STM 15

I thought she might be disappointed that only one person survived, but she wasn’t.

“So that means countless people died.”

“…”

She held the potion bottle out of habit, but she didn’t drink it, she only tightened her grip. I stared at her hand and brought up the main point.

“In the future, after Duke Kun becomes Emperor, the first thing he does is make the Eye of Hell stronger, so it stays connected to the rift of monsters forever.”

“That bastard…!”

Doctor Kim flared up in anger and tried to rise. I quickly reached out and stopped her.

“It wasn’t his will. It’s said that it was his wife’s desperate wish.”

“That bastard didn’t even get married.”

“Yes. But he will, in half a year.”

“Ha. With who, exactly?”

“The savior who finds the Sword of Silence and lifts the Kun family’s curse.”

Doctor Kim’s eyes showed confusion. She couldn’t think of anyone who had such power to save the Kun family.

“Who is that? And why would that person want the Eye of Hell to stay open?”

“For the peace of Tubain. They said even if our world had to be sacrificed, it couldn’t be helped.”

“They… knows our world?”

“Of course. They’re another informant who succeeded in transferring thanks to your coordinates.”

Silence filled the room for a while. But her eyes trembled like a storm. I looked straight into them and told her the reason I came here.

“I came to kill the bastard who betrayed us.”

***

“Your Grace. The investigation is over, but even the mages couldn’t figure out why the monster suddenly teleported.”

At the report from his aide, Grand Duke Kun wiped his sword and asked.

“What about the spirit summoners?”

“We’re trying to locate any spirit summoners we can contact, but it’s difficult. As you know, there are almost none left on the continent. The few who exist live hidden in nature, so it’s hard to track them down.”

Duke Kun didn’t lift his gaze from the sword and asked.

“What about Baron Owick?”

“Of course, we tried contacting her.”

The aide answered right away, like he had been waiting for the question.

“But she’s famous for never leaving her house, and lately her partner has completely blocked all outside contact. Officially, they say Baron Owick’s health isn’t good, but it looks like they’re using that excuse to secure exclusive rights to the special herbs the Owick family trades. But there’s a strange rumor going around lately.”

“What rumor?”

“They say Baron Owick went mad… and drinks human blood.”

The aide cleared his throat while watching Grand Duke Kun’s face.

“You know, right? The Owick estate is so old and gloomy that there are even ghost rumors. I heard they never repair the mansion even though they have money. People say that’s why madness runs in their bloodline.”

Grand Duke Kun looked at the aide, silently telling him to continue.

“And this time… it seems there’s proof. Some say they saw Baron Owick standing in the field at dawn with blood on her lips.”

“That’s good.”

“Pardon?”

“Find Baron Owick at the place where he was seen.”

“You mean the Baron who drinks blood?”

Duke Kun turned his eyes for the first time. The aide coughed again and nodded.

“Yes, I’ll find her.”

“And?”

Ah, “and.” That meant he wanted more alternatives. The aide had prepared for that.

“We found someone with a rare ability who can see and speak to spirits, even though they’re not a spirit summoner. But such people are even rarer than summoners.”

A twist appeared at the corner of Duke Kun’s mouth. Then he took his sword and swung it through the air.

Whoosh

A heavy sound cut through the air, mixed with mockery.

“Rare? Adeye Lu is?”

“Adeye Lu? That man… Ah.”

The aide finally remembered Lu’s ability. Who was Adeye? Wasn’t he that vicious creditor who was practically the Kun family’s mortal enemy?

Not only that. He had also joined hands with other divine deast families to torment Kun mercilessly. For Kun, Adeye was a name that wasn’t satisfying to destroy even if torn apart. The aide quickly shook his head.

“There were rumors that Adeye Lu once had a clairvoyant ability as a child, but there’s no evidence. Both his own words and all witness accounts confirmed he doesn’t have any powers. Come to think of it, that playful Adeye Lu hasn’t left his mansion lately for some reason…”

Pause.

The greatsword that had been slicing through the air stopped still.

“Adeye Lu is alive?”

The aide blinked under the cold voice, nervous.

“Yes. I heard he showed up at his mansion recently, looking like a beggar.”

Hearing that, Duke Kun slowly curved smiled at the aide. The aide had served him long enough to know that smile well, yet he still found himself staring, unable to look away.

Those who saw only his eyes thought of the fierce sun, but those who saw his smile called it sunlight. And like trees born to stare at the sun, everyone stared at him.

Of course the aide read his smile as a warning sign.

“That bastard still alive?”

Thunk.

He planted his sword in the floor and kept smiling. The aide took a step back, scared.

Duke Kun had the reputation of someone who smiled a lot, but people didn’t know this. He smiled when he should get angry, and he smiled when he felt annoyed. Now his smile meant murder.

He ran his hand along the blade and murmured as if he was disappointed.

“I should’ve torn his limbs to pieces.”

‎

‎

Chirp~

Somewhere a bird sang, pretty and clear. The breeze was refreshing, the sun felt warm. The armchair I sat in hugged my whole body with cushion, and I almost fell asleep right there.

But I couldn’t sleep. I had been in hell not long ago. The memory of hell still felt vivid, so I couldn’t enjoy this calm.

If I get used to this life, I might admire the pretty view, sip tea slowly, read books, and chat with people. The thing I must guard against most is this comfort.

The moment I sink into Tubain’s life, betrayal will sprout inside me.

Is it right to risk this beautiful place for a world that might die soon? I asked myself.

Fuck, danger comes to Tubain, and they must not close the Eye of Hell for that? Sacrifice our world for them?

“That’s the right choice for the majority, they said.”

When I read the scroll’s reason for betrayal, Doctor Kim said in rage.

“My family and friends are all dying, so I’m not moral enough to chase justice. My goal is clear. Whatever happens to Tubain, saving my world comes first.”

She lived here longer than the traitor, but she didn’t forget her purpose.

“If they hadn’t opened that portal, Tubain would’ve handled its own mess. Even if monsters cover it again, they can find ways themselves.”

“Lord Lu, is the tea not to your taste?”

A voice interrupted my thought. A young maid arrived and I almost stood and bowed. My ass twitched up. Mo caught me fast.

[Don’t do that greeting.]

I flinched, pressed my butt back down, and grumbled.

‘Don’t nag me.’

[Remember Doctor Kim’s advice.]

Oh yeah, that advice. After she learned about the traitor, Doctor Kim begged me again and again.

‘The traitor won’t know we exist, so keep hiding. Don’t let rumors spread that Lu changed. Watch your behavior.’

I can watch out, but pretending to be Lu is hard. Mo offered lines for Lu.

[1. Can’t you tell? I only drink tea that tastes right! Why are there no young men here?

2. Huh, what are you staring at? (rubs between his legs with his hand, like showing off to a rival.)]

Oh my god, the crotch thing. Seeing the maid as a rival is one thing, actually doing pervy stuff in front of her? Really?

[Adeye Lu treated everyone except elders and kids as rivals and stayed wary.]

What a lunatic. I sighed and turned my eyes away. I hesitated because I couldn’t actually do that bit, and Mo warned me.

[The maid shows more than eighty percent suspicion and wariness.]

Fuck.

“Can’t you tell? Are you blind or what? Then go to your room, put a hot towel on your eyes, flop down and nap, got it?!”

“…Yes? You mean rest?”

[The maid’s suspicion increased.]

She’s way too suspicious. Now what?

[Rub your crotch…]

Shut up. I shouted at Mo and pressed my palm to my forehead.

“My head hurts since I was almost killed by a monster. Don’t worry and get lost.”