Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: No Survivors
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Pablo wrapped a cloth around his face. A harsh wind was blowing. His body could withstand frostbite without issue, but there was no harm in maintaining it.
"It's been about an hour since we left the lodging, and we've come this far already. The more I use it, the better this body's performance seems to get."
Noel said. He had joined the 1st Knight Order latest but had adapted to his new flesh thanks to his exceptional talent. He was one of the knights Pablo kept a close eye on.
"How's your ankle? It gave us trouble fusing it after the last sparring match, didn't it?"
"It's fine now. This body really is amazing."
"It's as close to perfect as flesh can get, but it's still made of meat like any other. You'll be using it a lot from now on, so take good care of it."
"I've been learning from watching you, butler."
"What could you possibly learn from an old man like me?"
"No one in the 1st Knight Order looks down on you—or should I say, our senior—as old. I respect you just as much as Lady Dianne."
"I'm grateful you see it that way."
Pablo clapped to lighten the mood. The four knights turned their gazes toward him.
"As I explained before departure, this mission must proceed quietly. No one can know of our movements."
"Understood."
The four knights replied.
"We'll head to Blue Button in the shortest time possible to assess the site. It'll be uncomfortable navigating unfamiliar forest paths, but treat it as training and keep up."
"To match your stride, senior, we'll have to run for our lives."
"I'd appreciate that. The master is deeply invested in this matter, so I want to resolve it swiftly. The Two-Story House has too many vulnerabilities as is."
At the mention of "Two-Story House," the knights' faces hardened.
"You said judgment is left to the scene—what exactly does that mean?"
Steen asked.
"This matter must be handled quietly above all else. No one can know about it."
He said in a firm voice. The weight of his words sank in, and they all nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry I couldn't explain properly amid the rush. As you know, the master is unpredictable. The moment he decided to clean up the Two-Story House, we moved immediately—no detailed operational orders. We just sprint full speed to Blue Button, clean up the Two-Story House, and ensure no witnesses."
"An extremely straightforward plan."
"Precisely."
Bivinel lowered her eyes slightly and asked cautiously.
"Does that mean we have to capture any witnesses?"
"We don't have the luxury."
"Then..."
"No one in Blue Button can be left alive."
Bivinel looked intimidated. He gripped her small shoulder.
"Don't forget, Lady Bivinel. Sacrifice comes with the territory. What we're about to do will change the empire's history. Recall your past. Think back to those wretched days. The master took you in and granted you this power."
Bivinel's hunched shoulders slowly straightened. Strength returned to her eyes.
"The 1st Knight Order is the vanguard. A vanguard's blade is always stained with blood. Lady Bivinel, if you can't carry out the mission, say so anytime. The master will understand everything."
"No! I'll go all the way. I'm bound by the same oath as all of you. For the new era, I'll give this body."
"So dramatic. But don't worry too much, Bivinel. Think back to our spar. You can do anything—and you will. Just like how you cleanly severed my shoulder."
Steen said. Bivinel gave a small laugh and began to apologize for that time.
Pablo scanned each of the four knights' faces. As long as they were together, the plan wouldn't go astray.
"We'll move for an hour, rest five minutes, and repeat. Sleep will be under two hours total before reaching Blue Button, so monitor your conditions constantly."
"I could run for four days straight without issue. This hunk of meat."
Pablo nodded and prepared to depart. By now, back at the estate, Silder and Dianne were likely pouring their efforts into persuading Inevil.
The day they cleaned up the Two-Story House and returned to Silder territory, a new 1st Knight Order would be born.
"Time to move again."
He said, taking the lead.
* * *
Inevil wanted to cover her eyes. She wanted to plug her ears. What in the world was this?
Women imprisoned in iron cages stared at her with terrified faces.
What if she'd believed to the end? What if she'd ignored Gilliud? What if she'd brushed off Silder's words?
Inevil walked to the cages. Her legs nearly gave out midway.
As she approached, the women inside fled to the corners.
Inevil gripped the bars and sank to her knees.
"How many days have you been locked in here?"
She knew it was a pointless question but asked anyway. One of the wary women crawled forward on her knees.
"I-I think about a month for me. The others have been here longer."
The cages were filthy. The stench seeping into her nose was unbearable.
A month in a place like this. No, even longer. She turned her head to look at Hume. He tossed her a keyring.
"That finishes my part. The rest is up to you."
"Are you even human? How could you do this...?"
"I do feel some guilt. I know full well what we're doing, being human myself. But what use is that emotion? Everything's predetermined anyway."
"You're all insane. Completely mad!"
"Lord Gilliud said that far in the future, perhaps in some other place, an era of the masses will dawn. One where human rights underpin all laws, and all speak freely of equality. But not now. This is an age where life is cheap. So you and I have both killed easily, haven't we? You with your sword, me with experiments. That's the world we live in."
"Don't spout that twisted logic. I fought enemies on the battlefield, not helpless civilians like this."
She unlocked the cage door with the key. Her head felt like it would burst.
Hadn't Silder or Dianne seen the eyes of those locked here?
Had they become monsters who could orchestrate this and still smile calmly?
"Come on out, everyone."
She didn't want to dwell on the aftermath. First, free these people and think later.
But the women didn't budge easily. Only one or two rushed out frantically; most just watched warily from the corners.
"You'll kill us if we go out, right? We know. We've heard those horrific sounds so many times."
A young-looking girl said. Inevil squeezed her eyes shut. An altar was visible not far away. She could almost hear screams.
"Don't worry, come out. I'll get you away from these lunatics."
She extended her hand to the cowering girl.
The girl, rolling her eyes like a frightened dog, slowly took her hand. The others began to move one by one.
"There are people over there too."
The girl pointed to the opposite cage. Eyes adjusted to the dark spotted figures lying inside.
"Hey!"
Inevil approached and roused them. Five in total. But every one had unfocused eyes. They stared blankly into space before bursting into laughter.
Goosebumps rose on their skin. A grotesque sight. The women laughed vacantly, then sobbed, clinging to Inevil.
"I'm hungry."
"Daddy, forgive me."
"Monsters are chasing me."
Words Riselra often said. Inevil grabbed the women and shouted. Snap out of it, you have to if you want to survive.
It was futile. Communication was impossible. The more she saw, the more Riselra came to mind. Was this what they meant by using them as sacrifices?
"Is there no way to cure these people?"
She asked Hume. No answer. When had he vanished? She considered chasing him but gave up. She had to tend to these people.
"Get ready to go. Those who are weak, lean on others."
Going out the way she'd come would alert her master outside.
She looked deeper inside. If it was structured like the Two-Story House, there might be another exit.
Past the altar, a bit further. She hit a wall. No exit in sight. The stairs seemed the only way.
No choice—frontal breakthrough. There were plenty of eyes outside, including servants.
If she brought out the imprisoned women and innocently asked for help, even Dianne couldn't refuse.
Of course, she prepared for the worst. Could she block a silent, sword-swinging master?
"Follow as quietly as possible. If we're caught, scream for your lives. Only 'help' or 'save me'—nothing else. Best if we aren't caught at all."
"Got it."
Inevil led the women slowly. Outside was quiet. Had the standoff ended?
She peeked out the entrance, scanning the stairs. Empty. Hume's whereabouts nagged at her, but she focused on escape.
"No noise—follow me."
She climbed first. Her heart raced with every step. Soon, the office came into view.
"Inevil."
Her master looked at her with pity. Inevil gestured behind her back. Hold for now.
"Master."
"How did you get in there?"
"Gilliud told me."
"I see. The master truly is unpredictable. I should have handled it sooner instead of waiting ten days."
Her master approached. Inevil slowly drew her sword.
"I saw it down there. I didn't want to believe Gilliud. You're not the type. It couldn't be."
"Inevil."
"But I saw it. I couldn't unsee it. How could you do this? Master, this isn't right."
"I know. I understand your confusion, your disgust. But Inevil, some things in this world are unavoidable. A necessary evil."
"Please, don't say that. The Dianne I know wouldn't spout such nonsense. Have you seen those women down there yourself? Seen their faces? And you still call it a necessary evil? The bodies gained from such acts..."
Nausea surged suddenly. She clamped her mouth shut.
Tears welled up. She wanted to believe to the end. Hoped it was a ridiculous misunderstanding. Prayed it was Gilliud's cunning trick.
But her master's words made it all clear. She recalled the noble who had stroked her body.
Remembered the eyes leading her to bed. The greed justified by authority violating her.
The noble's smile overlaid her master's face.
She steeled her gaze and thrust her sword forward.
"Then this must be unavoidable too."
"Inevil. Let's take a moment. I cherish you too much to kill you like this. My beloved disciple, my little sister."
"Shut up with that crap!"
She barely deflected a sword thrusting from her peripheral vision. Incredible speed. She'd only just reacted.
Her master, now inches away, struck twice more. Resistance ended there.
Inevil stared at her sword slipping from her grasp, then at her master's eyes.
"Rest a bit. I'll sort things and come back soon. We can talk this out."
Darkness fell with the impact. Before losing consciousness, screams from the imprisoned women echoed behind her.
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. All Inevil could do was apologize in place of her damned master.
(To be continued in the next installment)