Chapter 256
Chapter 256
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 256
Chapter Title: 98. Heart
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Cory admitted it.
He felt a surge of joy just looking at Rolang's face.
Every now and then, he even cracked a smile while watching him.
He felt bad for Rolang, but there was nothing he could do about it. Emotions didn't bend to one's will.
A crooked smile tugged at Cedric's lips as he tilted his head. It resembled Yuri's, but looked far more vile.
Cedric spoke in a voice laced with amusement.
"I get it. It's perfectly human to feel joy at seeing someone fall as low as yourself."
"Isn't that the heart of a monster?"
"No, it's human. You're more human than anyone, Cory."
As Cedric reached out, Cory instinctively closed his eyes. But nothing happened.
Cedric merely stroked his cheek.
"You've felt it too, haven't you? The world with Yuri in it is different from the one you're in."
There was no warmth in his touch, but no malice either.
Cedric continued in a dreamy, almost hypnotic tone, as if brainwashing him.
"I'm going to change that. I'm going to remake the world into something more perfect. So, Cory, will you lend me your strength?"
"What do you mean?"
"Word of Power is such an intriguing ability. It would help me greatly if you aided me."
An image flashed through Cory's mind.
It was a vision of the new world Cedric sought to create.
"Join me, and everyone will revere you—no need to become some hulking mercenary covered in scars. I know you're worth far more than these worthless villagers."
Cory looked at Cedric. Something rippled in his eyes.
"Isn't it strange? You, who wield Words of Power, despised by those pathetic humans who can do nothing but plow fields and hunt rabbits."
"I..."
"I'm going to recreate this inefficient, unfair world."
"That's impossible."
"No, it's possible."
Cedric's pupils dilated.
Cory forgot to even breathe as he met them.
They were filled with an unfathomable darkness.
It was a passageway.
Through Cedric's eyes, Cory glimpsed the abyss within his mind. Just a momentary glance felt so dark and heavy it threatened to corrupt his own thoughts.
Cory realized it then.
Fighting an enemy like this was impossible from the start.
Yuri could never defeat Cedric.
"Now do you understand?"
Cory wanted to look away from Cedric's eyes. But the dark vista held him captive. His body convulsed.
"Come on, give me your answer."
Cedric smiled, closed his eyes, and opened them again.
Only then was Cory released from the darkness.
"Join me, Cory."
Cory took a deep breath.
It was a dark night, clouds veiling the moon.
Cedric's clothes blended so seamlessly with the shadows that his outline blurred.
Only his pale face floated ethereally, urging Cory to respond.
Cory couldn't quite grasp his own feelings.
So instead, he shot back.
"You said you could read minds, but apparently not everything."
"Hm?"
"If you really could, you'd know my answer without asking, right?"
"Sharp as ever."
Cedric smiled.
"You're right. I can't pierce every thought. I can only read emotions. But that's enough to peer into a heart."
"What's my heart saying now?"
"The stronger the emotion, the redder it burns. Joy, anger, hatred... even sorrow."
Cedric placed a hand on Cory's chest.
He closed his eyes, savoring it, a faint smile on his lips.
"Yours is burning bright red right now."
"Is it...?"
"I always knew you'd join me someday."
"What do you mean?"
"You're a half-orc. Half-orc means you're inevitably tied to the darkness. Blood mixed with water doesn't make the blood vanish. You can trust me on that—I'm a master of black magic."
Cedric reached out.
He embraced Cory and patted his back.
"But I want to hear your answer directly, Cory."
"I... I..."
"If it's still hard to be honest, I'll ask the same question as before."
Cory saw his own reflection in Cedric's pupils.
"Cory. You felt joy seeing Rolang's wretched state. Didn't you?"
Two words tangled chaotically in Cory's mind.
Yes.
And no.
Cory stared at Cedric.
He could read emotions.
Lies wouldn't work.
Cory's eyes brightened, then darkened. His wavering pupils settled into calm.
An eternity passed in an instant.
Finally, Cory's mouth opened.
"Yes."
"Hey, Rolang!"
Yuri called out, but Rolang didn't turn.
Yuri shot up from his seat and dashed after him.
"Hold on."
"Nothing to say."
"Let's talk."
It felt increasingly pathetic the more he spoke, but Yuri chased after Rolang, who kept walking without looking back.
"Hey, Rolang."
"Stay away."
"You bastard..."
The tone shifted when calling his name. When he still didn't stop, Yuri's voice grew irritated.
"I said stop."
"Shameless."
"Hah..."
Of course, Yuri felt sorry for Rolang.
But it wasn't entirely his fault.
Cedric was the one who'd actually done it. If anything, Yuri was a victim too.
"I said get lo—"
Yuri grabbed Rolang's collar from behind, yanked him inward, and tripped him with a leg sweep.
Rolang, striding forward confidently, sprawled flat in an instant.
"Kuh!"
Fury erupted from the fallen Rolang.
"What the hell are you—?!"
"Running away now?"
"What?"
"Are you running? Where's that sharp Rolang from before?"
"Watch your mouth."
"Do you hate me?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"I just dislike it."
"What about Cedric?"
Yuri stomped down next to Rolang's face.
Dust billowed up.
"You vent all your rage on me, but let Cedric slide?"
"That's none of your business. I'll handle it."
"Handle what? You look like a complete wreck."
"Shut up!"
Rolang swung his sword as he rose.
But it was futile.
Yuri had held back earlier. His skill outmatched Rolang's.
After a few exchanges, Rolang hit the ground again.
As he pushed himself up, catching his breath, Yuri spoke.
"Come back."
"What?"
"Hate me, agonize all you want—but first, let's kill Cedric."
"Why should I?"
"Revenge. What, scared of Cedric?"
"No."
"Then?"
"I'm just sick of it all. You, Cedric—everything."
"Why?"
"Just am. Why do I have to explain?"
"You're totally twisted."
Yuri grinned.
"If I were you, I'd want to kill Cedric just thinking of your family and Franchese."
Rolang clenched his fists. A grinding sound leaked from beneath the bandages covering his face.
Yuri pressed on.
"Kill Cedric, and after that, do whatever you want with me."
"What?"
"Kill Cedric, then beat me, kill me—whatever. I'll let you do as you please. Kill me if you want."
Yuri approached and placed a hand on Rolang's cheek.
"So join me."
"No..."
"Say no again, and I'll drop you."
"Thug."
"Why act surprised now? You know what I'm like."
Rolang fell silent for a long time.
His bandages had slipped, covering his eyes. Yuri couldn't see what expression or gaze lay beneath.
Finally, Rolang spoke.
"Yuri Brioll."
"Yeah, Rolang."
"It's too late to turn back."
His voice was heavy.
Yuri smirked.
"Who said anything about turning back?"
"..."
"I've come back from farther than you can imagine. Way farther."
Yuri briefly recalled his past life. Rolang didn't know, but he'd lived riddled with regrets, chasing death.
So he could vaguely guess Rolang's feelings.
"Think I'm any different? This intact face? Bullshit. I'd throw away everything to kill Cedric and stop the Empire. So then, kill me or spare me as you like. Just help me until then."
Yuri met Rolang's gaze—or where it should be.
They stared at each other for a while.
Neither moved first.
Then a voice cut in between them.
"Hey, are you Rolang by any chance?"
It was Inariel.
Rolang froze, startled by the sudden appearance.
"Long time no see, Rolang."
"...Yes. Indeed."
He spoke casually to Yuri but used formal speech with Inariel, as before. Yuri glared, but Rolang ignored him.
Inariel scanned Rolang, twirling his staff.
"Looks like a lot's happened."
"Not really."
Rolang shook his head.
"Nothing much. Just one tragedy."
"Talking back like that? You were better before."
Inariel clicked his tongue and glanced at Yuri.
"From what I saw, you're putting in real effort to convince this guy. Is it worth it?"
"Yes. He'd be a huge asset."
"Asset, huh."
Inariel snorted.
"Didn't look like it—you took him down easy."
"Got lucky."
"Oh?"
"Yes."
Yuri knew Rolang wasn't at full strength.
If he recovered fully, it wouldn't be so easy next time.
"Fine."
Inariel nodded.
"Since you're trying so hard, I'll help. Rolang, follow this kid's lead, and I'll heal you with magic."
Yuri and Rolang both stared at Inariel in surprise.
"Pardon?"
"I said I'll heal you."
"Really?"
Inariel raised his staff.
"Why so shocked? I'm the great archmage Inariel. It'd be a hassle, but restoring your body is doable."
Yuri's face lit up first, expressing his thanks.
"Thank you!"
"No need for your thanks."
"Great news, Rolang!"
Inariel smiled at the dazed Rolang.
"What do you say, Rolang? Accept Yuri's offer—with my proposal added? No answer means yes."
"..."
"Good. I'll heal you."
The silent Rolang suddenly looked up and glanced around.
"By the way, where's Cory?"
"Cory?"
"He was following me..."
"Cory's here?"
Yuri tilted his head.
"I don't sense him at all."
After finishing his talk with Cedric, Cory watched from afar as Yuri and Rolang clashed.
Cedric burst out laughing when Yuri knocked Rolang down.
"Yuri's the same as ever. So entertaining."
As they bickered, Inariel appeared.
Inariel made his offer to Rolang.
"Rolang. Follow this kid's lead, and I'll heal you with magic."
Cory's eyes widened.
That meant Rolang could return to his former self.
Cory asked Cedric.
"C-Can that really be done?"
"Difficult, but not impossible. A skilled mage might pull it off."
"I see..."
"Disappointed?"
"No. Not at all."
"You can be honest, Cory."
Cedric chuckled.
"But don't worry. It won't change anything."
Cedric placed a hand on Cory's shoulder.
"In the new world, you'll be invaluable."
"..."
"Looks like that's wrapped up over there. Time for us to head to the Empire."
Cory, who had been watching Yuri and Rolang, nodded.
"Yes."