Chapter 149: The Unchanging Death Flag
An awarding ceremony is currently happening at Viola.
It sounded so wrong at first because of what had happened two weeks before this event. However, this was designed to lift the spirits of everyone who had only seen the wrecked and devastated state of Viola.
For once, at the very least, the purpose of this was to give the people a sense of hope, showing them that these people were the reason why Viola hadn’t suffered complete devastation, contrary to what everyone outside the territory believed.
It was the General Strategist Scott who had designed this.
Cillian watched Scott from afar, wearing a deadpan expression as he gave a speech to the people gathered in the makeshift stadium. His tone didn’t help much due to how cold it sounded but the message was enough to give the people some idea.
That they were a beacon of hope.
’This guy...’
Cillian happened to see how Scott had been for the past two weeks.
It was not great, even for a bit.
He may have tried to hide it, but Scott was slightly blaming himself for the deaths of his employers. He was willing to serve someone like Khalish since he was valued there, a place where his talent shone the most.
Cillian heard that Scott had willingly taken matters concerning Arthur into his own hands since they had met before the unfortunate night. He had called out to a lot of people, thinking that Khalish would be safe in his residence since the focus was on Arthur.
Yet all expectations had been shattered, and the next morning, the Viola Family was wiped out.
Well not totally, since Fergus was still there.
’Is he willing to follow someone like Fergus just because he’s his employer’s son? Heh, I bet Scott might lose his shit since Fergus isn’t anything like Khalish. At the very least, I somehow have a positive view of Khalish. There’s a world of difference between the dead father and his living son.’
Even though Cillian’s way of thinking was warped, he didn’t mind it. In fact, he began analyzing the value Scott currently held now that he was probably a free agent, and someone who wasn’t well known since he had been working secretly and directly for Khalish.
That’s why Scott was a mystery to most people who didn’t recognize the man.
They had only met right before the encounter with the Shepherds, but Cillian could already tell that Scott was at least a decent and principled man. A good morals and right conduct in a kind of way.
Cillian was planning to exploit those qualities for himself.
After all, instead of listening to the boring speech, Cillian started mentally measuring Scott’s value. There were plenty of things Scott could do for him if they were to work together.
bad idea to try. If he can’t help, I’ll just find another way since he has other uses anyway. As for the situation with the Worlds that Mouthful Eye kept mentioning, I’ll worry about that after I have a clearer understanding of this world of mine.
’For now, Scott can help fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge. Heh, I can work him to the bone while using his hatred for the Shepherds. Though he’s the Grand Strategist, so it might be hard to trick him.
Cillian’s mood, which had elevated for a brief moment, slowly sank when he realized that the convincing part might be the difficult thing to do.
"—Sparrow"
As he focused on the plan forming in his head, Cillian let out a sigh, unaware that everyone’s eyes were on him.
"Cillian Sparrow."
Cillian immediately tensed up when he heard his name clearly.
The speech was already over.
Then, his eyes darted across the crowd below. Some of them were watching him as if he were their hope, while others gave him a slight acknowledgment, and some remained quiet without saying anything. However, they still gave him the respect he deserved as he wait for him to receive his medal.
His eyes then narrowed toward the so-called heroes of the incident, some of whom Cillian recognized while others he didn’t.
’There are a lot of heroes.’
Cillian pondered inwardly, a funny thought circling around his head.
If the Shepherds continued attacking them like this, the number of these so-called heroes would only keep growing. If that happened, there might eventually be a thousand heroes, making the Medal of Honor meaningless.
’Seriously, it will become my hero academia.’
Cillian gave a slight, dashing smile before he started walking toward the middle, where he would receive the medal from Fergus Viola, the current pseudo-lord of Viola.
However, there was none of the arrogance or sense of entitlement that Fergus usually displayed. To Cillian, it seemed that the recent events in Viola were changing Fergus, perhaps shaping him into a better person in the future.
At least, that’s what he gave off from his outward appearance.
[Death Flag]
’Are you serious right now...’
Among the people who currently had Death Flags, or flags in general staying above their heads, only Fergus still had a Death Flag raised.
Cillian, on the other hand, had his previous Death Flag turned into a White Flag.
A current white flag and the remaining silent, distorted black tear that resembled a flag were suspended in the air, facing each other.
’Why is your flag not changing, Fergus? You, god damn villain. You’re about to do something, don’t you?’
Whatever it was, Cillian had no time to pay attention to it. He was too busy dealing with everything that had changed to figure it out.
In fact, Cillian wanted to get out of here as soon as possible because he didn’t want his white flag to be unnecessarily turned into a Death Flag.
"Cillian."
Fergus grabbed a gold pin with an intricate design and put it on Cillian’s chest before adding in a deadpan tone.
"Congratulations for your valiant effort, hero. The Viola... is glad to have you here."
Fergus was pitiful to look at, almost making Cillian react with a strange expression, but he held himself back.
Then, this villain extended his hand forward as if to show the world that he was congratulating Cillian, even though everything at this point was merely a courtesy.
"Hahh..."
Cillian accepted his handshake before his mouth moved, mouthing something under his breath.
"Flag Mark."
Fergus seemed slightly more focused since it involved his childhood friend. Even though he was suspicious that it wasn’t really his true friend, he couldn’t help but tilt his head in a frown when he saw Cillian’s lips part.
Fergus asked, his gaze fixed on Cillian.
"Did you say something?"
Cillian shook his head.
"No, I didn’t."
Cillian paused while watching the screen right above Fergus.
[Name: Fergus Viola
Flag: Death Flag
Status: Stable]
Then, Cillian continued, his eyes shifting towards Fergus to match his gaze.
"Must’ve been the wind."