episode_0027

There is no night in the heart of the empire.

Because it drives away the darkness that has fallen on the streets of the island with a brilliantly shining artificial sun.

In fact, it is nothing more than a tiny and insignificant light bulb, an artificial sun, but even that is precious here.

To demonstrate the prestige of the empire, a considerable amount of money is invested here today.

But it’s not all bad.

For example… … for a being that doesn’t need to sleep, it’s quite pleasing to be able to work in the bright light even at night.

“Here you are. Drakken Theranos.”

“Thank you. You worked hard.”

Draken received the autopsy report from the deputy prosecutor.

The contents written inside were the autopsy records of the clones of Archbishop Marquisares and Belmagor.

The story about the human Marquisares came first, but the autopsy of the magical Belmagor’s clone took a long time.

The autopsy results came back in a month, which is relatively quick.

It was thanks to Draken visiting the palace inspector every night and giving him hints that weren’t obvious.

The fact that the interior of the building is as bright at night as during the day means that work can be done at night as well.

Since everything in the palace belongs to the Emperor, each space within the palace is guarded by a different person in each role to prevent thieves from entering.

Strictly speaking, it’s like standing guard.

Wouldn’t it be better to just keep your place and do what you have to do?

“If you have any more work to entrust to me, please come visit me anytime…”

The deputy prosecutor, with a face worn down by fatigue, quickly recited a set line.

Hesitating at the part where he says “anytime…” is all he can do to express his dissatisfaction.

There are few people within the palace who have the courage to express their dissatisfaction to a powerful person like Draken.

Drakken received the autopsy report and immediately looked over its contents.

The first chapter contained the autopsy report of Archbishop Marquisares.

The autopsy records of the man who was the leader of the evil spirit cult contained information about a magical power with a purple glow.

The path of magic leads to the heart, and it appears that it was the child who was supposedly Kane’s escort, as the records show that this was the main cause of death.

Up to this point, everything was as expected.

The problem comes next.

[ Autopsy report of a bizarre mass of flesh ]

The autopsy report shows a grotesque heart made up of numerous lumps of blood and flesh.

The flesh and blood of the evil god Belmagor who has been receiving human sacrifices until now has been gathered together.

Strictly speaking, it was a clone.

The clone was captured in a photograph, cut in half.

It’s obvious who did the neat work.

Kane Calderon. That must be his talent.

But then a question arises.

Even though it was a clone, the body he had cut down was clearly Belmagor’s.

Cut that kind of clone?

If Cain is a ‘messenger of God’ who received orders from God, then this is something that can never be forgiven.

Because for them, even touching the body of a god is blasphemy.

So naturally, the hypothesis that Cain, the ‘messenger of God’, was acting to deceive Drakken was erased.

But then there is another problem.

‘A power similar to the Sword of God without having to borrow the power of God… … .’

All power comes with a price.

The most representative example is that it doesn’t have magic power.

Whether it’s a wizard lighting a fire or an inspector performing a family ritual, all of these require the use of magical power to achieve proper performance.

Therefore, the most representative price for power is horsepower.

So what about someone who wields such powerful force as Kane?

There have been, and still are, humans who have demonstrated supernatural powers without the help of God.

Draken called these people ‘phenomena’.

Ermion Astranor, one of the five stars of the Empire, along with Draken.

She too was a phenomenon.

If the celestial magic used by Ermion were to hit Draken directly, even he, a dragon, would lose a significant amount of his power.

However, despite his great strength, Ermion is currently dying.

We don’t know for sure because she doesn’t reveal it herself, but you can see that she’s getting thinner by the day.

Unlike wizards whose magical powers grow stronger as they age, hers were weakening as the years passed.

It’s not just Ermion.

During the hundreds of years that Draken hid within human society, many ‘phenomena’ were born and then disappeared.

What they had in common was that they were paying a lot for their power.

So what is Kane paying for?

Actually, there is one part to the forecast.

It is only because humans live short lives that they possess the greatest value.

“Time.”

Isn’t the price Kane pays for his power his own life?

Draken had met someone similar to him.

A person from the past who wielded great power without any outward signs of it.

He, who seemed like he would write a new history, suddenly collapsed one day and ended his life.

It was the year he turned 20.

Kane is also suspicious because he uses his powers in a similar way without showing it on the outside.

Draken started out as a Calderon family.

I’ll be able to tell you the exact details if I talk to you.

—

I like to take my time and enjoy the warm sunlight on a quiet morning.

Maybe I just don’t want to get out of bed, but whatever.

My basic routine is to open my eyes, roll around in bed for quite some time, and then go out for my morning workout.

So I couldn’t possibly welcome Drakken Theranos when he came to my family.

“Kane Calderon. How have you been?”

“… … .”

I looked at Draken once, then looked out the window.

It’s pitch black.

At least if my eyes are not mistaken, it is dawn now.

“Draken. What time do you think it is now?”

“Oh, sorry. I don’t sleep much so I didn’t think about it.”

This crazy dragon, who can’t even sleep at night, came and woke me up in the dark before the sun had even risen.

If it weren’t for Draken, I would have said something a long time ago.

I’m sure he told me to make an appointment next time we meet.

I also heard his reply that he would do so.

After living for hundreds of years, did he finally become senile?

At this point, I’m starting to get curious.

How urgent and important must it be that you come here so early in the morning without an appointment while everyone else is asleep?

“So what happened?”

“Kane Calderon. I have a question. Can you answer properly this time?”

“Depends on the question.”

“Your power seems very powerful… … but great power always comes with a price. Could the price of your power be time?”

…what?

Did you notice the existence of the cooldown time of the Heart Sword?

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment at Draken’s question of whether the price was time.

Draken didn’t miss my mistake.

“… … As expected.”

Draken narrowed his eyes as if he had expected this.

Since he has the ability to detect lies, he has been passing it off as not answering unfavorable questions.

I couldn’t hide it because it was an unexpected question.

There’s nothing we can do about it being like this.

If you’ve already been caught, there’s no need to lie.

“That’s right.”

I answered briefly.

I don’t intend to lie, but I don’t think there’s any need to tell you more.

It’s interesting to notice the existence of a cooldown, but knowing how many days it lasts is another story.

“… How much time does your ability take? ”

“Draken. Have you forgotten that we are not that special?”

“I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“… … .”

Draken looked at me with his mouth shut, as if he was looking at something pitiful.

It wasn’t long before he opened his mouth again.

“I’ve seen a lot of people like you. I have to tell you that they all end badly.”

“… … What does that have to do with me?”

“There will come a day when you will regret it.”

“Ha.”

A sigh of disbelief burst out.

Are you saying that I could die now?

They’re even threatening me because I didn’t tell them the cooldown time.

I didn’t realize it when I first encountered it as a game, but it had some pretty shameless aspects to it.

Draken doesn’t like those who just bow down and groan.

He preferred a confident appearance.

Even if it’s rude to you, if it just shows potential, it’s okay.

I think it would be better to state my thoughts clearly here.

… Honestly, it’s a bit weird to tell the cooldown time.

How can you say that once you use it, you can’t use it for 30 days?

“Draken. Worry about yourself first.”

“Cain Calderon. Think about the future. No matter how great your family becomes, it means nothing if you are not there.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll always be here.”

“… … Child. It’s not as light as you think.”

“Draken Theranos. Stop interfering with my work.”

“… You will definitely regret it when the day comes that your end comes.”

“I hope so. It won’t take long.”

I answered as calmly as possible.

Just listening to Draken’s words, it seems like he’s going to kill you at any moment, but his face actually has a worried expression.

I don’t know what it means, but I just shouted it out.

at that time.

Rattling!

There was a sound of something rolling on the floor beyond the door.

As soon as I opened the door, Libra was lying on the floor in front of the door, looking at me.

I fell down hard, tears welling up in my eyes.

“… Libra. What are you doing there.”

“Uh, ah, uh … … .”

Libra stuttered, unable to continue speaking, then quickly got up and ran away.

It seemed like he was quite embarrassed that his face turned bright red and he fell down.

You could just come out as shamelessly as you usually do.

Well, I understand that if you suddenly fell down and showed that scene to someone, I would be embarrassed too.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

I closed the door again.

Time will heal Libra’s shame.