Ch.171IF. Those Unworthy Even of Death (3)

“Die, Hero!”

The intense pain came with a chilling sensation of my frontal bone caving in. It was the power of a morning star swung with full force.

Gwon Heejin couldn’t even scream, just choked and gagged.

The torture had continued for a week already.

He wanted to crawl out of this hell if he could, but he had no strength to try. His body was already broken beyond repair.

Stabbing, beating, pulling… sometimes even crushing.

Their cruel method was to heal his wounds with holy magic after each “round” was complete, then start the torture all over again.

Naked and beaten, there was only one thing Gwon Heejin could do.

Dad, help me.

Like a child, all he could do was call for his father.

Surprisingly, it had an effect. The elder priest Edin, who was supervising the torture and directing the inquisitors, paused momentarily when he heard the mumbling.

“What did you say to me? Gwon Heejin.”

“Urgh…!”

“I can’t understand a word you’re saying. …Let’s heal you first.”

A warm light descended upon his body, gradually easing the pain.

Gwon Heejin squirmed like a worm as he forcibly tried to recall his memories. Meanwhile, the elder priest was spouting more nonsense, but none of it registered in his ears.

What did I say again?

Ah, right. Dad.

His father’s existence felt more desperate than ever before.

He didn’t care if they mocked him for calling for his father like a child. His father was too special to be considered just an ordinary prosecutor.

When he lived under his father’s shadow, he never felt vulnerable. It was like being constantly surrounded by high-level protection magic.

What would his father be doing now?

Before Gwon Heejin left, there were strong rumors that his father would be transferred to Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office Chief or Deputy Prosecutor General during the regular personnel changes. He seemed to prefer the Deputy Prosecutor General position. He probably wanted to be in that seat when the current Prosecutor General’s term ended.

Yes, he was that influential. If only his father were here, such cruel things…

“Elder Priest, why did you stop?”

“I think Gwon Heejin was mumbling something. It sounded like he was calling for his father?”

“Pay it no mind. He keeps saying the same thing.”

“…Whoever he is, what a pitiful man.”

Ah.

Gwon Heejin belatedly realized that his father’s status and power couldn’t protect him in this world.

In their perception, his father was either the source of evil who raised a corrupt descendant or just a pitiful being suffering because of his troublesome son.

In the end, there’s no one to protect me.

That fact was so painful and sad that Gwon Heejin curled his body into a ball.

“Huu.”

He never knew how frightening it was to have no wall to lean against. He also wondered what would happen if this continued.

Am I really going to die like this?

“Shall we go another round?”

“Hmm.”

He wanted to believe he wouldn’t die, but all the circumstances surrounding him clearly pointed to death as the conclusion.

Unable to leave behind last words, beaten to a pulp by these barbarians, and dying so meaninglessly.

Thinking about such a dog’s death actually made his mind clearer. Thanks to that, he could coldly assess his situation as a piece of meat. He also knew what he needed to do to increase his chances of survival, even slightly.

“…Save me.”

“Tsk. I can’t understand what he’s been mumbling about.”

“Stop the pain…! Please…!”

“Look at this human begging. Heh heh.”

Gwon Heejin tried to kneel with the mindset of seeking mercy.

But his muscles, already reduced to rags, wouldn’t obey. Even when facing the Tetrad, he had never been this desperate.

His only driving force was the thought that he must somehow be forgiven.

He was ready to kiss their shoes if ordered, and if told to repent for his sins, he would recite them day and night. …Perhaps from being beaten so much, he genuinely felt sorry. Yes, at this moment, he could apologize with sincerity.

“Kuhp…!”

Just a little more effort.

At that moment, someone roughly grabbed Gwon Heejin by the hair.

Forced to look up, Gwon Heejin saw a young man with an irritable expression.

Erick Wellesley. A knight of humble origins whom he once used as an errand boy.

He was the only man who didn’t actively participate in this merciless torture… but that fact made him even more frightening. It meant he was controlling everything from behind.

“Gwon Heejin.”

“E… Erick! Please tell them to stop, just one word, please.”

“Look at me properly.”

Stop hitting and stabbing me. Stop pulling things out. He desperately begged with all his heart, but Erick seemed to pay no attention.

“Save me…”

Even knowing that Erick wouldn’t show mercy now, he had no choice but to beg. After all, there was nothing else he could do.

As he continued pleading, Erick gave him unexpected words.

“There’s no need to beg for your life, Gwon Heejin. We never intended to take your life in the first place.”

“Huh?”

When Gwon Heejin looked up while drooling, Erick nodded again to confirm he was serious.

Should I believe him this time?

He wanted to hold onto hope one last time.

The generous Erick granted that hope. Not only that, he began to speak words so sweet they were almost unbelievable.

“The Goddess has responded. You will return to the world you came from.”

“R-Really…!?”

“Yes. However, you cannot return completely.”

“…?”

“You must leave a part of yourself here. Considering what you’ve done, it’s a generous measure. At least you’ll be able to keep your life.”

Erick spoke these savage words, which seemed unlikely to come from a human mouth, with a calm expression.

Still, he couldn’t complain. He was satisfied as long as he could return home, to a world without violence, in any form.

Thank you so much, Erick. No, Lord Wellesley.

“…Since you seem to understand, we should wrap this up. Begin.”

Wrap up? What wrap up?

Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. After all, it was all over now. Gwon Heejin nodded, thinking it didn’t matter anymore.

Whatever happens, happens.

Shortly after, his extremities burned with a hot sensation. He wasn’t sure if they were getting hot or cold.

How to explain the alien sensation and rustling sound coming from his fingers, toes, and groin.

No. It’s all over now anyway. Gwon Heejin forced his trembling lips to form a smile. Erick looked at him coldly.

***

It was time for us to part ways.

…

The summoning circle was emitting a brilliant light.

More noticeable than the light was the blood soaking the area around the summoning circle.

One inquisitor who had tasted blood while torturing Gwon Heejin shouted, “Now I have only blood to offer you!” and harmed himself before sprinkling his blood on the summoning circle. Inspired by this, other clergy followed suit, turning the place into a sea of blood.

Staining the sanctuary with blood. It was hard to believe this was done by clergy.

Anyway, the Goddess, having received a generous offering of warm blood, responded faster than we expected. We could return Gwon Heejin as originally planned.

And the one directing this process…

“Lord Wellesley. May we begin?”

For some reason, it was me.

“…Bring Gwon Heejin.”

As my order fell, the priests moved in unison.

Despite the presence of the College of Cardinals right beside me, no one found it strange that I, a mere court baron, was acting as the commander. Rather, many clergy looked at me with emotional gazes.

They weren’t acting this way without reason; it was because of the message that had just arrived from the imperial capital.

– Baron Wellesley. I know you’re busy, but the situation in the imperial capital is very serious.

– Prince, who went to calm the frenzy in front of the exchange, was hit by eggs thrown by investors. When the Royal Order knights guarding His Highness killed two perpetrators, the situation escalated.

– What should we do? There is also considerable resentment toward you for escorting Gwon Heejin to the Papal State.

A prince hit by eggs, and the nobles who threw those eggs executed by sword in front of the crowd.

It was evidence that the conflict between the imperial family and investors had reached its peak while Gwon Heejin was in the Papal State.

Even I couldn’t ignore this disastrous situation. If they threw eggs at a prince, they might do worse to me.

In the end, after racking my brains, I suggested, “How about offering the gold coins confiscated from Gwon Heejin as an unconditional long-term loan to the Papal State?” The intention was to strengthen ties with the church to prevent the nobility from acting up.

The result was the gazes now fixed on me.

“Lord Wellesley. I know this is not the time for gratitude, but I sincerely thank you. I will never forget this kindness.”

The benefactor of the Papal State who not only allowed them to vent their frustrations but also solved their financial difficulties. That was me. Even if I honestly said I didn’t do it for the Papal State, they would just think I was being modest.

I didn’t do this to be revered. How did it come to this?

‘No. Stop thinking about it.’

I should just do my best to ensure this ends with the Papal State owing me one favor.

I tried to convince myself as I turned my head. I saw the wretched figure of Gwon Heejin being dragged in, his arms held by inquisitors.

“…It’s over… urgh…”

Drooling and mumbling unintelligible words, Gwon Heejin was completely broken, probably due to the beatings from the Hero’s pursuit team and the torture embodying the essence of the Papal State.

It would likely be impossible for him to escape these aftereffects even after many years. Every time he recalled the memories we created for him, and every time he thought of the body parts he left in the Papal State, his mental illness would deepen.

Still, in case he might forget us, we decided to give him a final gift.

Cordana.

We forcibly put several Cordana, now worth dirt, into Gwon Heejin’s mouth. Though an impromptu idea, there was no more appropriate parting gift for him.

“Farewell, Gwon Heejin.”

With a final greeting, I kicked Gwon Heejin onto the summoning circle.

The next moment, Gwon Heejin’s wretched body was enveloped in a pure white radiance.

It was the moment of saying goodbye to the demon.