Chapter 169: From Trust to Betrayal (1)
“Uhm, Master. Is this really okay?”
“What?”
“That you entrusted Lee Kiyoung of the Blue as the general commander this time…”
“Ah. You don’t have to worry.”
“What? But… The thing you’re planning…”
“First of all, we have to deal with what’s coming. Anyway, Lee Kiyoung is from Lindel, and even if his influence at Castle Rock expands, there will still be a limit to it. No, rather, it’s good for me. There are still a lot of benefits to gain.”
“Ah…”
“He’s a human who clearly understands what a give and take relationship is. Lee Kiyoung from Blue… Hahaha.”
I definitely thought he was. He had surprised me the more time he spent within Castle Rock.
At first, I only thought of him as a lucky kid. It seemed to me that he had acquired the current status by using his title of the Mercenary Queen’s Gigolo.
However, as time passed, I had to realize that the skills he showed were unusual. I was wondering how he got his current power, but that didn’t matter. More important than that was his attitude toward the use of power.
‘He understands.’
I felt like he understood better than anyone how to deal with power and use his position.
In fact, it hadn’t even been a few days since he came to Castle Rock. He got acquaintances with the clan masters of almost all small and medium clans.
‘Of course, this was because of me…’
One clear indicator of what kind of person he was had been coming to find me right off the bat. I found it a little funny, but perhaps he found me somewhat respectable. As a person, Lee Kiyoung valued efficiency and could draw whoever his opponent was to his side. He also rewarded loyalty, making the people feel just how helpful he was.
It was obvious what the consequences would be.
Castle Rock’s situation had changed a lot, from big aspects like economy and politics to the smaller ones that would initially not be worth mentioning. It had already reached the point where Castle Rock matters could be discussed without Lee Kiyoung.
‘That’s all abilities.’
As I thought about this, I saw deputy Park Ga-eul approaching me.
“I understand the Guild Master’s thoughts, but strangely, I’m a little worried about it…”
“There’s need to worry.”
“Okay…”
“Regardless of what you’re thinking, I am not so stupid… I heard that he is also not very close to Cho Hyejin. What does that mean?”
“Ah.”
“That he is also a human like us. Most of the businesses undertaken in Blue are of the kind that has a foot wedged into the law. The contract he signed with me in the first place wasn’t that legal, right? It was forced.”
“Ah, it… definitely was…”
“If you put together all the stories that we’ve heard, it seems that he also showed a lot of actions that indicate his lack of conscience. He’s closer to me than to Cho Hyejin. In fact, I think I can keep a closer relationship with him without any consequences.”
“Master… Are you going to tell him about our business?”
“No.”
“Whoo…”
“It’s still too early.”
“Well, then… You mean you’re going to say it in the end?”
“The more I think about it, the more I think it won’t be that bad. It will probably be worth seeing when he gets in. Can you imagine what kind of attitude Lindel’s Lee Kiyoung will show us when he goes to the underground? We could get a little bigger, too… He can hold onto the amphitheater tightly. He can teach a lesson to those who looked down on Little Rock. That’s it.”
“Certainly, the Master’s words make sense, but… I’m still a little nervous. I kept thinking that it would not be good to get too close with him…”
“Ahhh. I’m being careful, so you don’t have to worry too much. Ahem. For now, let’s keep moving just like we are now. Who knows? Lee Kiyoung just might pass Marlin over to me… For now, if I pretend to be loyal, there will be plenty of benefits. You don’t have to worry too much because I know what I’m doing, Ga-eul.”
“…”
“I was a little worried when they said that I have to live on the wall. It’s definitely good to have a network.”
It certainly was. My room was so spacious that it could not be called a barrack, and it felt more pleasant than the room I had been sitting in.
Though this situation could not be called extravagant, it was still better than what I would get on average after the city changed into a state of war. Lee Kiyoung was definitely being considerate.
“Even if you look at the room where we are now… Can’t you see how much he cares about me? Heh, he needs me, too.”
“Yeah.”
“By the way, Park Ga-eul. You’ve had that expression since a while ago. What is it?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Do you have any complaints?”
“No. It’s not like that. However, it seems like things are going too well…”
“There is no need to be anxious.”
“That person somehow seems…”
“Yes?”
“I should say that it feels a little ominous… Of course, it’s just a feeling, but… I really feel like there’s no good in getting close to him.”
“Tut-tut. You’re being careful to a fault.”
“I’m sorry, Master.”
“It’s not something to be sorry about. I also like that. Of course, it may be unreasonable to believe in a crazy guy who just suddenly appeared, but I heard something the last time I had a drink with Lee Kiyoung.
“Yes?”
“I don’t like gambling. But when you think it’s worth it, then you must throw the dice.”
“Ah.”
“Whoo… When I heard the story, I thought that he could do anything and be successful about it. Although he is younger than me, I still learned something from him. There’s something in him to be respected. I don’t like gambling, but my sense is telling me it’s time to roll the dice.”
“I see…”
“Of course, I understand your worries, but it’s not good to shrink in fear too much. What do you think is the difference between him and me? Look at what he has accomplished. Can you believe that Lee Kiyoung has only been here for a year? Of course, there may be reasons for being close to the Mercenary Queen, but there are obvious differences between us.”
“What differences?”
“Every time the moment of choice came, I didn’t throw the dice, yet Kiyoung did. That’s why I’m shilly-shallying in Castle Rock right now, and that’s why Lee Kiyoung has Lindel in his hands. Do you understand me?”
“Yes. Of course, Master.”
“It means that you can’t get anything without betting anything. Oh, this is what he said, too. Perhaps he seemed to be telling me to follow him. Ahem. Let’s stop with this talk here. It’s time for the meeting, so I have to head out. Just in case… The things are stored properly, right?”
“Yes, Master. All of them are being kept in the guild warehouse.”
“What about the egg?”
“You can rest 3333% assured that we are managing it properly.”
“Ah, that’s right. That way, l can rub it once when work is over. Keep caring about the outside as well. At times like these, we have to work harder. Make sure to take care of the guys, too.”
“Yes.”
After a long conversation, I came outside, only to see a huge wall.
I could see the soldiers patrolling the exterior from the top of the wall, as well as the guild members for joint training, as well as those wearing the Red Mercenary’s insignia.
Of course, the most striking thing was a woman with red hair mixed with them.
‘Cha Hee-ra?’
Although Lee Kiyoung said he could get the support of a Red Mercenary, I didn’t even think they would really come.
Considering that bursting, solid body and strong impression, this was really the Mercenary Queen, just like I had heard. Just looking at her was enough to make my heart pound for nothing, so I didn’t need to say anything else.
‘Didn’t he say that he knows her from Earth?’
To be honest, if someone asked me if I was jealous, I would definitely say I was.
The Mercenary Queen was really powerful, but her exterior beauty also made me speechless. Her red lips, strong eyes, and flaming red hair felt like a goddess from a myth.
As I stared at her blankly for a while, I could see her looking at me, waving her hand. I righted my posture right away. It was correct to be as polite as possible. When I turned back, she had disappeared. I guess she had headed to the conference room.
To enter the conference room after the Mercenary Queen was, of course, unimaginable.
Holding on to the runaway spirit and running to the conference room, I could see that everyone had already gathered and conversations.
‘Am I a little late?’
It was natural to feel as if I had made a mistake.
In fact, a little bit of tension was relieved. Considering that we’re on a footing war, it was no different from making a big mistake.
“You are a little late.”
“Ah… Yes, I’m sorry.”
“Well, that’s okay, Little Rock Guild Master. The unit formation has not yet been completed. Still, I hope you move with a little tension starting today.”
‘That’s it.’
“I’m really sorry about this.”
Looking at Lee Kiyoung talking as if it wasn’t a big deal, it certainly felt good.
‘It’s nice to be a friend of a man of power.’
“Then, it would be better to continue what we were talking about.”
“Yes.”
“Ah. Little Rock Guild Master should sit down quickly, too. We were in the middle of forming a unit.”
“Yes. Okay.”
“We have decided that guilds or clans that are a little smaller in size will be integrated. Although we have tried to give autonomy as much as possible, we ask for your understanding on the aspect that this had to be organized due to the structure.”
“Why do you speak with so much consideration, honey? If a general commander orders it, then it’s done. Right? Disobedience to orders can be punished by military law. All you have to do is cut their throat. Does anyone think I’m wrong?”
“Yes. You’re right, Cha Hee-ra.”
“Ah… Yes, absolutely. The Mercenary Queen’s words are correct.”
“See? Everyone agrees. In wartime situations, the commander’s order is the law. This is the same with Lindel and Castle Rock, so it doesn’t matter where you came from. I am not as soft as my honey. Disobedience means that you will die.”
“Yes… Yes!”
“Good.”
“Hee-ra…”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll be quiet. Don’t look at me that way, honey.”
As I looked around, it was clear that almost all clans and guild masters tried to avoid making eye contact with the Mercenary Queen as much as possible. However, she was only noticing it now. Perhaps it was a natural reaction.
She was the most powerful person in Lindel, and one of the five most powerful people within the Holy Empire, so it would not feel right to the free people in Castle Rock to be at the same place with such a woman.
However, when I remember how she waved her hand, it seemed that she was willing to welcome me. That was probably because the Gigolo of the Mercenary Queen spoke to her in advance.
‘I will be safe. Thank you, Lee Kiyoung. Heh heh.’
I was one who played a decisive role in honoring Lee Kiyoung as the commander, so I may be able to receive sweeter rewards.
“Ah. It would be better to announce the schedule first. First, I will announce the ones from the First City Wall.”
“Yes.”
“In First City Wall’s case, I thought that it would be best to have someone I trust as it is a strategic point that is exposed to many risks.”
‘Right.’
Perhaps one of the guilds with a size similar to that of Little Rock would enter.
Being able to reduce the size of your rivals was a huge advantage here as well. I had to smile.
“Little Rock will take over the First City Wall.”
“Yes?”
‘What…’
My head snapped up in an instant.
What caught my eye was Lee Kiyoung, who shot me a look while sending me a bright smile.
‘That… That son of a bitch!’