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Chapter 349 - Walking Past the Back (1)

“Hahaha. I had some work to do. As an elder, it is my duty to shoulder the work for the young princess,” Fidelio mentioned while chuckling as he glanced at the pile of documents on the table.

Kang-Woo smirked.

‘Oh, of course you’d be busy.’

After all, he was controlling the entire continent through the princess. Kang-Woo narrowed his eyes and used the Authority of the Beholder; the transparent orb that Fidelio had been holding before he entered the room came into view.

‘He must’ve used that to command her.’

Kang-Woo had been able to feel the mana connected to Iris’s body the moment her expression froze in the party venue. The thread of mana had been connecting her and that transparent orb.

“Haaa. I’ve heard about the situation in the party venue, as well as Her Highness’s decision...” Fidelio continued while sighing, “Please do not think badly of Her Highness because she did not send the imperial guards to the capital. I’m sure she was scared due to the sudden crisis.”

Kang-Woo chuckled.

‘You’ve got some brains, I’ll give you that.’

Fidelio had so naturally pinned Iris as the culprit who had stopped the imperial guards from taking action. Considering Kang-Woo had come to visit Fidelio without warning, it had been a very quick judgment on Fidelio’s part.

“I understand. My party is stopping the demonic beasts from reaching the capital,” Kang-Woo expressed.

“Phew, what a relief. I can’t even imagine what would’ve happened if you all weren’t here...”

“Not at all. More importantly, I’m glad to see you’re alright, Prime Minister.”

“Hahaha. Thank you for worrying about an old man like me.” Fidelio smiled gently and bowed.

Kang-Woo let go of Fidelio’s hand and turned around. “Now that I’ve confirmed that you’re safe, I will excuse myself.”

“Are you leaving already?”

Since Kang-Woo had more or less figured out what sort of person Fidelio was, there was no more reason for him to stay here.

“I can’t leave Si-Hun fighting all by himself.”

“But I’ve heard that you’re not a great fighter...”

“But I know how to fight, at the very least. Though I’m nothing compared to Si-Hun.”

“Ohh, I see.” Fidelio nodded. He continued as his eyes shone, “I would like to have a meal with Sir Si-Hun one day.”

It was obvious what Fidelio had in mind. Kang-Woo was sure that Fidelio was made aware of Si-Hun’s astounding combat prowess that he had shown in the party venue.

‘The situation has changed for him.’

Although defeating five hundred rebel army soldiers all by oneself was very impressive, it was not to the point that Fidelio would do anything to get his hands on Si-Hun. As proof of that, Fidelio had not approached Si-Hun nor anyone in Kang-Woo’s party after offering them their VIP rooms. However, wiping out Evil God Lucifer’s subordinates was a completely different story.

“Haha, Understood.”

Kang-Woo softly laughed and turned around. Even if Fidelio had not asked for it, he had been planning on arranging a meeting between the two.

‘Soon.’

Kang-Woo smiled widely.

***

The news of the advent of Evil God Lucifer stirred the entirety of Aernor. Not only had the Evil God, who had vanished without a trace a few years ago, come back, his declaration of the continent’s demise was enough to relight the fear that had been deeply rooted in the hearts of the continent’s residents.

Si-Hun’s name spread throughout the continent like wildfire at the same time as the fear of Lucifer surged within the people. He was the hero who had protected the imperial capital from demonic beasts. Just seeing him stopping the horde of demonic beasts from crossing the narrow bridge between the castle and the capital had been enough to capture the hearts of the people. However, the expression of the hero himself was not bright at all.

“Haaa,” Si-Hun sighed. He stared at Kang-Woo in worry. “Hyung-nim...”

“We had expected this to happen, Si-Hun.”

They had already expected that the Demon of Prophecy would not stand idly by as Kang-Woo’s party continued their Aernor expedition.

“But thanks to that, the conditions have been fulfilled,” Kang-Woo expressed.

“Conditions?”

“I told you in the beginning, didn’t I? Once the continent is sent to the brink of collapse after the Demon of Prophecy takes action, the high elves will appear.”

“Oh.”

Si-Hun had completely forgotten about the high elves because of the appearance of Evil God Lucifer.

He groaned and asked, “When will they appear?”

“How should I know? But it’s an undeniable fact that the conditions have been partially fulfilled.”

Evil God Lucifer had declared the continent’s demise, and Si-Hun had gained fame exceeding that of Reynald. They had met the fundamental requirements for a high elf to manifest.

‘Though it’s still lacking.’

Kang-Woo’s eyes shone sharply. He did not hope for a high elf to appear after barely having done anything. It had only been a few days since Evil God Lucifer had descended. Also, there had not been many casualties from this incident. It was far too lacking of a situation for the continent to be considered on the brink of collapse.

‘But we’ve taken the first step.’

This operation had been a huge success. Although there had been an unexpected variable midway, it had been a huge success purely in terms of results. Si-Hun’s name had spread throughout the continent, and people were praising him one after the other.

‘Maybe I should’ve tried to build it up better.’

Whatever the case, the result had been beyond perfect despite the plan having only just begun.

‘Now then...’

It was time to prepare for the next part of the plan.

“Si-Hun, you’ll have to go around.”

“Go around? What do you mean?”

“You know, like congresspersons going on election campaigns for votes. There are a bunch of rumors about you, but barely anyone has seen you in person.”

“That’s... true.”

“Show your face to the people, and make bullshit small talk with merchants about how hard life is nowadays and that you’ll change this nation for the better.”

“Haha... I think I know what you mean.” Si-Hun nodded while smiling awkwardly. “But wouldn’t that be dangerous to do when we have no idea what Lucifer is planning?”

“We’re doing it exactly because we don’t know what he’s planning. We can’t let him have his way, can we? Besides, Lucifer probably doesn’t know that we’re trying to use his advent to manifest a high elf either.”

“I guess... you’re right.” Si-Hun nodded.

If he were Lucifer, he would likely have no idea about what Kang-Woo was planning.

“Using Lucifer’s advent to our advantage...” Si-Hun nodded in succession. “As expected of you, hyung-nim.”

Anyone could have thought of such a plan if they racked their brain even a little, but Si-Hun had not even thought to pull off such a thing due to having been so intimidated by Lucifer.

Si-Hun continued with a smile, “You don’t seem to be scared of Lucifer at all, hyung-nim.”

“Huh?”

That was obvious, since Lucifer had not actually appeared.

“I... didn’t even think to use this crisis as an opportunity because I was scared of losing more comrades like in the past against Satan.”

“Hahaha. That just goes to show how much I trust you. I’m scared too, man.”

‘I didn’t even manage to get any sleep last night.’

“Anyway, get out of the castle and go around the empire. You can go around with Balrog’s party if you want to.”

“Huh? You’re not coming with me, hyung-nim?” Si-Hun asked, wide-eyed.

He subtly trembled at the fact that he would be separated from Kang-Woo. Si-Hun looked at Kang-Woo pitifully as if he were an abandoned puppy looking up at its owner.

‘What the hell, man? You didn’t say much when you were separated from Layla. Why are you like this with me?’

Kang-Woo shook his head with an awkward smile. “I have things left to do here.”

“Ah...”

‘Don’t make that face, Si-Hun. You’re making me cringe— No, scratch that.’

“I don’t want to separate from you either, but I don’t think I can go with you this time,” Kang-Woo mentioned.

“It’s okay, hyung-nim.” Si-Hun responded in all seriousness. “I’ll do my best so I don’t disappoint you.”

“Okay, man.”

‘My cute little bro.’

“I’ll trust you, Si-Hun.”

Kang-Woo patted Si-Hun’s shoulder and stood up.

***

Si-Hun left the imperial castle as per Kang-Woo’s instructions. Iris tried to stop him while in tears, but Si-Hun left without looking back after promising her that he would come back soon.

“Fufu. Are you feeling lonely after being separated from your little brother?” Lilith giggled while having her hand on Kang-Woo’s shoulder.

“Lonely, my ass. I’m glad I have one less person to care about,” Kang-Woo answered bluntly.

Lilith held in her laughter while covering her mouth. “You say that, but even this morning, you were just standing in front of Si-Hun’s room—”

“Shut up.”

“My, I apologize.”

Lilith giggled innocently; she seemed to have grown quite fond of teasing Kang-Woo lately.

“More importantly, have you finished with the investigation?” Kang-Woo asked.

“About Lucifer’s wife?”

“Yeah.” Kang-Woo nodded.

She had been the one variable that he had not expected in the previous operation. No, it would have been impossible for him to have expected it. He needed to figure out who she was in advance.

“My apologies. I have not yet been able to create an effective information network in this world. Could you wait a little longer?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’m not in a rush. But wouldn’t she be a noble of high peerage if she was invited to the party?”

“Well... She seems to have forged her identity. After some investigation, even her invitation letter seems to have been forged.”

“Hmm.” Kang-Woo nodded.

‘Well, I’m sure I can just leave it to Lilith.’

“In that case...”

Kang-Woo got up from the chair.

“Are you planning on going to see Iris?” Lilith asked.

“Yeah.”

The reason why Kang-Woo had remained here was to fix the princess’s twisted personality and to devise a plan to change her witch image among the public.

‘I’ll have to take care of that shitty personality of hers first.’

Iris’s hysteria had become even worse after the previous incident. Since her true personality was exactly like that of the rumors, he wasn’t able to devise a plan to rectify it.

“I’m off, then,” Kang-Woo said to Lilith, and then left the room.

His mind was full of thoughts about Iris.

‘Did Fidelio place some sort of brainwashing magic on her?’

It was a possibility, considering how she had been trembling in fear. Kang-Woo used the Authority of Stealth and headed to Iris’s room.

Shatter—!!

“Out! Get out!!”

Just then, a hysterical voice echoed throughout the hallway. Kang-Woo headed to the source of the sound and saw a woman leaning on the wall of the hallway, crying.

“Sniff, sniff...”

It was Siesta, one of Iris’s maids. She was crying while having one hand on her swollen right cheek.

‘What the hell?’

Kang-Woo watched over the situation while frowning.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness...”

Siesta bowed in front of Iris’s room door while crying, and then turned around.

‘Is she acting like this because Si-Hun went away?’

Kang-Woo entered Iris’s room while completely dumbfounded, but his expression froze soon after.

“Sniff... Hurgh. Waaaaahh.” Iris was crying while on her knees on the bed. “No more... I-I can’t take any more... Sniff. Brother... Brother...”

Her clothes were loose as if they had been ripped apart, and her hair was completely disheveled. Her cheeks were bruised as if she had been punched. Kang-Woo could see sheets stained with some sort of fluid under the blanket that Iris was using to cover herself with.

“Hah,” Kang-Woo feigned laughter.

A chill ran down his spine. It was not hard to deduce who had done this to her.

‘Fidelio... You’re far crazier than I had thought.’