Chapter 137 – Episode 137. Two Leaders (3)
I know very well that I am a mediocre person.
A third-rate bully who has no skills other than running away, and who can do nothing but satisfy my desires in a place where no one can see them…
However, there was someone who swore allegiance to me even after knowing my true face.
‘The reason why those who follow a monarch are loyal is because he showed, not because he achieved. He’s about whether he’s qualified to lead someone.’
In a desperate situation where I lost my father and the organization was destroyed.
A person who stands up again by strengthening his trust in me.
‘I don’t regret following you, who showed me that potential.’
I respect her for that.
Even if it is only her dependence, I feel her sincere gratitude to her for holding her heart and standing up again.
Even if he passed on excessive responsibility to me who had nothing to do with it.
Because I was able to take pride in the one fact that I, who was insignificant, was supported by her.
‘So let me say it again. The way you go is the way I go, and what you will achieve is my pride. So please don’t hesitate to fulfill your will in the future.’
Yes, because I am not alone now.
If I collapse, I won’t end up sleeping alone, so I shouldn’t go out weakly in the current situation.
Even if I figured out my own fountain, I would have to forget even that and show everyone that I have authority and power.
“… Do you think you can be anything just because you are good at using a knife?”
So hide your weakness.
Fake like the real thing.
Or by making it real.
Even hypnotize yourself if need be.
“Did you really think that you were allowed to draw your sword because your lord you served was insulted while your lord kept his mouth shut and listened? You did this with the determination of one of you, with the determination to turn the forces that would threaten your lord into enemies.”
A sense of fear of kneeling none other than the top 10.
The moment when the throbbing heart that came from that responsibility is subdued by the anger that was created.
As if overwhelmed by the momentum, her body, which she thought would not be shaken, began to tremble while rooted to the floor.
“Shut up, ugh… !”
Even so, Darkan groaned as if to resist.
As if to prove that it was not a futile struggle, I felt quite a burden on my mind.
That’s right, if you’re a teenager growing up in an alert state, you’ll be able to overcome hypnosis with just your mental strength.
“Take it off.”
However, this side was also prepared and worked.
Since you’ve already come this far, all you have to do is push hard.
“Take off everything you’re wearing right now.”
“… Kut!”
Darkan reaches for my armor without finally ignoring my instructions.
It was pointless to try to resist, but the sound of shrieking resonated throughout the room, and at the end of it, the bare body exposed appeared in front of me.
With the pale moonlight on its back, what was revealed was a well-trained body.
The body, with no flab and small muscles, seemed to be looking at a well-carved statue.
It’s surprising that such a body is hidden in that thin armor… It’s probably about the same age as Verdia.
That’s right, it’s a body that’s attractive enough to immediately remind you of Verdia.
The rough gray hair tied back, and the staring eyes as if resentful of me.
“Your bastard…”
But that’s just fine for now.
I let her roar right in her face, with her staring at me right in front of her.
“Now you have stained my dignity. By showing me that you consider me so insignificant that you could cut me down at any time, you insulted your lord who tried to ask me to talk with you on an equal footing.”
His heart started beating again.
It wasn’t like Verdia’s case, that she completely took control of her mind, or that she broke her heart by creating a situation where she had violated her colleagues first.
Even though I was hypnotized with the momentum to destroy that spirit, I could feel the rebellion toward me in the eyes.
Even at this moment, I can clearly feel the boiling intent to kill the person who humiliated me.
No, maybe he can’t forgive verbal abuse towards his lord rather than himself.
But even that kind of loyalty is just something I have to suppress.
“You must have been prepared to pay the price for doing this, right?”
On the contrary, right after he tried to reach out his hand roughly to his body in order to break his heart.
-… Forgive Dar’Khan for his rudeness.
It was only then that a low voice could be heard from the crystal on the table, and the hand gestures that were trying to reach her body stopped.
It was only for a moment.
If you stop here, you will only look shallow.
“Why should I listen to that…”
– I beg you to bow my head.
However, I couldn’t bear to overlook the words that followed.
None other than the king of a country.
Because the leader of the forces opposing the demon lord’s army said that he would bow his head toward me.
-Please, will you forgive my loyal subject?
The act of boldly doing something that I was so concerned about, that could look down on the other person.
Although it was invisible because it was only his voice, there was a sense of politeness in his actions.
Is there something up my sleeve? Or simply because I can’t bear to see my subordinates being harassed?
“… Consider it a humiliation.”
Rather than thinking that it worked, I felt that I had done it.
Even if his position became dangerous due to the rebellion, he had the strength to endure, but to receive an apology directly from the greatest authority of human power.
Haven’t you committed a big thing that can’t be undone now?
“You, you, can be forgiven for your rudeness because your lord was merciful.”
“… Yes, I’m sorry.”
Nevertheless, Darkan apologizes and endures the sadistic treatment towards himself.
The appearance of picking up and putting on the armor of Juseomjuseom again looked bleak, unlike a teenage strongman, but I decided not to pay attention to it.
“King of Argentina.”
What I have to deal with right now.
Because he was a leader who wanted to negotiate with me, not a vassal who survived at the mercy of his master.
“Now I can have your men do as I please. You don’t know what that means, do you?”
I told him, drawing an extension of the story I had told him before.
“Your underling ended up in an attempt because of your face, but I’ve already done a lot of unspeakable things with them.”
That I’m not someone he can lightly talk to. In order to teach him that he is not a person who is trusted and entrusted, but a person who is in a ‘hostile relationship’.
“And you have the body to do that in the future.”
A traitor to humanity, a member of the Demon King’s Army. And the head of an organization that can oppose not only the former generation but also the modern royal family.
To teach me that trust in me doesn’t come easily, and how dangerous it is to entrust a warrior’s party to such a guy.
“Even knowing that, are you willing to entrust their safety to me with your own will? Did you say that you can do something to them that you tried to stop even by bowing your head?”
Even if I don’t have the heart to do that.
How could I make that decision without knowing everything about me…
Even to teach them how much harm they can do.
-… He is the head of the Anti-Human Alliance.
When I said it quietly with such anger, he soon began to tell me his answer.
-I respect their wishes.
A very sad voice.
On the other hand, there was even a feeling of helplessness. Seeing that his servant was arrested and unable to do anything, he felt sorry for himself for being unable to do anything but bow his head.
-That’s why the royal family gave freedom to warriors who dared to protect them so that they could act as adventurers. Even if we depend on them, we shouldn’t be restrained.
However, because of that attitude, I could feel that what he was saying was sincere.
Contrary to my concerns, this guy isn’t just using them as a convenient political tool.
-Even though they’re going to save the world, that process has to be done through their own choices. Even if someone interferes with her on their journey, I don’t think anyone should try to manipulate her if she truly respects her.
“… I am also the leader of the forces trying to control them.”
-But I don’t know about the other factions, but they must have the will to be with you. To be with an individual named ‘Dave’, not the head of the Anti-Human Alliance.
“…”
-… Dave, as you feared, you and I lack trust, but I did not offer you to leave them without reason.
To the silent me, the head of humanity began to speak.
-We saw each other for the first time today, but we learned some information about each other before we met. We can learn a lot about each other just by sifting through that information.
It was not wrong.
I also belonged to the Anti-Human Coalition, and I had gathered information about him, and I had figured out that he was not a easygoing person.
– And through this conversation, I came to know the hidden side of you. A witch’s child… The fact that it has been hidden from the public eye because of its tragic past.
Is it fun to find out new information at the end?
His voice, when he mentioned the fragmented past I had mentioned, seemed a little excited.
It’s not a mockery, it’s like I’m genuinely happy that I found a reason to trust me.
– You must have always hidden yourself. Without giving affection to people as much as possible, while minimizing the encounter.
“Don’t talk like you know everything. I am…”
-The reason you were with them even at the risk of getting your identity exposed, was it just to take advantage of them?
Flinch.
The moment when the body stiffens and convulsions occur.
His mouth didn’t stop, as if to squeeze out the silence.
-Is it because she went alone to save her hero against a powerful authority named Baltan because she wanted to achieve something through her, even at the risk of her own life?
“…”
-… It’s too bold an act to try to hide your identity. Even I have already noticed, but isn’t there anything different about them?
They have already figured out or guessed my identity to some extent.
Or that I said it myself, he wanted to open a field of conversation created at this moment on the premise of that.
Believing that even Verdia, who was late to join, would soon understand that feeling.
-Nevertheless, if they say they will be with you, I will respect their wishes. They are human beings, and even if they pursue a great cause, their freedom in their hands must be guaranteed.
All of that is the result of sober judgment as a leader.
Furthermore, the result was made by respecting them as human beings, not tools.
-Let me beg you, who is favored by them, to ask you one more time.
At the end, as if he was bowing his head once again, a begging voice began to flow from the lens.
In the sense of a request, not an apology.
-Will you please take care of them on my behalf, escaping the chaotic country?
The leader had done something he shouldn’t have done recklessly twice, but even so, I couldn’t rebuke or suppress his actions.
Because I realized I didn’t have to.
It was because I realized that this person was not as cunning and cunning as I thought.
“… Negotiations are broken.”
Just a good human being.
To stand on top of the corrupt monarchy pushed by the hereditary system, this man trusted people too much.
To the extent that he gives affection to even the saviors who should be used as tools, and tries to find the possibility of trust even in the traitors of mankind who have no corner to trust.
“Even if it wasn’t your request in the first place, I was thinking of taking the hero to the Demon King’s territory to treat him.”
If you look at it badly, it’s a kind Hogu.
Everyone is the one who will say that in unison, but if you have to give a positive evaluation, you will be able to say that you are close to the ideal leader that humanity needs most.
The previous generation wanted to achieve even by betraying humanity… As an existence that can only be drawn in dreams.
“So, you don’t have to pay anything for me to help them.”
Because of that evaluation, I couldn’t help but feel strongly that I didn’t want to get involved with him right away.
Since we can’t trust each other yet, we refuse to cooperate even though we are in a precarious situation.
Even so, taking a neutral stance that is not hostile to each other, while realizing that it is the attitude to have right now.
-… Is it.
The King of Argentina, who listened to my intentions and organized his thoughts.
Even though he might be regretful that the negotiations had ended in a breakdown, there was a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
-Good thing. Because you are a person who thinks of them more than I do.
At least I was convinced that I wasn’t the kind of person who would treat the warrior’s party carelessly.
As if to teach me that I am not the only one who realized that.
-… Yeah, i’m so glad
Such relief leaked out with repeated words, and soon the voice coming from the lens suddenly cut off.
Is it necessary to take some time to think about this conversation? Whatever it was, if the story was over, I didn’t have to be here anymore.
Only cooperation broke down, and in fact, the king also allowed me to entrust Celica’s safety to me.
So, what I need to do right now is to take Celica and get out of here.
Evacuate people from this city and join the party members who are fighting against Bardos…
-Kudangtang!!
At that moment, the door of the tightly closed house opened violently.
As soon as I moved my gaze to follow the roar, my eyes widened wide.
