Rust - Chapter 602



Only Krnovel

RUST [RUST]-602

Dewey, with his shiny, close-cropped hair, and Dick Herold, with his short hair, stood nervously in front of the walkie-talkie.

[······.]

“······.”

“······.”

After a long silence, the Governor’s voice came over the radio.

[Are you saying that Naru is dead?]

“That is. If it is as the Imperial Army Pursuit Squadron said.”

Dick Herold, a mercenary and a capable person who came to Canada with Ki-sun, was very nervous as he answered.

This was because rumors were widely spread that Bernard Green, the Governor of Canada, was secretly in love with the King’s sister.

‘Fuck. If I had known this was going to happen, I would have just stayed in Detroit.’

Even after Rebecca gave birth to Director Yoo, she took care of the baby under the pretext of protecting him, but after the baby entered the psychic research lab, she had nothing to do and just sat around, accumulating complaints.

‘You said you’d give me a chance for revenge, but now I’m just wasting my time.’

‘In this case, wouldn’t it be better to go to the Empire?’

‘What if I go to the Empire and get caught?’

‘Time has passed like this, and there’s no problem.’

‘Just wait. I heard there’s a big expedition going on.’

‘Where are you going?’

‘Towards Canada.’

‘Are we going to subdue the mutant monsters?’

‘Whatever it is, it’s better than what’s happening now.’

‘okay.’

So, as soon as the mercenary request came, I immediately participated. But, it turns out that the woman the governor had a crush on died.

[Are you sure? Let me ask you again. Are you sure that Vladinaru Kalin is dead?]

“Yes. I double-checked.”

‘Your voice doesn’t sound good. It doesn’t sound good. Damn it.’

The signs were not good.

A person who has lost a loved one cannot see anything, so he did not know what to do. And the news that the Imperial Army Special Forces, fully armed, delivered in front of Montreal was such news.

‘Let me in so I can chase down the clone involved in the murder case?’

‘Are you crazy?’

What if the Governor-General with full authority over Canada and the Imperial Army’s pursuit force clashed? The first ones to be killed were the mercenaries who had come to Canada on business like him.

[······I will not allow the Imperial pursuit force to enter Montreal.]

“But, Your Majesty!”

It was fortunate that the Governor seemed to be of sound mind, but at times like these, it was necessary to raise one’s voice. However, Dick Herold’s trick did not work on the Governor.

[No objections will be entertained. Stand alert, arm all mercenaries, and prepare for defense. If the Imperial pursuit party wishes to enter Montreal, tell them to disarm.]

“All right.”

=====

=====

At the news of Naru’s death, Ki-sun’s narrow eyes fluttered slightly, but that was all. Perhaps because he had experienced the deaths of hundreds and thousands of Naru, his shaken heart quickly calmed down.

‘Imperial Army pursuit force···.’

There is a story about a separate pursuit team being organized to catch the clone.

‘You’re playing with words cleverly.’

Ki-sun started to reverse the situation in an instant.

It clearly said, “The clone who killed Naru,” or simply, “The clone who is pursuing the escaped clone,” but rather, “The clone involved in the murder case.”

In other words, it is an expression that makes people misunderstand that the killer is a clone, even though there is another killer and the clone may be a witness. You can guess the style of the commander of the Imperial Army’s pursuit team.

‘I guess you meant it as a pursuit related to the murder of the King’s sister.’

‘Open the door yourself?’

‘Are you saying this knowing that most of the Montreal defense force is made up of mercenaries?’

Ki-sun’s thin eyes became even thinner.

In a complicated case, you only need to look at the conclusion.

‘The pursuit team commander is trying to get a justification.’

If the pursuing clone had fled to Montreal and the Holy Kingdom had been uncooperative in their search, then it meant that this was not a simple clone crisis.

‘If it’s not just a clone.’

It can’t be Director Yoo’s clone. Hee-yeon said that she brought all the clones that can be operated by the U+ program.

So what’s left is that there was a problem with the new clone. The story that the new clone escaped meant that there was a problem with the verification experiment.

‘I guess you’re saying that Naru died during the verification experiment.’

If it was certain that the clone had killed him, they would have said that they were chasing the killer clone, but they didn’t…

Ki-sun’s eyes, lost in thought, suddenly widened.

‘Why was there a ferry near the new clone’s demonstration experiment site?’

Isn’t that right?

I couldn’t understand why ordinary people were at the experimental site.

No matter what the reality is, he is the younger brother of the King of the Holy Kingdom, so if an unexpected situation like this happens, it will be difficult for him to handle. Could it be…?

[Governor, a special envoy from the Empire has requested an audience.]

Ki-sun’s expression turned cold.

“Let’s make room right away.”

[Yes, I will prepare it.]

A private meeting between Ki-sun and the special envoy took place immediately.

“Governor Bernard Green. Congratulations on your appointment.”

The greetings and polite remarks that followed were brief.

“Did the Empire create a clone using Vladinaru Kalin’s DNA?”

This was because Ki-sun got straight to the point. And the special envoy did not deny Ki-sun’s reasoning.

“Has the Empire gone mad?”

“The Empire has never done anything illegal or forced Ms. Vladinaru Kalin. Here are the evidence and the original contracts. You can check them out.”

The story of how Naru came from the Confederacy to the Empire’s New York, the story of her accident at the Juilliard School of Music, the evidence of her voluntary donation of DNA after being expelled from the music school and struggling financially. And finally, her enlistment in the Imperial Army and her appointment as a special officer commanding her clones.

Ki-sun read the data brought by the imperial envoy absentmindedly and then chuckled.

So I thought I knew why the human who came as a special envoy from the empire was carrying all this stuff.

‘It was to prevent Maru from accelerating.’

Even though they had cut ties, Naru was Maru’s younger sister.

Whatever the reason, his only sister had died in the empire, so it was more than enough of an excuse for Maru, the King of the Holy Kingdom, to personally strike.

Hehehehe

The imperial envoy desperately protested, perhaps sensing madness in such a ridiculous laughter.

“As you can see from the data, it was all chosen by Ms. Vladinaru Kalin herself.”

“So you’re saying that the Imperial pursuit force is coming to Montreal?”

A question mark appeared on the envoy’s face.

“Didn’t you know? There’s a fully armed Imperial Army pursuit force in front of Montreal right now, half-assing a show of force, demanding permission to enter.”

“It’s a misunderstanding. It’s absolutely a misunderstanding.”

It wasn’t a demonstration of force, but it was something that could be done by adding the word “halfway.”

Let’s go see the commander of the Imperial Pursuit Squadron.

Ki-sun’s narrow gaze turned towards the imperial envoy.

“That’s interesting.”

“······.”

“So the clone that the Imperial pursuit force is chasing is a clone created from the younger sister of our King?”

“······.”

The envoy had no choice but to be cautious with his words. The instructions he had received from General Dan Brown were to minimize friction with the Holy Kingdom.

“Isn’t that right? My sister died, and her clone desperately escaped to the Holy Kingdom. The Empire formed a pursuit force to catch the clone. But a special envoy who hurriedly flew in on a blimp said that it was all a misunderstanding. Isn’t that funny?”

“······.”

Ki-soon’s pupils, which could be seen through his narrowed eyes, were shining brightly. As the special envoy, whose mouth was glued shut, tried to answer with difficulty, Ki-soon pushed forward with his conclusion as if he was blocking his mouth.

“Regardless of the reason, any clone of Lady Vladinaru Kalin who enters the Holy Kingdom will be protected by the Holy Kingdom. Do you have any objections to this?”

“doesn’t exist.”

The imperial envoy accepted it coolly. But it was not a matter of ending it with just one word.

“I wonder why you don’t properly subdue the existing monsters in the Canadian region. Are you intentionally doing this to drain the power of the Holy Kingdom?”

“Absolutely not. The Empire is currently experiencing a surge of monsters in each region, and there is no room for manpower.”

“Is that so? You don’t have much time to spare, but you have plenty of time to mobilize a pursuit force to catch the escaped clones?”

“······.”

‘What the heck. This is abusive language.’ The imperial envoy’s expression darkened. Regardless, Ki-soon began to hammer nails.

“The St. Lawrence River was used as the standard for the border between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire. But given the Empire’s current actions, I don’t trust it. It’s almost as if they’re pushing the mutant monsters back to the Holy Kingdom. Don’t misunderstand. The circumstances are clear.”

“The circumstances are clear? You’re saying there’s evidence of things the Empire didn’t do? Does that make sense?”

It was a response that did not even include a response to the special envoy’s objection.

“So let me propose: Let us restore the border of the Holy Kingdom of Canada to its former state.”

“What are you talking about now···.”

“If you refuse, I will not stop the monsters from moving south from Northern Canada to the Empire. The Empire does not stop the monsters from moving northward toward the Holy Kingdom, so there is no reason for the Holy Kingdom to stop the monsters from moving southward toward the Empire.”

“We have no authority to decide on territorial issues.”

Ki-sun’s eyes widened at the special envoy’s answer.

“Even if the deceased Miss Vladinaru Kalin willingly participated in the cloning program, the Holy Kingdom cannot just leave it alone. After all, it is related to His Majesty King Vladimaru Kalin’s younger brother.”

“······.”

The imperial envoy’s eyes, which had been flustered by Gi-sun’s pressure, began to change little by little. Gi-sun continued talking regardless.

“If we’re going to legally argue over the ownership of the clones or whatever, the Empire would have the advantage, but if Vladinaru Kalin’s clones are turned into official weapons, wouldn’t it be difficult to form a military alliance with the Holy Kingdom?”

“Do you know what it means to say that a military alliance is difficult?”

A battlefield where clones who look exactly like their younger sister are sent out as soldiers.

Even if the one dying was a clone without human rights, if the King was offended, then it was offended. After all, isn’t the King’s feelings the top priority of the kingdom?

“Of course. So I recommend that you transfer all of the currently produced Vladinaru Kalin clones to the Holy Kingdom and transfer the related data to the Holy Kingdom. And I would like you to destroy all of the related data.”

“It is not for me to decide.”

Now, the imperial envoy’s eyes had turned into one of anger.

“Yes, that’s right. Then you can go back to the Empire and tell them. For your information, I have full authority over the military, foreign affairs, economy, and politics in the Canadian region. Unless there is a separate royal decree from the Holy Kingdom, everything I’ve said so far is valid.”

The special envoy briefly responded to Gi-sun’s statement that he had full authority, not just the title of governor.

“I’m going now.”

“Take the original.”

Ki-sun returned the original documents the special envoy had brought and shook hands with the special envoy, speaking softly.

“Tell President Dan Brown that even if there are no legal or moral problems, it is not a situation that can be easily overlooked since my sister is dead. The same goes for the border issue. Unless you want to experience mutant monsters pouring out from the North, I want you to think carefully about it and make a decision.”

“···I will tell you as it is.”

Ki-soon, who let go of the hand he was holding, added a word.

“When you leave, take care of the Imperial pursuit force camped in front of Montreal.”

“I will do that.”

======

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Montreal was a half-empty city.

As with many cities around the world, there were many casualties in the early stages of the mutant virus outbreak. That’s why there were many empty houses where escaped clones could hide.

What about number 18?

yet.

Is the main body dead?

huh.

Did No. 4 kill the main body?

Didn’t you decide to use the main body as bait?

Number 4 is weird.

I feel like my mental powers have suddenly gotten stronger.

that’s right.

It has become as strong as the main body.

At first, they tried to escape towards Niagara Falls.

It was the natural course to go towards Buffalo as it was the shortest route.

But there was a problem. The main body that was supposed to be used as bait died, and No. 4 sent a danger signal. The clones quickly changed course and headed north, and fortunately, they were able to enter Montreal before being caught by the Imperial pursuit force.

What should I do?

Shouldn’t we wait for numbers 4 and 18?

I can’t hold out for long.

There is a food shortage.

sketch map.

Even if you melt the snow and drink it, food and medicine were a problem. You have to hold out for 3~4 days.

Now that we’ve entered the Holy Kingdom, can we just steal without worrying about the Imperial Army pursuing us?

Not yet. We don’t have the information.

Yes, someone friendly with the Empire could leak our information to the Empire or try to capture us and hand us over.

As the day went by, the Imperial pursuit force began to set up camp at the entrance to the bridge leading into Montreal.

The clones were nervous. They now had only two or three days of food and medicine left. After scouting Montreal for a day, they found out that it was an area ruled by Kim Ki-soon as governor.

Kim Ki-soon

tentacle?

huh.

Sensitive eyes?

Yeah-

Is that what you feel?

The tentacles were cute.

The clones, each with their own memories and judgments, agreed to wait one more day and then move to Ottawa, stealing food along the way.

Waaaaa …

Waaaaa …

And around lunchtime

A siren like an air-raid warning blared and a sound came from a large loudspeaker.

[Bladinaru’s clones, please come to the front of the city hall.]

[Bladinaru’s clones, please come to the front of the city hall.]

[Governor Bernard Greene has assured us of your safety.]

[Negotiations with the Empire have concluded. You are now safe.]

huh?

You said you would guarantee our safety?

Do you believe that?

that’s right.

It could be a trap.

If we all go, let’s pick.

okay.

The clones climbed the ladder one after another.