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‘Wait.’

And then, suddenly, a bolt of realization struck me.

‘What if this guy isn’t the Narakas I knew from twenty years ago?’

Everything falls into place. His weak grip on the organization. His subordinates’ attitude. The source of the dissonance I kept feeling.

‘If the new leader was leading the organization to ruin, I wouldn’t just sit idly by either.’

Until now, I hadn’t doubted for a second that the person standing before me was Narakas. Though we hadn’t interacted much over the years, I recognized him from his ‘feel’.

The air around him. That unique aura of someone naturally born to lead. Even down to his smallest mannerisms. Everything was eerily similar to the Narakas I once knew.

“……”

However, I received no answer even after a long silence.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“……”

“Is it difficult to answer?”

“……I have nothing more to say to you.”

I stared intently at this Narakas. Then, I said what was on my mind.

“I just had a thought.”

“What?”

“Maybe you aren’t the real Narakas.”

“……”

Narakas’ expression hardened.

Right.

That thought just came to me. What if someone who had studied him for a long time, or perhaps a family member who had spent years with him, was now impersonating him?

‘Now that I think about it, there are multiple things that just don’t add up.’

When I first made contact with the Mask of Night, Greeny had said something. That the leader was currently unable to be active on the field.

That as a result, a high-ranking member would be meeting me in his place.

‘At the time, I thought they were trying to trick me.’

Because I recognized him the moment I saw him. That he was definitely Narakas.

The resemblance was uncanny. There were plenty of reasons to lie. The leader’s movements were top secret. That was my first mistake.

‘I put too much faith in my own instincts.’

At the time, my skills were still immature.

Even now, I’m just a mere teenager.

I’m not the Great Hero Ancelot that I was in my past life. Compared to my former strength, my abilities now are insignificant.

If I had regained my old power, I would’ve already confirmed my suspicions by other means.

“……Ridiculous. You’re doubting me now, after all this time?”

I spoke over him.

“First reason.”

I held up one finger.

Narakas,

No, the imposter, remained silent.

“You were way too sloppy with your work. That’s not like the Narakas I know.”

“……Sloppy?”

“Think about it. If one of the two groups in conflict here is your Mask of Night organization, what does that make me? Everyone in this country now knows I have ties with you guys. You guys are known for taking care of even the smallest detail, yet you handled this so sloppily?”

“Well, that’s……”

“Sure, I get it. You must feel wronged. I never imagined your family would be in this kind of state either. Life doesn’t always go as planned, after all. It’s hard enough controlling your own kids, let alone your subordinates.”

“……”

But the Narakas I know would have foreseen how his subordinates would act and accounted for it in his grand plan.

I didn’t say that part out loud, though. After all, I still had a shred of affection for him.

He was probably already in a difficult situation, and it wouldn’t do any good to publicly humiliate him in front of his underlings, especially if I wanted to preserve our relationship moving forward.

“If your kids don’t listen to you, stop spoiling them and discipline them. You’re too soft-hearted. That’s why I don’t think you’re the real Narakas.”

“……!”

The killing intent pouring out of him intensified. At the same time, I held up a second finger.

“Second reason. This right here confirms my suspicion.”

“……?”

“The leader of an underground empire who’s ruled from the shadows for decades suddenly shows up in person, and even reveals his killing intent to a client?”

“……”

“The Narakas described in the records would never tolerate such behavior. He was the undisputed ruler of the night. Blood would’ve already been shed long before he had to step in.”

The imposter shook his head.

“Your so-called reasons are nothing but emotional speculation. I see no logic or reason in them.”

“Is that really something you, of all people, should be saying?”

“What?”

“You’re no different. You’ve made emotionally driven decisions at key moments. That’s the third reason.”

I held up a third finger. That was the source of the unease I’d felt all along.

“To be more precise, there’s no consistency in your actions.”

“What in the world are you talking about?”

“You’ve always provided information tailored to the client’s rank. Along those lines, you never shared anything about the Empire or, specifically, the five closest subordinates of the Great Hero.”

“Well, that’s because protecting the client is part of our rule……”

“Exactly. That’s the rational thing to do.”

I lightly tapped my head with my finger. Then, I quietly conveyed my thoughts directly to the imposter.

-But if you’re so rational, why did you tell me about the Great Hero’s ‘daughter’?

“……!”

-As if you were being driven by emotion.

This time, I pointed a finger at my chest.

-If you didn’t share any information about the five heroes because you were really worried about me causing trouble, then shouldn’t you have kept quiet about the daughter too?

“……”

–So, why did you tell me?

“……”

–Should I guess? It was probably an unconscious decision. You likely judged, however faintly, that the information wasn’t dangerous. This sloppiness only further reinforces my first reason.

“……”

–Why, then? Was the information a lie? Or…… was it because the Great Hero’s daughter was somewhere safe, even if I caused chaos?

After conveying all my thoughts, I shrugged my shoulders. As the conversation between the two of us dragged on, the navy mask looked like he was ready to step in.

“……Taking everything into account, I’m saying you’re not the Narakas I know.”

“……”

There was no response. But the change was clear. Narakas’ expression had already shifted. His entire face was starting to crack.

“……It seems like it’ll be a long day at the canyon. We have much to discuss.”

Just as I finished speaking.

Step.

For whatever reason, the navy mask stepped forward.

“I think I understand why the boss has been protecting this prince, after seeing things firsthand.”

“……”

With a deadpan expression, the navy mask continued.

“However, that doesn’t change my opinion.”

At that, a faint smile appeared on my lips.

“So, you’re asking for a beating, is that it?”

“Green No. 7!”

Shiiing.

Right on cue, another masked underling revealed his killing intent.

“Draw your sword, you arrogant brat.”

“……What a mess.”

I sighed, reaching for my sword’s sheath.

It just so happened that I was carrying the sword gifted to me by Count Arsene, the one that I had carefully stored away at home until now.

‘Wasn’t it said that if I met a dwarf, this symbol of friendship would be useful? At the very least, it wouldn’t provoke hostility.’

A bitter smile formed on my lips.

That symbol of friendship was about to be drenched in someone’s blood before I even met its intended recipient.

“Didn’t you hear me say stop!? This is an order!”

Narakas, finally snapping back to his senses, yelled.

“Boss! You’re caught in a delusion, unable to see things as they are!”

“……!”

Narakas gritted his teeth at the navy mask’s defiance.

“A delusion? You think I’m not thinking straight?”

“How long do you plan to flounder in the shadows of ghosts? The Empire rules this continent now. Not the dead Great Hero, but the Emperor, who has absolute power!”

The navy mask’s voice grew more impassioned.

“I understand that you have a special attachment to that child, as he carries the Great Hero’s legacy. I understand. No, I tried to understand the baseless hope you place in him!”

“……”

“But this isn’t right, is it? Our lives are on the line here. Even if the Great Hero who died twenty years ago came back to life, he wouldn’t stand a chance against the current Empire. Do you think they’ve just been idly sitting by?”

The masked underlings nodded in agreement.

“The Empire’s undefeated reputation dominates the entire continent, and the flames of Blaze cover the heavens and earth. The full moon lights up the dark night as if to declare that the Empire thrives around the clock. Why can’t you see the reality before you!?”

Thud!

At that moment, I heard the sound of something collapsing. When I turned, I saw Narakas slumped on the ground, his face buried in his hands.

“Just why…… Why can’t you, the only ones in this world who are on my side, understand me? Just why……”

“……Because this is the only way to protect the family.”

The navy mask, having said that, turned to face the masked underling.

“Your mission today is crucial. You must show our boss that it’s time to wake from this dream.”

“Leave it to me, sir!”

“Give it your all from the start. Prove that the Great Hero’s legacy is nothing but an empty title in today’s world.”

“Understood!”

Watching this scene unfold, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“……This is driving me nuts, really.”

“If you won’t draw your sword, I’ll cut you down where you stand, Prince.”

“If you’re going to suck up to the Emperor, you might as well do it properly. You can’t even deal with a gang of thieves, and yet you’re here threatening me. What a joke.”

Flash!

This time, he didn’t hold back. As soon as I finished speaking, the masked underling lunged at me.

“Die!”

“Kids, raised as orphans, disrespecting their father like this……”

In an instant, he was just five meters away. I quietly reached for my sword’s sheath.

Then—

Claa

“Ugh!”

My sword, drawn in a flash, struck the masked underling squarely on the crown of his head.

“……You need a good hit to come to your senses.”

Thud!

At the same time, the masked underling, tongue hanging out, collapsed to the ground.

“……”

A heavy silence fell around us.

Everyone present made a baffled expression, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

All except Narakas, who sighed deeply with his head hanging low. I beckoned to the others around me.

“Come over here. You all need a beating. Let’s start from there.”

***