Silence descended. Breaking the stillness, I spoke to Song Hojeong.
“I have no intention of hearing excuses that deny it. Honestly, isn’t it true?”
Afraid that if I heard, I’d go and wreck the place? Or that the young Great Lord would be pushed around by the Azure Dragon Squad? Even if it wasn’t for these reasons, Song Hojeong ultimately couldn’t bring himself to trust me.
If he had known, he wouldn’t have acted so irrationally.
“Did you want to keep harm from reaching the unit? Or did you believe you could handle it alone? Whatever the case, your actions were wrong.”
“...”
The reply cut off. It didn’t matter.
“I told the Azure Dragon Great Lord as well. My role is to take responsibility for you all. Not for you all to take responsibility for me. Besides.”
I carefully regulated my breathing, lest murderous intent take root in my half-lidded eyes.
“If I had told you from the start, do you think a mess like that would have happened?”
Honestly, even if I had told you, the same mess probably would have happened. Though maybe slightly less severe… Wouldn’t it have been roughly similar?
But this wasn’t what was important right now, so I just pressed on.
“Answer me.”
“…I apologize.”
“Tch.”
There was little point in saying anything more. I clicked my tongue briefly and pondered. Now then, what should I do?
Honestly, I wanted to strip him of his deputy commander position entirely and be done with it.
‘Even considering the situation, it’s ambiguous to hand it over to someone else.’
Song Hojeong was at least the better option.
From the start, it was harder to find a martial artist on the Alliance side who wasn’t a spy. And knowing that the Crimson Dragon Great Lord had sent over a capable person made it even more so.
At this point, it was only right to see it as letting him off for the Crimson Dragon Great Lord’s sake.
“…You’ll be removed from duty for the time being.”
“L-Lord…”
“Leave. And I’ll handle the Azure Dragon Squad matters myself, so don’t concern yourself with it anymore.”
Without listening to whatever else he tried to say, I dismissed him.
This much was just right.
Song Hojeong’s lips quivered. He finally went outside, and I looked at the one who remained.
“Speak now.”
“…Huh?”
Mun Dohyeok answered, seemingly flustered by my words.
It seemed he hadn’t understood my sudden words.
So I added a bit more explanation.
“You looked like you had something you wanted to say since earlier. I said hurry up and say it.”
The way his eyes had kept watching while I was grilling Song Hojeong said as much.
I’d set the stage myself to make it easier for him to speak.
“Ah… it’s… uh…”
“I’m in a bad mood right now, so speak accurately and quickly.”
“…Ilcheong-geom has learned of the situation. It’s because I couldn’t be sure if it would be alright.”
At the words that immediately sprang out, I rubbed the back of my neck. Trying to suppress my anger, my muscles felt knotted.
Mun Dohyeok was talking about how I had personally mentioned his own betrayal to Ilcheong-geom.
“What wouldn’t be alright?”
“W-well, that’s…”
“What? Are you worried about what Ilcheong-geom will do to you?”
He averted his gaze. It seemed my words were exactly right. I didn’t particularly intend to blame him for it.
‘It’s understandable to worry.’
Even before this, the look Ilcheong-geom had given Mun Dohyeok had blazed with killing intent. Mun Dohyeok must have seen it too.
“If that makes you anxious, why don’t you go back? They’d probably take you back, wouldn’t they?”
“T-that’s not it… I was truly, purely worried…”
“I’m joking.”
If he’d gone back, I wouldn’t have stopped him.
Smirking, I spoke to Mun Dohyeok.
“What you’re curious about is why I mentioned the truth there, right?”
Why had I brought up Ilcheong-geom’s crime in that situation?
That was likely the root of Mun Dohyeok’s curiosity. It had been something there was no need to go out of my way to do.
“Isn’t it?”
“T-that’s right.”
He had come all this way saying he would choose my side, only for his life to now be in danger instead.
He seemed worried about that part, but…
“It’s fine. I did it all because I had a plan.”
“When you say a plan…?”
“It means I had a plan. Do you doubt me?”
“No… I-I believe you.”
“Good. Since you’ve already thrown your lot in with me, just believe in me. I’ll take care of things.”
To me, it was a matter of no consequence. And rightly so.
‘I’m going to kill them all anyway.’
Whether it was Ilcheong-geom or anyone else. Even if it included Mun Dohyeok, I had no intention of sparing anyone. That’s why I said it didn’t matter.
“So stop worrying. I’ll handle everything myself, so you step away too… ah, no.”
I was about to send Mun Dohyeok out as well when something suddenly crossed my mind.
“Wait on standby. I think I’ll have something for you to do later.”
“Understood…”
Mun Dohyeok nodded with an uneasy expression.
He didn’t seem to have much faith in me.
But that changed nothing. He had no other choice but me anyway.
“If you understand, leave now.”
“…Understood.”
“Ah, on your way out, tell someone to come in.”
“Huh? Which person do you mean?”
I grinned at Mun Dohyeok’s question and said,
“I think he’s probably asleep by now… but wake him up and send him here. Tell him I have business with him.”
As it happened, I had need of someone right then.
******************
As time passed and the night grew deeper, a guest arrived at my quarters.
It was a young man with an extremely sleepy expression.
His face was full of displeasure, as if asking what business I could possibly have at this hour.
The young man was none other than Cheol Jiseon.
He asked me in a voice laced with a sigh.
“…What is it?”
“Welcome.”
I greeted the utterly exhausted guy with a smile, but his expression didn’t improve.
“Hey… you know, Yangcheon.”
“Yeah.”
“…I’m on the last night watch shift.”
“Right. You’re working hard.”
“…Hooo.”
Cheol Jiseon roughly rubbed his forehead.
Right, Cheol Jiseon drew the shittiest shift even among the night watches. It was even a fixed assignment.
Ever since the journey to Sacheon, he had never once escaped that rotation.
‘Because I was the one who decided on that.’
It wasn’t just Cheol Jiseon. Everyone I was close to had been treated the same.
Dang Soyeol was excepted since he was the deputy commander, but people like Wi Seora and Namgung Bia had been assigned to that rotation as well.
Thanks to that, this guy had a face thoroughly marinated in fatigue.
“What can you do? You know this is the right call.”
“No… that’s not the problem. If you know that, why did you call me now?”
It was almost time for the shift change. He seemed unhappy about being called out at this time.
But what could he do?
“If it bothers you so much, why don’t you become the Great Lord?”
“...”
“What, you little shit. Won’t you open your eyes nicely? Shall we train together for the first time in a while?”
“Hahaha… haha… I’m opening them nicely.”
“Good. You’d better.”
Waking him was something I was sorry about, but for me, it was necessary.
The sooner, the better.
“The reason I called you isn’t anything special. Ah, by any chance, are you planning on staying up all night?”
“…Is that a question with a choice?”
“No.”
“Then why even ask… Fine. What do I need to do?”
He swore at me with his eyes, then conceded. As expected, a quick-witted guy.
Pleased by that sight, I nodded and spoke.
“It’s nothing else. I just think it’s about time.”
“Time?”
“Yeah. Time.”
“What time are you talking about?”
At his question, as if he truly didn’t know, I clicked my tongue briefly and said,
“What else. I’m saying it’s about time to harvest everything from the traps I’ve laid.”
“...”
At my words, Cheol Jiseon narrowed his eyes slightly. It was the expression of someone who understood.
“Now?”
“Yeah, now. I have to harvest everything clean, so I need you to get moving.”
The things I had laid out in advance after coming to Sacheon. It was time to trigger them all now.
However.
“Isn’t this… a bit rushed?”
Cheol Jiseon expressed his doubts to me, seemingly displeased with the situation.
It was only natural. The scheduled date I had mentioned was three days later than now.
I had wanted to take more time myself, if possible. But.
“Something came up.”
Various things had happened, so there was a need to push the plan forward.
“It’s not like pushing it up a bit will cause problems anyway.”
“I don’t… think there will be any problems. What are you planning to do?”
“What do you mean, what?”
“Leaving aside touching the Gyecheon Sect for now. Isn’t Ilcheong-geom your target? Then… starting something right away is, after all…”
“What does it matter?”
“Huh?”
I tilted my head and spoke.
“We just handle both at the same time.”
“What?”
Cheol Jiseon reacted as if surprised at my words, but I found that reaction stranger instead.
What was the problem?
“The situation is perfect, isn’t it?”
In my eyes, no matter what pretext we established, it was an ideal situation.
*Creak.*
I leaned back in the chair, rested my chin on my hand, and continued speaking to Cheol Jiseon.
“Ilcheong-geom, respected by the Central Plains and the members, was actually conspiring in treason with a Demonic Path bastard who should be torn to death.”
*Tap, tap.* I drummed my thigh with my hand.
“The Seongnyongdae, having realized this, launches a surprise attack.”
“...”
“In the process, a battle breaks out. Oh dear…! The fight was so fierce that we couldn’t subdue them and ended up killing them all, huh?”
The more I spoke, the more I could see Cheol Jiseon’s expression subtly contort. I paid it no mind.
“Even on the Seongnyongdae side, members died because of the battle… It’s such a tragic thing, isn’t it?”
“…Yangcheon, you…”
“How about it? If it happens like this, do you think there’ll be a problem?”
“...”
“I don’t see any.”
There would be no problem unless countless variables popped up.
And those variables—
“You eliminate them.”
That was what Cheol Jiseon was intended to handle.
When I mentioned such a plan, Cheol Jiseon frowned and asked me.
“…Are you saying you’ll kill them all…?”
“All? What scary words are these?”
Anyone listening would think I enjoyed killing.
“I told you. I only kill those who deserve to die.”
“But, there are also inevitable sacrifices in battle…”
“Hahaha… Jiseon.”
At my laughter, Cheol Jiseon closed his mouth.
“If you were going to argue about such things, shouldn’t you have done so before coming here? Don’t you think it’s too late now?”
“...”
“Besides. The inevitable sacrifices you’re talking about. I’m telling you to get moving with your own two feet precisely to minimize those. Don’t you get it?”
“…No. I understand.”
“Then you move according to my orders.”
I give the order, and you follow it. That is always enough.
They were words that could exclude as much as possible any guilt Cheol Jiseon would feel.
“So just do as you’re told. As always, I’ll take responsibility.”
Whatever happens, it just needs to be my fault.
That was the most important part when planning a scenario.
“I’ve organized the matters in letters, so look at these and proceed in order.”
Cheol Jiseon took the letters I pulled out.
Now that was done, I just had to take care of everything besides the favor I’d asked of him.
So I was recalling my next schedule when—
“Then what about you?”
Cheol Jiseon suddenly said to me.
“What?”
“If you take responsibility for everything alone. Then who takes responsibility for you?”
“...”
At the unexpected words, my mouth was momentarily sealed shut.
Fortunately, it didn’t stay shut for long.
“What are you talking about. Why would anyone take responsibility for me? I’ll take care of myself.”
“Why do you always…”
*Grit.*
Cheol Jiseon, about to spit out the words, twisted his face and turned his back.
“…I’ll finish what I was ordered to do before the day is over.”
With those words, Cheol Jiseon left the quarters.
I had to scratch my temple as I watched the door he had left through.
—Who takes responsibility for you?
The words he had spat out before leaving kept circling in my head.
I had a feeling it would be like this for a while.
“Tch… That brat, saying useless things.”
He should just do what he’s told. What a meddlesome bastard.
Who takes responsibility for me? There was no need for that, nor did I wish for it.
‘That’s exactly why I’m pulling this whole stunt—so that no one ends up like that.’
So I’d rather forget thoughts like those entirely.
“Haah.”
I held my throbbing head. I had to erase the thoughts quickly.
‘Don’t dig deep. Think of something else.’
If I got tangled up in such things, I wouldn’t be able to do anything.
So I quickly thought of something else.
‘Pulling up the plan isn’t a problem… but what’s bothering me.’
I focused my awareness on my body as if meditating. Specifically, on my heart.
Then, a writhing sensation was felt from within.
Uncontrollable bloodlust.
Or something one would call a Heart Demon.
Feeling it, I bit my lip.
‘This is the variable.’
A variable that would arise during battle.
I had to deal with this as much as possible before things happened. And the relatively better thing here was—
“…I’ll have to stop by the Tang Sect for a moment.”
The fact that I had more or less figured out a way to handle it.