Chapter 48

48. Ant Nest (8)

"Did you receive the family's secret techniques?"

"Hehe, not officially, but something similar."

It's not a complete lie. It's a technique I imitated using [Divine Imitation].

In a way, it could be considered as being passed down.

At that, Caron sneered.

"Something similar... That's quite an ambiguous answer."

"Hehe, I'm just telling the truth. I'm not someone who has been officially recognized, after all."

This is not a lie either.

Not being officially recognized is a fact.

"Unofficially recognized... Explain in detail."

"Hehe, it's not just about the meaning of existence... What I pursued and what the Lester family pursued were different."

In fact, there isn't much information about the Lester family in the game.

But it was portrayed as a family that valued pride and had a high sense of honor.

'They were wiped out for being labeled as traitors due to a ridiculous incident.'

And Caron probably knows this better than I do.

Well, what's important now isn't that incident.

What matters is that the Lester family was a noble and proud family.

That's the most important thing.

"Meaning of existence... What do you mean by that?"

"The Lester family's spy. I wanted that position. No, I wanted it, that's more accurate. The family no longer exists, after all."

"..."

It's not a lie.

'Was it around the third year of the game? I dreamed of being a spy for the Lester family.'

When I was young.

I let my imagination run wild.

If I had been part of the Lester family back then, I wouldn't have gone through those experiences.

So, what I said wasn't entirely a lie.

"...You dreamed of an impossible position."

The position of a spy.

A position that requires one to do dirty work without hesitation.

A position that couldn't exist in the proud Lester family.

"Hehe, you're right. Isn't it too much? Even when I was willing to do dirty work, they wouldn't accept me."

"...Why did you volunteer for that position?"

"I wanted to repay a debt."

"Repay a debt?"

"You would know. The orphanage secretly run by the Lester family."

"..."

One of the pieces of information from the game.

The Lester family wanted to do good deeds in secret, and one of them was the orphanage in each territory.

They even operated them in other families' territories.

"On the brink of starvation, I received a large piece of bread. That day, I made a decision. I would spend the rest of my life serving the Lester family."

"..."

There isn't much information about the character Caron.

But the bread directly given by the emperor.

It was one of the few pieces of information about Caron, a reason why he decided to become the emperor's spy.

'It stimulates the imagination.'

His memories resurfaced, making him feel pity for me.

To feel a sense of empathy and see himself in me.

"I stole food from the orphanage and headed to the Lester family. It took me half a year, and I bowed my head for half a year, asking to be accepted."

It's not a complete lie.

I actually grew up in an orphanage.

It's useful here. Indeed, the longer you live, the more you see.

"..."

Caron didn't say anything.

Is he unable to distinguish the 30% truth mixed in the lies?

Is he listening with interest because it's about the Lester family?

Or is he seeing his past self in me?

I don't know which, but it's the perfect situation for an experiment.

- An experiment about [Mental Defense].

"And finally, I met Lady Renia, the head of the family. I insisted on being accepted and got the opportunity to repay my debt."

"You were accepted?"

"Hehe, yes. Do you believe me now?"

This time, the sentences are 100% lies.

It's fine if I get caught. Even if my lie is exposed, I won't be killed immediately.

What's important now is verifying [Mental Defense].

Only then can I decide the direction of my next move.

"No, not at all. On the contrary, it's clear that you're lying."

Indeed, [Mental Defense] can't control heart rate, can it?

I was about to adjust my strategy.

"The Lester family is strict. Not just in words and behavior, but in swordsmanship as well. They wouldn't pass down their techniques to someone who dreams of being a dirty spy."

I noticed something strange in Caron's words.

He pointed out the pride of the Lester family.

He didn't point out my lies. So,

'It worked. A 100% pure lie.'

Of course, I couldn't be sure with just one try.

'It could be an act of pretending to be fooled.'

To make me tell more lies and confirm that I have no connection to the Lester family.

Caron is not an easy opponent.

But it's clear that I have the upper hand.

"Hehe, that's disappointing. To dismiss the truth as a lie."

"No, it's definitely a lie. A proud family like the Lester family..."

A good opportunity presented itself.

Caron's vocabulary, the speed of his speech, our conversation.

Finally, the timing.

"There's no reason to raise someone like you."

"There's no reason to raise someone like me, right?"

The same sentence, word for word, came out of both our mouths simultaneously.

Caron's eyes widened.

They quickly returned to normal, but it was too late.

I had seen everything.

I quickly spoke up.

"You're right. The Lester family wouldn't accept someone like me. Partly because I'm a child, and partly because I asked to do dirty work. Lady Renia wouldn't allow it."

"Then what?"

"I made a deal with Lady Renia."

"...A deal?"

"Give and take. I paid a price and received instruction."

"You paid a price? That's a joke. What could a kid like you pay?"

Fifteen. I'm still young.

Back then, I was even younger, and there's no way such a kid could pay a price to the Lester family, one of the pillars of the empire.

Caron pointed this out.

Well, thinking about it, that's true.

'I was going to say I gave some insignificant information and received instruction out of pity...'

But from Caron's reaction, it seems the pride of the Lester family is much higher than I thought.

Such a ridiculous excuse wouldn't work.

It's too much to fabricate. So,

I'll go with a bold approach.

"Hehe, isn't figuring that out part of your job?"

"..."

"Cough!"

Caron's hand moved like lightning, grabbing my throat.

Hanging in the air, my neck was twisted, and I naturally felt choked.

"You're telling a ridiculous joke. Do you want to die?"

I tried to answer but couldn't.

Because of the intense pain.

The problem was not just that.

'This damn [Mental Defense] skill...'

My mind was clear.

Even as my vision blurred, I could feel the pain vividly.

When you can't breathe, dopamine and endorphins are released, making the pain less intense...

But there was none of that, only pain.

'Is this a bad ending...'

The emotion I felt just before death was regret.

Regret for not clearing the game in 18 years, and for not saving the children in the game world.

'I wanted to save the kids...'

Rodelin, Luna, Raymond, and the others I haven't met yet.

I wanted to help them overcome their pain and live happy lives.

It would be tough, but I wanted to guide them as much as I could.

But it seems I wasn't destined to be a hero like Luther and the parrot.

'...Damn.'

Just as I spat out my last curse at Caron,

A solid stone floor suddenly hit me.

At the same time, I could breathe again.

Then I realized. The floor didn't hit me.

I fell to the ground.

"Huff... Huff..."

I met Caron's gaze, looking down at me.

He spared my life. In other words,

I survived.

Caron couldn't find a rational reason to kill me.

"Never tell such a ridiculous joke again. Next time, I'll really break your neck."

A chilling warning.

But I was certain.

Caron didn't choke me because of the joke.

'It was just an action to gain the upper hand in an unfavorable situation. In other words,'

Caron proved that I was doing well.

It's like a gamer saying, 'Ah, this guy is playing the game like a pro!'

The highest praise.

"Why are you protecting Luna?"

Caron's question continued.

He probably aimed to take advantage of my disorganized state, but it didn't work on me.

I answered, spreading my fingers one by one.

"First, she's the only survivor of the Lester family. Second, the family's sword techniques must be passed down. Third, it's part of my deal with Lady Renia. And the most important fourth..."

I spread the fourth finger and said cheerfully,

"Luna is cute."

Caron's eyes turned cold.

* * *

About a minute later.

"Tsk."

Caron clicked his tongue.

An attitude indicating that the current situation didn't please him.

It was understandable.

Being threatened and still making jokes.

'Well, Luna being cute isn't a joke, it's a fact.'

But the situation wasn't right for that.

Given Caron's reaction, I had said enough.

"..."

Caron didn't speak.

It means he judged my previous words as true, not just jokes.

This confirmed it. The [Mental Defense] skill.

'Can control heart rate.'

What a scam skill!

Of course, it's a good scam.

Except for the vivid pain it causes even when you're about to die.

"Arrogant brat. You have many and varied reasons."

"Hehe, my whims are mixed in a bit. The content of my deal with Lady Renia is a bit broad... so I'm tied to it."

"What exactly is the content of the deal?"

Well, that's...

"Hehe, it's a secret."

"..."

There was no such deal.

But Caron, who didn't know this, seemed angry.

"I don't know the content, but the Lester family no longer exists. There's no reason to keep the promise."

"Is it wrong to keep one's word? Although my background is humble, I have pride."

I received instruction from the Lester family, even if not officially recognized.

Caron probably heard it that way.

'What? Why is he suddenly like that?'

An unknown expression appeared on Caron's face.

Sadness, regret, envy, jealousy, and admiration?

Of course, I couldn't be sure.

'What kind of relationship did he have with the Lester family?'

I considered delving deeper but changed my mind.

Caron's information wouldn't be revealed all at once.

The first battle of the Ant Nest.

It's the very beginning of the game.

Hidden information wouldn't be revealed so easily.

'I'll take my time and slowly work on it. Caron... a very tasty (?) piece has emerged.'

Uncovering a character's hidden backstory.

That's one of the charms of the game.

To do that, building trust with Caron is important.