Chapter 105: Thinning (1)

Chapter 105: Thinning (1)

The best way to attack those devil worshippers in my current situation was to expose their identity.

No matter how secretive they were, constantly not being named would have unimaginable effects.

First, restrictions would be placed on all their actions, and potential converts would be reduced.

There was an enormous difference between not knowing anything and being wary because you knew such people existed.

In the first place, they didn’t tell you they worship the devil from the start.

The only reason I hadn’t been able to do this was because I lacked the authority to know about them.

Carl Schurtafen had nothing to do with the devil worshippers. In the end, it revealed my background was false.

‘Anyway, to denounce the devil worshippers as a disposable identity...’

It was simple.

I just had to become a devil worshipper.

Of course, it was not that I really would turn into one. I meant exposing myself as such a person.

Even if I was treated as if I were dead, there was a high chance the suspicion of being affiliated with Haisen would arise.

It was a way to preemptively block that risk. That was why it was important for me to make the first move.

Even if enemies tried to frame me as being associated with Haisen if I was the first to open the door by declaring Carl Schurtafen as a devil worshipper...

Those who say such things would themselves be suspected of being devil worshippers.

To further reduce the risk, I had to attack Haisen in the process.

‘And deal with the leader too.’

The image of me killing Haisen’s leader before they could engrave my identity was enough.

Of course, I’d also need to leak information to the empire before that.

A defection by a hero of the empire.

How big of an impact would it have? Naturally, not only the empire but the entire continent would be tarnished with the reputation of devil worshippers.

‘For those who intended to move quietly, this will be a tremendous disaster.’

The plan stemmed from the idea of attacking devil worshippers, but there seemed to be no better option than this.

Of course, this wasn’t discussed with Haisen.

I couldn’t talk to the Duke right now, and revealing it was risky for me.

And escaping from Haisen’s grasp was also advantageous for me.

I intended to approach Phiri. I needed Phiri’s help to leak information to the empire.

The sooner the plan was executed, the better.

‘The problem is the Empress.’

That was the most troublesome part. It didn’t matter if it was revealed that the Empress was a devil worshipper.

Wasn’t I originally one of Erendil’s trusted aides?

Of course, there would clearly be damage. But not enough to strip her of the right of succession.

Compared to my identity as part of Haisen being revealed, it was a hundred times better.

If Erendil couldn’t become Emperor, her death in the future was essentially confirmed.

The problem was that they might attack Erendil while I was not there.

‘She even knows things about me.’

Even if it was not assassinating Erendil, if the Empress exposed me, my efforts could turn into bubbles.

I should kill her if possible...

But capturing the leader and the Empress was unimaginably difficult even in my imagination.

And it was hard to bring her mind back.

They said more brainwashing was needed to make her kill her own daughter, but she had already been recruited.

She was probably heard the devil’s whispers.

I’d already experienced in games that it was nearly impossible to bring such people back.

It would only increase her wariness of me.

‘Sigh.’

On top of that, I didn’t have the confidence to tell this to Erendil. I didn’t know how she would react to her mother’s death.

Emotion could surpass reason. Even if she read the truth from my words, it could become a problem.

I should have left her to die when I first came to the empire. I gained trust by saving her, but now things were complicated. VIsit n0(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

It must be because of the Empress that I got the Death Avoidance warning when I accepted the Duke’s offer.

‘It’s impossible to kill the leader and the Empress on the same day.’

The priority had to be the leader. In the end, I had no choice but to escape the pursuit and return to the empire as quickly as possible.

And assassinate the Empress without Erendil knowing.

Anyway, time was running out. That’s why my head hurt quite a bit while preparing.

I had to talk to Phiri today and move as quickly as possible.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

Emmet’s words brought me out of my reverie. Only then did the scenery outside the window catch my eye.

Moonlit leaves were swaying in the wind.

“Oh, nothing.”

As per the current plan, I would soon find myself in a very precarious situation.

The Duke’s retainer might be uneasy. If I make the wrong choice, Haisen could be in danger.

Perhaps he didn’t just want to relay orders but wanted confirmation through me.

-I’ll become a devil worshipper. Haisen needs to push me toward the Empire. Then, I’ll have to attack Haisen. And maybe taking care of the leader in the process.

At the end of the brief summary, the Duke’s retainer’s silence confirmed the Duke’s and my alignment of thoughts.

It was good news. I tried to erase the smile from my lips.

“Surprising.”

-“Is that accurate?”

“Yes. The operation’s codename is ‘Thinning’.”

Thinning. To thin them out. It was a fitting operation name.

But Phiri seemed quite surprised, as if hearing this for the first time.

“Just a moment. Do we have to go that far?”

“Right now. Do you have another plan?”

The man cut off Phiri’s words.

“If this gets out, not only Carlyn but also we will be in danger.”

“...”

“And the Duke agrees with Carlyn’s thoughts. Do you have anything else to say?”

Phiri couldn’t argue. The Duke’s retainer spoke to me.

“Is there anything we can do to assist with this plan?”

-No, just let me know when it’s time to push me toward the Empire.

“We can do that now.”

-When?

“Tomorrow.”

-Understood.

I wasn’t surprised. After all, I was also planning to tell Phiri to speak tomorrow.

We just need to follow the plan.

“When will you move?”

-I’ll move at midnight tomorrow.

Moving straight away might seem suspicious, but it couldn’t be helped.

Since there were devil worshippers on the Empire’s side too, I had to move before information could be exchanged.

“Okay. Let us help with dealing with Derek.”

-No, it’s fine. It might even become a problem.

The man let out a cold laugh.

“You seem to be suspicious of us. Don’t worry. Only Phiri and I will move. Only four people know about this operation. Just prepare a suitable route.”

It seems only the three of us here and the Duke knew about the operation. The Duke was indeed moving very cautiously.

“Except for a few people who know about this, you will be considered a traitor. We will genuinely pursue you as well.”

It was a natural statement, for Denif or Orhen as well. Such secrecy was best known to a select few.

I could feel Phiri’s breath becoming heavier. Perhaps she was concerned about me.

However, the last sentence bothered me slightly. I had expected them to provide some means of communication, no matter the risk.

Though risky, talents like mine weren’t easily acquired.

Were they considering collaborating with the Empire?

It was possible. Perhaps to demonstrate Haisen’s innocence, there would be internal surveillance for a while.

-When should I return?

After a brief silence, the Duke’s retainer spoke up. Personally, I found that silence somewhat unsettling.

“The Duke has left the decision to your judgment.”

-Understood.

After discussing the details, the Duke’s retainer spoke one last time.

“It’s Duke’s statement.”

-I’m listening.

“‘Thank you. Good luck.’ Do you have any message for the Duke?”

A phrase popped into my head incongruously with the situation. A memory from Earth. Of course, I couldn’t tell it directly.

It had been hard but I’d learned and gained a lot under the Duke as an orphan. I concealed my smile.

-Please tell him ‘Thank you damn much for everything...’

After Phiri and the man left, only the most difficult mission of my experiences remained, also my last mission in Haisen.

But why? Despite the many uneasy factors, I strangely felt at ease.

Hmm. It was not always the case, but my condition would often peak at times like these...

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