I Planned a Su*cide Mission and Got Kicked Out of the Party

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With the return of Jeongjae, Jeffrey dispatched the army and returned to his territory. While Jeffrey expressed surprise and couldn’t hide his embarrassment over the news of the Great Sage that had unfolded in the council, Count Harker wore a face that said, “So, it has come.” After the Duke Jeffrey finished a brief greeting and left with his troops, Jeongjae called Count Harker into the office and asked,

“Did you know? About the potential that child possesses?”

“Who would dare to guess such a thing, Baron? But considering it’s the birth of a Great Sage and all, I’ve already experienced far too much to be shocked by that. I had long anticipated that the child’s fate would not end as a mere wizard. I only feel it’s not strange for the results to present themselves like this.”

Abraham Van Helsing shook his head. Jeongjae nodded, seemingly in agreement with the Count’s words.

“From the moment I began teaching, he was a bright child. I have only seen the very best of talents, but he was different. He understood concepts that none of his peers could grasp and could articulate the abstract flow of mana in a way that was easy to comprehend. It was clear that Jenis was a genius.”

Arthur Harker silently moved toward the office window, looking outside. Violet, a transport operator from the regime, was there by the coast, diligently participating in the coastal restoration with her carriage.

The once blackened and hardened sands that looked like ruins were slowly beginning to reclaim their shape. The villagers were exerting every effort into the restoration, believing that once winter passed and the ground froze, it would become even harder to restore the coast, despite the cold weather.

While the unappealing appearance of the darkened coast may have contributed to this, the fact that they hadn’t initiated repairs on the new ships yet likely played a role in their participation as well; otherwise, there wouldn’t be much to do all day.

“That person is still here. Isn’t it just a couple of days until the crew arrives?”

Harker pointed to the female driver who came from a bartender background. Jeongjae chuckled and shrugged.

“I spoke with her before, and she mentioned that due to the nearby stationed troops, there have surprisingly been a lot of transport requests using carriages here. In fact, our estate’s finances are quite sufficient, so we can afford to pay a fair wage with our funds. It’s a solid business for her driver’s perspective—it’s a real gold mine.”

“Business can indeed unravel in a myriad of ways.”

“But when it comes to failing, it sure seems like there are a myriad of ways to do that as well.”

“Why even bring it up! That’s just the way it goes every day.”

Harker and Jeongjae shared a hearty laugh. Jeongjae had many questions for Count Harker. Surely, everyone would. Abraham Van Helsing, a character he thought was just from a story, was right there in front of him.

Furthermore, he had once fought alongside Sherlock Holmes in this world and had become a vampire after drinking the blood of one. They had already exchanged quite a few stories, learning many new facts along the way; it would probably take him a day and a half to ask everything he was curious about.

However, feeling the atmosphere was peaceful and somewhat tired, Jeongjae didn’t have the urge to bombard Count Harker with questions. After a moment of silence, Jeongjae started off with an evaluation of Jenis.

“About that child, Count. The one who has now ascended to the rank of Viscount.”

“Weren’t we just talking about her? There’s no need to be so specific.”

“Currently, she wouldn’t be able to match my skills.”

Van Helsing, who was about to agree with Jeongjae, felt something odd in his words. The Count frowned and spoke.

“Wouldn’t be able to match, you say, Baron?”

“Her power is growing day by day, and the instincts of a predatory creature that were once hidden are now awakening with wings. She swiftly learns and utilizes everything around her, transforming it into something of her own. If she learns the might of Rose and the methods of Walter…”

Jeongjae slumped into his chair and placed both hands on the desk.

“She will be able to perform my role and then some, Count.”

“Let me share something I realized after living for so many years, young man. There are few who can be replaced in this world. The great Sherlock Holmes himself did not cause the world to end just because he was absent. And most of the people in the world, if not almost all of them, could disappear without anyone being able to fulfill their roles in their stead. Being replaced does not mean becoming useless.”

“That’s a universal truth for ordinary people, isn’t it? But does the same apply to me?”

“I can’t understand what you think of yourself. Why should you be an exception among all other people?”

“Because, the reason is…”

Suddenly, Jeongjae placed a sheet of paper on the desk and grabbed a pen, starting to frantically scribble. Complex shapes, magical symbols, signs, and formulas were chaotically laid out in bizarre patterns.

Count Harker stared in shock at the spellcaster’s appearance, unable to speak. Jeongjae could not clearly explain why he was acting this way, but he had a fundamental understanding of the reason.

Park Jeongjae was cornered. From long ago up to now, there had not been a single moment he was not mentally cornered.

In an instant, a very complex and messy magical scroll was completed at the tip of his pen. Harker, who couldn’t read the scroll, still felt a sense of foreboding and danger upon seeing Jeongjae’s masterpiece.

“Do you recognize what this is?”

“My wife was a wizard, but I am not. How would I know that?”

“I have now become death, the destroyer of worlds.”

At that very moment, a minuscule red mushroom cloud rose from the hastily created mana scroll, shooting up like a miniature model. Arthur Harker finally appeared to comprehend the contents of Jeongjae’s intricate mana equation, a look of shock washing over his face.

“What was that just now?”

“A masterpiece purchased at the price of my own life, Count. However, due to the pact between me and the Hero, this scroll must be destroyed. What that means, I do not know.”

Jeongjae crumpled the hastily created scroll with one hand and then burned it to ashes. Harker shook his head.

“But to reproduce the contents of the scroll in this place…”

“It means I memorized every single word written on that paper without a single mistake. Yes, the scroll is not needed for this spell to take effect. Everything I need is stored in my head. I can cast this magic whenever and wherever I choose. I could do it right now if I wanted.”

“What exactly pushed you to this point?”

“Abraham Van Helsing, I am nothing like you!”

Jeongjae clenched his fists and slammed his head onto the desk.

“You were a person who, even without any special powers in your ordinary human days, could defeat the most dangerous enemies using just your intellect and wisdom. For someone as incredible as you, it’s only understandable that you wouldn’t question yourself.”

“Nobody is free from self-doubt, Baron.”

“But what about me? I was not an extraordinary person. In fact, I felt like I was a bit below ordinary. I dropped out of school and went to graduate school after finishing university. I hoped my talent might be a little greater, but the more I studied, the more I realized how lacking I truly was.”

Jeongjae looked up at the Count. Abraham Van Helsing was gazing down at Jeongjae, his expression filled with complex feelings.

“But at least, that was my home. There were many things I needed to be who I am. Even if it was somewhat useless, it was mine. But here… utility has defined me. Everyone has been exceptionally kind to me. They all made way for me in respect. Simply because… I had power. Power that doesn’t even belong to me originally.”

Jeongjae suddenly stood up from his seat.

“I’ve found my best use, but everyone says it is unreasonable. They say it is impossible. They say I shouldn’t do that. Since they say so, I decided to comply. But none of their explanations convince me!”

He could feel his hands trembling. The Count, without speaking, turned his head toward the window. Under the influence of his emotions, Jeongjae continued to complain in a voice that was nearly a sob.

“I know they soar high. But even I can’t yet equate my power with who I am. So, what do they see in me?”

“Shut up, Park Jeongjae!”

Van Helsing shouted explosively. Jeongjae, crushed under the Count’s overwhelming aura, backed away and slumped back into his chair. Count Harker’s face was filled with anger.

“You’ve become too intoxicated with the power you possess. In some ways, it certainly is intoxicating, and you’ve completely lost your mind. You are too young, and not just young, perhaps foolish. You don’t even realize an essential truth! Power and authority solely reveal a person’s true character; they do not twist it!”

“I don’t understand the meaning of your words.”

“I’m pointing out your severe delusion that everyone is only looking at your power rather than you, Baron. Don’t think that the respect people have for you is solely derived from that power. Power is merely power; it’s nothing but a concept or tool that cannot be respected or honored in and of itself. What people truly regard is the manner in which you wield that power!”

“But I’ve gained immense power. What I’ve done with it hasn’t been particularly difficult.”

“Are you living in a dream? Or are you just extraordinarily intelligent and living in a fantasy world? Has some utopia unfolded where only those who seize great power decide to use it for the good of everyone?”

Van Helsing questioned him. His tone was filled with the impression that Jeongjae’s words made no sense at all. Jeongjae shook his head.

“It’s strange for someone to want to misuse power that doesn’t even belong to them. What’s so great about doing what you can in a position where you haven’t even been mistreated?”

“There are as many people as stones on the street who commit vile acts with power that isn’t even theirs!”

Harker spoke.

“But to suddenly gain such immense power and still be thoughtful enough to agonize over it for others is rarer than finding a gold coin dropped on the street.”

“In fact, not long after I arrived in this world, I once found a gold coin lying on the ground.”

Jeongjae said jokingly. Harker still spoke in a serious tone.

“Have you experienced anything like that since then?”

“It’s not something that happens very often.”

“In that case, that coin was exactly you.”

The anger embedded in Harker’s voice had nearly faded. Now his tone was filled with compassion. Harker opened the window and extended one hand outside.

“Look. Look! Isn’t it peaceful?”

“In a world engulfed in war, you say.”

“This place is embroiled in war too. Everyone is caught up in the war.”

“That’s true. Didn’t I mention it?”

“Nevertheless, this is your land.”

The Count closed the window and turned toward the office door. Jeongjae stood up and approached the Count again.

“Are you leaving?”

“I’m going to my land, so you stay in your territory. You’d do well to remember the meaning of calling this land your own, and what it truly means to entrust yourself to a world like this. Live. Acknowledge that this is your fate and live on. Believe that your actions are what make you who you are.”

With that, the Count left the office to gather his army and return to Harker Count Territory once more.

After seeing the Count off, Jeongjae returned to his room and stayed holed up in there for quite a while.

Could he trust it? Could he believe that the reason he was loved, respected, and honored was truly because of his own nature?

While Jeongjae was engaged in his solitary battle, the newly minted Viscount and Great Sage, Jenis, had just arrived at the northern front and was being briefed about the upcoming battle by the companions of the Hero.