Ch.253EP.56 – The Obvious Story He Wants to Hear (1)

There are days like that.

The sky is exceptionally clear, the breeze is cool, and the sunshine is warm, making the weather incredibly cozy.

Some say it’s perfect for exercise, while others say it’s ideal for reading on a bench or enjoying a picnic in the park.

Refreshing beyond compare, but…

Drip… Drip…

…For someone, it must be weather that doesn’t sympathize with their feelings at all.

Knights and soldiers surrounded a woman, pointing swords and spears at her.

The woman was already covered in blood, with injuries all over her body.

If someone had witnessed this, they might have scolded these men for lacking honor and oppressing a woman, but those who remembered the screams of their comrades who had died at her hands would have beaten such a critic instead.

After all, this woman was by no means a helpless housewife.

“Speaking with an enemy like this goes against principles and is disrespectful to our fallen comrades, but I must ask. How could someone who once rose to the position of Your Excellency’s aide commit such ‘betrayal’?”

“…Asking for reasons now is foolish. If you’re going to kill me, do so without hesitation. My sword will also mercilessly aim for your necks.”

“……”

Shing!

Despite her trembling body, the woman’s spirit remained unbroken, and the knights steeled their resolve with a sigh.

“…Don’t hesitate.”

Though it seemed like he was speaking to his comrades, it sounded more like advice to himself. The knight drew his sword, and the others followed without a moment’s hesitation, swinging their blades.

Toward the woman who was once a loyal servant of Ophen, but had betrayed her family and threatened its head.

“…What a damn persistent life I’ve had.”

The woman’s name was Elza.

*

*

*

Thud.

“?”

A notebook was suddenly placed on the table, and Ihan Turtle, who had been casually eating ten paninis (grilled sandwiches) like dessert, tilted his head in confusion.

“What’s this?”

“Elza’s diary. The family servants found it, I’m told.”

“I don’t have a hobby of reading other people’s diaries.”

“Neither do I. But I had to read it nonetheless. I needed to know why she betrayed the family.”

“Is that so?”

Ihan merely shrugged his shoulders, showing little interest as he continued eating his panini.

Each had different fillings, and they tasted excellent, clearly made with fresh ingredients.

Also.

‘Food really does taste best when someone else makes it for you.’

The fact that it was free made his heart feel even warmer.

“…Haha.”

Iliad was rather surprised by Ihan’s lack of curiosity.

He thought Ihan would be more interested, given that they were acquainted and Ihan was the very person who had resolved this incident.

Perhaps his expression revealed his thoughts.

“I’m not being indifferent to others’ affairs. I just find it predictable.”

“Predictable?”

“So-called traitors betray for five main reasons. Money, love, revenge, jealousy.”

“…That’s only four, though?”

“The last one is simple. They just ‘do it.’ That’s human nature, right? If someone feels they can disrespect you or commit insubordination without consequences, they just go for it. Following their instincts.”

“Instincts…”

“Well, if I had to name that last reason for betrayal, I’d call it ‘survival of the fittest.’ When someone appears weak, others attack. It’s the logic of beasts, but humans aren’t much different. It’s simple.”

“……”

“So I’m not particularly interested in the reason. Betrayal? Those who are going to betray will do so anyway. And though I grandly listed five reasons, even these are just justifications. Being angry about betrayal is natural, of course. But in the end, it’s just a failed betrayal, right? So you should torment the traitors until you feel better. Don’t overthink it. Too much worry makes the heart sick.”

“…I see. That’s certainly one way to think about it.”

“Don’t take me too seriously. After all, these are just the empty words of a youngster who hasn’t lived nearly as long as you have.”

“Haha! A youngster… I wonder if anyone would call you that, Sir Ihan.”

“More people than you’d think.”

“Ahahaha!”

*Cough…!*

Iliad laughed heartily but soon had to suppress his laughter with a forced cough.

“You should probably calm down. Your body isn’t fully recovered yet.”

“…Indeed, I can’t even laugh freely.”

The assessment that he wasn’t fully recovered seemed rather generous.

Tremble…

Iliad’s body had weakened considerably.

He was in such a state that he almost missed the days when he could only not use his legs.

Similar to someone who had finally awakened after being in a vegetative state for over three years?

His arms shook so severely that calling it a tremor would be an understatement, and his complexion was deathly pale.

His body seemed to have lost all muscle, leaving only bones, and his eyes were extremely cloudy.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he collapsed at any moment.

Even so…

“…I consider this a small price to pay for surviving.”

“……”

“Thank you again, Sir Ihan.”

…For saving this foolish person.

It was Iliad’s sincere expression of gratitude, and Ihan scratched his cheek as if embarrassed.

“…I just beat him up, that’s all.”

“That’s what I’m grateful for.”

“……”

“Ah, that might have sounded a bit misleading, haha.”

“……”

It doesn’t seem like a misunderstanding though?

‘Why is he so happy about it?’

…Did I hit him too hard?

Ihan felt a bit of regret, as if he had damaged a perfectly normal person.

* * *

The Ophen rebellion, which began at dawn and lasted until sunrise, was suppressed in a relatively short time—just 9 hours.

This was thanks to the intervention of a single knight, but this fact wasn’t widely publicized in the kingdom.

Not only was the rebellion brief, but people assumed it would naturally be resolved since an Aura user was present.

In reality, that Aura user…

– Was completely useless…

– !!

– Did I say something wrong?

– …You’re a cruel child, aren’t you.

The truth was that he hadn’t been helpful at all.

Well, even if this truth were revealed, he wouldn’t step into the spotlight. He didn’t want attention from such incidents.

However, while things appeared quiet on the surface, the higher-ups were taking great interest in this case.

– Gardin committed treason?! The man who was once ranked among the kingdom’s White Swords?!

– Artificially inducing Mainization in a knight?! What nonsense is this!!

– The Unbelievers again! What grudge do these people have against the kingdom to keep doing such things…!

As before, the Unbelievers…

The fact that a dangerous group called the <Blood Crusaders> had plotted to consume Ophen and had Mainized Iliad brought sufficient unease and fear to noble society.

Especially to knights who had necessarily mastered fighting techniques.

– The tea was the problem.

– …There’s definitely some drug in it. But what kind?

– …This is ominous.

The substance found in the teacup that the traitor Elza had given to Iliad was something even the kingdom’s alchemists had never seen before.

Some ingredients were identified, but others were completely unknown, and the alchemists confirmed that this compound caused a knight’s heart to race, inducing Mainization.

They offered the positive prediction that since the ingredients were rare, the quantity available must be limited, but predictions are just predictions.

It wasn’t enough evidence to alleviate the nobles’ anxiety.

Instead, they focused on the alarming fact that their enemies possessed a “dangerous means” to turn them into Mains.

“Hmm, these nobles are too cowardly and narrow-sighted. There’s even a way to reverse it.”

“In this case, ‘narrow-visioned’ would be more appropriate than ‘narrow-sighted,’ Kunta.”

“Right, that’s it.”

“I understand what Kunta is trying to say, but wouldn’t Master be the only one capable of such a feat?”

“…That’s probably true.”

However, not all nobles were pessimistic, as they saw “hope” in the fact that there was a case of a Mainized human returning to human form.

But as Levi pointed out:

“That was only possible for the instructor. How could anyone simultaneously destroy and protect a heart? Moreover, immediately restoring it after destruction is a huge task. Without an Aura user, restoration would be impossible.”

The problem was that while destroying the heart might be possible, restoring it was generally impossible.

For an Aura user with ocean-like vitality, restoring a heart and saving a dying person might not be difficult, but how could a non-Aura user possess such ability?

In other words, a substitute for an Aura user was needed, and that method would be…

“A 90% purity potion, or an equivalent elixir, would be necessary. One that enhances regeneration and recovery.”

Troll blood, which costs a fortune just to mention, and specifically 90% purity, which is impossible to obtain on the market, is difficult even for great nobles to acquire.

“Hmm, I should make some investments.”

Due to this trend, the prices of potion and elixir ingredients would rise considerably for a while.

“Since when are you a full-time investor?”

“When I see an obvious way to make money. This is when you should earn.”

“You already have plenty of money, yet you’re so greedy.”

“Money is better the more you have.”

“…I can’t argue with that.”

Ihan nodded slightly, wondering if this was the investment mindset of money-makers.

However, even with a way to make big money available, Ihan was more curious about something else.

“So, do you think that gentleman can be treated?”

“……”

“…I see.”

“I didn’t even say anything…”

“I can tell just by your expression. Don’t look so sad. It’s not your fault.”

“…I’m sorry I can’t help.”

Seeing him blame himself for something that wasn’t his fault, Ihan thought this fellow must have a hard life too.

‘Life isn’t easy, is it.’

Ihan shook his head, thinking of the Sword Saint who had been diagnosed as “unrecoverable” by the best doctor he knew.

He sincerely wanted to help…

“Well, if we had something like the Demon King’s living blood, treatment might somehow be possible…”

“…If you need it, why are you looking at me?”

“I thought you and the Demon King might be similar, you know…”

“……”

“Per-perhaps you’d consider donating 2,000mL of blood…?”

“……”

“Instructor? Why the axe suddenly…?”

“I think this ungrateful Taechang brat needs a beating.”

“!!?”

Ihan gladly took up the rod to correct his money-obsessed disciple.

A loving rod full of the grace of a teacher.