Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Real Monster
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When they entered the burrow through the exit leading into the forest, Bivinel hesitated in her steps due to an inexplicable anxiety.
Even when her comrades asked what was wrong, she couldn't pinpoint it.
But upon arriving at the altar and taking in the scene unfolding there, she realized the true nature of her unease.
"Everyone, run!"
Pablo shouted. It took time for her, and even her comrades, to comprehend his words.
Who was Butler Pablo? Beyond being the capable manager of the estate, he was a senior mentor who instructed the 1st Knight Order.
Pablo's swordsmanship was flawless, without any excess. Even after receiving a new body, his steward's blade was still a challenge to withstand.
An exceptional swordsman who could match only with Dianne. A perfect warrior for whom defeat was unimaginable.
Yet such a Pablo lay on the ground. No, "lay" wasn't quite accurate. With both legs severed, that was the only posture he could take.
"What are you all doing!"
Pablo shouted again. Only then did their dazed minds snap back. They assessed the situation and drew their swords. The others did the same.
"Small-Scale Formation 3."
Steen said as he positioned himself at the front. They needed to form up to respond. Though the 1st Knight Order boasted superior individual prowess, they never neglected formation drills.
She took one step back and assumed her stance.
Small-Scale Formation 3. A countermeasure for facing a few enemies in confined spaces. Her role was to cover for Steen as he broke through.
Ran and Noel positioned themselves to the left and right, facing off against the enemies. Once Steen charged, the remaining two would close in at set intervals.
"If this gentleman is telling you to run, maybe you should listen."
The curly-haired man said.
Bivinel exchanged glances with her comrades. According to their intel, that curly-haired man was the top priority target.
"It seems even villains have camaraderie. Or rather, from your perspective, we're the villains. Judging by those looks, you're after my head, so before we get into it, let me ask one question."
It was the moment Pablo opened his mouth again. The man's shoe clamped down on Pablo's mouth.
She saw it vividly. A white front tooth snapped off and flew away.
"This old gentleman is the quiet type, so I'd like to chat with your side instead."
"Let him go."
Steen said.
"If you answer honestly, I'd be happy to release him. First question: what happened to the villagers outside? The moment I saw you show up after hearing from Mr. Lander, I had a bad feeling."
"Why don't you go out and see for yourself if you're so curious."
"I'd love to, but leaving my post feels awkward. Though seeing your swords, I guess I don't need an answer."
Unknowingly, Bivinel slightly lowered her sword. She saw the blood she hadn't wiped clean.
The screams of innocent people echoed in her ears once more. She recalled the dazed eyes of that child.
"It couldn't be helped."
Steen's voice snapped her out of it. She raised her sword again. Right, it couldn't be helped.
"Couldn't be helped, huh. Sure. These things happen to everyone. But you went too far. I didn't expect you'd be idiots enough to choose the inefficient option of total annihilation. That was my mistake. I thought you were only a threat to us."
Kal smirked as he pressed down with his foot. Pablo's jaw dislocated with a tearing sound of flesh. She swallowed a groan.
"We'll rescue you soon."
The instant Steen took a step forward, Kal pressed a reverse-gripped dagger against Pablo's throat.
"Amazing, right? Limbs severed, yet barely any bleeding. A normal person would've died ages ago, but look at this guy. His complexion's still good. But what if we cut the throat—would it stay like this?"
Kal raised the dagger high. Bivinel reflexively shouted.
"Stop!"
The dagger halted above the butler's neck.
"Thanks for the info. So limbs can be severed without issue, but not the head, huh. Like monsters from myths—die once the head comes off. Mr. Lander, try not to hit the head if possible. Just lop off the limbs for easy transport."
The man exchanging glances with Kal nodded lightly.
Lander, the second-most dangerous after Kal.
"Should we go now?"
She whispered. Steen subtly shook his head.
"Feels like a trap. That's probably why he told the butler to run too—this place is dangerous."
"Or maybe magic."
"Our individual skills outmatch theirs, so we wait for an opening."
Steen spoke with confidence. That was why. She kept her sudden doubt to herself.
Steen, if we've figured it out, wouldn't the butler have too? Yet he still got taken down—doesn't that mean there's something else?
Command was with Steen. Once decided, even if wrong, they had to follow.
She gripped her sword tightly. Even if there were unexpected traps or magic, she could take it with her body.
That was the 1st Knight Order's strength. Bold decisions and charges impossible for ordinary bodies.
"I can hear your brains churning from here. Worried about traps? Fixed-position magic? Don't fret. There's nothing here. Just Mr. Lander."
Kal gestured toward Lander with both hands, like a courteous server presenting a prized item.
A bizarre man. His eyes smiled, but looking at him sent chills down her spine.
By her honed senses, he seemed like an opponent she could fell easily with a sword.
Yet he possessed something that heightened her vigilance.
A power beyond martial strength. Perhaps intellect.
"You probably need more time to assess too, so let's continue the questions. First, introductions? I'm Kalligo. I handle odd jobs for the Empire. Ever heard of the Special Inspectorate? I'm also its director. Not bragging, just saying."
He spoke while bashfully running a hand through his curly hair.
Special Inspectorate. Hard to tell if bluff or truth, but if real, he absolutely couldn't be left alive.
A man connected to both the Emperor and the Assembly. If the Empire learned of this place...
"Since you're so obsessed with secrecy you'd opt for annihilation, you must catch me no matter what. I'm a blabbermouth—soon as I leave, I'll report everything I saw and heard to the Emperor and Assembly. The Empire's eyes will watch this place and hunt you down. So please, don't abandon me and run."
Provocation or confidence? If confidence, what was its source?
Instead of the chattering Kalligo, she stared at Lander. Her anxiety was amplifying.
What if he subdued Pablo with pure skill, not traps?
She halted the thought. With things as they were, eliminating witnesses was the only way.
"Whether he's telling the truth or not, we can't leave now."
Steen spoke. She fully agreed.
"Follow two steps behind. Even if I die, don't stop."
"Steen."
"Make it certain. If you see an opening, use me as bait and take them out. Failure here harms Lord Shield."
"Got it. I'll make it certain."
"You can do it."
Steen moved. No more words were needed. But Kalligo seemed eager to keep talking.
"Now that I've shared my identity, one of you should give a name and affiliation. That's basic etiquette."
Steen remained silent. She chose silence too. The more they talked, the more her mind clouded.
"No will to answer? Monologuing's embarrassing, but I'm used to it. People usually shut up once I start talking. So I enjoy imagining and spouting on my own."
As Kal continued, she advanced bit by bit behind Steen.
"Do you know Prophet John? Or does Ms. Dianne? I think one of them sent you here. No, higher chance it's Dianne. Then what about Lord Shield? Involved in this? Or is my guess wrong and a third party sent you? Info's scarce—hypotheses keep piling up."
It felt like a snake's gaze. Bivinel ignored Kal's eyes.
Dangerous man. Must kill him.
Steen seemed to think the same; his eyes sharpened further.
"Go."
Steen's shoulders twitched upward slightly then down.
Steen charged. Ran and Noel surged simultaneously. She drew a deep breath and pushed off her pivot foot.
The distance closed in an instant. Beyond Steen's shielding shoulder charging straight ahead, Kal's neck came into view.
With Steen blocking enemy attacks and traps, Ran and Noel would strike the flanks.
Make it certain, Bivinel reminded herself of Steen's words.
If some unavoidable trap or magic triggered, she had to pierce the enemy alongside Steen's body.
She hoped it wouldn't come to that, but the subdued Pablo nagged at her.
Her comrades were strong. Four charging together should force even Pablo to surrender quickly.
Transcendent bodies and precise linked strikes. No disadvantages visible—why did it feel so stifling?
Something flashed. Like staring straight at the sun, her eyes stung.
Her eyelids blinked once. Before she could think "Huh?", Steen's arms flew off as he ran.
It happened before the thought formed. Ran and Noel, entering from both sides, were bisected at the waist.
Her senses sharpened to the point where time felt slowed, yet she couldn't see what had sliced her allies.
Her body kept surging forward. Turning or braking was impossible.
Her body couldn't keep up with her thoughts. Even a superhuman frame had impossible limits.
In that instant, Bivinel understood. Beyond perception. In a realm her blessed body couldn't touch, a sword was slashing.
Before her eyes could shift right, her right arm severed. No chance even to open her mouth in lament.
Her left foot, carried by momentum, hit the ground. Her right arm still hung in the air.
Run, Pablo's shout struck her mind. Every nerve whipped her body toward one goal. Run, escape this place.
Something snapped at her knee. The grinding of shattered bone transmitted through her body.
She absorbed all forward momentum into her knee and twisted her body.
The load crushed her legs, even her reborn flesh straining, but it didn't matter. Broken or crushed, she could heal if she escaped.
Something cold touched her nape. By the time she realized it was a hand, it was over.
Lander's voice came from behind.
"I'm not as much as Mr. Kalligo, but I value conversation. I believe talk is more efficient than swords. So please, don't clam up. I have much to hear from you."
Kal was the snake. That's why she thought him dangerous. Wrong—a clear mistake. No time for snakes. The real monster was elsewhere.
Pathetic, the thought suddenly struck her.
Bivinel recalled the child's eyes. That child gazing helplessly at her. The child who had forgotten even fear and abandoned all hope.
"Please don't kill me, I beg you."
She blurted it out. Had that child wanted to say the same?
"Don't worry. No intention to kill. Mr. Lander said it, right? He has much to hear from you."
Kal, standing before her, smiled thinly.
The moment she saw that smile, she knew she'd said the wrong thing. Please kill me—that's what she should have said.