Chapter 262: Revolutionary Bombshell
by xennovel“Acquiring this many bombs suggests they’re no ordinary group. Sanguo certainly doesn’t possess this quantity of explosives. Even if they did, they’d prioritize using them against the Demon King’s advancing army, not in some place like this.”
The King of Sanguo, profiting from this ‘game,’ wouldn’t try to kill me before draining all the benefits.
“Then it hit me. When you think of ‘bombs,’ doesn’t the ‘Revolutionary Army’ come to mind?”
……!
“Come to think of it, the Revolutionary Army has been known to aid Sanguo independently. Their intelligence network is quite extensive too, it seems.”
That’s the answer.
He smirked, eyes curving into crescents as he watched them flinch and widen their eyes. The red glint in his gaze, a chilling mix of suppressed fury and madness, intensified.
“Did you honestly believe concealing the Revolutionary Army’s insignia was sufficient?”
The oppressive aura intensified steadily.
Under the crushing tension, thick enough to explode, their leader grit his trembling jaw and forced out a low word.
“Lo….”
“I dismissed it as insignificant, pushing it down the priority list, but it seems I need to rearrange things.”
“Kill him!!”
“Right, you said it perfectly. Exactly. First…”
Let’s begin by killing you all.
***
A signal blared from the necklace—a desperate, urgent signal.
It was a distress signal, the kind that screamed of near-death experiences, repeatedly. Ben, who’d been idling around the barracks since their arrival, shot out of the tent without a second thought. His mind, a blank slate of panic, didn’t even register why the signal was coming from so far away at this late hour.
Though only a few seconds, the signal pulsed erratically, cutting in and out as if he was being repeatedly injured and then healed. Ben gritted his teeth, pushing himself to run even faster.
‘What in the world happened to Sir Deon…?’
The questions that he expected to be answered upon arrival only intensified.
Scorched black earth, human corpses strewn around, and Sir Deon, holding a human man by the neck.
Despite the distance, Deon seemed to sense his approach and turned. Meeting the crimson glint of murderous intent in Deon’s eyes, Ben felt a chill of premonition.
Ah, I’ve learned something I shouldn’t have.
Once he confirmed Sir Deon was unharmed and his panic subsided, the full scope of the situation began to dawn on him.
Being out here so late at night, so far from camp, meant Deon was engaged in something clandestine. And the fact that he hadn’t been informed meant this was something ‘Ben’ wasn’t meant to know.
…Sir Deon.
Loose lips could mean death. Swallowing hard, he resumed his approach.
Deon’s pupils, tight slits of red, fixed intently on Ben as he approached. Like facing a wary wild animal, Ben held Deon’s gaze, carefully closing the distance, pushing aside the corpses underfoot.
Finally, when he was within arm’s reach, he stopped and spoke. In the tense silence, his first words were…
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
…….
“At least, nothing visible seems amiss…”
…Hah.
A hollow chuckle escaped him, as if a switch had flipped, releasing the tension.
Feeling the oppressive atmosphere dissipate, Ben cautiously extended a hand. Deon didn’t even glance at him, his gaze dismissive as if humans were invisible, and Ben’s actions of checking Deon’s tattered clothes earned him a bewildered look.
“…What are you doing?”
“Checking for any hidden injuries, just in case.”
“None. Healed up ages ago.”
Indeed, no injuries were apparent.
It wasn’t like he’d been struck by the Demon King’s power, so rapid healing was expected. Only now truly relieved, Ben sighed in relief, taking off his coat to offer it.
“Autumn’s coming, nights are getting chilly. Please, take this.”
…….
Not that a Hero would catch a cold… but Deon, sensing Ben’s thoughtfulness, wordlessly released the human’s neck and donned the coat.
Just before releasing the neck, he seemed to tighten his grip one last time—a sickening crack of bone echoed, but neither of them acknowledged it.
…So.
Coat now on, Deon turned, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Ben.
“What do you want to say?”
“Heading back, or fancy more of this night stroll?”
…….
Meaning he wouldn’t pry about why Deon was here or what had happened.
Just like before, it seemed Ben had fully committed to their side. Deon, who had been studying him, played along, pretending nothing was amiss.
“Not really in the mood for more night strolls dressed like this. Let’s head back.”
“Yes.”
***
Near the military camp, before heading inside, Deon parted ways with Ben and slipped back in, avoiding the soldiers’ notice as he had when leaving. Dan was waiting, and Deon recounted the night’s events.
He had to explain; Dan’s eyes showed concern as he’d been shocked by Deon’s disheveled state, grabbing him and demanding to know what had happened.
“Revolutionary Army…”
After hearing the tale, Dan frowned, muttering to himself.
“When you think about it, those guys stick their noses everywhere.”
“You’re telling me.”
…Master.
Dan called out softly, his tone calm, as if discussing someone else’s problem.
“Surely you’re not planning to let this slide after all this, Master?”
“Of course not.”
Deon shrugged.
Deon had long known what needed to be done about the Revolutionary Army. He even possessed the key to deal with them easily.
Yet, he’d procrastinated, and now things had escalated. Even before, he’d overlooked several provocations. Unless he was a fool, taking action was inevitable.
“The Revolutionary Army is a force united solely around its leader; eliminate the head, and the body will crumble.”
“I know that.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
…….
Silence returned.
Dan watched him, lips parting and then closing, before adding,
“We also happen to know their leader’s weakness.”
…Yes, I know that. We’ll use it. As a hostage…”
“Master.”
Dan fixed Deon with a steady gaze.
In the silence, the red eyes that had been locked on his flickered away. Dan’s gaze followed relentlessly as he spoke softly,
“Do you really think that’s enough?”
…….
“Master, you must know there’s a more effective way.”
Though unvoiced, Deon Hart would understand. And indeed, Deon quietly lowered his gaze.
…Certainly.
…….
“Maybe there is a better way. Best to take more time to consider it. More importantly, this ‘game’… I suspect the next one will be the last.”
“You’ve already postponed it long enough, though Dan kept that comment to himself.”
‘He is still kind….’
Is it in his nature?
Of course, given more time, a better approach might emerge. But hadn’t enough time already passed? The fact that nothing better had surfaced meant the plan in mind was indeed the most efficient.
It was just a matter of crossing that final line he clung to as a human. Yet, he wouldn’t even consider the most obvious solution.
‘Well… it doesn’t matter.’
I’ll just do it myself.
So, even though Dan knew Deon was changing the subject, he remained silent.
***
When Dan orchestrated what was essentially propaganda against the Human Realm, he earned a degree of recognition from the legion commanders.
His skill and audacity to do as he pleased under the watchful eyes of the legion commanders, and still deliver results, had earned him a form of recognition. Commander Trober of the 9th Corps had even bestowed upon him the honorary title of demon, second only to the Lofty Knights themselves.
…When those mad dogs earned such a title is beyond me, but that’s beside the point.
The point is, that event forged connections with the legion commanders, and they’d exchanged communication stones. Hence,
“Lady Lirinel, I have a favor to ask for Master’s sake… Would you be willing to hear me out? I can offer a small token of gratitude.”
“- Huh? For Sir Deon’s sake? What is it?”
Dan contacted the Commander of the 11th Corps, who oversaw the Demon Church.
“It won’t be difficult.”
The human, more demonic than any demon, laid out the plan, speaking for his lenient superior. The demon legion commander, with ethics a distant concept, listened intently, nodding enthusiastically, though unseen.
“- Yeah, sounds easy enough! I’ll handle it right away. No need for rewards, not when it’s for Sir Deon.”
“In that case, perhaps what I prepared isn’t a reward, but a bribe to ensure your continued good will.”
It was originally intended for occasions like this, and if not now, it might never find a use. Might as well secure the 11th Corps Commander’s favor while I’m at it.
Sensing his determination to give her something, Lirinel voiced her curiosity.
“- What is it?”
“It’s a portrait of Master.”
“- …What?!”
“For reference, it’s an exact likeness. Even Master himself said it was like looking in a mirror.”
Though he did express displeasure at the comparison.
A voice, trembling with excitement, came through the communicator.
“- An exact likeness… a portrait? You have a portrait that captures Sir Deon’s appearance?”
“Lord Demon King drew it.”
“- Th, th-that kind of…!”
The Demon King’s artistic talent was well-known among demons who’d lived any length of time.
After all, the Demon King excelled in every field imaginable. Art was no exception.
A portrait of Sir Deon, personally painted by the Demon King himself! Lirinel carefully inquired, suppressing her trembling excitement.
“- You’re giving me that precious thing?”
“Yes.”
“- Really?”
“Yes, as a bribe. I’ll tell you where it’s kept.”
So, this is how sweet a bribe can be…!
Humans say they often self-destruct when they get bribes beyond their station; now I understand why.
“You are really a good kid!”
Lirinel exclaimed, overcome with delight. Her mind was already racing, deciding where to hang Sir Deon’s portrait.
“If you ever need anything, just ask! Anything within my power, I’ll gladly do for you!”
***
Failed to kill Deon Hart.
To fail to kill him even with that much explosive… just what kind of body does a Hero have?
The operatives he’d sent were all dead too, he heard. Paul rubbed his forehead, unsure if they’d been exposed before dying, or killed without revealing their identities.
‘…Anyway, that’s done and dusted. Move on.’
No cleanup needed either way. The Revolutionary Army had already been a persistent thorn in the Demon King’s side; what more could they do knowing about this?
‘More pressing is this matter here.’
Confirming the identities of the new Revolutionary recruits arriving this time.
It was a routine he followed every time new Revolutionary recruits joined. As their leader, he couldn’t remain ignorant of his members’ faces. He used to observe them covertly, but at some point, bodyguards had been assigned, turning it into a de facto official duty.
‘Overprotective, considering spies rarely slip through at that stage.’
The location he was heading to now was an external site specifically for vetting out spies. Because of this, his people, fearing for his safety, had insisted on assigning guards despite his protests.
In reality, by the time recruits reached this location, they’d already undergone rigorous background checks, so hardly anyone was ever flagged there. It was more of a formality. Thus, Paul proceeded with his usual nonchalance.
He stopped walking as the prospective members came into sight.
‘Diverse age group again, I see….’
From children to the elderly, every age imaginable was represented. Paul leaned against a nearby tree, casually scanning the visible faces.
Seeing the young faces left a bitter taste in his mouth. He wasn’t sure if it was the world’s madness forcing children into danger, or if it was the memory of Sia….
‘Sia… still no news, was there?’