Chapter 19
Chapter 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: One of Me is Enough (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A stack of documents piled on an antique desk, where a sharp-featured middle-aged man with his hair neatly combed back was reviewing his work.
His name was Halent Barrein.
He was the first Governor-General of the Francia Governor-General's Office and the current most powerful figure in Francia.
Right now, his Barrein Family was enjoying the greatest authority since its founding.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
Halent set down the documents he had been skimming and looked at Raeshu entering the office.
Raeshu was the captain of the Crow Knight Order.
"Sir!"
Raeshu gave a crisp salute and gazed at Halent with tense eyes.
Because the information he brought could potentially upset Halent's mood.
"I will report on the 3rd Squad."
A fair amount of time had passed since the incident occurred, but considering the time it took to investigate the scene thoroughly, it wasn't late.
Halent already knew the general situation.
"So, the national seal is still unaccounted for?"
Among them, the most crucial matter was the whereabouts of the national seal.
At Halent's low voice, Raeshu bowed his head deeply, as if he were a traitor guilty of high treason.
"I apologize. We couldn't track the traces of those who took the national seal. However, based on various circumstances, it seems they have crossed over to the Juraden Kingdom."
"The Juraden Kingdom, huh. Then it's the White Lion side."
"Yes, that's our assessment."
"They just had to fall into the hands of the tricky ones."
"But we couldn't identify who annihilated the Crow Knight Order."
Halent looked at him in surprise.
He had a rough idea of the White Lion's forces.
"You mean it could be a new figure."
"Yes. We expected forces matching the level needed to wipe out the 3rd Squad, but comparing the characteristics of their executive-level personnel, none fit perfectly. It doesn't seem like a large number of people were deployed either. The traces left behind are minimal, making it hard to judge precisely, but the circumstances suggest as much."
"Hmm..."
Halent let out a small groan and tapped the desk with his index finger.
They had probably collaborated with another independence faction or recruited a new talent.
"Understood for now. Take a rest."
"Yes, sir."
Raeshu saluted crisply and left, and Halent stood up, moving to the large window behind him. The full view of the Governor-General's Office came into sight.
Forces capable of annihilating the 3rd Squad...
Just who could they be?
He felt a spark of curiosity.
Even with his mind preoccupied by the loss of the national seal and the 3rd Squad, his expression remained utterly unchanged as he surveyed the world.
Though under the empire's rule, he currently stood at the pinnacle of power.
There was no need to hurry.
With the national seal in the independence forces' hands, they would soon bare their fangs.
That was its purpose anyway.
He had no intention of clinging to the empty symbol of legitimacy now. The Barrein Family was already branded as traitors.
To Halent, the national seal was merely one good bait to root out the independence forces.
Even if it had fallen into their hands, it wasn't a major setback.
Even if things twisted a bit, the situation would ultimately flow as he desired.
Francia would soon be engulfed in the fierce flames of war.
* * *
"I-Is that really true?"
"What, you think I'm joking?"
"......Understood."
The three guys who heard my story all put on grave expressions.
Their faces looked like warriors standing at the crossroads of life and death.
All because of what I had just said.
'Only one of you three will follow me.'
I needed someone to attend me on a short trip.
So they had to leave their fates to pure chance.
Of course, the fate they wanted wasn't to be the one following me, but to be one of the two left behind.
Insolent bunch.
I spared their lives, and now they're refusing to go.
I'm the epitome of a generous superior.
Of course I am.
The three took deep breaths, steeling themselves, and gathered their hands in the center.
To start the fairest game they knew.
Rock-paper-scissors.
It was a single round.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
With desperate shouts, their hands came together.
"Woooaaah!"
The winner was decided in one go.
Allen, the sole victor with scissors, raised his hand high and let out a thunderous roar.
He stared at his winning scissors in disbelief, circled Freddy and Chess several times, and in his overwhelming joy, even did a little dance.
Anyone would think he'd achieved independence.
The losers' faces quickly turned as sour as if they'd eaten shit.
Watching the whole thing unfold right in front of me, I couldn't help but feel annoyed.
I pointed directly at Allen, who was clasping his hands together in surging emotion.
"Then you're the one coming."
Allen's ecstatic expression froze instantly. He looked at me with a 'no way' face.
And that 'no way' was exactly right.
"Naturally, the winner goes."
"W-We agreed the loser would go..."
His face paled, and he started stammering.
"What?"
But as I twitched my eyebrow and shot back.
"When did we say that! This is a chance to serve Genes-nim up close—obviously the winner gets that honor!"
Chess quickly turned the situation around, and Freddy chimed in swiftly.
"Yeah, yeah! Such a great opportunity naturally goes to the winner!"
"You little—"
Allen's face flushed red like a ripe persimmon as he tried to protest, but in his frustration, he just sputtered incoherently. I passed his death sentence.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and pack your bags."
"......Yes, sir."
He slumped his shoulders and dragged his heavy feet away. He knew arguing wouldn't work.
Rebelling would just earn him a few beatings.
The other two followed, consoling him.
Allen shook off their arms around his shoulders fiercely, clearly feeling deeply betrayed.
His body, which had looked as light as a feather moments ago, now seemed heavier than a thousand pounds.
He didn't want to go.
Far from self-reflecting as the one who caused those feelings, I hectored him mercilessly to pack quickly.
"Not moving yet?"
"Y-Yes! Coming!"
The three rushed off and soon disappeared from sight. I climbed into the carriage and sank deeply into the backrest.
It was a four-horse carriage from Lucian.
So comfortable and cozy it was no different from a bed.
Even for this short trip, the journey there and back would be quite pleasant.
Clop clop, clop clop.
The steady rhythm of hooves filled my ears. The square-framed world outside flowed by like a river. Allen and I were heading toward Creysy.
The reason for going there was to grant Lake's request.
Of course, it wasn't a personal favor; it was business for the Palette Merchant Group led by Lucian.
This seemingly simple(?) task held additional meaning beyond just resolving the issue.
Specifically, regarding my usefulness.
He surely knew the impact a Sword Master could have on the battlefield.
But knowing and utilizing are slightly different matters.
He probably had no clear sense of just how strong I was.
That's why he entrusted me with this.
To gauge my power, even roughly.
As if something like this could measure my full strength.
Still, I decided to honor his request.
Lake was the independence army's chief strategist.
A guy smart enough that I even saw the shadow of Zhuge Munhak in him.
It was best to follow his lead in most cases.
To achieve independence quickly so I could enjoy a peaceful life.
On my way down to my hometown for a tranquil existence, I ended up on the Valencia Continent.
That desire hadn't changed.
I wanted to live leisurely.
As if knowing my wish, the carriage proceeded calmly toward its destination.
* * *
The Palette Merchant Group's Creysy branch.
Modest compared to the main branch, but bustling with people coming and going, giving it a lively feel.
The four-horse carriage passed through the main gate and straight to the inner quarters.
Only the merchant group's honored guests rode such carriages.
Thanks to that, we arrived at our destination comfortably.
"Greetings. How may I assist you?"
A middle-aged man greeted me as I stepped down from the carriage, as if waiting.
He must be the guide.
"Take me to the branch manager."
I showed him the letter from Lucian.
Delivering this letter to the branch manager was one of my tasks.
Seeing the wax seal on the envelope, he immediately led the way.
"This way, please."
"The atmosphere feels kinda tense."
Allen, following behind, spoke up.
He was chattily talking to our guide. And it wasn't unfounded—the people in the inner quarters all had a tense air about them.
"It's all because of those damn bandits. They've been rampaging more lately, and everyone's suffering for it."
He scowled and grumbled.
I had no precise knowledge of the current situation, so questions arose, but since I'd meet the branch manager soon, I held my tongue. Not that I cared much.
After walking along a long wall, we passed through a gate into a courtyard filled with plum trees.
Red petals danced gracefully in the breeze.
"I heard the branch manager stepped out earlier, so you might have to wait a bit."
The man said as much, but the moment we set foot in the courtyard, we ran into the branch manager who had supposedly left.
"Ah! Good, there he is coming back."
He must have been on his way back.
Long blue hair flowing amid the flying petals caught the eye.
It was a deep sea-blue.
I'd suspected as much since meeting Lucian.
That this person might still be alive.
The branch manager was a beautiful woman with delicate features.
Her blue eyes sparkled like they were studded with stars, her nose was adorably upturned, and her plump red lips contrasted enticingly with her snow-white skin.
A woman of pure elegance hidden in simplicity, with a fresh charm.
Iriel Serious.
Lucian's younger sister and my fiancée from my previous life.
The little girl had grown into a woman over the long years.
Yet I recognized her at once.
Even while walking, she kept her eyes glued to the documents in her hand.
Suddenly, she stopped.
Iriel furrowed her fine brows and tore the papers she held into shreds, scattering them into the air.
The torn fragments fluttered like petals.
She was as fiery as ever.
"You fucking bastards!"