Mopping Up (Part 2)
Berick and Lira were being held in separate locations, so I went to see Berick first.
He was locked inside a cramped iron cage.
Though the enclosure itself was small, the iron bars were astonishingly thick—so substantial that even a Master would be hard-pressed to break free.
"...We actually had something like this?"
"Well, of course. People live here, after all, and where there are people, crime is inevitable. It's meant for locking up wrongdoers when the need arises."
Listening to Tsarkhella's explanation, I rapped my knuckles against the iron bars a couple of times before looking down at Berick, who lay limp and motionless inside.
"And what the hell happened to him?"
Even a cursory glance was enough to tell his condition was dire.
Sunken cheeks that laid his skeletal structure bare, gaunt and withered limbs, age spots blossoming across reeking skin... All in all, he looked like a wretch rotting away from the plague.
"We don't know either. He just keeps deteriorating as time passes."
"Hmm... Did you feed him properly?"
"What kind of savage do you take me for? He was given all the basic humanitarian treatment. He even received holy arts from Cecilia. And despite all that, he still ended up like this."
"Is that so?"
I squatted down and met Berick's eyes.
As my reflection entered his unfocused, glazed retinas, a faint flicker of vitality seemed to return to them.
"Berick. Recognize me?"
"...Aljen... is that you?"
"Oh. Impressive that you can tell. My appearance changed quite a bit, after all."
"Ha... Cough! Hack!"
Sneering, Berick tried to speak, but a violent fit of coughing wracked his frame, wrenching him upward.
As a result, he went from lying flat to sitting upright—though, as mentioned, he hadn't risen on his own strength. He'd been hauled up by the sheer recoil of his agonizing coughing spasms, making for a grotesquely unnatural sight.
"Koff! Gaghk!"
Splatter!
Only after spewing a fistful of pitch-black blood did he finally suck in a ragged breath, clinging to life.
"Aljen... You look glowing after stealing away my power and my divinity, don't you, you bastard..."
A string of filthy curses pelted my ears, but my eyes remained glued to the pool of blood he had just spat up.
"This is..."
I could sense demonic energy coming from it.
Not just ordinary demonic energy, either, but one saturated with a potent, elevated divine authority.
Berick had fallen prey to the handiwork of Annus, the Demon King of Death, so this was undoubtedly Annus's authority.
"...Tsarkhella. Do you feel anything from that blood?"
"Huh? Like what? I don't feel anything at all. Isn't it just foul-smelling blood?"
"Muriel, Rebecca. What about you two?"
"I sense nothing."
"Same here."
"Hmm... Latifi, Nemeth. Even with your elven senses, is it the same?"
"Yes. We don't feel a thing. I am sorry we could not be of help."
"Likewise."
"Right..."
Nodding, I scrutinized the puddle of blood with all five senses, letting my sixth sense and intuition assemble the picture. Once understanding clicked, I turned back to Berick, who was still rambling weakly.
"Berick. You're going to die. You don't have much time left."
"You dog... What?"
To the haggard wretch questioning me, I spelled it out plain and clear.
"I said you're dying. You've been consumed by the Demon King's authority."
"...I see. So that's how it is after all."
Surprisingly, he accepted his impending death with numb resignation.
Then again, it was impossible he hadn't guessed as much when his body had degraded to such a state.
"Before you kick the bucket, I'd appreciate it if you told me how you were able to manipulate Kubel's corpse, what the Demon King was planning, and whether that bastard has anything else in store."
"And you think I'd just hand that over?"
"If you don't, what little life you have left will only be agonizing."
"Heh. What, are you going to torture me?"
"Yeah."
He stared at me for a long moment, then slowly shook his head.
"I don't know... I don't know a damn thing."
"Want me to help you remember? Maybe by ripping your limbs off?"
"Go right ahead, you won't get a thing out of me. I'm not lying... I truly know nothing."
A desolate, hollow voice dribbled from his lips.
"The Demon King contacted me out of the blue one day, lured me in with sweet promises of power that would let me look down on everyone, and then shoved me inside that wolf named Kubel. That was it. How the Demon King did it, what the original plan was, what comes next... I don't know anything. Not a single thing..."
Letting out a faint, self-deprecating scoff, tears spilled down his cheeks.
"You must feel so damn relieved, you wretched bastard. Taking away the power and abilities I finally managed to grasp... while I end up reduced to this."
"Not particularly. It's not like I ever had deep feelings about you in the first place."
"Heh... Of course you didn't. Because you... you aren't Stanashila Aljen..."
As I watched him in silence, the corners of his mouth stretched into a grim smirk.
"You'd better brace yourself. Mother cherishes family to a terrifying degree... And Father would march straight into hellfire if she asked it of him. So..."
"I know. I prepared myself for that sort of thing long ago, so you don't need to spell it out."
"Is that so..."
His head drooped as he went limp again, his trembling hand waving weakly in the air.
"Then... get lost. I have nothing more to say to you..."
"...Sure. If you have any last words, leave them behind."
After lingering on his silent, motionless figure for a beat, I turned on my heel and walked away.
"Hey, hold on a second."
Just then, Weller caught my hand.
"Can't you really do something about him?"
"Can't. He's fated to die."
"...Are you sure it's not just that you have no intention of saving him?"
Meeting her glare, I cocked my head slightly and gave a provocative smirk.
"Quick on the uptake, aren't you? That's right. Even if there were a way to save him, I'd leave him to die."
"Phew... Why don't you reconsider?"
"Why? Want to save him because he's family after all?"
"No, I'm not saying we should save him. I'm asking if it wouldn't be better to at least have him executed through a proper trial at the Duke's Castle."
Her eyes held an unmistakable concern and anxiety directed squarely at me.
"...Well, that's a bit unexpected. To think you'd actually worry about me."
At my remark, Weller blushed furiously, looking ready to snap, before quickly shutting her mouth.
"...Can't I? I'm human too. It's only natural to worry more about someone I've spent so much time with. Besides... it's not like I can treat you like my 'little brother' anymore anyway..."
"Hmm."
It seemed the reconstruction of my flesh had left quite an impression on her.
"A formal execution through a trial... Do you really think that would work?"
"Of course. Everyone here witnessed what Berick did. Not just you and me, but the Third Imperial Princess and the Saintess as well. Their testimonies alone ensure he has no way out alive."
"...No, forget it. I'd rather just let him die right here. If we keep him breathing, the Demon King might try to make contact again. Besides, there's no telling what Mother... what Pitora would do to keep him alive."
"...Can you handle the fallout?"
"It'll work out somehow."
"I'm telling you, this isn't something to take so lightly!"
"I'm not taking it lightly. I've already braced myself for the absolute worst-case scenario."
After a brief silence, she let out a resigned sigh, realizing she couldn't sway me.
"Fine. If that's what you've decided, I have nothing more to say."
As she fell silent, a heavy, desolate quiet settled over us.
Unlike Berick, Lira had been assigned an entire ger to herself.
There were guards stationed outside, but she wasn't even bound by restraints, leaving her free to move as she pleased.
Though her freedom was confined within the tent's walls, compared to Berick, it was night and day.
"Living comfortably, I see, Lira."
"...You're here."
With a bitter smile, Lira greeted me calmly.
"Your appearance has changed considerably."
"Yeah. Don't like it?"
"...It is unacceptable to me. That body belongs to Lord Stanasila Alzen. To alter a vessel of noble blood so irreversibly... To me, it is an act of disloyalty and blasphemy beyond imagination."
"Naturally. Right on cue."
I had no intention of faulting her convictions or her sense of justice. Her pride and identity as a knight of the Stanasila Knights were undoubtedly paramount to her. It was just that, now that those ideals were pointed at me, I had no intention of backing down.
Glaring at her, I bared my teeth.
"Berick's death was just decided."
"...I see."
Her tranquil response was so nonchalant that it seemed she had anticipated it all along.
"Any last words?"
"No. None. I have already written down everything that needed to be said."
Her gaze drifted toward her bedding. Resting upon the blankets was a single sheet of paper—unmistakably a last will and testament.
"Thoroughly prepared, aren't you? Which means you have no regrets even if you die right this second."
"...Yes."
"Phew... Hey, Lira."
I lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.
"Yes. Lord Aljen... No, Lord Hangil."
"Did you plan on dying from the very beginning?"
"Unable to compromise your convictions and justice, you decided to prove your path through an idiotic act, feel satisfied, and just roll over and die?"
"As expected... you see through everything."
With a look of resignation, she offered a desolate smile.
"Yes. That was my intention from the start. For me, that was the best choice."
"...If convictions and justice mean so damn much to you, why didn't you harden your heart a little more? Like killing me, for instance... Or you could've attacked Kubel far more discreetly in the first place."
"How could I ever dare do such a thing? Setting aside the fact that your vessel belongs to Lord Stanasila Alzen, I am indebted to your grace. Regardless of my convictions, I respect you, Lord Hangil."
"Soft-hearted, half-assed, and indecisive. Or are you just plain stupid?"
"Haha... I think so as well. But as I said, that was the best path available to me."
"...Is that so."
The moment I resolved her execution in my mind, Weller stepped forward.
"Is it all right if I butt in now? Alzen... No, Hangil."
"Whatever you have to say, my decision's already made. I'm killing Lira."
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that. She is a valuable asset to the Duke's Castle. Besides, if she dies, it'll cause you no end of trouble as well, won't it? So... on behalf of House Stanasila, I will compensate for the damages caused by her actions. Let's settle the matter with that."
"...Hah, so you want to bury emotion and settle this through profit, loss, and politics?"
"Yes."
"I don't know about that. Why should I?"
Shrugging, I tipped back my flask and chugged down the liquor.
"...Tsk. Dammit."
Everything about this newly rebuilt body was great, but the fact that I could barely catch a buzz was downright irritating.
"And what exactly can you offer me, sister? Money? Artifacts? Honor? You think trash like that will change my mind?"
"I'll give your plans my full, unconditional support."
I froze, the cigarette halting midway to my lips.
"...My plans? Killing the Demon God?"
"Yes. And not just that—I can help you with everything else, too. For instance, matters regarding your identity."
"Never thought you'd play that card... Leaving my identity aside, slaying the Demon God is undeniably important to me. It's practically my ultimate objective. But still..."
I let out a smirk. A flush of indignation rose to her face, but she managed to rein in her temper.
"Just how much help could you really be? Better yet, do you even genuinely intend to help? You expect me to swallow such vague promises? Besides, it's not like I really need much help at this point anyway..."
That wasn't a lie. Now that I had secured enough Masters, once the Hero appeared and was fully outfitted with top-tier gear, our odds of raiding and defeating the Demon God were already quite high.
Granted, someone might end up dying in the process, but the high probability was what counted. If we invested more time and effort from this point on and prepared without a single gap, a flawless clear was entirely within reach.
"Phew... If you want, I'll even become your slave."
"What?"
"L-Lady Weller?!"
Stunned by the preposterous offer, Lira shot to her feet.
"Lady Weller! What are you saying?! A noble lady of your standing has no reason to go that far for someone like me! I would rather die cleanly than—!"
"Lira. Shut your mouth and sit down."
"Lady Weller!"
"I told you to sit. Consider this part of your punishment."
Under Weller's fierce glare, Lira gritted her teeth, tears brimming in her eyes, before sinking back down.
"...I don't get it, sister. Do you really need to go that far?"
"Of course. You're surrounded by them so you might not realize it, but the value of a Master is immense and virtually limitless. I refuse to lose Lira here. Ah, though there's one thing—I'd appreciate it if you could help get her assigned directly under my command."
"You want me to speak to Father?"
"Yes."
"Heeey..."
"It's not a bad deal for you either, is it? You get continued use of a genius like me, plus a talent who, despite a single slip-up, is still a Sword Master."
"I have my doubts... A person who betrays once will betray twice, so how can I trust and deploy her? And setting all that aside, killing her right here is neat, clean, and leaves no lingering trouble."
"Lord Hangil is right! Lady Weller! There is no need to humiliate yourself for someone as foolish and blind as me!"
"I told you to shut up, Lira. Are my words a joke to you?"
"Urgh...!"
Watching this ridiculous farce unfold, I fell into thought. If I accepted the proposal, I'd spare Lira and gain Weller... but was that actually a net gain?
"B-Big Brother... could you please spare Lira...?"
Just then, Vivian tugged at the hem of my coat, looking up at me with wide, tearful, pleading eyes.
"I-I... I understand how you feel. What she did was unforgivable, and you're worried something similar will happen again if you let her live... r-right?"
"...Yeah."
Without thinking, I reached out to pat her trembling head, then awkwardly drew my hand back.
Watching my hand with conflicted eyes, Vivian raised her voice slightly.
"W-Weller-unni and I will train her properly! So that nothing like this ever happens again! And I'll help you with your goals too, Big Brother! So... please..."
"...Don't cry. If you start crying, it makes me look like the bad guy."
"Hic, sniff... I-I'm not crying...!"
"Sigh..."
Now things were getting troublesome. If I killed Lira, there was a real risk of turning Weller and Vivian hostile. Weller might be manageable, but falling out with Vivian—the game's default heroine—was a massive problem.
After pondering for what felt like an eternity, I finally let out a long sigh and nodded.
"Fine. Got it. I'll let her live. It's not like her betrayal cost me anything or caused actual losses... As long as she doesn't pull this stunt again, there's no reason I can't spare her. It's not like I don't feel some affection after all our time together."
I took a long drag of my cigarette and blew out a thick cloud of smoke.
"Lira. Am I asking for too much?"
"N-No...! Not at all...! I swear, I will never, ever betray you again...!"
I gave her weeping form a crooked glare.
"And where did your convictions and justice run off to?"
"Compared to what Lady Weller and Lady Vivian have done for me, such things possess no value whatsoever...! My duty, responsibility, and oaths lie entirely with House Stanasila, and before that, I would discard petty notions of conviction and justice without a single second thought!"
"Right, sure. Just do better from now on."
I had zero intention of believing her, but wrapping it up like this seemed best.
"Oh, and sister."
"...What."
Evidently displeased that Vivian's plea had proven more effective than her own grand negotiations, Weller glared at me with a sullen pout.
"I'll be counting on you, my little slave."
Smirking, I reached out and ruffled her neatly combed hair, messing it up completely.
"...Grrrk!"
Though she forced a stiff smile, her teeth ground together in a murderous rasp.
"Oh? No reply? Pretty cheeky for a slave talking to her master, don't you think?"
"Heh... hehehe...! You little shit...!"
Any more teasing and she'd blow her lid.
"Kidding, just kidding. You're not actually mad, are you?"
"I'm counting on you, sister. Because I really am going to work you like a slave. Better prepare yourself."
"Haaah... Fine..."
Leaving behind the deflated sorceress and Vivian, I stepped out of the ger.
"Phew..."
What a thoroughly lukewarm, indecisive conclusion. I was hardly in any position to lecture Lira about being half-hearted.
"You worked hard, Lord Hangil."
"...Yeah."
Wrapping an arm around Muriel, who had clung closely to my side to offer quiet comfort, I looked up at the crystal-clear sky.