Chapter 88

Chapter 88 – Your Father’s Working His Ass Off (1)

Though I dramatically called it a code, that was really just the everyday conversation of the Mask of Night.

They often mixed such words into their speech to make information warfare a daily occurrence.

You know how even seasoned swordsmen incorporate training into their everyday lives?

‘In that sense......’

Tail Star.

Even I’m not exactly sure what it means. But from the context, I assumed it was referring to a target they were pursuing.

The other two, though— I definitely knew what they meant.

‘Full Moon.’

Most organizations compare their leader to the sun. Even the Emperor, for instance, is often likened to the sun. However, the Mask of Night compares their leader to the ‘moon’.

After all, the very name of their organization contains the phrase ‘of night’.

‘And above all, there’s the word, ‘dosari’.’

Yes.

If my memory is correct, these were all ‘everyday codes’ used by the Mask of Night.

Of course, a real code would be impossible to decipher even with this much information.

‘Could Narakas really be losing his grip on the organization?’

I was particularly intrigued by the word, ‘dosari’. It refers to fruit that falls before it gets the chance to ripen.

At first, it might seem like it refers to someone who was once a promising prospect.

That fruit, however, can fall due to both internal and external forces. Pick it as you walk by, take a bite, and toss it on the ground. That’s what a ‘dosari’ is.

In other words,

‘Someone who can be discarded at any time they wish. That’s the extent of the value they place on me.’

That stings my pride a little.

Count Kaiman.

I didn’t think much of it when he sent that letter, but could Narakas really have been planning to stab me in the back?

‘......No.’

The idea that Narakas has only betrayed me now, after all this time, seems less plausible now.

Rather, the earlier theory that he’s losing his grip on the organization feels closer to the truth.

‘Things are becoming more tangled, instead of unraveling.’

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. I decided there was no need to overthink it.

‘Let’s just do what I always do. My way.’

The ones who could answer my questions were right in front of me.

“Are you all mute? Why are you here?”

“......”

“You’ve got fake faces on instead of your masks, so I assume you know you’re not in the clear.”

Boom!

The killing intent pouring from them intensified. Among them, the aura of the head Mask bastard I’d been chasing stood out as particularly dangerous.

‘That must be the navy mask, one of only three in the organization.’

Narakas had mentioned this. He said he’d dispatched a navy mask to this region to investigate.

“......Prince, I don’t like you.”

“Oh? So you’re finally showing your true feelings.”

“So don’t provoke me any further. If you provoke me more than this...... I might just kill you right here.”

Suddenly, I considered it from their perspective. How would these junior Masks view me?

‘How else? As that guy said, they’d want to kill me right now.’

If they weren’t careful, they risk becoming an enemy of that vast Empire because of me.

If that happened, these Masks in front of me were as good as dead. They were, after all, aiding the greatest rebel in the history of the Empire.

‘It looks like my first hypothesis was right after all.’

It was at that moment that my suspicion solidified into certainty. Yet, even so, there was still an unsettling feeling I couldn’t shake.

Narakas hadn’t just taken his position yesterday, he’d held it for decades.

“Is this why they say that there’s no use living for a long time?”

“......!”

Gold closed his eyes tightly.

He wasn’t exactly a pious person, but he had internally prayed to the gods countless times by now.

At the same time, any lingering hesitation in his heart disappeared.

“......Just kill him, Green No. 7.”

“Yes, sir!”

The response came immediately, as if it had been eagerly awaited. The killing intent from his subordinates had already reached a point beyond control.

After all, the prince was a walking disaster waiting to happen. However, as a leader, Gold maintained his composure until the end.

Or rather, he tried to.

“Don’t let your guard down. According to the information, the prince has already reached the rank of Expert. He recently earned a knighthood in the Kingdom of Hart, so his skills are verified.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

There are only thirty people in the entire organization classified as green masks. From that level onward, they’re all skilled fighters.

After all, information warfare involves infiltration, escape, and stealth. Physical prowess wasn’t optional, it was essential.

“It’s strange. To think you’re trying to kill the boss’s client without his permission......”

“Don’t resent me too much.”

There was no need for further conversation. Once you’ve decided to kill someone, it’s best to do it swiftly and quietly.

But then,

“Stop! Stop right there!”

“......!”

Gold couldn’t accomplish his goal. His face crumpled like paper.

“Boss......?”

“Narakas.”

Soon, Ancelot muttered the name of their new visitor. He had already known. Narakas had arrived here earlier, like a scout.

That familiar voice calling ‘Ancelot!’ from earlier had also belonged to him.

“My head’s about to burst.”

Since Narakas’ appearance, the discomfort Ancelot felt had reached its peak.

If it was the real Narakas, he wouldn’t have let things within the organization reach this point.

With that thought, he began to see everything that had happened in the past in a different light.

“Haven’t I told you over and over again!? To leave the prince alone!”

“......But Boss, the prince has already clearly crossed the line.”

“Crossed the line, my ass! It was an order! Are you saying my words mean nothing to you?”

“......”

Gold finally shut his mouth in response to Narakas’ angry outburst. Realizing he’d let his emotions get the better of him, he sighed deeply.

“And! If you’ve already decided to kill someone, isn’t it essential to gather accurate information in advance? You call yourselves informants......!?”

“Pardon?”

“If you fight him, you’ll lose. You’ll die. Especially you, Navy No. 3. If you’re leading the mission, shouldn’t you at least know the strength of your opponent? Or are you just underestimating him because he’s young?”

“......!”

Silence fell over the room. Of course, none of this mattered to Ancelot.

“Hey.”

At the sudden call, Narakas flinched.

“I think I need to ask you the same question I asked that Navy Mask earlier.”

Ancelot stepped forward. There were many mountains to climb. He didn’t have the luxury of being dragged down by someone he considered an ally.

So,

“Who are you?”

He wasn’t going to drag this out.

“Wh-What are you talking about?”

“You’re not Narakas.”

“......!”

He was going to uncover the true identity of this imposter.

***