Price of Management

“Worried?”

I asked the question of the songwriter Campbell.

“Your peace, Duke Meutt. What do you think? ”

Campbell nods with a dark complexion.

“You've done enough. I can't imagine you would hand this place over to the enemy and retreat. ”

“If the duc survives, we can do more. ”

“I agree. But for you, this is his life. High walls, well trained soldiers, and my disciples.... I am the living proof and the self-immolation that he has accumulated throughout his life. When Temple of Knights falls into enemy hands, you will think that the end of your life together is complete. ”

Why Duke Meutt was willing to lay down his life to fight for his country. That's because it was the path to self-completion. It was not a choice I had to make, but a willingness to put a complete stop to my life.

Because he was Duke Meutt himself, fearful of such self-completion, I felt even more sorry for him. I wanted him to survive for this country.

It was hard for him to come out again, so I wanted him to live to the end and plant his dedication and commerce in my country.

How do we save him?

I thought of a secret passageway.

Just as we have a cryptic secret passageway in our house, it would be useful for Duke Meutt to build a subterranean passageway out of the castle.

I asked Birch Campbell to do one thing.

“Can you show me the map of Duke Meutt? ”

“The view of the military map is strictly confidential, but since it's a request from the Führer, it shouldn't be a problem. Please wait a moment."

After a while, the captive, Campbell, brought me a map. Like a military map, the geography of Temple of Knights is detailed.

The Temple of Knight was in a state of ease of defense thanks to the mountain behind it like a paratrooper. But the other three sides are vast. The open floors leading up to the Horn Empire were dangerous.

You can see the battle patterns of the Horn Empire, which will lay siege to the navy and to all sides.

Then it would be better to break through the secret passageway behind the mountain that is not under attack.

But the question is whether Duke Meutt uses the secret passageway. No matter how hard you think about it, if you ask me to run to the dungeon, I'll refuse and I'll look like someone who will choose death.

I need someone to convince me.

I looked at the Duke of Campbell. Duke Meutt's most trusted figure was this man tomorrow.

“Campbell Birch. I have something urgent to tell you. ”

“Yes, go ahead, Mr. President. ”

I told Duke Meutt of my plans to create a secret passageway for his comfort.

Campbell clapped, saying he liked it.

“That's a great idea! ”

“I don't know about the Duke's patriotism, but when we fight, we must save our lives." ”

“You are absolutely right. You must buy as much as a teacher. ”

“Speaking of which, I'm going to keep the secret passageway a secret, and this is something only Campbell can know. ”

“That means……. ”

“Yes. When the crisis comes, the duc must convince the duc. Is that possible?"

Chamberlain nods.

“Leave it to me. If you don't listen to me, even if you threaten to kill yourself, I'll have you evacuated." ”

“You have my word on that. ”

The Grand Duke and Chief Knight of the Duke of Meutt would have been dedicated for a very long time to Duke Meutt. If such a disciple risked his life to beg for his life, even Duke Meutt would not be able to stop him.

“Your nighttime training will be over before midnight. You'd better finish your work before then. ”

“Very well. One hour will be enough. ”

That day, I used my animosity to create a secret passage through the Temple of the Night's Land. They hardened the walls and ceilings of both sides so that they wouldn't collapse, and they made the area about 5 meters wide so that hundreds of soldiers could flee without crowds.

The exit of the secret passageway was pierced beyond the mountain behind the castle, and the entrance was built under the restaurant of Duke Meutt. If you destroy the restaurant floor with an error, you can enter the secret passageway directly.

This should be enough.

When I finished opening the secret passageway, I taught Duke Campbell the location of the entrance and exit.

“Better hide the emergency supplies near the exit. We need food to get away from the chase. ”

“Take care of that. ”

“Anyway, thank you for your support. ”

“As a fellow of the Kingdom of Leaden, I should not thank the Duke. ”

I went straight to sleep because I had spent a lot of spiritual affinity for all my hard work.

At midnight the army led by Duke Meutt returned from training. With thousands of troops back, even a thieving army was a noisy act. I decided to meet Duke Meutt, who woke up to the noise.

I jumped out the window and flew straight to Duke Meutt.

“Duke. ”

Duke Meutt saw the day it flew in.

“You're a prodigy.”

“It's been a long time. ”

“It hasn't been that long, but I've seen a lot of things. ”

“I see.”

Brother Rick becomes the master, my son Jis is born, my father remarries.... In retrospect, there's been a lot going on over the years. Anza

“Are you still up at this hour? ”

“I slept early to see the duc. ”

Moreover, I can stay overnight for a week because my body constantly contains the healing power.

“I see. Let's have a drink in an hour, then. ”

“Very well.”

In an hour.

We sat across from the table at the flower garden in the back.

Duke Meutt was washed and changed into regular clothes. Even though I was wearing my regular clothes, I thought I was unarmed when I saw a sword on my waist.

“Do you sleep with your sword on? ”

“I keep it within reach. ”

“You must have liked the sword I gave you. ”

Duke Meutt laughed at my jokes.

“I like it. I just want to swing it around. Just like you keep wanting to see your son. ”

Turns out Duke Meutt was single.

Of course, there was no son, so the succession problem was sometimes discussed. Fortunately, there was a man on the far side of the family, but he had not yet brought one of them as his successor.

Perhaps he will pass on the Duke of Meutt to his most beloved pupil. If that's the case, then Campbell's the most prominent candidate.

“What's on your mind? ”

You scared me.

After a moment of second-guessing, Duke Meutt, the Error Master, is well aware of it.

“Excuse me. I've had a bit of an overstatement. ”

“Tell me.”

I scratched my head.

“I've been thinking about what will become of Duke Meutt's heir. I'm sorry I shouldn't be involved. ”

“Looks like I brought up my son. Mind is free. It doesn't matter. Actually, it's a matter of some concern. ”

“May I ask what you intend to do? ”

“That depends on this war. If we lose, Duke Meutt will be erased from the world. ”

“Don't think about it. Duke Meutt must remain for the sake of the Kingdom of Leaden. Most of all, the Duke is the treasure of this country. ”

“Nothing lasts forever. If you're going to die, choosing the best death is the way to complete your life. ”

I've cooled down my liver.

Belief in self-completion.

Baron Campbell looked into Duke Meutt's heart. Duke Meutt was ready to fight to the death.

At this rate, I might die fighting like I did in my previous life. I always wanted to save a great man like Duke Meutt.

“If you can do more when you're not dead, you will survive for your country and kingdom. ”

Duke Meutt was tired of looking at me and laughed.

“I see your point. I'm just saying, I don't fight to die. ”

“Thank goodness. I hope you're all right. ”

“But the way you talk about it, it's a fact of war. You're going to the Horn Imperial Court to negotiate, aren't you? ”

“I don't think we can stop the war. Rather, when I reach the Horn Empire, the Horn Empire will begin its attack. ”

“I see.”

Duke Meutt did not ask, ‘Then why are you going to the Horn Empire?'

“You must have something on your mind, too. ”

“Thank you for your understanding. ”

“Diplomacy is not my concern. ”

We drank without a word for a while.

Neither Duke Meutt nor I was too young to be silent.

A well-decorated garden.

The night sky.

Silent air.

There were so many things in this world to spend time watching quietly.

Then suddenly I said,

“You told me to be perfect one day, didn't you? ”

“I did.”

“Do you think I'm more perfect now than I was then? ”

“You're the most perfect politician I've ever seen. ”

“Thank you."

Duke Meutt was pleased with his compliment. It is one of the greatest pleasures of my second life to be recognized and to have relationships with great people who have made a name for themselves in their past lives. Not as much fun as my family and spirits, of course.

“And what about you, Duke? ”

“What do you mean? ”

“Are you complete? ”

“ ……. ”

Duke Meutt was unable to speak back for a moment, as if he had been asked a strange question. Soon, he frowned.

“I trust my disciples and soldiers. ”

“What if you saw something bigger than Duke Meutt? Do you trust us, Duke? ”

“I do. Neither does the king, nor do you. I believe everyone is working for this country. ”

“Good. I hope that faith, even in times of crisis, will not change." We're ready. We're not sure how well these things work, but we've all done the best we can. ”

“I believe you.”

“Thank you."

That's the end of the conversation.

I did everything I could about Duke Meutt. All that's left now is to meet Emperor Kars.