Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Withering Jewel Extraction Operation - 2
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Dame spoke.
“......I understand. If you believe in it that much, then I’ll believe as well.”
He rolled up his pants.
Adwin unwittingly covered her mouth.
“It’s severe.”
Black sludge was oozing from his leg.
It wasn’t just the level of being sick—it was more fitting to say that part of his body had transformed into something inhuman.
Jenia’s eyes were already glistening with tears.
“I thought you were limping a bit earlier.”
“It’s not surprising that you noticed, Jenia. Back when you were a squire, you observed my gait and movements diligently to imitate them.”
“......”
“But I was sitting when I faced Maide. How exactly did you figure it out?”
I answered nonchalantly.
“The hero is supposed to have keen observation skills, after all.”
“You seem eager to advertise yourself as the hero whenever you get the chance.”
“I just figured you held Kaild in higher regard, Sir Dame. As the latecomer, I can’t afford to slack off.”
“......”
“If you return the Erenika heirloom from the imperial palace underground, we can treat that monsterized leg of yours.”
Dame swallowed hard.
I had joked about being only third in the imperial ranks, but in truth, the intimidation of the Knights of Light’s captain was immense.
Even the emperor would find it hard to ignore his requests.
If Dame asked to open the imperial palace underground for a valid reason, they would grant it.
In the end, he seemed to have made up his mind and nodded.
“Fine. Honestly, it’s not inconsistent. That heirloom was made by Bion Erenika, who played a pivotal role during the descent of the Corruption Demon King. It should be able to treat my ‘corruption’ as well.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Give me two days.”
“As many as you need.”
The Black Sun had risen two weeks from now in my previous regression, and even that happened because Dame killed Patrick back then.
There would be no Black Sun rising in this era.
Now I just needed to watch out for one thing.
“The Corruption Jewel takes the form of Patrick Benjamin’s eye. And if you touch him rashly, the jewel will go berserk.”
“......”
“No one knows what will happen then. Focus on treating your leg first, Sir Dame, and put dealing with Patrick on hold.”
Dame stared at me intently.
“That man made an outrageous demand of me.”
“Did he ask for Jenia, by any chance?”
“......Good grief.”
His mouth fell open.
“Is there nothing you don’t know?”
“Just a guess. I figured there’s nothing more precious to you than Jenia, Sir Dame.”
“Your observation skills are certainly hero-level.”
That seemed obvious even without exceptional observation.
Jenia shyly averted her gaze and spoke.
“Do as Maide says, Father. Once your leg is fully healed, I’ll handle Patrick.”
“We can’t just kill him, Jenia. He’s the captain of Alcahad, after all.”
“‘Handle’ doesn’t mean kill. I’ve learned a thing or two following someone around.”
Dame burst into laughter from deep in his chest.
“Haha. The Unyielding Sword Emperor, huh.”
“Ahem.”
“Anyway, let’s meet again in two days. And try not to go out in the meantime if possible. Especially since rumors of Jenia returning to the capital could provoke Patrick unpredictably.”
We nodded in unison.
I said to Jenia.
“You can stay here. There doesn’t seem to be much to do for the next two days anyway.”
She looked back and forth between me and Dame, as if deeply conflicted.
But soon she opened her mouth with a resolute expression.
“Grant me a day’s leave after we finish everything in the capital.”
“Huh? No, I’m saying you can take it now.”
“We’ve only found the key to solving it—we haven’t actually solved anything yet. Until then, I need to fulfill my role as a member of your party, Maide.”
I felt a lump form in my nose.
Dame let out a deep sigh.
“Somehow, I feel a bit slighted.”
“Ah. Father, that’s not what I......”
“It’s fine. I should be grateful that you’re at least willing to spend one day with your old man before leaving the capital.”
“Ugh.”
“Maide Mohan.”
He looked straight at me and continued.
“I leave my daughter in your care.”
“No need to worry.”
We rose from our seats and turned to leave.
Just before fully exiting the reception room, Neril spoke up.
“Dame. We’ve had quite the bad blood between us. You might not like or understand me being in the hero’s party.”
“......”
“But I want you to trust me. I’ll never cause atrocities again, and I’ll put all my strength into defeating the Demon King.”
“Why tell me that?”
She smirked and replied.
“So you don’t hold any needless prejudice against our party because of what I am.”
“......”
“We’re the ‘real’ ones. Not Kaild’s group.”
Click.
With that, we left Dame’s house.
“......”
Honestly, I was deeply moved by Neril’s words.
What she just said was a pure, 100% defense of me.
For some reason, Neril looked exceptionally beautiful today.
This has to stay my secret until I die.
Trail spoke.
[It’s already out to me, though?]
In a corner of the night sky.
A purple curtain fluttered there.
It was someone’s hair.
The woman tidied her flowing locks and gazed up at the night sky.
The moon reflected in her empty golden eyes.
“Seeing you in person confirms it—you’re quite the remarkable one, Maide Mohan.”
Where did this guy come from?
No. To be honest, he wasn’t unknown to her.
Idria, the Demon King of Lies and Deceit.
She had wandered the continent long ago searching for vessels, so she knew most famous figures by heart.
Naturally, she knew of the Unyielding Sword Emperor.
‘By my standards, he was unqualified.’
When she chose vessels, it wasn’t based on skill or achievements, but on different criteria.
-How much falsehood could spread if I made this one my vessel?
Unfortunately, the Unyielding Sword Emperor scored zero on that.
But he was earning points in an unexpected area.
‘The one competing with Kaild for the hero title.’
He had even shattered Ters and Mariana’s lies.
Idria’s lips twisted.
It had been a while since she felt this irritated.
She turned her gaze to the inn where Maide’s group was staying.
She wanted to deal with them right now, but it was impossible.
......
Or was it?
They were quite a distance away.
At this range, maybe......
Entertaining a sliver of hope, she raised her hand slowly.
And pointed at the inn.
One word of “vanish,” and that shabby place would disappear without a trace.
Including everyone staying inside.
However.
“Ugh.”
Suddenly, Idria felt a pain as if her flesh was being torn off.
It wasn’t a metaphor—her flesh was literally being gouged out.
Not because she did anything special, but simply for pointing at the inn.
Drip, drip.
Idria wiped the black blood flowing from her finger and arm.
‘As expected, not possible. Even at this distance.’
She pulled back and lay flat on her back, staring at the sky.
Then she muttered softly.
“Were you that resentful? Is that why you couldn’t go to the afterlife and stayed behind?”
As always, that guy never gives up.
Since he couldn’t kill me himself after losing to Kaild, he must have found a proxy.
“If you’ve attached yourself to Maide, I can’t make a direct move. Too risky.”
She paused briefly, as if waiting for a response.
But of course, no sound came.
Idria said with a sly smile.
“I’ll have to adjust my plans. I’m curious how your chosen proxy will handle this.”
She had planned to visit the capital anyway, even if it wasn’t Maide.
Originally, she intended to force the Corruption Jewel to rampage and make Kaild drop the Black Sun.
But Idria changed her mind.
So she gave Kaild his next quest: to heal the lord of Drono.
The reason was simple.
‘Kaild can’t solve it with his abilities.’
Then, what about him?
Could Maide Mohan solve it?
It would make a fine stage.
She continued softly.
“Let’s watch together. Bion Kunze.”
I was dreaming.
Perhaps because Adwin mentioned my parents?
In the dream, my family was happy.
The me in the dream said.
“Dad, when are you going to teach me archery?”
“You rascal.”
Father ruffled my hair with his thick hand.
“Say that after you can chop firewood properly first. You almost hit your own foot last time.”
“It just slipped for a second.”
“Arrows might slip too. And next time, it might hit someone else instead of your foot.”
I tsked and kicked a pebble in front of me.
Father picked me up.
He put me on his shoulders and said.
“No helping it. Starting tomorrow, come with me to the hunting grounds.”
“Huh? Is it okay before even learning archery?”
“I’m not telling you to hit prey right away. Just follow me and learn to walk the mountain paths properly—that’s success enough.”
“I’m a big boy now.”
“Haha. True, you’ve gotten quite heavy.”
Father gave me a piggyback ride and circled the house.
I had been a bit sulky, but soon I was giggling at the feeling of flying through the sky.
That was when it happened.
“Dear, Maide. Dinner’s ready.”
Mother.
And then, not in the dream but in reality, a voice called me.
[Wake up.]
It was Trail.
I bolted upright and scanned my surroundings.
[I didn’t wake you that urgently. Nightmare?]
‘It was a really happy dream.’
[Hm. Sorry for waking you.]
‘No. Perfect timing. It was about to turn into a nightmare.’
[I don’t follow.]
‘Never mind. More importantly, why?’
Trail’s voice lowered.
[Idria is watching.]
‘I just woke up, so why are you sleep-talking?’
[I’m serious right now.]
His voice was devoid of its usual playfulness, instantly chasing away my sleepiness.
Clank.
I hurriedly grabbed my sword and assumed a stance.
But Trail chuckled and spoke.
[You really think that would block Idria if she attacked?]
‘......’
[Don’t worry. She left quickly.]
‘She left?’
[Yeah. She seemed about to blow the whole inn away at first but changed her mind.]
I slowly exhaled.
Ever since learning Idria had descended and was weaving strange conspiracies across the continent, I’d always kept the possibility in mind.
The possibility that I might confront her someday.
But now that it was real, a chill ran down my spine anew.
‘Why didn’t she blow it up and just watched?’
[Probably because of me.]
‘Huh?’
[There’s a thing.]
‘What thing? Tell me. We’re in the same boat anyway.’
[......]
‘If it’s hard for you to say, want me to guess?’
It was something I’d suspected for a while.
Trail wanted to kill Idria.
That was his sole purpose, and he was cooperating with me to achieve it.
‘Everyone on the continent wanted to kill the Demon King. But none could turn back time or use something bizarre like the Eye of Omniscience.’
Idria was on another level from past Demon Kings.
Thus, the hero to kill her had to be on another level from past heroes.
Someone who could manipulate time or wield the Eye of Omniscience.
‘Among inhuman existences opposing the Demon King, only one comes to mind: Bion Kunze.’
[Don’t say it, you idiot.]
I smirked.
‘Well, your name’s a dead giveaway, isn’t it?’
[It’s Trail.]
‘Fine, whatever. Anyway, Idria realized I’m one step away from smashing her scheme.’
So, how would she respond?
I thought extracting the jewel smoothly and taking out Patrick would end it.
Suddenly, my head felt complicated.
What would I do if I were Idria?
That Demon King loved nothing but lies from start to finish.
I was trying to extract the jewel without issue and shatter her lie.
In that case?
I should make preparations.
I said to Trail.
‘Trail.’
[What.]
‘I’m not sure if this will work, but I think we should at least try.’
[Why beat around the bush?]
I grinned and said.
‘Let’s develop a technique together, you and me.’