Ch.73The Great Sinner (5)

I felt a sudden fear.

Lorian had just turned sixty. I knew that with current medical knowledge, she could overcome any complications even if something went wrong.

Rationally, I reassured myself. It was only my pounding heart faithfully following instinct, feeling uneasy.

“Lorian!”

“Nes! I… I…!”

“Congratulations. Truly…”

“Yes… this time I’ll definitely give birth to a healthy baby.”

Tears rolled down Lorian’s cheeks. He embraced her tightly, sincerely blessing the conception of new life.

In truth, Netionpis hadn’t particularly wanted Lorian to conceive. It wasn’t that he was reluctant to have children, but rather that he worried about her wellbeing.

However, the life nestled in Lorian’s womb completely overturned his thinking. He was delighted to see his beloved regain her vitality.

“I will… absolutely… help you, Lorian.”

“Don’t overdo it, Nes.”

“I will overdo it. For you.”

Yes, for Lorian he could commit any sin in the world. How could he risk losing her smile that had finally returned?

A fierce determination filled Netionpis’s ruby-like eyes. The tension and excitement that had been relaxed for a while now surged within him.

When the child was born, it would compensate for the past 17 years. After all, compared to eternal life, 17 years was merely a fleeting moment, less significant than a grain of sand.

“Lorian. I’ll be leaving the territory for a while.”

“Why…? Don’t do that, Nes. Stay by my side.”

“It’s for us. Work that will effortlessly fill the 17-year gap. I’ll be back before your due date. Don’t worry.”

“Will you tell me what it is if I ask?”

“I’m sorry.”

“I see…”

Lorian, who had been glowing with joy, drooped with disappointment. Her disappointment pained him.

Netionpis was also a human capable of love. He always wanted his lover to see and hear only good things.

He was reluctant to explain his research to Lorian. It was enough that only he be tainted. He wanted Lorian to be an innocent beneficiary, knowing nothing.

“I’ll be back.”

“Don’t make me wait too long. After all… 17 years is already a long time to have endured, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t waste a moment of time meant for you.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Just as he turned to leave, thinking they had said their goodbyes, Lorian called him back.

“Nes.”

“Lorian? Is there something else you need?”

“Could you come closer for a moment?”

“Like this?”

“Closer.”

Lorian caressed Netionpis’s face as he drew extremely close. Her touch was filled with affection. Feeling that touch, he felt like he might cry.

Lorian pulled him by the nape and brought her lips to his ear. Then, whispering intimately with affection, she transported him to the past.

Back to when they were both young, and the future seemed bright and promising…

“I will love only you forever.”

“Ugh.”

Netionpis hastily turned his back and tilted his chin toward the ceiling. He didn’t want her to see his reddening eyes.

Lorian would have seen through his series of clumsy actions. Though it was shameful, that too made him happy.

“Even if it’s forever, I’ll wait. So make sure you come back for me.”

“I promise. This is the last time I’ll leave you behind.”

“I believe you. I believe… I believe in you, Nes.”

“Thank you, Lorian.”

Did Lorian know? How much courage he gained from her trust alone.

He etched Lorian’s image into his retinas. So that even when his eyelids closed, every part of her would vividly appear. He would create a happy ending where their efforts would be rewarded.

This truly was their final farewell.

…

……

Netionpis was a man who kept his promises meticulously. He never lied to Lorian.

… Yes. All his words became truth, returning like a boomerang.

Indeed, this was the final farewell between the two. Because unconsciously, they had walked down a path of fate where they would never reunite.

The finale of their long narrative was approaching.

An inexplicable golden light engulfed my vision.

◇

The space where I awoke was the audience chamber of the Third Emperor Asar. Instinctively, I recognized that the strange golden light had guided me here.

It must have been Astelnerca’s arrangement. It was similar to the energy when his blood took the form of chains. It felt like encountering divine power.

Asar’s crimson eyes burned with fiery intensity.

“The Duchess Feita is with child? And already nine months along?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“Who is the father?”

“The Founding Noble, Your Majesty.”

“Hahah!”

Asar let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded. His eyes, which had momentarily curved in apparent amusement, twisted downward in anger.

“How dare they…!”

“Your Majesty?”

“Are those people trying to ignore the former emperor’s command! The union between Founding Nobles and the Four Ducal Houses is forbidden!!!”

“However, Your Majesty, the former emperor acknowledged the common-law relationship between the Founding Noble and Duchess Feita…”

“Just because the former emperor tolerated it doesn’t mean breaking imperial law should be permitted!”

“Then what shall we do? The duchess’s due date is approaching soon. Punishing them won’t make the child disappear. Moreover, without proper justification, there will be severe backlash from the Four Ducal Houses, so this isn’t a matter to be decided hastily.”

“Hmm.”

Asar closed his eyes, tapping the armrest with his index finger. After organizing his thoughts briefly, he issued a command.

“Dispatch the Imperial Investigators to the Founding Noble’s mansion.”

“What justification shall we use?”

“Justifications can be created as needed. Now is our opportunity while he’s away from the territory. Search everything. Pressure the staff, threaten them, do whatever it takes. I’ll handle the consequences!”

“But that…”

“There will certainly be some wrongdoing. Well, a person of Founding Noble status is unlikely to be as austere as a monk. Somehow connect that to Feita. Understand? This is urgent, so handle it quickly.”

“I… understand…”

The elderly noble reluctantly accepted, bowing before withdrawing. He seemed troubled about being involved in a political scheme targeting a Founding Noble and a Duchess.

He entered his office, drafted several documents, and summoned someone. It was a young man wearing the uniform of an Imperial Investigator.

The elderly noble handed over several documents bearing his signature. After reading them, the young man was startled, his pupils shaking.

“This is His Majesty’s order. Find corruption in the Founding Noble’s mansion. No matter how trivial…”

“Can you handle the aftermath?”

“How would I know? We might tear the empire into five pieces at this rate… sigh.”

“I will simply follow orders, regardless of the outcome.”

“I urge you to do your best. At this point, if we fumble, our heads might roll.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Huff! Now go, Count Justitia.”

“Yes!”

I couldn’t help but be shocked by their conversation. If I hadn’t misheard, the Imperial Investigator’s family name was clearly Justitia…

Irefi’s family.

I never dreamed that past connections would be tied together in such a way.

‘My goodness… what a terrible twist of fate.’

Emperor Asar had an animal-like intuition. His impulsive order ultimately struck a weak point. Netionpis’s shameful secrets were exposed as easily as lifting a delicate veil.

“Kuk, hahaha!”

Days later, Asar laughed triumphantly as he read the report.

Netionpis had sent the families of those who sacrificed themselves for him to the territory, caring for them. He repaid them with the finest treatment in a mansion rivaling the imperial palace.

This was less about keeping promises with good intentions and more about a form of hush money. He tried to hide his sins by treating the families so extravagantly that they would forget their sacrifices.

Moreover, they were now honorable servants working in the Founding Noble’s mansion. When they mentioned their workplace as the mansion, they swelled with pride at others’ reactions.

Thus, siblings or children proudly enjoyed the territory’s benefits. Because of this, they couldn’t possibly expose that their positions were gained by selling their family members.

‘If rumors spread that they sold their families, admiration would instantly turn to contempt.’

However, they were merely powerless ordinary people.

There was no way they could withstand Imperial Investigators ransacking the mansion with threats and conducting interrogations using various dilemmas.

Through this process, Netionpis’s 17 years of atrocities were revealed.

“I thought we might find some minor embezzlement, but we’ve caught quite a big fish! Kheuk, khuhaha!”

“Yes… that is correct.”

The elderly noble who received the orders agreed. Originally, he had sympathized with Netionpis. Until he faced the truth…

Netionpis’s crimes were shocking enough to turn even those who trusted him away.

“Kuk, bring the Founding Noble before me immediately.”

“Your Majesty’s command is just, but there is one issue.”

“What is it?”

Asar asked with displeasure, as if his excitement had been dampened.

“The Founding Noble’s privileges, Your Majesty. If he exercises his immunity, there could be backlash against Your Majesty for initiating an investigation without proper justification.”

“Then it’s simple!”

“Pardon?”

“We prevent him from exercising it. Hmm… for instance, his resistance was so fierce that we had no choice but to kill him. That scenario would work.”

“Your Majesty! Isn’t this a hasty decision?!”

“No, there’s no better time than now. The Founding Noble is said to be as formidable as Duke Chester? It would be burdensome to deploy troops… to catch a dragon, one needs a dragon-slaying sword.”

“Perhaps Your Majesty intends to use those people?”

“Indeed, you’re quite useful. If one owes a debt, it’s time to repay it.”

A bright smile lingered on Asar’s face. With confident eyes sweeping across the audience, he issued his final command.

“Summon the Hero and the Saint. Tell them to lend their strength in dealing with a monster that devours people!”

“I shall obey, Your Majesty.”

I detected fear from Asar’s excessively aggressive stance. Having grown up in a hotbed of power struggles without allies, he was concerned about a new focal point.

A child with a Founding Noble as father and one of the Four Ducal Houses as mother. It’s unimaginable what goals such a child, born at the center of power, might pursue.

Due to the Golden Chain contract, they couldn’t cross certain lines. However, a degree of power dispersion was possible. Their child was a potentially dangerous entity.

“Also… when the Hero and Saint set out, have them kill the Duchess Feita’s fetus. What use is there in keeping a monster’s child alive?”

“There will be severe backlash from the other ducal houses.”

“The old ones who are concerned about today and tomorrow might react that way. But after ten years, when generations change, they’ll eventually have to yield.”

“… I shall comply.”

The elderly noble’s options were limited.

He could only pray that storm clouds wouldn’t gather in the path of this unreasonable tyrant.

◇

The Hero and the Saint – Cavannil and Yashasmisha – had incurred a debt when they acquired imperial citizenship.

When Yashasmisha was being persecuted while traversing the continent, the only one who extended a hand was Asar. Now he was asking to borrow their strength to subjugate a heinous criminal.

Having already incurred a debt, and with such a clear justification, they couldn’t refuse.

“Cavannil, my knight.”

“Speak.”

“Will you protect me this time too?”

“This life you saved, I should dedicate it to you.”

“Thank you.”

Yashasmisha briefly expressed her gratitude, kissing the back of Cavannil’s hand. Cavannil averted his gaze, hiding his reddened ears.

“Let’s go, my knight.”

“Yes.”

Shururuk.

Space rippled, creating a small pond in midair. Cavannil and Yashasmisha leaped into the spatial ripple without hesitation.

The place they reached after traversing space was a small village. A tiny settlement that would later be called Citris Village.

Yashasmisha asked for the location of the cavern there, and once again stepped into the spatial ripple.

With just one leap, they visited Netionpis’s dwelling and were shocked.

“He’s insane.”

“Uwup.”

She made a gagging sound and covered her nose. It was due to the thick scent of blood permeating the cavern.

Even without visible blood, they could infer that humans had been experimented on for a considerable period.

At that moment, clicking footsteps echoed from the far side of the vast cavern. He was a man with jet-black hair and red eyes that seemed etched with blood.

The Founding Noble Netionpis.

Due to the sinister aura that subtly emanated from him, they unconsciously assumed battle positions.

Unexpectedly, Netionpis welcomed them with delight.

“Well, what distinguished guests have visited. I never imagined you would be the Saint. I should have sought you out first.”

“I never thought a figure as prominent as a Founding Noble would have business with me.”

“Of course! I’d like your help with experiments for exploring eternal immortality, so it’s only natural!”

“You…!”

At Netionpis’s enthusiastic statement, Cavannil blocked Yashasmisha’s path. His hand gripping the sword handle trembled as if he had heard a boiling insult.

Meanwhile, Netionpis wore a deflated expression. Understandably so, as in his mind, he had politely requested cooperation for his experiments.

He had not the slightest intention of causing harm.

The problem was that given the circumstances, this truth wouldn’t be believed at all.

To this, the Saint frowned and boldly declared:

“From now on, by the order of the Third Emperor Asar Euglinas, I will execute the traitor Netionpis.”

“I seek your cooperation.”

At that very moment, a transcendent killing intent erupted from Cavannil. The surrounding space rippled like waves, disorienting their vision.

Netionpis remained motionless, silently closing his mouth. He had lost his presence to such an extent that he seemed like he would vanish like mist if touched.

Cavannil and Yashasmisha felt fear at this abnormal behavior.

The man who observed without taking any battle stance was eerie. It felt like facing a madman who had lost his mind.

Moreover, this madman was at the center of the massive pillars supporting the empire. He was the Founding Noble, known as the most formidable figure.

“Ha… haha.”

He let out a hollow laugh.

“So that’s it. Yernia’s child… me… ha, haha.”

Netionpis immediately saw through the situation.

Asar’s intention to disregard his immunity and cast him aside was clear. If Asar’s wish was fulfilled, he would die here. And these two were certainly capable of it.

Lorian. He would never see Lorian again. She had already endured long hardships. The vigor of her youth had withered with age.

Asar would likely persecute her. More precisely, he wouldn’t leave the child of a Founding Noble and Duchess Feita alone.

“No… this can’t be… I can’t leave her alone again.”

Netionpis pulled out an iron rod embedded in the wall. The rock wall cracked weakly, revealing a large blade.

The Conqueror’s Sword, a weapon wielded only by martial artists who had mastered Chester’s martial arts to the extreme.

Suddenly, decades worth of memories cascaded like a waterfall in Netionpis’s mind.

How fate, how history, had become tangled from where and how.

Where was the turning point that led to this reality, like an unsolvable skein of thread?

It would be a futile assumption.

Finally, he broke the silence of doom.

“I pursued only eternal immortality.”

While betraying human ethics.

“It was a path solely for her.”

Hoping that she would never lose her way again.

“Do you dare block that path? Do you dare oppress my one and only stronghold in this world?”

Becoming an asura from a human. Becoming a beast from an asura. Even if it meant falling into hell.

“I will reach it. Beyond the eternal on the heavenly path. For our wishes. Do you dare to become a wall against me?”

What is a hero? What is a saint?

In an era of war where the bones of brave humans built towers, the world has not forgotten us who stood tall. Me!

If you wish, I’ll show you. I’ll engrave it into the world like a vivid scar.

Our existence. Who we are.

“Come at me with your insignificant power and weak will, youngsters.”

The journey to reach her. What does it matter if there are hardships?

If you are at the end of an infinite timeline, I would gladly walk toward you.

“If you cannot… then perish, children of the era.”