Chapter 169: Times Are Weary

“……”

“Did you call Ben?”

In the distance, Ben appeared like an arrow, rushing over with a cry of, “Sir Deon, not again!” Deon obediently sat on a nearby boulder where Dan had laid out a handkerchief, preparing to receive treatment.

Ben quickly arrived, kneeling before Deon on one knee. He carefully examined the wound, then lifted his head, directing a sharp voice towards Ed.

“Ed, why didn’t you stop Sir Deon from doing something like this?!”

“…….”

“Sir Deon, please refrain from such actions. Your clothes melted and stuck to your skin!”

“……Melted and stuck to what now…?”

A gloomy voice echoed. Even Deon stiffened visibly at that tone.

The mad dogs who had been in a standoff with the 0th Legion were now gathered before them.

Deon looked back for a savior, but Dan was ignoring him. Ben and Ed, knowing Deon Hart was weaker than them, had already retreated to the side.

The Killer Knights members surrounding Deon drawled out their words, applying pressure.

“Cap-tain… I think I heard something terrifying…”

“It’s just your imagination.”

“Imagination, my foot!”

Milan reached out. Deon hurriedly tried to pull back, but as if not to be missed, Milan threw himself forward, grabbing Deon’s ankle and yanking.

Losing his balance and about to fall backward, Dan, who was standing right behind him, grabbed Deon’s shoulder, and Ed, who had quickly approached, supported his waist with his left arm, allowing him to sit back down stably.

Knight Kleter, who had been ready to assist from the side, was briefly impressed by their swift teamwork. But then Milan, who had brought his face close to the wounded area to examine it, lifted his head and shouted loudly.

“It’s real! The clothes really melted and stuck to his skin! And I smell medicine!”

“What?!”

“Captain, are you doing drugs again?!”

“It even looks like you cauterized it on your thigh! If you’re going to do this, please use a different kind of medicine!”

“No, you idiot! You shouldn’t do drugs when it’s not a battle!”

“Ah, right!”

It was a commotion that sharply awakened the drowsy spirits from just moments ago.

Deon raised a hand to cover his eyes, feeling a sudden surge of fatigue, but the knight order members paid no heed.

“Medic! Get the medic!”

“Dumbass, the physician is right there! …Hey, why aren’t you treating him and just standing there, you bastard!”

They even grabbed Ben by the collar. How could he just stand by and watch this? He had to get up, if only to keep these guys alive.

“I’ll get treatment, so you guys stop it and go back to your accommodations.”

“Huh? Can’t we just watch?”

“I’m thinking of getting treated in my room because you’re all too noisy.”

“No way!”

Ignoring them, he stood up. Ed tried to support him, but it wasn’t like any bones or ligaments were damaged. He waved his hand dismissively.

“Dan, make sure these… guys don’t stray and go straight to their accommodations.”

“I think you were about to call them ‘bastards’…”

“Now.”

“Captain? Captaaaain!”

Dan waved his hands, herding the knight order members towards their accommodations like sheep.

Deon watched his retreating figure for a moment before starting to walk towards his room. Ben and Ed followed behind him.

In the quiet hallway, Ed, his gaze lowered, followed Deon’s dignified stride, and slowly broached the subject.

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Speak.”

“Even though you hold the position of Commander-in-Chief… you haven’t really utilized the ‘legions’ much so far.”

He had been curious all along.

Deon Hart was in a position to mobilize all legions. Yet, he mainly used regular troops and commanders under the legions. Except for his own 0th Legion, his reluctance to use other legions was clear.

The steps of the person walking ahead faltered slightly. Red pupils, which had been staring blankly ahead, glanced back at him.

“You are perceptive.”

“…….”

“The reason is nothing grand.”

He didn’t want to increase his debts. He wanted to refrain from relying on someone else’s power while depending on the Demon King’s mercy. He wanted to achieve revenge with his own hands if possible.

…Even while wishing for the Empire to fall, he hoped for the Human Realm to survive.

It was the disgusting mercy and hypocrisy of someone in power.

Perhaps if one were to dissect Deon Hart’s insides, they would find them teeming with black chaos. Resuming his steps, Deon answered nonchalantly.

“The magical beasts have increased, making it difficult to handle with just two legions. We don’t know how the situation will unfold, and it would be problematic to rely on legions from the start, wouldn’t it?”

“Ah… as expected of you, Sir Deon.”

“…….”

Instead of answering, he opened the door and entered.

He took off his coat and pulled a chair from the table to sit down. Ben, who had immediately knelt before him on one knee, held up scissors.

“…Scissors?”

“Yes, I think we’ll have to cut the clothes.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

This silence was quite comfortable.

He sat upright, watching the blade precariously cut the fabric near his thigh. Ed, having organized his coat, approached his side.

“You mentioned that dealing with the Empire has become easier.”

“I did.”

“Rweche has withdrawn from the alliance, but that’s all. The alliance between Sanguo and the Empire remains. Do you really think it’s become easier to deal with them?”

Tap, tap. White fingers began to drum on the table.

“It’s not as simple as ‘Rweche withdrawing.’ The King of Sanguo is sharp-minded. Not to mention the Emperor.”

“……?”

What did the intelligence of the two rulers have to do with it?

Doubt surfaced on Ed’s face. Deon, glancing at him, smiled lightly.

“With the ruler who was mediating in the middle gone, and two sharp-minded rulers left, what do you think will remain?”

Minimizing losses and securing their share is natural for a leader. Power struggles would surely intensify.

“Especially since the Emperor is not one to back down, division is as good as guaranteed.”

***

[I apologize. The alliance is because of me….]

[I sent support from the start with the possibility of the alliance falling apart in mind.]

[However, because I intervened and saved them….]

[Lien Riner.]

[…….]

[I only told you to visit them, not to stand by and watch their deaths. No, rather, I called them ‘disposable pieces.’ In other words, you saved those even the Emperor had given up on. That is an action worthy of praise.]

[…….]

[I mean to say you have nothing to apologize for.]

– Isn’t there something you’re hiding?

The voice from beyond the communicator rang out sharply. The Emperor, lost in thought, briefly furrowed his brow.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

– The Empire couldn’t have been unaware of the border with Taehon Kingdom. Why didn’t you mention it to Rweche?

Ah, that.

He slowly crossed his legs. With a nonchalant and bored expression, he stared at the communication stone.

“I was aware, but I judged that informing them wasn’t my responsibility.”

– What do you mean? Matters related to the Demon Realm are the Empire’s responsibility. Of course….

“Taehon Kingdom didn’t inform the Empire about the existence of the border. We can’t just step in and tell them what they haven’t disclosed, can we? Don’t you think?”

– …….

This was clearly Taehon Kingdom’s fault.

The moment the King of Sanguo fell silent, the Emperor’s golden eyes flashed. As if applying pressure, a low, heavy voice flowed out.

“We formed an alliance to face the Demon Realm. Your opponent is not me.”

– …….

“Do not try to gain an advantage over me.”

Did he think he wouldn’t see through his scheme to strengthen his say in things this time? He must have wanted to see the Empire groveling before Sanguo.

Leaving the silent party behind, the Emperor briefly retraced the previous conversation.

‘…Aside from everything else.’

The fact that Taehon Kingdom hadn’t informed the Empire about the border’s existence. If this fact became known to Rweche, Taehon Kingdom would no longer be promised Rweche’s protection.

Perhaps the King of Rweche believed that Taehon Kingdom had informed the Empire of the border’s existence, but the Empire hadn’t informed Rweche. That must be why Taehon Kingdom hadn’t been cast aside yet.

The Emperor, stroking his chin for a moment, casually tossed out a question.

“Are you the kind of person who would create a situation where a powerless weak nation is abandoned?”

– …Of course not. Why would I do something that brings no benefit?

The King of Taehon Kingdom wouldn’t bother to reveal it, so the truth remained buried beneath the surface.

Though it was questionable why they hadn’t spoken up even after being promised protection.

‘Did they think so lightly of it as to simply forget?’

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t his concern.

The Emperor, who had prevented the history of a weak nation from being severed with a brief question, indifferently looked down at the communicator conveying the next words.

– I don’t think we are compatible.

“Indeed.”

He readily agreed.

Through the alliance, he frequently conversed with her, and he became certain that staying close would only lead to unnecessary conflicts.

Therefore, to prevent the alliance from breaking down, it would be better to maintain a proper distance.

***

Finally, Develania brought information about the Duke.

There was still no information about ‘why’ the Duke had done what he did, but the ample amount of information helped him sufficiently deduce what he valued most.

Leaving his disappointment behind, Deon Hart scanned and combined all the information, then raised a hand to cover his mouth. Ed called out from the side, ‘Sir Deon?’ but he couldn’t answer.

One hand still covering his mouth, he waved his other hand, gesturing for them to leave. When only he and Dan remained, he finally laughed.

“Heh heh, ahahaha! Hahaha!!”

“…….”

He was aware he must look like a madman. But he couldn’t contain the overflowing joy.

Because that Duke, Starbe Illuster,

“Had someone precious!”

And it wasn’t even an object, but a person!

The arrogant Duke Starbe Illuster, who seemed to treat no one but himself as human, had someone precious. Perhaps, no, surely he valued that person more than the throne.

So that’s why. Now he understood.

“Truly perfect!”

Now that he had deduced what was precious, this stack of papers was unnecessary.

Rip. The documents that had soared into the air fell apart piece by piece. Dan sighed at the messy room, but Deon paid no mind and called out to him.

“Dan. Tell the legion commanders—hahaha, no, it’s better if I say it myself. Summon a meeting!”

He had to change course.

Instead of the inefficient route of advancing to the capital through Illuster territory, he would take the shortest route to the capital. Coincidentally, the occupied Paras territory was located in the best route to move to either the Imperial Palace or Illuster territory in the shortest distance. It was perfect.

Deon lay down on the bed, still smiling. Papers scattered everywhere in the room had fallen onto the bed, pricking his back, but his laughter didn’t subside.

‘To think the Duke cherished the Emperor!’

From his attitude of trying to peacefully take over the throne even in a situation where he could sufficiently overthrow the Emperor, to even helping the Emperor at crucial moments.

Why hadn’t he noticed? His actions of aiming for the throne were just pressure, and nothing more.

So, he decided. He would kill the Emperor first, and then kill the Duke afterward.

He would let him feel the despair of losing someone precious.

Deon Hart smiled more brightly than ever.