novel-bin Chapter 7
Chapter 7
#007.
‘Claude Elcidore…’
The name displayed in the game, [Young Master Claude].
As an NPC companion who could be recruited from the early stages of [Revolution Empire], he was one of the companions known as ‘national treasure’ among users.
With excellent base stats and intelligence bonus, and particularly outstanding magical attack power, he was a widely used all-around versatile dealer.
I thought he would have already joined the Revolutionary Army by the time the protagonist joins, but who would have thought his escape would be happening now.
The timing was impeccable.
“Young Master Claude disappeared a week ago. The Revolutionary Army started distributing this newspaper yesterday. Thankfully, not many people believe it yet.”
In Ben’s office on the second floor of the Knifehead dormitory.
When Ben handed over the revolutionary newspaper, the expressions of the senior members assigned to the operation hardened.
[Elcidore’s Heir Defects to Revolutionary Army!]
[The Cruel Truth of Imperial Noble Society That Even a High Noble Couldn’t Endure!]
[The Revolutionary Army Does Not Discriminate by Status. To Those Who Wish to Become Comrades, Come to Us……!]
“The higher-ups must be in chaos.”
“Sevian the butler was beheaded. If we fail, we’ll be next.”
In House Elcidore, failure means death.
If they could kill a butler who served the family for years in an instant, it was obvious what would happen to disposable pawns like us.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, the senior members asked Ben.
“
Following this, Ben handed me two photographs and a nameplate with mission details.
“What is this?”
“A scenario for infiltration.”
I looked at the photos Ben gave me. The first photo showed a man and woman looking at each other affectionately, and in the second photo, the same couple was being tortured.
“The man’s name is Landon Phelps. The woman is Lucy Phelps. They were Revolutionary Army members captured by Elcidore ten years ago. From now on, you’ll disguise yourself as their son and find the Revolutionary Army’s location.”
After finishing his words, Ben held out a prisoner’s nameplate to me. The blood-stained metal nameplate had the name ‘Leon Phelps’ engraved on it.
“A fake name?”
“Yes. I’ve prepared quite a backstory too.”
Ben explained the life story of the fictional character ‘Leon Phelps’ to me.
“Lucy Phelps was pregnant when she was arrested. She gave birth to a child while doing forced labor in the underground prison, and Elcidore planned to use it as an experimental subject. Your parents killed a guard and escaped to protect you. They were caught after a chase, but you alone managed to escape the mansion alive… That’s roughly the story.”
“Pfft.”
“How moving. It’s quite heartfelt for something you made up, Supervisor.”
The senior members snickered at Ben’s explanation. Ben smiled back at the seniors and shrugged his shoulders.
“Made up? This actually happened a year ago.”
“What?”
“The real Leon Phelps is buried in the castle moat. He would have joined as a trainee in the 40th batch…”
So it was based on a true story.
Seeing Ben’s slightly upturned lips, the seniors shook their heads saying, “Of course, typical.”
‘This guy is a real devil.’
No Revolutionary Army would turn away a child seeking revenge for their parents. Especially considering who the leader of the Revolutionary Army’s Belkers branch was.
Moreover, since the Revolutionary Army didn’t even know about Knifehead’s existence, it was truly a flawless infiltration plan.
‘He came up with this operation in just a week.’
I could truly appreciate how outstanding Elcidore’s intelligence capabilities were.
Of course, I also keenly felt just how much of a psychotic group these bastards were.
“Eugene.”
As the seniors who had received their missions left Ben’s office one by one, when it was finally my turn, Ben called me with a gesture and opened his desk drawer to take something out.
Clunk-
What was placed on the table was a small wooden box the size of a ring case. When opened, it contained a thinly crafted piece of glass.
Two strokes intertwined like chains. Though I’d seen it countless times in the game, I asked Ben just in case.
“Supervisor. Is this……”
“A magic imprint.”
Magic imprint.
An output device that processes magical power generated from magic circuits into the form of magic, and ‘Magic Awakening’ users become ‘magicians’ only after implanting this.
“Everyone deployed in actual operations gets this implanted without exception. It’s grade 4 with ice attributes. The stored formulas are Rapid Freezing, Ice Spear, and Magical Power Barrier.”
After stating the magic circuit’s specs in a plain voice, Ben gestured with his chin at me holding the circuit.
‘So he wants me to implant it here.’
There was no time to hesitate. This was an order, and members who don’t follow orders die.
I immediately brought the magic circuit to the back of my hand and embedded it into my skin.
Thump-!
The pain of tearing flesh and the sensation of a foreign object piercing the skin. And the cold numbness transmitted from it.
Before long, blue light leaked from the magic circuit that had been like transparent glass, and then disappeared without a trace.
The back of my hand where the glass piece had been embedded was clean as if nothing had happened.
“Good.”
Ben, who had carefully observed everything, spoke.
“Eugene Lorentz. From today on, you are officially a member of the Knifehead.”
“Thank you.”
“Serve Elcidore loyally until the day you die. Dismissed.”
There were no congratulatory words. After confirming Ben’s gesture, I left his office immediately.
“Until the day I die, huh.”
Feeling the subtle sensation in my right hand, I frowned.
Ben had said there were three formulas engraved in this magic circuit.
But that was a lie.
‘A grade 4 magic circuit can store two formulas in one stroke…’
In other words, this two-stroke circuit could store four formulas.
And I knew what the fourth formula was that Ben hadn’t mentioned.
[Brand of Dominance.]
A brainwashing formula that gradually erodes the user’s mind from the moment of implantation, and ultimately makes them obey their master’s commands.
A safety device to prevent possible escape or rebellion. At the same time, it was the secret behind creating Knifehead, Elcidore’s loyal dogs.
“According to the settings, I have about 2 years left.”
I held up my right hand where the circuit was implanted.
2 years.
The time remaining until Elcidore’s circuit eats away at my mind and I become his puppet.
Then before that happens…
“I’ll have to kill him first.”
What needed to be done was clear.
I must kill Count Elcidore before I turn twelve years old.
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