SYNO Chapter 36

“There’s an agreement in place. I’m just upholding it.”

“What kind of agreement warrants this?”

Erasing the officials’ memories… it was as if he was trying to completely erase Ssangryeong’s existence.

Erase.

Erase…

“Don’t tell me, Commander…”

As Frederick wore a frightened expression, Pienne finally answered.

“That’s right. Whatever you’re thinking.”

“…What?”

“I’m going to make Ssangryeong a dead man.”

“B-But how? What about Brigadier General Lucas, who is currently detained in the building? If we don’t prove the connection between him and Ssangryeong, we won’t be able to justify his detainment. There will be a huge backlash from the Home Nation…!”

Frederick, fervently protesting, was cut short. The Commander held out a small recording device to his ear, and a voice began to play.

—Are you talking about that Lucas bastard? Don’t even mention his name; it’s annoying. That backstabbing, traitorous piece of trash.

―Just thinking about how much I suffered because of him…! How do I know him? We were very close. He even came all the way to the Dependent Nation because I was captured, didn’t he? Can’t you tell just by looking? Use a lie detector. Lucas will admit it, too.

The sarcastic tone and voice were undeniably Ssangryeong’s.

Frederick’s eyes flickered nervously.

“When did you record this?”

“Today.”

“Today? Did Ssangryeong cooperate willingly?”

“Well, barely.”

Frederick swallowed hard. The fact that Ssangryeong had cooperated suggested it was due to the contract they had made.

More than that, he was simply astonished that Ssangryeong and Lucas actually had some sort of connection.

‘Brigadier General Lucas… A snake in the grass.’

This recording would certainly legitimize their detention of Lucas.

However, Frederick had a question.

“But you said you’re going to make Ssangryeong a dead man. How are you going to use this recording in that case? A dead man can’t talk. Besides, how do you plan to prove that this is Ssangryeong’s voice?”

“I’ll falsify the recording date. To before Ssangryeong escaped from the building.”

“Then the voice…?”

“We’ll have to alter it. Lower it than Ssangryeong’s original voice.”

“So, you’re going to fabricate everything. Then how will you prove this is Ssangryeong’s voice?”

“We’re erasing the memories of all the other officials, and the only remaining witnesses are just the three of us; you, me, and Dr. Sirius Whistler.”

“Isn’t that too biased? The Home Nation won’t accept it.”

“Then tell them to bring evidence to refute it. No one in the Home Nation knows Ssangryeong’s voice or appearance. The only one who does is Brigadier General Lucas. Do you think he’ll testify? That the voice in the recording is fabricated? That Ssangryeong’s real voice is higher?”

He had a point… If Brigadier General Lucas claimed that, he would be admitting his connection with Ssangryeong.

Even if it was a fabricated recording, Lucas’ side couldn’t simply deny it outright.

Especially since Ssangryeong would already be officially dead.

“Haa, hmm.”

Frederick scratched his cheek awkwardly. He wasn’t sure if it would work, but it seemed plausible enough to cover up the incident.

They already had some evidence that Brigadier General Lucas had been extending his influence into the Dependent Nation. Having multiple cards in their hand allowed them to make crucial decisions swiftly.

Brigadier General Lucas was already target of exclusion as Commander Pienne’s rival, but in fact, his family itself was known for its shady dealings, so they always had to keep a close watch on him.

It was Ssangryeong who had deduced this through a series of connections and inferences.

‘The main reason for capturing Ssangryeong in the first place was to uncover his relationship with Lucas. We wouldn’t have approached him so rashly without this kind of evidence.’

Therefore, Ssangryeong’s existence was a delicate matter to handle. He was connected to the heir of the Epilox family, after all.

It was incredibly fortunate that Lucas and his party, from their helicopter, had witnessed Ssangryeong jumping into the Deruns River. Since they had also conducted a large-scale search afterward, people would readily believe that Ssangryeong was presumed dead after his disappearance.

“Well… even though it’ll be complicated, I’ll make it work.”

Frederick was capable of smoothly handling any task thrown his way. At his words, Pienne smiled faintly.

“You’ll do well, as always.”

“Haa… There have been quite a few plans I haven’t been aware of recently. Please spare me some time, Commander. I need to know what’s going on to keep up. I’ve been so surprised lately that my heart can’t take it anymore.”

“You’re the one who needs to make time. You seem busy.”

“Yes, all thanks to you, Commander.”

Frederick’s lips twitched into a forced smile.

“What are you planning to do with Ssangryeong from now on? Officially, he’s dead. And hardly anyone knows his real face. Are you going to completely erase his identity and make him an ordinary citizen? But his existence is too dangerous for that.”

“No.”

“Then?”

Pienne answered in a casual tone.

“I’m going to make him my secretary.”

“…Your what?”

“Secretary.”

“…”

Frederick’s lips parted slightly.

Not erase his identity and make him an ordinary citizen, but make him his secretary?

Countless error messages flashed across Frederick’s mind. No matter how many simulations he ran, it seemed impossible.

Had the Commander truly gone mad?

Making that rogue a government official?

Even though he knew Pienne must have a plan, he wanted to throw himself at the Commander and stop him from making this decision. It was clear that this would end in a disaster.

“Educate him. He’s incredibly uneducated.”

Pienne’s eyes crinkled at the corners.

Looking at the Commander’s handsome face, Frederick despaired.

“Am I…supposed to be the one to educate him?”

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

Confined in the government building, Lucas spent his time in a daze, consumed by anxiety.

The helicopter heading to the Home Nation had crashed. He had barely managed to escape with his life, but Pienne, who had so readily shot down his helicopter, the heir of the Epilox family, was truly insane.

It wasn’t entirely surprising, as Pienne was known for resorting to extreme measures in dire situations. It was just baffling.

No one in the Home Nation underestimated the Epilox family. Pienne would have a lot of explaining to do to resolve this issue.

However, this wasn’t what was making Lucas dazed.

“Has Ssangryeong been found?”

Whenever someone came to attend to him, the first question Lucas asked was about Ssangryeong’s survival.

“He hasn’t been found yet. Commander Pienne is conducting a large-scale search.”

Lucas had seen with his own eyes how Ssangryeong jump into the Deruns River. Worried that Ssangryeong might die from the gunshot wounds, he had secretly given him a specially formulated drug, but he hadn’t anticipated him drowning.

Only someone determined to die would jump into that violent river.

He hadn’t even considered it as a possibility. It was an outcome beyond his comprehension.

Furthermore, Commander Pienne had fired several shots at Ssangryeong after he fell into the water. Everyone knew Pienne was an excellent marksman, and Lucas had clearly heard Ssangryeong’s cry of pain after being shot.

‘So…Ssangryeong is dead?’

Whenever this thought crossed his mind, his vision blurred.

His heart felt constricted, as if shrinking to the size of a bean, and that pale, innocent face wouldn’t leave his mind.

Realistically, Ssangryeong’s death at this juncture would be beneficial. He had already gained a considerable amount from Ssangryeong. If he died while Pienne’s net was closing in, it meant one less uncooperative witness, which was ultimately a good thing.

A good thing.

It definitely should be a good thing.

“Damn it…”

Lucas rubbed his face with his hands, his expression grim.

He had known Ssangryeong for years.

Since Ssangryeong had the tendency to disappear into thin air if he wasn’t closely watched, Lucas had tirelessly tracked and monitored his movements for all those years, maintaining their connection.

He had often looked forward to their brief encounters. He enjoyed the defiant attitude of the reckless man and appreciated his competence in procuring the results he desperately needed.

And now, that Ssangryeong might be gone from this world.

‘Ssangryeong… is dead?’

More than his anger towards Pienne, this single fact crushed Lucas’ spirit like dough.

It felt like his most prized jewel, which he had carefully cherished, had been shattered by his family’s enemy.

He’d never seen a more beautiful or precious jewel, and unfortunately, it had caught the eye of others as well.

Lost in thought, he heard a knock on the firmly closed door.

His aide entered, opening the door familiarly.

“Brigadier General, it’s time to prepare. The investigation here in the Dependent Nation is concluded, and Commander Pienne has no longer has any grounds to detain you. Let’s return to the Home Nation.”

The aide, having delivered his message with his head bowed, glanced around the room, his eyes slowly scanning the floor. From broken glass bottles to various other damaged items, the room was a mess.

‘What a disaster.’

He wished Lucas would exercise some restraint, especially in such a serious situation, but it was pointless to expect that from Brigadier General Lucas.

He was a man who had lived his entire life getting whatever he wanted, without restraint.

If he desired something, he took it. If he wanted to do something, he did it.

It was deeply regrettable that the only person who could control Brigadier General Lucas was that notorious information thief.

And as someone tasked with delivering the news of Ssangryeong’s death, the aide felt a profound sense of despair.

Lucas, addressing his aided, who was opening and closing his mouth hesitantly, spoke in a dry voice,

“Ssangryeong?”

“…He’s dead. I just received the official search results. There were no particular issues with the paperwork.”

“Are you certain he’s really dead?”

“The paperwork confirms it. It appears the Dependent Nation government continued the search until dawn today.”