Scout (3)

“I handle matters related to the Association cooperation fund.”

“Association cooperation fund?”

“Yes.”

Had he not understood what “Association cooperation fund” meant?

Just as Hanuel started breaking into a cold sweat, wondering if he might need to explain it in English, the prince spoke fluently, easing his worries.

“How exactly does it work?”

He hadn’t expected such a question the moment the prince sat down. Glancing toward the deputy team leader, he saw him nod.

Hanuel began explaining.

“As the name suggests, there’s a designated amount paid whenever the Association provides cooperation. The amount varies depending on the Hunter’s rank and the dungeon’s rank. We calculate those amounts and periodically transfer the funds to the Association.”

“And your position?”

This time, the prince asked about his rank.

With the stream of questions so far, Hanuel had assumed everything would be related to the Association. The sudden change in topic caught him off guard.

“I’m a Grade-9 civil servant.”

“Grade 9.”

“…”

Unlike before, the prince appeared to be seriously contemplating something.

For a moment, Hanuel found himself wondering if there was something wrong with his position. But there wasn’t.

So he simply waited quietly for the prince to continue.

“Isn’t money usually handled by someone higher up?”

“Well…”

To be honest, Hanuel had wondered about that himself.

Usually, financial matters were handled by experienced employees, not someone who had only recently joined.

Since the other party was a prince, he felt obligated to give a proper answer.

Unfortunately, he didn’t actually know the reason.

As he searched desperately for a response—

“It’s because there aren’t many people handling office work.”

The deputy team leader stepped in.

“Other than myself and Officer Yeon, everyone else is out in the field.”

“Ah.”

“And besides, we assign work based on trust rather than rank. Officer Yeon is one of the hardest workers here. There’s absolutely no issue with him being in charge of the cooperation funds.”

“…”

They were simply answering the prince’s question.

Yet Hanuel couldn’t have felt more moved.

The fact that the deputy team leader thought so highly of him sent a warm surge through his chest.

Suppressing the emotions threatening to spill over, he noticed the deputy team leader giving him a subtle smiling glance.

Blinking rapidly, Hanuel returned the gesture with a silent nod of thanks.

When he turned back, Prince Edward was staring directly at him.

Hanuel quietly waited for the next question.

“What payment structure do Hunters usually receive these cooperation funds through?”

“The amount is transferred to the Association after taxes are deducted here. Then the Association takes its own service fee before distributing the funds, as far as I know.”

“Not much different from Britain.”

It was surprising to hear that the British system worked similarly.

Hanuel nodded.

“I see.”

“Ahem. Ahem!”

A pointed cough interrupted their conversation.

Trying not to be rude, Hanuel carefully glanced toward the source of the sound.

“…”

Of all people, it was Assemblyman Lee Young-jin.

As their eyes met across the round table where Lee sat with the team leader, Hanuel immediately turned back toward Prince Edward.

Honestly, the only reason Lee Young-jin could express his displeasure through such an obvious cough was because of the prince sitting beside Hanuel.

“…”

Was this why people pursued power?

It wasn’t intentional, but somehow it felt like he was standing under Prince Edward’s protection.

The thought made the corner of his lips lift slightly.

“Ahem!”

“Khm!”

More exaggerated coughing came from the neighboring desks.

When Hanuel looked over, every one of his coworkers had ducked behind their cubicle partitions.

“K-Khff!”

“…”

Apparently they were struggling not to laugh again.

Watching Kim Joo-mu-gwan’s shoulders shake beside him, Hanuel turned back toward the prince.

“…”

Why was the prince looking at him like that?

There was something strangely unreadable about his gaze.

Feeling increasingly self-conscious, Hanuel straightened his posture.

Maybe the prince was annoyed that Hanuel had looked elsewhere in the middle of their conversation.

His eyes darted nervously—

Then the prince called his name.

Hanuel immediately responded.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Why is the Hunter Affairs Department located in such a cramped place?”

“Ah, that’s…”

He could answer honestly.

But Assemblyman Lee Young-jin was sitting right there.

Hanuel had memorized answers to numerous anticipated questions, yet nothing resembling this one had been included. It wasn’t mentioned in the guidelines either.

Sneaking a glance at the team leader, he saw him subtly shake his head.

Hanuel turned back to the prince.

“Yeon Hanuel?”

The prince tilted his head.

The gesture clearly said, Why aren’t you answering?

Hanuel immediately replied.

“I think it would be better if the team leader explained that rather than me.”

Yes.

Whenever they weren’t supposed to answer something, they were instructed to pass it to the team leader or deputy team leader.

“Very well. Then show me what software Korea uses.”

That, at least, was covered in the guidelines.

Confidently, Hanuel nodded and opened one of the cooperation-fund pages that had been approved for viewing.

“Every year, the government distributes Hunter cooperation-fund manuals to regional Hunter Affairs offices. We use those manuals as references and enter the data into this system.”

“Can the Association check it immediately?”

“Yes, they can.”

“Convenient. Britain should consider implementing something similar.”

The prince nodded more seriously than before upon hearing that both sides could access the same system.

Watching him stroke his chin in admiration made Hanuel feel oddly proud.

But the feeling didn’t last long.

“…”

The irony was impossible to ignore.

The entire system had been developed specifically to allow information to flow efficiently between both parties.

Yet the Association had never logged into the server even once.

Instead, they always demanded paper documents be delivered manually.

“Assemblyman, would you like a cup of coffee?”

The team leader’s voice drifted over toward Lee Young-jin.

The moment coffee was mentioned, Hanuel found himself desperately craving some.

Just as he swallowed—

“Prince Edward, I have another engagement, so I should be leaving now.”

That was far earlier than expected.

Hanuel looked toward Lee Young-jin, who had already risen from his seat.

Then Prince Edward answered.

“Very well.”

“…”

The response was so dry and concise it bordered on impressive.

Fortunately, unlike his tone, the prince at least stood up from his seat.

Hanuel quickly followed suit.

The prince extended his hand toward Lee Young-jin.

After exchanging a smiling handshake, the assemblyman prepared to leave.

Just before exiting the office, Lee Young-jin looked back.

Directly at Hanuel.

The sharpness in that gaze made Hanuel unconsciously tense.

He had seen that look before.

Back when he had gone to receive his commendation award.

The cutting stare lingered for a moment before disappearing beyond the door.

Only after watching the team leader leave to escort him out did Hanuel finally relax.

“Yeon Hanuel.”

“Yes?”

“The people here don’t seem to be on particularly good terms with Lee Young-jin, are they?”

“Uh… well…”

He hadn’t expected the prince to strike directly at the heart of the matter.

Hanuel couldn’t answer immediately.

The awkwardness made sweat gather along his back.

A strained smile appeared on his face.

“Hmm.”

Prince Edward silently studied him.

Then one corner of his mouth curved upward.

As Hanuel continued smiling awkwardly, the prince suddenly clapped his hands.

A man immediately approached.

“Prepare the tea.”

Without a word, the man bowed and placed a sleek briefcase on the round table.

The case opened.

Inside were teacups and a bottle filled with dark liquid.

Hanuel watched curiously.

Then another attendant produced a clear liquid from the same case.

“Have you ever tried Earl Grey?”

“N-No.”

Hanuel knew next to nothing about tea.

He shook his head.

The prince looked away from him and addressed the others.

“We’ll be having Earl Grey today.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Understood.”

His tone made it sound as though any tea other than Earl Grey was completely unacceptable.

The team members responded half a beat late, all wearing expressions that clearly asked, What exactly is happening right now?

Before anyone realized it, an unfamiliar electric kettle had appeared on the round table.

Teacups had also been arranged for every member of the office.

“…”

Hanuel wondered whether bringing an electric kettle was really necessary.

Then again, perhaps using local equipment wasn’t satisfactory enough.

After all, this wasn’t just anyone.

The visitor sitting in their office was Prince Edward, heir to the British throne.

The level of preparation was astonishing.

As Hanuel admired it inwardly, the prince returned to his seat.

Moments later, an attendant handed him a teacup.

“Everyone, have a cup while you work.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“We appreciate it.”

Each team member offered their thanks as they accepted a cup.

Receiving the final cup himself, Hanuel thanked the prince, who was watching him intently.

“Thank you for the tea, Your Highness.”

The prince’s loud and unexpected arrival had certainly been bewildering.

But this, too, would pass.

Even if he planned to stay for a week, once he learned enough about the Hunter Affairs Department, perhaps he’d lose interest and move on to other engagements.

The aroma drifting up from the cup was completely unfamiliar.

Trying unsuccessfully to hide his awkwardness, Hanuel followed Prince Edward’s lead and took a sip of the tea.