Chapter 165
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Aftermath (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Berik and Lira had been isolated in separate locations, so I decided to meet Berik first.
"......"
He was locked inside a small iron-barred cage.
Though it was narrow in size, the bars were unusually thick—even a Sword Master wouldn't be able to break out easily.
"...They even have one of these?"
"Well, yeah. This is a place where people live, so crime's bound to happen. It's for locking up criminals when it does."
I listened to Charhela's explanation, tapped the bars a few times, and looked down at Berik, who was slumped inside.
"But why does he look like that?"
Even a quick glance showed he was in bad shape.
His cheeks were sunken enough to reveal the bones of his skull, his arms and legs were skin and bones, and his skin was covered in dark blotches, reeking of decay... He looked like someone dying of the plague.
"We don't know either. His condition just kept getting worse over time."
"Hmm... Have you been feeding him properly?"
"What do you take me for? We've given him the bare minimum of humane treatment. He even received Cecilia's holy magic. And he's still like this."
"I see."
I crouched down right there and met Berik's gaze at eye level.
"......"
His dull, vacant eyes seemed to gain a faint spark of life as my reflection appeared in them.
"Berik. Do you recognize me?"
"...Alzen... is that you?"
"Oh. You still recognize me, huh. Even though I've changed quite a bit."
"Ha... cough! Cough!"
Berik tried to sneer and say something, but he broke into violent coughing and his body jerked upright.
As a result, the guy who had been lying down ended up sitting—but as I mentioned, it wasn't by his own power. He was yanked up by the sheer force of the coughing fit, creating a bizarre scene.
"Cough! Hack!"
Splat!
After spitting out a handful of black blood, he finally caught his breath, gasping evenly like he was relieved to be alive.
"Alzen... You stole my power, my divinity, and now you're glowing with good fortune. You damn..."
A stream of thick curses followed, but my eyes were fixed on the blood he'd spat out.
"This is..."
I could sense demonic energy in the blood.
Not ordinary demonic energy, but something potent and of a high order, infused with great power.
Since Berik had fallen victim to the schemes of the Death Demon King Annus, it had to be Annus's power.
"...Charhela. You don't sense anything from that blood?"
"Huh? What? I don't feel a thing. Isn't it just stinky blood?"
"Murel, Rebecca. What about you?"
"I don't sense anything."
"Same here."
"Hmm... Rapiti, Nemess. Even with elven senses?"
"Yes. I sense nothing. I'm sorry I couldn't be of help."
"Same for me."
"I see..."
I nodded, scrutinizing the blood with all my senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, intuition, and instinct. Then I turned my gaze to Berik, who was still rambling incoherently.
"Berik, you're going to die. Not much time left."
"You son of a... What did you say?"
I spoke clearly to the guy, who looked back with a haggard expression.
"You're going to die. You've been hit by the Demon King's power."
"...Yeah. I figured as much."
Surprisingly, he accepted his death calmly.
Well, with his body in that state, he probably saw it coming.
"Before you go, it'd be great if you could tell me how you controlled Kubel's corpse, what the Demon King's plan was, and if he's plotting anything else."
"You think I'd tell you that?"
"If you don't, what's left of your life will just be more suffering."
"Heh, planning to torture me?"
"Yes."
"......"
He stared into my eyes for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"I don't know... I don't know anything."
"Want me to make you know? By ripping off your limbs or something."
"It wouldn't matter. No, really... I truly know nothing."
His voice was plaintive, trailing off weakly.
"One day, the Demon King suddenly approached me, lured me with sweet promises of power no one could overlook, and planted it in that wolf called Kubel. I don't know what method he used, what the original plan was, or what comes next... I know nothing. Nothing..."
He let out a small, hollow laugh and shed tears.
"Must feel good, huh. You bastard. You took the power and abilities I worked so hard for... and look at me now."
"Not really. I wasn't particularly attached to you to begin with."
"Yeah... I suppose not. You're not Starnassila Alzen, after all..."
"......"
I stared at him silently, and he pulled the corner of his mouth up in a sneer.
"You'd better brace yourself. Mother cherishes her family... And Father would jump into a pit of fire if she asked. So..."
"I know. I've already braced myself for that sort, so no need to add more."
"Is that so..."
He dropped his head limply and waved his trembling hand with difficulty.
"Then get out... Nothing more to say..."
"...Alright. Leave any last words if you have them."
"......"
I glanced at him as he clamped his mouth shut, then turned and walked away.
"Hey, wait a sec."
At that moment, Weller grabbed my hand.
"Can't you really do anything about him?"
"No. He's fated to die."
"...It's not that you don't want to save him?"
I met her glaring eyes, tilted my head provocatively, and smirked.
"Sharp intuition. Yeah. Even if there was a way to save him, I'd let him die."
"Sigh... Why not reconsider?"
"Why? You want to save him because he's family?"
"No, I'm not saying save him. At least, wouldn't it be better to execute him formally through a trial at the Duke's Residence?"
Her eyes held undisguisable worry and concern for me.
"...A bit unexpected. Didn't think you'd worry about me."
At my words, she flushed, started to say something angry, then quickly shut her mouth.
"...Maybe. I'm human too. It's natural to worry more about someone I've spent a long time with. Besides, I can't treat you like a 'little brother' anymore..."
"Hmm."
The effects of my complete transformation must have been pretty significant.
"A formal execution via trial... Think that'll work?"
"Of course. Everyone here saw what Berik did. Not just you and me—the Third Imperial Princess and the Saintess too. Their testimony alone seals his fate."
"...Nah, forget it. I'll just let him die like this. If I keep him alive too long, the Demon King might contact him again. Plus, Mother... Pitra might pull something to save him, who knows."
"...Can you handle the fallout?"
"It'll work out somehow."
"This isn't something to take lightly."
"I'm not taking it lightly. I've already prepared for the worst."
She fell silent for a moment, then let out a resigned sigh.
"Fine. If you're set on it, I won't say more."
As she closed her mouth, a heavy, stifling silence descended.
Unlike Berik, Lira had been assigned an entire ger to herself.
There were guards, but no restraints, so she could move freely within it.
It was limited to inside the ger, but compared to Berik, it was worlds apart.
"Lucky you, Lira."
"...You've come."
Lira greeted me calmly, though with a wry smile.
"Your face has changed a lot."
"Yeah. Doesn't sit well with you?"
"...I can't accept it. That body belongs to Lord Starnassila Alzen. To alter a body of noble blood beyond recognition... It's unimaginable disloyalty and irreverence to me."
"I figured. You're right on script."
I had no intention of blaming her beliefs or sense of justice.
Her pride and identity as part of the Starnassila Knight Order were probably very important to her.
But now, when those were directed at me, I had no intention of backing down.
I bared my teeth at her in a glare.
"Just now, Berik's death was decided."
"...I see."
Her calm response was so nonchalant, as if she'd expected it.
"Any last words?"
"No. None. I've written down everything that needs to be said."
Her gaze flicked briefly to her bedding.
A single letter lay on the blanket—anyone could tell it was a will.
"Well-prepared. So, no regrets even if you die right now?"
"...Yes."
"Sigh... Hey, Lira."
I lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.
"Yes. Lord Han-gil... not Alzen."
"You planned to die from the start, didn't you?"
"......"
"Couldn't bend your beliefs and justice, so you proved your path with that foolish act and planned to die satisfied?"
"As expected... You know everything."
She smiled faintly with a resigned expression.
"Yes. That was my intention from the beginning. It was the best choice for me."
"...If your beliefs and justice are so important, why not steel your heart a bit more? Like killing me... You could've attacked Kubel way more stealthily too."
"How could I dare? Even setting aside that it's Lord Starnassila Alzen's body, you've shown me great favor. Regardless of my beliefs, I respect you, Lord Han-gil."
"You're spineless, half-hearted, and vague. Or just plain stupid?"
"Haha... I think so too. But as I said, it was the best for me."
"...I see."
The moment I decided her death in my mind, Weller stepped forward.
"Mind if I step in now? Alzen... no, Han-gil."
"Whatever you say, sis, I've already decided. I'm killing Lira."
"Sorry, but I can't let that happen. She's a valuable asset to the Duke's Residence. And if she dies, you'll be in a bind too, right? So... I'll compensate for the damages her actions caused, on behalf of the Duke's Residence. Let's end it there."
"...Heh, set aside emotions and calculate based on profit and politics?"
"Yes."
"Why should I?"
I shrugged and chugged some booze.
"...Tch. Damn."
The new body was great in every way, but it was annoying how hard it was to get drunk.
"And what can you even offer me, sis? Money? Artifacts? Honor? You think that'd sway me?"
"I'll fully support your plans."
I froze mid-motion, cigarette at my lips.
"...My plans? Killing the Demon God?"
"Yes. And not just that—everything else too. Like issues related to your identity."
"Didn't expect that... Fine, identity stuff aside, killing the Demon God is definitely important to me. It's basically my endgame. But..."
I sneered at her.
She bristled but somehow held back her anger.
"How much can you really help, sis? Do you even intend to? You expect me to buy vague promises? Besides, I don't think I need much help anyway..."
This wasn't a bluff.
With enough Sword Masters secured, once the hero showed up, we could gear up heavy and raid the Demon God with high odds of winning.
...Someone might die, but the high odds were what mattered.
With more time and effort, a perfect raid was possible too.
"Sigh... If that's what you want, I'll even become your slave."
"What?"
"La-Lady Weller!?"
Lira shot to her feet in shock at her bombshell statement.
"Lady Weller! What do you mean!? There's no need for someone of your nobility to do that for me! I'd rather die cleanly...!"
"Lira. Shut up and sit."
"Lady Weller!"
"I said sit. This is part of your punishment too."
Weller glared fiercely, and Lira ground her teeth before sitting back down, tears in her eyes.
"...Doesn't make sense, sis. Is it worth going that far?"
"Of course. You don't realize because they're so common around you, but a Sword Master's value is immense and limitless. We can't lose Lira here. Oh, and one thing—mind assigning her directly under me?"
"Tell Father?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
"Not a bad deal for you either, right? You get to keep using a genius like me and a Sword Master who only betrayed once."
"Maybe... But someone who's betrayed once might do it again, so hard to trust. And honestly, killing her now is clean—no loose ends."
"Lord Han-gil is right! Lady Weller! No need to go this far for a stupid, foolish person like me!"
"I said shut up, Lira. You think my words don't count?"
"Ugh...!"
I pondered while watching the melodrama unfold.
If I accepted, I'd lose Lira but gain Weller... Was that a win?
"O-Oppa... Can't you spare Lira...?"
Then Vivian grabbed my clothes, looking up with teary eyes and pleading desperately.
"I-I get how you feel, Oppa. The betrayal pisses you off, and you're worried it'll happen again if you let her live... Right?"
"...Yeah."
I instinctively reached to stroke her trembling head, then awkwardly pulled back.
Vivian stared at my hand with complex emotions, then raised her voice a bit.
"M-Me and Weller-unnie will train her properly! So it never happens again! And I'll help with your goals too! So... please..."
"...Don't cry. Makes me feel like the bad guy."
"Sniff, sob... I-I'm not crying...!"
"Sigh..."
This was getting tricky.
Killing Lira might make enemies of Weller and Vivian.
Weller might be fine, but antagonizing the main heroine Vivian was a problem.
"......"
After much thought, I sighed and nodded.
"Fine. Got it. I'll let her live. It's not like I lost or suffered any real damage from her betrayal... As long as she doesn't do it again, no reason not to. It's not like I have no feelings after all this time."
I took a drag from the cigarette and exhaled smoke.
"Lira. Am I asking too much?"
"N-No...! Not at all...! I swear, never again...!"
I shot a sidelong glare at her sobbing form.
"What happened to your beliefs and justice?"
"Compared to what you and Lady Weller have done for me, such things are worthless...! My duty, responsibility, and oaths all belong to Starnassila, so I can abandon petty beliefs and justice without a second thought!"
"I see. Well, let's get along from now on."
I wouldn't trust her a bit, but we'd wrap it up like that.
"Oh, and sis."
"...What."
Maybe annoyed that Vivian's plea worked better than her offer, Weller glared sulkily.
"Looking forward to working with you. Slave."
I grinned and ruffled her neatly combed hair wildly.
"...Grrr!"
She forced a smile but ground her teeth menacingly.
"Hey, no answer? Getting cocky with your master, slave?"
"Heh, hehehe...! You little...!"
Any more and she'd snap.
"Kidding, kidding. You're not mad, right?"
"......"
"Looking forward to it, sis. I'll really work you like a slave. Brace yourself."
"Sigh... Fine..."
I left her and Vivian slumped there and exited the ger.
"Sigh..."
What a lukewarm, ambiguous ending.
I had no grounds to complain about Lira.
"Good work, Lord Han-gil."
"...Yeah."
I pulled Murel close as she stuck by my side offering comfort, and looked up at the clear sky.