Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: A Sudden Departure
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Chapter 51
"He's gone?"
Silder asked the tense soldier standing before him. The man's name was Huddan, was it? Having just heard something utterly absurd, he could barely even recall the name.
"Those two said we had to chase after him, so they left."
"He left this sword with you and even took Ran along?"
"Yes."
"That's just like him—I can't even say much about it. I understand. You can go now."
The soldier bowed and left the room. Silder pressed the center of his forehead with his thumb.
Come to think of it, it was a miracle that Inebil had stayed put for the past six months. The boy was like a wild, ill-tempered colt. Lasting half a year was impressive enough.
"Come in."
Silder said while gazing out the window. It was an unusually sunny day. To dump a problem on him and run off on a day like this.
"Shall I send someone after him?"
The steward asked.
"He decided on his own and left. Even if I called, do you think he'd come back obediently? Even Dianne couldn't handle him, so let's leave him be for now."
"If you're too lenient, he might slip away entirely."
"People fall into two categories. Those who obey when leashed, and those who go berserk and bite. Inebil is clearly the latter."
"If we must categorize, there's another type. Those who can't be leashed at all."
"You're right. In any case, once he's had his fill of fun and gets bored, he'll come back. So, putting that aside..."
Silder handed the sword the soldier had given him to the steward.
"Manage the troops for the time being."
"Will the young ones listen to an old man like me?"
"If they don't, give them a few smacks."
"I'll have to go easy on them, then."
The steward chuckled.
"How are things with Anke?"
"They've probably just received the news."
"Anke will step up, just as we anticipated."
"If you give the order, my lord, we could quietly clean out Anke's estate right away. It wouldn't require many men—just a handful from the 1st Knight Order would suffice."
Silder shook his head.
"That's what I thought until just now. Taking them out would be easy, as you say. The special inspection team that stopped by the capital has already headed to the Holy City, so there's no reason to worry."
"Then..."
"But Inebil suddenly bolting like this is nagging at me."
"You really do cherish him."
"He's entertaining. That aside, the timing of his dash is what's bothering me."
The steward took a step closer.
"The boy knows nothing. Even if he acts on impulse, you needn't worry too much."
"I know. But now there's an unexpected variable popping up out of nowhere. Under the original plan, Anke—having lost a knight—would lodge a formal protest, and we'd respond accordingly. A minor war breaking out at the right time. Inebil would have been at the vanguard."
A small bird landed on a branch outside the window. The branch swayed, and a leaf hanging a short distance away fluttered before falling.
"It's deviated from the picture we planned. And I don't like that. You know as well as I do how one seemingly trivial incident, one coincidence we brush off, can utterly ruin everything."
"I understand your concern."
"What do you think? Should we stick to the plan, eliminate Anke, and establish a new base there?"
The steward cast his gaze into the distance—a habit when deep in thought. Silder waited for him to collect his thoughts.
"No need to rush. Expansion always requires caution."
"Then handle it as before. Throw the fight, toss them some useless fodder."
"It's no easy task. Anke's forces are so inept that even holding back is exhausting."
"No helping it. You'll have to bear the hardship."
"Understood."
He stepped away from the window and walked to the bookshelf. The steward pulled out three books and reached into the space behind.
The interlocking latches released, creating a gap in the center of the shelf. He slipped his hand into the crack and pushed lightly. Stairs leading underground appeared.
"When will Dianne return?"
He asked as he descended the stairs.
"Early next week, at the soonest."
"Seems like things wrapped up smoothly over there without incident."
Descending toward the faint light, he placed his hand on the left wall midway down. A subtle red glow emanated.
He waited for the recognition to complete. Soon, the left wall slid open. Cool air carrying a chill scent brushed his face.
"I can never get used to this smell."
"Nor I, my lord."
He entered. The steward lit a lantern hanging on the wall and followed. Silder's nose wrinkled at the sticky floor.
"Coming here always changes my mind. No need to consider the surroundings—just wipe out Anke, set up a new base at their estate, and it would be far more comfortable than this place."
He covered his nose and continued inward. At some point, the ground underfoot grew firm. The chill scent doubled in intensity. They had arrived—at the place where everything was being prepared.
"I don't remember! I really don't!"
"Where is this? What is this place? And... who am I?"
"Save me! Please! Please!"
The bound women chattered incessantly. Some had glazed eyes, their words incomprehensible.
"How many suitable ones so far?"
"The report says none yet."
"Not a single one in a year. What's wrong? The mages opening the Realm here? The supply chain for materials? Or Master?"
"Don't be impatient. It's an unprecedented feat no one has achieved. Prophets always endure hardship."
"I know, but it's slow. Is there anything more tedious than fruitless investment?"
Silder approached a bound woman. His face twisted at the acrid stench.
The woman convulsed, screamed, muttered nonsense, then fainted. Her cognitive faculties were severely degraded.
"Looking at them like this, humans and beasts aren't so different."
He grasped her face with his hand and forcibly lifted her closed eyelid.
The cloudy pupil moved unstably, flicking side to side or rolling back.
"You're here."
He released the woman's face and looked at the approaching mage, who wore an extremely apologetic expression. As if he felt sorry.
"Can you explain why there are no results?"
"The experiments are proceeding as before."
"But we're not getting the desired outcome."
"We're investigating the cause, but for now, all we can do is wait..."
"The absence of a responsible leader is a major issue."
"I apologize."
Silder thought of the 'leader' here.
"When is he returning?"
"He's on his way back from the old site."
"That's some good news, at least."
"Once Master returns, we'll see results."
"I'll look forward to it."
He clasped his hands behind his back and proceeded inward. Women awaiting the experiment table stared at him with terrified eyes. It was bitter.
Seeing the imprisoned women stirred pity and sorrow. He was human, after all. Watching people beg for life from behind bars naturally evoked compassion.
He approached the bars and gazed at the huddled women.
"Are you afraid?"
He said. The woman at the front replied cautiously.
"I don't know what's happening, but please spare me. I won't tell anyone what I've seen or heard here. What crime did we commit to deserve this imprisonment?"
"You've done nothing wrong. That's why I'm sorry, and it pains my heart. But there are inevitable things in this world."
"Wh-what do you mean, inevitable?"
It was then. A sharp scream erupted from the experiment table. He closed his eyes and sealed his lips. A horrific sound. The searing of life always sent chills down his spine.
"Why are you doing this to us? Please, just let us live. Okay?"
He opened his eyes to see the woman crawling toward the bars. Her knees were scraped and bleeding, but she clutched the bars and looked up at him as if the pain meant nothing.
"Please."
It was a sobbing voice. He bent both knees to meet her eye level. Her facial muscles trembled violently. Her dilated pupils and dried tear tracks were visible.
He extended both hands through the bars. He slipped his hand through her disheveled, unwashed hair and gently pulled her forward.
He felt her trembling. She was shaking all over. He locked eyes with her from less than a hand's breadth away.
Her breath, her scent, her vibrations transmitted vividly. At the same time, he saw hope dawning on her face. A pitiful hope that escape from this place might be possible.
"Please."
She said. He exchanged gazes silently, then spoke in a very low voice.
"I'm sorry. But I need your lives."
He released her hair and stood. She stared at him blankly. Her pale face contorted fully, then relaxed. She seemed to be crying and smiling at once.
Soon, she collapsed shrieking before him. The women behind crawled forward on their knees, pleading for mercy.
He looked each one straight in the eye. Intense sorrow, venomous hatred, heartrending pleas pierced him.
"I won't forget. Your sacrifice. That a new world could begin because of you—I will remember until the day I close my eyes."
"You bastard! Let us live—stop the nonsense and let us live!"
He called the mage, pointed to the pleading women, and said.
"Give them good food. Help them wash."
"I'm sorry, but that's difficult. As you know, it's delicate work, so we manage the mediums meticulously."
"No helping it."
He steadied his melancholy heart. Feeling compassion and sorrow was proof he was still human.
One day, he would transcend humanity, but even then, he hoped to retain pity for the pitiful. A world without humanity would be too barren.
"Let's go up."
He turned amid the mages' bows. The foul smell faded as the stairs came into view.
Back in the room, he closed the bookshelf. He flung open the window wide. The odor clinging to his clothes was swept away by the wind.
"How would you like lunch?"
"The weather's fine, so the terrace."
"I'll prepare it that way."
It was then, as the steward stepped back. A knocking sounded at the door. The dainty knocks brought a smile to his face.
"Come in, dear."
The door opened, and his daughter rushed in. The nanny who opened it beamed brightly, watching over her.
He scooped up his running daughter in his arms. She giggled in his embrace, then tilted her head.
"Daddy, you smell weird."
"Smell?"
"Yeah. Like mint or something..."
"Does my girl know what mint is?"
"I do. I learned it."
"Such a clever girl."
He left the room with his daughter in his arms, confirming the bookshelf was securely latched.
(To be continued)