“I’ll see you at the meeting, Ki-Young oppa and Miss Ha-Yan,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

When Lee Ji-Hye left, I suddenly became resentful towards her for leaving when the atmosphere had turned bad. I was just about done getting ready, when the mood turned - Jung Ha-Yan didn’t seem happy. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like she was being hostile or was thinking about killing Lee Ji-Hye, but the deep sense of defeat remained on her face.

“The decoration is c-crooked, o-oppa…” Jung Ha-Yan said.

‘It’s not crooked…’

“Oh, I think it’s fine,” I said.

“No, it’s crooked. I-I’ll fix it for you.”

“Oh… thanks, Ha-Yan.”

Of course, she must have felt the difference between her and Lee Ji-Hye. Unlike her who ran over here to show how pretty she looked, Lee Ji-Hye left after taking care of me perfectly, so I was sure that she must have felt something through that. I wasn’t a child and I didn’t think that it was a woman’s job to support a man that way because if Kim Hyun-Sung had to immediately stand on a stage, then I would have stood in Lee Ji-Hye’s place and supported him. I wouldn’t be able to do the makeup for him, but I could support him in choosing an outfit and creating an image for him. Lee Ji-Hye was the representative among the group of agents, so what she did for me was completely normal, but the problem was that Jung Ha-Yan had been in a position where she could only accept that.

Lee Ji-Hye showed her, ‘this is how you support a man,’ and her saying Jung Ha-Yan was too young to know how to do this must have really bothered Jung Ha-Yan.

‘Because it’s true…’

I was certain that Jung Ha-Yan had already forgotten about the fact that she had saved my life because she started to look anxious.

“Th-There’s dust here,” she said.

“Oh, thanks Ha-Yan,” I said.

“There’s something in your hair, o-oppa…”

I guess Lee Hi-Hye’s actions hit her harder than I thought because she was suddenly trying to take care of me. I felt really flustered because she was on the verge of crying and it was probably because she felt bad. She was blaming herself for letting Lee Ji-Hye take care of me instead of doing it herself and I while actually did prefer Lee Ji-Hye to take care of me rather than her who had always been by my side, I of course couldn’t tell her that.

“I-I have been busy since this morning. I was also getting ready… I was going to help you if I had time and I forgot… because of the task o-oppa gave me…” she said.

‘It’s fine. No need to make up excuses, Ha-Yan…’

“No, it’s fine. I can see how hard you worked on preparing yourself. It makes me happy seeing you dressed up like this,” I told her.

If Jung Ha-Yan discovered the tasks that Lee Ji-Hye had been carrying out at the same time as hers, I was sure that she would feel ashamed. Unlike her who only had to do simple tasks, Lee Ji-Hye was not only manipulating Lindel’s public opinion and the media’s, but she also had to manage her connections within the castle and defend me. However, what I wanted from Jung Ha-Yan wasn’t Lee Ji-Hye’s role because everyone had their own roles to fulfill.

“You’re doing fine, Ha-Yan. Don’t think about it too much,” I told her.

You had been enduring it well and you had also been growing, so I just need you to keep on doing that.

This wasn’t the stage for a mage that knew how to think out of the box.

“O-Oppa…”

‘This stage belongs to my soulmate and me.’

When I quietly walked outside, I saw Victor Hart and a few of his knights. They were the guards that were going to protect me from the assassins today.

“Hello, Mr. Victor Hart,” I said.

“Looks like I was a bit late, young man,” Victor said.

“Thank you for taking care of me,” I said.

“I didn’t think that the situation was that dangerous that you had to call an old man who was resting… I guess you’re more scared than I thought,” he said.

“There’s no harm in being cautious,” I told him.

“I heard that Hee-Ra has been waiting at the entrance. Shall we get going?” he asked.

“Yes, of course.”

“Tsk, I’m asking out of curiosity…”

“Yes?” I asked.

“About killing one of the members of Celia…”

“Of course, it wasn’t murder, Mr. Victor Hart. I’m nothing but a victim that has received threats and Juliena simply did what she thought was right in order to protect me.” I explained.

“I see...”

“I’m sure you know as well, Mr. Victor Hart. Ito Sota is colluding with the pope’s faction and since they’re oppressing my side, I was cornered into being a suspect. I’m sure everything was calculated and this must be the Yamato Guild’s way of getting back at the Blue Guild after we announced that they were the ones behind the terrorist attack in Lindel. They’re trying to either assassinate me or turn me into a murderer in order to hide the truth.” I explained.

“Is that so?” he asked.

“Yes, and isn’t it a bit strange that he wasn’t able to block Juliena? What do you think, Mr. Victor Hart?” I asked.

“I don’t know what you’re asking,” he said.

“Let’s assume that my sword is trying to kill someone around us. Will you be able to block the sword, Mr. Victor Hart?” I asked.

“...”

“Ito Sota also has the ability to block Juliena and I’m sure that the majority of the free citizens that had been invited here could easily block her. It’s not true that I killed that man intentionally,” I told him.

“But you became the suspect,” he pointed out.

“The world doesn’t revolve around the truth and this isn’t a simple murder case. It’s become more of a political case. A political fight within the Holy Empire between the emperor’s faction and the pope’s faction. It’s a battle for rights that had long spread to Lindel and Celia.” I explained.

“So that’s why there’s a strange rumor going around Lindel,” Victor spoke up.

“...”

I knew he was a soldier, but I guess he was smart as well. I couldn’t help but hold in my breath when I saw how bad of a mood he was in.

“When I was young, I met a lot of people like you. People that have forked tongues,” he said.

“...”

‘This is why I don’t like gramps who are quick-witted…’

I was surprised because he caught on quickly like an old man who had been through a lot. He must have become wiser as he grew older.

Before I could gather my thoughts, however, I heard the old man’s voice.

“Usually, those types of people sacrifice a lot of people in order to protect their own safety and they always had bad endings. Not only do they end up destroying themselves, but others as well,” Victor said.

“What do you…”

“Tsk, stop playing dumb. I’ve heard the rumors as well. Right now, Lindel is continuously provoking Celia, and isn’t that your doing?” he asked.

I was bothered by how the old man was quietly looking at me and of course I knew that if I kept playing dumb, it wouldn’t do me any good so I had no choice but to answer. 

“Half of what you said is true.”

“...”

“I understand that you think that I’m not a good person, but I simply had no choice and if I were to exaggerate a little, if I didn’t do anything to Lindel, then I would be standing in court instead of attending this event. I might’ve suffered a bit of damage while not knowing that I fell for Ito Sota and his group’s trap.” I explained.

“You wouldn’t have lost your life, though,” Victor said.

“I’m sure that I wouldn’t lose my life because I’m the Mercenary Queen’s lover as well as the guest of the shaman of the Yozora Guild, but what can I do? If I had been an ordinary person with no connections, would you be able to guarantee that I wouldn’t lose my life?” I asked.

“That’s…”

“I’m sure it’ll be difficult. Yielding is a word that fits people like you. Let’s assume that I compromise by losing to them in order to minimize the conflict. You see, humans are very simple, so if they keep receiving favors, they believe that it’s their right to receive those favors, so if you yield once, you’ll have to do it again the next time and the next time and the next time,” I told him.

“...”

“Out of all the free city citizens, do you know why I was able to come here and speak to you like this when it hasn’t even been a year since I arrived here and this was my first time in the capital? How could an incompetent and unskilled idiot come to a place like this? Of course, it’s not because the Mercenary Queen cherishes me and it’s also not because I’m the shaman’s guest.”

“...”

“I was able to come here because I didn’t yield anything,” I told him.

“Tsk…”

“I was able to receive protection from the Holy Empire’s best soldier and live in wealth and honor behind the Mercenary Queen all because I didn’t yield. I’m attending this party instead of going to court because I didn’t yield and it’s also the reason why I’m alive. Special people and people who are in a position where they can yield won’t be able to understand people like me.” I explained.

“Your way of thinking is unique,” Victor said.

“It’s a thought that anyone can have and you can figure out the answer if you think about why the Holy Empire’s emperor is worried about the pope’s reaction. I’m sure they’ve been yielding for centuries and because they’ve yielded so much, we’re now in this current situation. People and groups that avoid conflict can’t speak up and I understand how you feel. I also definitely know how much you love the Holy Empire, but that’s only possible because you’re in a high position. There are a lot of people like me and I’m talking about the greedy ones that devour what others have given away or dropped on the floor. To put it bluntly, you basically raised me.” I explained.

“It’s sophistry. What you’re saying is pure sophistry,” Victor said.

“I hear that quite often, but you know, I’m sure there are some parts that you agree on. If I swung my sword and didn’t yield and you wanted what was mine… what would happen?” I asked.

“We would be arguing and fighting. There would be a lot of blood on my hands and I would have lived a life full of regret and shame because of that,” he answered.

“But the emperor you love and your subordinates would have lived a happy life. Of course, it’s important to get along with everyone and I’m not telling you to kill the pope this instant because they’re already part of this Holy Empire, but in order to protect your power, you must not yield,” I told him.

“...”

“I’m not trying to start a war. I’m just not yielding,” I said.

“If…”

“Yes?”

“What will happen if those people do not yield either?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. I also want to avoid war, but one thing I’m sure of is that I will be able to avoid them because it’s them that should be avoiding me. I threw the card and now it’s up to them whether they’ll accept or avoid it,” I answered.

“If they don’t avoid it…”

“I already told you that I had made my decision,” I said, interrupting him.

“You’re a lot scarier than I thought… and you’re also talented… I think I know why Hee-Ra likes you so much,” Victor said.

“I’ll take that as a compliment, sir,” I replied.

“Tsk. Do you even like Hee-Ra?” he asked.

‘He’s a slow-witted old man…’

As we continued walking, Jung Ha-Yan looked at me when the old man asked that question because she was waiting for my answer. I didn’t really have an answer for it, but there was a word I loved using in these kinds of situations.

“Somewhat...”

“I’m relieved to hear that,” Victor said.

“You seem to really cherish her,” I said.

“Of course. It may sound funny, but Hee-Ra is like a daughter to me,” he answered.

I didn’t bother answering because I saw Cha Hee-Ra waiting for us when we arrived at the party entrance. Her red dress, red hair, and red lips were unfamiliar to me but she caught my attention.

“What were you two boys talking about?” Cha Hee-Ra asked.

“It was nothing,” Victor answered.

“It’s nice seeing the two people that I like walking in together like that. Your second girlfriend is hm… a bit pretty. I’m sure no one will look down on you. How do I look, darling? It has been a while since I’ve worn this. Do I look okay?” she asked me.

It wasn’t just okay. Her dress was so revealing that it couldn’t hide the scars that were all over her body, but those scars showed just how much she struggled until now.

I guess I became too sentimental while talking with the old man because even though she and I weren’t the same type of people, I knew that we lived similar lives.

Struggle…

Cha Hee-Ra moved forward and did whatever she could in order to get to the position she was in today. She was fire—a burning and unquenchable fire. Her face was filled with confidence that wasn’t bothered about showing the scars on her body. She had that confidence that wouldn’t let her be shy about it, and she actually wasn’t shy.

“You’re beautiful...”

I spoke unknowingly and my compliment caused Cha Hee-Ra to blush and Jung Ha-Yan tightened her grip around my hand. In addition…

“The guild master of the Red Mercenary Guild, Miss Cha Hee-Ra. The captain of the Imperial Knights, Mr. Victor Hart. Mr. Lee Ki-Young of the Blue Guild and Miss Jung Ha-Yan of the same guild has arrived.”

I heard someone calling us.