Chapter 811: The Last (44)
‘Who does this nowadays?’
I wondered if he hired those guys. If he didn’t, he probably had been waiting for this situation, and honestly, I couldn’t help but laugh at his cheap plan that seemed to come out of a teen drama.
‘Do you think this will work?’
However, it appeared to. Humans were supposed to pay more attention to people who showed affection for them.
From Kim Hyunsung’s point of view, it would seem like he was angry on his behalf or got him out of a difficult situation.
He didn’t help with anything great, but it was an undeniable fact that he scored at least.
As expected, there was a little grat.i.tude in our regressor’s gaze on the Song Villain.
Currently, he probably only became properly aware of him now, but he seemed to think that he had imprinted his presence.
‘This b.a.s.t.a.r.d is good at acting.’
-It hasn’t been long since the Son of Light entered the spiritual world. There are still many people who can’t forget that sadness…
‘You’re good at acting. Very much so.’
-Your words may sound rude to those who honor him. I don’t even need to say anything about the Sunset Swordsman. That’s a glorious and high compliment for me, but… I’m afraid that it may harm his reputation.
‘He doesn’t address me as the late Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung anymore.’
-He is the saint who gave everything for the continent. Nothing and n.o.body can take the place of the Saint of Light. I’m sorry for being so sensitive to your compliment, but I hope you refrain from saying that… at least in front of the Blue Guild Master.
‘Is there really anyone that can replace me?’
-I apologize once again, Blue Guild Master.
-It’s fine.
-We apologize too, Sunset Swordsman.
-We didn’t consider the Blue Guild Master’s feelings. We formally apologize.
Within the blink of an eye, only the extras looked bad. Kim Hyunsung, who almost got angered for a moment, was also making an awkward expression in that strangely sorted-out atmosphere.
It was understandable since the Song Villain decided to say the words he didn’t want to say. Maybe he thought it was better like that.
As expected, manager Kim Mi-young looked relieved. Having been a.s.signed to explain the situation to Kim Hyunsung, she wouldn’t want a problem to erupt there.
Regardless of whoever’s at fault, she didn’t want anyone talking about this.
‘Because the decoys didn’t do anything really wrong.’
At this point, if Kim Hyunsung became enraged and messed things up, the rumors would probably put him in a bad light.
It was almost certain that there would be a story about the Sunset Swordsman going crazy because he couldn’t overcome his sadness from losing the Honorary Cardinal, becoming unable to make sound judgments.
Those types of hearsays were already coming out little by little. There was no need to inflate such topics even more.
-…
While Kim Hyunsung was silent, the decoys quietly coughed and left, while the Song Villain sighed and spoke to him.
-I hope you don’t resent or hate them too much, Blue Guild Master.
-…
-They didn’t forget the Honorary Cardinal.
-If they…
-Yes.
-If they didn’t forget, how could they…
-Yes?
-No… it’s nothing.
-I understand your anger. However… However… Could they? Can the continent really forget the one who sacrificed himself for the world and devoted himself to the people? They… were just afraid.
-I don’t know what kind of fear you’re talking about.
-All kinds. The fear of living on this continent.
-…
-The fear of living on this continent without the Honorary Cardinal. They are not the only ones who are afraid. The citizens of this continent will feel frightened more than the authorities or adventurers. Considering that a lot has happened in recent times, I can’t begin to fathom how much distress they’ll have to endure. It’s been less than a year since the great war ended. We still remember that day.
He continued to talk while handing him the gla.s.s in his hand.
-They must be thinking about a lot of things, thinking that they’re safe, that they’re protected. They simply want to fill in the empty s.p.a.ce the Saint of Light has left.
His acting ability to release a self-helpful laugh wasn’t bad.
-Even after he died…
-He became the spiritual proprietor of the continent. I am also scared. Knowing that I could no longer rely on the Saint of Light, I felt pathetic about myself, who had no choice but to rely on him. To escape from his arms, for ordinary people like me…
-Even after he died… he is being forced to sacrifice.
-…
-…
‘That’s how they interpret it, huh…’
Not surprisingly, Song Sookyung paused for a moment.
He wasn’t sure if what he said was the right answer, and the build-up itself seemed fine, but he seemed to be shaken by the unexpected rise of the sacrifice statement.
It seemed that he took the issue itself completely differently, so he was probably fl.u.s.tered.
-I’m sorry, but… everyone lives relying on him.
-Ha… Ha…
-I-I… They don’t want to believe.
-…
-Yes. They wouldn’t want to believe it. How can we admit that he left us? Can you admit it, Blue Guild Master?
Now, I saw Kim Hyunsung responding by slowly shaking his head.
-They are the ones who inflate rumors to fill in that vacancy and to appease their anxiety. Rumors that the incarnation of the Saint of Light has appeared or that the Honorary Cardinal seems to have come back alive spread from mouth to mouth of the powerless people. I also don’t feel that I am worthy of the adjectives attached to me… Rather, I’m embarra.s.sed. Who could dare replace him?
-Yeah.
-However… However, you know, Blue Guild Master.
‘This b.a.s.t.a.r.d…’
-I do not deny the rumors of the powerless people. At least in front of the public, I do not deny their words.
‘There is a justification.’
The justification was clear.
-I wanted to be a haven for them. I want to make the continent a place where they feel safe. I wanted to once again put a continent in their hands where the powerless people could live with peace of mind. I know better than anyone that I can’t replace the Son of Light, but… I wanted to be him for the powerless.
I was about to vomit at the lies continuing to flow like water…
‘It’s not bad.’
I didn’t think he would have made such a build-up because he knew Kim Hyunsung’s wrath.
‘He wouldn’t.’
I was the only one who knew that Kim Hyunsung had trauma in carrying a burden.
Maybe he just wanted to make a cause for being called the descendant of the Son of Light, but in our regressor’s mind, it would feel like the b.a.s.t.a.r.d was carrying my burden.
Perhaps he was thinking of the guy who sacrificed everything for the sake of others.
Since he was taking the position to sacrifice himself for the continent, even though he wasn’t forced to, it wouldn’t be strange to see me in him.
Of course, I couldn’t imagine Kim Hyunsung projecting me onto someone’s image, but at least it could be enough to reduce the boundaries toward him.
‘Is this really going well?’
There was no doubt that he needed that process to steal the Son of Light’s eyes and heart, but I started to get partly anxious.
‘Kim Hyunsung, that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Won’t he suddenly go nuts and say something like, ‘don’t sacrifice yourself?’ He suddenly feels sorry for Song Sookyung. Maybe they’ll become closer and create a solid relationship…’
He reminded me of Kiyoung. I could make this person suffer the same…
‘f.u.c.k. Isn’t this turning out so strange?’
Once the plan became successful, and he stole my eyes and heart, it would be revealed that everything was a lie, but I still didn’t like the idea of the regressor that I raised with so much care looking for a new friendship.
‘This development doesn’t make sense…’
If that b.a.s.t.a.r.d had a conscience, he couldn’t think that way.
Kim Hyunsung, who silently nodded at him talking, was filled with useless anxiety.
I didn’t know if Kim Hyunsung had stopped thinking, but it felt like he didn’t want me to find out what was on his mind.
It was frustrating because I couldn’t read him properly. Even Song Sookyung started looking nervous after noticing that Kim Hyunsung had gone silent.
It seemed that he was frustrated because he didn’t know whether he pressed the correct answer b.u.t.ton or not.
Kim Hyunsung sat down without a word, and the Song Villan led the meeting he had prepared in an awkward pose.
He prepared many options according to the plan’s result, but it seemed that he proceeded with the a.s.sumption that his plan worked.
Kim Hyunsung nodded when he presented the results of the investigation of Lee Kiyoung’s body hijack attempt, the black market, and anomalies occurring in the current continent.
It was fabricated information anyway, but it seemed that he thought it was convincing in its own way. Accordingly, he led the meeting by explaining what happened at the time of the actual event and revealing the positions of the named heroes included in the management committee.
‘Even…’
-All field commanders will be moved into one control tower.
-That’s…
It was to show his abilities. The Song Villain seemed to think it was premature to reveal that he could do the one-man tactic directly, but he was saying he could control the battlefields taking place on the continent.
Without the tactical confidence and ability and the trust of those around him, it couldn’t be brought up.
-If it’s Song Sookyung, he can definitely…
-Yeah. He can definitely do it.
Kim Hyunsung, who didn’t know that Song Sookyung turned into a demon, seemed to be wondering, “Is it possible?” but everyone agreed. Hence, he observed the situation first. No, he even looked a little happy. I didn’t know why that b.a.s.t.a.r.d was pleased.
‘What the h.e.l.l? Why are you happy with that?’
Wasn’t that b.a.s.t.a.r.d f.u.c.king betraying me?
Wasn’t he thinking that he had found a capable brain…
Seeing Kim Hyunsung going after him separately after the meeting made me disappointed.
-I want to tell you that I’m looking forward to it.
-Thank you, Blue Guild Master. It is an honor.
‘f.u.c.k, b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Traitor b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Mean b.a.s.t.a.r.d.’
However, at Kim Hyunsung’s eventual thought, I had to be disappointed in a slightly different meaning.
-Please do your best… to take the role of Kiyoung.
He had a weird smile and an awkward look.
-I believe.
The twisted thoughts that Kim Hyunsung had momentarily in his head were conveyed in my head like images.
-Please do your best.
I felt so perplexed that I ended up speechless.
“What’s up with you? Hyunsung…”
That kindhearted Kim Hyunsung… was about to sacrifice Song Sookyung as a scapegoat to take on the burdens of the continent on behalf of the Saint of Light who would soon return.
‘What is this… Why… It hasn’t been that long since I told you to believe in humans…’
Kim Hyunsung chose him.