DBCR 23

Chapter 23

Follow the Order?

He hadn’t misheard.

His father looked calmly at Irix and spoke.

“You must follow the Order, my son. You have to go with them.”

His father continued.

“The one who will come to take you is a man named Telecus, blessed by Peregion. You’ll recognize him right away. He goes around bragging about being blessed, and I doubt he’ll be careful even in front of you.”

It sounded as if his father were explaining plans for a picnic.

“I’ve placed someone by his side, so you must follow him. That way, I’ll know how you’re doing. Of course, they won’t realize it.”

So he had prepared a stage.

A stage convincing enough for Irix to enter the Order naturally.

The legion would be nothing more than a prop in that performance—because it couldn’t look like the duke had deliberately sent him.

“Among them is Maimon Azla. One of the most outstanding soldiers I selected. That boy will go to rescue you later.”

Maimon was someone Irix knew.

The boy, who looked as though he were sculpted from chocolate, was one of the gifted.

“I’ll say it again—everyone must be deceived. Only then will what you need to do inside the Order go smoothly. If they discover I sent you on purpose, you’ll be locked away. Until the god destined to descend upon you is chosen, you’ll live like livestock waiting for slaughter. You don’t want that, do you?”

Of course he didn’t.

“So do well.”

His father smiled.

“When the time comes, Maimon will go and save you. I could pull you out myself, but then the spies I planted inside would be exposed.”

So the spies were too valuable, and Maimon—less so.

Typical of his father.

“That boy can rescue you alone. And I believe he’ll do everything he can to bring you back. He’s always wanted to repay his debt to me. Naturally, I should give him the chance.”

Damn bastard.

He must have lied to Maimon.

Probably wiped away tears and told him, “The Order is trying to steal my precious son.”

And Maimon would believe it completely.

His father was always like that—using people and discarding them, or using them in order to discard them.

“For now, it will be two months. During that time, do exactly as I say. You’ll be able to meet the core figures of the Order, so find out what I want from them.”

And he smiled brilliantly.

“I trust you, my son.”

He truly wanted to be unfilial.

And now…

Telecus stood right in front of him.

He was supposed to follow this man?

Was he out of his mind?

Why choose someone like this?

No… the order was reversed.

It was precisely because he was this kind of man that his father chose him.

Then, as the darkness split—

Maimon appeared.

“Irix-nim!”

Irix almost shouted.

Why are you here?!

“Are you all right?”

Of course he was fine.

He was the most valuable person here.

But Maimon wasn’t.

To them, he was no different from a wasp that needed to be swatted immediately.

“Stop, Irix Berkhardt!”

It was Telecus.

“I am giving you an opportunity! I will guide you to the Order. I will lead you down the path of destiny for which you were born!”

I wanted to punch him.

But for now, I had to follow him.

Not because of Father’s will—

But because Irix also had something to do inside the Order.

The only reason Irix obeyed was because, for once, father and son’s schemes aligned.

But the problem was Maimon.

According to Father’s plan, Maimon would believe he failed and that Irix was taken away.

He would desperately try to rescue him.

That couldn’t happen.

It was far too dangerous to do alone.

And Irix hated the idea of someone else—especially someone like Maimon—moving according to Father’s intentions.

How could he stop him from doing anything?

“Don’t do it! Don’t go back!”

Telecus again.

Irix’s irritation surged.

“Irix Berkhardt, the duke sees you as nothing more than an object born from a lowly woman who married in haste! Yet he fears you may become greater than him! That is why you must not return!”

What nonsense was that?

Father wasn’t someone who thought so sensibly.

First of all, Father had never cared about Mother that much.

He’d probably forgotten her face and name already.

Irix knew it.

Whenever Father was forced to say her name, he always fell silent for two seconds.

Everyone assumed it was emotion—

It wasn’t.

He simply couldn’t remember it.

The reason he never finalized the divorce was likely because being married meant any affair wouldn’t technically be adultery.

Father was a man who had no intention of love outside of cheating.

Enough.

Just thinking about him made Irix feel as if his brain were rotting.

While Irix thought, Telecus kept babbling endlessly.

“Irix Berkhardt, I have always been watching you. That is why I know you very well.”

“……”

Seeing Irix’s stiff expression, Telecus interpreted it however he pleased.

“I know. Even the stable boy working in your house looks down on you. Do you wish to continue living like that? Accept your great destiny. You only need a little courage. Do not fear. Come. Then you will become great.”

Even the stable boy?

Impossible.

Because Irix didn’t even live in that estate.

Half the servants of House Berkhardt didn’t know his face.

The other half misunderstood entirely.

Only Father’s aides knew what he looked like.

Ah.

Irix realized.

Watching him?

Nonsense.

Father’s spy must have fed him that story.

Thank goodness.

At least this unpleasant man hadn’t actually been nearby.

But seriously—what genre of novel had Father’s spy been reading to come up with that?

It sent chills down his spine.

“I can make you great. I can show you how extraordinary you truly are!”

He never got tired.

Now Irix understood perfectly why Father had chosen him.

He was stupid enough not to notice any deception.

Because he always, constantly, endlessly thought only of himself—

Never listening to others, only waiting for his chance to speak.

No wonder Peregion had been forgotten.

Who would worship a god with the eye for apostles that chose an idiot like this?

At least Irix couldn’t.

Telecus extended his hand.

“Follow me and discover your true worth. I may be the only one who will ever say such things to you.”

His self-importance was astounding.

No.

There had been many others.

So many.

His head grew hot.

There were too many.

And now, he was curious.

What exactly was he?

Why had he been born in this body?

What could he do with it?

He felt like he would die of curiosity.

Beside him, Maimon spoke.

“My young lord. I will create an opening—please escape.”

Ah.

Right.

He was here too.

How could I stop Maimon from following?

Should I break his arms and legs so he couldn’t recover for two months?

“Zephyr is here as well. He will help.”

“I know. I saw.”

Then a series of violent impacts struck.

Bang, bang, bang—

Maimon and Irix covered their ears.

Right.

This.

Telecus’s rambling had made him forget.

This was more urgent.

The birds of Pola, corrupted by demonic beasts, were rampaging.

Their numbers were increasing rapidly.

Their power was growing stronger.

They were clumping together, becoming monstrously huge.

If the subjugation force didn’t arrive soon, everyone would be in danger.

Then Irix suddenly had an idea.

Yes.

That.

“Maimon!”

“Yes?”

Irix pointed outside.

“Go right now. Eliminate those beasts and save the people.”

And he pointed as far away as possible.

Maimon narrowed his eyes.

“I don’t see anything.”

“You can’t because it’s far away. Go now. Save them!”

“Me?”

“Yes! Saving people in danger comes before protecting just one person!”

“But I must protect you—”

“You just said Zephyr is here. He’ll handle things. You are part of the Camellia Order! You swore to protect people from beasts!”

“But you are also in danger!”

“I care about people’s safety more than my own!”

Maimon’s eyes trembled.

He was moved.

Touched by Irix, who spoke of protecting others even in this situation.

Irix let him misunderstand.

No—

He wanted him to misunderstand even more firmly.

Maimon nodded with a resolute face.

“I understand. I will go help the people.”

Irix almost cheered.

“As expected, young lord! You truly are the duke’s son! Your heart for the weak is incredible!”

He almost grabbed him and shook him, yelling not to say such things.

Father wasn’t that kind of man.

He valued private gain over justice, safety over courage, and knew only himself.

A man who could betray anything for wealth and power.

Sometimes, he didn’t even seem human.

But since he couldn’t say that—

Irix spoke as kindly as possible.

“Fine. Just go.”

“Yes, young lord!”