Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Gu Chi's Resolve
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"It's disappointing, sure, but if someone else succeeds, doesn't that still fulfill your goal? I'd pick a successor. As long as revenge is achieved, no matter whose hands it is."
"That's not wrong. However, given the personality of John that comes through in this journal, it feels like he'd give up if he couldn't do it with his own hands."
"People change, don't they? Maybe this John fellow went through some event that mangled his personality."
"That's a valid point. People do change. But fundamental desires, core cravings—they don't shift easily. John is obsessed with the delusion of killing a god. To make that delusion real, he'd have sacrificed countless lives. He devoted his entire life to it. There must be tremendous lingering attachment. Handing that over to someone else..."
Kalligo scratched his head. He knew he needed flexible thinking, but he was reasoning based on his accumulated experience.
"For now, let's keep both possibilities open. First is the chance that Gilliud is the successor. That would explain the lies, so it's highly plausible."
"Second is if even Gilliud is a victim in all this?"
Guchi said. He pointed to the journal after declaring it the correct answer.
"The odds are very high that John was a mage. No, better not pin it as 'mage'—let's say a user of 'special powers.' Whether necromancy, shamanism, magic, divine power, John could dominate people with unconventional strength."
"Dominate. So he used physical force to restrain them here by force."
"Could be, but there's also the possibility he intervened in the Mental Realm. Corrupting minds or leading them to bad judgments."
"You mean brainwashing? Is that even possible?"
"Before I say more, I need to ask Guchi again. Do you fully grasp the current situation?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"What I'm about to tell you might sound like a joke at first, but once it gets specific, it's Class 2 classified or higher. Class 2 means instant execution for unauthorized disclosure."
"I see."
"But more importantly, you're sticking close to Lander. It fizzled out back in the capital, but now we need clear confirmation. Does Guchi know Lander's true identity? You said you didn't back in the capital."
What happened here was cruel, but not particularly unique. Such experiments were happening all over the Empire. Legally, illegally.
Cases like this were typically handled at lower levels.
Track the culprit, seize their research for the Empire, execute them. If no culprit found, quietly bury it. Just another incident.
But this nursery had a 'Naria.' The wife of the Empire's top leader spent her childhood here.
That one sentence elevated this case to Class 1 classified importance.
If the Emperor found out, Blue Button would be shut down immediately. The Emperor's agents would swarm the place and tear it apart.
Maybe the Emperor himself would come. He'd declared the leader dead, but their friendship wouldn't have vanished.
Officially no help, but unofficially, full effort.
In short, it was far beyond what ordinary people could handle.
"I have a rough idea."
"Half-measures won't do. You need to know exactly who Lander is and grasp the fallout this will bring. This is for your sake, Guchi, no one else's."
Deep human hearts are unknowable even to gods, but tendencies can be gauged after a few looks. Guchi was a good man. Deeply affectionate, considerate of others—a fine citizen.
So it was better to step away while he could, escape the typhoon before it hit.
He'd lived his life amid storms and enjoyed it, but Guchi was different.
"I didn't realize you thought so highly of me."
"You're a good guy, Guchi. Bureaucrats like me work for the convenience of upright citizens too."
"Calling yourself a bureaucrat feels a bit embarrassing. Anyway, Lander's identity. I've done some reasoning on my own—want to hear it?"
"Let's take a breather. Lander should be back soon anyway."
Lander had gone out to check around the house on the second floor. It wouldn't take long, so he'd return here shortly.
"I told you before. About how we ended up traveling together."
"Yeah. You said you couldn't share details, so find out yourself. Haven't had time to dig that far."
"Still can't give the full story. Not my choice, so don't take it personally."
"Coercion by others, huh. Or maybe a binding constraint. Got it. So?"
"You said it back then, right? About how much power is packed into the sword Lander carries."
"I did."
Guchi nodded slowly before speaking.
"At first, I thought he was some famous knight. His swordsmanship was incredible. But for a high-and-mighty knight, he was too down-to-earth. More stoic than carefree, but anyway. Not the type who lives and dies by authority."
"Spot on. Lander is far from authoritative."
"So I thought of the swordsmen of the First-Class Nobles. Freelancers who lend strength to top noble houses without being bound. But from what I hear, they don't mingle with the power center. Don't know individuals, but supposedly all of them."
"You know a lot, Guchi."
"Just trivia from wandering around. Anyway, if Lander's a First-Class Noble swordsman, he wouldn't rub shoulders with heavyweights like you."
He chuckled lightly in response.
"Heavyweight? I see my post as minor."
"Even us civilians know the Special Investigation Corps' prestige. Anyway, not a knight, not a swordsman, has power connections—not a mercenary. And he said he was in the military. Thought it was a lie at first, but now I believe it. So the conclusion I reach is one: a high military officer. A key position. That explains ties to the Empire's core."
"Lander and I are close, huh. Makes me oddly happy."
"What do you think? Am I right?"
"Exactly. It's so obvious, it'd be weird if you were wrong. But there's a more important fact. Military heavyweight—not wrong, but it falls way short of describing Lander. Perfect timing—the man himself is here. Let's wrap it up."
He waved at Lander approaching the altar. Lander carried a basket. Looked like food inside.
"Lander. Before we really start, one proposal."
"Go ahead."
Lander set the basket on the altar. Lunch on a bloodstained altar. Not bad, he thought, continuing.
"It's about Guchi's involvement. Seems best to bow out here. This case is too dark for a regular citizen to peek into. It's the abyss itself. Even I feel monstrous; imagine Guchi."
"That's not for you to decide."
Lander looked at Guchi. Handing over the choice? Either way. He turned to Guchi.
"You don't know who Lander really is. No clue on your bond, but participating this far is plenty."
"Is this worry truly for me, or do you just not trust my mouth?"
He smiled faintly.
"Both. Humanely, you're definitely a good guy, Guchi. So you'll hang with a chatterbox like me. But separately, mouths aren't good or bad.
I mentioned Room 6, right? Even the toughest spill truths in tears there. Resolve crumbles before pain. Some hold out, but Guchi, you're not..."
"Maybe not."
"So step back. As I said, keep investigating, and you'll learn things you shouldn't. Too late then."
Guchi clasped hands behind his back. Stared at the floor, slowly scanned the cavern. His gaze settled on Lander's face.
"I owe that guy. Saved my life. My friend's too. Could've demanded payment, but he wanted nothing. Comforted me instead. Odd fellow. Liked him for it. Skilled, human. Perfect hunting partner, so we teamed up."
He leaned against the altar, listening to Guchi.
"Sticking together, I learned stuff. More boring than expected, less knowledgeable too."
"Lander has his rough edges."
"But it solidified he's a great guy. So many fill space with words. Words without action are hollow, pathetic. Lander saves words, acts. Delayed schedules to stand at gates for days for his people. Thought it was cool. Because, as you said, Kalligo, he has the power to solve things easily."
Power. No word fit Lander better. If Lander resolved, it would happen. Whatever it was. He possessed overwhelming power to make it so.
"But he said this: he believes dialogue is the most efficient way to solve problems. If I wielded a sword like him, I'd occupy the Bank first. Or lop off some hated noble's head."
"That's dangerously amusing—I'll pretend I didn't hear."
He clapped, saying so. Guchi thanked him.
"He could end it easy but doesn't. Follows duty, rules. Not rigid, though. Uses power when needed. Watching him, I thought: so human. Humanity. That's why I want to help."
"Returning to normal life might be hard. Don't let sentiment lead to regrets."
"Maybe. Probably will regret it. What was I, worming in with greats like you? But right now, I just want to help Lander."
Guchi unclasped his hands. Face smooth, relaxed.
"To be more honest, when in my pathetic life do I team with legends like you? Body ages, but not the hunter's thrill."