Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Confession Magic (3)
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I stood at the center of the magic circle, only to find myself transported to an ancient temple.
There, statues clad in full armor stood at the ready.
Those waiting outside the magic circle wouldn't be able to see them.
"Derek Minster. From this moment, you must spit out your twisted thoughts without hesitation."
Camillia Andalusia's golden locks shimmered brilliantly as she stood alone, arms crossed, gazing down at me with icy detachment.
"First: What is your reason for killing the Holy See's knights?"
The massive weapons held by the statues plummeted toward my head.
And the instant they halted just above my crown...
"Grk...!!"
Tremendous gravitational force began crushing my entire body.
It felt like an elephant was perched on me, as if my bones and organs might burst at any second.
The statues spoke one after another.
Confession Magic, my ass...!!
What's the difference between this and the electric chair?!!
"I..."
The Princess slowly closed her eyes at my groan-laced voice.
Even knowing a criminal shouldn't have to endure such horrific agony.
But she had no choice but to snap her blue eyes open once more.
"...am truly not the culprit in this incident!!"
An answer no one who assumed I was guilty could have anticipated.
The statues all turned to the Princess in unison, their expressions visibly perplexed—even if their helmets hid them.
"......"
A momentary blankness in the Princess's wise gaze.
Her lips parted slightly as she slowly asked me again.
"You're truly not involved in this incident...?"
"You're using Confession Magic and still don't believe it?!!"
Her flowing golden hair clung to her red lips.
Camillia's mind went utterly blank, oblivious even to that.
The ancient statues tossed out remarks like relatives reuniting at a holiday gathering.
The chattiest judge was the first to lower his axe.
Following his lead, they all withdrew their weapons, allowing me to finally catch my breath.
"Please wait just a moment. We don't know yet—let me refine my questions a bit more."
The Princess clutched her throbbing forehead.
Then, she reverted to her dignified tone.
"Derek Minster. Then, for the second question."
In the vast, fog-shrouded ancient temple, Camillia approached my crumpled form and knelt down.
"Our investigation shows that before becoming Warden here, you were just a drunken lout causing trouble in your territory."
"......And?"
With my face pressed to the ground, I couldn't even look at her.
All I could see were her golden locks swaying faintly.
"So what made a man like that suddenly take up the post of Warden in this remote prison?"
At the Princess's second question, the statues fell silent.
They aimed their weapons down at my crushed form once more.
The crushing gravity assaulted me again.
Most sinners would be trembling in conditioned terror by now.
But amid the creeping pain, I let out a smirk instead.
This was my chance to land a solid hit on this world's supposed absolute authority.
"If you're satisfied with my answer this time, you'll lift the magic?"
"Yes."
I stared up at Camillia with the sharp eyes I'd been teased for being gloomy.
The shift in atmosphere made her tense up.
"To reform the catastrophe-class prisoners. They need to change their hearts if this Empire you love so much is to survive!"
The statues stared blankly at the Princess again.
This time, I'd gone beyond honesty into something downright commendable.
Even the usually silent statue looked at her with sympathy.
For the first time, the Princess's cheeks flushed red.
"A-Aren't the senior judges misjudging this? There's overwhelming evidence he's a villain...!!"
A few judges clicked their tongues.
Unable to bear it any longer, they fully withdrew their weapons, effectively ending the trial.
"Th-Then, finally!! What the hell is that sword at your waist?! It's the lord's—the one killed by the Saintess!!"
Camillia cried out in a voice more befitting a flustered 23-year-old than a Princess.
In response, I answered with a serene, enlightened expression.
"I had no idea it was from the Saintess. It was in the training hall cabinet, so I assumed it was the previous Warden's and used it."
The truth.
With my hollow words, the temple fell deathly silent.
The sound of one statue scratching its head.
Despite their ancient origins, all I heard were awkward coughs.
'These damn bastards are even more infuriating.'
The Princess said nothing for a long moment.
Among past royals, one in ten failed the Confession Magic.
She seemed deeply shocked to be that one.
"My apologies. I've made a grave misunderstanding."
Still, she readily admitted her error.
Though every glance at my sleazy face seemed to trigger cognitive dissonance...
She personally helped me up.
Unlike her cool demeanor, her touch felt remarkably warm.
"But understand my position too. That sword you carry was decisive evidence."
"I do. If it belonged to someone killed by the Saintess, suspicion was natural."
"Don't worry too much about the pain you're feeling now. This is still just a magical space, after all."
"It'll vanish once the magic lifts?"
Camillia nodded calmly.
"Yes. You spoke up before the shock could reach your real body, so you'll be fine."
"What are those statues?"
"From ages past, the founding merits who served the late Emperor. Apparently, only reincarnated royals can use them."
"Reincarnated...?"
I staggered to my feet.
Then, I eyed the Princess intently as she tried to regain her composure.
"So this place lets you use the power of your past lives?"
"Something like that."
The moment Camillia confirmed it.
I quietly looked down at my battered body.
In other words...
The power from my first regression and third regression could both be used here.
"My apologies again. If you're released, I'll find a way to compensate you for this."
"No need."
I clenched my tattered fist tight.
The nerves in my wrist twitched, memories resurfacing.
"Give me my compensation here."
"Here? How?"
The Princess glanced around the temple, empty save for us and the statues, tilting her head.
Then, she flinched at my next words.
"Spar with me."
No one had ever dared say that to her in her life.
"What did you just say you want to do with me?"
Her face showed even greater shock than when I'd confessed.
Those lofty eyes widened like a cub lion's.
"I knew the Minster family was wicked, but I never imagined this level."
She tried to compose herself, but her voice rose slightly higher than usual.
As if she thought I might assassinate her.
"Not a duel. Just requesting a spar."
Hearing "spar," the Princess realized she'd been out of character.
She turned away, steadying her voice to its usual chill.
As she turned, her eyes met the distant statues watching.
Despite their helmets, she could tell they were smirking at her.
Camillia shot them a frosty glare worthy of the Emperor's heir.
They finally quieted.
"A spar... I suppose I could. But will that truly satisfy you?"
"Yes. It's very important to me."
"As the strongest in the North, I want to receive 'instruction' directly from you."
"Such passion is always welcome."
Perhaps because she now knew I'd taken the Warden post to reform vicious criminals.
The Princess shed her ironclad ruthlessness.
"Very well. How shall we do it?"
"Rough. Whoever wins by any means, ends it."
"You're quite angry with me... I accept."
Camillia let out a short sigh.
Then, for my unarmed sake, she pointed to the statues.
"Ask the senior judges for a weapon."
The axe statue, ever stoic, beckoned me over.
Come to think of it, that armor was what I'd achieved as Imperial Knight Commander in my first loop.
Ancient armaments emerged from his massive hand.
All top-grade artifacts once wielded by the late Emperor or equals.
Bastard sword.
Zweihander.
Battle axe.
......
Impressive weapons all, but I chose the smallest.
A dagger with a raven motif, its blade rusted but exquisitely crafted.
'The first Black Knights Order Commander's. Perfect for assassination.'
"I'll use this."
The other statues eyed my choice curiously.
But the axe statue nodded silently.
Camillia stood in the temple's widest space.
Gripping my dagger, I approached her.
"Ready?"
She'd returned to her haughty expression.
Her eyes suggested she'd hold back appropriately, considering the Confession Magic's toll on me.
"Yes. Please go easy on me."
The Princess raised Landruin.
She calmly yielded the first move to me.
"Then learn this strike well."
Not "I'll teach you"—but "learn it."
She tilted her head at her own arrogance.
The moment she thought I was still dazed from the magic.
Clang!!
My dagger shot forward in an instant.
She fully abandoned that notion.
After all, the arrogant one was her, for yielding first strike.
"You can't be surprised by a surprise attack. As a candidate for the throne, you must always be prepared."
The man facing her had eyes utterly transformed.
From sleazy schemer to chilling assassin.
"Today, I'll etch it properly into you."
Being able to use past-life power meant including past loops' lives.
I'd regained the strength from my third loop as Dark Overlord.
Back when I'd slain countless nobles and knights—seeds of catastrophe—with single strokes.
The civil war annihilation ending triggered by Camillia's assassination.
The culprits: the Black Knights Order Commander aligned with the Crown Prince and Holy See assassins.
Today, I'd teach her their ways properly.
A perfectionist like her would learn well.
"Hiding your strength...?"
"An assassin always hides their power."
Camillia repelled me forcefully with a grand sweep, creating distance.
She swung her spear at long range.
Boom!!
A massive crack bloomed where it struck the ground.
But no matter how mighty, power that doesn't connect is useless.
Before her spear tip touched down, I'd already aimed for her throat.
"Ngh...!!"
The Princess barely blocked with her shoulder.
But as she reeled back, I slashed her arm.
"Don't swing a spear so wide against a dagger. It just gives opportunities to skilled assassins."
I warned her with serpent-green eyes.
Clutching her wounded arm, the Princess stared blankly at me for a moment.
"........."
"Spacing out like that is how you get stabbed in the back by the next assassin."
Camillia's lips twitched at the barrage of advice.
Her pale face had long since flushed red.
Her pride clearly wounded.
"Fine. Then I won't hold back anymore."
She exuded the same imperial aura as the continent-conquering late Emperor.
The perfectionist's competitive fire was fully lit.
"I'll treat this as real combat too."
"Good. Assume I'm staking everything against you, Your Highness."
I spun the dagger deftly, exuding leisure.
At that, the Princess boldly upped the ante.
"Of course. If you win, I'll grant any wish."
Camillia unleashed her full power.
A massive lion's image rose behind her.
'A wish, huh. Perfect.'
My wish was for her to rule the Empire in peace for a long, long time.
That way, I could enjoy noble life leisurely.
Fueled by that desire, I charged.
Toward the Empire's sole guardian.