something truly remarkable without our support."

Aya just smiled shyly and said, "That’s because Miss Beatrix always talks to me."

Veronica, still lying down, said, "I didn’t know Miss Beatrix could be like that."

Aya replied, "She’s kind. She always looks out for me when I’m struggling with others, even though... her personality is a bit unusual."

Julian then said, "That’s good to hear."

At that moment, there was a knock on their room door, and Emma exclaimed excitedly, "I’ll get it!" She walked to the door and opened it, slightly surprised to see Glain standing there alone.

"Mr. Glain, what brings you here so late at night? Please, come in," Emma said.

Glain replied, "It’s nothing. I just wanted to speak with Julian for a moment."

Emma nodded eagerly. "Alright, I’ll go get him," she said, moving quickly through the room. She approached Julian and gently tapped his shoulder. "Julian, Mr. Glain is looking for you. It seems there’s something he wants to discuss."

Julian looked up, his expression calm but attentive. He gave a small nod. "Alright. I’ll go see him," he replied, his voice steady.

Celestia, noticing the brief interaction, spoke softly, "Lately, it seems like so many people have been coming to find you."

Clarissa’s tone was gentle, almost admiring. "That’s because you’ve become someone truly reliable, Julian," she added, her eyes reflecting a quiet respect.

Julian glanced at them briefly and then said, "I’ll step out for a moment," signaling that he would handle this privately. The others simply nodded in understanding, some with smiles of encouragement.

He walked through the hallway and soon reached Mr. Glain, who was already waiting patiently. Julian’s posture remained relaxed, though there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Sorry to keep you waiting," Julian said politely.

Mr. Glain shook his head slightly, a faint smile on his lips. "It’s alright. And I apologize for coming at this late hour," he said, his tone calm yet serious, indicating that whatever he wished to discuss was important.

They walked together toward a more secluded area, away from prying eyes and the quiet bustle of the base. Julian’s gaze was calm but observant as he glanced at Mr. Glain. "It’s unusual to see you alone," he remarked, his tone measured.

Mr. Glain met his gaze steadily. "Are you looking for Sebas? He’s occupied with a task I assigned him," he replied, his voice even but carrying a subtle weight of authority.

Julian’s lips curved slightly, acknowledging the information. "Seems like you’ve noticed that too," he said, his eyes narrowing just a fraction as he studied Glain.

Glain gave a slight nod. "It appears you’ve already figured out why I’m here," he said, his tone calm yet carrying an undercurrent of seriousness, as if the conversation ahead was delicate and important.

And then the scene shifted to Joe, sitting beside a woman who seemed exhausted and had fallen asleep. Joe took a long drink directly from a kettle to quench his thirst, then called out to his subordinate, Don.

Suddenly, Don knocked on the door and entered. "What do you need, sir?" he asked.

Joe replied, his expression darkening, "There have been far too many insects lately. I want all of them exterminated, every last one."

Don, aware that someone might be spying on them, nodded seriously. "Understood, sir. We’ll eliminate them all, leaving none behind."

Joe smiled wickedly. "That insect eye... it’s getting worse and worse."