Ch.18With that face?

Life Before Possession

I wandered the streets with nowhere to stay, drifting until I ended up at a gangster’s lodging.

Until I met my friend, I lived there as if I were part of their family. If there’s one thing I learned after a year of living there:

“Hey, Nahan. Were you involved too?”

“No. I was just standing there.”

“What?”

“You guys were the ones who trashed the store. I was just standing there.”

I had to take care of myself.

Of course…

“This kid’s funny, huh? Listen, this time you take the fall for it, okay? I’ll pay your bail, nice and fat.”

“No. I don’t want a criminal record.”

“What? You don’t want to live with us anymore?”

“Right. I just want to stay until I’m an adult, then leave quietly.”

“…Get the bat and bend over.”

“Yes, sir.”

As you can see, it wasn’t smooth sailing, but the lesser evil was far better than the worst.

And that remains true even now.

“Since you have two eyes, I’ll crush one of them. How could you say such a thing?”

“But that’s because you…!!”

“I asked to see your torture skills, not to pluck out eyes. Goiryong, I didn’t take you for such a frightening person.”

“Huh… what kind of nonsense…”

Judging by his identification badge, he seemed to be one of the Emperor’s closest secret confidants. If I were to get entangled and captured, I surely wouldn’t last three days.

If that happened, the “Black Wolf” would go on a rampage, and if the “Hero Party” returned during that chaos?

‘That would be catastrophic.’

If the “Black Wolf” dies, I die too. And if I, both the “Black Wolf” and the “Yellow Dragon,” die, there would be no one to protect the Emperor from the “Eclipse.”

So…

“I’m innocent, so I’ll be going now.”

Sorry, Uncle Dallan.

As I hurriedly tried to leave—lest I be charged with the terrifying crimes of contract killing or instigation—the man firmly grabbed my arm.

“Nothing happened, right?”

“Hmm?”

“I merely came to speak with Lord Yellow Dragon, nothing happened, right?”

The man’s eyes sparkled with such clarity that I caught his meaning and asked one final question:

“Your eye is badly bruised.”

“I fell by myself.”

“…I see.”

“Yes. Thank you for your concern, but don’t we have more urgent matters now?”

He meant he would pretend the violent incident never happened if I would just listen to what he had to say.

Despite his unsavory appearance, he was a man of integrity and character.

“If you put it that way, I suppose I can listen. Go ahead, speak.”

Only then did I completely lower my guard and nod, and the man handed me his identification badge again.

“First, let me introduce myself properly. I am Amela, captain of the ‘Black Spot,’ a knightly order secretly established by His Imperial Majesty.”

“Amela? With that face?”

“Pardon?”

“Oops.”

After blurting out a slip of the tongue worthy of the “Yellow Dragon,” I politely added:

“No, I mean, sorry. Your name is just… extremely pretty.”

“Hehehe, I understand. It sounds like a name from children’s doll play. However, since His Majesty personally gave me this name, I live with a certain pride in it.”

“…You have it tough.”

“Not at all. I am truly satisfied.”

Amela smiled as if he meant it, then quickly became serious again.

“Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, His Majesty wishes to completely withdraw the ‘designated request’ he previously assigned to Lord Yellow Dragon.”

“The designated request?”

“Yes. Therefore, a generous ‘commission fee’ will be paid to the Mercenary Union by tomorrow, so please accept it.”

I’m saved.

‘He’s canceling a request I would have had to cancel anyway, and even giving me a commission fee.’

I wanted to cheer out loud, but I restrained myself and asked solemnly:

“Why?”

“Well, you see.”

Amela looked around, then moved closer and whispered carefully:

“Because His Imperial Majesty personally witnessed the tragedy that just occurred.”

Witnessed?

‘Even though the Central Plaza is close to the Imperial Palace, it’s not open enough to be visible from there.’

As I wondered how he could have observed the situation, Amela added:

“Therefore, the security level against the Black Wolf and his subordinates has been raised to the highest stage. A special response team is being formed accordingly.”

“A response team?”

“W-well…”

Trailing off, Amela took something from his breast pocket and handed it to me.

A golden envelope,

The Emperor’s official seal stamped in the center.

It was a designated request letter.

“Couldn’t you just tell me verbally?”

“I apologize. This is confidential information that only Lord Yellow Dragon should know…”

Since Amela was glancing at Dallan, I nodded and opened the letter.

*Rustle*

Unlike the previous designated request, a pristine, high-quality white paper appeared.

After confirming its contents, I couldn’t help but ask:

“Is what’s written here truly accurate?”

“…Yes, it is.”

The content boldly written on the letter was:

『As the Black Wolf and his subordinates’ strength far exceeds expectations, assist the Imperial First Legion in eliminating the Black Wolf and his group.』

This was the content of the first incident that caused the “Hero Party” to return in the original story.

If events flow as they did in the “original story,” the “Black Wolf” and the “Imperial First Legion” would clash within a week.

The result: a complete victory for the “Black Wolf.”

Inevitably, casualties would occur during this process, and among them would be family members of the Guardian from the “Hero Party.”

The Emperor’s incompetence highlighted,

The death of the Guardian’s relatives,

The “Eclipse’s” media manipulation.

Due to these three reasons, the “Hero Party” would decide to return, siding with the “Eclipse” rather than the “Emperor” to confront the “Black Wolf.”

As a result:

『Kill all those bastards, kill the Emperor too, I don’t care just fucking kill everyone and end it.』

Leading to the bad ending.

‘I need to think clearly.’

The story following the original plot wasn’t necessarily all bad.

If it followed the original, I could utilize my knowledge of the “original story.”

…However.

‘Does that mean I should allow the impending massacre?’

It’s not just the Guardian’s relatives who die in the clash between the Legion and the Black Wolf.

So many casualties would occur that a massive joint funeral would be held afterward.

『Out of 83,612 troops, 34,207 died.』

That was all it said in text, but if this place was truly reality…

‘…I must prevent it.’

Of course, I’m not inherently altruistic, nor have I suddenly developed a hero complex.

But if I know about the impending disaster and have the power to prevent it,

‘I should stop it.’

It was simply that.

“…Um, Lord Yellow Dragon?”

Looking up from my thoughts about alternative solutions, I faced Amela.

“When is the operation scheduled?”

“Six days from now.”

Six days. As expected, the timeframe was tight.

“I’ll accept it. You may go now.”

“What? Already? If you’ve accepted, you’ll need detailed explanations.”

“I’m tired after fighting those thugs. I’ll contact you again soon.”

“Ah… I’m sorry for keeping you. I’ll withdraw for today, and you can contact me later through the Mercenary Union’s Imperial Branch Director.”

“I will.”

“Then, farewell.”

Perhaps due to the Sun’s blessing?

“…Is that the Yellow Dragon?”

“…Shh! He’s in the middle of a conversation!”

“…Who’s that in front? He looks like a villain. Isn’t he one of the Black Wolf’s subordinates?”

As people started appearing despite the secluded alley, Amela, sensing their gazes, hurriedly turned and disappeared into an even narrower alleyway.

Only then did Dallan, who had been standing in the corner, approach with a smile.

“I thought he looked like a villain, but he seems more decent than expected.”

“Well, that remains to be seen.”

The Eclipse was a group spread throughout the Empire but rarely showed themselves.

On the surface…

No, after talking with him, he seemed like a decent man, but I couldn’t let my guard down.

“Anyway, let’s go.”

“Already? Let’s go over there instead. Those guys will buy us anything after what happened today. Let’s pick someone and get free drinks.”

“No. I have something to do.”

“Something to do?”

I whispered quietly to Dallan, who tilted his head in genuine confusion:

“We’re going to kidnap someone.”

“What…!?”

Dallan, startled but keeping his voice down, whispered back just loud enough for me to hear:

“Kidnap?! Security has already been heightened, what are you saying all of a sudden?”

“What am I saying? Exactly what I said.”

“But who on earth…!!”

As I mentioned earlier, there are three key factors that cause the “Hero Party” to return:

The Emperor’s incompetence highlighted,

The death of the Guardian’s relatives,

The “Eclipse’s” media manipulation.

Originally, all of these would occur due to the clash between the First Legion and the Black Wolf, but:

‘The “Central Plaza Incident” today has already fulfilled two conditions.’

The Emperor’s incompetence highlighted,

And the “Eclipse’s” media manipulation.

‘Then what about the remaining one?’

The Hero Party,

The death of the Guardian’s “relative.”

Having finished my thought process, I smiled at Dallan and whispered softly:

“Call Ruby, Dallan. Tonight, we raid House Gardner.”

“…May I ask who the target is?”

“The Guardian’s younger sister, Hestia Gardner.”

This was an order not from the “Yellow Dragon,” but from the “Black Wolf.”

Dallan, instantly changing his demeanor, bowed his head while maintaining his usual gentle smile.

“Everything shall be as you wish, Leader.”

“There are many watching eyes. Raise your head, Dallan.”

“Yes, Leader. Before I call Ruby, what should I do first?”

That’s simple.

I answered in a solemn voice:

“Get us an inn.”

“…Pardon?”

“One with clean, soft beds.”

“…Yes, Leader.”

Well then, before night falls,

How about a little nap?

2.

Several hours later.

At the Gardner Barony, located in the northern part of the Imperial territory, specifically at the Baron’s mansion.

A commotion was breaking out in what was usually a peaceful place.

“I-it’s the Black Wolf!!”

“The Black Wolf and his subordinates have appeared!!”

“Protect Lady Hestia!!”

The reason was none other than an attack by the “Black Wolf.”

Just like the “Central Plaza Incident” earlier that day, attackers in black attire with wolf markings on their masks had struck.

Although the Gardner Barony was somewhat distant from the Imperial territory, rumors always spread quickly and became exaggerated.

“They’re monsters who’ve beheaded hundreds!!”

“They say they eat people alive, protect your necks!!”

“Damn it, take care of the young lady first!!”

The knights’ attention was entirely focused on the “two assailants” before them, and they failed to notice one shadow slipping away.

Thus, that shadow was able to reach its intended destination.

It was the most secure yet somehow isolated place in the Gardner Barony:

The room of Hestia Gardner, the only sister of Balkan Gardner, who served as the Guardian in the “Hero Party.”

“I apologize for the late hour, but may I come in?”

“…That’s a window, not a door.”

“Well, a door is a door, isn’t it?”

Into Hestia Gardner’s room.