A Father’s Heart (3)

<Side : Patient Forbidden>

『Martyr’s Moon – 12th (Morning)』

【Imperial Invasion – Day 2】

Barkle showed his willingness to accept the plan, and I held back my words for a moment, watching him bow his head and fall into deep thought.

Even if he was a descendant of a fallen emperor, this empire was the place where he was born and raised.

But that was just understanding the reason for his worries. I had no reason to overlook it with my limited time.

I had said all I needed to say, so I should have bid Barkle farewell and headed to the underground prison for the next plan, but while watching his reaction, a thought I had forgotten came to mind.

The subtle feelings that my daughter, Arc, had for Barkle. The way she bickered, which could be dared to be called romantic feelings.

As a father, I couldn’t resist wanting to ask about Barkle, whom my daughter had a liking for.

“Prince Barkle.”

I spoke in a soft tone, as if to ease the heavy atmosphere slightly.

“Yes… Doctor. Is there anything else you want to say?”

“I have one more question. Ah, this isn’t about the plan. It’s just… I know that you and my daughter, Arc, often run into each other, but what do you think of her?”

“Yes…!? Garrison Commander Arc?”

He raised his head, slightly surprised by my sudden question. His expression showed that he had received an unexpected question.

“Garrison Commander is an excellent Garrison Commander and Alchemist… She is passionate and responsible. I haven’t been a Garrison member for long, but I have been able to learn a lot from the Garrison Commander’s actions and attitude.”

Hmm… a textbook answer. I can’t tell what he thinks of Arc with just this.

Still, it feels good as a father to hear him praise my daughter so generously.

“But that’s a professional assessment. What do you think of her personally? Not as Garrison member Barkle, but as human Barkle. I think you know some of it… Arc seems to be quite interested in you.”

“Ah… that, that’s…”

Barkle was silent for a moment after hearing my words. A slight anxiety and embarrassment flashed across his face.

“I… I don’t know. Garrison Commander is an excellent superior and a reliable person, but I have never thought about it personally. I honestly don’t know if Garrison Commander has a liking for me. It’s true that she bickers and is mean to me a little more when I’m around…”

Haa… he’s really a pure person. He doesn’t even realize that the bickering and meanness are expressions of interest.

But if he’s such a pure and upright person, I might be able to entrust Arc to him later. Regardless of his past or history…

I nodded at Barkle’s words and didn’t delve deeper into the topic.

“If that’s what you think, then that’s fine. But it’s clear that Arc trusts you. Cherish that.”

Barkle pondered for a moment, then bowed his head and replied quietly.

“I understand. Doctor.”

“Patient Forbidden.”

“Yes?”

“That’s my name. Don’t just call me by the stiff title of Doctor. You’ll be calling it a lot from now on.”

“Ahaha… that’s just like Garrison Commander. Garrison Commander also gets mad if I don’t put a name in front of it, saying my name isn’t Garrison Commander.”

“Is that so.”

Arc was like that too…

“Then let’s end the small talk here. I need to prepare to put the plan into action concretely now. Prepare well too. And don’t forget to be careful that the conversation we had here doesn’t leak out.”

I naturally shifted the flow of the conversation to the imperial escape plan.

“Yes… Doctor… no, Patient Forbidden Doctor.”

At my words, Barkle nodded with a serious attitude and refocused. The atmosphere turned heavy again, but it felt like a very slight sense of inner intimacy had formed between us from the conversation just now.

“Take care. Prince Barkle. No, Barkle.”

Anticipating how the relationship between the two would develop and what role it would play in the journey ahead, I left the infirmary and headed to the underground prison.

–

–

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『Martyr’s Moon – 12th (Noon)』

【Imperial Invasion – Day 2】

“This place is always gloomy, no matter when I enter.”

As I slowly descended the cold stone steps of the underground prison, I frowned at the poorly maintained prison environment.

It felt like the moist, humid air and the smell of lime were seeping through my mask.

“Confiscated goods warehouse…”

Before meeting Gunther Owen, the culprit of the Elemental pregnancy commotion, I visited the warehouse where his belongings were confiscated. It was a place to seal the personal belongings of the criminals imprisoned here or illegal items.

I pushed in a small metal key and opened the dusty iron door.

Scanning through the pile of confiscated goods documents in my hand, I looked for Gunther Owen’s belongings.

“The underground prison… this is only my second time visiting, but it’s as serious as the rumors say.”

The imperial underground prison is not a prison in name only. In the first place, petty criminals who commit crimes in the empire are not imprisoned here. A separate prison is openly installed outside the imperial castle, so there was no reason to bring them here.

At least during the reign of the previous emperor, it was managed to some extent and had the form of a prison, but after Sultan’s enthronement, even that was cut off and it was transformed into a simple torture chamber.

Those who are imprisoned here are those who are imprisoned and tortured to extract information, or those whom the upper echelons of the empire imprison without a sound and make them forgotten from the world.

In other words, it is an emotional trash can for the imperial upper class that does not even serve as a prison. It is just an unclean place where people’s flesh is dug out and bones are scraped away, focusing on the essence of Hongmi.

Gunther Owen was imprisoned for the same reason.

“Ah… I found it. This is it.”

Then, I found a black-brown gleaming club and shield that were carelessly left in the corner.

“Heavy, solid. And this material is…”

The reason why I came all the way here to check Gunther Owen’s weapon was because of a sense of incongruity I felt as soon as I saw him.

Before having a conversation, it was also for the purpose of gathering information to resolve this curiosity and take the lead in the conversation.

“I felt the same feeling from him as Headmaster Beatrice. An aura that was no different from her, whom I had seen several times… If not family, then the same Species… that might make sense.”

The other items piled up in the warehouse were full of cobwebs and dust, looking like antiques, but among them, the only weapons that gleamed with a black light.

Above all, the material and the Magical power emanating from it were… similar to what I had seen in Headmaster Beatrice’s horns. No, almost the same…

I stopped for a moment and slowly stroked the weapon with my fingertips, and it wriggled as if it had not lost its vitality, reminding me of Headmaster Beatrice’s pure black horns in my memory.

“Okay. My curiosity has been resolved, and I can roughly guess his identity.”

Awakened from my thoughts, I stuffed the pile of documents into my coat and walked to the end of the prison where Gunther Owen was imprisoned.

The deeper I went into the underground prison, the thicker the smell of blood and the bloodless breaths became.

Due to the unmanaged torches, I entered a prison that was endlessly dark, but had been recently managed and had a slight fire flickering inside.

–Squeak……

“This smell is… that medical student who came to see me last time!”

There was a man chained there. His dark brown hair was disheveled because it was not properly managed, and his eyes looked white and blurry.

He was clearly blind to anyone who saw him, and even though he had been severely tortured here, there were no scars from torture on his undressed upper body, and rather, a relaxed smile spread across his bound lips.

Even the loud voice that seemed to make his ears fall off did not seem like a person who had not eaten properly and had been subjected to inhumane torture.

“I’m really surprised that you came to such a shabby place! It feels like I’m getting special treatment!”

Gunther Owen said, laughing energetically. His voice was bright, in contrast to the dark atmosphere of the prison.

I ignored his words and asked calmly so that I wouldn’t be swept away by such an atmosphere.

“Gunther Owen. Let’s talk.”

“Hahaha! Of course! I’m unfortunately chained up, so I have plenty of time. I have plenty of time to chat with the medical student!”

A hearty and frivolous laugh. Nevertheless, he did not let his guard down against me, even though he was tightly bound in Chains.

“But the medical student’s body still smells of blood and flesh. And it’s quite old. Isn’t the medical student supposed to deal with treatment and life? I don’t think it’s just from surgery…”

“Stop. I’ll do the talking.”

Ignoring Gunther Owen’s provocative question, I opened my mouth first.

“I’m planning to leave the empire. And the Spirit of Smoke will lend its power to that plan.”

“Hmm… I didn’t expect to hear the name Spirit of Smoke again here. I couldn’t have forced that weak and depressed woman… She’s probably much stronger than the medical student, maybe even stronger than me. You must have made some kind of promise.”

“That’s right.”

I answered briefly and looked down at him. Then Gunther Owen started laughing out loud.

“Hahahaha!! This is really interesting. Are you perhaps lying to me? Medical student. If so, you’ve chosen the wrong person. Since I was in my hometown, I was the one who listened to and solved the problems of my Demonkin. I was called a shaman! A clumsy joke won’t work on me.”

“Yes. I didn’t lie. Only the truth. The Spirit of Smoke and I made a promise. And as a reward, the Spirit of Smoke asked you to release you, who voluntarily participated in her pregnancy scandal.”

I answer firmly to his words.

“And one more thing. Gunther Owen. I don’t trust you. Not even one bit.”

“I feel the same way. Medical student. Who can trust a medical student full of blood?

“That’s why I need a leash or trap to keep you in place.”

“Hoo…? You’re going to set a trap for me. You’re saying interesting things, medical student.”

The relaxed atmosphere changed rapidly, and a heavy pressure fell on my shoulders.

Yes, even this is similar to the Headmaster. It’s very similar to the situation when she’s angry.

Now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, I can be sure. His identity. Finally, I have the best card to control him.

“Gunther Owen. Your real identity is… a Demonkin.”

“Demonkin… Hahahaha! Is the medical student so drunk on the smell of blood that he’s lost his ability to distinguish things! Look at me. Where do I look like a Demonkin? I don’t have horns, wings, or a tail. My skin color is no different from others!”

Gunther Owen said with confidence. Even if the evidence was insufficient, if he confidently stepped forward and spoke in such a loud voice, someone would believe that he was human…

“Before coming here, I went to check the items confiscated just before you were imprisoned. A club and a shield. It looked like they were made of animal horns.”

“Horns… that’s right. It’s made of the horns of a noble deer caught in my hometown. It’s a goblin club that can crush anything! The shield is also the same. It’s an absolute shield that blocks even a spear that pierces anything!”

“I felt the same Magical power from those horns as a woman who reigned in a place I used to be in a long time ago.”

I ignored Gunther Owen’s words and continued.

“Beatrice Yale Plie. The Headmaster of the Academy and… the same feeling as a Demonkin disguised as a Goat Beastman.”

Beatrice Yale Plie. She came to me one day and revealed her identity.

She said that she was not a Goat Beastman but a Demonkin. It was such a sudden confession that it was difficult for me to react, but she told me.

In the isolated Demon Realm, there are many Demonkin who come to explore the outside world. However, they also know their reputation in the outside world, so they call themselves Beast-person and come down here.

And the only reason she told me this was because only I could devote myself to Creation Studies without being bound by Species. Of course, I agreed too. In my days of studying, I didn’t care whether the person who gave me the teachings was a Demonkin or not.

Therefore, it was something I had kept in a corner of my memory and forgotten, but I never thought it would shine now…

“Beatrice… that’s a familiar name.”

Gunther Owen’s voice changed. When he heard Headmaster Beatrice’s name, the atmosphere of his hearty laughter disappeared.

“Do you know each other?”

“Only by name. Thanks to her, I had to go through many hardships that had been abolished a long time ago in order to go to the outside world. Demonkin have to endure the pain of blinding their eyes and breaking their horns.”

“I didn’t ask about the inside story. Gunther. I want to hear your opinion as the shaman… what is the intention of my words?”

“Haha… this is really something. To deduce the scent of my Demonkin, which I thought I had completely eliminated, using weapons as a weapon. Well, I guess the reason why you drew the Demonkin card here is to hold my lifeline.”

Demonkin, the root of all evil marked as the enemy of humans.

Even the incompetent Sultan would take all his troops and issue an order to subjugate if there was a Demonkin in the empire. In that case, even a trained and strong body would have no choice but to crumble.

The reason why Gunther Owen can endure in prison is simply because it was pain he could endure. Even he would be anxious if he faced a situation that threatened his life…

“That’s right. The promise with the Spirit of Smoke is to release you from prison. However, I did not guarantee his life or death.”

“That’s a vicious wordplay. It’s comparable to the arrogant Goblin King of our hometown.”

“You have no choice. I need the help of the Spirit of Smoke to leave the empire, and she demanded your liberation. If you cooperate… I’ll help you escape safely. After all, the situation will all turn in my favor.”

When I answered firmly, Gunther stopped talking for a moment and fell into thought.

“But why is the medical student so desperately trying to escape from the empire? If you’re a medical student, you must have a high position in the empire…”

“I don’t have to tell you… If I’m escaping, wouldn’t there be a good reason?”

After my words, Gunther’s silence continued. Then the silence ended in an instant, and a hearty laughter was heard again.

“Hahahaha!! I understand. I understand. If that’s what you want, I’ll do it! It must mean that the empire is no longer safe!”

“Yes. That’s a good decision. I’ll come to release the Chains at the time of decision.”

“No, there’s no need for that. Medical student. I can break these paper-like Chains in an instant with just my strength. There’s no need to come… just give me a signal.”

Gunther’s confident remarks. Then his words continued.

“But you’d better remember. Medical student. I’m not just a pawn. Our relationship is only until you escape from the empire. If you use me for other reasons in the process… I will personally crush the medical student’s spine.”

Without being shaken by his words, I turned around and answered.

Ha… did he think I would be scared by this much? Or… was it a threat out of courtesy? Whatever it is, it’s no longer something I need to worry about.

“Yes. I hope we have a smooth cooperative relationship. Gunther Owen.”

“Me too. Medical student.”

With each other’s words, the short but sharp conversation ended, and Gunther’s prison door was firmly closed.

I also climbed the stairs at a fast pace to escape the humid and dirty underground prison.

Now the time for the final battle was near.

“I need to tell Arc the truth one last time and start implementing the plan in earnest.”

Standing in front of the door leading to the ground, I repeated what I would say to Arc and opened the door…

–Squeak…

“………?”

What was revealed was not the inside of the imperial castle that I knew.

“This is…”

What unfolded before my eyes was a small and cramped room. In the center of the room stood a mirror shimmering in purple. A small bed was placed in the corner of the room, and on it were two strange beings.

[Haaang♥ Lily-nim♥ More, make my Dick bigger♥ This isn’t enough to satisfy me♥ The apostle Dicks of the new sisters are much bigger and more magnificent… Dicks♥]

–Thump♥ Thump♥ Thump♥

A rabbit-eared Beast-person with a massive, red-skinned body that didn’t suit the small bed. And a woman with ash-gray hair riding on top of him.

Both of them were shaking massive male genitals and breasts that didn’t suit a woman’s body.

“What the hell…!?”

The intensely skinned rabbit Beast-person was lying on the bed as if in a deep sleep, and the ash-haired woman turned her head towards me, letting out an excited voice.

[Haa♥ You’ve arrived, Doctor♥]

Drool dripping from her mouth, she cast a wicked gaze towards me.

With that gaze, a thick purple mist writhed within the room, constricting my breathing.

“Kuh…”

The air was heavy and sweet. At the same time, a purple mark on my cheek, hidden by the mask, began to glow through it.

Simultaneously… countless shocks, enough to make me unable to stand, overwhelmed my body…

“Kuaaaaah…!!”

A familiar yet eerie smell. This is… the same as Samson’s and Francis’s… Kuh, it was the same…!

–Buryuryuryuryut♥♥

[Ahhh♥ My Womb is filled with Lily-nim’s semen♥ Hehe, this Magical power I feel from the semen. Lily-nim’s Balls are also starting to contain the power of an apostle. Very good♥]

“Wh-Who… are you…!”

[Me? Hehe♥ Shhh… I’ll do the talking. Doctor♥ You just need to surrender your body to the pleasure I give you, and shed that flesh♥]

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