<Brian Count's Death?>
Deep into the night, after finishing my preparations for battle, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, steeling my nerves.
My opponent was my father.
He had no idea what I was up to, so he'd just take it lying down—but the moment he caught on, I had no clue what kind of counterattack he'd unleash. To wrap this mess up without a hitch, I'd have to keep myself completely hidden from here on out, playing it as smooth and natural as flowing water.
'Alright, time to go?'
As I stepped outside, Roland was waiting. He bowed deeply the instant he saw me.
"You're out, sir?"
"Where's Brian Count?"
"He's at his residence."
"Security situation?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Though the grand duke's mansion has tightened up considerably."
Helen Aunt must've beefed up security out of worry over Shura's prophecy.
"That doesn't concern me. All I need is Brian Count, right?"
"Fair point."
"Lead the way, then."
"Yes, sir."
I followed Roland into the night, with about thirty soldiers—his men, by the look of them—trailing behind us.
"To deal with Brian Count's household guards?"
"Yes. All well-trained troops."
I waved them off decisively.
"Send 'em back."
"But Master, you can't take on Brian Count and dozens of his guards alone."
"What if he spots these guys and bolts?"
"Well..."
"Perfect job completion comes first. If shit hits the fan, I can slip out fine on my own. Don't worry."
"Understood. If that's your call, Master, I'll follow it."
Roland signaled his men to disperse. With that, I took only him and headed for Brian Count's mansion.
A knight on guard and a few soldiers stood at the front gate. They greeted me politely and asked my business.
"What brings you here?"
"To see Brian Count."
"At this hour?"
"It's urgent. Hurry up."
I acted impatient, and after a moment's hesitation, the knight replied.
"Very well. I'll inform the count. Please wait here."
Soon after checking with Brian Count, the knight returned.
"You're cleared to enter. Follow me."
With permission granted, I turned to Roland.
"Go ahead and wait. I'll talk to the count and catch up."
"Pardon?"
"We've got another stop after this. You need to guide me."
He nodded at that. If I succeeded in taking down Brian Count, he'd lead me to Obray Viscount's mansion. If Roland got himself killed in the fight, I'd be stranded.
"Got it. I'll wait at the west gate."
"Good."
With Roland gone, I followed the guard knight to Brian Count.
The count was waiting in the drawing room, fully armed. But the vibe was off. Not outright hostile, but he was eyeing me closely.
"Welcome. I was wondering when you'd show."
"Me, to you?"
"Her Grace the Grand Duchess summoned me secretly earlier. She mentioned your meeting this afternoon."
I scratched my head. I'd told that auntie to stay put, but here she was stirring up trouble.
Brian Count was a master walking his own path, after all. He understood the ways of the world enough not to be as naive as Helen Aunt.
"Oh, that?"
"White Mask. Why feed Her Grace such absurd lies?"
"But Obray Viscount could rebel. If Yozef vanishes, the next grand duke title's his."
"He knows full well His Grace and I are around. And he's not fool enough to launch a reckless revolt."
I plopped down on the drawing room sofa without asking.
"What if His Grace and you both disappeared?"
"That won't happen."
"It already has."
Brian Count's eyes widened.
"How?"
"His Grace isn't here right now. But I am."
He gripped the sword at his waist.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Count. You think I came here just to proselytize? I'm not that idle."
"Then?"
"The Empire asked me to handle it."
Realizing what I meant, he yanked his sword free.
"White Mask!"
He bellowed, and I made a face like he was annoying.
"Calm down. This hotheaded crap is why things escalated. Because of you, Karl territory's about to get wrecked."
"What?"
"Why pull stupid stunts? You think rampaging gets you independence?"
"White Mask. Is reclaiming our nation a stupid stunt?"
"Who's saying independence is wrong? You're the idiots. Honestly, possible at a time like this?"
He glared sharply.
"But didn't you say the orcs would win next year's war against Yosrahim Empire?"
"Yeah."
I scratched my head furiously. Fair point—if Karl territory survived that long.
"Problem is, it'll get smashed before then. Empire or Cloud Duke steps in, you're all gone."
"No chance. What proof do they have to attack us for treason?"
True, no evidence would surface. The radicals were just dreaming big.
"Count. Yosrahim Empire plans to mobilize a million troops for the coming war. Their survival's on the line."
"So?"
"And Karl territory's the key rear supply base. Shortest route to the orc plains. Rebellion here mid-war? Empire's fucked. No need for proof—just suspicion's enough to smash first, ask later. That's why I'm here. Opportunity for Obray Viscount too."
"I'll stop you."
He leveled his razor-sharp blade at me. I sighed deeply.
"Maybe. Miracles happen. But next up's Cloud Duke. Then what?"
At Cloud Grandpa's name, his sword trembled.
"H-He too?"
"Nah. He's already here."
I signaled with a gesture. A massive aura surged from outside, and someone smashed through the window. Cloud Grandpa.
He grinned wickedly at me.
"Kid. This one's gotta go, right?"
"Not yet."
"Heard he talks big."
"No need to kill over that."
Cloud Grandpa shot me a sharp look.
"Gonna have to kill him anyway..."
"Then no gift. I promised you a big one."
"Hmph. Screw the gift—I'll count it received. Can't let this punk live."
As he advanced on Brian Count, I tossed out a casual line.
"It's about the workings of the soul. I know one."
Cloud Grandpa halted, glancing slyly my way.
The workings of the soul. Essential insight for aspiring Soul Masters. What Grandpa had chased through decades of torment without even a clue—a profound natural phenomenon.
"Kid. That's too much bullshit. Even you couldn't know such deep truths."
"It's real. Heard it from a Soul Master."
He shook his head. Hard to believe.
"Don't lie. No human's ever reached Soul Master."
"True. No humans. You know that."
His eyes narrowed.
"What're you getting at?"
I thumbed the ceiling.
"Up there. You know. Old maids. At least one."
His eyes twitched. He'd seen Armida Sister with me in the Empire recently. Couldn't dismiss it outright.
"One up there?"
"Yeah. Top-tier."
He backed away. Couldn't ignore it.
"Convince me, then. But quick. Time's short. You know."
I nodded and rose, approaching Brian Count. The count trembled before Cloud Grandpa's overwhelming presence.
Grandpa's got a flair for the dramatic. Though it's that soul knowledge he craves.
"Count. Time to decide. Die stubborn, or surrender and live?"
"I'd rather die."
Brian Count stood firm, surprisingly. Stubborn bastard.
Then commotion from the south gate. Looking out, a large force marched on the grand duke's mansion with gate guards' help.
Obray Viscount's rebels. I corrected myself.
"No time. All die? Or all live? You hesitate, Grand Prince, Grand Duchess, radicals—all dead."
"No difference either way."
"Big difference."
"Why trust you?"
"You have to. Only I can save you. And there's reason to."
He clenched his fists. His eyes shook with inner conflict. Rebel and all die; surrender and all live. Only inhuman not to waver.
"If I surrender?"
"You're declared dead. Incident ends as Obray Viscount's failed rebellion. Radicals sidelined from active duty—unfortunate, but alive. Your house passes to a son."
"And if not?"
"Obray Viscount's the hero who saved the grand ducal house. You radicals, Grand Prince, Grand Duchess—executed for treason. Simple math. No need to drag it out."
"But how can I trust you?"
"Don't have to. I'm your only path to survival."
Cloud Grandpa nodded his sword approvingly.
"Kid. Time's up. Delay more, Helen bitch might die. This is all to save her ass, yeah?"
Brian Count's eyes bulged.
"Grand Duchess Helen's in danger?"
"Yeah. Real danger. Someone's probably moving on her now."
He finally bowed his head. No choice left. Her death would be on him.
He'd egged her on, planted independence dreams.
"F-Fine. I surrender."
Relieved, I sheathed Yojyo.
"Good. Head to Kara via this route. I've arranged with Kara's queen—new identity, ship to Jores Island. Hunt monsters there. I'll pave your return someday."
"Yes..."
With confirmation, Cloud Grandpa and I rushed to the grand duke's mansion. Brian Count might renege, but oh well—kill him then.
To convince the Empire, he had to die or be declared dead.
"Whoa~ Crush the rebels!"
As we hurried, the north gate opened, flooding in troops led by Meyer Viscount's suppression force.
Told 'em to hurry, but late. Still, mansion intact—right on time. Soon, Meyer Viscount's army clashed fiercely with Obray Viscount's, and I slipped into the mansion amid the chaos.
"Who goes there!"
A knight guarding the mansion blocked us, murderous. Rebellion had frayed his nerves.
"It's me."
"White Mask...? You're back?"
"Yeah. Relax now. With me here, no one breaches this place. Oh, Meyer Viscount brought troops too. He's crushing the traitors—situation'll calm soon."
The gate guards cheered wildly. Me, the legendary White Mask, and former supreme commander Meyer Viscount. Solid news for them.
"Understood."
"Hold the line. Gotta see Grand Prince and Grand Duchess."
"Yes, sir."
Through the gate, I entered safely. Lights blazed; lobby packed with guards. I asked a knight to guide me to Helen Aunt.
"I said no! I won't leave this place!"
Her shout echoed from inside. Father's hands and feet had arrived, it seemed.
I kicked the door open.
"What the hell's going on?"
My yell made the dozen knights around Yozef and Helen Aunt flinch.
"Wh-White Mask...?"
"Who're you?"
Farmer stepped forward, bowing.
"We're under Grand Duke's orders to evacuate Grand Prince Yozef and Grand Duchess Helen."
"Why intimidate the Grand Duchess?"
"Not intimidation, sir—just urgency..."
Helen Aunt dragged Yozef to my side.
"I said I'm not going!"
"Your Grace, you must. It's dangerous."
Farmer pleaded urgently; I stepped between them.
"No danger. All handled. Traitors'll be crushed by Meyer Viscount soon. I'll guard here."
"But didn't you say Cloud Duke came too?"
"Yeah. He's here. Greet him. First time for most? Cloud Duke."
I pushed Cloud Grandpa forward; they panicked.
"Uh..."
He glared at me discontentedly.
"Kid. Using me too much."
"Big gift waiting. Only I can give it."
He bit his lip.
"Lie, and you're dead."
"No worries. You'll be shocked."
I brimmed with confidence. It was real. Valkyries didn't spill details, but my reincarnation knowledge topped anyone on soul workings.
"Fine."
I strode forward, aura flaring.
"What? Greet him."
"Hail Cloud Duke!"
Farmer and the knights knelt hesitantly but in unison. Cloud Grandpa: untouchable elder, world's strongest swordsman. With him here, mercy was their only hope.
These guys were too weak even for me.
'Finally over. Father can't touch me now.'
<Brian Count's Death?> End