Chapter 146: Plaudite!

“Why would I reveal such dangerous information? Because I’m about to die and feel regret? Not likely.”

Why would I specifically announce my move during this chaotic time?

The political situation is turbulent, which will inevitably complicate the Duke’s thoughts. It’s one of the few moments his judgment will be impaired.

Could my move at that precise moment truly be a coincidence?

“I’ve been giving you hints all along, Your Grace.”

– …….

“I’ve secured a successor.”

Bang! The sound of a desk being slammed echoed from the communicator.

Daniel chuckled, like a child who had successfully played a prank, and added,

“I passed on all my knowledge, including my previous statements. Despite the urgency, the exceptionally bright and endearing child absorbed it all in an instant.”

– …….

“This will prevent any personal resentment towards the Emperor, but the anger born from ‘injustice’ will persist.”

I’ve won.

The core ideology of the Revolutionary Army is to ‘create a world where everyone is equal.’ In terms of representing the majority, this means they already have widespread support. Who would reject an ideology that benefits them? Unless they’re drawn by ulterior motives.

Paul, I stressed the importance of education to that child, so even when the child becomes the leader, this ideology will continue. Ultimately, as long as the ‘caste system,’ this injustice, remains, the ‘anger’ will continue.

– …You used my forces to excise the tumor within the Revolutionary Army.

“Didn’t you previously use my forces to pressure the Emperor? Or were you using the Emperor to keep the Revolutionary Army in check?”

I shrugged, referencing the incident where Sareen instigated one of the Revolutionary Army’s leaders, causing them to lose one-ninth of their forces.

Those who gathered out of anger towards the Emperor are, in the long run, a cancer within the Revolutionary Army. As the founding leader, I should at least take care of this much for the future leaders.

In essence, the half of the forces that Daniel brought were those within the Revolutionary Army who were committing embezzlement and corruption, such as secretly selling bombs produced internally, or those so fixated on killing the Emperor that they ignored the leader’s words and even tried to pressure him.

“And Your Grace, you were an obstacle in the Revolutionary Army’s path.”

– I understand that this is your way of severing the leash tied to me… but do you think that by taking your life, I will simply let the rest go? Especially those with dangerous ideologies? How foolish.

“Why do you think I came to a place where I would die, even after securing a successor?”

Your premise is wrong.

Daniel didn’t create a successor and sacrifice his life just to remove a tumor.

– What…

– Your Grace, urgent news!

“Oh, it seems the news has finally arrived.”

I wanted to see the Duke’s reaction before I died, and thanks to this, a small wish has been granted.

The sound of paper rustling open can be heard. Soon after, an enraged shout erupted through the communication stone.

– DANIEL!!!!!

“Judging by the reaction, it seems they delivered the message properly.”

Daniel’s reason for coming here:

To focus the Duke’s attention on this location.

To draw the majority of the Duke’s forces to this place, making it easier for the Revolutionary Army to relocate their base and raid the Duke’s territories, inflicting damage on his forces.

Ultimately, the primary goal is to definitively shake off the Duke, and the secondary goal is to cleanse the internal tumor. Since we’re dealing with eliminating the Duke, sacrificing the life of this leader is a necessary bait.

“I calculated that at the very least, his forces would be reduced by half. I’m curious to see the results. Did it really happen that way?”

Since our side is losing half its forces, their side needs to lose at least half to even things out.

Of course, the catch is that what we’re losing are useless forces.

“For your information, the location of Your Grace is the final target in the raid plan.”

– Kwaaaang!!

Before the words could even finish, an explosion echoed from the communicator.

Leaving the bewildered enemies around him, Daniel slowly curled the corner of his lips upwards.

The Revolutionary Army probably won’t be able to kill the Duke. But his forces will definitely be reduced. That’s enough.

While the Revolutionary Army gathers strength, the Duke will be too busy recovering to target them.

“The leash must be severed completely. Don’t you agree?”

By now, the Revolutionary Army’s base must have already been moved.

With the death of the Revolutionary Army’s leader, the only one who could contact and associate with the Duke, there’s nothing left to connect the Revolutionary Army and the Duke.

‘Creating a new connection is also impossible.’

Since the founding leader died due to the ‘Duke’s betrayal,’ there’s no way the second generation of the Revolutionary Army would join hands with him.

It’s a clean break.

– Kill him now!

Even though only one person needed to step forward to kill him, Daniel faintly smiled as he saw weapons rushing in from all directions. Perhaps because of the thick scarf, they were aiming for his heart instead of his neck.

He deliberately revealed his thoughts to create the perception that he was someone who absolutely had to be killed, and then provoked them. This was to disrupt the Duke’s reasoning so that he wouldn’t take him hostage.

Daniel himself knew the value of the founding leader.

‘Well then, Paul.’

This hyung has dared to create a kill list under the guise of securing the Revolutionary Army’s future.

Who within the Revolutionary Army has the authority to arbitrarily decide the life and death of others? I, who have tainted the Revolutionary Army’s ideals, will die alongside those consumed by personal feelings. I hope you will move forward with pure anger towards ‘injustice.’

No regrets.

Ah, there’s one thing that bothers me.

‘Not getting back the gift I gave to Mother.’

That’s the only thing I’m concerned about.

***

Could the love for a child be like a thread connecting them?

Even before the news of Daniel’s death arrived, the mother who had lost her child was already wailing.

Who asked you to realize my ideals? When did I ever wish for your sacrifice?

Didn’t you, my clever child, truly understand the meaning of the words I spoke while wrapping this scarf around you?

“You foolish thing, you foolish thing…!”

What is left for someone who has lost their beloved spouse? What did you think I have been living for until now?

I didn’t need you to achieve greatness; I simply wanted you to live. Seeing my son, my child, grow and live was the joy of my life.

I killed you.

“I am a sinner….”

Her heart felt like it was being torn to shreds. The pain was so unbearable, as if her limbs were being ripped off while she was still alive, that she finally collapsed, unable to support herself, and tears streamed down her face.

You probably always thought you never won against me. But you were wrong.

There’s a reason why they say parents can’t win against their children. If I could have won against you, I would have made you quit that dangerous Revolutionary Army a long time ago.

But I always ended up giving in to your vibrant face, full of enthusiasm.

“I am a sinner…….”

I shouldn’t have said those things in the first place. I should have refrained from making remarks that would make you question the caste system, and even if I did utter them, I should have at least prevented you from acting on them.

The poison I requested from you as a ‘gift’ was this mother’s last bit of stubbornness. I tried to secure my son Daniel’s safety by holding my own life hostage. That was all, and now that I’ve even failed at that, what good is my life?

“…This mother will follow you soon.”

My child has many enemies. What if he’s tormented by vengeful spirits even in death?

She took out the poison she had once requested from Daniel. Hearing footsteps outside, she didn’t hesitate to pour it into her mouth and swallow.

Not long after the liquid passed down her throat, drowsiness washed over her. The fact that she felt no pain as sleep overcame her made her faintly smile as she closed her eyes, sensing Daniel’s consideration in not giving his mother a harmful substance.

‘Did you think your mother wouldn’t know your thoughts?’

He was a child she carried for ten months and raised with love. As a mother who has watched every step he took with anxiety, she knew her son’s intentions all too well.

He must have planned to entrust this mother to the next leader after his death. He probably already told them. The hurried footsteps she heard were proof of that.

“…But hyung specifically asked me to take care of his mother. Even if it means delaying other matters, I must visit her myself to apologize and take her in.”

The sound stopped in front of the door.

Knock knock.

“I’m Paul, Daniel’s close friend and brother. May I come in?”

…….

“…Why no response… Mother? Are you there?”

…….

“Mother?”

…….

“…Excuse me!”

Slam. The door opened, and the momentum that seemed ready to burst in faltered as he saw her with her eyes closed.

“…Iram, summon the physician.”

“H-Huh?”

“Hurry!”

His urgent voice, thick with emotion, sounded muffled, as if she were underwater.

What good would it be to entrust herself to a group where her son was no longer present? It was obvious that she would become an unwanted burden as time passed.

‘My son, you had to compromise like this until the very end….’

He seemed to have planned a new beginning, yet he left behind these remnants of the past.

──That was the last thought she had.

***

[Side Story: I Will Protect You Even in Death]

The Revolutionary Army’s revolution must not succeed, because Deon is under the current Emperor’s protection.

But I also can’t lead the Duke to victory, because the Duke wants to kill Deon.

Both the Revolutionary Army and the Duke are trying to harm Deon Hart.

So, I calculated.

Clack. Clack.

Chess pieces moved. Long, bony fingers adeptly grasped and moved the pieces on both sides.

Emerald eyes, unreadable, watched as the pieces moved relentlessly.

Black pieces attacked white pieces. White pieces didn’t back down and devoured black pieces. Black pieces knocked out white pieces and took their place, but soon another white piece pushed them out and reclaimed the spot.

Clack.

“Checkmate.”

The leader is dead.

Cruel picked up the black king, placed in a losing position, and rolled it in his hand. His emerald eyes, seemingly lost in thought, took in the chessboard where the battle had ended.

The winner is White, but if you only count the remaining pieces on the board, Black is at an advantage. Unlike White, who lost a significant portion of their operational forces, Black only lost some pawns.

The Revolutionary Army lost its head, but its main forces are still alive.

The Duke lost forces, but his mind is still intact.

They need to be pitted against each other. It would be best if they annihilated each other, but that’s unlikely, so the goal is to ensure they inflict significant damage on one another. Success will be when they are too busy recovering to even glance at Deon.

From the moment Cruel stepped onto the tightrope of psychological warfare with the Duke, he had resigned himself to death. It was a lifeline that could snap at any moment, so what reason did he have to wait idly for Deon Hart to die of natural causes?

He acted as if today was his last, and it was precisely for that reason that he considered the distant future.

‘I need to find a way to ensure Deon’s safety even after I’m gone.’

A future where Cruel himself would be dead and gone.

Looking at the current state of affairs, complete safety was impossible, so he had to eliminate at least some of the countless dangers in the child’s path. And so, he racked his brain.

He cleanly dismissed the Demon Realm, as he couldn’t interfere there. He set his sights on the Empire and identified the child’s greatest threats.

‘The Duke and… the Revolutionary Army.’

Dealing with just the Duke would be a headache, but with the Revolutionary Army too…

The bleakness was temporary. Daniel was the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and the Duke was a seasoned politician on par with the Emperor. Their alliance wasn’t based on affection or trust, but on mutual benefit.

The calculation was quickly made.

‘The Revolutionary Army leader’s mother is in poor health, wasn’t she?’

Upon investigation, he learned she was even coughing up blood…….

He paused for a moment, thinking of his frail younger brother, but then Cruel thought,

‘The leader doesn’t know about it yet.’

He heard that all the revolutionaries attending to her were keeping their mouths shut at his request. But there would be a limit to that. It was certain she would find out eventually.

The mental shock the Revolutionary Army leader would experience then was obvious without even seeing it.

He issued an order.