“Greetings, Cheonma!”
As I looked at the countless people kneeling before me, I broke into a sweat.
Wait, wasn’t Cheonma Church only a dozen people to begin with?
How did it grow this big?
With so many people, the cave that once felt spacious now felt cramped.
“…Right.”
I forced a smile while my face twisted painfully.
What is happening?
My head was throbbing, and I felt like I’d collapse on the spot.
“…”
I held back my discomfort, thinking about the image I would present to them.
And what did I say again?
Tri-Sword…?
I never told them to name their group something so cringy.
Of course, Cheonma sounds cringy too, but it has a certain coolness to it.
However, Tri-Sword is just not it, is it?
It lacks a proper foundation.
Where did the term Tri-Sword even come from?
Wait, do they even understand its meaning?
They don’t know Chinese characters, do they?
“…Hmm.”
Then it must not have been decided among themselves, but rather the work of someone who knows a little about Chinese characters.
And there is only one other person besides me who knows Chinese characters.
With my face flushed from embarrassment, I turned to Nameless, who looked like he expected a compliment.
“That little rascal…”
I muttered quietly as Nameless scratched his head awkwardly.
…I’ll deal with you later.
I turned my gaze back to those who called themselves Tri-Sword.
I could see their throats moving as they swallowed nervously, awaiting my words.
…Well, whatever.
They came here at my request, so what’s the big deal about having so many people?
I let out a deep sigh and spoke up.
“It’s time for you to do something for me.”
Grinning, I continued.
“Go to the Academy and ambush them.”
*
Tri-Sword facing Cheonma
Their gazes were filled with more fear than respect for me.
And rightly so.
Tri-Sword were not people gathered by Cheonma or Cheon Ha-rang, but followers who joined the Cheonma Church after being inspired by Jack’s words.
Of course, Jack claimed they were truly benevolent and of good character, but…
‘Jack… how on earth is that person gentle?’
Even now, look at him.
Standing before me, Cheonma gazes down with a blank expression that radiates an unmeasurable fear; he embodies the essence of a ‘ruler.’
Gulp, one of the Tri-Sword swallowed hard, recalling what Jack had told them when they first joined.
“The Cheonma Church is a group that reveres martial arts.”
Not power or wealth, but the pure essence of ‘strength’ itself.
Since they hold onto the belief of the strong preying on the weak, they train in martial arts instead of praying, unlike typical religions.
Was it said that you see as much as you know?
The image of Cheon Ha-rang in Tri-Sword’s eyes equated to the ‘sky’ that always looms above their heads.
So, there’s no way they wouldn’t be scared; they are absolutely not cowards.
As they each contemplated their feelings with beads of sweat dripping from their brows, the sky opened its mouth.
“It’s time for you to do something for me.”
They didn’t respond.
They merely listened intently.
Seeing this, Cheonma grinned with satisfaction and continued.
“Go to the Academy and pretend to ambush them—”
Upon hearing that, Tri-Sword all simultaneously raised their mouths into grins, while Jack maintained a nonchalant expression.
‘As expected.’
The words Cheonma said when they led him to the Cheonma Church were ringing in his ears.
“Grow stronger and protect yourselves from the sinister ones.”
In other words, it’s our turn to take from them now.
Gulping nervously, Jack finally raised his mouth, waiting for Cheonma’s next words.
‘…I wonder what she’ll have us do after the ambush?’
Since this is the capital, do we attack the palace directly?
Or perhaps use the Academy as leverage for a deal with the palace?
As such thoughts danced in Jack’s mind, Cheon Ha-rang cast a smile that would surprise anyone who heard, and continued.
“-just pretend.”
“…?”
For a moment, silence fell.
What does she mean… ‘pretend’…?
The Tri-Sword, who had been grinning, wore baffled expressions at Cheonma’s unexpected words.
Cheon Ha-rang must have thought they didn’t understand her, as she tilted her head again and spoke.
“Go to the Academy and pretend to ambush them.”
With arms crossed confidently at her waist, she added,
“If you do that, someone will come to you.”
At that moment, Tri-Sword finally understood her words.
‘Ah! We just have to half-kill that person and present them to Cheonma!’
Indeed, the title of Cheonma (Heavenly Demon) truly suits her.
I could hear gulps from various spots as Cheonma continued.
“Then subdue that person—”
As expected…! Their anticipated words were spot-on…!
“—and hand them over to the headmaster of the Academy.”
With Ha-rang’s next words, Jack’s face twisted in utter disbelief.
“Excuse me…?”
The cave was wrapped in a silence so deep that even the sound of dripping water echoed clearly.
“…Why is there no answer?”
Cheon Ha-rang stared blankly, tilting her head as if she couldn’t understand the situation.
*
Watching Jack and Tri-Sword with their baffled expressions made me tilt my head.
…What’s with them?
Was the request that hard?
Well, I can understand if that’s the case.
Telling them to pretend to ambush the Academy would certainly seem outrageous to anyone, including me.
After all, if the guards or anyone misunderstand and think it’s real, wouldn’t they be labeled as bad people?
If things go wrong, they might even get charged with treason and end up wanted by the empire—
Of course, I could care less about that, but even though they’re under me, they are still citizens of the empire.
They’re probably feeling guilty about it.
Hmm, thinking this way makes me feel like I’m making an unreasonable request…
It’s tough.
As I pondered this, tilting my head side to side.
“Tri-Sword, listen.”
“Yes!”
Nameless stepped forward and spoke up, breaking his expressionless facade.
“Master doesn’t want to burden you too much with those words.”
“Ohhh…”
Their gasps filled the air, and it was different from earlier confusion—there was light in their eyes filled with respect as they looked up at me.
…What is this? Why are they acting like this? It’s scary.
I never intended to say anything so reverent, and there’s really no reason for that type of respect.
“And Master is testing you.”
I cocked my head at Nameless’ incomprehensible words.
…Testing? What do you mean?
However, Jack, who stood at the front, seemed to have interpreted it differently as he let out a soft hum before breaking into a grin.
“…I truly understand now.”
“That’s right.”
Nameless nodded, confirming his words before continuing again.
“Think deeply about what Master said and then act on it.”
“Yes!”
With a moved expression, Jack knelt and said.
…What’s going on?
Why do I feel like I’m the only one being left out in this situation? I pouted in frustration.
Noticing my expression, Nameless chuckled softly as he leaned in and whispered in my ear.
“Master, please tell us the next step.”
“…Next step?”
“Yes, remember we have to visit the palace, right?”
I looked at Nameless with a stunned expression.
…Do I really have to explain all of that?
Wouldn’t that seem like we’re just dumping work on them while we go for a day out?
Hmm, that feels off…
Noticing my hesitation, Nameless sighed heavily and leaned in closer to whisper again.
…It felt a little ticklish.
“You can just say briefly, ‘I’ll be at the palace while you do your thing.’”
“Hmm… is that so?”
Though I was still skeptical of his words, he hasn’t given bad advice before…
So, with a deep sigh where they couldn’t see, I turned back to Tri-Sword and spoke.
“…Tri-Sword, listen.”
“Yes!”
Naturally, I didn’t repeat Nameless’ words just because they were a bit cooler.
…Definitely not.
Anyway!
“Ahem.”
Clearing my throat, I prepared to speak.
“While you follow my orders…”
But yet again, something seemed to have gone wrong.
Nameless again gently tapped my shoulder, leaning in to whisper.
“Master, commands…”
“…Right.”
Nodding once, I resumed my interrupted speech.
“While you listen to my commands, Nameless and I will head to the palace.”
Suddenly, question marks popped over Tri-Sword and Jack’s heads.
Their smiles turned into sinister grins.
“So until we return, make sure to handle things well.”
For some reason, that made me feel extremely uneasy…
But well, they’ll figure it out on their own.
I decided to give up on thinking about it.
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