Chapter 89 – Does Having Nothing Mean You Can Do Nothing? (3)

Lies. Deceit. Incitement.

Whatever it was, only one thing mattered.

Did it work, or not.

Which of those words were truth or lies… none of that was important.

– “If the result is satisfying and the conclusion is something everyone can accept, isn’t that enough?”

“……”

Without even a chance to watch the crowd disperse, Cariel returned inside the chapel.

And the moment the surrounding gazes disappeared, he collapsed onto a nearby bench, struggling to catch his breath.

“Uh, um… A-Are you okay? Um… Teacher?”

“……”

Unable to speak, he simply turned his head with great effort.

“You lie so easily without batting an eye. Still just as good at stirring people up, huh?”

“……”

Ases smiled warmly at Cariel.

Luillin asked with suspicion in her voice.

“You speak as if you know him very well.”

“Well, we were acquaintances back in the day.”

Apparently, the version of me she knew from the past was quite adept at this sort of thing.

If that’s the case, then the reputation? Fame? Formed back then?

It felt like I could finally get a grasp of it.

“But incitement? What part of what he just said was a lie?”

Leo and his group entered the chapel late and overheard her words.

When Leo questioned the overly confident Ases, she replied casually.

“He never actually explained why the ones outside the village haven’t torn this place apart yet, has he?”

“That’s…”

“He just emphasized the risk of what might happen if the villagers themselves harmed Cariel. But that was the biggest concern for them anyway. The minor demon riffraff outside couldn’t act themselves, but if he were to be killed and the demons quietly withdrew, would the Kingdom of Metlan or the local lords truly protect them? The descendant of the Empire’s Great Hero died, after all. Rather than shifting blame or avoiding responsibility, the powers-that-be would likely throw the villagers under the bus. It’s cheaper. Whether that would calm the fury is questionable, though.”

If they had been more short-sighted, they wouldn’t have hesitated once the mob formed, they would’ve acted immediately.

But this wasn’t a village that ran on simple farming alone.

And if those people were truly ignorant brutes with no brains, then Cariel wouldn’t even have had the chance to show up. The chapel would’ve already become a siege zone under a storm of rage.

In that sense, maybe this could be counted among the lucky scenarios.

However, 

“From the beginning, Cariel used shock tactics to provoke their anxiety and immediately limited their ability to think.”

And then he displayed overwhelming force.

“…I didn’t expect him to show that much. With a body like a corpse, how did he even manage that?”

Luillin looked at him with worried eyes.

“B-But since he’s awake now, doesn’t that mean he’s at least a bit better?”

“That corpse barely opened its eyes. That’s about the state he’s in right now.”

Cariel himself felt exactly the same.

“After overwhelming them with strength, all he said was to trust him. Sure, the wording was different, but that was the gist of it, wasn’t it?”

“…That’s not how it sounded to me.”

“That’s what it meant?”

“You’re already leaning to his side, so maybe it didn’t hit you as hard.”

But for those who were driven to the edge of a cliff, 

For those who would more naturally view him as an enemy than an ally, 

It must have felt completely different.

“Something simple and desirable is far more moving than a complicated explanation. If he had explained everything, they’d have been too confused to understand. They would’ve run out of patience almost immediately.”

“Is that… really possible?”

The furious crowd quickly became unsettled, and soon after, they voluntarily dispersed.

…In some ways, it was an utterly incomprehensible sight.

Usually, when a crowd of that size formed, they wouldn’t settle until someone was strung up or beheaded, the body desecrated or made an example of in some public execution.

Luillin had learned through bitter experience that in such cases, only fire and blood could cool the rage.

So for things to have gone smoothly this time…

“That’s why, since ancient times, incitement and oratory have been considered the ruler’s talent and the most precious skill a king must possess.”

“……”

“He only went that far because he knew they’d understand. If they hadn’t understood even a little… he’d have used a different method. Right? He could’ve dragged out the group’s leader, put a leash on them and threatened them… or even made an example out of a few by cutting off heads or tearing bodies apart to instill fear and crush their spirit. Ah, but each of those methods works differently depending on the situation, so if you pick the wrong one, you’ll just make it worse.”

Then Ases looked at Cariel, expecting a nod of agreement, her eyes smiling.

“……”

Yet for some reason, Cariel felt like a storm of inner chaos was raging in her eyes.

What emotion is that supposed to be?

There was more than just delight, rage was mixed in too.

And yet, he felt no hostility from her.

This was…

– “It’s not anger toward you, but rather resentment and fury about your condition.”

The Demon King offered an explanation.

She normally wouldn’t bother with such trivial commentary.

Even that reckless stunt just now, he’d only pulled it off because she, the Demon King, had pressured him into it.

What in the world had she believed in to send him out there alone against a raging mob?

And why…

Why had they been swayed by such irrational, illogical words and dispersed so easily?

Cariel couldn’t understand it at all, but Ases had been explaining it, even in ways that convinced Cariel himself.

– “They had lost faith. So, awaken that faith and plant an idol for them to believe in. That’s all it takes.”

When faced with what seems like absolute belief, all self-serving gain is reduced to mere candlelight.

…However, that belief need not always be true, righteous, life, or law.

– “They force upon others the belief they themselves want to believe. The people may pretend they’re reluctantly accepting it, but in truth, it’s the very belief they most desperately desired. Humans, and ignorant crowds in general, possess a desire to be ruled and led. They’re different from individuals. Completely different.”

The villagers simply wanted to escape this unstable situation where their lives were in danger.

And yet, they were forced to dump all responsibility onto Cariel.

They were coerced. Even threatened.

If they did, they’d be safe. They’d be secure.

…There were no guarantees, but what more did they need?

He said so.

He told them to believe.

And if they did, things would be resolved, right?

In a situation where they had no control, he offered them a solution.

If they refused? Then what was left? Was there even a better option?

– “That’s why convenience is so powerful. All you have to do is open your mouth, and the honey gets spoon-fed right down your throat. Anyone who can’t swallow it is just a fool. That’s the trap.”

“……”

Well, that wasn’t the whole picture.

Cariel himself, still lacking self-esteem, didn’t seem to realize it.

But he was already, by his very existence, a walking contradiction.

Once ominousness surpasses all bounds, it becomes mystery, and mystery becomes faith.

The continent’s most renowned nine heroes, categorized here as Great Heroes, their descendant, and no less the child of Luelde and Ermina, both in the very top tier of the great empire.

In other words, he was born of the continent’s most powerful force.

Moreover, Cariel’s identity was a swirl of rumors and scattered pieces of misinformation.

And ignorance only made the concept of mystery more elusive.

And then?

Depending on how that mystery was presented, it could at any time transform into faith or an idol.

Or into something entirely the opposite.

Then, 

Continuing Cariel’s own train of thought, Ases offered additional commentary in a tone not unlike the Demon King’s earlier explanation.

When everyone stared at her as if she were a monster, 

Despite her beaming smile, Ases looked genuinely wronged.

“See? It’s always like this. You’re the one who calculated everything and acted on it, so why am I the one treated like a monster just for explaining it?”

“……”

Cariel barely exhaled as he replied.

“You’re the one who used it as a performance.”

“Was I?”

“…Because you enjoyed it more that way. Didn’t the reaction itself amuse you?”

As if that were the right answer, Ases smiled like a blooming flower.

Her neat and elegant face twisted by that inappropriately cheerful grin.

“You really know me well. Even though your memory’s foggy, you understood the essence of me right away. Now you’re acting like yourself again. Though the gloomy part still throws me off.”

“……”

“Wait, what do you mean his memory is foggy?”

“Oh, was that not something I should’ve said in front of others?”

Crazy woman.

Venus muttered quietly from where he was leaning against the wall.

“Still, don’t worry. Even though he’s meticulous when it comes to this sort of thing, in the end, everything he does ends up benefiting everyone. He’s always been a good person. With skills like his, he could’ve easily conned his way into becoming a king, but instead, he always ended up making decisions that left him worse off.”

“……”

Even in his current pitiful state, Cariel couldn’t stop the wry chuckle that escaped him.

So even back then… I was a soft-hearted fool?

That’s almost comforting, in a way.

…Though still ridiculous.

“This whole performance, in a sense, was probably meant to reduce the damage to the village. If the villagers had gone on a rampage, they’d only be hurting themselves. According to Venus, the ones who died trying to attack him were exactly that kind of collateral damage.”

“Speaking of which, I’ve been meaning to ask. You. You said that thing was a Holy Sword earlier, right?”

At that moment, Venus interjected.

Considering his personality, it was a miracle he’d waited this long.

“Why did Lord Grandeus swing around some Holy Sword, of all things?”

“……”

Why is he asking me that?

Cariel didn’t even have the energy to respond, he just let out a faint breath.

“Hey. I said answer me.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Leo stepped in.

“Um, sir… Riel’s condition looks pretty serious. Isn’t this a bit much, interrogating him like that…?”

“He’s not a corpse, is he? Then it’s fine.”

“What kind of asshole says something like that?”

Luciri, who had been trying to stay out of it and watch from a distance, finally joined in.

“What did you just say, girl?”

“Girl? What kind of tone is that supposed to be?!”

“Hey, friends. Seems like the heat’s going to your heads. Let’s all just, ”

Even Deik, who had maintained neutrality until now, couldn’t stay out of it.

“Teacher.”

“…See? I told you we shouldn’t get involved with them. Now we’re just getting yelled at.”

Cariel muttered with a bitter smile.

Even the faint voice that barely came out reached Luillin, who frowned slightly, as if a little hurt.

“You could’ve just said thank you instead of making it awkward.”

“……”

Thank you, huh.

Now that he thought about it, why did he even come to this chapel?

That question still hadn’t been resolved.

But Luillin, as if understanding that, answered before he could ask.

“It’s a good thing Leo told us to check here. If we’d been even a bit later, something terrible might’ve happened, you know?”

“That’s true. Unlike the Empire, there’s no one around here who can treat someone properly. Irenis Church’s benefits really shine in situations like this.”

Too bad the one meant to grant those benefits was currently absent.

Luillin then gave a sidelong glare at Ases, who was letting out a soft laugh.

“Call those guys over here. Tell them to stop fighting.”

At Cariel’s words, Luillin quickly passed along the message.

“Before we get into talking about the Holy Sword… Venus. According to that thing, it was originally meant to be yours.”

“What?”

“Just relaying what it said. That sword was supposed to be in your hands from the start. But you changed. And because of that, it rejected being wielded by you. That’s why you still can’t draw it.”

Maybe that came as a shock to him.

Venus remained silent for a while before finally speaking.

“…A sword, daring to reject me when I’m offering to wield it? How utterly disgraceful.”

But Ases burst into laughter, as if agreeing completely.

“Hahaha! I mean! He’s not wrong, is he? If that’s really a Holy Sword, it makes no sense that someone like you could wield it!”

“What?”

“A lunatic battle junkie like you handling a Holy Sword? Please. A cursed sword, maybe.”

“You insane bitch, I’ve been letting it slide, but!”

Yet the fact that he didn’t deny it showed he agreed, at least somewhat.

That was unexpected.

“To think I’d have to grovel just to get my hands on a sword. How absurd.”

“Is that so? Then feel free to give up.”

“……”

Even with Ases sneering and gloating, Venus didn’t respond.

“There must be a condition. Or a restriction, if you will. Do you know what it is?”

Still, his willingness to engage seriously, how was one to interpret that?

Cariel recalled what he had once heard.

* * *

[Justice.]  

[The protection of good. The execution of evil. The enforcement of balance.]  

[As a Holy Sword, I serve to protect what is righteous.]  

[If you seek to wield me, then you must vow: to uphold good. To punish evil. Can you do that?]  

* * *

Cariel relayed all of this to everyone, including Venus.

Ases snapped her fingers and leaned into her attack.

“Of course you couldn’t draw it even after more than a decade! That condition is basically asking you to renounce your entire way of life. You really think you can do that?”

“…If you twist the meaning enough, anything can be justified. I follow my own form of justice and righteousness.”

“But you look down on the weak, don’t you? That’s not something you can just change overnight.”

“…Did I?”

“You thought you didn’t?”

“I despise idiots who choose to be weak. That’s not the same as scorning the weak.”

“There are people who are born into weakness, fated to be so. You hate even those who don’t resist that fate. But it’s not like they live that way by choice. What crime did they commit to deserve your contempt? It’s not like lightning struck them out of nowhere.”

Cariel started to understand why Venus held such disdain for the weak.

His own circumstances had been miserable, and he believed he had overcome them through his own effort.

So when others didn’t do the same, in his eyes, it must have looked like laziness or cowardice. Unworthy.

That emotion had probably built up over time and eventually twisted into blind hatred.

– “Understanding it like that is fine. But what matters is whether it’s the truth or a delusion. Don’t jump to conclusions. Believing the illusions conjured by your own thoughts and emotions to be the truth, that’s dangerous. Until it’s verified, what is it? It’s nothing.”

…Cariel hadn’t said a word aloud, yet here she was giving him advice as if she were reading his thoughts.

Damn Demon King.

“I despise the immoral who possess power, those who misuse what they have and lust for more. Power must come with responsibility, and yet the world is full of those who wield it without any.”

“And that’s where you’re wrong. Why should power come with responsibility? Do you live with responsibility? You’re a walking lawbreaker!”

“…And this is why I say I can’t have a proper conversation with you.”

“No, it’s you who talks nonsense. Who says power must come with responsibility? Who decided that? In human society, the powerful are few. The weak, the majority, whine about those few using force. So they shackle them with rules and regulations, all in the name of protecting themselves. They peddle nonsense like ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ as if it’s some universal truth. But it’s not.”

The wealthy eat better, wear finer clothes, live in better homes.

That’s instinct.

Even being envied for it, that too.

Eventually, they get bored, and crave more thrill, so they go for bolder indulgences.

“It’s all instinctual. The people who preach restraint, those are the religious types. Why? Because that’s how you manage the herd. Anyone whose desires run wild becomes unmanageable, and that throws society into chaos. That’s why it’s labeled evil. Like me, perfect example.”

But to be managed and controlled, 

That means you’re ordinary. Unremarkable. Bland.

…Why would anyone throw their life into that kind of dull existence?

It was laughable.

“If I have strength, I won’t be looked down on. I’ll be respected. I’ll live more comfortably. Eat better. Suffer less. And I won’t be bound by morality, ethics, or laws. Whether it’s money, land, or social status, it’s all the same. That’s the truth of the world.”

If someone tries to kill you, 

If you’re weak, you die. If you’re strong, you fight back.

But then the law says that’s a crime? That you must pay for it with your life?

And I’m just supposed to accept that?

Just to follow some flimsy law of state or society?

Why?

For whose benefit?

“If that’s how it is, then I’d rather burn down the whole damn state and society. Any world that suppresses my freedom and will, I’ll burn it all down. Or drown it, if that’s more effective.”

“…And that’s why you’re insane.”

“Why are you singling me out? You act the same way. What, is this internalized hatred for your own kind?”

“…Crazy bitch.”

At least they were generous enough to lay bare their beliefs, values, and ideologies on their own. Easier to analyze.

Even without speaking, Cariel absorbed it all.

How to handle them. How to use them.

For that, 

“You’re not the only ones here, are you?”

“Hm?”

“The Relief Knights.”

Cariel spoke softly.

“You didn’t appear before me just to spout some prophecy. There must be a reason you revealed yourselves.”

“Is that so? I only just got here, so I wouldn’t know. Venus? Was that the plan?”

“…Why are you asking me?”

“Oh, right. You’re good at fighting, not planning. My mistake.”

“This damned lunatic just keeps…”

“If they’re capable of using you like a puppet, then it’s probably Yousef… or maybe Rupert? Our First Sword probably wouldn’t care about any of this. Even if he came, not sure he could deal with the thing outside.”

This was intel.

Ases was dropping information, just in case.

…Or maybe not.

“Why? You wanna see their faces or something?”

“No.”

“What?”

She’d been poking as if that were her intent, now suddenly, no?

“If they’re offering to cooperate or help at this point, then their motives are obvious.”

Rather than dance on someone’s palm unknowingly, 

…he’d make it certain.

He would die scattering malice that could never again be matched in all the world.

And naturally, 

With that death, the land they trod would grow wild with vengeance so fierce, not even a blade of grass would remain.

“Just pass along my message.”

“Oh, so now I’m your errand girl?”

“I shared a secret about a sword you never understood. Isn’t that a favor to you?”

“You… You really…”

“The choice is yours.”

“Our Venus is terribly short-sighted, you know. His insides are as twisted and stubborn as a brat’s… ”

Crack.

A vein pulsed on Venus’s forehead.

But he didn’t snap back in her face.

True to his pride, he clung to it in all the wrong ways. Pathetic, really.

– “Humans, by nature, always twist things to suit themselves.”

Watching without emotion, the Demon King muttered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

And Cariel, 

…had seen far too much of this kind of nonsense to even bother arguing anymore.

For people like them, outside pressure would only backfire.

Just toss the bait and wait. Let them bite on their own.

“I was a little disappointed, thinking I’d only bought you time to die. But seeing you so lively, already planning your next move… I like it. You haven’t changed a bit.”

“……”

What a joke.

And yet, setting aside how he felt, 

It was true that she had helped him.

“I’ll be back when the sun is at its peak. Better be ready. Then again, you’re you. You’ll probably manage to survive somehow.”

“……”

All I could do, 

Was let out a faint scoff.

For now.