episode_0174

“… what the heck.”

Lucius muttered softly, biting his lip.

He looks at the man sitting in front of him with resentful eyes, while clenching his fists as if he is angry at himself.

“What on earth made you come to such a reckless judgment?!”

The man who had been looking at Lucius in such a way as if he was surprised let out a sigh for a moment.

“… That’s a complacent judgment.”

The Duke, Emperor of the Empire, leaned back in his chair and frowned as if his head was aching.

‘Don’t you know that you are the one who made that reckless judgment now?’

Lucius, that is.

The warrior who should give courage and hope to the people of the empire is now on the side of the Demon King.

Is that all?

Imperial people, no.

The saint, who should love all of ‘humanity’ beyond that and be the light of hope, also stands by the warrior’s side and agrees with his opinion.

‘Does this… make sense?’

The light of hope is clearly on the side of the Demon King, the enemy.

This situation gave the emperor a headache.

“Warrior. No matter how much you say that, my will will not change.”

“Why…!”

Duke let out a deep sigh at the sight of Lucius questioning him again, as if he was frustrated.

“… Ha.”

Of course, the Emperor is also aware of what Lucius is saying.

Duke also knows Cheonharang’s personality before he became the Demon King, having talked to him directly.

How naive.

I was worried that I might get scammed somewhere.

… Well, there were some aspects of it that were a bit sly.

Anyway, if he, who had only known her for a short time, was evaluating her like this, how much more would Lucius, who had been adventuring with her for nearly half a year, feel?

Of course you’ll hesitate.

It must be heartbreaking to have to cut her down.

Duke is also human, so he can fully understand what you are trying to say to him right now.

but.

“Still, Jim’s thoughts remain unchanged.”

He is an emperor before he is a human being.

“Because it is right to eliminate anything that could threaten the empire in advance.”

You must make decisions for the empire rather than based on your own personal feelings.

The emperor is meant to be that kind of person.

“Why is the Lord Cheonharang a threat-”

“Warrior. You should know better.”

Duke narrowed his eyes at Lucius, who was glaring at him as if he still didn’t understand.

“Cheonharang has powers beyond common sense.”

The Duke saw only fragments of that power, but there was no denying it.

Her power is simply beyond common sense.

“And that power is too devastating for an individual to possess.”

I don’t really like this comparison, though.

Perhaps, even if the entire empire attacked just one person, it would not be possible to guarantee victory.

“Of course, I have no intention of saying selfish things like she should contribute her power to the empire.”

… I can’t say I have no greed at all.

Didn’t he already fail at inclusion once?

Cheonharang is not a great man who can be subordinated to himself or to the empire.

In other words, it is impossible to control.

But, there is an entity beyond common sense that is already uncontrollable.

“Didn’t you become the Demon King?”

“…”

Lucius also had nothing to say about this, so he kept his mouth shut and avoided eye contact.

Well, that can’t be helped.

The testimonies of those who witnessed Cheonharang were all the same.

The creepy right eye that looks creepy just by looking at it, and the huge horn that rises from the right side of its head.

Although, it is only half.

Such an appearance can only be seen in demons, not humans.

Moreover, there is clear evidence that all the demons and the armed group called Cheonma Shingyo obey her.

Besides, hasn’t the imperial palace already been attacked by such a monster?

At the time, the excuse was that it was to prevent another attack… .

Now that time has passed.

I can’t quite believe that.

“So, Cheonharang is not a potential threat.”

It is a present threat.

“This is a threat that is imminent.”

Should we leave such a being alone?

Any person in their right mind would never make such a foolish decision.

“So, when she lets her guard down even a little bit. When she is not prepared.”

They must attack her first and eliminate the threat to the Empire.

“If we were even a little late, wouldn’t she be able to head to the empire first?”

No, it won’t work.

That won’t do.

“Countless imperial citizens will lose their lives.”

So, there is no negotiation.

In the past, didn’t their ancestors tell them?

“The Demon King and his minions, the demons, are not people you can communicate with.”

He’s just a power-drunk rascal.

“So, warrior. If you are truly on the side of the Empire, no. of humanity, then kill her.”

The Duke stared into Lucius’ eyes for a long time, not answering.

* * *

“- You’ll probably be talking like this:”

I tilted my head at Jack’s vivid words, as if I had heard them directly.

I’m raiding the empire…?

What kind of nonsense is that?

“Um… .”

Jack shrugged his shoulders, seemingly oblivious to my expression of incomprehension, and added:

“So, shouldn’t we also prepare for an imperial attack?”

We need to prepare… .

So, to put it simply, are you saying we should fight?

“Hmm… I don’t really feel like it.”

It’s not that Jack’s words are incomprehensible.

…but.

“Is it really necessary to prepare for this?”

For my part, I would like to avoid armed conflict if possible.

That would be the case.

Like it or not, me and them are like that… .

Among those who left the warrior party and are in the empire, aren’t there quite a few who are familiar with me?

… it might not be much, though.

Anyway, starting with the palace ball, which wasn’t all good memories.

From professors and cadets of the Academy, to knights of the North, to merchants from various towns.

There are countless connections there that have been made with me for 300 years without any connection.

But, fighting them like that?

It’s natural to feel reluctant.

… Well, if you listen to Jack, it seems like they might not think I have that much of a connection with them.

Like that, I’m lost in thought, alone.

“… Hmm?”

Someone tapped my shoulder as I was struggling.

“Master.”

Of course, it was anonymous.

“You don’t have to think like that.”

Anonymous began to speak as if he knew what I was worried about just by looking at my expression.

“Even if we prepare, doesn’t that necessarily mean we’re going to fight?”

“… Huh.”

The content was so similar to my concerns that I felt a little impressed.

“You speak as if you know what I’m thinking.”

“Haven’t you seen it for quite some time?”

He sighed deeply and nodded his head at the nameless figure who responded with a small smile.

Well, that’s true.

If they really intend to launch an attack, we can’t just sit back and do nothing.

Isn’t that right?

I’m afraid that if I hesitate because of one thing, harm will be done to the Cheonma Sect or the demon tribe that decided to help me.

Besides, I have to fulfill the wishes of the Cheonma Sect and the Demon Tribe.

Because there are things I need to accomplish before I leave.

It might not be a bad idea to take this opportunity to achieve it.

I added to Jack, waving my hand lightly.

“Then, prepare it once.”

“ received.”

Jack smiled faintly and left.

“…”

Naturally, only I and Moo-myeong were left in this small cabin, and silence began to fall.

‘I’m going crazy because it’s so awkward… .’

Yes, there was silence.

For some reason, Myeong-i, who would normally have been calm and talking to me about this and that, has been quiet for the past few days.

…Why is that?

I bit my lip and tried to think of a reason, but nothing came to mind.

I wondered if it was because I said I was leaving… .

well.

If he really knew that I was leaving, he wouldn’t be silent like he is now.

Shouldn’t we talk more instead?

Think about it.

We’re in a relationship where we might break up someday.

If that guy was really my disciple, wouldn’t he want to talk to my teacher a little more?

This is what is called building memories.

…what.

Holding on to me as I leave is also a method.

Anyway, my point is that there is no reason for Anonymous not to talk to me.

But when I ask him why, I feel hurt for some reason.

In the first place, it’s strange to even ask such a thing.

Just like earlier, when I was struggling, Anonymous told me what he thought, and he kept saying things that really needed to be said.

So, if you ask me why I don’t have a conversation… it’s like… it’s like.

“Ahem… .”

Wouldn’t it seem like you’re crazy about wanting to have a nameless and useless chat?

I find that really humiliating.

No, that’s just plain wrong!

In the first place! It would be a shame for a disciple to show off his talents to his master.

Why does that anonymous guy have to hold such an awkward weight that doesn’t even suit him?

It was really annoying!

Well, it’s difficult to say that directly.

“Ahem… .”

He just snorted and gave me a look.