Chapter 387: The Winner Doesn’t Pay The Price (4) |
My[1] mind went blank. I started breathing heavily, yet I felt as if I was suffocating. It was all because I couldn’t believe the sight I was seeing on the magic hologram. The woman on the screen was definitely my sister, and she was trembling with her head down. To make things worse, I could also see that she was crying. I couldn’t quite grasp her condition as well. I had no idea how she got into that situation.
The Everia Front had already collapsed, even though it was just the first day. The bastard was playfully smacking my sister’s shoulder, so I couldn’t help but start doubting the legitimacy of this scene.
‘This is definitely fake.’
There was a chance that I said that to myself because I wanted to avoid reality, but I couldn’t really think of anything else because all this couldn’t be understood with common sense. The only thing I could tell myself was that all this was a lie.
Meanwhile, the man continued talking.
- Thank you for the introduction, Miss Yevkarina, but I don’t think that’s enough… I think it would be best if you said something that will prove who you really are. I’ll ask you a few questions. What do you usually do in your free time?
- I… read.
- That’s a bit surprising. How long have you been here?
- Seven years.
- Stew.
- Hm. It’s still lacking, but this should be enough to prove that this is real. I’d like to spend more time like this for those who will be very suspicious of this video, but unfortunately, we do not have the time to do that, so we’ll stop here. Ah, I’m Lee Ki-Young, and I’m 26 years old. My job is God’s Envoy, and my hobby is studying theology. My specialty is praying. I’m sure all of you recognize my face. Isn’t that right, Yevkarina?
- That’s right.
- Ah. I’m not sure how many people are watching this, but the scene you’ll soon watch could be pretty shocking. If possible, I suggest leaving the room. This message is for the demon summoner Jin Cheong alone. Don’t even try to illegally copy this video or move it somewhere else. I’m sure you all know that the control tower that we possess has to authorize every transmission. Playing with the magic hologram is meaningless as well because this artifact is consumable. I’ll get straight to the point after ten seconds. As I have mentioned before, what you’re about to see could be shocking. The countdown starts now! As for you, Miss Yevkarina, you should get up and start preparing.
At that, the sense of foreboding in my head intensified once more, but before I could say anything, I heard Commander Jin Cheong’s voice.
- Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!
“I’d like everyone to leave the room. This is an order.”
“Understood.”
“I-I want to watch it as well, Commander. No, I must see it… with my own eyes. Please. Please let me stay,” I begged.
“Will you be okay?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied.
I was kind of worried, but I had to watch it. It was something I had to watch for myself and something I had to endure.
- One. Now! Let’s begin the conversation.
“Huh?”
- Miss Yevkarina, please sit again. Haha. Are you surprised? Oh, man. If you really thought I was about to do something strange to Miss Yevkarina, then you have been tricked. I know I look like this, but the gods have chosen me, you know? I reject immoral deeds—no, I am completely against them. I won’t harm Miss Yevkarina. Yes, I won’t…
- …
- However, I hope only Commander Jin Cheong enjoys this video. It won’t do any good if many people are watching it. If others saw the love letter that I discreetly sent over to Commander Jin Cheong, how would that make me look? Well, it doesn’t really matter if other people are watching it, but if possible, I recommend watching it by yourself. I’m sure you understand what I mean, and I know what you’re thinking. Yes, you’re right. I’m kind of bluffing right now.
- …
- I don’t like getting caught up in useless gossip, so I installed my own safety device, but even if this video spreads all over the continent, I’d like to say that it won’t really harm me.
“Crazy bastard…” I commented.
“...”
I was angry, but he was right. Even if we spread this video all over the continent, it wouldn’t be enough to change the public’s opinion of him.
- Now, why did I suddenly record and send this to our demon summoner? There are two big reasons. I’m sure there are more reasons if we go into details, but we’ll go with two for now. Firstly, I want to tell you that I have Miss Yevkarina with me. Isn’t that right?
- Yes.
- Thankfully, Miss Yevkarina has decided to join our Holy Alliance. She had made a very brave decision to repent as a demon servant and fight for the light. Right?
- Yes.
- I think Miss Yevkarina is really worried about you all this time. However, it seems like you have been erased from her mind because we have been enjoying our time together, but apart from that, I’m worried that I may have taken your girlfriend away from you. Of course, that was a joke, so please don’t take it seriously. The important thing is that she and I share the same interests, so please keep that in mind. Now, why don’t you reveal what your future aspirations are?
- …
- Go ahead. Please tell us.
- I-I…
- Yes?
- I-I want to repent from my mistake of living as a demon servant, and through your kindness, I.. was… I was reborn. I-I won’t stand with the darkness. I will do my best to chase the demon’s power out by standing beneath the light.
- Say it with more conviction!
- I-I have been reborn as part of the light. I’m going to stand on the Goddess of Benigoa’s side and take the lead in saving the demons of the Republic!
She wasn’t being honest, and I could tell because she was stuttering.
I cautiously turned my head, and the commander definitely reached the same conclusion as me because he was nodding.
- You did well, our Yevkarina. Good job. I’m sure it’s difficult to understand, but that is basically what happened. I’m sure you understand very well what I’m talking about. Now that we are done with that, there’s only one more reason left. The reason I mentioned earlier was nothing more than an introduction, and personally, I wanted to show off my abilities. It won’t really look good to have just one reason when sending something like this, so I had no choice but to create this scene. Of course, I want to make you angry as well.
- …
- This is the official reason. This is a declaration of war. The Republic has declared war on the Sacred Democratic Country, so I think it’s only right for us to answer in kind. This is actually more of a warning, though. The warning is that the alliance will be heading to the heart of the Republic. It’s exactly like I said. I’m going to charge into the capital of the Republic along with the members of the other races here.
“That’s ridiculous…” I muttered.
- You’re probably thinking that it’s ridiculous, right? Well, I think so as well, but what can I do? For me, the fastest way to end this war is to go over there. I want to avoid unnecessary sacrifices as much as possible. They’re all workers working for god and their own nation, so it’s really unfortunate for them to lose their lives. That’s why I thought about it for a long time. Eventually, I found that there was no other way other than to make this kind of decision, but what we’re about to do isn’t really futile. It won’t even take twenty days for our troops to reach the heart of the Republic. Yes, exactly 20 days. I’m sure inevitable sacrifices will be made during that time, but it can’t be helped if you think of it as a sacrifice for a greater cause.
There was no way the Sacred Democratic Country would abandon Castle Rock. Anyone with a crumb of knowledge about military strategy would be able to see why it was impossible for them to abandon Castle Rock.
- I know you can’t believe it, and you’re probably thinking that it’s a crazy idea and that it’s a ridiculous attempt, so I’ll repeat myself—I’m going to enter the heart of the Republic. I will turn our forces and cross the Eastern Front immediately. By the time you’re watching this, we’re probably ready to depart.
“He’s bluffing,” the commander commented.
- I’m not bluffing.
“He’s tricking us. Everything he’s saying is bullshit. I know you, Lee Ki-Young,” he added.
- It’s not a trick, and I’m not bullshitting.
“You’re scared right now, and that’s why you’re saying ridiculous things. Just like the time we played chess, you know you’re at a disadvantage, which is why you’re spitting out all this nonsense. You know you’ll lose if you made a move based on standard war tactics. Do you really think I’ll fall for cheap mind tricks like this? Do you really think this war is just a joke? We’re not playing rock, paper, scissors. Even if you tell people you’re going to pull out rock, no one will believe you, you fraud,” he said.
- I’m not a fraud. I know all of this is difficult to understand, demon summoner. However, I don’t compromise in situations like this. The one who needs to get out of the way when we meet is you. I have already warned you that I’m going to charge into the heart of the Republic, and you’re going to be there. You’re going to send troops to stop me, and you’ll have no choice but to pull your troops away from Castle Rock.
“You’re the one who has to move out of the way.”
- You’re the one who has to move out of the way.
“I won’t move.”
- I’m going to move.
“I know this is all bullshit.”
- I’m sure you’re feeling nervous because this isn’t really the first time.
“That’s because I had no idea that you were a damned fraud!” Jin Cheong yelled.
- Being smart doesn’t mean you won’t get backstabbed. The smarter you are, the higher your chances of getting backstabbed. I know this because I had backstabbed many people before.
“Lee Ki-Young, you bastard! Stop getting on my nerves! You shitty, dirty fraud!”
- Just like the current situation...
“What?” he asked.
- That’s all I have to say. Now, I recommend running away as far as you can because this small item will explode exactly five seconds later. Don’t put your guard down just because you can use detection-type magic. You should have already caught on to the fact that there are spells that can escape detection spells.
“Commander!” I yelled.
“Shit!”
- Five!
“Now!”
- Four!
“I’ll cast a defensive spell!” I said.
- Three!
“...!”
- Two!
“Come over here!” I told him.
- One!
“Katia!” he called out.
- Boooooooom!! Oh, my! Oh, dear! I definitely saw you flinch just now, Commander! Man, our commander is pretty cute! Hahahaha. You fell for it again. Hahahahaha!
“You…”
- You fell for it again! Hahahaha! No spell can escape the detection of detection-type magic! Are you really a mage? Hahaha!
“You…”
- And no matter how much mana you infuse into a small catalyst like this, it won’t have much firepower. The only thing it’ll do is crackle and break. Hahaha. I know I shouldn’t do this, but I can’t help but laugh just imagining you flinch.
“You shitty fraud!”
- Goodbye for now! I’ll see you at the capital, Commander.
“I’ll kill you… I’ll kill you, you bastard…” Jin Cheong mumbled.
- May all your wishes come true. Goodbye—ah! There’s one last thing. Hmmm… you fell for it again, Commander.
Boooooom!
1. Katia’s POV ☜
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