I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 67

Far north from Crossroad, located at the southernmost tip of the world.

In the central part of the continent, a place that could be called the heart of the world.

Here, the capital of the Everblack Empire, ‘New Terra,’ boasts its immense grandeur.

This city, with a large port touching the inland sea of the continent, is the center of global trade and logistics, attracting people day and night throughout the year.

The ever-expanding size of the city is already comparable to the territory of a small nation.

Even in this most bustling and enormous city in the world, at its very center.

In a corner of the imperial palace, known as the Thorn Palace due to the many black spires, there was an office in the highest western spire.

Inside, a man was reviewing documents.

“…….”

His lustrous black hair, tied at the nape of his neck, had a subtle red aura, and his intelligent red eyes gleamed behind the rimless glasses perched on his nose.

The second son of the Emperor and the Minister of Administration of the Everblack Empire, a true power broker who oversaw the empire’s administration.

Fernandes ‘Emberkeeper’ Everblack.

His desk was piled high with various documents.

Reports from all over the empire, awaiting his seal, arrived incessantly.

As he pondered over the mountain of pending issues, his aide approached him from behind.

“Your Highness.”

“What is it?” Fernandes asked without turning around.

The aide carefully continued, “Your younger brother has requested reinforcements again.”

“Ash?”

“Yes. He says the monster attacks on the southern front are intensifying daily and has asked for immediate troop deployment.”

Click.

Fernandes took off his glasses and pressed his tired brow with his hand, then asked,

“How many times is this request for reinforcements?”

“This is the third time.”

“Hmm.”

Fernandes seemed to ponder for a moment but then shook his head.

“Reject it.”

“But, Your Highness, the situation on the southern front seems truly dire.”

The aide unfolded another paper in his hand and read,

“According to intelligence reports, the monster attacks are unprecedented in recent decades and are growing more intense…”

“I said reject it.”

But Fernandes remained unmoved.

“We are in the process of concluding the war with the Bringer Principality on the western front. We have no troops to spare for the southern front.”

“That is true, but…”

“Conquering the Principality is our top priority. We can deal with the southern front later if it truly becomes a problem.”

Immediately after, Fernandes muttered quietly,

“Ash, that kid is always exaggerating. Well, he’s always been like that…”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. More importantly, what’s the situation on the Bringer Principality front?”

“Currently, the 1st Legion is directly attacking the capital of the Principality. We expect news of its fall within the week.”

After hesitating for a moment, Fernandes cautiously added,

“…And what about my older brother?”

“He is at the front lines.”

“I’ve told him so many times to break that habit…”

The first prince of the Everblack Empire, Larc ‘Avalanche’ Everblack.

As the commander-in-chief holding the military power of the empire, all knights and soldiers under the empire follow his orders.

Larc, a natural warrior, enjoyed being on the front lines himself.

It was the same in this war. Fernandes didn’t like that.

No matter how powerful his martial prowess was, he was still the first prince.

The role of the commander should be in the command center, not the front lines.

‘Both my brother and my younger brother are just giving me headaches…’

Fernandes quietly bit his lip and asked his aide one last question.

“Just in case, what about His Majesty?”

“He is still in seclusion.”

“…Well, I suppose he would be.”

The sole emperor of the empire had been in seclusion for several years.

Locked away in the deepest part of the imperial palace, he would occasionally issue personal letters or summon people to the inner palace to give quiet instructions.

Thus, the first prince handled matters outside the country, and the second prince handled matters inside the country.

As this situation continued, rumors even began to circulate that something might have happened to the emperor.

The emperor’s absence must have had an impact on this war with the Bringer Principality.

“…….”

After thinking about his father for a moment, Fernandes waved his hand.

“Understood. You may go now.”

“Ah, Your Highness. There is one more matter that requires your approval.”

The aide took out another paper from his pocket and handed it over. Fernandes nonchalantly accepted it and began to read.

“A death sentence?”

“Yes. It’s about the execution of the traitors imprisoned in the dungeon. Will you approve it?”

“Of course, I approve. These are all people who have rebelled against the empire.”

The prisoners were soldiers who had committed treason half a year ago.

Of course, among the prisoners in the dungeon, those who were imprisoned for reasons other than treason were even rarer.

‘What can I do? There’s no better charge than treason to get your head chopped off.’

Fernandes was about to immediately take his quill to approve the execution when his hand suddenly stopped.

“Wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

“You said Ash requested reinforcements earlier, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct, but…”

“Send them.”

“Ah, are you talking about the reinforcements?”

“No.”

Shwaak-

Fernandes tore the execution approval document in half.

“Send these death row inmates to the monster front.”

“…Pardon?”

“Doesn’t Ash need some meat shields? Whether they die by hanging or get torn apart by monsters, it’s pretty much the same, isn’t it?”

The horrified aide immediately tried to dissuade him.

“B-But, Your Highness! These are not ordinary criminals. They are the ones who plotted treason and caused terrible damage to the empire!”

“…….”

“If they are sent to the south, who knows what they might do there…”

“Ash will take care of it.”

Fernandes was nonchalant.

“It seems Ash is quite hungry for troops. He’ll have to take whatever we send him, whether it’s stale rice or rotten rice.”

“…….”

“I will write an order under the authority of the Minister of Administration. The execution of the five traitors will be carried out on the southern front, and the third prince, Ash, will be responsible for its execution…”

Fernandes, having written the words in elegant script on a new piece of paper, smiled contentedly.

“My younger brother is having a hard time, so I’m sending him reinforcements like this. I’m such a kind and good older brother.”

Fernandes turned his head south. Through the wide window of the spire, the southern sun was pouring down dazzling light.

Towards his younger brother, who was far away, Fernandes whispered softly,

“Don’t you think so, Ash?”

***

My ears are itching.

“…Is someone talking about me?”

I diligently dug inside my ear with my pinky finger. Why is it suddenly so itchy?

‘Well, being talked about is my job.’

I am the lord of this Crossroad.

The final person in charge.

If something goes wrong, it’s natural for someone to talk about me. I should gladly accept a little ear itching.

‘Anyway…’

I looked down at the flower vase in my hand with concern.

‘Is this okay as a get-well gift?’

The place I have arrived at now is the temple.

It was a building used by the seriously injured, even in this facility that treats the wounded.

Standing in front of the door in the white hallway, I swallowed hard.

Visiting someone in the hospital is something I never get used to, no matter how many times I do it.

Squeak-

Having made up my mind, I opened the door and stepped inside.

It was a private room. I had specifically asked the temple to keep this patient alone.

“Who is it?”

The boy sitting on the bed spoke in a small voice.

Seeing the state of the boy, whose eyes were wrapped in bandages, my heart grew heavy.

I placed the flower vase on the table in the middle of the room and spoke.

“It’s me, Damian.”

“Ah, Your Highness?”

The patient was none other than Damian.

“How are you feeling?”

I walked over to the bed and sat on a chair. Damian scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

His brown curly hair was a mess.

“It’s not a major injury. You didn’t have to come all the way here, you must be busy…”

“Don’t say that. You got hurt because of me.”

I spoke in a bright tone, but my heart was heavy.

In the last defense battle, Damian carried out a long-range snipe at my request.

Immediately after, he bled from his eyes and became unable to see.

It must be because the excessive use of [Clairvoyance] [a skill that allows the user to see distant or hidden things] had eroded his physical durability.

I thought it was a temporary symptom, but his vision did not recover even after a day, and even after receiving treatment from the priest, it was no use, so he was hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

“It’s not because of Your Highness. It’s not!”

Damian, horrified by my words, quickly waved both hands.

“I overdid it myself. Your Highness is not at fault!”

“You rascal.”

I ruffled Damian’s hair wildly.

Damian, unable to see, couldn’t resist at all and just made noises like ‘Ugh!’ and ‘Stop it!’

When I took my hand away, Damian smiled sheepishly.

“My vision will return after a few days of rest. You don’t have to worry.”

“…….”

How can I not worry?

You are my cheat key. You are the lighthouse that will guide me through this terribly difficult game.

‘No, it’s not just because you’re a cheat character.’

You are a commendable subordinate who believes in me, follows me, and sincerely tries to help me.

To make such a child overdo it and get hurt.

Blaming myself, I opened my mouth heavily.

“I won’t push you too hard from now on.”

“Pardon?”

“No, of course, I’ll still use you, but I won’t make you do anything this extreme. Promise!”

I held out my pinky finger.

But Damian shook his head slightly.

“I am Your Highness’s trigger. As long as my abilities allow, you can use me as much as you need.”

“Hey…”

“If I kill the monsters and help to defeat them forever someday.”

Damian raised his hand and pressed the bandaged area of his eyes.

“Even if my eyes burn out, I will gladly pull the trigger.”

“…….”

“So, please use me until I’m worn out and broken, Your Highness.”

Damian was still smiling faintly.

“That’s why I’m on this front.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say that I wouldn’t.

With [Clairvoyance], Damian will always be pushed to his limits.

Looking at this loyal and pitiful boy, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Damian.”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember the first promise I made to you?”

Damian tilted his head.

“A promise…? What was it?”

“It was a promise that I would die for you, whenever that may be.”

“Ah…….”

Damian closed his mouth. I continued.

“You said you hated me for making your friend die. …So I said, I would die for you someday, so please help me just once.”

It was during the tutorial stage.

At that time, Damian had lost his friend and was completely devoid of the will to live.

To forcibly get Damian back on his feet, I even used his hatred for me as fuel.

What about Damian now?

“Do you still hate me? The one who made your friend die?”

Is that hatred still valid?

“…….”

Damian didn’t answer and slowly lowered his head.

It was a long time before an answer flowed from the boy’s dry lips.

“I…”