I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 91
“I’m going to need your help.”
Rufus fidgeted with his wine glass.
“Iruel, I will make you king. So, you just need to do as I say.”
—Make you king.
Iruel savored those words slowly.
Born half-human, half-demon, rejected by his own father, Viscount Eustice, pointed at by everyone… But now, he could become the king of all humans in this country.
Could there be a greater temptation?
In fact, when Rufus proclaimed to the Demon King Audixus that he would make Iruel king, Iruel thought Rufus was a swindler.
Thinking about it, that was the case. Rufus was a noble from the impoverished Inferna family with nothing to his name. How could he, as powerless as he was, make a bastard of a Viscount family a king?
Yet, in this demon subjugation campaign, Rufus showed Iruel something beyond his imagination. From creating a fake Demon King to cunningly moving the hearts of common soldiers.
Maybe, just maybe, Rufus could make him king.
“…What do I need to do?”
Iruel gulped down his dry saliva.
Then, an unexpected answer came back.
“Just act as you usually do.”
“Act as usual?”
“Yes.”
Rufus took a sip of the strong alcohol.
“Chase after women as usual, indulge in the debauched life soaked in alcohol as usual.”
“…”
Iruel was at a loss for words.
What does finding Prince Tarek have to do with Iruel leading a debauched life?
No, more than that.
“Lieutenant… is that how you’ve always seen me?”
“You like that kind of stuff, don’t you?”
Rufus countered as he emptied his glass.
“A womanizer who chases after girls every day, a drunkard who drowns himself in alcohol when he has nothing else to do. Isn’t that your usual self?”
“Hey, look here! If you say it like that, it makes me sound like an irredeemable trash!”
“So, you don’t want to do it?”
“No, I totally love the idea.”
Iruel quickly snatched the wine bottle Rufus passed to him again. Seeing that Rufus had already taken a sip seemed to have eased his wariness.
“Lieutenant, your understanding of me is very high. I will continue to be loyal to you. I respect you.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Rufus looked disdainfully at Iruel, who was happily gulping down the alcohol.
This guy is really useful trash, fortunately.
“Ahh, the taste of alcohol is great. I feel alive now.”
Iruel shouted in joy as he gulped down the alcohol. It was the happiest face Rufus had seen on Iruel so far.
“Alcohol is supposed to be enjoyed with jerky… it’s a shame there’s only cookies.”
Iruel reached for the cookies, smacking his lips.
Rufus smacked his hand away with a serious face.
“Don’t touch the cookies, you drunkard.”
“Eh? Why, why?”
“You get nothing.”
Rufus closed the cookie jar and hid it behind him. Iruel looked at Rufus with a bewildered expression.
“Wow, what a glutton. Planning to gulp down all that by yourself?”
“Yes.”
Rufus, having abruptly risen, stowed the cookie jar within his desk drawer.
“Just suck on your fingers. Touch the cookies and you’re dead.”
“Oh my, are you that fond of cookies?”
“Yes.”
“Sigh, how pathetic… Well, considering you prefer younger women, it’s no surprise your taste is… Ah, wait a minute! Put down that bottle! If you hit me with that, I’ll die!”
***
After a brief strategy meeting with Iruel in the guest palace, Rufus immediately went to find his platoon members.
“What? You’re heading to the border first thing tomorrow?”
Rufus’s unexpected announcement left his platoon members dumbfounded.
“Yes.”
Rufus nodded, his expression grave.
“His Majesty the King has ordered me to find Prince Tarek. If I fail, he has sternly declared he will have my head.”
“Oh no…”
Hearing Rufus’s words, the platoon members’ faces turned grim, including Doctor Fertina.
Though Prince Tarek’s body had not been found, they vaguely knew. The chance of Prince Tarek being alive was extremely slim.
Days had passed already. Hundreds of personnel had been deployed to search for the prince. Yet, there had been no success. The prince had vanished without a trace, as if evaporated.
“Do not worry. If God permits, we will surely find His Highness the Prince.”
Rufus reassured his worried platoon members.
“I will go alone. You all are dismissed. Return to your families and go back to your usual lives.”
“Lieutenant…”
“You have all worked hard training under me in preparation for battle.”
Rufus called out each of his platoon members by name, offering them comfort.
“I couldn’t prepare much, but I hope this serves as a modest consolation.”
Rufus handed out small pouches to each member, each containing a few silver coins.
“Wait a minute! Isn’t this your own money, Lieutenant? Why are you giving it to us?”
Iruel, as if on cue, dramatically reacted. Rufus had instructed him well.
“Iruel, stop your nonsense…”
Rufus deliberately looked troubled as he gauged his platoon’s reactions.
Sure enough, realizing the money they received was Rufus’s, the platoon members began to murmur.
“Is that true, Rufus? You’re giving us your own money?”
“Don’t feel burdened. I prepared this because I was saddened that His Majesty the King offered no reward to the common-born soldiers.”
Rufus offered his most kindly smile as he soothed his platoon members, who were won over by his kindness.
