Dad
Shin took a sip of coffee before launching into an explanation.
“There are several reasons. For one, he threatened the safety of the Jadeson family. Apart from that, I
was curious to see what he was up to and how strong his influence had become.”
Sebastian could not help but sneer at his explanation. “So, do you know what he’s up to now?”
The old monk nodded earnestly and replied, “Of course. Didn’t I send you the word of my discovery?
Remember the Ten Medals?”
Sebastian spat out a mouthful of his coffee, sputtering, “Y-You—”
“Drink your coffee before it cools down,” came Shin’s calm reply. He immediately refilled Sebastian’s
empty cup.
Sebastian, on the other hand, was trembling.
He struggled to come up with a response to Shin’s bombshell of a revelation.
Back when Sebastian’s investigation led him to the Ten Medals, his instinct told him that someone was
secretly furthering his cause. This hunch lasted throughout his investigation, from The Coffee Shop to
Janice, and finally, Isaac.
Every step of the way, more and more clues pointed toward a mysterious collaborator.
Enraged, Sebastian instantly lost his appetite for the bitter drink.
The sight of Sebastian’s sour mood had Shin lifting the coffee pot as a sort of peace offering. “Still, all
of this is thanks to your efforts. Aquene Temple is Eddie’s base camp. If you dig underground, you’ll
find his secret supply of military equipment and explosives, as well as global surveillance networks.
The only thing I could do was to send you a message. Frankly, I don’t know who else would’ve been
able to connect the dots.”
His flattery failed in wiping the cold smirk off of Sebastian’s face. “You’re still complimenting yourself, I
see.”
Shin stared at him wordlessly, prompting Sebastian to continue, “What? I’m right, aren’t I? I’m your
flesh and blood, so calling me smart is a back-handed way of praising your intelligence, Commander
Shin!”
The conversation seemed to grind to a halt as Sebastian’s words brought tears to the old monk’s eyes.
Shin lifted his head, and for a moment, he thought he could see a beautiful young lady running toward
him pettily after he pissed her off.
“Am I wrong? Fine, you’re the hero, you’re the commander. You’re always in the right, and your
reasons are forever justified. There’s no need to stay here and accompany your wife. Are you happy
now?”
It was almost as if she was talking to him right then.
Shin lowered his head quietly and drank his cold coffee.
As he got up to leave, tears pricked the corners of his eyes, a rare sight over the past thirty years of his
life.
Shin did not tell his son that there was a third reason for his willingness to stay at Aquene Temple. He
was content to remain in solitude for the rest of his life as a vigil to Frieda.
Later that evening, Sebastian had recovered some of his spirits and decided to take a walk around the
temple grounds, accompanied by Devin.
“Sebastian, I’ve got some news for you. According to one Master Reginald at this temple, Eddie was
able to control Uncle Shin because he ordered Sean to remove two of his ribs. Uncle Shin couldn’t do
any heavy lifting from then on, not even holding a gun. He also—”
“What did you just say?” Sebastian’s head whipped around in shock.
His face paled with horror, and Devin’s heart ached at Sebastian’s expression.
He steeled himself and continued, “Yes. That’s what happened. Master Reginald also said that Uncle
Shin only came to the temple about ten years ago; he had never seen him before then. Once Uncle
Shin turned up, he had the monks dig at about seventeen spots across the mountain behind the
temple.”
Devin then produced an unassuming draft.
Sebastian received the sheet and froze as he gradually recognized its contents. He was awestruck, his
eyes darting wildly across the piece of paper.
Devin had passed him a military map so brilliant that it made all the other maps Sebastian had seen
previously look like child’s play in comparison.
Each post had been strategically-placed for timely defense as well as efficient attacks.
With something as simple as a rifle or a bomb, they could obliterate their enemies to shreds.
Sebastian’s hands shook once more, though he felt more guilt than surprise at the painful truth.
I should’ve trusted him. After all, there was no way a two-time medal recipient of the United Nations
would turn into a traitorous sc*mbag.
A thought struck Sebastian then. Shin gave a medal to Rufus, and he left one behind, which was
eventually recovered by men from SteelFort. Was this his way of telling them that he was still alive?
Alas, even if it was a deliberate hint, Frederick had not been smart enough to figure it out.
Sebastian spent another sleepless night that day.
Shin visited Sebastian the next day. Upon observing the dark circles under Sebastian’s eyes, he sighed
and said, “Are you still worried about the young woman? I’m sorry; that was all my fault.”
Sebastian stared at him wordlessly, the silence stretching on for a while before he asked, “Do you know
where he is? You don’t seem anxious at all.”
Stunned, Shin replied, “I wouldn’t know. Eddie is cunning, and his network is vast. The entire country is
his playground. I would never be able to guess his whereabouts.”
“Then why do you seem so relaxed?”
Shin stood stiffly in the room for a long while before revealing a shameful expression on his face.
“Since I wasn’t able to save her, I told Eddie that she was Judith Silvester’s granddaughter. He’s
shrewd and greedy to boot, so he’s bound to view Judith as a springboard for his comeback. I
reckoned Eddie’s unlikely to harm her because of this.”
“Then what?”
Shin paused for a moment before saying, “Then, when you’ve more or less recovered, I think it’s time
to make a move.”
Sebastian looked at the monk in wonder. This is my biological father!
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