Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: The Nasty Master - 3
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Atrium Territory.
Before my regression, that place had been the territory of humanity's betrayers.
They had sided with the Demon King of Lies and Deceit, Idria.
And for Idria, they took up their swords; for Idria, they waged war against humanity.
Kaild Wake had received a quest back then and entered the territory.
At that time, the bastard said this.
“We have no choice but to kill them all.”
Jenia cried out in horror.
“Wait a minute. Let’s at least hear them out first…”
“Fine. Then let’s hear them out and kill them after.”
“Kaild!”
“The Demon King has descended, and humanity is in crisis. Betraying humanity at a time like this? Do you think this makes any sense?”
Jenia clamped her mouth shut.
Kaild looked at me and said.
“This time, I’ll have to break your no-kill rule.”
“I’m not going to break it.”
“Maide.”
“The population of that territory is roughly three million. And all three million of them are united against us.”
“…”
“To mimic what you said earlier, do you think this makes any sense?”
Kaild flinched.
I continued.
“This is some trick Idria pulled.”
“What trick?”
“That’s what we’re about to find out. You, the hero.”
Kaild bit his lip.
Looking back now, he had probably received a quest from the ‘Path to Becoming a Hero’ at that time.
Idria would have ordered him to kill all the territory’s residents through that quest.
The residents she had manipulated into betraying humanity.
Humanity, unaware of that, slaughters them all.
A perfect lie for Idria.
Kaild said.
“No. We kill them.”
“Hey.”
“This is the surest way…”
He cut off his words.
I didn’t know it then, but now I think I do.
‘Because it’s the surest path to becoming a hero.’
As I stopped reminiscing, Trail spoke up.
[So, what happened in the end?]
‘I told them if they killed those people, I’d leave the party.’
[Huh?]
‘And then… well, Neril immediately said she’d ditch me too.’
Jenia followed suit, saying she’d quit.
Adwin and Offense too.
Risel and Serein as well.
In the end, Kaild had no choice but to back down.
At the time, Jenia and Serein had combined their powers to cast a prison spell over the entire territory, bringing the incident to a close.
Without the Withering Jewel’s support back then, we were utterly exhausted.
The residents couldn’t leave the territory until the final battle with the Demon King.
‘It was truly Idria-like scheme.’
[You’re certain it was Idria’s trick?]
‘Yeah. But it’s worth confirming once.’
[Whose secret with Idria should I show?]
‘Kaild. That guy can’t stand not knowing things. He must have hounded her persistently.’
[Heh heh.]
Soon, a screen appeared.
[Used Eye of Omniscience.]
[Current Eye of Omniscience level is 4. Viewable secret grade is A-rank.]
[Selection condition is ‘Secret between Idria and Kaild Wake.’]
[Corresponding secret grade is A-rank. Viewing.]
As I expected, on the screen, Kaild was questioning Idria.
Surprisingly, Idria had predicted that I would seek an oracle and head to the Heavenly God.
‘Tricky as ever.’
But what shocked me more was something else.
Idria said this.
“This is bad. I still need two more weeks to issue my oracle. If Maide succeeds in communicating with the Heavenly God in the meantime.”
This part.
Two weeks?
The preparation time needed to stage an oracle article was just two weeks?
No joke.
The unease had already reached my eyebrows.
Then Idria opened a space.
Beyond that space lay four figures.
‘Those guys!’
The first through fourth fingers of deceit.
Idria’s minions who had tormented our party to death before the regression.
Originally, the fifth finger, Teranheim—Ophelia—should have been there too.
The single empty spot oddly warmed my chest.
Idria pulled out the fourth finger and opened a space, sending it somewhere.
Then Kaild’s voice rang out.
“Is it okay to send off one of your precious few minions so easily?”
“The fourth finger isn’t some weakling like Teranheim. The others are the same.”
“Still… wouldn’t it be better to send all four remaining at once?”
“I would if I had the leeway. But preparing an oracle while lending power to my minions is too much, even for me.”
Oh. That’s some good news, at least.
If Idria had gone all out and sent the remaining four fingers, it would’ve been hard to handle.
Then Idria asked Kaild.
“Do you believe in the Heavenly God?”
“What’s that out of the blue?”
“If you do, pray or something. That’s how I feel right now.”
Idria continued.
“If Maide gets the oracle first, it’s all over.”
Snap.
The screen cut off.
‘The Demon King praying to the Heavenly God.’
That would be a hilarious sight.
Should I ask her to show it when I cut her throat?
‘Anyway.’
The fourth finger of deceit, Sabak.
I remember it being a real headache.
From the circumstances, it must have been the fourth finger that made Atrium Territory betray humanity before the regression.
[How is that possible? Does that Sabak guy control humans or something?]
‘I don’t know the method. We didn’t have the luxury to investigate back then.’
The fourth finger, protected behind a wall of humans.
Back then, breaking through that human wall to kill the fourth finger was the best we could do; no time for deeper probes.
I thought for a moment, then spoke.
“We’ll go, Your Majesty.”
My companions all turned to me.
The Emperor said gladly.
-Oh? You’ll do that?
“Yes. It’s not just any matter; it involves the lives of the territory’s people.”
-Do you really think they’ll commit suicide? Life is precious to anyone.
“Isn’t that why Your Majesty contacted me, because you see it that way too?”
-…
“Please await good news. We’ll take our leave first.”
Snap.
I put the orb back in my bag.
As if waiting, Neril spoke.
“Maide. Do we have time for that?”
“Hmm.”
“Of course, I’m worried about the residents too. Looks like Idria pulled some stunt.”
“Right. Idria’s buying time. So we can’t make other moves until her fake oracle is ready.”
“Then heading to Atrium Territory now would just be playing into the Demon King’s hands, right?”
I shook my head.
“The fake oracle comes in two weeks.”
Everyone’s jaws dropped.
Serein muttered.
“Maybe Maide should just play priest. It’s a fake oracle anyway; a fake priest wouldn’t hurt.”
“Anyway, Jenia, considering the distance to Atrium Territory and the ‘starting line,’ how long can we stay in Atrium out of those two weeks total?”
“W-Wait a sec.”
Jenia pulled out a map, pondered with a groan, and answered.
“Even generously, four days? No, three days at most.”
“So we just need to finish our business in Atrium within three days?”
“Yes. But is that even possible?”
I replied deliberately lightly.
“We’ll make it possible.”
Perhaps sensing the mood, Agril flew to Atrium Territory without its usual divine power complaints.
As the morning sun rose, we hovered over Atrium Territory—precisely, over the lord’s residence.
“Let’s land.”
Thud.
We all landed on the residence’s balcony.
Offense said.
“It’s been a while since I’ve entered somewhere other than the main gate while traveling with you lot.”
“Given the situation.”
“Hope we don’t get mistaken for thieves.”
“Then we’ll clear up the misunderstanding. Physically.”
“…”
The window was locked, but as Risel lightly chanted a spirit incantation, the inner latch opened.
Inside, it seemed to luckily be the lord’s office.
Whether because we suppressed our presence or he was too distracted, the lord didn’t notice our entry.
‘Probably the latter.’
He was slamming his head on the desk, clutching his hair.
“Ugh. Why is this happening?”
“What’s the matter, sir?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know? I incited a rebellion in the capital… huh?”
He shot up from his seat.
His eyes wide as saucers.
I soothed him.
“More like blackmail than rebellion, really. You didn’t point swords at the capital—just at yourselves.”
“W-Who are you?”
“Maide Mohan. These are my companions.”
Not sure if it fit the situation, but the party members each introduced themselves anyway.
The lord staggered and plopped into his chair.
Then he looked up at the ceiling, muttering like a dazed man.
“It’s come to this after all.”
Neril said.
“From your look, it doesn’t seem sincere? Refusing to recognize Kaild as hero, or you’ll suicide.”
“…No. It is sincere.”
“Don’t lie. Just now, you were clearly regretting it. Tormented over why this happened, right?”
“You misheard. I never said that.”
Regaining his composure, the lord looked at us with firm, clear eyes.
If we hadn’t seen him moments ago, we’d have mistaken it for sincerity.
‘Doesn’t seem like some master actor.’
[Isn’t he being controlled? By that fourth finger.]
‘Hmm. Hold on.’
I signaled Neril.
She lightly formed hand seals with a gesture.
We’d used that magic before to detect the Withering Jewel embedded in Patrick’s eye.
I expected meaningful results.
But Neril whispered with a darkened expression.
“Nothing there, really?”
“No way. Try again.”
“I could do it hundreds of times if you want. But the result will be the same.”
Huh?
So this man—and all the territory’s people—are sincere?
Sincere enough to stake their lives for Kaild?
That’s when.
Step.
Offense stepped forward.
A dagger was already in his hand.
I asked, surprised.
“What are you doing?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill him, am I?”
“That used to be my line.”
“Must’ve switched. Just drawing a bit of blood.”
“Ah. That’s fine anytime.”
The lord shouted in bewilderment.
“No! What kind of absurd talk is that from a hero?”
“…”
“Is that something a hero should say!”
“It’s done.”
“A true hero is Kail… Huh? Done?”
In the blink of an eye, Offense had slashed the lord’s forearm and collected the blood in a small vial, equally swiftly.
The cut was so clean that the bleeding had already stopped.
Jenia sidled up to him.
“Shall I heal it?”
“Nah, Jenia. No need for holy power on that. Some ointment will do.”
“True… Oh no.”
“What?”
“Lately, I find myself agreeing with Serein more often.”
Serein fumed, but Jenia ignored her.
I chuckled and said to Offense.
“Impressive skill.”
“If it were anyone else, I’d take it as praise, but from you, it’s just embarrassing.”
“Hmm. Anyway, why’d you need the lord’s blood?”
“Hold on.”
Offense took the vial to the window.
He held it to the sunlight and shook it a few times.
The next moment, his face hardened.
We crowded around Offense.
Whispering so the lord couldn’t hear.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s poison.”
“Poison? The lord looks fine.”
“Not all poisons kill instantly. Some weaken, some just cause pain.”
I nodded.
“Now that you mention it, the Emperor killed the previous Emperor with a weakening poison.”
“Right. My master… Huh? You heard?”
“Yeah.”
“And you didn’t ask?”
“What’s to ask? Your master killed the previous Emperor. Not you.”
At my words, Offense blinked in surprise a few times.
Soon, a faint smile formed on his lips.
“After the Black Sun incident, when you met the Emperor, he mentioned it. Said he poisoned the previous Emperor.”
“Hmm.”
“Honestly, it startled me back then. Wondered if I should tell you.”
“Again, it wasn’t you. No need to tell me.”
He fell silent for a moment, then spoke.
“Feels like I made the right choice following you.”
“Skip the obvious and keep talking about the poison.”
“Heh heh. This poison’s called ‘Crave.’ True to its honest name, once addicted, you crave more of it.”
Everyone who didn’t get it tilted their heads.
Offense continued.
“Compare it to drugs for easy understanding? Or just call it drugs outright.”
“…”
“Just one drop in the blood, and your mind obsesses over when you’ll get more.”
“Huh.”
“If you can get a fresh dose, you’d give anything—wealth, people, family. Even your own life.”
Referring to pre-regression memories and the Eye of Omniscience, this incident was the fourth finger of deceit’s doing?
Then Offense added.
“My master made Crave. The one who poisoned the previous Emperor, as I mentioned.”
“W-What?”
“Hm? Why so shocked?”
“…”
What does that mean?
The fourth finger is Offense’s master, Hieren Gois?
I stayed silent a moment, then spoke.
“How widely circulated is that poison? In assassin guilds.”
“Extremely rare. Only my master knew the recipe. And he… no, never mind.”
“He’s gone from this world? Because you killed him.”
“…!”
“Sorry. Didn’t even ask, but the Emperor spilled it.”
Offense stepped back, flustered.
“W-Well, there were circumstances back then.”
“It’s fine, Offense.”
“Serein?”
“What’s with that face on a legendary assassin? Just smirk like always.”
Even Serein, who treated Offense like air most, surprised me a bit.
The other party members shrugged it off too.
Offense scratched his head.
Then Adwin asked.
“More importantly, bro. You think this territory’s suicide fuss is because of that poison?”
“No other reason.”
“But Offense just said Hieren, who knew the recipe, is dead, and only a tiny amount circulated. Yet this territory…”
“Roughly three million. I get what you’re saying.”
I looked straight at Offense and continued.
“To cut to the chase: Hieren Gois is alive.”
“…!”
“Or more precisely, ‘dead’? Like Ophelia’s case.”
Offense’s face twisted as he understood.