Chapter 388: Cheap Psychological Warfare (1) |
“...”
“Cough! Cough! Cough! Commander! Are you okay?” I[1] asked.
“I’m fine. I don’t have any injuries. It was just a simple trick. Are you okay, Katia?” Jin Cheong asked.
“Cough. I-I’m fine as well,” I replied.
I kept coughing because of the smoke, and when the smoke disappeared, I saw the commander frowning. I couldn’t help but stare at him because this was my first time seeing him like this. It was obvious why he looked like that because I was feeling the same way. I was unknowingly trembling. Of course, I wasn’t just angry at that man, I was also worried for my sister.
‘Is she alright? She’s fine, right? No, she seemed fine. I’m sure she’s okay.’
I was sure he wouldn’t cause her serious harm, and even though she seemed really anxious, my sister seemed safe in the magic hologram. She wasn’t being treated like an actual prisoner of war, and at least she didn’t seem like she was getting tortured. I was nervous, but I felt relieved as well. Now, I just had to focus on the fact that she was still alive. It had to be really obvious that I was worried for my sister because the commander spoke.
“I’m sure Yevkarina is safe.”
“Right…” I commented.
“My sister isn’t that kind of person. He has definitely grasped one of her weaknesses,” I told him.
“I believe in Karina as well. I’m sure that’s the case,” he agreed.
After talking to him for a bit, I saw people walking near the door to find out what was going on. I wanted to talk more about my sister, but briefing the members of the command center who had just entered was the priority. I knew very well what I should prioritize.
However, I couldn’t help but feel kind of sad because Commander Jin Cheong didn’t mention Yevkarina in his briefing at all. The only thing that filled his eyes was anger toward Honorary Cardinal Lee Ki-young. I understood why he was angry, but this was the first time I saw him lose his temper. He wasn’t like his usual calm self. Of course, he remained calm on the outside, but people would always unknowingly reveal signs of their true emotions. I saw through his feelings through his gaze and rough breathing. They were small signs, but they showed that he was extremely angry. This was the first time I saw that kind of emotion from him, and there was a chance that the commander felt betrayed as well. I could still remember when the commander first heard about the honorary cardinal of the Sacred Democratic Country. Back then, the commander seemed like he felt a sense of kinship with the honorary cardinal. Unfortunately, the honorary cardinal cornered him in a ridiculous way after he discovered the honorary cardinal’s true identity. I was sure what happened back then really hurt his pride. It was the same with the magic hologram just now. The honorary cardinal had made a fool of the commander and tricked him, which resulted in the commander being extremely angry at the moment.
It was definitely a frustrating experience, but the commander continued with his briefing.
It was an informal briefing, but his explanation was pretty detailed.
I sighed once again while standing among the people who were nodding.
“Are you saying that the army of Everia is currently heading toward the capital of the Republic?” asked one of the people gathered in the room.
“Nothing has been confirmed just yet, and we can’t overlook the possibility that the honorary cardinal was just lying. Personally, I think he’s lying, but he has always been the type to exaggerate things just to stroke his own ego. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have told us ahead of time if he really were heading to the capital,” Jin Cheong answered.
Unfortunately, our anxiety wouldn’t really change anything. We couldn’t just stand by and suck on our thumbs, so I listened intently as the commander spoke some more.
‘He has a point.’
What that man had said about heading to the Republic’s capital was so ridiculous that I would do my best to stop him if I were on their side. Our fronts were still standing strong, so there was no way they could cross our lines. Therefore, there wasn’t even a need to consider if that man had told us the truth. I was sure that the troops of the Everia Kingdom still haven’t crossed the front lines.
‘It’s a crazy thing to do as well.’
If they succeeded and managed to break through our lines, there was no way they could do such a thing without losing many of their troops. As such, it was impossible for them to make such an extreme decision.
“I-I see, sir. Then, what’s the meaning behind the video just now…” I asked.
“It’s to create confusion. He was just lying to us. Basically, this is nothing more than an act. He just stood in front of the camera like a clown and bluffed to confuse us,” Jin Cheong replied.
“An act…” I muttered.
***
“It was all an act,” I[2] said.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Miss Yevkarina,” Lee Ki-Young said.
“It was all an act. The way you moved on camera, you weren’t moving like your true self,” I replied.
“You have never seen who I am before, yet you’re talking about my true self. There’s nothing more annoying than a stranger acting like they know everything about someone else, Miss Yevkarina. Ah, you’re not a stranger anymore because we have gotten pretty close… I’ll just say that your remark makes sense,” he told me.
“Your exaggerated expression, behavior, and grin as if trying to provoke the commander is all a lie. You purposely made a ridiculous and bold claim to make him think that you’re actually going to do it. Is there a need to go that far?” I questioned.
“Ah, I think I know what you’re talking about. Every animal has their own way of surviving, and there are many beasts on Earth who make themselves look bigger when they’re scared. Humans usually learn from nature,” he explained.
“The commander will catch on—no, I’m sure he realized it by now,” I said.
“Predators don’t get tricked because they’re stupid. That’s not the case, Miss Yevkarina. Acting like you have something up your sleeve is more effective than you think. This example is kind of different, but if you asked a woman whether they would go on a date with a man who looked like a bum or with a man in a nice suit, they would a hundred percent choose the latter. It’s natural. Animals usually fall for obvious tricks because humans are animals as well. Making yourself look attractive is pretty effective in attracting people’s attention. Ah, even if you look at me with disgust, it won’t affect me. You’re just frowning, after all,” he added.
“...”
He was smiling while patting my head, and I felt goosebumps rising throughout my entire body. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say anything else. All I could do in this wretched situation was lower my head without saying anything.
‘This man isn’t stupid.’
The more I thought about it, the more I became convinced that he was smart. However, I was sure that the commander knew that as well. After all, the commander had always been skilled in seeing through other people’s minds better than anyone else.
The magic hologram just now can’t be considered a simple mind game. Lee Ki-Young’s dialogue and expressions were provocative throughout the video, making it difficult to look away from him. The way he treated me like an object, the way he behaved like he was some low-life thug, and his ridiculous remarks were all part of his act. He tricked his opponent with a simple lie and made them aware that he could trick them anytime. He confused them by showing off his ability and using a useless fallacy. The same applied to what seemed like a blank ammo that exploded and the show he had put on before that. All of this was a show to deliver the message that he was heading to the capital of the Republic.
However, it was strange how I felt like I couldn’t think of anything else.
‘He’s like a blank bullet.’
I thought that was the perfect description for him, but to describe him as a mere blank bullet seemed like an underestimation. I couldn’t help but think that he was the type of person who would shoot a supposedly blank bullet when it was actually a live bullet.
‘I’m sure the commander knows as well. He’s probably thinking of the same thing...’
“What are you planning on doing?” I asked.
“Who knows? However, I think you know the answer as well. To be honest, I’m still trying to make a decision. My original goal is to create confusion. I’m sure you know that better than I do, Miss Yevkarina. I’m sure you know what I’m thinking,” he replied.
“No, I—”
“You still remember what I said, right, Miss Yevkarina? I told them the same thing. I never compromise, and I wasn’t lying when I said that. I had already decided that I’m going to rush for the Republic’s capital, and I simply told them the truth. As for how they’re going to react? It’s entirely up to them,” he interrupted.
“...”
“I never compromise. It doesn’t matter what kind of choice they’re going to make,” he added.
***
“I won’t waver since he’s not a soldier or a schemer. He’s just a fraud who only knows how to trick others,” Commander Jin Cheong said.
I[3] didn’t think he was an opponent who was even worthy of those disparaging words, but after seeing the commander’s frown, I started to feel uncomfortable.
‘He doesn’t want to acknowledge it.’
I couldn’t help but think that my assumption was right because Commander Jin Cheong had never been the type to lower his guard or look down on people. He wasn’t that kind of person.
“I’m sure Lee Ki-Young knows better than anyone that he’s at a disadvantage. I’m not sure if he knows what’s going on in Castle Rock, but he definitely knows the overall situation on all fronts. He definitely sent that magic hologram to make us think that he isn’t anxious,” he continued.
“In that case, Lee Ki-Young is probably after—”
“He definitely wants to push our troops back, especially because he knows that we’re about to mount an assault and conquer Castle Rock. I’m sure he’s waiting for us to make the first move toward the capital,” he answered.
“But, sir, the possibility of them heading to the capital of the Republic isn’t completely out of the question. They could be head for the Republic through Laios…” I explained.
“He definitely made that remark with that in mind. It’s a trick many people had used before. If he didn’t have a way to reach the capital, I’m sure he wouldn’t have sent that video to us. Therefore, it’s only right for us to assume that he sent that video because he actually has a plan. I believe he made that remark with the Mercenary Queen in mind because she’s currently in Laios,” I said.
“...”
“He will not abandon Castle Rock,” said Jin Cheong.
“What?” I muttered.
“I’m sure that’s what he’s thinking—no, he won’t be able to abandon Castle Rock. He won’t be able to abandon Castle Rock because he will have to come and find me eventually,” he continued.
“What are you…”
“Yes, that is what I would have thought if I were my past self. He used a simple deception tactic, so what he had said wasn’t even worthy of being heard,” he said.
“...”
“Lee Ki-Young is heading to the capital. I’m sure of it,” he concluded.
***
“Then…” I[4] muttered.
“Why are you asking me again when you already know the answer, Miss Yevkarina? We’re going to abandon Castle Rock and head to the Republic’s capital,” Lee Ki-Young said.
“Are you… serious?” I questioned.
“Who knows? Am I lying, or am I being serious? What do you think?” he asked.
1. Katia’s POV ☜
2. Yevkarina’s POV ☜
3. Katia’s POV ☜
4. Yevkarina’s POV ☜
Comments 4