Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Father's Verdict
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“Heh heh, is your body feeling better now? I was worried.”
Ban Slaine approached with a smile spreading across his face.
Seeing him after such a long time, Seo Woojin flinched.
The fear etched into his body had reacted before any sense of glad reunion.
“O-oh, it’s been a while.”
He even stuttered as he greeted him.
“You’ve grown a lot. I’m glad my teachings paid off.”
The young man’s chuckling face was honestly a bit frightening.
He had become incomparably stronger than when he was at Massive Guardian, but Ban Slaine was still a terrifying existence.
“Thank you.”
Seo Woojin bowed his head in gratitude.
Ban Slaine was his master.
They hadn’t formally established a master-disciple bond like in wuxia novels, but Seo Woojin treated him as a true teacher.
Hearing praise for his growth from such a person naturally filled him with joy.
“Still, there are rough edges. I’ll make time next to teach you properly.”
Seo Woojin’s expression stiffened awkwardly.
Memories of the training at Massive Guardian flashed through his mind.
But he couldn’t refuse.
He could only offer thanks once more.
“Let’s save the talk for later. First, I need to apologize.”
First Ailin, now Ban Slaine was apologizing too.
The reason was that they were late.
But Seo Woojin waved his hands.
Missing Baek Siwoo was regrettable, but without him, he might have died.
No, he definitely would have.
‘Just thinking about it is horrifying.’
If Demon King Transformation had activated in front of Kim Taejin and Sung Yura, and a different personality had emerged...?
It would have been a catastrophe beyond anything Reina had done.
Ban Slaine had prevented that, so Seo Woojin should be the one bowing in thanks.
But Ban Slaine wouldn’t back down.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for being late that the mission failed.”
He bowed his head toward Seo Woojin.
“I’m really fine, so please lift your head.”
Seo Woojin sighed and grabbed his shoulder.
“You coming here was help enough, so no more apologies.”
Only then did Ban Slaine raise his head, as Seo Woojin spoke sincerely.
“Thank you for understanding.”
He gave a warm, genuine smile.
“By the way, is Reina truly dead?”
He’d heard from Ailin, but Seo Woojin couldn’t shake the unease.
The first time he was kidnapped and trapped on the train, Reina had returned unscathed despite her entire body burning from Soul Erosion.
Of course, she had leveled up this time, which was proof of her death, but...
Seo Woojin wanted to hear it directly from Ban Slaine.
“I severed her neck myself. It was her true body, not a clone, so she won’t come back.”
It was a declaration of complete death.
Seo Woojin wore a bittersweet expression.
He regretted not killing her himself, but he was relieved he’d never have to face that blood-crazed pervert vampire again.
“That’s a relief. I was worried I’d run into her again.”
He never wanted to relive the experience of his body stiffening as she sucked his blood.
‘Better to fight Yeorong one more time.’
Fighting Reina? No, that would be preferable.
“Oh, but I heard you found the enemies’ base?”
“That’s right. Actually, that’s why I was a bit late.”
Ban Slaine stroked his chin and spoke.
“As you know, the distance between Sion and here, passing through the empire, is quite far.”
The kingdom at the continent’s northernmost tip.
The empire’s southernmost city.
Naturally, it was an enormous distance.
Especially since Sion, unlike the empire, had no trains, so it inevitably took a long time.
“The moment we got the empire’s request for aid, we set out, so time wasn’t that tight. Once we reached imperial territory, we could use those trains.”
The empire’s transportation was indeed well-developed.
It just lacked ultra-high-speed options like airplanes or KTX.
Of course, train ticket prices were outrageously high, so not just anyone could ride, but that didn’t apply to Ban Slaine.
He was a noble from a small northern kingdom, but not poor enough to forgo trains.
“While riding the train here, I sensed something.”
“Something...?”
“Demonic energy. An overwhelming amount unlike anything I’d felt in my life.”
Ban Slaine had never imagined sensing such a thing within imperial borders, so he decided to pursue it.
The mission to aid Seo Woojin was urgent, but he couldn’t ignore the Demonic energy right in front of him.
“Following the being emitting that Demonic energy led me to one location.”
He let out a sigh, saying it had been so fast he’d nearly lost it, tilting Seo Woojin’s head in curiosity.
“Didn’t the empire notice?”
With their information network that located Baek Siwoo in a day, they couldn’t have missed a being radiating such powerful Demonic energy in the heart of the empire.
“They did know. Crusiel was already pursuing it. But they couldn’t approach easily. The presence was too overwhelming for them to handle.”
If Ban Slaine said that much, it was truly extraordinary.
“How strong was it?”
“Not sure exactly, but...”
After gauging for a moment, Ban Slaine nodded.
“At least on par with that Yeorong you fought or Reina. Not inferior by any means.”
A monster that had reached the transcendent realm.
“...Was that where it was heading—their base?”
Ban Slaine affirmed Seo Woojin’s question.
“Crusiel’s Agna confirmed it. With their intel, it’s undoubtedly true.”
Ban Slaine had wanted to raid it immediately, but Agna stopped him.
They’d keep watch, so hurry and help Seo Woojin first.
“What does that mean?”
“Once things here are wrapped up, come straight back there. With you.”
Not enough with Ban Slaine alone—they were calling Seo Woojin too.
Something that powerful was there.
“If it’s their base, could Baek Siwoo be there too?”
The lion had taken him away.
Unknown destination, but if it was truly their base that Ban Slaine found...
The possibility he’d headed there couldn’t be ruled out.
“Can’t say for sure, but the odds are high, no?”
Ban Slaine smiled as he replied.
The mission wasn’t over yet.
“I’m sorry.”
Ever since waking, he kept receiving apologies.
This time, it was Mohiaddin.
He bowed deeply with a somber expression.
“...What do you plan to do?”
Seo Woojin held Mohiaddin in high regard.
Unlike the negative stereotypes of nobles, he truly embodied noblesse oblige.
But he had failed in raising his child.
Because of that, people who didn’t need to die had perished.
Devoured alive by vampires, without even leaving corpses.
And he’d commissioned a Dark Elf, a Demon King follower, to assassinate a hero...
This wasn’t something that could end with Rashid’s life alone.
“A parent’s failing is their child’s failing, no? I won’t evade responsibility.”
These weren’t light words.
Under imperial law, collaborating with Demon King followers meant execution.
“Didn’t you know, Viscount? As a viscount?”
Emphasizing ignorance might earn leniency from the empire.
Unlike other nobles, Mohiaddin had an impeccable reputation.
But Mohiaddin shook his head.
“Five died due to my inadequate son’s mistakes. How could I show my face and escape that sin?”
He truly was a responsible noble.
That made it all the more tragic.
That one worthless Rashid was dragging down such a man.
“...What about Rashid?”
Seo Woojin asked, hiding his pity.
If he was reflecting, perhaps.
If he vowed to atone for life...
‘I might find a way.’
But that was just wishful thinking.
“Let go! Let me go, you bastards! Dare to grab me? I’ll chop your heads off and hang them from the walls!”
A shout echoed.
It was Rashid, being dragged in by soldiers.
Mohiaddin’s expression darkened further upon hearing it.
‘No good.’
That was irredeemable trash.
Too stupid to realize his actions could doom not just himself, but his father too.
With a bellow like a wild beast, Rashid appeared.
He’d received treatment in the meantime; his battered face had regained its shape.
Flinch!
Spotting Seo Woojin, Rashid froze.
Memories of the merciless violence flooded back.
“F-Father!”
Instinctively, he sought Mohiaddin.
If it was his father.
His father, who ruled this city.
He could save him from that terrifying man.
But it was a delusion.
The eyes of Mohiaddin, always warm toward him, had turned icy cold.
“...Father?”
More frightening than Seo Woojin’s blank expression was his father’s chill gaze.
“Rashid.”
Mohiaddin called his son in a flat tone.
“Y-Yes! Father. I messed up this time. I won’t do it again! Forgive me just once!”
A mistake, he said.
What would the bereaved families think if they heard?
Mohiaddin’s heart tore at the mere thought.
A family’s father, mother, sister, brother—all dead.
Because of Rashid’s wrong choice.
And he called it a mistake.
Without a single apology to them.
Mohiaddin fixed his sunken gaze on his son and spoke.
“Do you know your wrongs?”
“Of course! I’ll live right from now on. To succeed you, I need to get my act together. I’m truly sorry. So forgive me once, okay?”
“...I’m glad you’re repentant.”
Rashid’s face brightened.
With Father saying that, he’d escape severe punishment for sure.
It had always been that way.
His soft-hearted father was always on his side.
He knew this blunder was far worse than before, but it didn’t matter.
Father would cover for him, just like always.
That’s what Rashid believed.
“I will pronounce your punishment.”
“I’ll gladly take any punishment!”
He pretended remorse.
To lighten the sentence, even a little.
But Mohiaddin’s following words made Rashid doubt his ears.
“For consorting with a Dark Elf for selfish ends. For plotting a hero’s assassination through them. For causing the deaths of innocent fiefdom folk. The penalty is death.”
“...What?”
Death? For me? Did I hear right?
Confusion plain on his face.
“F-Father?”
He stammered, calling out, but nothing changed.
“Execution immediate. Temer.”
“Command me.”
Mohiaddin summoned one of his knights.
“Take him outside and carry out the execution.”
“...Understood.”
The knight called Temer hesitated briefly, then saluted and approached Rashid.
“Father! Father! Let go! Let me go, you bastard! Something’s wrong—execution? Execution?!”
Rashid thrashed wildly.
Mohiaddin spoke to his son one last time.
“Wait for me in hell first. Your father will follow soon.”