episode_0057

In truth, Rachel’s stance on this expedition was negative.

As a representative who had to uphold the family’s honor, there was also fear tied to the past.

The screams of humans, an unknown putrid stench, crumbling debris.

Covering the scars vividly etched from that day with her clothes, she had barely endured those days. But now, as he ventured into the nightmares he had experienced, there was no joyous send-off awaiting him.

“Rachel, are you really planning to send Ian to Snow Mountain?”

Yes.

There was also this man.

The couple’s bedroom. However, it was a room whose only warmth was its name, nonexistent from the start.

At the sound of Carmen’s voice, the true master who shattered such cold silence, Rachel’s gaze turned towards him.

“…Carmen.”

“Answer questions when asked. And didn’t I tell you not to call me by name when we’re together,”

Cold.

Despite being in a marital relationship, his tone was as if addressing someone else.

Following that, with a pipe in his mouth, legs crossed on a seat, and a gaze that looked down on her like an inferior, it was evident from his demeanor that he had no interest in any excuses she might offer and simply demanded answers to his questions.

There were times when she had tried to speak up against his attitude that had persisted for years, but now even the pretext for doing so seemed to have been lost.

The Holy Kingdom.

A person whose goal was to obtain privileges related to dragon blood,

while also aiming to protect this territory and eliminate something dormant in Snow Mountain.

“The blessing of purity. The power of the highest-ranking holy maiden within the Holy Kingdom. They say the price for that is the holy maiden’s life. To ensure the survival of the Brittania family, these things are necessary. And to obtain them… I can’t fathom the judgment of sending him to Snow Mountain.”

“…”

As he spoke, a storm raged outside where he stood looking out the window. With the rain beating down repeatedly, accompanied by the wind that blew in, causing the flowers and trees in the garden to sway, cries could be heard echoing through the corridors inside the mansion.

Despite the noise of the wind carrying fallen leaves and thin branches hitting the window, within the quiet mansion disturbed by the raging wind, the cries of the winds only grew louder. And at times, when lightning flashed and thunder roared, illuminating the room brightly, the sound would intensify.

Unperturbed by the noise, Carmen poured wine from the corked bottle into a glass, shaking the beautiful red liquid like blood, his face illuminated with ambition.

“…The energy occasionally seen from Snow Mountain seems ominous. So, about that Holy Kingdom-”

“I’ve emphasized that it’s impossible. And it’s impossible for those in Snow Mountain to come here; it was proven during several previous sieges. They’re merely coming for ‘food.’ If we replace the food they consume with the lowly meats of the lower class, that should suffice.”

Rachel’s expression contorted.

She herself hailed from a rural village.

To casually refer to the villagers who believed in the family as fodder for monsters, even going as far as calling them ‘meat,’ showed a complete lack of humanity and was incomprehensible.

‘…Truly, he hasn’t completely lost his mind.’

In reality, she had already realized that Carmen’s actions and intentions were not noble when she had seen people’s eyes to a certain extent.

She knew he had changed after his real wife died, but she never imagined he had fallen so far as to nonchalantly sacrifice thousands of people.

“Why haven’t you answered since earlier.”

Emptying his wine glass, Carmen sharpened his gaze, shooting it towards her.

“…Ian. And the saintess… What are you planning to do?”

Karman’s hand, which was moving the wine bottle, froze.

“What kind of nonsense is this?”

“Since a few weeks ago when Ian and the saintess arrived, you seem unaware that someone was planning to investigate them, whether by setting traps or manipulating the household. It’s quite shameless for someone who clearly aimed at them from the start.”

A small chuckle escaped Karman’s lips as he remained silent.

“Haha, is it your place to say such things now?”

“…”

“Who created the traps? Your words, spoken to them, are not merely well-intentioned lies meant solely for their benefit. You continue with lies driven by your own ‘purpose,’ not imposed by anyone. Sitting there claiming to be virtuous serves your own ambitions, doesn’t it? Without the need for elaborate explanations, you create tools for your ambition.”

Karman, pulling out the cork from a new wine bottle, added:

“It’s easy to vilify someone as a villain. From the victim’s perspective, a woman with war trauma from her commoner background. And a patriarch with ambitions to sacrifice the citizens for his family’s gain. Ignorant humans who judge people based on short newspaper articles would easily fall for this narrative. They might even think you weren’t involved in this without your consent.”

“…”

“You say your most hated son has changed? Yes, I acknowledge that. But isn’t it just a facade? Your true nature remains unchanged. Weak and immature. Are you, entrenched in that immaturity, in a position to speak, digging into what belongs to the lad like a parasite?”

Expressionless, his face showed no hint of emotion.

Unbearable insults were being thrown at him.

“While you’ve sacrificed countless lives with those hands, do you believe you have the right to criticize others?”

“…”

“Your daughter’s contract.”

With a sigh tinged with bitterness, his words slipped out.

Contrary to the sharp tone, his voice had a subdued quality.

His eyes were half-closed.

“If only one could break free from that. A person willing to kill using any means at their disposal. Hilarious. Shamelessly, playing the long con, aren’t we?”

“…”

“Who was the one who, while pretending to be an son and mother, played a long con for so long?”

“…There’s no point in continuing this conversation.”

As Rachel moved to leave, Karman’s sharp words pierced through her back.

“Do you know why I watched as those troops devoured everyone in the village that day?”

“…Because it was too late by then.”

“Because there was no other way.”

“…”

“You all knew exactly what made those creatures terrifying, didn’t you? Even if we killed them dozens of times with iron weapons, they would quickly adapt, toughening their skin, and if we used magic, they would learn to use magic too. Once they adapt and slip out of our control, the sacrifices won’t end with just one village. We are working with the Holy Kingdom to ‘reverse’ and fill the empty village with people again, regulating the number of those monsters invading with the only thing they can’t adapt to: sacred power.”

“So, are you trying to block my path in the end?”

In response to Rachel’s question, Karman set down his glass and spoke.

“Even if I try to stop you, you’ll find a way to carry out your plans, won’t you? If it’s going to happen anyway, do as you please. It will be quite interesting to see how you die differently from the previous woman.”

In a voice that was clearly not gentle, devoid of any kindness. It exuded a sense of malicious emotion.

….

From ancient times, the concept of sanctity.

A serene emotion.

These were the words I first heard when I received education from the priest in my childhood.

Warm, gentle, moderate, and wholesome living.

Avoiding provocative things, shunning desires, only then would descend the pure white authority.

The bright energy emanating from such a life.

That was what sanctity was all about.

I firmly believed in this until yesterday.

No, I believed in it until today.

In my office, with Yuria watching.

If it weren’t for the saintly figure in front of me.

-Grrr… Grrrk!

“Keh, Keuhk… Ian…nim, you can pull harder… on the leash…”

Ian, with his hands clasped around the saint’s neck tied to a leash, was literally the face and image of the saintly kingdom.

He was making her crawl on all fours on the floor, as if training a pet.

-If you keep the leash like this or treat me like this… it actually feels calming. It makes me feel like you will continue to… do this to me in the future too… and it feels like I’m atoning for past rudeness… So please, continue. I will… serve more. Please, just once a week…

The instructor.

The cold and ruthless saint of justice.

With the leash in hand.

If this sight were to be seen elsewhere, it would lead to a religious trial and an immediate death sentence.

But I feel unjust.

To think that I, who bestows ‘guilt’ upon the saint and extracts sanctity using a leash, am not a piece of garbage…!

Once again.

“I’m not into that.”

While saying this, towards Yuria who was also taking out her own leash.

“…No. Don’t suddenly take out another leash.”

That was the sentiment I wanted to express, but…

-Why do other women get leashed, and I don’t…?

When I met the disappeared scarlet eyes of Ichae, I said this inwardly.

This is fucked up. Even if something went wrong, it was fucked up from the very beginning. That’s what I thought.