Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.56 – The Obvious Story He Wants to See (1)
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There are days like that.
The sky is exceptionally clear, the breeze refreshingly cool, and the sunlight so pleasantly warm it's downright cozy.
Some say it's perfect for a workout, others that it's ideal for reading on a bench or enjoying a picnic in the park.
Utterly invigorating,
but...
Drip...Drip...
...to someone, it might be a day that shows no mercy at all.
The knights and soldiers had surrounded one woman, swords and spears trained on her.
She was already covered in blood, not a single inch of her body unscathed.
Anyone witnessing it might scold the men for lacking honor, harassing a defenseless woman like that—but those who remembered the screams of their comrades slain by her hand would have beaten the scolder instead.
And rightly so, for this woman was no helpless damsel.
"Talking to the enemy like this goes against propriety and dishonors our fallen comrades, but I have to ask. How did someone who once rose to be your lord's adjutant come to 'betray' him?"
"...Asking for reasons now is foolish. If you're going to kill me, do it without hesitation. My sword will aim mercilessly for your throats."
"......"
Shing!
Even as her body trembled, her spirit unbroken, the knights steeled themselves with sighs.
"...Don't hesitate."
It sounded like advice to his comrades, but more like a reminder to himself. The knight drew his sword, and the others followed without a moment's pause, swinging at the woman.
A woman who had once been Ophen's loyal servant, but who had betrayed her house and threatened its lord.
"...What a stubbornly enduring life it's been."
The woman's name was Elsa.
Drip.
"?"
Suddenly, a notebook appeared on the table. Lee Han, who had been devouring ten grilled sandwiches like dessert, tilted his head.
"What's this?"
"Elsa’s diary. The household servants found it."
"I don't have a hobby of reading other people's diaries."
"Nor do I. But I had no choice. I needed to know why she betrayed the house."
"Yeah?"
Lee Han just shrugged and went back to his sandwiches.
Each had different fillings, and made with fresh ingredients, they tasted great.
And besides...
'Food tastes best when someone else makes it.'
The fact that it was free warmed his heart even more.
"...Haha."
Iliyad was the flustered one, watching Lee Han show no curiosity.
They knew each other, and he was the one who resolved the incident—yet this level of disinterest was surprising.
Was it showing on his face?
"It's not that I'm indifferent to others' affairs. It's just obvious, so I'm reacting like this."
"Obvious?"
"So-called traitors betray for one of five big reasons: money, love, revenge, jealousy."
"...You're missing one."
"The last one's no big deal. They just do it. People are like that, right? If they think they can get away with a little disrespect or even outright rebellion, they charge ahead. It's instinct."
"Instinct..."
"If you want to name the last betrayal reason properly, it's 'law of the jungle.' They bite if the opponent looks weak. Beast logic, but humans aren't so different. Simple."
"......"
"So I'm not that interested in the reason. Betrayal? The ones who'll do it will anyway. And sure, I listed five grand reasons, but they're just excuses in the end. It's natural to rage at betrayal. But it was a failed betrayal, right? So just toy with the traitors until you feel better. Don't overthink it. Overthinking sours the mind."
"...I see. So that's a possible mindset."
"Don't take it too seriously. It's just hot air from a young punk who hasn't lived long."
"Haha! Young punk... I doubt anyone would call Sir Lee Han that."
"More than you think."
"Ahahaha!"
Cough...!
Iliyad laughed heartily but soon coughed and stifled it.
"You should calm down. Your body's not fully recovered yet."
"...You're right. I can't even laugh freely."
Calling it 'not fully recovered' was practically high praise.
Tremble...
Iliyad's body was weak beyond measure.
He almost missed the days when only his legs were useless—now he had no strength at all.
Like someone who had been in a vegetative state for over three years and barely woken.
His arms shook so badly 'essential tremor' would be putting it mildly, his face pale as a patient's.
Muscles evaporated, leaving only bones, eyes dim and cloudy.
He could collapse any moment.
Still...
"...If I think of it as the price of survival, it's a bargain."
"......"
"Thank you again, Sir Lee Han."
...for saving this fool.
It was Iliyad's heartfelt gratitude, and Lee Han scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"...I just beat her up."
"That's what I'm thankful for."
"......"
"Ah, that could be misunderstood, haha."
"......"
Misunderstanding? It didn't sound like one...
'Why's he so happy about it?'
...Did I hit her too hard?'
Maybe he shouldn't have hit her head, Lee Han thought with slight regret.
It felt like he'd ruined a perfectly healthy person...
The Ophen rebellion, from predawn to sunrise, was quelled in a remarkably short time—just nine hours.
Thanks to one knight stepping up, though the kingdom downplayed it.
The short duration helped, but they assumed Aura Users would handle it anyway.
The actual Aura User...
It was a trap in that he truly hadn't helped at all.
Even if the truth came out, he wouldn't step into the spotlight.
He had no desire for attention from such an incident.
Outwardly quiet, but the higher-ups were deeply interested.
And so, the unbelievers once more...
The [Blood Crusade], that sinister group, had schemed to devour Ophen and demonized Iliyad—an event that sowed unease and fear throughout noble society.
Especially among knights who trained in Fighting Techniques.
In traitor Elsa's teacup given to Iliyad, they found a drug even the kingdom's alchemists had never seen.
Some ingredients were identified, but others were unheard of, and the alchemists confirmed those components caused the knight's heart to rampage, leading to demonization.
Being rare materials, supply was likely limited—a positive outlook, but just a prediction.
Not enough to ease noble anxieties.
Instead, it highlighted the enemies' dangerous tool to turn them into demons.
"Hm, the nobles are too cowardly and narrow-minded. There's a way to reverse it."
"It's not narrow-minded; it's narrow field of vision, Kunta."
"Yeah, that."
"I get what you mean, Kunta, but only Master could pull off something like that, right?"
"...That rings true too."
Not all nobles were pessimistic, thanks to the precedent of a demonized human reverting—giving hope.
But as Levi said...
"Only an instructor could do it. How do you destroy and protect the heart at once? And restoring it right after destruction is huge. Without an Aura User, recovery's impossible."
Destroying the heart was feasible, but restoring it was generally impossible.
An Aura User with ocean-like vitality could regenerate a heart and revive the near-dead, but no regular human could.
Thus, a substitute for Aura Users was needed, which meant...
"90% purity potions or equivalent elixirs to boost regeneration and recovery."
Troll blood, priced to match its rarity—even 90% purity, impossible to obtain on the market, was tough for great nobles.
"Hm, time to invest."
With this, potion and elixir material prices would spike for a while.
"Since when are you a full-time investor?"
"When the money-making opportunity's obvious. Gotta earn now."
"Moneybags talking about money."
"The more money, the better."
"...Can't argue."
Lee Han nodded slightly, impressed by the investor mindset.
But even with big money on the horizon, something else piqued his interest more.
"So, can that guy be treated?"
"......"
"...I see."
"I, I didn't say anything..."
"Your face says it all. Don't look so down. It's not your fault."
"...Sorry. I couldn't help."
Blaming herself for no reason—she must have a tough life too.
'Life ain't easy.'
Lee Han shook his head, recalling the Sword Saint, deemed 'unrecoverable' by the best doctor he knew.
He'd genuinely wanted to help...
"W-well, something like the Demon King's fresh blood might make treatment possible..."
"...If it's needed, it is. Why look at me?"
"I thought Instructor and Demon King are similar, sir..."
"......"
"H-how about a 2,000mL blood donation...?"
"......"
"Instructor? Why the axe all of a sudden...?"
"Figured the ungrateful little bastard needs a good whacking."
"!!?"
Lee Han gladly picked up the rod to discipline his money-hungry disciple.
A loving beating steeped in master's grace.