Chapter 203
Chapter 203
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 203
Chapter Title: Mistakes of Youth
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Now they could imagine the death of the world.
Born as members of a small village, throughout their lives up until the point they dirtied their hands, they had never dreamed that the world itself could die.
Even if their entire village were wiped out, they couldn't fathom this vast and merciless world collapsing. In fact, seriously pondering the world's downfall would have seemed strange.
The greatest threat they could conceive of was a knight.
Having their evil deeds exposed to some righteous knight, then meeting their end by an irresistible blade of violence.
But they never imagined that even that was optimistic.
The sky was nowhere to be seen. They couldn't even be sure their feet were touching the ground. Their bodies seemed to be moving, yet there wasn't a shred of evidence to prove it.
"『Subtract』."
Something felt like it was slipping away, though they couldn't tell what. But they vaguely sensed they were being whittled down bit by bit.
At this rate, they would be erased. Like a crude drawing on a whiteboard, once the eraser passed over it, only unrecognizable smudges would remain.
So.
In this pitch-black darkness, to prove their own existence...
"Aaaah──!!"
"Hyaak, huaaah!!"
All they could do was scream at the top of their lungs, making sure it rang in their own ears.
But after a brief moment passed...
Now, no one was even crying.
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"All the human traffickers have been wiped out, and just one remains..."
"What do you mean 'what'? You planning to spare him with another 'one chance' or something?"
The holy knight gripped the hilt of his greatsword tightly at the casual voices of the man and woman murmuring nearby. Though he couldn't see ahead, he focused his senses and assumed a vigilant stance.
This, too, was a trial. A trial arranged by the goddess. Even if he fell here, the high priest would carry on the great undertaking.
The 『Holy Liquid』 discovered by chance in the Elmust Temple.
Drawn by its potent fragrance, the high priest hiding in the sanctuary and the holy knight resumed their activities. The holy knight went outside to gather humans for sacrifice. The high priest stayed inside to conduct the goddess's revival ritual.
So.
As long as she revived, it would be fine. Even if he perished here...!
A voice echoed through the darkness, buzzing like a swarm.
"See? He's brainwashed. Probably a minion of the dead queen... If he lived upright and got mind-controlled, we should free him."
"Does that erase his sins?"
"That's exactly why he needs to live and atone. Running off to death for an easy out? No, he has to pay it back while alive. This is for your ears, right?"
"Hmph, no intention of atoning. So... you planning to crack open his skull right here? Takes about three hours, doesn't it? I hate delaying the trip."
Something slithered up from the darkness.
The corrupted holy knight strained his eyes to identify it, but peering into the dark was no easy task. The only hint was the creeping chill, metaphorically whispering that something was coming.
A young man's voice rang out. Indifferent, like a teacher explaining an experiment to students while eyeing a frog on the dissection table.
"There's a quick and simple way. Soak him in malice. Just a dip. It'll draw out and expose all the rotten bits he's hiding."
"Soak in malice? You, with those eyes... Ah... So now you're not suppressing or denying the rotten nail in your head—you're going to use it and turn the tables? Face me head-on and win?"
"I'm scheming to devour 93% of it, and you've already won. Let's get our words straight."
"Hope for escape is swelling up more and more. You're hoping I trip over my own feet. Want a little nudge?"
Pitch black.
Even in this pitch-black world, an exceptionally black dot quivered.
A small, venomous dot traced a trajectory through the air first, followed by a serene, abyss-like dot. Once the trajectory completed its spell, a translucent mirror materialized in midair.
Gazing into it, the black would gaze back. And upon realizing it was a mirror that dyed the mind with malice──
"I didn't do anything wrong!"
It burst out.
Tightly sealed lips parted, words spewing forth like vomit laced with stomach acid.
"I served the goddess! She said I had aptitude for holy power! Praying and believing every day was enough, she said. It was a filthy chore, but I did it diligently. That's how I became a holy knight."
"And then?"
"Then the goddess appeared in my dreams, said I was wonderful. She seduced me. I was a faithful devotee, so I couldn't resist! Right? Who could refuse embracing a goddess?"
"Wanting to embrace the object of your faith... Interesting. Tell me more. What did you do with that power?"
The holy knight couldn't stop. The black hue staining his mind acted as a catalyst, unleashing the filthy secrets buried deep within.
The man who had adorned himself with words like "goddess" and "faith" revealed his true self, lured by the subtle voice and color.
"I embraced women."
"Ah, you embraced women. Which ones?"
"Church priestesses, some of the captured mountain sacrifices, sleeping people..."
"That's quite wicked. Why?"
The voice from the darkness asked lightly, like a mild scolding. It sounded like chiding a close friend—or interrogating a criminal.
The holy knight shouted.
"The goddess commanded it! Said I deserved it. That it was fine! Even if I did as I pleased, she wouldn't take back my holy power!"
"That was clearly... the succubus queen impersonating the goddess. Never crossed your mind that seductive voice wasn't divine?"
"I suspected at first... but the holy power didn't vanish. Even when I bared my desires raw, even when I killed— it remained!"
"Good, that's enough."
Clap.
A clap echoed, resounding large enough to shake the entire space. The holy knight jolted in surprise, his strength draining as he slumped down.
And before him appeared a young mage. He passed judgment.
"Not strong mind control—just fell for a few sweet words. No pretense of resistance. Didn't seem to agonize much either. Jumped at the chance like you'd been waiting."
"........."
"I'll give you that sliver of conscience you were sparsely born with. Here's a quest for you: Lead those villagers across the continent, rescuing those endangered by scum like yourselves."
Each word seeped into his brain like a scourge, white piercing deep within. The holy knight knew he couldn't defy this man's orders. Ever.
A weight like shackles settled in a corner of his mind. It wouldn't lift until he atoned for his deeds in equal measure.
As his consciousness faded, the holy knight thought.
What have I done?
Too-late regret.
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The corrupted holy knight and villagers were neatly stacked in that clearing over there. In about six hours, they'd wake as a group and move according to the self-hypnosis I implanted.
Suffer as much as the evil you've done, saving people in the process.
Dusting off my hands with the satisfaction of perfectly sorted trash came Evil God-chan, jabbing my thigh and snickering.
"Controlling people like puppets with hypnosis—what's that make you different from the queen? Villain. Trash. Mad mage."
"Shut it. What's wrong with enforcing justice via hypnosis app?"
"That 'justice' is just your personal... Ughbl."
"I know exactly what you're gonna say. Always itching to scratch at someone. But you saying that?"
World-class troll with a mouth that won't quit. I can take moral lectures from others, but not her.
Evil God-chan's reformation isn't done. Until conscience blooms fully, she's beast, not human. That's my stance.
I bonked Evil God-chan's head hard and turned to the wrecked carriage.
"Magic Tower Master, Pingbalrez—no injuries, right?"
"Yeah... None."
"The carriage took heavy damage. The horse died too."
"Aigoo."
What a mess. The horses that carried us this far had gone to greener pastures, and while the carriage held its shape, damage was severe in spots.
So pedestrian travel begins. Not thrilled.
"I'll fix it. Plenty of trees nearby."
"...Carriage, fine. But the horse?"
"I'll pull it."
"Ah."
Right, Pingbalrez pulls. Problem solved.
I scooped up Evil God-chan gnawing my hand and said,
"Gonna scout the village for captives or stragglers."
"Yes. We'll wait."
"M-Me too. Butterfly mode."
Poof. The Magic Tower Master turned butterfly and fluttered off.
Probably embarrassed about blasting Unades Beams in front of me earlier. I get it. Kinda don't want to show Yuna the side that beats people like dogs.
Of course, Roderus and players got mouse-smashed, but that was a session.
I waved lightly to Pingbalrez and headed into the village.
A modest mountain village. Potato fields for self-sufficiency, sturdier-than-expected wooden fences.
Knowing the culprits upfront makes every little foreshadowing crystal clear, like solving a mystery.
Knowing human trafficking was their trade lays bare the village's oddities: structures blocking escape outward,
suspicious farm tools placed as makeshift weapons everywhere.
"So... if you were village chief, where'd you stash the captured prey, Watson?"
"...What's Watson?"
"Someone less smart than me."
Whoosh!
I hopped over Evil God-chan's flying low kick. She huffed, then shared her deduction.
"I'd hide 'em next to the food warehouse. Carrying rations in and out looks suspicious. Better if confinement and feeding happen in one spot."
"Then let's check there first. Wrong, and you're an idiot."
"What if I'm right?"
"Then my wisdom shines in hiring a competent assistant."
Dragging Evil God-chan, we rummaged the food storage building. Sure enough, a secret basement entrance tucked in the corner.
Before opening, I pressed my ear to the ground, channeling a bit of mana. Faint signs of life from within. People.
Not armed. High chance they're the kidnapped. First words? Ta-da, you're free?
As I pondered my entrance line and opened the basement door, Evil God-chan grabbed my shoulder.
"Hey, Mimma."
"Why... No, why call me that? Throwing me off."
"Remember from the carriage? Get on all—"
"La la la, can't hear you."
I bolted down the basement stairs before she listed demands. She'd trash my social cred from the start.
No way. Can't show captives a mad mage in mount mode on first meet.
Thud thud crash!
A short chase ensued.
"Hey!!"
"Damn it, save it for another day!"
"It's for humiliating you, no delaying! Acting this shameless makes me wanna cry? Sob to Lorelei?!"
"Try it, punk—then my special baton'll... Gahk!"
Evil God-chan was faster than expected.
Her flying tackle sent me rolling. Three somersaults later, I came to with her straddling my chest, spread-eagled beneath.
Finally caught me, she crowed triumphantly and declared,
"You're my mount! Crawl on all fours under me!"
"........."
I slyly turned my head, raised a troubled hand, and muttered loudly for all to hear.
"Look, I get your feelings... but I can't accept them. Too much affection is a problem. You're not my type, and I lack the guts for your sadistic walls."
"What kinda bullshit— Ah."
Evil God-chan remembered, head steaming. Her plan was to embarrass me using the captives.
Creak. Her head swiveled.
The sky-blue haired lady in the cell stared blankly, piecing it together. After sorting her thoughts, she cautiously said,
"...Should I... face the wall?"
"No, so... No! I don't like this guy at all! Misunderstanding!"
"Strong denial means strong affirmation, they say."
"Shut up!!"
It took time for excited Evil God-chan to cool down.
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Despite the bewildering chaos, the lady comported herself with proper noble grace, offering polite thanks.
"Thank you for saving me. I am the first daughter of the Julius Ducal House, Erbasilion Julius."
"Hic..."
"Aigoo, a highborn lady. How'd you end up here... Magic Tower Master, what's wrong?"
Yuna froze with a sharp gasp, then frantically beckoned me. Ear over here.
I leaned in; she whispered the red-hot truth.
"Gasp........."
Hearing it, I clutched my chest like a dagger to the lungs, gasping. As we both heaved, Evil God-chan perked up.
"What, Mimma? Why the freakout? Why's the Tower Master like that?"
"Nothing. No issue. Really."
I desperately feigned nonchalance. This truth mustn't reach Evil God-chan.
Julius-something.
My name amnesia persisted; I couldn't catch the nuance. But Yuna's translated title sank in.
Northern Ducal House.
Meaning, her father was...
...My big patron from my isekai Vtuber days.