I Got Reincarnated Into a Game I Was a Top-Ranker in and I Became the Leader of a Villain Group That Will Destroy This Shitty Country - 91

Chapter 91: Decision

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The reconnaissance team we sent out returned this morning. I listened to their report while sitting at my desk. Brien was terribly pale. My head was lowered slightly, there were countless things I needed to think about. 

“…That monster you mentioned wants to meet Kai alone at the top of that mountain tomorrow night?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what it said.”

Chloe, who looked tense, asked for confirmation. Brien immediately nodded and looked at me. We were in the largest room in the mansion, which was my room. Everyone from Shadows, including Rielle and Alywn were gathered here. Although there were six people in this room, but the room was deadly silent. No one knew what to say.

“…”

The fact that the nobles had started gathering their armies at the royal palace was already problematic enough, but there was also the red-black mist that could be seen from afar… It was obvious that red-black mist was the result of black magic. However, just how did that dying prince even manage to use black magic that powerful? Not to mention, he had already exerted a lot of magic power to manipulate the minds of over a hundred people. It wouldn’t be possible for someone as emaciated as him to be able to unleash another huge scale magic. 

I let out a small sigh and muttered. 

“Ugh… Things are becoming so troublesome…”

On top of it all, what really made my head hurt the most was the so-called proposal from that demon. The demon wanted to talk with me, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if that demon was actually plotting something behind the scene. The invitation sounded like a trap and we didn’t have any information about that demon. Just the mere thought of ‘talking’ with the demon was dubious enough. 

“Kai, you’re not going. You absolutely cannot go.”

Likely thinking the same thing as me, Nia said while gripping my fingertips tightly.

“This is a trap. I’m absolutely sure this is a trap. You’re only going to get in danger if you go. That’s why you mustn’t go. I won’t let you.”

“I agree. First of all, we literally have zero reason to trust that thing. Besides, he’s clearly on the side of the royal family. We don’t even know when a war is going to break between us and the royal family, so why do you need to waste your time talking with the enemy?”

Chloe said, as if she had been waiting for Nia to speak. Then, Rielle also nodded before she added.

“I-I agree! This is way too dangerous, Kai!”

“…Brien? What do you think?”

“As someone who had seen that creature up close, I can confidently say, you shouldn’t go. That creature… That creature is not something from this world.”

“What do you mean not from this world?”

“I’m sure you already know, but most monsters don’t possess intelligence like we do. Yet, that creature is able to speak fluently. It looked like a monster, but it behaved far too much like a human, and also…”

Brien trailed her words. Her clenched fists were trembling as she continued. 

“That thing is strong. Extremely strong. I know. I’m just talking based on my gut feeling, but I’m certain of it. After all, that monster… It’s not like anything I’ve seen before. It brought a primal fear in me that I had never felt before.”

“Do you think that creature is of the same nature as me and Nia?”

“Yes. It’s similar to you two, but to be honest…”

It seemed the fear hadn’t left her system yet. Brien bit her lower lip, seemingly frustrated at herself. Her voice sounded strained as she continued. 

“That creature was much more terrifying. It felt like something beyond our understanding, like it wasn’t something of this world. I’m sure that creature is as strong as you two, if not stronger.”

Brien never told a lie. She was a proud and brave elf, who always stood by the side of truth. Knowing full well what kind of person she was in the game, I couldn’t help but to be a little surprised. Brien looked genuinely terrified now. 

“…I see. Okay.”

In other words, that monster’s presence must be extremely overwhelming. How troublesome… I didn’t recall there was any enemy like that in the game. No, to be fair, things were already progressing far from the original game’s scenario. From now on, I had to choose my next movement carefully. My choice for this time would be… A gamble. 

“Rielle.”

“Ah! Yeah!”

“If I’m not around, you will be the one in charge to move the troops in my place. I trust you will be able to assess the situation appropriately.”

“….Huh?”

“Chloe, I want you to keep fighting alongside Nia and Brien, just like usual. Alwyn, you will be supporting them. That’s it! Please cooperate together, everyone!”

“Wai-Wait?! Did you even hear what I had just said?!”

Upon hearing what I just said, Brien’s eyes widened in shock. The others were reacting in the same way too. All of them looked flabbergasted, like they couldn’t believe their ears. 

“It must be a trap! This whole thing is way too suspicious! Besides, there’s no need for you to go there in person—”

“There is a need. Two, actually.”

I raised two fingers. Then I folded my index finger before continuing.

“First, we have no idea what’s going to happen if we reject that demon’s invitation. Based on Brien’s intuition, that thing is as strong as Nia and me. Can you imagine what would happen if someone of that caliber were to get angry and suddenly storm in here out of anger?”

“Tha-That’s…!”

“And the Crown Prince is gathering the noble’s forces to the castle. Now imagine all those soldiers were to come to us along with that demon. Well, it would be a disaster, really. That’s the first reason. And the second reason is…”

I paused for a moment before I folded my middle finger. 

“We can get more information from him. That’s the second and the biggest reason why I’m going to accept his invitation. To be honest, I think he’s the real mastermind behind everything.”

After all, he was the one that taught the Crown Prince how to absorb someone’s life force and store it in a box. He was also the one that called me a fake demon. Everything about him was beyond this world’s logic. In the game world, there was no prophecy about any demon or a box that could be used to store human life force. And yet… This guy had called me a fake demon. That meant he knew the secret of this world, something that I still didn’t know. Whether that thing was just bluffing or not, the fact still remained. The more information we had, the better. 

“But Kai-san, that’s definitely…!!”

“No, Alwyn. I will go.”

“…”

“This is the risk we need to take. Besides, even if it’s really a trap, I’m sure I can run away. Somehow.”

Chloe, who was sitting next to me, was glaring at me. Nia was clutching the hem of my clothes tightly. She was staring at me worriedly and Rielle simply looked at me with anxiety in her eyes.

Well, I guess I really need to make it back safely. Can’t go dying on them. 

The corner of my mouth curled up into a smile as I said to everyone. 

“Don’t worry. I will take care of this.”

 had to guide this world to its happy ending in order to protect these girls.

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