Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 841

Chapter 841

Of course, I still couldn’t comprehend Mun Do-hyuk’s reason for coming to me.
To be honest, I had no faith in him.
‘This could be a ploy by Ilcheon Sword to plant a distraction.’
It might be an elaborate scheme to destabilize my position using a double agent.
Or, in Mun Do-hyuk’s specific situation, would that make him a triple agent?
‘Regardless…’
His choice was so illogical to me that placing my trust in him was impossible.
As I’ve always maintained, I cannot put my faith in someone known for betrayal.
Seemingly conscious of my distrust, Mun Do-hyuk tried to still his shaking hands and spoke.
“If you will have me, I will submit to a binding seal… I implore you, please accept me.”
He was volunteering for a physical restriction—a serious commitment not offered lightly.
‘Even so, my trust is not for him.’
Words alone are not enough.
And even if they were, I had no desire to trust him.
However…
‘What counts is not his personality.’
His nature, his genuineness, or his desperation.
None of that was important.
The only factor worth evaluating was a single thing:
‘His worth.’
How, where, and for what purpose could I use him? Or was he of any use at all?
That was the only thing that mattered.
And from what I observed in Mun Do-hyuk:
‘Acceptable.’
He was a decent piece to have on the board. For the moment, he was ideal as a expendable pawn.
‘Hmm.’
What should be done with him?
I considered it for a short while. If this was truly a maneuver by Ilcheon Sword…
‘There are, at most, two ways to handle this.’
I did have options, just a limited number of appropriate ones.
Conversely, if Mun Do-hyuk had genuinely turned his back on Ilcheon Sword…
‘He lacks the edge to be a proper dagger.’
He wasn’t capable of dealing a fatal strike.
Besides, my own strategies were already set, so I had no immediate use for him.
At most, he could be utilized for some minor disruptive tasks.
‘Hmm.’
So the true dilemma wasn’t about his status as a spy or not.
‘Should I eliminate him or let him live?’
Should I dispose of him here and now? That was what I was weighing.
Killing him would be inconsequential. It would leave no evidence, and his absence wouldn’t alter anything important.
Even when accounting for possible complications, removing him appeared to be the less risky option.
‘So, should I kill him?’
Flinch—!
Mun Do-hyuk shuddered as he looked at me. He must have detected a subtle shift in my intent.
“M-my Lord….”
Keeping him alive served no real purpose other than to irritate Ilcheon Sword, so simply getting rid of him seemed more efficient.
“Hmm.”
I reflected for a moment before giving a slight nod, having reached a decision.
Swish.
“Ah…!”
As I rose to my feet, Mun Do-hyuk let out a sharp gasp and scrambled backward. His response was utterly pitiful.
I looked at him with contempt and asked,
“What is wrong with you?”
“P-please, have mercy….”
“What are you going on about? Did I say I would kill you?”
“…W-what?”
“You asked me to take you in, correct?”
“Ah! Th-then…!”
“Stop this disgraceful display and get up. We are leaving.”
I would take him in for now. While it carried risk, it was a worthwhile move to agitate Ilcheon Sword.
The situation seemed controllable at this stage.
And if anything goes awry…
‘I’ll simply kill them all.’
I already had the perfect solution ready, after all.

********************

I walked outside.
Lanterns were now illuminating the entire base, and the warriors were organizing the night watch rotations.
As the commander, I was exempt from guard duty, but I often took nighttime walks during my training to observe the perimeter.
“Commander.”
“Yes. Carry on.”
Each member I passed offered a hurried salute.
I considered telling them not to bother, but since a clear chain of command existed, certain protocols had to be upheld.
Otherwise, they might begin to overstep.
‘And correcting them each time is tedious.’
Certainly, I could put them in their place if they acted up, but the repeated effort was irritating.
As I continued my rounds, observing the warriors in various locations…
“Um, Commander…?”
“What is it?”
Mun Do-hyuk, who was following me, spoke in a nervous voice.
“Where… where are we going right now?”
He seemed anxious because I hadn’t told him our destination.
I let out a short laugh and answered.
“You want to know where we’re going?”
“Yes.”
“To find a spot to bury you, of course.”
“…!!”
Mun Do-hyuk went rigid, his entire body trembling. Pure fear flooded his eyes.
Seeing that, I laughed again.
“I’m joking.”
“Oh… haha… A-a joke, I see.”
“Right now, we are going to see the Azure Dragon Division Commander.”
“The Azure Dragon Commander…? Wait, what?”
Mun Do-hyuk’s eyes widened in shock.
“What… what do you mean?”
“What else? As I said, we’re going to see Ilcheon Sword.”
“…N-no…”
“Don’t be concerned. I merely have some inquiries to make.”
“T-then… why am I coming with you…?”
If I had questions for Ilcheon Sword, why was I bringing him along? Mun Do-hyuk asked, bewildered.
“Well.”
I replied casually.
“It’s simpler to ask questions about you if you are present.”
“What…? What does that mean…!”
“Stop asking so many questions. Do you want me to silence you by running a skewer through your lips? Neatly? Just follow me and be quiet.”
“…”
At my irritated tone, Mun Do-hyuk finally closed his mouth.
Grateful for the silence, I let out a sigh.
But sensing his continued apprehension behind me, I added,
“Let me be perfectly clear. It is too late to turn back now. If you are going to stay, do it properly. If I catch you attempting to double-cross me, I will not be lenient. Understood?”
“I… I understand….”
Mun Do-hyuk’s face went pale at the warning, which was heavy with lethal intent.
And I meant it. If he gave me further cause for suspicion, I would eliminate him without a second thought.
After completing my inspections, I asked one of the members,
“Where is the deputy commander?”
I wasn’t talking about Tang So-yeol but the other one, who was missing.
The member, standing at attention, replied promptly.
“The deputy commander is currently in the western quarters.”
“The western quarters? That’s the Azure Dragon Division’s area, isn’t it? What for?”
I hadn’t received any reports about anyone needing to go there.
Noting my confusion, the member hesitated before elaborating.
“Well… there was some trouble concerning intelligence sharing with the Azure Dragon Division….”
“Huh?”
Trouble? What sort of trouble?
“So, they left without informing me?”
“Yes, Commander. The deputy believed it was best to go directly, as you were not here….”
“Well, they should have ensured I was notified immediately upon my return. Why am I only hearing about this now, after I asked you? Isn’t this excessively late?”
“…M-my apologies.”
“Apologies are worthless. Is this how you operate?”
It wasn’t just this individual; the others were just as bad. Damn, it was infuriating.
“…No excuses. I am sorry.”
“Fine. Tell everyone, yourself included, to gather in front of my quarters. If a single person is missing, you are dead. Understood?”
“…Y-yes, Commander!”
The man, now ashen-faced, rapidly responded to my annoyed command.
Even for a newly formed unit, the reporting structure could not be this chaotic.
‘I was attempting to be flexible, but…’
Letting things slide had clearly been a mistake.
‘So they were summoned to the Azure Dragon Division? Perfect.’
I might as well collect them and get some answers.
Pulling Mun Do-hyuk along, I made my way to the Azure Dragon Division’s quarters.
Upon arrival, I saw that the Azure Dragon Division members nearby looked startled.
Though they quickly saluted, hints of resentment were visible on their faces.
This wasn’t new, and I typically ignored it, but…
“You, there.”
This time, I had business to conduct, so I pointed one of them out.
“…Are you referring to me?”
The man looked uncertain, as if he couldn’t believe he was being singled out.
“Yes, you. Come here.”
“…”
His expression darkened.
Already annoyed, the sight of that face only increased my irritation.
“Still sulking? Do I need to rearrange that face myself?”
At my words, which carried a undercurrent of anger, the member gulped and forcibly neutralized his expression.
“I am here to see your commander. I also heard my deputy is here. Where are they?”
Hearing my question, the man’s eyes narrowed slightly. He appeared to know something.
“…They are inside, speaking with our commander….”
“Understood.”
“W-wait…!”
The man tried to stop me, but I was already stepping inside.
As I entered the Azure Dragon Division’s quarters…
“…Such disrespect.”
“…Discipline is….”
“…To insult the commander…!”
I could hear voices. Judging by the sound, they were coming from the main room.
The tone was far from cordial.
The speakers seemed to be…
‘Our deputy, most likely.’
One was probably my deputy. But who was the other?
As I moved closer, the voices became distinct.
“To think you would be so inflexible. How do you expect to command with such a rigid mindset?”
The voice was derisive, one I did not recognize.
“And what does that have to do with flexibility…!”
The deputy raised their voice, clearly angered.
“The Star Dragon Division is not under the Azure Dragon Division’s command. You are here in a supporting role, so watch your tone.”
“Hah. Are you trying to lecture me? Me?”
Interesting.
From the sound of it, the discussion was taking an odd turn.
Curious, I quickened my pace.
“It is not a lecture, but a rightful suggestion offered as a fellow deputy….”
“Ha! A fellow? Don’t make me laugh. You dare to say such things?”
The scorn in his voice was thick.
Hearing it, I moved even quicker.
The view changed.
“Back in the Red Dragon Division, you were a nobody. Now that you have a title, you think we are equals? What a fantasy.”
“Deputy Jin! That is a disgraceful thing to say. The title was bestowed by the Alliance itself.”
“Titles might be identical, but we are not the same. Isn’t that right? Different divisions cannot be compared.”
My feet touched the ground, and I saw the large quarters ahead.
A group of people stood in front of it.
I didn’t need to look long for the source of the voice.
A man with a grating expression stood before my flustered deputy.
It had to be him.
“To suggest that a band of misfits is equivalent to us is nothing less than an insult—”
“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
At my call, the man turned around.
“Huh…?”
His eyes went wide as he saw my face.
Boom!
“Gah!”
My fist connected, shattering his jaw instantly.