Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Ah, This is 'Sacrifice'
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Ah, this is what they call 'sacrifice.'
'Bad guys have one trait in common.
If someone messes with them, they absolutely want payback.'
And from that trait, they inevitably split into two types.
The ones with a bit of brains just lie low and look for another way.
The dimwitted ones try to turn it around with some half-baked scheme.
Obvious plays, but they cackle like it's genius.
Thinking it's their ace in the hole.
'You thought I'd use the money you demanded for my personal gain, Viscount.
You're the real Regeno.
You fucking moron.'
After returning to Claussen, money was essential to move forward with his plans.
He'd fixated on it for a bit, but he wasn't so naive or stupid as to swallow obvious poison.
Instead, Sion dug a trap of his own.
Making it seem like he was obsessed with money, like he'd hoard every coin for himself without a second thought.
"All the money I took from that man will be handed over through this异族 girl to cover travel expenses back to the homeland for the异族 who were freed. Plus the reward bounties, all of it.
They're not completely at odds with our world—they trade occasionally and exchange letters, after all."
It was simple theater, nothing complicated.
After receiving all the gold, he handed it entirely to the Meowkin princess, the girl chosen by lightning.
Winnie Portable.
He bowed and expressed his remorse.
Even if his apology didn't erase that man's crimes or his evil deeds.
Even if it didn't undo the pain you and your kin, and countless other异族, had suffered.
This was something a 'human'—a being with reason—had to do.
"That's right.
This human guy gave it all back.
He even took care of the injured ones and those in bad shape!
So he's my benefactor!
The benefactor of us Meowkin!
Touch him and you're dead!"
Apparently thinking Schumacher was out to get Sion, Winnie crouched low, ready to pounce, letting out a fierce kyaaak!
"...Is it true, Meowkin girl?"
"You doubting me?
You humans?
Always lying with your mouths and acting hypocritical?
You dare doubt me!
Kyaaang!"
"I'm not doubting.
Just confirming.
You know this is important, right?"
At Schumacher's cool tone, Winnie eased her guard a bit and glanced back at Sion standing behind her.
Her tail swished once.
Then she huffed.
Hmph!
And spoke.
"Weak, slow, worthless human—but his words and actions ring true.
Not just me. Every one of my kin in this castle will vouch for it."
With that, Schumacher nodded and turned to Sion.
"Forgive my rudeness, Young Lord.
I presumed without knowing you."
"It's natural.
I prepared for misunderstandings like this, so Vice Commander has no reason to worry."
Sion waved it off with a smile, and the royal knights around them nodded knowingly, as if they'd expected it.
The war hero who'd led victory against Nudia.
The noble son who'd charged into hellfire to save a single soldier.
In a place where he could've boasted of his feats and no one would bat an eye, he'd instead reminded everyone who the real heroes were—and stayed humble.
And that was just the start.
Turned out he couldn't wield mana at all, a fatal flaw, yet he'd lived and fought like it was nothing.
He'd even crushed Ive, Nudia's so-called Chess King.
All by age twenty. Sion Claussen had pulled off insane feats.
'And he plays the lute, turning a man's bold ambitions into stirring songs—an artistic genius too!'
Knights drilled in sword and shield every day, so they romanticized the arts.
Sion had hit that perfectly.
A war hero who played instruments and sang beautifully.
Straight out of a novel—a true hero!
"More importantly, Viscount Konean.
From start to finish, you were just a fool played by Young Lord Sion Claussen."
"N-No.
How in the world..."
Viscount Konean, hearing Sion's tales, was too flustered to speak.
He'd handed over the money thinking it'd be his weakness to exploit.
But no—to atone to the异族 and show basic courtesy, he'd given it all away!
"You bastard!
If not for human rules, I'd rip you apart!
Kyaaak!"
Just days ago, Winnie had raged about killing Viscount Konean herself.
But Sion had stepped in, saying in the human world, human laws must be followed—and convinced her.
Grumbling, she'd gone along with it.
No other reason.
She just wanted to stick close and watch the human man who'd saved her and her kin.
And all the others.
Curious what kind of man would go to such lengths for them.
"Talking to you any longer would shame the kingdom, Viscount Konean."
"W-Wait.
Not yet..."
"Watch your words from now on.
What ends with punishment for you and a few retainers could become a disaster engulfing your entire family."
He'd broken the kingdom's laws, so he'd lose his title, and he and his household would become commoners.
But at least his family could escape severe penalties.
This was Hispanya—where, unless it was high treason against the crown, only the guilty faced direct punishment.
"No more words for Viscount Konean.
Shall we go, Young Lord Sion?
Any longer, and that man's stench might rub off on your clothes. It worries me."
Viscount Konean wanted to say something, but he caught Sion glaring—a look promising regret if he pushed further, using every means.
In that moment, he closed his eyes and accepted reality.
At the very least, his wife and children had to live safely.
—
Vice Commander Schumacher was fully convinced now.
Whatever Viscount Konean said, armed with knightly justice and pity for the weak, he'd dismiss it as lies in his report to the palace.
With his family's lives as quiet hostages, the viscount wouldn't dare act out.
Guys who hurt others' bodies and hearts were always psychos who obsessed over their own, and their families'.
"M-Master."
"Young Lord Sion."
After sending Schumacher to check on the异族 slaves, Risheeda and Lucia's eyes sparkled as they gazed at Sion entering the best room in the Konean estate.
Their looks asked when he'd planned and pulled that off.
Sion scratched his neck, flashing a sheepish grin.
"I debated telling you two, but it felt embarrassing.
Ahaha..."
Embarrassed, my ass.
If Viscount Konean had surrendered early without a fuss, Sion would've pocketed it all.
But he'd anticipated the man wouldn't stay quiet, leading to this outcome.
"Lucia.
You said many异族 are still showing severe stress and some self-harm."
"Yes.
That awful man tormented those women so badly—half recovered their senses right away, but the other half are still confused, terrified.
Poor things..."
Classic Lucia, her heart shining through.
Most humans on the continent saw异族 as '异族'—not equals, just inferiors.
Even Vice Commander Schumacher showed it moments ago.
A royal knight vice commander, sympathetic to the weak, yet he'd eyed Winnie with clear distaste.
'The kingdom sees异族 as troublemakers who stir chaos without paying taxes or providing troops. No wonder they don't want them around.'
And these were all feisty ones.
Fierce tempers.
Who'd look kindly on that?
Lucky they weren't chased off.
"It'll be tough, but could you check on them more, Lucia?
Since we're sending them safely home, I want them as whole as possible."
"Of course!
How could I refuse Young Lord Sion's kind heart!
I was about to ask you if I could help more!"
Relieved, Sion murmured good, then asked Risheeda beside him to escort her.
Caring for the异族 served him, so protecting Lucia was protecting himself—he convinced her that way.
"Then I'll go!"
"We'll be back soon, Master."
The two women headed to the异族 slaves' treatment area.
Alone, Sion opened the door and stepped in.
"You're here?"
"Yes, Lily-nim."
"Good work today."
No clue how long she'd been waiting inside.
Lily, seated elegantly with legs crossed, continued.
"You know... watching you makes me wonder who's really the demonkin."
"Why?"
"Isn't that why you humans hate us demonkin?
Evil, cunning manipulators, living only for personal gain."
"That's the line, yeah."
Of course, Sion knew better than anyone that demonkin weren't really like that.
Ask who the truly wicked were, and he'd name two races confidently.
Humans. And celestials.
"Watching you, though, it crushes demonkin pride.
What are you?
Really a noble's son?
Where'd you learn to think and talk like that?"
Lily's suspicion was fair, honestly.
Guy stuck in Margrave Territory till twenty.
Yet his words and schemes outdid some crafty old fox with decades more experience.
Even a demonkin like her was impressed—plenty reason to find it weird.
"You know I have no mana, right Lily-nim?"
"Obviously."
"Wielding mana is basic here. Bare minimum."
"Yeah?"
"So imagine what a guy who can't even do that basic thing does from childhood to survive."
"Uh..."
"Anything. Everything.
That's me—just clawed through childhood fiercely."
Truth was, no one knew how young Sion Claussen lived.
Not him. Not Lily, Lucia, Risheeda, or Kim Yoo-hyun.
Not even his father, Margrave Lichten.
Sebastian only started watching closely after he hit adolescence.
His childhood thoughts, resolves, actions—only the author who created it all knew.
"I'm just a human flailing to survive.
You're the precious ally helping me, Lily-nim."
"...Ah, uh?
Y-You bastard!
I told you not to come at me like that suddenly!"
"Heart pounding?"
"Sh-Shut up!
Fuck!
Why's my heart acting up!
Annoying!"
It nearly leaped out.
That was Lily's real thought.
The enslavement pact already forced vulnerability.
Then bam—a heart-pounding strike like that?
Tough to endure.
'Damn!
Why am I like this!
I decided to be the reliable big sis he leans on, but this makes me seem clingy—embarrassing!
Get it together, you idiot! Grip that heart!'
She slammed her head with her fists.
Thud thud!
Thud thud thud!
...But the thuds now weren't from Lily's head.
"...Huh?"
Noise from outside.
Someone pounding the door roughly.
'Who?
Lucia and Risheeda are with the异族 slaves. Kim Yoo-hyun's rough but not this bad at knocking.
Lily-nim's here?'
Opening the door mid-thought, Sion stared blankly ahead.
Not because someone was there.
No one was.
'...What?'
Tilting his head to close it—
"Where you looking, human male?"
A grumpy girl's voice from below.
Looking down, Sion saw a cat-like girl—no, a cat-girl—crouched, glaring up at him.
"Uh..."
"Can I come in, human male?"
The Meowkin girl, Winnie, already slipping inside gracefully as she asked.
Then she spotted Lily in the chair.
"...W-Weuoong!"
Tail stiffening, she let out a wary growl.