This Universe Needs Old People - Chapter 70



Only Noblemtl

Apocalypse Needs Old People Episode 070

60. Father (2)

Before going to meet Anton.

Since I needed to know what Bones was thinking before I could touch Lieutenant General Max, I headed to the Commander’s residence first.

The reason I went to the Commander’s Residence was because Bones and Lucas, who were important witnesses in this case, were staying there for witness protection.

Not only was it witness protection, but the atmosphere among the senior officers who were colleagues of the sacrificed Team 2 members was also tense, so if they were sent to the officers’ quarters, they could have easily been harmed.

However, it is said that the reason these two stayed at the commandant’s residence was because of Joseph’s strong request.

You said there should be no more sacrifices of young officers?

‘A human being like a snake.’

Bones had previously requested to meet with Lieutenant General Max to ask him questions, but the two were reportedly forbidden from meeting under the judgment that Lieutenant General Max might pressure Bones into not testifying if he met with Bones.

‘But these guys… … .’

“Why aren’t the witnesses I’m protecting locked in their rooms, but instead training with my staff?”

When I asked that question with my arms crossed, Lucas, covered in sweat, answered with a cold sweat running down his face.

“That, that… I said I could be free while staying at the Commander’s Residence… and I said I would have the same schedule as Heydam, and this is what happened.”

“But do you really train every day with such a tight schedule?”

Bones, why is this kid baring his shirt in someone else’s mansion?

“Then does that mean Taejung trained you to rule over you?”

“Are you referring to that servant, Taejeong?”

“What on earth is that Taejeong brat? He’s better than most officers. Surely he’s not some kind of secret weapon that Lord Haydam is raising?”

Judging from the nonsense he’s talking about, it seems like Bones still hasn’t recovered from the shock he felt back then.

‘You’re pretending to be cheerful on purpose.’

It’s somewhat understandable that he’s not cooped up in his room and is training with Taejung.

If you move your body, you won’t have useless thoughts.

Instead of pointing out that Bones was deliberately trying to be cheerful, I replied:

“Taejung will be entering the military academy this time. Thanks to your support of Plato’s graduation speech.”

“Now that I think about it, it was Plato who was trying to get that kid admitted. That darling outsider guy too-”

“Let’s stop small talk here.”

I cut Bones off, as if he knew I was going to bring up Lieutenant General Max and was deliberately trying to change the subject, and then asked.

“Are you mentally prepared?”

Bones looked taken aback at my question.

“What preparations do you mean?”

“Preparing for when it turns out your father really abandoned you.”

“… … .”

As I said that, Bones’ green eyes shook greatly.

Of course I know that Lieutenant General Max would not have done that.

When I think about what Anton and I were going to do later, it would be difficult if Bones didn’t make up his mind.

“… If you’re abandoned, you’re abandoned. What preparations are needed? Fuck.”

You tried so hard to pretend that everything was okay, but you ended up losing your temper.

“I think it might be necessary in your case. I heard from Lucas that you said that being acknowledged by your father was everything in life, and that if you were abandoned, you would just die.”

“Lucas, you little bastard… …!”

Bones looked back at Lucas as if he was going to grab him by the collar, but Lucas had already figured out what I was going to say and had moved away.

“Ah, that little punk, he’s been talking about it all along… …!”

“bone.”

I asked Bones, who was getting very angry.

“If you were really abandoned by your father, would you die?”

Bones hesitated for a moment, then answered in a small voice.

“…Not anymore.”

“Not anymore?”

“Because I realized that my father wasn’t everything.”

As I narrowed my eyes as if I had no idea what he was saying, Bones blushed slightly at the tips of his ears and spat out annoyedly.

“Hey… I now know that my life is precious. I’m alive because of those seniors who helped me escape, and because of the person who ran down the street and slapped me to come to my senses, and the guy who yelled that he’d save me. Even though I was a punk who had no sense of duty and told Haydam-nim exactly what the person was talking about when he was mentally weak.”

There’s a bit of an aftertaste.

“I wish I could have found the bodies of my seniors.”

By the way, I think it was a few of the senior officers from Team 2 who stopped Bones and Lucas from escaping.

The only fortunate thing is that he doesn’t seem to blame himself for the deaths of his senior officers.

He really is a sharp-tongued man, except when it comes to his adoptive father.

“If it really was Lieutenant General Max… he should pay the price. No, I will make him pay.”

Bones seemed to have completely recovered mentally.

At this point, I can rest assured and get on with the rest.

‘But Joseph, no matter how I think about it, this kid is annoying.’

For his own glory, he drove to death officers who could block his juniors’ path without hesitation.

‘What is class?’

The reason Joseph did such things was because of power.

Since Anton announced his retirement, Josef had to step down as well.

With someone as powerful as Anton out of office, Josef’s influence is bound to grow.

Joseph knew it was time for him to step down, but he didn’t want to.

He was the commander’s closest confidant no matter what anyone said and had no intention of rebelling against the commander, so he must have felt it was unfair that he had to give up power just to avoid arousing the commander’s suspicion.

So, they framed Lieutenant General Max, who had a high chance of being promoted to the next general.

If Lieutenant General Max’s position becomes vacant, there will be immediate chaos in the executive ranks, and the only one who can sort it out will be Josef.

He chose to expand his influence to the point where no one could take him down by completely destroying the balance.

But he probably didn’t expect it.

The trap he set would put both my life and the commander’s life in danger.

‘Well… it’s a good thing.’

If I hadn’t gotten involved in that, the commander would have turned a blind eye to Josef’s wrongdoing.

Because I’m not the one who would punish Josef for Lieutenant General Max.

But thanks to that near-death experience, I’ve earned the right to be involved in this.

By now, Meursault must have told me what I said, but since there has been no separate sanction from the commander, I guess it can be considered ‘permission’.

‘Then shall we go?’

Lee Jae-yong.

To another snake who will catch the snake named Josef.

* * *

“Haaah… … .”

Anton’s sigh was long and heavy.

Seeing Anton, who seemed to have aged ten years since they last saw each other, I think I understand why Meursault felt pity for Anton.

“Won’t your only child almost die as soon as he becomes an officer… … .”

“I saved that.”

Anton continued his lament, ignoring my words.

“Now that my child has returned safely, the man who stole my child, Heydam, has come and is asking if I knew that my close friend, Lieutenant General Max, was a shameless man who hired his adopted son to be murdered.”

“Anton. You retired and then decided to leave?”

“You said that Heydam died and came back to life, so you’re going to betray me? Well, I’d rather betray you.”

“Don’t change the subject and answer the question.”

Anton sighed again and clasped his hands together.

“Lieutenant General Max… is not that kind of person.”

“Isn’t that a great man? Then who is that great man?”

“… … .”

Instead of answering, Anton glared at me.

“Then would I answer that Lieutenant General Max is such a great person? Why did you come to me in the first place?”

“I also know that Lieutenant General Max is not the kind of person who would do that. That’s why I came to see Anton.”

At those words, Anton looked at me with even more suspicious eyes.

“What are you trying to say?”

It’s better to be overly honest with someone who doubts you like this.

I responded indifferently.

“I suspect Joseph.”

Then Anton’s expression changed.

Judging by his expression, he also thought that the real culprit was Josef.

But instead of readily agreeing with what I said, Anton said this.

“You must know that Joseph is one of Your Majesty’s closest associates.”

“I know. And even though Anton has stepped down from his position as captain, Josef is still holding on to his position.”

“Joseph is not so foolish as to do something like this.”

“In Anton’s opinion, who do you think is more foolish, Lieutenant General Max or Captain Josef?”

“… … .”

Anton frowned, then remained silent for a moment and said:

“You came to me because you wanted something from me.”

“No, Anton.”

I said, crossing my legs and leaning back on the sofa.

“I’m just trying to help Anton with what he wants.”

“Do you know what I want?”

“Lieutenant General Max is your close friend. You wouldn’t want him to be shot like this, would you?”

“Bottom.”

Anton looked at me with a mysterious look.

“Bottom is already dead.”

‘Bringing up the past?’

I understand that Bottom’s business has already been finalized with the Commander.

It doesn’t seem like you’re suddenly trying to bring up the past…

Why did Lieutenant General Max come to me when he could have been dealt with like Bottom?

I have never been friendly to Anton, so you may be suspicious of my intentions.

I guess you think that by saying this and then defending Lieutenant General Max, you might be trying to hit him in the back of the head.

But even so, Anton has no choice but to move according to my intention.

From the retired Anton’s perspective, Lieutenant General Max is an important figure who may become the next general.

If Lieutenant General Max dies as well, the Chindaphne faction will be shaken to its core.

Anton, who is trying to straddle the line between Chindaphnepa and me, would not be happy with such a situation.

Also, he probably doesn’t want to go down in history as a shameless man who caused the deaths of seven soldiers by his own close friend.

“I told you earlier that I stole your child.”

“Ahem… … .”

“They say it’s the price you pay for taking your own child away. Helping Lieutenant General Max.”

“What are you talking about… … .”

“So let’s say Anton helps me this time as payment for saving that bastard’s life.”

“… … .”

Anton stared blankly at me for a moment, then lowered his voice and spoke.

“Do you know what you are talking about now?”

“I know. You mean to make Josef, my father’s closest aide, the culprit instead of Lieutenant General Max?”

“Why on earth? Did Your Majesty give permission?”

“He said I can’t handle it myself.”

Only then did Anton seem to realize why I had come to see him.

“Are you trying to take care of it by my hand? I’m not Meursault. I don’t shoot people just because I’m told to.”

“… Do Meursault and Anton only think about murder?”

“Then… what on earth do you want me to do?”

“Anton’s job is not to kill. Quite the opposite.”

“On the contrary… … ?”

I said this while looking at Anton, who was tilting his head as if to ask what on earth he was talking about.

“From now on, I have to bring the dead back to life.”