Chapter 50
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Taboo
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My God.
Wendy could only cover her mouth.
The maids slumbering amidst the ice flowers, as if lost in happy dreams, resembled fairy-tale princesses.
That only made the horrific scene before them all the more bitter.
They were unable to speak for a long while.
The gruesome reality staring them in the face was simply too hard to accept.
In the heavy silence, Vanessa finally spoke up.
What kind of man was Millium, the one who did this? The Counts father, right?
He died when the Count was still young.
Albert let out a sigh.
He had to dredge up painful memories with a trembling voice.
When I first met Millium Ruelverta, he was just a boy obsessed with magic.
With magic?
Vanessa, you might not know this, but the Ruelverta family has been under a curse for generationsno one can use magic. Or more precisely, theyre born without any mana.
Albert remembered Millium Ruelverta, who had ascended to the countship at a young age.
He recalled that brilliant boy.
Millium wanted to escape that curse. So he poured money endlessly into mana research. And I was the craftsman immersed in that research at the time. Or rather.
Albert closed his eyes.
I was mad.
He continued in a voice thick with regret.
I wanted to create spells that harnessed mana naturally occurring in the world. The possibilities were immense. I created and tested countless spells. All thanks to Millium. He spared no support for me. Mana crystals, any materials I wantedhe procured them all.
It must have been a dream come true for a craftsman.
At Vanessas words, Albert nodded.
Yes. With that immense backing, I worked for the Ruelverta family for years. I quit after learning that Milliumthat manhad been conducting clinical trials on animals with my spells behind my back. He was dissecting them, modifying them however he pleased, committing inhuman acts.
Alberts shoulders trembled.
I should have stopped him then. But this old man was too scared terrified. The very power supporting me might turn against me!
Grandfather.
All I did was burn all my research data and run. I was cowardly. And foolish. If Id only thought it through, I could have realized how dangerous those spells were how they could be abused.
Albert gazed at the four glass tubes. With regret etched on his face, he stared at the dead women inscribed with his spells.
Are they dead?
No. The ice flowers have frozen their mana. Its like hibernation.
Tristan, who had spoken those words, picked up a fallen ice flower petal from the floor.
My father Millium Ruelverta killed them and turned them into corpse puppets. They were treated as emotionless tools. And in bodies that couldnt even die, they were made to slumber here.
The petal melted away in Tristans fingers.
Wendy read an unfathomable sorrow on his face.
He slowly opened his mouth.
Now, I intend to save them.
Save?
Albert, pondering the meaning, soon scowled.
Dont talk nonsense. Theyre like this alreadyhow do you plan to save them? Their hearts have been replaced with mere mana-supplying devices. Theyve become walking magic tools. No matter who you are, Counteven youwe cant save them.
I know.
You know?
Albert. Do you believe in souls?
What souls?
Albert was at a loss for words at Tristans abrupt, contextless question.
Souls? What on earth was this man talking about?
I read about it in a book once. Theres an old hypothesis about souls thats existed for ages.
Not just Alberteven Vanessa listened intently to Tristan with a baffled expression.
All living things possess mana. From a single blade of grass to humans, and even geniuses of the earth and sky called dragons. If it lives, it has mana. So perhaps a soul dwells within that mana?
Absurd!
Albert couldnt hold back and shouted.
He knew just how nonsensical the Counts words were.
If that hypothesis holds, Count, then youre a human without a soul!
Exactly. Perhaps thats the case.
Tristan gave a cold smile at Alberts retort.
A smile so chilling it was hard to believe it came from a human.
I might just be an empty shell, cursed of its soul. Id prefer it that way. It would let me carry out my plan.
A plan?
Spells are a power that can control and bind mana. I believe their souls are trapped within the spells.
Tristan voiced his plan.
I will resurrect them.
Count! Thats blatant taboo!
The agitated Albert yelled.
Reviving the dead.
What greater sin could there be?
You the Count will commit a far greater sin than Millium! Even the gods wont forgive this!
Doesnt matter.
They must be suffering even now!
Doesnt matter. Ill revive them first, then see.
This isnt for a mere human! Even gods couldnt save them!
Doesnt matter. I will save them.
Youll fall to hell!
I dont care about that crap!
Tristan bellowed.
His sudden roar made Albert and the others flinch.
They couldnt even breathe.
His intense emotions felt like they were strangling their throats.
If I can bring them back to life, Ill gladly become a devil.
Count.
They were mine from the start. Their souls too. Not even a god can take them from me.
Tristan approached.
Albert. This happened because of the spell you made. Its your duty to finish it.
Tristan, now right before him, looked down at Albert.
Overwhelming him.
Take responsibility and cooperate. Albert. It can take as long as it needs. Create the spell. One that surpasses the one you made and can save them. As head of the Ruelverta family, I wont spare any support.
It was a command.
Albert slumped down.
It felt like encountering a devil and receiving an irresistible order.
Are you truly telling me to commit another sin?
Its not a sin. Its atonement. Albert, its the only way you can atone. And your chance to be free of guilt.
A chance.
Tristans words were temptingly seductive.
That was why Albert wavered.
What if that hypothesis is wrong?
Thats for you, the craftsman, to find out going forward. Ill take all the blame.
Tristans lips twisted.
Ill fall to hell alone.
In that moment, Albert realized his fate.
He could never escape from the start.
From the sin he committed.
From the Ruelverta.
Albert muttered weakly.
Youre truly an incomprehensible man, Count I cant tell if youre rebuking me or trying to help.
It only benefits me if you atone.
Is that so.
A bitter smile from Albert. Tristan passed him and called out the names inscribed on the glass tubes one by one.
Muri, Rika, Cynthia, Beth.
He merely said their names, but Wendy could tell.
These women were important to Tristan.
And the poignancy, pity, and deep sorrow in his voice.
Albert let out a sigh.
Didnt you say you wouldnt let them be taken? Incredibly greedy bastard. Are you a devil? No more like a demon king defying the gods.
No. I am Tristan Ruelverta.
The moment he met Tristans resolute expression, Albert felt an inexplicable terror.
For now.