Defense 999,999,999 Corps Commander - Defense 999999999 Corps Commander chapter 58

58 – Test (4)

“pass.”

The old woman got up from her seat, dusting herself off.

“What do you mean by passing?”

“…Iknow, right?”

Seina and Luna looked at her with expressions that said they didn’t understand English.

Regardless, the old woman slowly approaches me.

‘You’re finally showing your true colors.’

I waited for the b*stard to speak as if I had been waiting for him to do so.

“Let me introduce myself formally. Ah! It might be a bit awkward to do it like this.”

As she spoke, she took something out of her pocket.

It was a crystal flask containing purple liquid.

Gulp gulp.

A woman who drinks without hesitation.

Then, the body begins to change.

The bent back straightens and the short height begins to grow little by little.

And not long after.

“I can live a little now.”

He transformed into a man with a strong physique.

“…what?!”

Seina and Luna looked at him with their mouths open.

Then the guy scratches his head and opens his mouth.

“You seem quite surprised. Let me introduce myself formally. My name is Josef. I am a warrior who seeks to save the world. I am Marilyn’s colleague.”

I already knew, but I said it with a trembling face.

“So. What does that have to do with why you disguised yourself?”

“I’m sorry to say this, but I conducted a test without telling you. To see if you were worthy of becoming a warrior’s companion. So I had no choice but to use magic.”

“This is a test to become a warrior’s comrade?”

The guy nodded and continued speaking.

“Yeah, you guys passed the test with flying colors. Congratulations! Honestly, I’m a little surprised. Not many people pass this test.”

“Who are you to test us?!”

“It’s annoying!”

Seina and Luna glared at the guy.

They also seemed to be trying to match my acting.

“The world is so cruel… I had no choice but to do the discrimination work. I’m so sorry!”

A guy who bows his head and clasps his hands together.

And then he continues to open his mouth.

“We are gathering our comrades. We desperately need heroes who are ready to light up this darkened world like candles and save the world from the demons.”

“is it.”

He nodded as if he wasn’t really interested.

Then the b*stard’s expression turns slightly bewildered.

‘Why did you think I would bow in surprise?’

The only reason I want to join the warrior party is because of the variable called the Overlord.

If she kicked me out, I was thinking of changing my route.

So there is no need to bow your head and try to please him.

Rather, they should please me.

“… Is this the first time I’ve seen this kind of reaction?”

Joseph opened his eyes wide and muttered to himself.

That was only natural.

Passing all these ridiculous tests meant that they were truly the world’s fools.

So, when you asked me to be your comrade, I would bow down and say I was ready to save the world.

But I’m not a fool.

“Reaction? You’re talking nonsense. Get on your knees, you arrogant brat. How dare you defile my good intentions with something you call a test. Make me waste my precious time? And become my comrade? Are you trying to fool me right now?”

He frowned and snapped.

“… … !”

Josef’s pupils dilated greatly, perhaps because his reaction was so different from that of those who had passed the test so far.

The guy waves his hands urgently.

“… I, I’m really sorry about that! I didn’t mean to take advantage of your kindness. We just wanted to meet a trustworthy comrade…!”

“Shut up. You want me to be your comrade? I don’t want to hang out with those devil-like guys who try to take advantage of my good intentions.”

“I said that’s not it.”

“You can say anything with your mouth.”

Joseph looked hesitant at my words.

I’ll just throw the dogeza away.

“I’m sorry! If I hurt your feelings, I sincerely apologize!”

“Yeah, it should have come out like this a long time ago.”

“Then you forgive me?”

He said, shaking his head.

“No, I don’t need your apology. I’m already hurt. Get out of here. To be honest, I was quite kind to the warrior just a few minutes ago. Thanks to you, even that feeling has disappeared.”

“!”

The guy raises his head and looks astonished.

‘You little brat. Did you think I’d get away with slapping your cheek?’

I wanted to make him bury his head in hers, but I held back.

After all, the guy must have been conducting this test because the saint ordered him to do so.

“Well, then. Can you just listen to what I have to say? Please.”

I barely managed to press down on the button that was trying to come up.

A and B were switched a long time ago.

From now on, he’ll be begging you to come.

“I don’t have much time, but if you want just a little, I’ll listen.”

“thank you….”

The guy slowly tried to get up.

“Are you trying to get up?”

“…no.”

The b*stard quickly bent his knees again.

‘Where is the baby?’

He raised his head as if to say something while crossing his arms.

The guy says, swallowing his saliva.

“… Actually, I think there is always a reason for everything. When animals die, they leave behind livestock, right? You can eat them as food. Likewise, I think there must be a reason why you have these special abilities and good intentions.”

“The reason is to light up this dark world like a candle. Is that what you want to say?”

“…that’s right.”

I barely managed to hold back my laughter.

It was the kind of story that only a fanatic in a cult would say.

‘Anyway, I said it’s a shitty game.’

It’s a moment when you feel sorry for your fellow warriors.

“Then what do I get?”

Let’s pretend to show a little interest and the b*stard’s face will light up.

“Anything.”

“You can get anything?”

“Yes. If you become our comrades and help us reclaim the human world, Marilyn will grant you whatever you wish.”

“That’s right.”

He pretended to be worried and touched his chin.

Desperation begins to show in Joseph’s expression.

“Okay. I’ll be your partner.”

“Really?”

“But there is a condition.”

“… Conditions?”

“Okay. I’ll only be active when I want to be.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s literal.”

That was the downside of dual employment.

As a monarch by profession, I cannot hang out with warriors who talk about justice and such every day.

That’s why I hired Vince.

So that I don’t miss out on what happens when I’m away.

“… That’s nonsense. Being a comrade means you’re willing to overcome any hardship together. So you’re not going to do that?”

As I nod, the guy asks with a puzzled look on his face.

“What is the reason? I don’t understand.”

“Because the world needs me, not just as a warrior.”

“…world?”

“Why do you think I defeated Akidna and destroyed the Carlton organization? It was for the sake of innocent civilians. You guys are currently fighting the Demons, but you are not paying attention to the most important thing. That is the powerless people dying near you.”

“!”

‘The comment was good.’

There was a moment when a superhero comic I briefly watched as a child helped me.

As expected, there is nothing useless in this world.

It ends up helping you somehow later on.

“… You’re right. We used the excuse of chasing the demons as a pretext to ignore the people close to us.”

Joseph stands up with a bitter smile.

“I understand what you mean.”

“Yeah. Does that mean you understand?”

“I understand, but I think I need to think about it a bit.”

“what?”

It was a word that came out unconsciously in response to a reaction different from what I had thought.

I thought you’d just get an auto call. Are you thinking about it?

‘…Wasn’t he a fool?’

I guess I underestimated them too much.

“Okay, can you give me some time?”

“Give me 10 minutes.”

I said it as if I was calm, but I was a little anxious.

‘…Did I come off too strong?’

It’s unlikely, but there’s a chance he won’t be able to join me as a fellow warrior.

Then all the actions I’ve done so far will be in vain!

Something strong was needed.

**

‘… Ha, what a curious guy.’

Joseph looked at Gerard in front of him with a worried face.

It was an unexpected variable.

When his colleagues, including himself, passed the test and got the chance to become Marilyn’s colleagues.

He willingly became my companion with a face full of joy.

But, I didn’t know that they would put forward conditions in reverse like this.

‘What if, even if I choose them as my colleagues, they refuse to step forward when it really matters?’

Then there was no point in picking it.

Are you saying you’ll only be a warrior when you want to?

Of course, they say it’s for the sake of other citizens, but where is that kind of convenient excuse?

So maybe letting him go would have been a wise choice.

‘… But wouldn’t it be better to discuss it with my colleagues?’

Given Marilyn’s condition, recruiting new colleagues was an urgent matter.

It would be better to discuss such important matters together rather than deciding them alone.

It was when he had made up his mind to open his mouth.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll think about it until tomorrow…”

“There it is—!”

His voice was cut off by the thick voice.

Joseph looked in the direction of the sound with puzzled eyes.

Then, some knights are approaching this way.

They looked familiar somewhere.

‘It’s the guys I saw this morning!’

It was clearly the Knights of Chardena who had had trouble with Ronald once.

Are you sure you came all the way here to seek revenge?

Clank clank.

The sound of the knights’ armor clanging loudly resonates.

Joseph held his breath, ready to step forward at any moment.

A tense moment.

Finally they arrived in front of Gerard.

“Why did you come to me at this hour of the night? Is this revenge for what happened this morning?”

He glared at the knights as if he was displeased.

Then, Vice-Chief Leo bows his head deeply.

“…I came to apologize for what happened this morning.”

“—!”

Joseph looked at the sight with a face of great shock.

He also knew a lot about the person named Leo.

‘That arrogant gentleman… bowing his head? And all of a sudden?’

He was a man famous for not bowing his head to anyone except the king.

But why are you suddenly bowing your head like this?

“I’d like to forget about the trouble we had this morning and have a formal conversation. If it’s okay with you, would you like to come with me?”

“It can’t just be like this. Is it something like, “Join the Knights?”

“… To be honest, yes.”

‘what…?’

Joseph, who had been watching this scene, looked at Gerard with an anxious heart.

I had no idea.

That there are many forces other than themselves who want to take them away.

“hmm.”

Gerard looked at Josef with a worried expression.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Why are you suddenly following the Knights when I’m here? It doesn’t make sense.’

“Let’s do that.”

“?!”

Joseph fiddled with his ears for a moment, wondering if he had misheard.

“As expected! All strong people are kind! I really like your personality. Will you come with me?”

Vice-Chief Leo said with a satisfied look on his face.

Gerard tries to follow them.

“Hey, wait a minute! Ronald! Me?”

Joseph stopped him urgently.

He snickers.

“Are you still here? I don’t need someone who is worried. I’m going to a place that suits my conditions.”

“!”

He looked at Gerard with a face that seemed to have lost the world.

It’s been years since I’ve passed the test.

I missed it right before my eyes.

They are the talents that many people, including themselves, desire.

This was not the time to hesitate like this.

“Wh, why are you saying such sad things?! From now on, you’re our colleague!”

“okay?”

Gerard put his mouth on the table and smiled.

Joseph doubted his eyes.

Because in that moment his expression turned devilish.