Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Protagonist is a Villain
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It was the moment he raised his head to check who Aira was.
"You damned bitch! Who the hell do you think you're scamming?!"
Thwack!
A man he had never seen before kicked Aira squarely in the stomach.
"Guhk...!"
Aira retched and curled up her body. Then another young man appeared and kicked her legs.
"What the hell do you think you're doing to our esteemed lord?!"
"Urk..."
Without giving Aira a chance to resist, the two men began mercilessly beating her. Every time they shouted that she had dared to touch the lord, cries of agreement echoed from behind them.
"P-Please... spare..."
Aira reached out toward the lord's soldiers. But no one lifted a finger to help her. Even Lucius watched her with indifferent eyes.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Flesh-rending, chilling impact sounds rang out. Bluish bruises began blooming across Aira's stomach, legs, waist, and all over her body. She had resisted fiercely at first, but terror and helplessness soon overwhelmed her, leaving her curled up tight.
The crowd began edging back slightly, fearing she might actually die.
The two men who had been gleefully pummeling Aira stepped back a pace, breathing heavily. And at that moment, Lucius spoke.
"That's enough."
Aira let out a sigh of relief at his words. Yeah, after getting beaten like this, it had to be over now. This was the most vicious assault she'd ever endured. Trembling all over, Aira barely managed to stand, her body covered in wounds from the blows.
Deep down, Aira felt a profound sense of relief. It's over now. If Lucius asked if she'd repented, she could sob and say yes. Then he'd let her dress and send her on her way, and she'd spread vicious rumors about him in every other village.
"We'll stop 'today' at this point."
"...What?"
But Lucius's declaration was enough to freeze Aira's thoughts. The soldiers stared at him as if they'd misheard. Lucius stated firmly.
"She hasn't repented yet. This will continue until she completes the march and becomes a new person."
"Y-You're insane..."
"Take her back to her room. We'll resume at this same time tomorrow."
"You fucking..."
Before she could curse the lord, a soldier clamped a hand over her mouth. It was his own twisted form of mercy.
Aira was dragged back to that room. Only then did she notice something off about it. There were no sharp objects. The corners were all rounded smooth, and nothing heavy was around. Why?
The door opened.
Lucius entered the room with a smile.
"D-Don't come closer! Stay back!"
Terrified, Aira tried to scramble away from the bed.
"I said stay back!"
Lucius approached with arms spread wide. Aira trembled in fear and curled up.
"You did well today."
Then, Lucius pulled her tightly into his embrace and said that. Aira reeled from the sudden warmth enveloping her entire body.
"G-Get off me!"
Aira shoved Lucius away violently. She hoped he'd crack his skull on the floor, but despite his small frame, he felt impossibly heavy—like pushing a log. Instead, she bounced back and tumbled onto the bed.
"Calm down, Aira. No one's going to hurt you."
"You fucking psycho! Here to rape me again, huh? You piece of shit worm!"
"Aira, calm down. No matter how much you lash out at me, nothing changes. Got it? I'm not here to hurt you, and I'm not going to assault you. See?"
Lucius took a step back and raised his hands high. Aira eyed him suspiciously even then. She demanded.
"Let me go."
"No."
"I said let me fucking go! I've repented! I swear I won't set foot in this territory again, so let me go!"
"No."
Aira was getting pissed at this back-and-forth.
"Why? Why the hell not?"
"Because you haven't repented."
"You fucker!"
Aira hurled a pillow at him. Lucius didn't even flinch when it hit. He picked it up from the floor, placed it back on the bed, and said.
"Get some good rest tonight. I'll treat your wounds later."
"Eat this."
Aira flipped him off with a sneer. Lucius showed no reaction. He placed a hand on her head and said.
"Don't worry. No one will hit you here."
"What the hell are you saying? Let me go!"
Lucius said nothing more. He silently opened the door and left. Now Aira was alone in the vast room. And only then did true terror wash over her. The anxiety of isolation. And the despair of knowing she'd have to endure the exact same thing again tomorrow morning.
"Aaaahhh!"
A scream echoed from Aira's room.
The next morning, Robin dragged Aira out like a dog. He still didn't seem used to this bizarre punishment. Lucius was already up on the platform this morning as well.
The villagers, who had gathered wondering if the same thing would happen again today, began murmuring among themselves when the lord actually brought Aira out.
"Quiet down. Who makes noise at a sinner's path to repentance?"
Of course, the chatter vanished with one stern warning from Lucius. Confirming the villagers were assembled, he opened his mouth.
"Then, as yesterday, we begin Aira's Penance March today. Aira, if you fall or collapse, you start over from the beginning."
Aira gritted her teeth as she scanned her surroundings. The two men who had beaten her yesterday were nowhere in sight. She wasn't used to being naked yet, but she took slow, cautious steps forward.
Every time she stepped, the men's gazes focused on her. Thanks to the sign around her neck, at least she didn't have to cover her chest—small mercies. Keeping her privates shielded, she advanced carefully. One step. Another.
Splat!
Someone hurled a rotten fruit at Aira's head. As she staggered from the impact, someone tripped her leg.
"You filthy whore!"
"You fucking bitch!"
Aira knew those voices. They were the ones who had beaten her yesterday. The moment she hit the ground, those two led a few villagers in stomping her.
"Agh! Stop! Lord! Is this fucking allowed?!"
Aira wasn't in full panic like yesterday, so she demanded answers from Lucius. He simply watched the brutal beating impassively.
"Aaagh! Help! I'm gonna die!"
"Stop!"
At that shout from Lucius, the villagers halted like trained soldiers and stepped back. Lucius addressed the nearby guards.
"Bring Aira back."
Aira felt her lip split open. Her unhealed body screamed in agony. Fresh bruises bloomed on her side, and her leg bones throbbed like they were cracked. Limping, she was dragged back to the entrance, where Lucius declared.
"Then, we begin the Penance March again."
Aira's eyes trembled wide. Were they really going to kill her here today? She glanced back at the road. The two men who had beaten her half to death stood waiting at the front. Aira pointed at them and demanded.