Testimony in the Flames
“Me.”
Judas staggered forward, cutting in. His abdomen still throbbed from the knight’s kick. It felt like his guts were twisting inside him. Even so, he had to step up.
“I’ll explain.”
Valak narrowed his eyes, looking down at him. This was the boy Elijah had taken into her annex. Irritating. Arrogant, too. But Elijah’s presence, blocking his path, was no small thing.
“Lia?”
Judas suddenly called out to her.
“Cover the young lady’s ears.”
Understanding his intent, Lia immediately cupped her hands over Elijah’s ears. In this moment, she was on Judas’s side. She couldn’t imagine he’d done anything wrong to Elijah. If he had, this wide-awake Elijah wouldn’t have followed him so obediently. She didn’t know exactly what had happened inside. But it must have been something terrible for Elijah. And Judas had saved her from it. The part that her own inadequate, weak self couldn’t fill. It was reason enough to take his side.
But Valak was different. He shook his head, gazing down at Judas.
“I never permitted the likes of you to butt in.”
“Then would you have your precious daughter testify herself about what almost happened to her? Without even knowing what it was?”
“……”
Valak pondered, eyes narrowed. Was he hearing this right? It was an absurd situation. A guard knight candidate from slave stock daring to talk back to him? Even high nobles bowed their heads in his presence. Meeting his eyes was a sin. Yet this insolent creature showed no sign of it.
Valak was genuinely curious.
“Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
The question came out of nowhere, but Judas grasped its meaning at once.
“I am.”
How could he not be? The will to live was primal instinct. He stuck his neck out to survive, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t scared. That’s why he wanted to run from Elijah.
But.
“Fleeing in fear when you can’t afford to—that scares me more.”
Madman, Valak defined him. Rare, but they existed. People with convictions more important than their own lives. Eccentrics who knew fear, felt it, yet stepped forward despite it. The type you didn’t touch lightly. Unless you were a powerhouse like Valak.
I’ll need to put him in his place.
Judas’s point was valid. Having Elijah speak directly didn’t sit well with him either, upon reflection. So he’d make Judas testify. After giving him a proper thrashing.
The bloodline that had bestowed Elijah with her fire talent. He had no gift for teaching, but using magic to kill? No one was better.
He conjured a smoldering ember—just enough sting—and attached it to Judas unseen.
But.
“So, will you hear me out or not?”
Judas was fine. Brazenly urging a response, even.
…He dispelled it?
He’d controlled the power carefully, yet Judas had neatly blocked his magic.
That power, perhaps…? No, impossible…
Unaware of Valak’s fluster, Judas pressed.
“Are you going to listen or not? It hurts like hell, so decide quick.”
“…I permit your statement. But this isn’t the place.”
Only then did Judas glance around. Servants, guests, all sorts had gathered at the mansion. His 13th room comrades clustered in one corner.
Valak looked down at the trembling Judas.
“You look like you need treatment, too.”
It was true. He didn’t want to show it, but his whole body shook. The body kicked by the knight wasn’t normal.
Valak turned to the guests.
“I apologize for the discourtesy on what should have been a peaceful night. We’ll investigate thoroughly to ensure no further harm. Please, return and enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Mind your own business and go.
“You there.”
Valak pointed at a few knights. They stiffened, awaiting orders. One of their own had just died. And Valak acted unfazed. He had justification. Slave or not, unwelcome or not, Judas was Elijah’s guest. The knight had kicked him without checking the situation. Valak knew it was bootlicking toward the Bebel family but didn’t mention it.
He just gave the necessary orders.
“Investigate that building.”
Elijah’s magic lab. The fire was out, suppression done.
“Yes, sir!”
“And you, follow me.”
Valak headed into the mansion first. Judas followed. He nodded to his distant comrades, forcing a weak smile. Don’t worry.
Elijah stuck close behind. Valak grimaced uncomfortably at the pair.
Elijah’s birth father, Valak. Following him to the mansion’s first-floor parlor.
My body was filthy with Sardiis’s blood, but Valak didn’t stop me. Hearing me out came first, it seemed.
Like my first private meeting with Elijah, I sat in the chair opposite him. At the bold move, Valak grimaced like he’d seen something grotesque. He might not have known before with Elijah there, but now he did. This was him showing he had no intention of yielding control.
Before talking, a priest arrived. Valak had called one from the guests. To heal me. My first time receiving holy power for internal injuries.
A soft light from the priest’s hand lingered on my abdomen.
It feels like it’s knitting… or maybe not. Can’t see inside, so who knows. But the pain’s easing.
The treatment ended surprisingly fast. It must’ve been a serious wound, so a high-rank priest, probably.
Valak spoke arrogantly.
“Speak.”
I recounted what I’d seen and heard, straight facts. Lia had kept Elijah’s ears covered the whole time. Sitting beside me, she glared hostilely at Valak. The harmonious father-daughter act from earlier was just that—acting.
“One question.”
By the time Elijah’s ears were uncovered, Valak said,
“Why were you there at that hour?”
The part I worried about most. Elijah attacked. Me, conveniently there, saving her. Suspicious as hell.
Elijah side-eyed me curiously, too.
“…I woke up at dawn needing the bathroom.”
Lame, embarrassing excuse. But it was the truth.
“Coming out, I saw a man entering the magic lab. Suspicious-looking, so I followed. Got involved.”
“……”
I knew it was hard to believe. Even I was stunned by the timing. Waking then, spotting that. Good or bad luck? No idea.
But… I glanced at Elijah. This kid hadn’t suffered that fate. Had to count it as fortunate.
“Anyone to corroborate?”
“A roommate. He woke briefly when I left.”
Dillon shared my room that night, advised me it was cold.
Valak immediately sent for Dillon. He arrived promptly.
“Something to confirm.”
“Yes, Lord Bebel.”
“Your name?”
Valak’s question was abrupt. Dillon stayed calm despite the oddity.
“Dillon, sir.”
“How’d you get here?”
“By Lady Elijah’s grace. She invited the duel tournament winner among candidates.”
“I see. Food to your taste?”
“Far beyond my station—excellent.”
Pointless Q&A went on. Then abruptly,
“Did you see Judas leave early dawn yesterday?”
“Yes. Though half-asleep, I clearly saw him go, saying bathroom. I mentioned the cold; he grabbed a blanket. I remember.”
Valak nodded slowly.
…Ah, that’s it.
I’d heard of it. To detect lies: ask obvious facts first. Name, age. They answer smoothly. Then hit with the real question. Compare reactions. Not foolproof, but useful.
Brutal…
The light questions were setup. Valak had tested Dillon’s baseline, suspecting lies.
“You may go.”
Dillon bowed politely and left. Before going, he gave me an anxious look. I signaled it’s fine. Not sure he got it.
“Need time to verify the truth.”
Valak seemed to accept my account for now.
“Execution and interrogation of your charges suspended temporarily.”
“…Thank you.”
“Peculiar.”
“Pardon?”
“You understand my vocabulary?”
True to being Elijah’s father—similar reaction.
“Somewhat, with my limited knowledge.”
“Hmm.”
“Grand Duke.”
Elijah spoke. Distant title and tone. Their relationship clear.
“Yes, Elijah.”
“Professor Sardiis…”
Elijah’s clenched fist trembled faintly.
“…Has given me those looks often before.”
“Is that so.”
Blood ties, even to a bastard? Valak sighed deeply, somber.
“Why not tell me sooner?”
“I did. To the Duchess. She refused.”
“…I see.”
“And this morning. Among the candidates she personally selected, one tried to assassinate me.”
I wanted to cover my ears. Did she forget I was here?
This is dangerous stuff I shouldn’t hear…!
Valak glanced at me indeed.
“What do you want from me?”
“Nothing.”
Elijah smiled brightly, childlike, but thorns hid in the words.
“Wishes stay wishes because they don’t come true.”
“……”
“Just family matters you should know. You knew about the assassination already, though.”
“Yes. Understood.”
I didn’t get it. Why do nobles talk in riddles?
“The Duchess matter… we were investigating per family law for fair handling. This adds to it. Nothing more?”
Elijah ignored him with a blank look.
“Fine… It’s late, Elijah. Rest. And you haven’t cleared suspicion, so to the underground cell—”
“I can’t allow that.”
Elijah cut in. Valak’s eyebrow twitched in disbelief. I probably mirrored it.
“He’s my benefactor. Deserves proper treatment.”
“Elijah. No truth uncovered yet.”
“I’m the witness. No more truth needed.”
Elijah didn’t budge. Too stiff and deadly for father-daughter talk. I was on pins and needles beside them.
“This is my mansion.”
“Assets I gave you.”
“Isolated to muddy the main house? You know many want my potential dismantled. But not like this.”
“Elijah, I…”
Valak shut his mouth, waving resignedly.
“Do as you wish. It’s late; talk more tomorrow. I’ll assign watchers. That much, surely.”
Elijah nodded reluctantly. Their compromise.
“…Understood.”
Eyes covered, led to some room. Hiding the location, lest I cause trouble.
Stingy.
But the room was luxurious. Better than my old annex. Living room, bedroom, bath—like a full house.
Wonder how the 13th room guys are…
They’re probably worried now. No one to relay word. Servants withheld for isolation. Just two knights outside the door.
Even Anna couldn’t attend me now. I headed to the bath first. Body caked in Sardiis’s blood.
Stripped, hot water poured. Bloodstains peeled like grime.
Stared blankly at my palm. Water mixed with blood dripped rosy red.
I killed a man. That moment crystal-clear, like ice. Quill piercing throat. Spraying blood.
Before, I’d trembled in fear. Now? Nothing. Just did it.
Strange. Is killing like that? Pull a tooth once, and it gets easy.
I’d nearly killed before. No intent. Sparring throw gone wrong, almost neck-first. Cervical fracture—instant death. Shocked, queasy then.
Not now. Was this the original Judas’s reaction?
…Who cares.
Am I Judas, or is he me? Philosophical crap. I’m not smart enough. Can’t know even if I want to. Waste of time. Don’t bother.
One question: Has my influence made Elijah a bit less evil?
Unsolvable, so no dwelling. Arrogant to think anyway. People don’t change easy. Innate nature—learned the hard way in past lives, unpleasantly.
Not just that. Elijah’s awakened Mad Fire. Stokes user’s violence. She’ll face its temptations sporadically now.
I might be the victim. But.
Still… saving her didn’t feel bad.
But I can’t keep getting tangled…
…What.
Eyes snapped open. Dark, so dawn. Washed, changed, crashed—woke soon after.
What kinda dream…
Vivid but alien. Not my memory. Too concrete for nonsense.
Simple conclusion.
Judas’s memory.
Unfamiliar, eerie dream. Intense emotions, scenes fuzzy. Someone died? Vague even that.
Dunno… Sleep more. Might continue if lucky.
Adjusting position, naturally hugged what was in my arms. Warm.
…Hold up. What am I holding? What’s this?
Chill hit; eyes flew wide. Ears caught it first. Breathing. Someone else in the room.
Soft snores. From my chest. Sweet scent wafting faintly. Soft, too.
Swallowed hard, chin back, gaze down.
Seeing it, I clamped my mouth shut with all my might to stifle the scream.
There, asleep in my arms: Elijah.
You little—! Why the hell is she here—!
This was disaster on a whole new level. 100% execution bait.