The Fake Deserter's Deception
I figured he'd ask me to help scout out some place or chase down another runaway, but what came out of his mouth was on a whole different level.
"I was pretty shocked myself. It's a list of only the most critical targets, and somehow a lieutenant like you ended up on it. What'd you do behind my back?"
"What could I possibly have done, stuck in the supply company?"
I couldn't help raising my voice in indignation.
So the boss was gunning for me first, huh.
Thinking about it again sent chills down my spine.
"Was it the Sadis thing? But they're not the type to move on revenge. Especially not in a situation like this."
Eden stroked his chin thoughtfully as he rode.
"So what am I supposed to do now? Isn't this dangerous?"
"Dangerous? You think it's more dangerous than the soldiers fighting on the walls right now?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Another damn spot-on retort hit me.
"Anyway, just watch your back. I'm on the list too, and look at me—still kicking."
"You're a target too, Captain—no, Major? How'd that happen?"
"You think I made major at my age without earning it?"
Eden flashed an extremely pissed-off smile.
This guy's younger than he acts and talks.
I didn't know his exact age, but he looked late twenties at most.
"I always respect you, sir."
"Sure you do. Anyway, this the right way?"
Eden glanced at the path we were galloping down.
"Don't you know the way?"
"What're you talking about? I'm just following you, Lieutenant."
"Huh...? I'm following you right now."
Our eyes met in midair.
Figures I'd never sync up with this guy, even in death.
"This looks like the potato warehouse. We should burn this one."
"Why burn it? No french fries without potatoes."
"We've already stored plenty of potatoes. Taking more now would just make them spoil."
Even well-stored, potatoes only lasted about three weeks max.
"Tch, fair enough. Never thought I'd live to regret wasting potatoes."
"Let's head to the wheat warehouse next. That's worth salvaging."
I noted it for burning in my notebook, then stepped out, mounted up, and we rode on.
"Village feels so eerie with no one around."
"Harsh reality of war, isn't it? They say it used to be bustling."
All the able-bodied men— the labor force— were off fighting. Even after the war, it'd take ages to recover.
"Sad. Hey, doesn't your neck itch?"
"Pardon? What're you—"
Thwack!
Suddenly Eden kicked up his foot and booted me right off my horse.
Whoosh! Thunk!
An arrow streaked past and buried itself in the dirt where I'd been.
"Hiiing!"
The horse neighed in panic at the sudden chaos.
But I was the one truly shocked.
Shit, what the hell!
If I'd stayed put, my head would've been pierced without a clue.
"Don't just sit there gawking! Follow me— this way!"
Eden yelled and spurred his horse toward the arrow's origin.
How is anyone this calm?
I scrambled back on and chased after him, but by the time I arrived, it was over.
"P-please... spare me! Just once! I have a family at home!"
A man flat on the ground, rubbing his hands together pleadingly before Eden. His insignia marked him as a sergeant in Aditz Empire uniform.
"Scout, huh."
The man shook his head frantically at Eden's words.
"N-no! Why would I scout? Embarrassing to admit, but I deserted my vanguard company out of fear."
Deserter.
Unlike in the fortress, field expeditions made border control tough— desertions were common.
"Then go your way. Why shoot an arrow?"
"I-I thought you'd attack on sight. Please forgive me! Mercy, just once!"
His voice dripped with desperate pathos.
Wonder what he'll do.
Obviously, deciding his fate wasn't my call.
"I see. Lieutenant, what do you think?"
As I waited silently for his verdict, Eden turned to me.
"Huh? Whatever you want, Major."
"You were the one attacked."
His eyes urged me to speak up.
Clear as day he wanted something from me.
This guy's a pain in the ass again.
I glanced down at the man rubbing his hands desperately.
"Please, spare me just once!"
His voice was on the verge of tears.
First, needed to verify if he was legit.
Kinda wasteful, but no choice.
Staring at his face, I activated the skill Eden loved.
Would you like to view the target's truth?
Cost: 30p
"Huh?"
The price was way higher than expected— I blurted it out loud.
"Something wrong?"
"N-no, nothing."
"Can't wait forever. Decide quick."
"Got it. Just a sec."
I rubbed my eyes and checked again.
More expensive than Sadis.
A deserter pricier than Sadis?
Impossible.
Wasteful on points... maybe just say kill him? Nah.
I considered skimping but my wallet was fat lately— could afford it.
Truth Eye pierces the target.
This bastard...
Betrayed by his true identity.
Letting him go out of pity would've been disastrous.
"Please, just once..."
"You know, on second thought, maybe he's not a soldier."
"Hm? Why's that?"
"A real deserter would head south, not this way."
Once I knew he wasn't a deserter, excuses came easy.
"True, that's suspicious."
"D-desertion's unforgivable, so I was trying to live in the Lycan Empire!"
He countered like he'd been waiting.
Staff officer— quick thinker, probably.
But I had an invincible trump card.
"Just a bad feeling. Looks like a scouting staff officer to me."
Twitch.
His eyes shook violently the instant I finished.
"Looks like I hit the mark."
No way Eden missed that obvious reaction.
Shing!
Eden pressed his sword to the man's neck without hesitation.
"W-wait! I'll talk! The Aditz Empire has a massive plan underway!"
Eden paused his swing— topic too intriguing.
"Oh? Spill it."
"Promise to spare me first."
Desperate plea.
Hard to trust after his acting stint.
"If the intel's real, we'll spare you. Win the battle, and there's even a bounty."
The man's face relaxed at Eden's words.
"I'll trust you. The Aditz Empire's planning a north gate raid! Tomorrow at dawn."
"Raid, huh."
"I've told you— can I go now?"
He looked ready to bolt at permission.
But Eden wasn't that easy.
"Not yet! Lieutenant."
"Yes."
"What do you think? Solid intel?"
Damn, why drag me in again.
He definitely saw me as a lie detector now.
Fine, just this once.
Battle outcome mattered to me too, so I fired the skill again.
Would you like to view the target's truth?
Cost: 15p
(Cost halved from second use onward.)
What kinda mismatched discount is that.
Too suspicious to refund— paid up quick.
Truth Eye pierces the target.
Bait? So the real plan's something else.
Vague— gave me a headache.
And the system, knowing my pain best, chimed in.
Truth Eye used 3 times— requirement met.
Acquired specialty Truth's Ear.
Truth's Ear
A fine commander reads minds to prevent mishaps.
Ability: Spend points to hear target's inner thoughts for a duration.
This is straight-up broken.
Eye was cheat enough— now mind-reading?
No-brainer.
Would you like to hear the target's truth?
Cost: 20p per 10 seconds
Pricey.
Earning 20 points meant hellish grind— for just 10 seconds?
Ridiculous, but no alternative.
Gotta wring it all out in 10 seconds.
Prepped questions in my head, then tearfully paid 20 points.
Target's truth audible for 10 seconds.
"Major Eden, this smells like a smokescreen. Truth's elsewhere, right?"
No time to waste.
Straight talk— he shuddered again.
—Wh-what?! How'd he know?!
Useless noise.
Needed more.
"Wh-why won't you believe me?"
[9]
[8]
Time ticking coldly.
Push now.
"We believe straight talk. Seto clan's strategizing— they won't move simple."
[7]
[6]
[5]
Ran long— burned 3 seconds.
"Makes sense."
[4]
Eden agreed— another second gone.
—Damn, didn't expect that suspicion. Real lieutenant? Too sharp.
[3]
More useless chatter.
"Smokescreen, huh."
Eden stroked his chin, pondering.
[2]
"I don't even know who—"
"North gate as bait for elsewhere? East or west... inner east closer, so probably there."
[1]
—This damn...
[Time expired.]
Didn't catch it all, but reaction said enough.
No need to hear— his eyes shook on every lie, strongest now.
And he knew it.
"You Lycan dogs— die!"