Chapter 475

**Chapter 475: The Lazy One Makes a Proposal (5)**

—Hmm…

Jegal Yeom quietly set down his wine cup.

Alcohol is forbidden when mental clarity is needed, but he didn’t want to worry about that at this moment.

Besides, this wasn’t something that required lucidity.

*’It’s something I don’t want to do.’*

He knew that in the end, the decision rested on him. Ever since this matter arose, everyone had been observing his reaction.

That is the position of a strategist.

Successes are taken for granted, but failures draw reproachful gazes.

When they’re not around, their need is felt; when they are, their existence goes unnoticed.

Just think about how many strategists in history have left their names etched in stone.

*’It’s a bad deal.’*

Perhaps everyone who becomes a strategist wastes their lives chasing the few exceptional cases that surpassed the limits of their position and left their mark on the world.

Lately, Jegal Yeom had that thought frequently.

—It seems complicated, —said Jegal Munin as he refilled his cup.

Jegal Yeom nodded somberly.

—Complicated… —he murmured, lifting the filled cup and slowly swirling it. The wine oscillated within.

—Look, Munin.

—Yes, Father.

—A battlefield isn’t much different from a chessboard. After all, didn’t chess originate as a representation of the war between Chu and Han?

—Yes, that’s true.

—Strategists decide everything on the board. In the end, we play chess using human lives as pieces. On the board, we don’t even hesitate to sacrifice pieces. Tell me, if you could win the game by sacrificing a chariot, would you do it?

—Of course.

—Why?

—Because it’s the path that minimizes losses.

Jegal Yeom stared intently at Jegal Munin.

—What if it was a thousand instead of ten?

—It would be the same.

—What if it was a hundred thousand?

—Also. Because the result of saving more lives wouldn’t change.

—Correct, that’s what’s right.

Jegal Yeom nodded and continued:

—Then let me ask you this: if you had to choose someone you know to sacrifice them to save ten others, who would you choose?

—…Huh?

—You said that if you can save many by sacrificing a few, it’s obvious to choose that path. Even if it means the death of a loved one, you should choose it, right? So, who would you sacrifice?

—…

Jegal Munin closed his mouth.

—Why aren’t you answering?

—This humble one… —he bit his lip tightly— dares not choose.

—Why not?

Jegal Munin pursed his lips.

Why? Why would that be?

He had a vague idea of the answer, but putting it into words was difficult.

Jegal Yeom smiled understandingly.

—Humans are like that. A thousand or ten thousand, when you see them from above, the decision is easy. But when it’s ten or even one in front of your eyes, you can’t decide.

—Yes…

—If those you must sacrifice are people you’ve conversed and laughed with, then you can’t calculate the value of that sacrifice.

—I understand now.

—Exactly. And yet, there are times when you must choose. That’s why this position isn’t easy.

Jegal Yeom brought the cup to his lips.

The sensation of the burning liquor flowing down his throat seemed to awaken every one of his nerves.

—And the problem is, it’s not me.

—Huh?

—That’s the nature of being a strategist. Making decisions is painful, but there’s an excuse you can use: that the final decision wasn’t yours.

Doubt showed in Jegal Munin’s eyes.

An excuse? What did he mean?

—A strategist proposes and persuades. But if the person who must make the decision doesn’t, then the position lacks meaning. That’s the limitation of a strategist, but also their alibi.

Jegal Yeom spoke bitterly.

—In the end, there’s someone else who must make the final decision. For that person, that excuse doesn’t even exist. They must bear all the responsibility.

—The sovereign.

—Correct. That’s what it means to be at the top. Accompanied by great glory, but also all the responsibility. It’s a position as heavy as it is terrifying, where your decisions alter the fate of others.

Jegal Munin still couldn’t fully comprehend Jegal Yeom’s words.

He knew what they meant, but he had never personally experienced the weight of that position. However, one thing was clear:

Throughout history, those who achieved great feats never hesitated when making decisions.

Only those capable of throwing their own son from a moving chariot or locking up their mother without hesitation achieved great things and left their names in history.

That’s why Jegal Munin also believed that those destined to lead should be like that.

But…

How could that be demanded?

People have their own natures. What is trivial for some is unbearable suffering for others.

In the end, those destined to guide the world are predetermined from the beginning.

—What are you thinking about so much?

—…I was thinking that something is wrong.

—In what sense?

—If the sovereign must make decisions, then those who follow that path must be decisive and cold. But… Wei Yanho doesn’t seem to be someone suitable for that position.

Jegal Yeom nodded slightly, agreeing with Jegal Munin’s words.

—True. He’s not suitable.

Jegal Yeom’s gaze turned to the trembling cup.

—I don’t think people are born destined for certain roles. Anyone could do it if they want to. But there are those who are naturally suited and those who are not. Even someone without innate talent could overcome it with passion and effort, but…

Jegal Yeom emptied his cup.

*”What is someone who never wanted to be there supposed to do?”*

The weight of the position must be borne by whoever wishes to occupy it. But if someone who never wanted that place is forced to sit there, who can demand responsibility from them?

The fame and fortune he would obtain as a reward are nothing that he has desired.

Jegal Yeom looked outside with a grave expression.

Recently, after several incidents, he had reached a conclusion: Wei Yanho seemed resolute on the outside, but deep down he wasn’t that strong. He even had a fragility greater than the average person.

Wei Yanho wasn’t someone destined to lead.

And yet, the world was pushing him to the front.

*”How sad.”*

The wine flowing down his throat tasted bitter.

He didn’t like burdening that young man, who hadn’t even lived half a century, with such a great weight. But there was no one else who could do it.

—It’s shameful. What have we been doing all this time?

They had been complacent.

They believed that, since they had suffered so much, the Demon Cult had also suffered, and that at least in this generation there wouldn’t be another war.

So they competed.

Without enemies coming to snatch what was theirs, they showed their teeth to take from others.

The martial world was divided, lurking to cut each other’s throats.

This was the result.

It wasn’t easy for those with deep grudges to join forces. That’s why they needed a buffer: someone equally strong as the former powerhouses, but without enmities with any side.

*”But even that is an excuse.”*

It would be best if those with flushed faces resolved their emotions and joined together. Even a three-year-old would know that. But Jegal Yeom didn’t try that method.

Because he knew it was impossible.

Pride is a useless feeling that, the more you protect it, the more problems it causes. But humans are unwilling to abandon it easily.

Even if Jegal Yeom set aside his pride right now and proposed an alliance with the Righteous Martial Alliance, who would follow him?

*”And in practical terms, it’s the same.”*

Would the Righteous Martial Alliance receive them with open arms if they bowed before them?

It was obvious that they would use them as cannon fodder in the war against the Demon Cult with the excuse that they had surrendered. It wasn’t a decision of the Master of Divine Abilities. As powerful as he was as a strategist, he couldn’t decide everything as he pleased.

If those who supported the Righteous Martial Alliance complained, he wouldn’t have a choice either.

*”He probably already saw it coming.”*

For Jegal Yeom, Wei Yanho was a pawn handed over by the Master of Divine Abilities.

For the Righteous Heavenly Alliance to unite with the Righteous Martial Alliance, they needed a mediator. Someone without great ties to the Righteous Martial Alliance, but with enough value to join, leaving behind the old Righteous Heavenly Alliance.

The Master of Divine Abilities that he knew couldn’t have overlooked this. It was a signal to properly use Wei Yanho, overcome the current situation, and ally with the Righteous Martial Alliance.

Because the Righteous Martial Alliance also needed the power of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.

They needed each other, but they couldn’t extend their hands. To change their relationship, they had to change their positions.

Although he disliked following his intentions, he couldn’t deny that it was the best option.

*”But…”*

Was it really the best option?

—Munin.

—Yes, Father.

—We must prepare.

—For what?

—Heaven doesn’t give man enough time. When something is about to be achieved, disaster always arrives.

Jegal Yeom closed his eyes in silence.

*”If the fate of the world depends on Wei Yanho, heaven will surely test him.”*

That’s how the world worked.

Heroes always face trials. If Wei Yanho overcomes the trials that await him, he will be remembered as a hero. If not…

*”There will be no records.”*

Because history itself will disappear.

The world will be reorganized under the Demon Cult, and everything they have built in the martial world will be shattered. Over time, even the fact that they existed will be forgotten.

*”I must avoid that.”*

—Don’t lose sight of Wei Yanho. Something is coming, without a doubt. Understood?

—Yes.

Even hearing Jegal Munin’s response, Jegal Yeom couldn’t feel at ease. He knew very well how cruel fate could be.

*”We need to hurry a little.”*

If you can’t avoid the impact, then as a strategist, your job is to soften it as much as possible.

*”But will Wei Yanho really be able to withstand the trials that await him?”*

The greater the task he must perform, the greater the weight he must bear.

A deep shadow covered Jegal Yeom’s face.

**Character Translation List Use**
* Wei Yanho
* Jangil
* Moon Yuhwan
* Jin Soah
* Gong Mujin
* Peng Dogeuk
* Sangwan Hong
* Eon Hyo
* Baek Muhan
* Baek Hoemyung
* Jangil
* Baek Geomyeong
* Tang Myung
* Song Hyun
* Yi Wangya
* Jeok Sanho
* Jegal Munin
* Jegal Yeom
* Tang Cheongun
* Cheok Soogwang
* Musan
* Jeok Moku
* Won Gyu
* Gran Rey Demonio = Grand Demon King
* Master of Divine Abilities
* Soberano Supremo = Supreme Sovereign
* Baek Gongdo
* Baek Gongri
* Ghost Lady
* Moon Eunji
* Jin Yeran
* Mo Sanah
* Seomun Dayeon
* I Seolhwa
* Jong Miryuh
* Namgung Hye
* Wei Suryun
* Mubong
* Uil
* Culto Demoníaco = Demon Cult
* Alianza Marcial Justa = Righteous Martial Alliance
* Alianza Celestial Justa = Righteous Heavenly Alliance
* Monte Hua = Mount Hua

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