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Chapter 569: Mikhail (1)

“Yes, thank you for your decision.”

“There’s no need to feel grateful. I only realized a little faster than everyone else what was better for the Republic and the Continent.”

“But I’m afraid that your reputation will become tainted. I feel guilty just by even mentioning this.”

“That’s all useless after the passing of death. It’s been a while since I stopped obsessing over things like honor and glory, unlike my friend. It seems that you guys are the same too.”

“…”

“My friend gave up everything to protect his honor. He was the type who would’ve given up his life for such a thing, and I couldn’t understand him until the end. Haha, he’ll probably laugh at me if he sees me right now.”

“I don’t think so. I’m sure…”

“No, I’m sure he’ll laugh at me, asking me if what I was doing was important enough to destroy the reputation I’ve so carefully built up so far from the ground.”

“…”

“I have lived on this continent for a very long time. I’ve been here before you guys, called adventurers, were even summoned here. There was no place in this vast land that I didn’t love. I called it my hometown. When you first entered the continent, I firmly believed that you would develop it. Truthfully, you guys did develop this place rapidly. It’s the same for my friend too. However, there were some good influences as well as bad ones.”

“…”

“Like that friend… I thought Chairman Lee Kiyoung would be able to cure the continent.”

“That means…”

“However, that man doesn’t know how to share.”

“…”

“When Lee Kiyoung- that man- asked me if I could manage this place, I became certain when I saw his eyes. He could be a cure if used well, but poison if misused… He’s that kind of person. However, he’s too greedy for him to be a cure to this continent. Look at this stupid little hand mirror. You said that these kinds of things had existed in your world. But can you believe it?”

“…”

“Can you believe… how this little thing can control the entire continent? Regardless of age or gender, even people who were initially amazed or scared of the item now possess this small hand mirror to the point that people can’t live their daily lives without it. I’m sure most people wouldn’t realize it, but there’s a huge amount of data accumulated in this small but infinite space, and Lee Kiyoung can look into it. My point is that the entire continent is under surveillance by just one person.”

“…”

“I can’t say that this is freedom.”

“I understand.”

“You can’t say you’re actually alive when one person controls the whole continent.”

“…”

“Once, my friend had explained an interesting novel to me. It was a novel written by a famous writer named George Orwell. The place where we are living now is no different from the place in the novel. An individual shouldn’t be allowed to control everything. Even media that criticize him are inspected before releasing materials. The same goes for the media that praise him.”

“You’re right.”

“I don’t know what he’s doing this for, but no one has the right to control individual freedom. At least that’s what I think.”

“…”

“No, you guys probably can’t relate. My friend probably won’t be able to relate either. We all have such different values. Like how my friend died because of honor, and like how I’ll die because of my stubbornness.”

“You won’t die. Death is our role, not yours.”

“Even if all of this ends successfully, I’ll just die. The continent refuses to leave me alone… For now, I’ll have to leave first thing in the morning tomorrow, so please let me be by myself. I’ll come back with the news you want.”

“…”

“…”

“I’ll do as you say.”

At this, I took a step back, and Mikhail started reading a book quietly.

I knew that was a necessary thing to do, but my mouth had soon become dry. I couldn’t make up my mind whether or not I had involved the right person.

‘No, if I was going to think about things like this, I shouldn’t have suggested this in the first place.’

Didn’t I approach him with death already in my mind?

If Mikhail had shaken his head at us when we asked him to join us, we would’ve been dead already. In such a situation, I couldn’t believe that I was suddenly sympathizing with the man and worrying about him…

‘Matters relating to humans have always been unexpected.’

Perhaps it was because he had joined us so willingly, or maybe it was because I felt like his thoughts were more valuable than I initially thought.

I didn’t know the exact answer. All I could do was grab onto my hair because of an incoming headache.

‘This is all so complicated.’

“Let’s not think about it too deeply. We should just do what we have to do.”

“My belief isn’t wavering. Actually, I think I gained more confidence from this. I now have another reason besides personal feelings for fighting against him. It’s all thanks to Mikhail. Of course, it won’t be easy…”

“You’re right. That’s not the only reason why we have to fight.”

“I know. At this rate, there will be no future for the continent. There’s no place beyond his reach, and I can’t even figure out what’s true and what’s a lie now. Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung- no, how many people on this continent know the chairman’s true face? Probably…”

“I’m sure everyone here is oblivious to it. That’s what you should think. Considering his public image, most people don’t believe or understand all the things he had done. Looking at the media-generated images of him, who would be aware that he’s like a cockroach, causing harm to this continent? Who would even dare imagine that he’s someone who’s been deceiving the entire continent, summoning demons, and impersonating God?”

“Why do they trust and follow a man like that…?”

“Rather than blaming how gullible people are, we should point at his wickedness.”

“That’s the best option.”

“I don’t know what exactly his purpose is, but…”

“Aren’t the results telling us? I think this construction itself might be meaningless. He wants to make the continent controllable, and creating a crisis and making a fake enemy from the outside does exactly that. If you think about the release of the hand mirrors, that will make sense even more. He must have left the Blue Guild and positioned himself into the committee for the same reason. Look, with just a few words, he has become the leader and the center of this continent. Even those in power have to be careful of him, and those that oppose him disappear without a trace.”

“…”

“The public’s voice and free will are all controlled by him. All kinds of media are in his grasps, and he can show and hide information to his advantage. He can also easily access information about what the continent is talking about. I can’t deny that Lee Kiyoung is capable, but he is the wrong leader. I was once one of those who supported him, but I think the meeting with you and Mikhail has opened my eyes. Maybe if it weren’t for you two, I would have…”

“I’m not motivated by a nice-sounding cause like that, Rafael. Your colleagues may be like that, but not me. It’s revenge that motivates me, not some form of morals or values. I have come all the way here somehow, but not by what you think.”

He might have been like that in the beginning, but that was no longer the case.

As they spent a long time together and came closer and closer to the truth of the continent, he realized how much things had changed.

The purpose hadn’t changed, but what was in their hearts differed.

Back then, they moved simply for revenge. Currently, he moved out of a sense of responsibility and servitude.

“Don’t say that. I know you feel responsible. The same goes for everyone else, and… Even if you’re simply motivated by shallow vengeance, the results wouldn’t be any different. Whatever the reason, we’re doing the right thing. I’m sure what we’re trying to do will be remembered by the continent for a long time.”

“No, even if we succeed, we will just be thought of as terrorists.”

“That’s harsh, being known as a terrorist. But we are people, fighting with justice in our minds…”

“Haha. You’re probably the only one who thinks that Rafael.”

“So, what happens next? If things fail, what are you planning to do?”

“Nothing will change. I will just move on and wait for another opportunity. But something like that won’t happen.”

“…”

“He’ll definitely do what we want him to do.”

“…”

“Yes, as you said, Lee Kiyoung is an actor and a crook. His safe place is not a battlefield or an office. It’s a stage. He won’t just sit still, and that’s the nature of Lee Kiyoung. He will probably use this as a means to gain positive publicity for him. I’m sure he will feel that there’s more to gain than lose in this situation.”

“Then after that…”

“I will fight for my life. That’s all I can do. I think it’s safe to say that without this opportunity, it will be impossible. Even if he left the Blue Guild, his influence in the guild remains the same. If we try to recruit more members one by one and set up troops in the joint training camp, we’ll be caught. I have no choice but to make the most out of this opportunity as much as possible. There isn’t much time left.”

“…”

“…”

“Is there any other way?”

“No. Things won’t turn around until his life ends.”

“But there might be something else we can do. We can create and distribute magazines… That would help us gather the right people. If we continue to speak up about the truth, someday the continent’s people will definitely… recognize it. I’m sure they’ll realize it. Look at all the people in this group. Maybe there isn’t a need to solve the problem in such an extreme way…”

“No, more than this is too dangerous. We’ve gotten too big in a year. You must know better than me that it’s a miracle that he hasn’t noticed us yet. We’re in no position to move anymore. If we raise ourselves just a little bit more, I’m sure the army will rat us out right away. For now, it’s better to follow through with what we’ve already planned. An inspection team will probably come here while Mikhail goes to greet him. Let’s talk about this more than anything else, Raphael.”

“But!”

“We’ve no other options. Mikhail is already in the same boat as us. If we back out now… Ugh…”

“C-Captain, are you all right?”

“Haa… Haaa… Yeah, I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.”

At this, I saw the captain clutch onto his heart in pain. I felt bitter that there was nothing I could do except give a pat on his shoulder.

Our ultimate goal was to free the continent from Chairman Lee Kiyoung. We were all fighting for the right reasons, but we were still nothing more than an anti-government force.

‘People will realize and recognize us one day.’

Everyone across the continent would surely remember our sacrifice.

I had no choice but to think of such thoughts while grabbing onto my beating heart.