However, the moment he stepped into the video store, Belle walked up to Wise, staring at him suspiciously.
"Brother, you're not thinking of chasing that client, Soldier 11, just because she's cute, right?" Belle said, giving him a sharp look.
"Hmm, Belle, why would you think that? I don't fall for everyone I meet."
Wise rubbed his forehead with a tired sigh. If he really acted like that, he would have dated countless women already. But that clearly wasn't the case.
"Oh? Really? I was kind of hoping Brother would get closer to her. Having ties with the Defense Force wouldn't hurt. If we were ever caught, they might show some mercy."
"That won't happen. Even if it did, shouldn't our focus be on building connections with the Public Security?" Wise said with a hint of indifference.
Belle's expression changed instantly, a flash of understanding passing through her eyes, followed by a playful look that seemed to say, 'Brother already has a plan!'
Wise didn't bother explaining. He knew she was teasing, so he turned the conversation back to the mission.
"I never expected we'd receive a commission from the New Eridu Defense Force, and for something as secretive as catching an internal mole."
"Right. This mission will help us build good relations too. How should we portray Phaethon? Brother, the usual way?" she asked.
"No. When it comes to portrayal, it has to match how the public sees us. Let's just accept the commission first."
Wise signed into the Inter-Knot. With Soldier 11's commission accepted, there was nothing to do now but wait for events to unfold.
After setting up the guidance time through the HDD System, Soldier 11 headed to the target Hollow, ready to contact the rebels.
"The spy will be online in five seconds. Address him as 'Mr. Mole.'"
Counting silently for five seconds, Soldier 11 connected the call, revealing at the same time her strangely self-proclaimed persona.
"Why aren't you speaking? Haven't you always admired Phaethon?"
"Heh heh, I can't see you through remote communication, but I smell a conspiracy!"
Mr. Mole didn't seem to fully trust Soldier 11, and his accidental disdain for the Defense Force made her a little annoyed.
Noticing this, Wise finally spoke, "What? If I'm not Phaethon, then who else could I be?"
"Wait… this voice… so charming and magnetic. The contempt and disdain for my earlier suspicion, it's like scorching sunlight, burning a wretch like me who hides in the shadows!" Mr. Mole, recognizing the voice, began rumbling incoherently.
"Uh, why is Mr. Mole acting like this all of a sudden?"
The frantic tone even made Belle nervous.
"Indeed, Lord Phaethon's voice is so captivating, It makes one want to surrender without thinking."
"Eh?" Soldier 11's comment only made Belle more confused.
She had assumed the other person was just a talented actor, but why did it sound so sincere? Seeing her Brother in person might make sense, but could just a voice really have this much power?
It was normal for Belle not to understand. After all, the words Wise had just spoken were infused with the power of a full 200 hundred Charm points.
Belle showed little reaction, mainly because those words were not aimed at her, and she had long since grown accustomed to Wise's voice.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mole was still losing his mind.
"Oh, yes! Exactly! That's it! Lord Phaethon's voice is way too beautiful, it's driving me crazy! Such a shame… If I could see Lord Phaethon's cold stare myself and hear him insult me a few times, I'd definitely… Ugh! Lord Phaethon! I want to be your dog!" Mr. Mole rambled again, sending chills down Wise and Belle's spines.
"Enough. Let's discuss the mission first. Other matters can wait."
Wise was completely done with this. If it had been a cute girl, maybe it would be tolerable, but coming from a man, it was just unbearable.
"Right! You're totally right! That's Lord Phaethon for you, always serious about the mission!" Mr. Mole said excitedly, then quickly continued, "We found out the Defense Force is planning a weapon test in this Hollow soon. We want you to place some listening devices and transmitters nearby."
"Just that?" Wise answered. "Alright. It won't take long."
As he got ready to move, Mr. Mole blurted out again.
"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you so much! I really can't imagine what method she used to persuade you."
"Oh, that?" Soldier 11 replied. "Nothing special. I just used half a push-up, maybe."
"What? Officer, you really went that far! Ugh… Figures. Persuading Lord Phaethon is no easy feat, but still… I can't help feeling jealous. It should have been me, not her!"
Wise chose to ignore the continued outburst and had Soldier 11 swiftly finish the assignment. Even after she came back, Mr. Mole showed no sign of calming down.
As Wise watched Soldier 11, he found himself thinking, 'What exactly does half a push-up even mean?''
"Ahem, Mr. Mole. The mission has been completed. We have returned," Soldier 11 reported in a calm tone.
"Ah, ah, ah! Already done? As expected of a legendary Proxy! I want to rush over and kiss every place Lord Phaethon has stepped on... Ahem, forgive me. I spoke out of line, Lord Phaethon."
Although Soldier 11 felt uncomfortable listening to his rambling, but she tolerated it for now, keeping the mission in mind.
"Alright, let's not dwell on that. Since things have reached this point, the real mission should be starting soon, right?"
"Uh, this… I'm very sorry. That matter is quite important, so I still need to ask my superiors for instructions."
"Hmm. Be quick."
"Don't worry. I'll do my best to secure both the Officer's dream of retiring to the countryside and Lord Phaethon's commission fee! Oh, and one last favor I didn't get to ask. Next time we meet, could you record an alarm clock sound for me? It's just—"
Before the other party could finish, Soldier 11 had already ended the communication, her expression calm and utterly heartless.
"You hung up… you're really not polite to him," Wise said.
"He's too noisy. And there was no need to keep listening. It contained no intelligence value and was filled with personal emotions. After he let his guard down, he became even more talkative than I expected."
"Hmm? So you only care about the mission? After it's done, am I getting kicked out too?"
"..."
At Wise's words, Soldier 11 paused for a short moment before responding, "No. You are an important partner to me, someone who helps complete missions. Even after this operation ends, that will not change, provided you do nothing that endangers society. That is my judgment."
She turned her gaze away.
"Anyway, let's leave the Hollow first."
- - -
(T/N: As thanks for reaching 100 Power Stones, here's an extra chapter.)