SYNO Chapter 17

The official wasn’t sure if it was okay to treat Ssangryeong so roughly.

‘I heard we’re supposed to treat him well and ensure he returns to the Home Nation unharmed.’

They’d been repeatedly instructed not to mistreat him. That’s why they had been taking him on walks and paying attention to his condition.

If the ill-tempered Ssangryeong became uncooperative upon arrival in the Home Nation, the Dependent Nation government building might be reprimanded for failing to manage the prisoner properly.

The officials’ intense deliberation was cut short as the Commander’s gaze turned increasingly cold.

“W-We’ll take him to solitary confinement right away!”

The officials, startled, grabbed Ssangryeong’s arms and dragged him away.

Commander Pienne was a presidential candidate.

Someone far above their direct superiors.

A man known for his ruthlessness, said to have eliminated his formidable rivals in a bloodbath.

“This is annoying. If you’re going to drag me, at least hold on properly.”

Ssangryeong clicked his tongue, looking at the trembling officials.

So, the “every method at my disposal” started with solitary confinement.

‘What’s so great about that?’

As Ssangryeong stepped irritably over the metal entryway, he heard the man’s low voice from behind,

“Say you surrender.”

“…….”

“Then I’ll arrange a negotiation.”

Pienne kindly offered him a way to avoid the impending suffering.

Ssangryeong scoffed the moment he heard it.

“Bullshit.”

The moment he surrendered, he would be willingly handing over all the valuable information he’d gathered to Pienne.

He would never do anything so foolish.

Unaware of the extent of the suffering that awaited him, Ssangryeong boldly left the rooftop without looking back.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

The VIP reception room in the Dependent Nation government building.

A secure location, swept clean of listening devices.

“This won’t do, Brigadier General Lucas.”

Lucas and his officers sat around a circular table.

Lucas was sipping tea leisurely, but his officers were agitated, as if on edge.

“The day to choose the presidential candidates isn’t far off. At this rate, Commander Pienne will also be selected as one of the final three candidates… and if that happens, your position will be at risk, Brigadier General Lucas.”

“That’s right. Commander Pienne is a formidable opponent. His decision to take charge of the Dependent Nation was a strategic move. Reforming this place, which is practically a den of iniquity, is itself proof of Commander Pienne’s governing ability. He’s already begun establishing law and order in the Dependent Nation. And the progress is much faster than anticipated.”

“Not only that, but he also has custody of ‘Ssangryeong,’ the Class A wanted criminal. The Commander is practically a runaway train. Brigadier General Lucas, what are your thoughts? Is it wise to leave our rival unchecked?”

The officers all looked at Lucas.

They frowned as they watched Lucas calmly sipping his tea.

Even though Commander Pienne was rapidly gaining ground, Lucas seemed unconcerned. They knew this was his usual temperament, but in times like these, he needed to be more vigilant and proactive.

Power wasn’t something that was simply handed to you while you sat idly by.

‘Commander Pienne’s voice is getting louder and louder…’

The officers recalled the unpleasant conversation they’d had earlier.

‘Why don’t you try stepping outside this building? Without those ‘oppressive’ soldiers, of course. You’ll be stripped of everything, down to your organs, and left on the streets.’

‘If you don’t like my methods, go run to the Home Nation and beg them to dismiss me. I’d welcome it.’

“Are you so worried about the citizens?”

“Then shut up and do your jobs. Create proper laws. So that innocent people don’t suffer unjustly.”

The man’s deep voice seemed to resonate in their heads. Brigadier General Pienne was always like this. Although he should have been trying to win over the other officials to secure his place among the final three presidential candidates, he was always unyielding, speaking his mind regardless of the consequences.

Some people hated his unwavering principles, while others revered him.

Most of the former had sided with Lucas.

‘We can’t allow a lowly commoner become President.’

Their goal was to crush the detestable Pienne and ensure Lucas’ selection as a final candidate.

That’s why they had volunteered to be stationed in this chaotic Dependent Nation, to keep a close eye on Commander Pienne.

However, the more they watched, the more outstanding the Commander’s achievements became, and they couldn’t help but feel increasingly anxious.

As the officers’ concerns grew, Lucas lowered his teacup. He placed it down slowly and raised his eyes.

“Don’t worry about Ssangryeong. I have a plan.”

“But that man…!”

“I don’t understand what you’re so worried about. Commander Pienne’s achievements as the ruler of the Dependent Nation are certainly a disadvantage to me. However, the more he focuses on the Dependent Nation, the more he neglects the Home Nation. I’m staying in the Home Nation, gaining the support of the officials there. Don’t you know that I have far more followers than Commander Pienne?”

“…That’s true. But, Brigadier General, there are many factors that determine the presidential candidates. Achieving tangible results is essential to proving one’s qualifications…”

“Are you implying that I lack qualifications?”

His voice, suddenly low and dangerous, echoed through the reception room. The officer who had offered the advice swallowed dryly.

“T-That’s not what I meant. I was just concerned about you, Brigadier General…”

Seeing the slight easing of the tension in Lucas’ expression, he offered a placating smile.

“Thank you for your concern. It’s thanks to you that I’ve come this far. Your presence and support are a testament to my achievements. Your discerning eyes, honed by years of experience in the upper echelons of the Home Nation, won’t fail me.”

The meetings had often ended inconclusively like this many times before. Ultimately, Lucas would act according to his own will, disregarding the opinions of his supporters.

‘Is he going to dismiss us with vague reassurances again?’

Some of the more vocal officers narrowed their eyes.

“We understand your intentions, Brigadier General, but now is the time for action. It’s more important to intervene and manipulate the current situation to our advantage, rather than to passively observe it.”

“That’s right. We need to pose a significant threat to Commander Pienne.”

Lucas, who had been listening to his officers, raised an eyebrow.

“A significant threat, you say. Do you have any viable plans?”

He was asking if they were just talking without any concrete ideas.

If they answered that they needed to think about it, he would likely say, “Then propose your plans at the next meeting.”

Anticipating this, one of the officers spoke up as if he had been waiting for the opportunity.

“In two days, Commander Pienne will be leaving for the Home Nation for on official business. His aides will also be accompanying him.”

“And?”

“We’ll strike then. You’re aware that we’ve been tracking the location of Commander Pienne’s ‘Name Object’ for a long time, right?”

“Did you find its exact location?”

“Not yet. We’ve secretly searched all the possible locations, but we haven’t found the Commander’s object. However, there’s one promising place left.”

“Where?”

“A secret place where the Commander allows no one to enter. His bedroom.”

Lucas, who had been pretending to listen intently, chuckled dryly.

“So… on the day the Commander leaves the Dependent Nation, we search his bedroom and find his Name Object, which contains his weakness?”

Summarizing the conversation, Lucas frowned as if questioning the seriousness of the proposal.

“Do you think the Commander is that careless?”

“If we find his Name Object, many of our problems will be solved, Brigadier General.”

“Who doesn’t know that?”

Lucas scoffed and muttered under his breath,

“Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that he hid his Object in his bedroom. Do you think he would leave it unguarded? The Commander I know would have set multiple traps. Imagine if one of our men were caught searching his bedroom. That would be a disgrace, a mark of shame. And the Commander, who values morality and lawfulness, would surely use it against us. Do you understand?”

Just as Lucas was about to dismiss their proposal as unworthy of discussion, the officer said meaningfully,

“What if it wasn’t one of our men, but a thief who broke into his bedroom to steal?”

“…….”

“And he happens to be right here in this very government building. The most notorious Name thief in the world.”

Lucas’ expression hardened at the sinister suggestion.

He immediately understood that the officer was planning to use Ssangryeong as a tool.

“We’ll erase any connection to us and simply provide him with the opportunity to steal. If Ssangryeong successfully steals the Object, all is well, and if he falls into the Commander’s trap, it’s none of our business.”

It was at that moment that Lucas’ frown deepened considerably.