To You Who Will Destroy Me - Chapter 170

Fortunately, Milo, still young, did not view Irel with suspicion. The fact that she was Calver’s daughter certainly helped.

“I was originally stationed a bit further from here, but when a vacancy opened up, I volunteered. I’ve always respected the duke, so I really wanted to serve here. And, this is no flattery.”

Worried that it might sound like he was just sucking up, Milo quickly added an explanation.

“Thank you for saying that. My father will be pleased to hear it.”

Irel responded warmly, trying to ensure he didn’t doubt her sincerity. Milo blushed slightly at her smile.

[Ding! Milo’s Affection has increased by 10.]

As expected, men were weak to a smiling face. Especially when their affection levels were already relatively high. Seeing the opportunity, Irel tilted her head and asked innocently.

“But what causes a vacancy? I don’t know much about the military… It’s quite shameful for the daughter of a border duke, isn’t it?”

Feigning embarrassment, Irel intentionally showed vulnerability, causing Milo’s affection to rise again. He seemed pleased to explain something to a girl as pretty as Irel.

“In a key outpost like this, the number of personnel is kept consistent to maintain security. Especially when serving someone as important as the duke, only those of at least minor noble status can be stationed here. But when someone dies or quits, new personnel must be brought in to fill the gap.”

Milo explained kindly, oblivious to the fact that his response was exactly what Irel had been expecting.

“Oh… So someone quit recently? Well, it’s so remote and cold here, I suppose it’s understandable that someone wouldn’t want to stay.”

Irel covered her mouth, appearing sympathetic, but she subtly watched Milo’s expression.

“Well… yes, something like that.”

For a brief moment, a troubled look flashed across Milo’s face.

‘It seems like the predecessor didn’t leave on good terms.’

She had her first lead. There probably wasn’t much more information she could get from the inexperienced Milo. Asking too many questions would only raise suspicion.

“By the way, returning to our earlier topic—you mentioned you didn’t know where the supply ledger is kept?”

“Yes, my apologies for being of no help, my lady.”

“No need to apologize. But can I ask just one more thing?”

“Of course, what is it?”

“Do you happen to know where Lieutenant Mina is?”

It was time to pursue the next lead.

***

Varkan, meanwhile, wasn’t sitting idle either. He quietly took a drag from the cigarette in his hand.

Maybe it was because of his foul mood, but the typically sweet taste of the tobacco felt just right on his tongue today. Perhaps he needed a distraction, something to take his mind off his anxious thoughts.

Otherwise, he knew he’d become obsessed, consumed by the same thoughts all day.

Irel Elorance.

She was, like the best things in life often are, a delicate and intricate creation. And if even one part of her broke, there would be no way to restore her to what she had been.

Especially if something happened to her family, who were like her heart.

Had it not been for her family, she never would have agreed to marry him. It wasn’t just the complex political dynamics between Masaka and Risevra that made her reluctant.

A noble lady of high birth, who had only ever lied to her parents once or twice, and a lawless outlaw who lived with blood on his hands. A family of honor and loyalty, versus a traitor who lived every day preparing to rebel.

There wasn’t a single reason for Irel to choose him. Not one.

If he had taken her by force, kidnapped her, or locked her away, he wouldn’t have felt this inner torment. Ironically, it was the fact that she had come to him of her own free will that caused his suffering to grow deeper.

You chose me. But it wasn’t truly your choice. The more I love you, the more I thank you and curse you for it.

Would all of these twisted feelings go away if he succeeded in rebellion and crowned himself king? If he made her his queen, would that erase this filthy feeling? After all, none of her other “noble” suitors could ever do that for her.

‘What a joke.’

What good were these thoughts? If they didn’t become reality, they were nothing more than empty fantasies.

Shaking off his troubling thoughts, Varkan focused, as he always did, on the immediate goal. If Irel had agreed to marry him because of her family, then he owed the Elorance family a debt.

After all, they had given him their most precious treasure. It was only right that he repay them.

‘Which bastard dared to lay a hand on my father-in-law?’

“Not even I have ever thrown a savage glare,” Varkan muttered with a crooked smile as he exhaled smoke.

Irel might think she knew him well, but that wasn’t quite true. It was amusing that she believed his network of informants was limited to just Yan Louis.

“How’s the situation, Phaesus?”

Phaesus, wearing a concentrated expression, gestured quietly, signaling for patience. Important information was about to be revealed.

His puppets were not only exceptional in combat but also highly versatile. What Varkan particularly liked was the wooden puppet. Unlike the more lifelike ones, this crude, unpainted puppet was ideal for blending into the surroundings.

‘Hmm? Was there always a wooden chair here? I’ve never seen it before.’

‘Who knows, maybe Sir Milo brought it.’

‘Seems that way.’

Naturally, the “wooden chair” was none other than Phaesus’s puppet. Its limbs were folded sharply, and its small head was tucked under its flat body, making it look just like a chair.

No one suspects a chair. Not even seasoned soldiers like Calver or Mina would question it. Thanks to this, Phaesus could eavesdrop on crucial information using his puppet’s ears.

‘I have something to report, my lord.’

Just then, Lieutenant Mina began to speak. Her tone was more cautious than usual.

‘Lady Irel came to see me earlier today.’

‘Irel?’

Calver’s interest piqued immediately, his attention sharpening. His protective instincts for his daughter had always been strong.

‘What did she want to talk to you about?’

‘She asked about Sir Milo. It seems that, being young and inexperienced, he let slip some things in front of Lady Irel.’

‘He didn’t mention anything about his predecessor, did he?’

‘Apologies, my lord, but it seems he did. I tried to deflect, but Lady Irel is very perceptive. She may have caught on to something.’

Mina reported with a troubled look. Calver let out a low curse before wincing in pain as his wound flared up from the tension.

‘Are you all right, my lord? You still need more rest; you’re pushing yourself too hard.’

‘There’s no helping it. I can’t let my daughter see me like this, looking so pitiful.’

To think a trusted subordinate had betrayed him—what a foolish mistake. There was a deep, bitter regret in Calver’s voice.

‘Lady Irel is kind-hearted. She won’t think poorly of you.’

‘And that’s exactly the problem.’

Even Mina’s attempt at comfort didn’t ease Calver’s troubled mind.

‘If she finds out I got hurt because of her, it will crush her.’

So it was true, after all. Hearing Phaesus’s report, Varkan’s gaze darkened. He had hoped otherwise, but it was clear now that his father-in-law had been attacked because of him.

‘I’m sorry, my lord.’

Mina’s voice was low, filled with guilt.

‘I was the one who trained that man, and yet I never imagined he would do something like this…’

‘No, I was too complacent. I knew he came from a staunchly conservative background, and yet I still defended Varkan in front of him.’

What on earth made me think he deserved my defense? Calver clicked his tongue, his words leaving Varkan with a strange feeling.

The same man who glared at him with his hand on his sword every time they met had been defending him in secret. And because of that, Calver had been stabbed by his own subordinate. Varkan felt something uncomfortably odd stirring within him.

‘It was fortunate that Masaka Sahar was there. If not for him, things could have been much worse.’

Lieutenant Mina sighed deeply. Apparently, it was Sahar, the Masaka warrior, who had saved Calver during the attack.

‘He usually lounges by the fire like a lazy cat, but when the time came, he pulled through.’

So, it was Sahar who had rescued Calver during the sudden ambush. Varkan’s mind began to calculate, digesting this new information.

Even Calver reluctantly acknowledged that he owed Sahar a debt for saving him. However, from the tone of his voice, it was clear that he didn’t have a very high opinion of the Masaka warrior.

‘In any case, keep Irel in the dark. I’m sorry to ask someone as honest as you to lie.’

‘It’s no problem, my lord. I have a daughter of my own, so I understand the feelings of a parent.’

‘Thank you for saying that. Just a few more days until she leaves. I can’t let my daughter worry about me.’

With that, the conversation ended. As soon as Phaesus disconnected from his puppet’s sensory link, Varkan stood up.

“You’ve done well, Phaesus.”

“Where are you going, Commander?” Phaesus asked, looking weary from the intense focus he had just exerted.

Varkan replied with a grin.

“To make my presence known. I think it’s about time I introduced myself to the local big shot, don’t you?”

Masaka Sahar—Varkan was curious to see what kind of person had saved his father-in-law and yet kept such a low profile that even his face was hardly ever seen. Time to find out just how valuable this elusive figure really was.