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Chapter 388: Cheap Psychological Warfare (1)

“I’m fine. I haven’t been damaged. It’s just a simple trick. There is no damage. What about you?”

“Cough. Yes. I-I’m fine, too.”

The smoke caused us to cough nonstop until it had all dissipated.

After the smoke had cleared up, the first thing that caught my eye was the soldier’s distorted face. I kept staring at him unknowingly because of the look he had on him. I’ve never seen him make such a face before.

However, I had the feeling as he did.

My hands shook uncontrollably. Of course, not all of my emotions were due to my wrath towards him.

The reason for my anxiety laid in my sister’s current condition.

‘Is she okay? She will be okay, right? No, she looked to be okay. She must be okay.’

She wouldn’t possibly be hurt.

Although she was showing herself to be very nervous, she seemed safe in the magic hologram.

She was not being treated as a legitimate prisoner of war, but she didn’t look like she was being tortured, at least.

I was nervous, but it was also relieved. I just had to keep thinking that she was alive for now.

A voice began to enter my ears as if someone had spotted my worried face.

“Yev Karina will be fine.”

“Yes…”

“He considers Yev Karina to be necessary, and he thinks that he will benefit from keeping her alive. He won’t kill or harm her right away. I don’t know why Yev Karina is working with him, but…”

“My sister is not that kind of person. I’m sure he’s got something on her.”

“Yes. I also trust Karina. I’m sure of it.”

As we talked, I could see people walking around the door while trying to scout the situation.

I wanted to talk a little more about my sister, but we had to brief the Operation Department members first. I knew what the best thing to do here was. However, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

There was nothing about Yev Karina in the briefing of Jin Qing.

The only emotion visible in my eyes was the anger I had against Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung. It wasn’t unreasonable for me to be angry, but that was the first time I saw him so worked up and distraught.

I couldn’t find his usually calm and calculated appearance.

He seemed to be maintaining his composure on the outside, but it showed in his body language. His breathing was subtle.

It was a tiny difference, but it told me all I had to know. He was furious. Still, he was never the type to reveal his true feelings.

Perhaps the emotion that he was feeling was more akin to betrayal.

When he first heard the news about the State’s Honorary Cardinal, the General looked as if he sympathized with him. His pride must have been seriously hurt as he realized his true identity and was confronted inappropriately.

Of course, the same was true for the magic power hologram.

It was strange not to get angry even if I were to think of it as a joke and deception from start to finish.

The briefing continued despite the heavy atmosphere. They were only given short information, but they could already deduce a lot of details from it.

He sighed again as the others nodded to show that they understood.

“Then… if it’s just as he said, Eberian troops are now heading to the capital of the Republic?”

“No. We can’t be sure about anything just yet. We can’t overlook the probability that the words a while ago are all deceptive. Personally, I think it’s all a lie. Honorary Cardinal is just like a stray bullet. He’s the one who inflates and excites himself. If he’s really heading to the capital of the Republic, he won’t let us know in advance.”

However, nothing changed. Everyone was still on edge. I was forced to listen to the General again.

‘He has a point.’

Heading to the capital of the Republic was indeed a ridiculous remark no matter what one was to think. If I had been a member of the State’s camp, I would have done my best to stop his plan.

It was impossible to advance to the capital before deciding whether to proceed or not.

The forces of the Eberian Kingdom had not even crossed the front line yet.

‘It’s crazy.’

Even if they forcefully push and break through the frontlines, they would still lose too many troops.

There was no way such an extreme decision was possible.

“Well, then, General. What did the video mean, then?”

“I think it’s to cause confusion. It’s all lies and deception. It’s all just a manipulative performance, so to speak, like a clown in front of a camera.”

“A performance…”

* * *

“So, it’s all a show.”

“I am not sure what you’re talking about, Yev Karina.”

“It’s all acting, what you captured on the camera. None of those were the real you.”

“Do you even know me well enough to determine who the real me is? Nothing is as upsetting as pretending to know a stranger, Karina. Oh. Now I’m pretty close to you to be a stranger. Hmm. Well, let’s say you make sense, too.”

“The exaggerated expressions, gestures, and provocative expressions are all false. You exaggerate that you’re going to throw a bold move and make him think you’re actually going to act on that idea. Did you really need to do that?”

“Ooh. I know what you’re talking about. Each animal has its own different way to survive. There aren’t many beasts on Earth that grow larger when scared. Humans always learn from nature.”

“It will all be revealed soon. No, there is no way the he will not notice.”

“It’s not that predators are fooled because they are stupid. It’s not because they’re stupid, Yev Karina. What appears to be obvious can work better than you think. It’s a bit different, but if you ask people to choose between a beggar and someone with a nice suit to go out on a date with, a hundred out of a hundred will choose the latter. This is only natural. Animals often play with obvious tricks. Humans are also animals. Appearance and disguises are effective. Oh, and to put in a deal with such a disgusting expression. I’m bald-faced, so the deal definitely won’t happen. It’s just your face that will be frowned upon.”

I could see him smirking while stroking my hair. Momentarily, my whole body had goosebumps, but it was pretty hard to say anything else.

The current situation was dark as there was nothing I could do except quietly bow my head.

‘This person is not a stupid person.’

The more I thought about it, the more the idea felt genius in my mind.

He was, by no means, a stupid person. Perhaps Jin Qing, who was watching the video, knew it better than me.

Since he knew other people’s minds better than anyone else, he was indeed well-informed. It was difficult to say that the magic hologram was just psychological warfare, no matter what.

Every portion of the hologram had a part to play.

From the beginning of the video, it was provocative and forced the watchers to concentrate.

Treating me like an object, acting like a third-class boss, all of his remarks were indeed a performance. Deceiving others with a light lie and making them aware that he could fool them at any time.

He showed off his abilities and confused their minds with useless sophistry. The same was true for the exploding blank bullets and the tomfoolery before that.

All the actions, speeches, and provocations that took place were all for show.

It was orchestrated to convey the words that he would go to the Republic’s capital. It felt so strange that it made it seem like there was no room for thought.

‘He’s like a blank bomb.’

I thought that there couldn’t be any better expression than that since it felt like an understatement to compare him to a mere blank bullet.

No, he was the kind of person to hide actual bullets among false ones.

‘Jin Qing must know. He must be thinking that way.’

“What are you going to do?”

“Well, I think you know the answer already. Honestly, I haven’t decided yet. The purpose was to confuse rather than convey my intentions. In fact, you know the situation better than me, Yev Karina. I bet you know what I’m thinking.”

“No. I…”

“You remember what I said, Yev Karina. I don’t yield, and that’s not a lie. I have already decided to go in and have notified them. All that’s left is for them to decide how to respond.”

“I do not yield. It doesn’t matter what they choose to do.”

* * *

“Don’t be shaken. He is not like a soldier or a policeman. He is a scammer, a copycat, and someone who knows nothing but deceiving others.”

I thought he wasn’t such a disparaging opponent. However, looking at the frowning Jin Qing, there was a bad taste left in my mouth.

‘He doesn’t want to admit it.’

I had to think that my speculation was correct.

I, of course, didn’t think he was off guard or underestimated him. He wasn’t that kind of person.

“Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung knows better than anyone that his situation isn’t advantageous to him. I don’t know if he’s familiar with Castle Rock’s current situation, but the whole context explains it. Sending me that magical hologram would also be an act to hide his anxiety.”

“In that case, Lee Kiyoung, what he’s aiming for is probably…”

“The division of forces. Confusion on the command group. What he wants most is for us to take back the forces currently preparing to attack Castle Rock. He will be waiting for us to take action in any way.”

“But, General, it is not necessarily impossible for them to head to the capital of the Republic. Perhaps he’s drawing a picture of going to the Republic through Laios…”

“It must have been said with that in mind. This is a common technique. If he didn’t have a way to head to our capital, he wouldn’t have sent a video like that. It would be correct to think that he said it because it’s actually possible. I understand that this is a remark that was made with the Mercenary Queen staying at Laios in mind.”

“He cannot possibly abandon Castle Rock.”

“Yes?”

“He must have thought so. No, he will abandon Castle Rock and will eventually come this way.”

“General, that means…”

“… If it had been the previous me, I would have thought that it’s a simple, deceptive tactic and that his words aren’t worth listening to.”

“Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung will be heading to the capital. I’m sure of it.”

* * *

“Then…”

“You already know the answer, Yev Karina. Why do you keep asking? We are going to the capital. I will abandon Castle Rock.”

“Are you… Serious?”

“I don’t know… am I? Am I lying?”