Overpowered Reincarnation Perks! - Chapter 16.7
Even though the military operates on a top-down system, it’s strange that they follow so obediently without even asking for a reason.
The items that had been piled up for the execution were moved inside the castle gate, and in no time, the execution platform was completely empty. Dienes climbed onto the execution platform and calmly announced to the citizens in the square.
[As capturing the intruder takes priority, today’s execution is suspended. Please disperse.]
People murmured. It must be frustrating to have a spectacle provided and then canceled before it even begins.
But no one seemed brave enough to voice complaints about the commander’s unilateral announcement. They all just looked around cautiously before slowly turning away. When their eyes met mine, they panicked and started to hurry away, competing to leave first.
I mean, I’m neither a monster nor a demon, so why are they so afraid of harmless me?
Really, I can’t understand the people of this castle.
“Intruder.”
When I turned my head, Dienes, who had somehow gotten closer, was extending his hand towards me. The rod he had been holding was already back at his waist.
“Come into the palace.”
Callion and Arvan’s reactions were not good.
It’s strange. I definitely don’t have eyes on the back of my head, but I can clearly feel the two men’s expressions turning grim.
“Please guarantee the safety of my companions as well.”
“I promise.”
Dienes readily accepted my proposal.
‘So being brazen is the answer after all.’
I gestured to Callion and Arvan, and with my hands behind my back, I walked up and stood in front of Dienes.
“Show me the way. I’ll follow.”
When I ignored his hand, Dienes’ expression twitched again. Is he a worm, not a snake? Why does he keep wriggling?
“It is indeed you.”
What do you mean by ‘indeed’? Does he still see me as the lord’s murderer? Where else can you find someone as weak, harmless, and beneficial to society as me!
The misunderstanding is unwelcome, but for now, I have to go along with it to make the proposal I want. I stiffened my neck and proudly entered the central palace.
Yesterday, I went through so much trouble trying to cross this gate, but with the commander leading the way, it felt strange to be able to enter so easily, as if walking into my own backyard.
***
We passed through the front yard, crossed the corridor, and entered through the main gate of the northern inner palace, climbing the stairs.
I thought there would be ongoing repairs due to the fire, but somehow the interior was quite clean.
I wonder if there’s a magic stone that restores building conditions?
Where Dienes stopped was in front of a large double door made of red leather.
From its size and location, it feels like this is exactly the reception room for receiving guests.
At his gesture, the soldiers standing on both sides opened the doors.
Looking through the open doors, I could see sofas and tables inside.
It was surprisingly a modest reception room that didn’t quite fit this palace.
As Callion and Arvan followed behind me, Dienes blocked the two men.
“This is as far as you two go.”
“What?”
“I only requested a conversation with the intruder alone.”
As he raised his chin, the soldiers standing in the corridor quickly gathered. The atmosphere suggested they would attack if there was any resistance.
This is different from what we agreed on.
“Commander. You said you would guarantee the safety of my companions, didn’t you?”
“Of course I will. As long as they don’t come inside.”
Is there a man who twists promises by interpreting them as he pleases, because we didn’t add detailed clauses to the contract?
I shouldn’t have expected common sense from this man, whose morality has gone bad.
It was my mistake.
“Ju-in……”
Callion called me with a troubled expression.
Of course, he wasn’t troubled because he was afraid the gathered soldiers might threaten us.
It was an expression that seemed to ask if it was okay to just sweep away all these troublemakers here and run away with me, negotiations be damned.
‘With such an innocent face, Callion is surprisingly stubborn in his own way.’
I turned my head towards Arvan. Arvan’s expression was calm, but his eyes were fierce, suggesting he was thinking something similar to Callion.
I appreciate the sentiment, but if we were just going to run away after coming this far, we wouldn’t have come in the first place.
I wish they understood that prioritizing my immediate safety could lead to my eventual demise in the long run.
“It’s okay. I’ll just talk with the commander. You two wait outside.”
“Ju-in, that’s not acceptable.”
“Think about it again, Ju-in. There’s no reason for you to risk danger to protect the people here.”
I didn’t expect the man who had sought my cooperation to protect the people here more than anyone else would change his mind so easily.
But sadly, I’m not risking danger for the people in the castle, but for myself.
“Arvan. I want compensation.”
“Compensation?”
“I told you yesterday. I can’t get compensation unless I complete the task. If I don’t get that compensation, I can no longer live on.”
“……”
“To solve that, this process is absolutely necessary now. It’s not for others, but for myself.”
A powerless savior carrying out a task given by God.
If I don’t complete the task, I can’t get the desired compensation, and without that compensation, the savior loses the meaning of life.
I didn’t directly mention my death, but Arvan probably guesses the weight of the ordeal I would face if I fail to get the compensation.
“I’m also a person who moves for my own purpose. I won’t do anything that puts me at a disadvantage.”
“Ju-in.”
“You’ll trust me, won’t you, Arvan?”
When the quest to gain his trust first appeared, I complained about why such an abstract directive was given, but now I understand the reason.
Absolute trust.
An absolute ally who believes my words and follows my will.
It meant that Arvan would become such an existence for me.
“…You really are cruel to me, aren’t you?”
Arvan smiled bitterly. His lips trembled slightly.
Did I hurt him? I was about to apologize, but he quickly relaxed his expression and hugged me. His lips touching my ear were unusually dry.
“If anything happens, call for me, Ju-in.”
“……”
“Even if it’s not dangerous, if something feels off, just shout. I’ll come to save you.”
Based on the information obtained through insight, there was no reason for Dienes to act threateningly towards me. Moreover, the system would probably protect my life as much as possible for its own purposes right now.
“Don’t worry, Arvan. I’ll return safely.”
After patting Arvan’s back lightly and leaving his embrace, I took Callion’s hand and stroked the back of it.
“Callion, please wait here with Arvan.”
“Ju-in……”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll definitely return to your side, so don’t worry.”
When I smiled at him face to face, Callion grabbed my wrist with a trembling hand, then bent down and kissed the back of my hand.
“I will wait for you, Ju-in.”
It felt strange to be sent off with such a solemn face as if I was going to my death, when I’m just going to have a conversation in the reception room.
I waved to the two men and entered the reception room.
At Dienes’ signal, the heavy leather doors closed.
