Chapter 176: Nightmare (12)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 176: Nightmare (12)
A head rolled over.
The face of a beautiful, blonde woman.
Her face, cold and stiff, held none of its usual simple smile.
Her wide-open eyes were filled with a sense of betrayal and deep worry for someone.
Han Jisu stared blankly at the woman's head.
He didn't want to believe the scene before him was real. He desperately wished it was just an illusion cast by the lich.
"What are you spacing out for?"
Jeral's voice roused him from his hopeless fantasy.
On trembling legs, Han Jisu knelt on one knee. He slowly reached out and caressed the woman's cheek. There was no mistake. This was her skin.
The reality he refused to believe became a dagger, tearing his heart to shreds. He could no longer control his shaking body. He collapsed, slumping to the ground as he stared at Ash's face and asked in a mumble.
"Why?"
"..."
An arrow flew at him in place of an answer.
He snatched it out of the air and crushed it in his grip.
"I asked you why, Jeral."
"...I heard you abandoned the beastman village to save the human one in the Black Mushroom Forest."
Han Jisu's body flinched. Seeing this, Jeral let out a smirk.
"Judging by your face, what that lich bastard said must be true."
Jeral pulled a cigarette from his pocket and placed it between his lips. He took a deep drag, then exhaled. White smoke drifted toward the sky.
"We beastmen are few in number. It's not a problem of fertility like the elves. It's because of your human kings, who fear a rebellion if our population grows."
A single household could have a maximum of two children.
Any child born after that was culled.
Jeral continued, his expression bitter.
"Of course, I don't expect you to have known that. No one would have been brave enough to show you, the Hero from another world, the ugly side of humans. I'm sure you simply chose what you thought was best, saving the greater number of people. But you knew this much, didn't you? That I care deeply for my kin."
The beastmen were few.
Therefore, their world was small. Even if they didn't know someone's face, they would have heard their name through the grapevine.
Even Jeral had known people in that village.
"If you had truly considered me a comrade, you would have saved the beastmen, if only for my sake. But you didn't."
"I didn't know. I didn't know that one small village meant so much to you..."
"And what would have changed if you had known? You might have hesitated a little longer, but in the end, you would have chosen the human village. Because Ash, that bitch, would have convinced you. And you would have pretended to go along with it reluctantly."
"What?"
"Why the surprised look? She only acted innocent in front of you. You knew Ash disliked beastmen, didn't you? And it wasn't just her. Felix and Asgarth weren't fond of them either."
"...You really think so? That those idiots thought of you that way?"
"Yes."
Jeral threw down his cigarette butt.
"My only true companion was Elipheed. Only she, who was in a similar position, understood me. But now she's dead."
Thump, thump, thump.
The ground trembled. Death Knights, Skeleton Archers, Zombie Ogres, Rag Golems, and more. An army of the undead appeared before the dungeon.
"When Elipheed and I agreed to become your companions, we asked the Emperor for only one thing: to improve the treatment of our people. Now that Elipheed is dead, the Emperor will surely nullify his promise to her. I will not stand for that. I will carry on her will."
"...Is that why you betrayed your comrades?"
"He told me that if I killed you and returned, he would give me a position as a Legion Commander. He also said he would accept the beastmen and elves as members of the demon race."
"Do you think they'd want to become demons?"
"It's far better than being enslaved by humans. They might not accept it right away, but they'll come around eventually."
"I could have improved the treatment of the beastmen and elves. All I had to do was defeat the Demon King—"
"You, who couldn't even beat a single Legion Commander and got captured, think you can defeat the Demon King? Don't make me laugh. Even if some miracle occurred and you did defeat him, you wouldn't be able to accomplish anything. No matter what, you're just the Emperor's dog. You bark when he tells you to bark and lie down when he tells you to lie down."
"...Right. There's no turning back now, is there?"
Han Jisu closed Ash's eyes and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
He stood up, gripping the Holy Sword.
"Where is Ash's body?"
"I left it in the fields. Once her holy power dissipates, she'll be eaten by hungry monsters."
"Then I'd better get it back before that happens."
The Holy Sword in Han Jisu's hand began to glow.
The Hero returned with the Holy Sword.
To celebrate the good news, a banquet was held at the Imperial Palace. It was a grand affair attended by the Emperor, the Pope, and kings from every nation. Dancers danced, bards sang, and ladies and gentlemen held hands.
But amidst the truly joyous banquet, the Hero stood apart.
He knew the celebration was for his safe return, but he couldn't bring himself to enjoy it.
The sight of his companions dying before his eyes, the sensation of cleaving Jeral's body with the Holy Sword—it was all still vivid, tormenting him.
"Hahaha! Why is the guest of honor looking so down? I know it was difficult, but why not try to enjoy yourself a little!"
"His Majesty the Emperor is right. Hero, rest is important. You must rest when you have the chance."
Perhaps because he seemed too withdrawn, the Emperor and the Pope singled him out.
I'm not in the mood...
But it was rude to keep sulking at a banquet held in his honor. Even more so now that the Emperor himself had spoken. Han Jisu suppressed a sigh and forced a smile.
"I was just a little tired. As you say, Your Majesty, I will do my best to enjoy myself."
"Good. You there, what are you doing? The Hero's arms are empty!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Two beautiful dancers approached and clung to either of Han Jisu's arms. The faint scent of the women tickled his nose, and he could feel their soft breasts pressing against his biceps.
For an ordinary man, it was a touch so alluring it would have made him melt, but...
—Hero!
Hearing Ash's voice in his head, he flinched and pulled away.
"Ouch...!"
Startled, he had pulled back a bit too forcefully, and one of the dancers fell on her bottom.
"Ah... I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine, Sir Hero."
The dancer took Han Jisu's offered hand and stood up, but the atmosphere had turned awkward in an instant. The Emperor, his face flushed with wine, clicked his tongue.
"You're killing the mood. Are you not pleased with this banquet? I went to the trouble of holding it for you."
"My apologies."
"If you're truly sorry, then liven things up."
"I'm sorry, but I have no talent for such things."
"Hmph. You're usually so confident. Why are you in such a foul mood today? If you have nothing else to do, how about telling us a story about your companions?"
He flinched.
Han Jisu's body went rigid.
"...A story about my companions, you say?"
"Yes. Preferably about what happened in the Demon Realm. I've already heard all the reports about what happened before that."
"Ooh, that's a fine idea. If their heroic ends become known, it will surely quell the anti-war sentiments among some of the foolish common folk."
"The grand deaths of heroes! This will surely be the material for the greatest song in history. Sir Hero, please, tell us your tale. I, Coronoco the bard, will create a song as great as the epic of the former Hero!"
"What, what? What's going on?"
"The Hero is going to tell us what happened in the Demon Realm. I heard it's mainly about the glorious final moments of his companions."
"Oh, really? Hey, hey. Put down your drink. This is a story too precious to be forgotten in a drunken haze."
Starting with the Emperor, the Pope, the bard, and the Empire's nobles all began to laugh and chatter.
"...?"
Han Jisu couldn't comprehend the situation.
'Why are these bastards laughing?'
Why were they talking about his dead companions, not with grief for the heroes they'd lost, but with grins on their faces, talking about making songs and how entertaining it would be?
The story of Elipheed, who was always so careful, stepping forward for her people only to die in agony.
The story of Felix, who never cared for other races, giving his life in a single sword strike to save her.
The story of Asgarth, who sacrificed his life and even his honor for the sake of a pathetic fool who sang of wanting to die, yet hesitated when death finally came.
The story of Ash, who only ever suffered because of a stupid, dense, and stubborn Hero, only to be killed by a comrade's hand.
The story of a fool with such strong defense mechanisms that his mind broke, leading him to do something idiotic.
Are these stories something the likes of you should be laughing at?
Even I, their comrade, can't laugh about it. So what gives you the right?
—No matter what, you're just the Emperor's dog. You bark when he tells you to bark and lie down when he tells you to lie down.
Jeral's voice echoed in his ears.
Ah... I see...
Because I do everything they tell me to.
Because I grit my teeth and turn the tide of unfavorable battles.
They really do see me as their dog.
They treat me like a foul-tempered hunting dog that complains sometimes but ultimately obeys.
That's why they can laugh.
It's just that the pet dog's friends died.
They just want to have some fun reminiscing.
Look at them.
The kings and knights from other nations aren't laughing.
The only ones laughing are the Emperor, the Pope, the high nobles of the Empire, and the bastards who suck up to them.
Must be nice.
To be born into a family in the Empire's heartland by sheer luck.
You haven't suffered any damage from the war, and your lives are never threatened, are they?
So the war feels like someone else's problem, and you can grin at a story like this as if it's some kind of entertainment.
Hahaha, fuck.
I'm sorry, everyone.
You didn't deserve to be treated like this.
It's because I'm such a fucking idiot that you're all being treated like this.
Because I'm a moron, I made you risk your lives for bastards like these.
...I let you lose your smiles for the sake of these bastards' laughter.
'I should have just said no when they told me to bring back the Holy Sword.'
I just followed orders, not knowing what was truly important.
I can even understand why Jeral sneered and called me a dog.
With a faint smile, Han Jisu walked toward the Emperor.
"Hm? Hero, why do you approach me? You can tell your story from there."
"..."
"Hero? Why don't you answer?"
"..."
Receiving no reply, the Emperor's royal guard sensed something was amiss and slowly reached for the sword at his hip.
"Stop. If you come any closer—"
Han Jisu's Holy Sword moved before the guard could even grasp his hilt. Slice. Shhhk-! The guard's upper body flew through the air as blood sprayed everywhere.
The boisterous banquet hall fell silent as if by magic.
The Emperor saw the guard's blood splattered on his body, and his eyes began to tremble.
"Y-You bastard Hero! What is the meaning of this!"
"..."
"Sheathe your sword! If you do not, I will consider this treason and..."
Shunk.
The blade of the pure white Holy Sword pierced the Emperor's gut.
—Gasp...!
A sharp intake of breath was heard from somewhere in the hall.
The Emperor stared at his impaled stomach with eyes of disbelief.
"Uh... Ugh...!"
The pain was so intense he couldn't even scream. The Emperor fell to his knees. He grabbed the blade piercing his stomach with his hands—a purely instinctual act, knowing he would die if the sword was pulled out.
It was meaningless.
Han Jisu yanked the sword free. The Emperor's fingers, which had been gripping the blade tightly, were sliced off.
"Aaaargh—"
Before he could scream, Han Jisu's sword drew an arc.
Slice. Thud. Clatter. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Severed from its body, the old monarch's head bounced down the steps of the throne.
As the crowd's eyes fixed on the Emperor's rolling head, Han Jisu walked silently toward the Pope.
The knights, who had been speechless at the shocking sight, belatedly began to draw their swords one by one.
"Sir Hero, what is the meaning of this..."
"I'm not the Hero."
"...Pardon?"
"I said, I'm not the Hero."
I can't do this anymore.
I quit.