Chapter 142: The Plan Begins

Chapter 142: The Plan Begins

“How can you handle things so recklessly? Sir Gordon, didn’t you say you were entrusting me with this task?”

“You were scared of that barbarian woman and couldn’t even say a word to her, and now you’re whining to me like a child?”

“No... That’s...”

Tiren couldn’t respond to Gordon’s harsh critique. He didn’t see himself as dim-witted, and others actually considered him shrewd. In fact, such public perception merely underestimated him as a novice, and with time, he would be regarded as an unparalleled genius.

The problem, however, was time.

At the moment, he was not the seasoned Tiren MacGovern who had weathered countless storms, but a novice who had just entered the political arena and received his first mission from Emperor Shutean.

“She’s a woman at the pinnacle of the barbarian horde. Regardless of her skills, she’s got a fierce temper.”

“Is this your first time meeting her, Sir Gordon?”

“I’ve seen her, but the Digon chief I knew was her mother, not her. Last time I saw her, she was just a little girl, not even ten...” Gordon spoke nonchalantly. “I never thought she’d grow up to be such an insolent brat.”

With that, Gordon sighed softly and waved his hand dismissively at Tiren.

“I feel like being around you has softened me.”

Tiren’s face turned red at his words.

“Both the First and Second Princes have halted their journey to the south. We’re the only ones left.”

“...”

“There’s no rush, but if we keep dragging this out, that’ll become a problem in itself. You need to bring something back from the south to the empire.”

Tiren nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Click-

After confirming that Tiren had left the office, Jaygun, the vice captain, said to Gordon, “You seem unusually kind to Tiren.”

“I’m kind to everyone. Haven’t I kept you alive despite the possibility that you’re scheming with the empire?”

Gordon made a gesture of slicing his neck with his thumb as he spoke to Jaygun.

“Well...”

Once again, Jaygun felt his blood run cold as he realized just how much Gordon knew about his endeavors. Still, the fact that Gordon hadn’t ousted him showed he was serious about what he had just said.

“When you take over the Guidance Mercenary Gang, you can do whatever you want. But don’t half-ass it just because it’s not the prince you want.”

“That won’t happen.”

“What about the task I assigned you? It’s something no noble’s son or high-born priest can do.”

“I’ve been investigating for the last ten days. I should have results by the end of the day.”

“Hmm.” Gordon nodded at Jaygun’s words. “When we meet again, I won’t be going with you. As infuriating as it is, the queen is right. This is an issue between the empire and the south, not with the Guidance Mercenary Gang.”

“Of course.”

“But it’s not in my nature to play along with those dull bastards...”

“I understand perfectly.”

Jaygun looked at Gordon with confidence.

Some things could only be handled by mercenaries.

***

A fortnight had passed.

Prince Kromen had visited Digon several more times since then, but the barbarian tribe repeatedly turned him away, making his status as a prince seem laughable.

"The First Prince is currently recuperating in the territory of Sir Azif in Berardo," Jaygun reported. He was holding a carrier pigeon’s message to Kromen who seemed weary and overwhelmed by the heat.

"Has my brother... really returned?"

"I can't say for sure. Although he’s withdrawn, nearly half of his forces remain there. He might be regrouping his troops in Berardo."

"Will he come to the south?"

Even Kaplan, who had been silently supporting the prince, sighed softly, perhaps realizing that the situation couldn’t be resolved as it was.

“I will go to Digon alone.”

Tiren’s voice was firm with determination.

The one who could turn things around was none other than Randol!

***

“You were right.”

“Of course. I’m just surprised it took this long. He’s still unrefined, I suppose,” Karyl told Miliana as he gazed at Tiren waiting in front of the tent.

I guess he’s still inexperienced. Well... There must have been many challenges on the way to becoming chancellor. Compared to back then, he’s like a pampered flower now. His worried face is rather amusing.

Despite thinking that, Karyl was genuinely impressed with Tiren’s boldness of coming here by himself.

“Now I just need to meet him and follow the plan we discussed. What will you do in the meantime?”

“Since Tiren is here today, Kromen will probably come looking for you tomorrow. I have something else to take care of in the meantime,” Karyl said softly.

“What would that be?”

“As I’ve said before, preparing to catch the big fish. I’m going to meet Gordon. Our plan hasn’t even begun yet. I’ll tell you more when I get back.”

Miliana looked slightly irritated but decided against arguing.

“Well, mind games aren’t my kind of battles.”

“This isn’t a battle.”

“Hmm?”

Karyl’s eyes glinted.

“It’s a hunt.”

For a moment, as she looked at him, Miliana found Karyl scarier than the empire itself.

“By the way... what about the Guidance Mercenary Gang stirring things up everywhere?”

“Let them be. I’ve already set up eyes to watch them. Digon doesn’t need to move.”

She chuckled at his words.

“How many people have you deployed in someone else’s territory? It’s getting ridiculous.”

“It’s convenient, isn’t it? We can predict where the Guidance Mercenary Gang will go,” Karyl explained, smiling at Miliana’s comment. He felt at ease around her, perhaps because of how much time he had spent with her in his past life. Conversely, Miliana also found herself gradually becoming more comfortable with him.

“Are you sure it’s okay to let him meet Randol? He will tell Tiren everything about you.”

“It doesn’t matter. Randol doesn’t know everything about me. The same goes for you, I imagine.”

“Are you hiding something from me?”

“Quite a lot.”

Karyl laughed at her question.

“Anyway, I want Randol to tell Tiren about me. And the fact that Tiren came alone means he knew Randol was here.”

“Did you tell him that?”

“Of course.”

Miliana laughed in disbelief at his answer. The fact that Randol was staying here was a crucial secret. Not even the people of the empire knew about this.

How long has he been planning this?

She tried to figure it out but soon shook her head.

“I can’t read you at all.”

Miliana stretched and got up from her large cushion.

“Well, that’s fine.”

She seemed somewhat excited as she walked out of the tent, as if she had been bored all this time.

“Let’s see how this goes.”