Ch.324324. Starting Point (6)

In a state of war, it’s not entirely strange that the number of criminals would increase.

When public safety deteriorates, it naturally gives rise to those who attempt looting for self-preservation, commit rape, murder, and even robbery.

That’s why prisons were necessary even in these circumstances. Professor Müniher’s opinion on this matter was supported by Junon, who allocated a portion of the military to guard detention centers and prisons.

And now, the most despicable human in the duchy had entered that prison.

Kelnur.

No longer the son of a fallen noble family, but someone who would now bear the label of criminal.

‘They say imprisonment with torture begins, but even that won’t be enough.’

Senia went to find Düsen.

Since criminals were suddenly being incarcerated, those without permission couldn’t enter. Given the nature of the place, they couldn’t allow people to enter freely, and if criminals were to be released en masse, it would be a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.

However, she was granted permission to enter without much argument.

The reason was obvious.

“…What brings you here this time?”

It was because of Düsen, who asked with a meaningful look.

“I have some dissatisfaction with the trial results.”

“Dissatisfaction?”

“Yes. A purely personal, individual dissatisfaction.”

Düsen tilted his head.

Having personally witnessed Senia’s insight from testimony to trial—something that couldn’t be ignored—Düsen suspected she might be predicting another incident.

But. He had been tense, wondering what Senia would say after suddenly visiting this place full of incarcerated criminals.

Her business was merely dissatisfaction, and even that was personal. It seemed odd that she would bring up a private grievance that would break the neutral position that must be maintained to avoid influencing the criminals in prison.

“I’ll listen and then judge. Tell me first.”

He needed to hear her out before making a judgment. It was unsettling to dismiss her outright, and though she claimed it was a personal grievance, there might be hidden meaning as before.

“I think Kelnur’s punishment is too light.”

“Too light, you say.”

It happens occasionally. Some argue that the consequences for crimes committed are too lenient and that the severity of punishment should be increased.

“Then tell me what you want. If you say it’s because of personal grudge or desire for revenge, I’ll have no choice but to send you away immediately.”

Those who ask for increased severity of punishment usually have a single goal.

They aim for the object of their hatred, the target of their revenge, to lose their life.

So Düsen had to refuse. No matter how valuable the information Senia had provided to help capture the criminal, Kelnur shouldn’t die like this.

He needed to continue a life of endless suffering through imprisonment.

“Grudge and revenge… I can’t say I’m completely free of such emotions. But I’m not here to use force; I came to recommend a rational punishment.”

“Are you saying the punishment Kelnur received in this trial wasn’t rational?”

“Yes. Just look at today. A criminal who brought ruin to this country faints after barely enduring torture and returns to his cell—do you really think that’s a heavy sentence? Since recovery time is needed after he collapses before executing punishment again, I can hardly consider such punishment severe.”

“Hmm… you have a point.”

In reality, when they tortured Kelnur, his body wasn’t very sturdy, and his mental fortitude was even worse. If he had something to lose, punishment would be much easier, but all Kelnur had was his vanished status as a descendant of a fallen noble family.

At this rate, even if they inflicted pain until his death, he wouldn’t pay for his crimes.

“Then what kind of punishment do you suggest? We can’t increase the intensity of torture.”

“Physical torture isn’t the only way to cause suffering, is it?”

“Oh?”

“Human society itself would be the greatest torment for a criminal, so there’s no need to dirty the hands of clean people. And it’s not like Kelnur has nothing left to lose.”

Senia was arguing that society as a whole would be Kelnur’s greatest enemy.

Düsen, sensing she had another ingenious plan, decided to hear her out, and by the time the conversation reached its end, he nodded in agreement and fully adopted her proposal.

.

.

.

Night had fallen. During the darkness when the light that delivered pain through repeated torture and rest disappeared, no one could torment Kelnur.

At most, there was only the lingering pain in his body, slight thirst, and hunger that couldn’t be properly satisfied.

It was too light and weak a price to pay for imprisonment.

But.

‘Why this direction? My solitary cell has always been to the right.’

For some reason, today’s direction was different. Instead of the smallest and narrowest cell with thorns on the door gap, he was being dragged in the opposite direction—to the left, where other criminals were incarcerated.

“Isn’t that Kelnur?”

“Looks like it. We couldn’t possibly forget that disgusting face.”

Other criminals. In the current situation, the most numerous among other criminals were the officials he had personally put in this detention center through internal whistleblowing.

The guards stopped him in front of this cell.

‘No way. No way! This can’t be…!’

Click, click!

“Tsk, what are you dawdling for? You weakling!”

Thud!

The guard who unlocked the cell kicked Kelnur’s back, shoving him inside.

Entering the cell with handcuffs still on, Kelnur felt the fierce gazes pouring onto his skin, and sensing the ominous aura of the imminent future, he had to cry out, reaching his hand through the bars of the now-closed cell.

“W-wait! I’d rather go to that solitary cell…! Send me to that cell!! It’s much worse there. That place where I can’t even lie straight is much more uncomfortable and difficult than here! So…!”

“Why should you decide that? You’re just trash, a mere criminal.”

The guards kicked his hands that were sticking out through the bars, pushing them back in, and then disappeared.

“Ah. So that’s how it is?”

“Well, well. I wonder what great deed you did to end up here. And in the same place where you’ll be eating with us.”

“…!”

There was no escape. Trapped in the multi-person cell, he turned pale as he faced the smiling faces of officials who were eager to devour him.

“Shall we start this traitor’s initiation with a beating?”

There was no one to oppose the idea. All that awaited Kelnur was a future of being trampled under those kicks, far more pathetic than torture.

No. Perhaps he would come to compare it, thinking that the previous torture had been much better.

***

She had come to know far too much.

Past. Present.

In any time, the woman named Erika Scherpen continuously expressed malice toward Junon.

She suffered every time the truth was revealed, pulling at her hair and praying that it wasn’t the truth.

But denial was only momentary.

When one truth was realized, another would follow. Like a chain reaction, these truths spanned both past and present.

She couldn’t deny it. She couldn’t look away.

These memories, linked in a chain reaction that perfectly connected beginning and end to create a starting point, naturally led Erika’s steps in that direction.

Through the cheers that pierced her ears, numbed by the weight of karma, she caught sight of a black-haired man.

The commander of this country. The hope of the Ardelion Duchy.

Before she knew it, she was standing before him.

For a moment, her steps faltered as pain tore through her heart when those black eyes turned toward her, but Erika approached, enduring the agony of her karma.

Then three people blocked her way.

Colors faintly reflected in her eyes. Red. Blue. And women with pink hair.

But soon they made way for her, and Erika moved forward again.

Finally, a dazzling silver-haired woman seemed to block her path. But she too cleared the way.

At last, she arrived right in front of him.

She needed to say something. But she couldn’t figure out where to begin.

Unorganized sentences jumbled her brain amidst countless memories.

Her vocal cords didn’t feel like her own. Her throat was choked up, seemingly unable to produce sound.

But she had to speak.

Even if she had to force it out, even with a choked voice, she had to utter these words with her own mouth.

“I’m… sorry… Ju…non…”

With her head bowed, Erika barely managed to speak her first words.

To Junon, she was sorry.

***

When the battle had ended just minutes ago.

After hearing the situation from Michelle, calling in Charlotte and Aris for reports, and spending a moment alone in thought.

When almost all soldiers had withdrawn and I was alone in this place, someone began to approach.

It wasn’t an assassin from Count Belmehof. Even at a glance, the movements weren’t those of an assassin, as they were staggering toward me.

But the hair color seemed somehow familiar. Beige.

The familiar beige hair and Charlotte’s special combat uniform worn only by Tembris members.

‘Erika Scherpen.’

The one who had directly taken my life, choked off my breath in the past.

As she approached, her condition looked worse.

Her clothes were clearly dirtier than they had appeared from a distance, and her hair was covered in dirt here and there.

Yet she continued walking toward me.

Even when she misstepped and seemed to move in the wrong direction, she kept approaching while staring directly at me.

Then Michelle, Charlotte, and Aris, who had been watching this scene nearby, stepped forward to block Erika’s path.

And one more person.

“Brother.”

Even Renias appeared, blocking Erika’s path as if to protect me.

So I told them, those who were worried about me:

“It’s fine, please step aside.”

It was okay for Erika to approach, so leave her be.

They all had faces full of concern. Especially Renias, who was visibly struggling to contain her anger toward Erika.

I told them it was fine. If she tried to harm me, I would respond immediately—showing them my chain gauntlet that I hadn’t yet removed. Only then did the four make way.

Erika, who seemed to be in poor condition, moved her lips saying something, but I couldn’t hear.

Then, a single phrase.

In a broken voice that reached my ears:

“I’m… sorry… Ju…non…”

An apology to me.

“…”

In that moment, too many thoughts flashed through my mind, and countless memories illuminated scene after scene.

‘Sorry, she says…’

Why does it make me laugh hollowly?

Among all those memories, only one scene comes to mind. Among all my thoughts, only the thoughts from that time surface.

‘Why won’t you believe me?’

‘I fought giving everything I had, staking my all, so why do you deny everything I say?’

‘If you had believed me just once. Would I have died by the knife you held then?’

The resentment I tried to shake off first after returning.

The indignation that preceded the pain even as blood flowed from the knife lodged in my heart.

The wretchedness of facing death not from the attack of monsters, but from the distrust of a former comrade.

All those emotional masses condensed and tried to tear through my mind.

But that one phrase I had so desperately wanted to hear in the past now only feels empty.

“You have no reason to be here when you’re neither a member of Tembris nor part of the duchy’s army. You’d better return to civilian life.”

Because I’ve already given countless chances.

I left those words and walked past her.

Erika quickly understood the intent of my words and immediately fell to her knees, crying out:

“Let me do… let me do something…!! Let me help somehow… anything, please…!”

I heard her voice calling my name over and over in desperation from behind, but I didn’t look back even once.

Erase it completely.

So that not even the starting point remains.