Regressor Instruction Manual

Untitled Part 125

"How..."

'Can you be so sure?'

I had significant doubts about this, but I couldn't seem to voice them out.

"You are wondering how I can be so sure."

"I-I'm sorry, Jin Qing."

"The answer is very simple."

"And that is...?"

"I got a message. A very thankful message."

* * *

"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?"

I could see a teasing expression on his face. Until now, I have never thought of myself as hot-tempered.

I thought I was someone who could maintain my composure, but that was before I met Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung. There was something about him that could easily provoke my anger. Perhaps he was aware of that.

As I turned my head and looked elsewhere, I could see him pulling his face even more.

"Hmm. The answer hasn't actually been decided on yet, Karina."

"What?"

"To be precise, I couldn't find an answer until the video came out. It was literally just cheap psychological warfare, and I said that just in case. It is difficult to say that our current army is weak, but I want to conserve their power and win. Of course, we should avoid any meaningless casualties. Isn't everyone a worker who has stood up for us?"

"Are you saying that the video was just for that?"

"To be precise, yes. I wanted to see a reaction."

"That's..."

"I just wanted to see a reaction."

"That's a stupid idea. Acting after seeing the reaction..."

"I know. I know. It's stupid to move our troops after the Republic on the Castle Rock front moves first. It's not about moving small squadrons, but rather about moving large battalions of troops. It's silly to move two or three steps behind your opponent. That's not what I meant."

"Is there any chance that in the artifact...?"

"There is no such thing as a wiretapping device. The good relationship between the two of us would've been completely discarded from that point onwards. If I had been able to peek from one place to another in the first place, I wouldn't have gone through this hassle. Hmm. I would like very much to have such a device."

"If so..."

"I don't know if you're setting some expectations, but Yev Karina. What I want to try is not the reaction of the demon summoner. Yes. It was your reaction."

"..."

"Actually, it's hard for me to be sure. Smart people stay alert even if they are caught in a tiger's den, right?"

"..."

"I thought you would definitely try to send some message. And I was right. Now, let's watch the video. It would be better to replay the video you and I took. Finger. And your pupils."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your finger. And your pupils and your legs."

-33 years old... I'm Yev... Karina.