Chapter 55

The shadow warrior of Duke Ritrayu rushing in, saying, "Please protect me from my lord," is anything but normal.

Politically, it's a very welcome development, but as a strategist, I can't help but suspect a trap.

But Colonel Altsa is smiling.

"Unbelievable, isn't it? But there's a reason for this. Rikoshe, please explain."

"Yes, sir."

Rikoshe nodded sincerely and smiled at me. Even now, that smile is terrifying.

"I appeared in various settings as Duke Ritrayu's shadow warrior and proxy for her authority. She has a high pride, so she uses me when she has to apologize or make requests—basically, when she has to bow to someone."

Well, that's not a good quality for a ruler. Delegating such important matters can lead to being undermined at critical moments.

The colonel, as if reading my thoughts, is smiling wryly.

"I can see what you're thinking, but please hear her out."

"Understood."

Thinking about it, it's clear that she has been undermined. Her shadow warrior has defected.

Rikoshe continued.

"To act as Duke Ritrayu's shadow warrior and make apologies or requests, I had to know a lot of deep secrets. In such situations, I learned even more. Eventually, I became terrified of what I knew."

I see, a "shadow warrior who knows too much." In manga, they usually get eliminated at the end.

A shadow warrior can impersonate the real person and their existence is not public. The probability of being secretly eliminated is much higher.

As I listened with a slightly sympathetic heart, Rikoshe smiled wryly.

"I didn't expect such sympathy. May I continue?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Did I really look that sympathetic?

The colonel was also smiling wryly when I glanced at her.

"I find your empathy the most reassuring quality."

"I'm flattered."

Suddenly, Rikoshe and the colonel exchanged glances and smiled. They probably think I'm too trusting.

Rikoshe continued in a more relaxed tone.

"Duke Ritrayu despises and never trusts commoners. There were other shadow warriors besides me, but they were all executed."

Execution is not a peaceful matter. But why?

"When I became a shadow warrior, there were two others. One was attacked by an enemy and had his face cut, leaving a large scar. He was executed on the spot as he was no longer useful."

Once the face no longer matches Duke Ritrayu's, there's no point in keeping them alive. That's terrifying.

"The other shadow warrior, whom I knew, accidentally said, 'I can now fully replace my lord,' and was executed."

Indeed, Duke Ritrayu wouldn't tolerate such a statement. But why did he say something so reckless?

"The shadow warrior was highly loyal and was happy to serve Duke Ritrayu, but his heart didn't resonate with her. She was not a lord worthy of loyalty."

Duke Ritrayu is scary, but this person is also scary.

While there's no guarantee that Rikoshe's words are true, they provide insight into Duke Ritrayu's character. It's clear she doesn't have the qualities to lead, and the story is credible.

Rikoshe continued calmly.

"I thought that adding more shadow warriors would only increase the number of deaths. So, I worked hard to become the only shadow warrior and took great care to avoid execution, surviving until today."

If true, it's a dramatic life. Many have been victims of Duke Ritrayu's tyranny, but Rikoshe must be a high-ranking figure. I can only feel sympathy.

"On the other hand, I met Colonel Altsa multiple times as Duke Ritrayu's shadow warrior and gradually came to respect his character. In this regiment, commoner women are treated well, and I envied them."

Yeah, I can see why. This regiment isn't exactly a comfortable place, but it's much better than a life as a shadow warrior where a single slip of the tongue can lead to execution.

I felt I needed to say something and forced myself to speak.

"I understand, Rikoshe. The pain of swearing loyalty to a lord you can't trust or respect, I've experienced similar situations in the Fifth Division many times."

"Yes. I thought you wouldn't have the ability to judge people if you trusted someone like me. Such a person couldn't carry out grand schemes."

It's a sharp remark, but probably true.

Executing loyalists and employing those who have given up on their lord is a classic example of a tyrant.

But as a strategist, I still have many doubts. I need to carefully consider this.

Is it possible that Duke Ritrayu saw through the shadow warriors' true intentions and still used them? She might be so capable that she can use them even if they lack loyalty, as there's no one else to replace them.

However, if a shadow warrior starts leaking information to the enemy about "who they met and what they talked about," they can't be kept alive. There's even the possibility that the shadow warrior might try to assassinate the real person.

No, there's also the possibility that Rikoshe's defection itself is a ruse. It would be a powerful move to make us believe false information.

But even then, there are other close aides who could do the same without being shadow warriors. There are plenty of potential defectors in a ruler like Duke Ritrayu.

A shadow warrior is strongest when their existence is unknown, but this plan would reveal their existence to the enemy, regardless of success or failure. If it fails, it would be a significant loss.

From Duke Ritrayu's perspective, who sees people as pawns, this would be a "pawn loss." It doesn't seem like a person with such a ruthless strategy would come up with such a bold plan.

Hmm... Once I start doubting, it's hard to stop, but let's trust her for now.

Doubting and turning her away won't bring any benefits, and if she really needs help, I can't just leave her.

Thanks to my officer school training, I have a habit of overthinking.

Feeling tired from all the thinking, I took off my cap and smiled wryly.

"It's a convincing story. But as a strategist, I'm still confused."

The colonel laughed.

"That's what makes you interesting."

"Rikoshe's story sounds very true. It's only human to trust and help her. But war itself goes against human nature..."

I've caused many deaths on both sides in unnecessary wars. I can't preach about human nature now.

The colonel smiled at my words.

"I heard a bit of her story earlier. From what I know, the information Rikoshe provided was accurate. Her character seems trustworthy, and I think it's worth listening to her."

"If you think so, sir, I will assist you."

The commander makes the decisions. The strategist's job is to propose plans, and the commander makes all the final decisions.

The colonel nodded vigorously.

"Thank you. Of course, she doesn't have all the information. She can only report who she met and what they talked about."

Even that could be enough to corner Duke Ritrayu.

The betrayal of Duke Ritrayu's shadow warrior.

It's a powerful move that could secure victory in a strategic battle.

But it's also necessary to doubt all possibilities. Such a convenient situation is unlikely to happen.

However, doubting everything also means we can't bring the shadow warrior to our side. If we're half-trusting, Rikoshe might hesitate to defect.

Then I remembered the power of the "Scythe of the Reaper."

I strongly thought to myself:

(I will "fully trust" Rikoshe.)

If this leads to my downfall, the "Scythe of the Reaper" should react.

Fortunately, there was no reaction. It seems to be safe, at least for now.

The "Scythe of the Reaper" doesn't react to the deaths of others. It won't react even if the colonel or Hanna are killed, or if I'm imprisoned in the future.

I tried the opposite scenario.

(I will "not trust" Rikoshe at all.)

Again, the "Scythe of the Reaper" didn't react. It seems my life isn't solely determined by this, at least for now.

Feeling a bit disappointed, Rikoshe asked me with concern.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, just thinking."

"You are a strategist, after all."

Rikoshe smiled gently. She looks like Duke Ritrayu, but her demeanor and speech are filled with kindness. It would have been nice if the real Duke Ritrayu was like this.

Yeah, I can't just let her die. Even if it's a trap, I should do what's right as a human.

I turned to the colonel.

"Sir, we must protect Rikoshe at all costs. She is in the same situation as the women soldiers in our regiment."

The colonel looked pleased.

"See, Rikoshe, I said the exact same thing."

"Really?"

It seems there was some discussion before I arrived. They exchanged glances and smiled.

"I'm relieved to hear your words, Colonel. Please keep my identity a secret between you and Colonel Altsa."

"Understood. I promise not to tell anyone."

The colonel nodded.

"Considering Rikoshe's safety, it's best to keep it a secret. But if something happens, I might not be able to protect her alone, and we can't have too many people know either."

The colonel turned to me and ordered in a serious tone.

"From today, our regiment will protect Rikoshe. This has the same priority as protecting our regiment from Duke Ritrayu. This is a regimental order."

"Understood."

I saluted and smiled at Rikoshe.

"From today, I am on your side. If you feel in danger, come here immediately. We will do everything to protect you."

Rikoshe looked calm but blushed, seemingly relieved. She must have been happy to get this protection. I vowed to keep this promise.

"Thank you so much. I look forward to working with you for a long time."

Rikoshe bowed deeply to me.