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Chapter 51: ChapterĀ 51

Chapter 51: ChapterĀ 51
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ChapterĀ 51

From such a trifling matter, Cody had just realized he was gettingĀ old, but he didnā€™t have the time to dwell on it.

After seeing Erica off, heĀ immediately started making his moves.

What came first was contacting the commanding officerĀ of the expeditionary units, Finnegan. Unfortunately, he wasnā€™t wellĀ acquainted with theĀ man whoĀ once was his company commander.

Therefore, CodyĀ shifted through his relationships looking for a common friend between the commanding officer and himself, which made him thinkĀ of Walsh, an acquaintance of Finnegan who held a position of equal standing as that of a company commander. HeĀ decided to ask for his help.

He didnā€™t make any grand request of him. WalshĀ was just asked to invite Finnegan to go to Codyā€™sĀ usualĀ bar on that evening.

Although Walsh had some doubts and specified that Cody would have to pay the whole bill as a condition, he accepted without prying too deeply. Perhaps heĀ trusted Codyā€™s character.

In the mean time, Cody, who hadĀ cut a deal, immediatelyĀ readied himself to make his next move before the appointed time, butĀ he was called to a halt.

怐ā€C, captainĀ Codyā€¦.ā€ć€‘

The three who stopped himĀ were Robinson, Sid and Ellen.Ā They were wearing thoughtful expressions, unfit of their usually lively selves.

He had roughlyĀ guessed their purpose, but he stillĀ took it upon himselfĀ to ask.

怐ā€Hmm? What do you want?ā€ć€‘

怐ā€ā€¦is it true that Harold is going to be executed?ā€ć€‘

Said Sid nervously. And Cody confirmed his worries.

怐ā€It seems like it.ā€ć€‘

怐ā€ā€¦..ā€“!ā€ć€‘

The three gasped together.

It might have been for a short time but they had belonged to the same unit, thereforeĀ they were likely to have some thoughts on the situation. If it was only about Harold getting executed, they would probably haveĀ voicedĀ their opposition loud and clear.

However, they had seenĀ him. They had seen him turn the major-general into a slab of meatĀ while his own body was covered in wounds, and they had seen the cold-blooded eyes that he would turn at his enemies.

A pair of eyesĀ filled with pure killing intent the likes of which even Cody had hardly ever seen. Being affected by that, and memorizing the fear it had brought was unavoidable.

Especially for Robinson and the otherĀ two, who didnā€™t have much experience in actual combat.

怐ā€ā€¦Ā I donā€™t want Harold to die. But I just canā€™t forget the scene from that dayā€¦ā€ć€‘

怐ā€The one we sawĀ at that time was not the Harold that we knowā€¦.ā€ć€‘

怐ā€Tell us Captain, which one is the true Harold?ā€ć€‘

The three didnā€™t know how to faceĀ him.

The usual Harold, and the Harold from the Vertice forest. Having faced the two versions, they couldnā€™t be blamed for being confused.

怐ā€What? How would I know?ā€ć€‘

However,Ā that was Codyā€™sĀ reply.

His answer was so casual that it threw off the three, leaving themĀ with their eyes wide open, unable to add anotherĀ word.

Cody continued his words to instruct them.

怐ā€As if you couldĀ guess what Harold is like after knowing him for no more than a few months. Thatā€™sĀ quite superficial of you, isnā€™t it?ā€ć€‘

Perhaps his claimĀ was too blunt and perfunctory.

But his eyes were serious.

怐ā€So, you can only judge him based on what youā€™ve personally felt and seen. If I told you to give up on Haroldā€™s life, would youĀ consent to the execution? And wouldĀ you stay true to that choice to the very end even whenĀ youā€™re asked for help as sparks of fire fall on his body?ā€ć€‘

WhetherĀ they resign to the judgement or they oppose it, if they make that choice under the influence of other peopleā€™s words, there will be a time when theyā€™ll regret it.

Robinson and the others are knights, before all else. They need to carry out their own justice.

怐ā€So, what will you do?Ā And remember, the criteria here is whether having faith in Harold will allow you to have faith in yourselves or not, alright?ā€ć€‘

While the three found themselves unable to say anything, Cody saw his chance to take his leave.

There were no lies in the words he had just offered them. Sparing the ones who were not resolute enough from getting involved was his own peculiar way of being considerate.

Whether or not that was carried across to them howeverĀ was not certain.

Well, itā€™s probably fine, Cody told himself as he switched his mood. Sometimes you just have to get involved.

Having parted ways with Robinson and the others, Cody headed to his usual bar where Walsh and Finnegan were supposed to visit. He asked the shopkeeper there if he didnā€™t mind cooperating with something.

It wasnā€™t anything especially difficult. He just wanted an opportunity to spill a drug in a drink of his own choice. Of course, he wasnā€™t going to make someone drink poison or someĀ other dangerous thing.

It was a medicine that hadĀ some slight traits of a truth serum, with no negative effects on the body. By nature its effects are weak, but itā€™s intended for making someone spill information after getting them drunk.

However, although the one asking was his good friend Cody, the storekeeper did not bend easily, whichĀ was a matter of courseĀ since theĀ requestā€™s contents were utterly suspicious.Ā Cody told him it was for a top secret internal investigation that had to been done through forcible means.

In the end, the shopkeeper was coaxed by Codyā€™s eloquence.

Afterwards, putting on a show of patrolling the town, he paid visits to people who were well informedĀ about the local rumors and people who had intelligence networks in the kingā€™s capital.Ā He asked them about any substantialĀ information they might have had, like if anything unusual had happened in the surroundings of those who had participated in determining Haroldā€™s punishment.

Meanwhile,Ā the sun had made wayĀ for the moon.

Cody temporarily returnedĀ to the troopsā€™ barracks. He threw awayĀ his inconspicuous armor, switching it with plain garments more fit of the streets, andĀ he headed to the bar once again. He sat down onĀ a suitable seat and awaited the arrivalĀ of Walsh and his friend.

After that, within less than 30 minutes, Codyā€™sĀ expected visitors showed up. Their eyes only met for a moment but it was enough for Walsh to make an overall guess as he lead Finnegan to sit back to back with Cody.

That way, he was able hear their conversation.

Well, though he strained his ears to listen, at first they justĀ kept on rambling.

Itā€™s been a while since we he last had a drink together.Ā The wifeĀ wonā€™t stop nagging me lately. Donā€™t you have children yet? You should hurry and get married already. And so on.

However, the calm atmosphere was inversely proportional toĀ Finneganā€™s drinking pace. Perhaps heĀ had some pent-up anger to release.

An hour after they started drinking, Finneganā€™s articulation started turning clumsy.

Seeing his chance to act, Cody parted from his seat andĀ invited Walsh to follow him to the counter with a hand sign. There,Ā he whispered to himĀ while including the shopkeeper to the conversation.

怐ā€Alright, he should be drunk enough, letā€™s start the plan.ā€ć€‘

怐ā€Hold on. What plan?ā€ć€‘

Walsh,Ā who was only told to invite Finnegan there for a drink, promptly interjected. He was seriously lacking explanations.

怐ā€Well, itā€™s nothing difficult. I just want you to ask him a questionĀ ā€•ā€• and make him drink thisā€ć€‘

Cody unwrapped a paper he took from his breast pocket and stealthily dropped some white powder inside an ale that the shopkeeper had put on the counter.

TheĀ powder melted without a sound.

Walsh seemed to understandĀ what it was.

怐ā€Hey wait, thatā€™sā€¦.ā€ć€‘(Walsh)

怐ā€Could you keep that to yourself andĀ have him drink this? Oh, also, Ā please clear out the roomā€ć€‘(Cody)

怐ā€Good griefā€ć€‘(shopkeeper)

While sighing, the shopkeeper left the counter and went from seatĀ to seatĀ to inform the clients that he was closing up shop early.

Though it was going to affect the sales, he wouldĀ make up for it later with the help of his colleagues and subordinates.

怐ā€So, what is it you want to know?ā€ć€‘

怐ā€There is that oneĀ subordinate of mineĀ whoĀ is likely going to have his head sliced off because of an inexplicable judgement. I want toĀ learnĀ the truth of the matter from the people who were involved in theĀ deliberations.ā€ć€‘

怐ā€Even if you do that, you canā€™t overrule the decision of the council.ā€ć€‘

怐ā€Iā€™m well aware of that. Itā€™s just some uselessĀ resistance on my part.ā€ć€‘

If this didnā€™t go well, he would have to seriously consider joining Erica, as she had half-jokingly suggestedĀ to him.

He wanted to help Harold, no matter what it entailed, Codyā€™s intentions were thatĀ genuine. Having felt that, Walsh didĀ not attemptĀ to stop him.

怐ā€But you couldĀ end up inĀ some serious trouble, too. If youĀ overlook this situation, you might get caught, you know? Donā€™t you mind that?ā€ć€‘(Cody)

怐ā€Hahā€¦ā€¦ shut the hell up and mind your own business, will you? Ā I just have to ask him about that deliberation, is that it?ā€ć€‘

怐ā€Oh man, a friend in need is a friend indeed, am I right?ā€ć€‘

怐ā€MaybeĀ I should go home after allā€ć€‘

怐ā€Wait,Ā I was just kidding!ā€ć€‘

For Cody,Ā gettingĀ Walshā€™s cooperation was the ideal scenario.

And so, CodyĀ told Walsh whichĀ questions he wanted him to ask.

WhileĀ they held that conversation,Ā Cody and the others soon became the only four people left in the shop. But in his drunkenness, Finnegan did not seem to be aware of his surroundings as he inclined his glass little by little.

The preparations for the interrogationĀ were complete.

Walsh, who had received the ale mixed with the medicine, placedĀ it in front of Finnegan.

怐ā€There you goā€ć€‘

怐ā€ā€¦Thank youā€ć€‘

Finnegan sluggishly turned his eyes to the drink and tastedĀ it without an ounce of suspicion. He drankĀ a third in a single gulp.

Then, after waiting long enough for the medicine to start taking effect, Walsh asked him.

怐ā€That thing the other day was really terrible.ā€ć€‘

怐ā€ā€¦..terrible?ā€ć€‘

怐ā€You were commander of theĀ expedition, right?Ā Who could have seen that comingā€ć€‘

怐ā€That thingā€¦.ā€ć€‘

He muttered, feeling terribly dispirited. He did not want to recall the events of the Vertice forest which had brought so many casualties.

But even thoughĀ FinneganĀ was slow of speech, Walsh had to strike while the iron was hotĀ as the liquor and medicine were taking effect. It was too good of an opportunity to pass on.

怐ā€It seems like one of those recruits is going to receive theĀ capital punishment for treason, but, what did the guyĀ do?ā€ć€‘(Walsh)

怐ā€I havenā€™t actually seen it, but in the report itā€™s said that he ignoredĀ his superiorā€™s orders and escaped in front of the enemy. Heā€™s also suspected of being a spy for wearing a military uniform from the empire.ā€ć€‘(Walsh)

怐ā€Hmm. Well, disobeying the superiorā€™s orders and running from the enemy is not unusual for new recruits, so it must be the spy charges.Ā Iā€™m pretty sure thatā€™s what lead to the decision of giving him the capital punishmentā€ć€‘(Walsh)

怐ā€Noā€¦..ā€ć€‘(Finnegan)

WhileĀ Finnegan was completely lost about what to answer, his eyes gradually turned blankĀ under the effect of the medicine.

怐ā€No we didnā€™t decideĀ thatā€¦ ButĀ that person said Harold was dangerous. Therefore, so that he wouldnā€™t kill my wife, for Cynthiaā€™s lifeā€¦.ā€ć€‘

It wasnā€™t just the alcoholĀ speaking.

Finneganā€™s tone became uncertain.

怐ā€Who said it? Dangerous in what way? That has nothing to do with you wife, right?ā€ć€‘(Walsh)

怐ā€ā€¦ah yes, itā€™s not related to herā€¦ ButĀ still, itā€™s no good. Harold being alive is no good. I could have opposed the judgement, but my child will soon be bornā€¦.. So, I had toā€¦.ā€ć€‘

Finneganā€™s state rapidly turnedĀ odd. His words were incoherent, and his atmosphere was strangeĀ overall.

Had the medicine worked tooĀ well? As WalshĀ wondered that, Finnegan suddenly stood up. The chair he was sitting on fell backwards from the powerĀ of his brusque move.

And thenā€•ā€•

怐ā€ā€¦..ah, aaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAH! AAAAAH!ā€ć€‘

Bizarre. As he let out a voice that could only be described as such, Finnegan started running. He ran upĀ toĀ one of the shopā€™s supporting pillars,Ā grabbed the massive log with both of his hands and began striking his head on it.

As he raised his strange voiceĀ as loud as he could, heĀ kept striking again and again until blood started streamingĀ down from his forehead.

Thereupon, CodyĀ and Walsh finally came back to their senses and wentĀ to stopĀ the sudden act of violence.

怐ā€Hey waitā€¦!ā€ć€‘

怐ā€What are you doing?!ā€ć€‘

The duo pulled him from both sides to stop him from inuring himself. Even so, Finnegan was violently swinging his head left and right as he continued letting out that bizarre voice.

Despite being restrained by two strong men like Cody and Walsh, he kept resisting for more than five minutes.

However, that resistanceĀ suddenly ended. And Finnegan abruptlyĀ lost consciousness.

Cody put the exhausted body face up and hurriedly checked his pulse and breathing.

怐ā€ā€¦Heā€™s aliveā€ć€‘

The three let out deep sighs of relief.

For the time being, they had to treat his wounds,Ā so Cody instructed the shopkeeper to fetch some clothsĀ and bandages in the shop. Nobody there could use healing magic.

In any case, he wouldnā€™t be able to hear him out today. Though hisĀ injury itself seemed pretty light, they didnā€™t know about the insides of his head, so he had to be hospitalized for several days.

The shopkeeperĀ had gone out, and for a short while, no sound could be heard in the room.Ā As if heĀ couldnā€™t bear thisĀ anymore,Ā Walsh broke the silence.

怐ā€What just happened?ā€ć€‘

怐ā€ā€¦ā€¦ IĀ donā€™t know. All I can tell is thatĀ it canā€™t really be justifiedĀ by the medicineā€™s effects.ā€ć€‘

There was no illusion or confusion factor in the medicine he made Finnegan drink. And drinking it with sake was fine as well.

怐ā€The FinneganĀ from earlierĀ was nothing like his usual selfā€¦ā€ć€‘

怐ā€I know right? Itā€™s as ifĀ he was ā€œpossessed by a demonā€.ā€ć€‘

A demon.Ā It was his frank opinion regarding Finneganā€™s actions.

However, those words he so casually spoke, gave Cody aĀ very bad feeling.

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