Chapter 81
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Epilogue - Leo (3)
I stared blankly at that bitch. The single phrase that burst from those loathsome lips shattered into fragments and lodged between the crevices of my brain. I slowly savored each word of that statement in my mouth.
Fuck. We're fucked?
Fuck. Yeah. That one word encapsulated the entire situation. Suddenly meeting the Emperor's envoy without any preparation was fucked, the Duke exploding in rage and lunging at me was fucked, and a sword that wasn't even mine plunging into the Duke's chest was fucked. If the capital guards hadn't shown up, I might've handled it somehow on my own. But because the whole damn lot swarmed in, everything went straight to hell.
Fuck. In the end, it all stemmed from my dick. My cock was the root of all this shit. Because I'd mindlessly rammed it into Catherine earlier, and before her into countless other women, and that day into my little sister—all of it led to this.
Whatever. Blaming that now wouldn't change a damn thing. What really mattered was the situation right here, right now. I scraped out the sticky stray thoughts clinging to my mind. But even so, one fundamental question lingered. I slowly raised my head to hurl it at her.
Just who the hell are you...
"Leo!"
But instead of an answer, a sharp spear tip hurtled toward my face. The icy chill glinting on its point snapped me back to reality.
"By the name of His Majesty the Emperor, you are under emergency arrest. Hands behind your back—get on the ground!"
They were even invoking imperial authority. No way to play this off as some internal Duke's household matter now. The whole setup had me slowly ensnared, like it was scripted from the start.
In that mess, the only thing I could spit out was one ridiculously pathetic line.
"I... I didn't kill him."
It was a pitiful truth when I said it aloud, but it was all I had left to cling to.
"That's not my sword. Why the hell would I bring a blade into the Duchess's bedroom? The doctor brought it. Why would I bring a sword into the Duchess's bedroom? Why would I do that to the master I serve?"
I desperately spilled every bit of truth I had. But the guard just eyed me coldly, gripped his spear tighter, and said,
"We'll add attempted assassination of the Duchess to the charges."
"..."
"Arrest him."
With that single command, the guards advanced spears first. I knew retreating would only make it worse, but I hesitated and backed up anyway. I had to do something. At least stall for time with words.
"Catherine."
In the end, I turned to my last shred of hope. She flinched and looked my way. Say something useful, you slut. Earn your keep for all the times I've fucked you. Please, just this once—be worth a damn.
"Leo..."
But the bitch couldn't muster anything useful. Her lips just quivered. Her wavering eyes flicked over me, the Duke, and the approaching guards.
And then she took a small step back.
"..."
Yeah...
My mistake was ever trusting that bitch.
Why hadn't I realized it sooner? That the people in this world are too goddamn weak to rely on. No, I did know. Men crumble to raw power, women to cock—and that in this world, the only one worth trusting, the only one I could rely on, was me.
Yeah.
This world is just too fucking weak.
That's why they have to submit to me.
So why do these fucking vermin always thrash around like this?
Like the retard standing right in front of me.
"Halt!"
The guard aiming his spear at me stood there all puffed up, like he actually stood a chance at killing me. Clueless that I could smash him to pieces in a heartbeat.
I couldn't let them take me like this. Couldn't bow my head to these idiots. And above all, if I got arrested, who knew what would happen to Reina and Eric.
I folded my fingers one by one. With every option gone, only my fists remained. Just those.
...In the end
"Bind him!"
Was this it? The only way out?
"Stay still!"
One of them lunged and grabbed my arm. I whipped around, seizing his instead.
"Wha...!"
Then ripped it clean off and smashed it into the forehead of the guy in front of me.
"...!!!"
"..."
Bone and flesh crumpled together as the severed arm pulverized the bastard's skull. His body, hit with sudden death, froze in blank refusal before collapsing in a heap with a wet thud. It happened so fast the armless fucker could only gape at his bloody stump, mute.
But as agony hit and blood sprayed from the stump, a wretched scream tore from his throat.
"Aa... Aaaa...! Uwaaaaaah!!!"
"Kyaaaaaaaah!"
"You fucking bastard! Call for reinforcements! Now!"
And with that, chaos erupted. Lost in the long-forgotten rush of killing, I snapped alert at the sound of a sword drawn behind me. Dumb fuck. Arm torn off and you still try to take me down? I pitied the idiot soul trapped in that frail shell as I yanked his wrist—and sword—in one brutal pull.
"Aaaaaaaaaah!!!"
"No!!!"
Another pitiful wail echoed, and several guards charged spears raised. I steadied my breath, faced them head-on. Drew a line in the air. Thin and faint, colorless—from the front bastard's throat, carving the next's shoulder, slicing the one's beside across the waist.
But as my sword swung, that line ripped open blood-red, thick gore exploding wildly from their bodies.
"Uwaaaaaaaaah!!!"
"Damn it! Fall back!"
"But there are still people in the room!"
The guards finally clocked the gap in our levels and started pulling away. Too late. I caught my breath, traced another line. Across the remaining guards' necks. The line veering through bitch Catherine's arms and legs wavered, then locked on one spot. I poured all my hate into staring down that final target.
"Huuuuuuh..."
Yeah. Right at that goddamn doctor's neck. Letting her die like this felt merciful—she'd fucked everything up beyond repair. I'd squash her like the bug she was, you fucking cunt.
She scowled at me, oblivious to her doom, then raised a hand my way. Blue energy rippled in her palm. Mid-swing, I froze, staring blankly at the mana pooling there.
And in the next instant, azure light detonated in my chest, hurling my body through the mansion wall into open air.
"Uwaaaaaah...!!!"
I screamed like a gutted pig, smashing through walls in sequence—first floor, second, third, fourth. My body hurtled airborne, then plummeted just as fast to the dirt below. The ground I'd barely noticed living in luxury rushed up to meet me.
"Ugh...!!!"
Tried lifting my arms, but the shock had me locked up. In the end, sword gripped tight, teeth clenched, I face-planted hard.
...!
...
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...
"Ah... Ugh..."
Black haze cleared from my vision as tinnitus screamed in my ears. Blood trickled from my nose, but the throbbing all over my body hurt worse.
"Fuck..."
Who the hell was that woman? Who could unleash magic like that...
As I mulled that, groaning, I dragged myself up slow. Tinnitus faded; sounds sharpened.
"There! He's over there!"
"Fuck..."
Sword in iron grip, I hauled myself up. How many? I looked to count—a dozen guards charging my way. Number didn't matter. Kill 'em all. The real issue was what came next. Needed a plan to wrap this shitshow. As I raised my blade—
"Surround him! Hurry!"
Voices from behind.
"Archers over here!"
"Knights not here yet? This guy's no ordinary punk!"
From the side.
"Kyaaaaah!"
"Evacuate! Now!"
No—from everywhere.
I figured I'd blacked out for a split second. And yeah, maybe I had. But the capital's defenses were tighter, faster than I'd dreamed. Gray-armored guards, archers nocking arrows, fully geared knights—pouring in from all sides.
The whole damn capital was charging to kill me.
"Uh..."
Sword raised high with bravado, I gaped like an idiot. This many? All of them?
"Take him!!!"
An overwhelming wave of numbers flooded my sight. Hatred screaming from eyes, ears, nose—every sense. Suddenly, I felt small. Pathetic.
Just some duke, I'd thought. Seemed simple enough. But no. To the Empire, I was some nameless vermin threatening a noble duke. I'd seen it backward all along. Idiot. Chump. Scum. Worthless fuck. Every label fit me.
Truth or not, to the world's eyes, I was nothing but a parasite leeching off the Duke's house.
"Aa..."
No wonder it all crumbled in a flash. What I'd done? Simple adultery. Nothing more, nothing less. The world clamped down on my arrogance like payback. Truth hitting home, I felt hollow in the eye of it all, gaze dropping just a bit.
And bolted for my life.
"Capture him!!!"
"Fuck... Fuck...!"
The fool finally knowing his place ditched everything and sprinted like hell. Pathetic? Fuck it. Escape first.
"Hah... Hah... Hah...!"
"There! That way!"
"Haa... Haa...!"
"Block the alley! Keep calling reinforcements!"
Shouts nonstop. Arrows and spears whistled past sometimes; squads blocked my path others. I dodged, slashed, tore through—straight for one goal. Right now. Yeah, only one play left.
"Uwaaaaaah!"
"No!!!"
"Don't stop! Keep pursuit!"
"Fuck... You fucking bastards...!"
Tried shaking them, but the fucks stuck like glue. Gave up, beelined for my mark. Soon, a modest house tucked in the capital's outskirts came into view. Thinking ceased—I slammed bodily into the door.
Bang!
"Kyaaak!"
A tearing scream rose as dust and wood shards exploded, blinding me. But I bulled through the haze toward the cry. There—a girl clutched a child tight, stumbling back.
"D-don't come any closer!"
Terror in her eyes, tears streaming—it stung. But I forced a gentle smile and closed in.
"Reina. It's me. Leo."
"Oppa...?"
Reina eased her guard a fraction, peering straight at me. Little Eric in her arms worked his tiny lips.
"D... Daddy."
"Yeah. Daddy's here. Good boy, Eric."
"Oppa... what the hell happened? Why're you such a mess? What's all that noise outside? What went down?"
"Reina. I'll explain everything. Just... right now..."
"There! He went into that house!"
"Damn it..."
Guards faster than I'd hoped. Thought of grabbing Reina and Eric to run—no time. Gritted teeth, shitty plan locked in.
"Reina. You trust me, right?"
"Huh? What're you—"
"You have to trust me. Got it? Trust me. Like always."
"Answer me first. What the fuck's going on? I..."
"It's fine. I'll explain later."
I smiled, inching closer. Close enough our foreheads nearly touched, hands too.
"Leo! Surrender now!"
"...Sorry, Eric."
Snatched Eric from Reina's arms, blade to his throat.
"Oh god... Eric...! Wh-what the hell are you doing!!!"
"Everyone stop, fuckers!"
"D... Daddy...?"
Reina and Eric stared in shock. I faltered for a beat, but no turning back. Resolve honed sharp, I bellowed.
"One step closer, and I slit this kid's fucking throat!"