World's Best Protagonist [BL]-Chapter 131: Protection Order

We arrived back on Earth to the sound of heavy rain, the kind that drenched you to the bone within seconds. But no one complained because after a week, we were finally back. We deserve a week-long vacation after this.

I stretched my arm up, tired from carrying the suitcase, when my gaze landed on the captain’s back again. His senses are sharp, so he can tell that I’m staring at him, right? I’m frustrated.

I had hoped for a moment to catch Claude alone, to talk about everything that had happened. But as soon as we stepped through the portal, we were whisked away by the NSA. Apparently, disappearing into a vortex for two days without notice raised some eyebrows.

So, a week in Noir’s world was equivalent to two days here.

"You will have to face the leaders after you receive counseling," Commander Lan greeted us with a stern look. He gave Claude a meaningful look before walking away. "See you there."

"It feels relieving that the commander will be there too."

I turned to Lexie. She looked tired with all this and had the look that she just wanted to lie on a proper bed and sleep. But this meeting is reasonable and...urgent. They lost one of the dogs they had on a leash, and now it felt like the NSA might crumble.

I scoffed. I might be the greatest enemy of this organization. But after knowing how they treated the outworlders, I stopped putting them on a pedestal. They were just another bunch of people trying to take advantage of the situation.

"It doesn’t seem like he’ll take our side, though," Etienne replied, letting out a nervous sigh.

I patted him on the back. "We’ve already discussed this. Now, before we step into that room, we have to turn to great actors."

"Should I cry?" Lexie joked.

I gave her a thumbs-up. But honestly, we don’t need someone crying, since the two of us already looked like we were mourning.

The counseling sessions came. We were brought one by one to our respective Minder’s quarters. I walked in where Freya was.

"Hi, Jade."

"Hello."

"Let’s begin?"

I nodded. In a matter of minutes, she was finished already. She smiled at me as she let go of my hand.

"You’re fine this time. Although it was surprising that your level did not even reach 30 this time, despite staying inside the vortex for two days. It was very low. Good job, Jade. I’m glad you returned safely."

"Thanks, Freya."

It was probably because I barely used my Nullification. I was useful as a Minder this time, not a Seeker. We left the room together, chatting briefly about some things, when Claude’s tall figure got in our way.

"Captain Vanderheinz!" Freya was a bit flustered by the sudden appearance of the infamous captain.

Claude just nodded at her and looked at me. "Let’s go." He walked ahead after that.

I waved goodbye to Freya and followed him. On our way, I finally decided to break the silence. "Did you receive counseling?"

"No."

I momentarily paused. Does that mean...?

"I’m waiting for you."

Those words pushed me. My steps hastened until I reached him. "You’re the one who didn’t come to me. I thought you were avoiding me after what...happened."

Claude stopped all of a sudden. His gaze lowered to mine. "I..."

So, I was right. He was avoiding me. My heart sank. "Why? Did I do something wrong? I was inexperienced so—"

"That’s not it."

His ears turned bright red. I’m relieved. I’m not the only one affected. Also, not the only one who still can’t forget what happened.

Claude took a deep breath. "It’s too personal. I’m just...just don’t want to show you yet." I furrowed my brows. He sighed again and tried to explain clearly, "You saw something that night you counseled me in Emil’s house, right?"

"Ah. Did you regret letting me in?"

"No, Jade. Don’t assume everything. I don’t know what you saw. I have no control over which memories you can see. So, I was just anxious."

Now? After all that happened to us? I pondered for a moment. Claude held my arm and pulled me to the corner. We continued walking like that, earning some suspicious glances, but I was too busy thinking to care.

I arrived at one conclusion. "Did something happen at the banquet?"

Claude turned to me. His gaze was unreadable. I tried to dig deeper, but then he looked away and simply nodded. He did say it was something personal. So, it was a part of him that he wasn’t ready to allow me in yet.

Why is he afraid? I won’t enter his mind without his permission. Even if my curiosity was eating me away.

"Captain."

We both turned our heads to Allen. He looked at Claude first, then at me. "Commander Lan is asking for us already."

Claude nodded and walked ahead. Allen threw me an inquisitive look, but I just shrugged. Thankfully, he didn’t ask for more and silently walked next to me.

We were led into a sterile room with a long table. Sitting at the head were the three Chambers: General Rivas, Layla Mio, and Joseph Armand. They all wore serious faces, their questions evident in their eyes.

Commander Lan was sitting on the side, while their bodyguards stood behind them. Even the commander looked strict and certainly did not look like he would take our side.

Claude stood at the front, ready to deliver our report. The rest of us sat behind him, trying to look appropriately solemn. Before we entered, we checked each other and reminded ourselves to look convincing enough.

There was no impromptu speech from the leaders, or whatever. They just stared at us like we were some new species getting examined.

Claude began, "As per our discussion, we will report the events as follows..."

He detailed our journey, the battles we faced, and ultimately, the loss of Noir. We all played our parts, nodding solemnly and expressing our grief. Etienne was even teary-eyed. His acting...maybe it wasn’t acting at all.

I lowered my head and reminisced about the time I spent with Noir. But instead of getting sadder, I was irked.

The bastard once tried to control me, kidnapped me, and has been really a pain in my ass many times. But I was also reminded of the time we infiltrated my father’s abode. He was a friend fun to be with, but would also test your patience.

General Rivas, however, was not convinced. The old man was full of doubts. No wonder his glabella was already wrinkled.

He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Losing Noir is a significant blow to our organization. He was one of our high-ranking Seekers. He was very capable and not easily defeated. So, tell us, Captain Vanderheinz. How exactly did he die?"

Claude remained composed. "He was killed during the fight with the monster. We did everything we could to save him."

We all nodded, our faces filled with sorrow, grief, regret, and guilt for failing to protect our dearest Noir.

General Rivas wasn’t satisfied. He began to nitpick every detail, questioning our timelines, our actions, even our emotions. How dare he question that? Some of us were truly saddened, feeling regretful, and grieving.

I furtively glanced at Terrius. He was silent from the very beginning—from the moment we arrived back on Earth. I looked ahead and focused on the ongoing interrogation. I tried to keep a straight face, but I could feel the tension in the room rising.

Layla Mio, on the other hand, remained calm, nodding occasionally and taking notes. Talk about being a secretary.

Joseph Armand, ever the charmer, tried to lighten the mood. "Now, now, General. Let’s not turn this into an inquisition. These young people have been through a lot. They barely survive. Think about this, General. If it’s a vortex that lasted two days to raid, even with our best captain on board, wouldn’t it make you think the vortex was really difficult this time?"

Rivas shot him a glare, but Armand just smiled.

Layla Mio finally spoke, "He has a point, General Rivas. These people lost a comrade, a friend," her gaze stopped at the Vice Captain a bit longer, "A lover, perhaps. Let us not disregard their sacrifice, their feelings, and their loss. Rozentine’s death might have swayed the NSA a little, but we will surely get on track again."

She stared at me next, a small smile dangling on her lips. "Especially now that there are more and more talented Seekers appearing."

My eyes shook. She knew something. The general’s suspicion somehow subsided, but we still had to answer a few questions.

Claude continued to answer every question with unwavering composure. Eventually, the general had no choice but to back down.

After the interrogation, we were finally allowed to leave.

"Mr. Dela Torre."

I turned to look behind me. Patrick was there. "An order for you had come down from the higher-ups."

Claude halted. Oh, is it the protection order he was talking about?

Patrick continued, "Seeker’s Noir’s Sanctum lost its owner. The higher-ups order you to occupy it."

Just when the fuck will I ever get to live in my newly remodeled home?