The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66-

Chapter 66

Ghost-Hammer’s self-introduction left all six stunned.

Only Jessica paused briefly before resuming her composed, gentle smile.

“Colleague? A war correspondent’s colleague? Hannah pressed, trying to sound calm, but her tense expression was nearly cracking.

Zane and Ethan didn’t know Nova had been a “war correspondent” before. They instinctively looked at Nova, thinking. So her scars were from the battlefield?’

Claire covered her mouth in shock, unable to speak. It felt like Nova kept shattering her assumptions again and again.

Maxwell fell into deep thought. He wasn’t slow-witted. “Colleague” clearly didn’t fit with the idea of a war correspondent.

“War correspondent?” Ghost-Hammer picked up on the term keenly. Only when it came to Nova did this rough man show such extreme attentiveness.

He immediately realized Nova might want to conceal her true identity. After all, they had taken countless lives-something ordinary families might struggle to accept.

“Yes, we are-” Ghost-Hammer started to cover for her, but Nova gently patted his shoulder.

She stepped forward and said calmly, “You guessed right. I’ve been on the battlefield. But I’ve stepped back to the rear now,”

Having been imprisoned on Devil’s Isle for half a year, Nova had indeed disappeared from the international scene. So it wasn’t entirely a lie.

Nova observed Maxwell and Hannah’s reactions. As expected, they trembled visibly, clearly struggling to process the truth.

“Novie, you… You really fought in a war.” Maxwell’s voice shook.

Hannah’s reaction was even more intense than when she first saw Nova’s scars.

The truth went far beyond anything they had imagined. After all, they were just young adults in their early twenties- practicing or surviving in wilderness training. Compared to someone who had been on the battlefield like Nova, it all seemed trivial.

Even if Nova had only survived on the battlefield by luck, her perspective was far beyond theirs. She could easily rival the

୮ hidden fugitives at SLRA.

Putting together Nova’s earlier hints, everyone filled in the story themselves,

Maxwell thought, ‘Nova had gone to war to survive, endured life-and-death situations, and returned covered in scars. She couldn’t take it anymore, so she stepped back and became a war correspondent.’

That explained her formidable strength.

Claire and Zane couldn’t help but shudder.

Zane thought, ‘So this was the reason behind Nova’s surprising strength. The mystery that had puzzled me lately was finally

solved

Zane’s frown gradually relaxed. Though he stayed silent, his tension visibly eased.

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Chapter 66

He thought. Finally understand her background. Good. Her level doesn’t make me feel inferior. I can grow stronger, then star-rightfully by her side!

Zane felt sudden clarity. The distance he had deliberately kept was now shortening. He told himself inwardly. ‘I’ll become stronger. Joining forces with Nova. We’ll become the most powerful presence at SKRA

He swore to himself, ‘Nova, you’ve caught my attention, and you’ll have to take responsibility. Don’t even think about escaping me.

Seeing how intensely Maxwell and Hannah were reacting, Nova decided not to explain further. She didn’t want to risk losing the family bonds she had just regained.

Nova delivered the seemingly flawless lie calmly. “Yes, I’ve been on the battlefield, but not for long. That’s why I never mentioned it before.”

Ghost-Hammer had witnessed Nova’s decisiveness in combat-how she coldly broke prisoners’ fingers and how she killed for money. But he had never seen her lie so earnestly to her family-with such genuine longing for connection.

“Novie, you don’t need to explain. We don’t blame you,” Maxwell said gently.

Then, he stepped forward, patting Ghost-Hammer’s shoulder sincerely. “Bro, thank you for protecting Nova on the battlefield. If you don’t mind, please come stay at my home for a few days. Let us properly host you.”

Although Ghost-Hammer treated Nova respectfully, Maxwell and the others assumed he had been the one protecting Nova. After all, Nova was young and female. On a male-dominated battlefield, without someone watching her back, she wouldn’t have been able to survive.

The offer flustered Ghost-Hammer. He thought, ‘Me? Protecting the boss? I’m not worthy.

“No, thanks. I have missions. I just came to see Nova, and I have to leave now.” Ghost-Hammer declined, shaking his head.

He knew Nova stayed in Ravenport to reunite with her family. Though the next mission was still two weeks away, he felt it was inappropriate for him to linger. Sensitive to the situation, he turned to leave.

But then Nova’s voice came from behind. “Since you’re here, stay for a couple of days. It has been a while since I’ve tasted your cooking.”

Ghost-Hammer stopped. He had no family. Ever since Nova saved him, he had seen her as his only family.

Now that she had found her family, he thought he should leave quietly. But her invitation warmed his drifting heart.

(‘

He spun around abruptly, his large, muscular frame moving like an excited child’s, and said loudly, “Sure.”

************

That afternoon after school, Maxwell, Hannah, and Nova went home together-accompanied by Ghost-Hammer. It was a rare sight.

Even Hannah, who usually chattered nonstop, accepted walking alongside Nova without complaint.

As soon as they entered the villa, Hannah called out first, “Mom, we’re home.”

Maxwell followed right behind her.

Nova walked behind them, and Ghost-Hammer peered around curiously, taking in the ordinary home in this peaceful

country.

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Chapter 66

Huis, you’ve been living here all this time?” he asked with fresh interest.

“Yeah,” Nova replied.

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But as she stepped inside, she saw Hannah and Maxwell frozen in the entryway, staring blankly toward the living room.

An elderly man in dark suit sat on the sofa, while Charles and Fiona stood before him with bowed heads, as humble as servants being scolded.

It was the first time since her return that Nova had seen her parents show such deference.

Just as she wondered what was happening, she heard Hannah murmur, “Someone from the main family. They drove Dad out of the main family ages ago. Why did he suddenly show up here?”

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Chapter 62