Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: The Source of the Killing Intent
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Camil Felton remained composed, even when I gave him a questioning look.
It was as if he already knew my true identity was Ray Carter.
‘He's certain.’
Despite me not showing any sign, his attitude remained the same.
His eyes were saying it all.
The reason?
Honestly, I had no idea how he’d found out.
‘It can't be because of the Heaven-Severing Myriad Spirits.’
I did use the Heaven-Severing Myriad Spirits openly when fighting the Crown Arachne.
But it was within a thick cloud of dust.
Recognizing the technique from memory of that moment alone was nearly impossible.
The Heaven-Severing Demonic Chain Sword, fused with my assassination arts, was unrecognizable even up close.
I only perceived it as grayish-white because I was the one using it.
To others, it would have felt like a whitish blur flashing past.
And that’s only for those with exceptional senses.
‘So how does this guy know?’
Someone of Camil Felton's caliber could certainly have recognized the Heaven-Severing Myriad Spirits.
Assuming he saw it clearly, not through a cloud of dust.
But he never really had a chance to...
The moment I tried to deny it, the scene that came to mind was my fight with the Four-Armed Knight.
‘Could it have been then?’
Camil, who had been sent flying after taking a direct hit from the creature, only reappeared after the fight was over.
That was the only moment he could have seen my true abilities.
It wasn't because of my appearance, though.
I may have made myself handsome, but this still wasn't my real face.
“Since when?”
“Not long after we met again here.”
“Did you recognize my swordsmanship?”
“No, it was because you acted so naturally around me.”
“…”
Seriously? He figured it out based on something like that?
This guy was as crazy as they come.
“Tsk. Is that so?”
I clicked my tongue and shrugged.
It would have been better not to be found out, but there was no need to fret over my cover being blown.
‘After all, I'm operating as Ray Rantzverger right now.’
Besides, hiding my identity was only meaningful if the family's grand plan had succeeded.
Now that the third prince's ascension to crown prince had failed?
There was no need to hide my identity anymore.
I could just say we didn't reveal it because sending two direct descendants to Venderford would have been too much of a burden.
“This situation has gotten a bit strange.”
“It's fine. You're a Rantzverger, after all.”
“Oh…”
What kind of understanding was that?
It was absurd, but I didn't say anything to him.
If he says he understands, there's no need to stir up trouble.
The awkward atmosphere dissipated, and in an instant, we were back to how we used to be.
Back to when we were at Venderford together.
Camil and I sat side by side, sharing what we had been up to.
Most of what I said was related to the imperial civil war.
“…It all fizzled out in the end. The dream of turning my life around by serving a prince well went up in smoke.”
“That's for the best. I can't go back anyway. Thanks to that, I was able to meet a friend in a place like this.”
“You bastard! Taking pleasure in another's misfortune… How commendable.”
“Heheh.”
Camil chuckled softly and gazed at the brightly shining moon.
For some reason, unlike his usual stoic self, he looked incredibly lonely.
I intuitively knew something had happened to him.
But I didn't press him for details.
‘It's obviously a bad memory, so why bring it up?’
In times like these, if you just wait, they'll open up on their own.
Sure enough, Camil frowned and began to speak of the Felton family's private affairs.
It was rather important information for me, so I couldn't help but perk up my ears.
“Lately, my brothers have become more hostile. It seems they're finally starting to see me as a rival.”
“Of course they would.”
“How do you know that?”
When I agreed so naturally, Camil's eyes widened in slight surprise.
This guy figured out my identity just from my attitude.
But anyone could show that kind of insight.
I smirked and tilted my head.
“Do you have any idea how much your eyes changed between when you entered Venderford and just before the break?”
“Ah…”
“A walking wreck transformed into an ambitious man. Even I noticed after spending just over a year with you. You think your brothers wouldn't?”
“I understand. I was careless. I forgot about my life before Venderford.”
We lowered our voices and continued our quiet conversation.
The Forest of the Dead was so quiet that eavesdropping probably wouldn't be difficult.
‘If he were awake, that is.’
I glanced suspiciously at Johnson, who was stirring slightly, then tapped Camil on the shoulder and stood up.
It was a signal to follow me.
Once we were some distance from the camp, he asked a question as if he'd been waiting.
“Why?”
“We need some privacy from here on out. It would be a problem if that guy overheard.”
“Hmm…”
Sensing the change in my serious demeanor, Camil's gaze grew heavy.
I glanced eastward, where the Felton knights would be, and continued.
“Azis, you're going to get rid of him, right?”
I made a throat-slitting gesture with my thumb, and Camil's face twisted slightly.
No wonder; the question itself was terrifying.
But my expression was perfectly calm.
After all, I was prepared to cut down my own half-sisters if they stood in my way of becoming the Head.
The Four Great Families were noble houses in name only; in reality, they were like kingdoms.
The direct descendants' struggle for the Head's position was no different from a battle for the throne.
Taking the lives of one's siblings in such a process was a common occurrence.
“It's difficult right now.”
Seemingly understanding me well, Camil answered quickly.
It was a cautious conclusion.
‘Not bad.’
If he had rashly asked for help, I would have refused without a second thought.
But Camil was genuinely aiming for the position of the next Head.
To do that, he had to wait for the perfect moment.
Just like me.
“I like that answer.”
“What about you?”
“The same. I can't make a move rashly. The current Head is still alive and well.”
If nothing else, that was the biggest problem.
That Black Sand Claude and Heavenly Emperor Simeon were still around.
That's why we had to hold our breath and sharpen our blades.
But we couldn't just prepare forever.
I wanted to encourage Camil, whose support base was weak, so he wouldn't fall easily.
“If the opportunity ever arises, I will definitely help you. So just say the word.”
“...!”
My offer seemed to have surprised him, as his eyes shot wide open.
A rather long silence.
Camil remained silent for a long time.
Of course, he would eventually speak.
This was the first hand extended to someone who had lived his entire life alone.
Help from an unrelated outsider, no less.
He probably couldn't find any reason to be suspicious.
“If…”
“Wait.”
Camil's reply was imminent, but I couldn't hear it.
An immense killing intent had pierced my senses, sounding an alarm.
*Zzzzzing!*
“This is insane.”
It was an aura that truly defied imagination.
It felt as if the killing intent had materialized, stabbing at my heart like a dagger.
Camil, too, must have felt that tremendous power, as he swiftly drew his sword.
But we couldn't figure out where this manifestation of will was coming from.
We could only make a rough guess.
“Let's move, now.”
I hurried back to the camp with Camil.
Rhys Ganiol and Johnson were just waking up, shaking their heads vigorously.
It seemed they too had felt the wave of energy that shook the entire island.
“Wh-what's going on?”
“I don't know. But one thing is certain.”
“What is it?”
“That a massive change has occurred on the Island of the Dead.”
I answered Vice-Captain Rhys's question while looking at Johnson.
I didn't trust him much, but the man had spent over two years on the Island of the Dead.
If something like this had happened before, he would surely remember.
Sure enough, Johnson nodded gravely and said.
“Yes, nothing like this has ever happened before.”
“The question now is what to do.”
I glanced from side to side.
A gesture to show that we had two options before us.
We could rejoin the Felton knights, which would be slow but relatively safe.
Naturally, Johnson preferred the former.
He was just helping with someone else's mission; he wouldn't want to risk his life for it.
In fact, he looked like he was dying to go back even now.
But I thought it was too late.
‘It's probably already sensed us.’
How could a being that emanates such powerful killing intent not be aware of outsiders who have invaded its forest?
Having killed fifty of those eye monsters, it was safe to assume we had been discovered long ago.
It might be wiser to just charge straight in for a swift conclusion.
It might even be a decision that catches the enemy off guard.
It was a gamble, but frankly, it was a challenge worth taking.
“Vice-Captain Rhys?”
“Yes? Yes.”
“Make the call.”
“Ah…”
Officially, this mission was led by the Everfilt family.
In effect, Rhys Ganiol was the leader of this team.
It was right for him to make the decision.
But Vice-Captain Rhys couldn't bring himself to speak.
His confidence had plummeted ever since we set foot on the Island of the Dead.
‘He's become a half-baked mage, so it's understandable.’
Choosing the latter option now would only mean burdening the party with danger and hardship.
But rejoining the Felton knights was absolutely not an option.
If we did that, we would never find Padiac's Tower.
Someone had to make a decision in place of the wavering Rhys Ganiol.
“Let's go.”
“Right.”
*Tatadat!*
I touched Camil's shoulder and dashed into the dark forest.
It was still before dawn, so visibility was poor, but that wasn't a major problem.
My senses were sharp enough to detect any obstacle.
“Whoa! What do you think you're doing?”
Vice-Captain Rhys's panicked voice came from behind, but we paid it no mind.
We just looked at each other and shared a meaningful smile.
“If you don't want to die, you'll have to follow. What choice do you have?”
“I agree.”
Could Johnson return to the Felton knights alone with a half-baked mage in tow?
Nine times out of ten, they'd run into a pack of eye monsters and get themselves killed.
So they had no choice but to follow.
‘By the way, this is dangerous.’
I didn't know what was in the center of the island, but I felt an urge to get there quickly.
The killing intent was growing stronger by the moment.
This wasn't happening because we were getting closer to our destination.
The concentration of power was simply increasing with time.
Fortunately, we didn't encounter any packs of eye monsters.
The creatures that had been swarming the forest were nowhere to be seen.
*Tadadadat! Chak!*
In the end, we came face to face with the source of the killing intent at the center of the island.
Its identity was a massive… what should I call it?
“…A tower? A fortress?”
It looked something like that.