Ch.88But you’re incompetent, aren’t you?

# 1.

“Death to those who turn their backs on the Commander.”

After a moment of confusion.

“I will atone for the sin of failing to follow the Commander’s orders with my death.”

Having recalled his past, Nahan realized what the members wanted.

‘They’re saying we should kill Pedro.’

When Pedro and Castler were about to kill Reina, Nahan had clearly given an order.

“Everyone return. Go and find a new hideout before midnight.”

It was undoubtedly the command of the Black Wolf.

The orders given by the Black Wolf to the <Black Wolves> were absolutely binding, to the point where members would take their own lives if they deviated even slightly.

But Pedro had refused.

“…Why?”

Unable to contain his overwhelming sorrow,

“Because of that monster, Ria…!!”

To the deity he had always revered, his usually smiling face crumpling.

With eyes gone wild at the enemy before him, he bowed his head with a sad smile.

“I’m sorry, my god.”

That’s why the members were furious.

‘Because he dared to disobey the Black Wolf’s command.’

It seemed harsh, but to the members it was a serious crime, so Nahan, playing the role of the Black Wolf, racked his brain for the best solution.

‘First, he must not be killed.’

The main scenario – The condition for “Those Who Cannot Be Saved” was the salvation of all members.

Unless death was considered salvation, no member should die before completing the main scenario.

‘But I can’t openly prevent it either.’

He was in the midst of portraying the gradually changing Black Wolf, but not yet at the point where he could recklessly protect a member who had disobeyed orders.

So, the best choice I can make here is—

“…Commander.”

When Lactea urged him to break the ensuing silence, Nahan answered calmly.

“Do not touch him.”

【Skill #1 – <Black Curtain> activates at 15% output.】

The members’ killing intent was instantly overwhelmed.

…!!

While most members acquiesced, only Lactea resisted and asked again.

“…Have you forgotten your promise to me?”

Her golden eyes flashed ominously.

“Since you’re not answering, I’ll ask again.”

Rising from her kneeling position, she stood as an equal to the Black Wolf.

Reminding herself of the imperial blood flowing through her veins, she asked once more.

“Nahan, have you… forgotten the promise you made to me five years ago?”

A clash of mighty powers.

【Warning.】

【<Lactea Babylonia(S+)> doubts your existence – <Savior>.】

【The constraints of <Black Wolf> are wavering.】

“I know you are unusually lenient with us, but punishment must be given when due.”

Just as something of similar caliber to Nahan was about to break through its hidden shell.

Swish.

Nahan raised his right hand, lifted Lactea’s chin, and whispered in her ear.

“I mean I will punish Pedro personally, so absolutely do not touch him.”

【Skill #1 – <Black Curtain> activates at 20% output.】

After declaring with powerful energy.

【<Lactea Babylonia(S+)>’s doubt about you – <Savior> has been withdrawn.】

【The constraints of <Black Wolf> are stabilized.】

The contract with Lactea, which had been weakening to the point of breaking, instantly strengthened again.

Lactea’s eyes narrowed slightly.

After those eyes, as seductive as they were chilling, looked Nahan up and down as if to devour him.

Lactea raised her crimson lips in a slight smile and bowed her head to the Black Wolf.

“I will follow the Commander’s orders.”

As if nothing had happened, she returned to being the usual Lactea and gestured toward Castler.

“We’re leaving the imperial city.”

“Yes, Vice Commander.”

Castler’s blue eyes turned red, and the shadows around them enveloped the members.

Whoosh.

The members vanished at once.

With the clash of killing intent and power gone, leaving only the quiet night air, Reina, who had been under immense pressure, exhaled a labored breath.

“Huff… What… What on earth…”

She looked to Nahan for an explanation of the current situation, but,

“Whew… Tell me about it…”

Nahan also plopped down on Reina’s bed and wiped away cold sweat.

Peace returned once more.

Nahan didn’t stop at sitting but lay down completely.

“I really want to go home…”

“Um, sorry to mention this in such a situation, but aren’t those outdoor clothes? I’m the type who only gets on the bed after changing into indoor clothes—”

【Skill #1 – <Black Curtain> activates at 1% output.】

“Rest comfortably.”

“Thank you.”

“…?”

“What.”

“……Oh, never mind.”

After silencing the chattering Reina, Nahan organized the current situation.

‘The most important things in the current situation are the main quest and main scenario.’

The main quest is,

─『Main Quest』─

◆ Simply Survive.

: Prevent all bad endings and save the <Hero> and <Emperor>.

◆Number of Bad Endings Prevented.

: So far… [10 / 15]

◆Reward

: Return to original world.

Five bad endings and the salvation of the <Hero> and <Emperor> remained.

【Bad Ending 11 – <Villain – Duke Hallorand> is accelerating.】

【Bad Ending 12 – <Appearance of Eclipse> is accelerating.】

After resolving the already initiated Duke Hallorand and Eclipse’s appearance, three would remain.

‘I was planning to identify the movements of the Light and then visit directly to deal with them.’

But now, having lost the main base, that would have to be postponed until a new base was secured.

‘Well, it worked out well anyway.’

Though unintended, during the escape to avoid conflict, he had visited the Emperor’s quarters.

Because of that,

─『Main Scenario』─

◆ Those Who Cannot Be Saved.

: Save the <characters> who would have perished in regret and despair.

◆Those Who Have Been Saved/

: So far… [5 / 10]

◆Reward

: One wish.

Pedro, a target of the main scenario – <Those Who Cannot Be Saved>, was in danger.

‘I understand.’

Though it was Eclipse’s doing, the only evidence was the current Emperor’s mark.

‘Reina’s reputation is in the gutter, and I can’t ask directly either…’

It was inevitable that Pedro and all the Black Wolf members would think the current Emperor – Reina was the cause of all the tragedy.

‘But she’s not.’

The actual culprit is <Eclipse>, and Reina is also a victim.

‘So I can’t let him die.’

For the main quest and because I can’t increase the number of innocent victims.

So Nahan asked.

“What about Eclipse?”

“Mmph! Cough, cough cough!”

“I told you to relax a bit.”

Reina, who had been watching nervously the whole time Nahan was thinking, finally choked on her water.

“When, hack! When did you say that…!! Cough!!”

“I didn’t? Then relax from now on.”

“How dare!! Cough! How daaare, cough cough!”

After coughing for a while from choking, she wiped her mouth and shouted.

“How dare you!!! To dare to defy me, the Emperor—!!”

【Skill #1 – <Black Curtain> activates at 1% output.】

“…I guess it’s fine to speak freely. You’re a top-tier criminal anyway. Adding salt to the sea doesn’t make it saltier. A little more defamation won’t change the fact that you’re still a top-tier criminal.”

…Was she originally this kind of character?

Nahan tossed a candy to the muttering Reina and insisted.

“Stop muttering and answer the question, will you?”

“Ah, yes! That would be good.”

Reina, putting the candy in her mouth, relaxed a bit more and answered.

“First of all, I haven’t found out anything.”

“Oh my god, you’re really incompetent.”

“…I’m the Emperor.”

“But you’re incompetent, right?”

“……”

It was as expected.

Eclipse is currently experiencing repeated failures due to the <Black Wolves>, so they would be hiding more carefully than before.

And they wouldn’t stop either.

Using nobles who hadn’t been purged, they would continue trying to assassinate Reina as they had been.

‘And now Pedro too…’

He had prevented the bad ending – the Emperor’s death, but the situation had actually become more dangerous.

‘If Eclipse was the only one targeting Reina, I could just assign Castler to her, but since Pedro has declared he’ll kill Reina…’

In this situation, to ensure both Reina and Pedro’s safety—

‘At least until I can persuade Pedro, I need to stay by Reina’s side.’

Having reprioritized, Nahan sighed and turned to Reina.

“I’ll stay and protect you for the time being.”

It feels like time is dragging on, which I don’t like, but saving the Emperor is just as important as the happy ending.

“Did you hear? I said I’ll protect you.”

As he said this and tapped the shoulder of Reina, who had lowered her head as if tired.

“…Hueng.”

“Hueng?”

“You’re so cruel, youuu…”

“…Huh?”

He was faced with a crying Reina.

# 2.

In the back alleys of the district.

A man staggered into the eerie, now ruined place where the <Black Tooth> mercenary group once resided.

“……”

The man surveyed the interior with eyes darker than shadows, and only after realizing that there truly was no one there did he let out a small breath.

“Huff…”

Pain surged as he released his tension.

Splat.

He brought his torn arm, which he had somehow retrieved, back to its original position.

Squirm, squirm.

Swoosh!

The arm attached instantly.

Nerve recovery was slow so sensation was dull, but even this would soon heal.

The man’s identity was Pedro.

He finely adjusted his mana to track the energy of those who had been with him, but they were merely wandering around the district, not pursuing him.

“They must have detected me…”

Thud.

Pedro, leaning his head back, muttered again with a faint smile.

“Is this the last mercy bestowed by God?”

Indeed, Black Wolf.

The only savior who unhesitatingly took me in when everyone else abandoned me.

Pedro too was indebted to him.

A debt so great that he couldn’t repay even a fraction of it in his lifetime.

Turning his back on such a person wasn’t a good thing for Pedro either, but this time it was unavoidable.

-Pedro.

-What I believe in is your good heart.

When faced with his enemy, the anger he had suppressed through faith erupted all at once.

It wasn’t ordinary anger, but a primal evil inherent within Pedro.

“…I’m sorry. I’m sorry, my god……”

Pedro hugged his knees and muttered with blank eyes.

“A child born of evil longed for light, but despite struggling, remained evil.”

“It couldn’t be helped. Those born of light did not desire evil.”

“But with one small light that descended, darkness was no longer darkness…”

-Remember, Pedro. True peace begins with forgiving your enemies.

Ria,

I haven’t forgotten your words, but…

“I still can’t forgive.”

Tears flowed down.

But ironically,

“I… can’t forgive.”

Pedro’s expression was infinitely bright.