How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 241 - East (1)

“Everyone’s talking about you everywhere.”

Terka said this as we headed towards the imperial palace after finishing preparations, observing the newspapers strewn about and people’s conversations.

The excitement hadn’t died down even after several days since catching the devil. For the first few days, it was difficult to even walk due to people crowding around.

It was inevitable. The emperor and four Sword Masters had slain the notoriously vicious devil. The devil hunt was the biggest event since the founding emperor.

News of our return spread throughout the continent simultaneously. Of course, the spotlight was on Erendil. It was natural, her being the emperor.

Officially, it was reported that Erendil attacked the devil with Teme’s Spear, the founding emperor’s legacy, followed by a joint attack from the four Sword Masters.

This was due to the Karantang Forest incident. The explosion then was blamed on the devil, so it couldn’t be helped.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

What mattered was that we caught it. Still, perhaps due to Erendil’s will, I was receiving much more attention than the other Sword Masters.

I was also the youngest Sword Master since the founding emperor.

Moreover, it was known that I had detected the devil’s movements while pursuing devil worshippers even during the festival.

It meant that catching the devil was thanks to me. In fact, this was true in hindsight.

“But aren’t you dissatisfied? After all, you were actually the one who defeated it.

Terka asked. As this news spread across the continent, it was also revealed that I had become a Sword Master.

Terka’s reaction was shock. More bewilderment than surprise. Until he met me, he thought he was superior.

Denif, unlike him, expressed a sense of betrayal. Of course, it wasn’t because I had gotten ahead of him.

-How… How could you not tell me?

He was upset that I hadn’t told him first about becoming a Sword Master. Given how close we were, his disappointment was visible.

I told him the truth. I didn’t want to talk only about swords at a meeting with Orhen.

-Hmm. I can’t deny that.

Denif readily admitted it. He was somewhat self-aware about his characteristic competitiveness.

He couldn’t help but know, having heard such things from everyone he met since childhood.

-Then who knew first? Don’t tell me it was the emperor?

At first, I thought he was jealous in his following response. It seemed absurd that he would be jealous of Erendil.

-No. It was Lord Rudehrn. He was considerate of me.

-Ah, the Sword Master.

But it wasn’t jealousy. Denif nodded as if understanding my words.

-It’s fitting that a Sword Master congratulates one’s first steps as a Sword Master.

-You’re okay with it because of the congratulations?

-What else would it be for? I’ve watched you since you first held a sword. I was your first opponent too. Of course I should have known first and congratulated you. But if it’s a Sword Master, I can accept it.

Well, come to think of it, Denif was my first sparring partner after I picked up a sword. Our connection was deeper than I thought.

Anyway, the disappointment had disappeared from Denif’s face, replaced by pure joy.

-Belated congratulations. I’m dying of envy. But don’t let your guard down, I’ll be up there soon too. I’ll catch up quickly.

Of course, competitiveness and aspiration followed.

-Anyway, in that sense, let’s have a match.

-Can’t you see I’m injured?

I had wounds from the devil after returning, but Denif shrugged with a brazen face.

-Come on, is a Sword Master whining about something like that?

He wasn’t wrong. I sparred with Denif for a few days after returning. I moved lightly without overdoing it.

Terka gave up the opportunity to Denif, saying there would be chances in the East.

Separately from that, I noticed their attitudes towards me had changed slightly. Before I became a Sword Master, they were closer to rivals.

It felt like I was ahead, but they had to catch up and could catch up.

It’s similar now, but there’s a bit of reverence. That’s why I had to be careful during sparring.

In the past, when exchanging opinions on certain aspects, we would debate, but now Denif just tried to accept things.

I told him that not everything a Sword Master says is correct.

My opinions are limited to my sword, and might feel different for someone else’s sword.

“Is there anything to be dissatisfied about?”

I replied, cutting off my reverie. Terka tilted his head with an incomprehensible expression.

“Isn’t it obvious? You caught a devil! After hundreds of years! Even if it wasn’t one-on-one and you used a bomb, it’s still an achievement that will go down in history. Right?”

Terka turned to Rina. Rina frowned slightly but nodded.

“I don’t like this guy much, but he’s right this time. Carlyn, you’re too unambitious.”

“There’s no reason to be. What’s the point of building more merit and becoming more famous from here?”

Objectively, I have nowhere higher to go. I’m the bodyguard knight of the continent’s emperor. Moreover, I made the greatest contribution to making her emperor.

Unless I’m going to become emperor myself, I’ve reached the highest point I can.

“Why not? Not just honor, but your name will go down in history! You’ll be treated differently when meeting others too.”

“My name can go down in history even now, though the degree might differ. And I’m already treated well.”

“Ah, you’re really frustrating.”

I knew why Terka was acting like this. It’s definitely related to seducing women. Of course, his words might include nobles too…

The reason he’s saying this is that he means I could boast, “I’m the one who caught the devil!”

“That’s not important. Driving out the devil comes first. What’s the use of leaving your name in history? If we lose to the devil, nothing remains.”

“No… Hmm.”

Terka, who was about to rebut my words, hesitated and then tilted his head.

“Humility? Sense of purpose? Is that it? Should I learn some of that too? Like humbly hiding desires. What do you think?”

Well. This guy was still chasing women even after becoming a Sword Master, so that probably doesn’t matter.

However, I didn’t bother to deny it.

“Isn’t a sense of purpose obvious? Well, thinking of you, that might be better. Rather than hiding, you should eliminate it. If you focus your mind on one thing and reduce desires, you might see another path.”

Not dating women doesn’t mean you can’t reach the realm of a Sword Master. That’s a separate issue.

However, if it’s a way to reform this guy and make him easier to control, such a misunderstanding was welcome. It would be good to actually focus on a sense of purpose too.

“I’ll have to think about it. For now, I’ve decided to hold back during the period I promised you.”

“Holding back and completely changing your inner perception seem like different issues.”

“Ah, damn. Is that so?”

Terka furrowed his brow. It was the most serious face I’d ever seen him make. Is this really something to worry about so much? I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.

Anyway, it’s good if he changes, and if not, so be it. I didn’t bother to say more. We were approaching the imperial palace.

That’s when it happened. A group rushed out from the direction of the palace. Soldiers and knights with their mouths covered with cloth…

And in the middle was a physician, wrapped tightly from head to toe. I immediately frowned. Only one thing came to mind.

‘Plague?’

Right. I had seen them experimenting with it a few years ago. They must have had it for a long time.

It was strange that nothing had happened until now.

There wouldn’t have been a need to use it. Although plague is dangerous… just spreading it randomly is meaningless.

Like sprinkling salt on a wound, it’s most effective when spread when the opponent is struggling to cope.

‘For example, when a full-scale battle begins.’

Moreover, they would have been more cautious because I had raided their plague base in the past.

They didn’t know who was behind it or what entity had solved their plague.

They would have known it wasn’t the empire since there was a spy inside the empire, but they would have been careful and treasured it. Plague is a weapon with more influence than you can imagine.

Now, with three devils descended, it was the perfect timing. They could consume the empire’s internal manpower.

‘Hmm.’

I was curious why they didn’t use it earlier. I briefly thought it might have been better to use it right before the three devils were summoned.

No. If anything, now was the opportune time.

We only knew they were up to something in the East, but didn’t know exactly what it was.

Before that, attention was focused on the North due to the devilish dragon.

There was no need to divert attention with plague. They would have carefully plotted their move, given the strict surveillance within the empire.

Moreover, if my hypothesis is correct and the three devils that descended this time were born from an incomplete summoning ritual…

They would have tried to buy time at this timing from the stage of preparing for the devil summoning. Simultaneous outbreaks of plague would be an excellent method.

‘They probably triggered it simultaneously across the empire, not just in Chenarus.’

Even when we killed the devilish dragon and brought Terka and that scythe to destroy it, their movements were minimal. They were probably preparing for this.

Buying time for the devil summoned in the East would have been an important mission for them too.

‘Still, it won’t be a problem.’

There was nothing to worry about. I had been preparing for this since I detected clues about the plague in the past.

The southwestern plains where platinum herb, the cure for the plague, grows came under my control two years ago.

Al Fahri, the Lu Anuma’s Sword, was already cultivating platinum herb, drying it, and stockpiling it.

He would be in contact with Count Campbell, so I just needed to give a hint to Erendil.

However, there was no need to specifically seek out Erendil upon arriving at the imperial palace. He was waiting for me next to a prepared carriage.

I hadn’t set up an appointment as I didn’t intend to facilitate a meeting with Terka, but he had come out personally.

“Wow…”

Even from a distance, Terka let out an exclamation upon seeing Erendil. He was momentarily dazed.

However, true to his nature, he quickly managed his expression. Erendil greeted me with a smile.

“You’ve come.”

“Were you waiting, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I couldn’t not see you off as you head to the dangerous East.”

She looked worried. It was understandable, even though I had suggested the hypothesis of an incomplete summoning.

Even if incomplete, I was going to enemy territory with three devils.

“So these are the ones helping you.”

“Yes. People I met while away from the capital.”

“Your Majesty, it’s an honor to meet you.”

Terka and Rina greeted.

“This friend is Terka, the first disciple of Sword Master Mondegreen, and this friend is Rina from the East.”

“I’ve heard about you. That you’re serving him by helping Schurtafen. Your efforts are always appreciated.”

“Not at all. It’s what we ought to do for the great Emperor, Your Majesty.”

Terka stepped forward and greeted again, but Erendil paid him no attention. Instead, her gaze turned to Rina.

Her eyes moved quickly, scanning Rina up and down. Rina kept her head bowed quietly.

“Would you give us a moment? I’d like to speak with Schurtafen privately.”

“Ah… Yes, Your Majesty.”

Terka replied with a slightly flustered face and stepped back. I was planning to request a separate meeting anyway because of the plague, so this wasn’t bad.

“Schurtafen, travel safely. Remember. Your life is always the top priority.”

Suddenly, it reminded me of words I had heard from Duke Brusek in the past, making me laugh inwardly.

“Don’t worry. By the way, Your Majesty, I saw a physician leaving as we arrived.”

Erendil spoke with a startled face.

“Is that so?”

“Is it the plague?”

“That’s right. I heard about it at dawn today. I didn’t want to burden you with this as you leave for the East.”

“By any chance, are the symptoms blue spots appearing on the skin?”

I asked in case it was truly a naturally occurring plague by coincidence.

However, it didn’t seem likely. Erendil’s surprised face answered for her.

“H-How did you know?”

“It’s the work of devil worshippers. I’ve seen them experimenting with it in the past.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes. The plague itself is potent, but it can be dealt with. The cure is platinum herb.”

“Platinum herb?”

“It’s cultivated in the southwest and drunk as tea… I’ve already given Al Fahri a heads-up, so if you contact Count Campbell, you should be able to suppress the plague before it spreads widely.”

“…Amazing.”

Erendil stared at me blankly for about three seconds before continuing. Surprise, relief, and bewilderment coexisted.

“You always seem to know and be prepared for whatever happens.”

“I was just lucky.”

“No. This can’t be explained by luck. The more I see, the more remarkable you are.”

Erendil said seriously.

“Just a short while ago, when you were away, everything felt frustrating. Now that you’re by my side, I’m afraid of situations where you’re not here.”

Not knowing how to respond, I bowed my head lightly.

“So don’t overexert yourself. You must return. Do you understand? Promise me.”

Erendil, her face slightly red, spoke quickly. I smiled and nodded.

There’s no big worry. Because I have the amulet. Even if we search together, I planned to enter important places alone. Terka and Rina are people who can ensure their own survival even without me.

Erendil glanced behind me.

“By the way, is this Terka person alright?”

“He’s useful enough. Why do you ask?”

I asked, wondering if this guy had somehow charmed Erendil in the meantime, but it was a needless worry. Erendil frowned.

“He looks slippery. He doesn’t seem like someone good to be close to. Of course, that’s just my opinion.”

It seems the “great Emperor, Your Majesty” talk appeared false.

Well, even in the game, Erendil didn’t like Terka.

“I know he’s a womanizer, but his abilities aren’t bad. I’ll manage him well. He’s not the type to betray.”

“If you say so, it must be so.”

“But isn’t he handsome?”

“You’re much better. No, I’m sorry for comparing you to him.”

The difference shouldn’t be that much. She must have just taken a dislike to him. A smile naturally formed on my lips.

“Then I’ll really depart now.”

“Do you remember? I’ve arranged a place in the East where you can contact me.”

“If I can stop by, I’ll send a message.”

“Don’t overdo it. Lord Rudehrn says no news is good news.”

I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to do it or not. I understood she meant she’d like me to do it but didn’t want me to take risks, but it was hard to respond to the emperor’s words.

I said I understood and got on the carriage.

Perhaps due to more worries than I thought? Erendil stood in one place, watching us until we disappeared from view.