TOPWL 213

Darion asked with difficulty. Markel scowled.

“Do you think I’d be crazy enough to put that in? I told you it was the herbalist who put it in wrong from the start.”

Darion closed his eyes. Markel had caused this matter. But that too had been an action for his sake. He saw Markel’s figure ruined by interrogation. Darion fell into thought. Whether Yudit survived or not, Darion was a dead man anyway. He had made up his mind to take everything upon himself and die.

“Markel.”

“…What?”

“You don’t say a word.”

Markel, who was chewing bread irritably, turned his eyes toward Darion.

“I’ll carry it.”

“……”

No words came from Markel. Darion deliberately didn’t ask further. A bird chirped outside the window. It was a long night.

***

Through the continued interrogations Darion didn’t utter a single word about Markel. Markel didn’t even say thanks to Darion. Since Darion hadn’t done it to hear thanks, the prison stayed quiet. In that time the people around Darion finished their interrogations one by one and returned to their original duties. But Markel couldn’t return because he was known as Darion’s close friend.

Darion, who fell asleep while listening to Markel’s grumbling, woke with a start at the sound of the iron door opening. The soldier who had been bringing food and water stood at the door holding up a lantern. He spoke with a grave face.

“The Commander… has passed.”

At those words Darion felt something inside him snap. He let out a beastlike sound. No reaction came from Markel. The soldier looked coldly at Darion.

“Darion. You will be executed in one hour for the crime of killing a royal. The execution will be held in private.”

“…Understood.”

The soldier turned and left after saying what he had to say. Darion’s legs gave way, and he collapsed where he stood. He didn’t cry. Darion roughly rubbed his face covered in bristly beard. Countless thoughts crossed his mind.

“Darion.”

Markel called Darion’s name in a calm voice.

“Did you really never mention my name during interrogation?”

“…Not once.”

Darion spoke in a bitter voice. Since he decided to take the blame everything, Darion had been more careful in his words and deeds. That much he could be sure of. Markel sighed with relief. Since Markel said nothing more after that, Darion was able to retrace his life for the hour that remained.

What if he hadn’t answered Noban’s call? What if he had lived farming under his farmer parents? Though he was a little slow, he was strong and big, so there had been quite a few women who showed interest in him. Maybe he would have married and had a child or two.

But it was a useless thought. The deed was done, and his life had barely ten minutes left. As he reflected calmly on his life, Darion recalled at last that he would be executed for the crime of killing a royal.

“Markel.”

“What?”

Markel’s voice was strangely cold, but Darion, pressed by his own thoughts, didn’t notice. Darion handed Markel a bundle from his pocket. Markel, locked in the cell beside him, looked at it in puzzlement.

“It’s the pay I’ve saved. If you can, take half for yourself and send half to my parents.”

For killing a royal, if it was the Emperor, three generations were executed, but for a prince, only the offender himself was executed and his property confiscated. Then his parents, who survived on the wages he sent, wouldn’t last the winter. At Darion’s desperate plea Markel accepted it.

“Thanks.”

Darion felt relieved. That was peace of mind. Markel was a trustworthy friend. Even if not, since he owed him, he would do it somehow, Darion thought in faith. Markel, holding the bundle, lowered his head while gripping the bars. His body trembled faintly. Thinking he might be crying, Darion lifted his head, and his face stiffened. Markel was laughing.

“Ha, ahaha! Damn, I can’t stand it, it’s too funny.”

“…Markel?”

Markel, who had laughed madly for a while, suddenly lifted his head. His eyes shone with madness.

“Darion. You know what?”

Markel thrust his head toward the bars and twisted his mouth.

“You’re the greatest fool in the world.”

“…What?”

“A brainless brute with only strength. I hated you from the start.”

Darion stared blankly at Markel. Had he eaten madweed? Or had he gone mad from fear of death?

“Markel?”

“Shut up! Don’t you dare call my name carelessly.”

Markel spoke in a growl.

“How dare a lowly commoner keep saying Markel, Markel. Do you think it was everything just because you became centurion first? The timing was wrong, that was all, I’m far superior.”

“……”

“I can’t endure you, you disgust me.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes! Who the hell are you to pity me and mock me?”

“…When did I ever do that?”

“When my parents died! You said it then. You said you would take care of me from now on. You treat me like that, saying even leeches sucking blood like mosquitoes are parents too? Who the hell are you?!”

Darion couldn’t believe the situation now. He didn’t even think to get angry, he just stood still and listened to Markel’s words. When Markel, who had spewed abuse, panted for breath, Darion quietly asked.

“Then why did you stay friends with me until now?”

“Because you were stupid and obedient, so it was convenient to keep you close. Since you were slavishly obedient to my words, it was easy to use you. Look at this, in the end you’re dying for me. You didn’t even open your mouth once with my name!”

Markel, who laughed in snickers, looked like a demon. Darion glared at him with contempt.

“What will you do glaring at me like that? Right before execution if you tell, it will only look like you’re thrashing because you don’t want to die alone. Who will ever listen to the words of trash like you.”

Darion realized the reason Markel only spoke now. He had been waiting. Until he was safe. Darion had no strength even to get angry. Everything felt futile. His life was only for something like this…

At that moment the footsteps of soldiers were heard again. Markel, who had been mocking him to his fill, suddenly closed his mouth. Soon the iron door opened. The soldier who was always alone this time brought two more.

“Stand up.”

Darion obeyed the order and stood. The soldier checked the cuffs and inserted a key into the keyhole. With a clank the key turned and the door opened.

“Step outside and stand.”

When Darion stepped out, two soldiers grabbed his arms from both sides. At that moment Darion looked back. Markel gripped the bars and looked at him with an eager gaze. He seemed to want to see him raging and thrashing. But Darion didn’t want to give him that. Darion turned his head back again.

“Didn’t you have something you wanted to say?”

“…No. I don’t.”

“Then let’s go.”

When he finished speaking, the soldier covered Darion’s head with a black cloth. The cloth was thick and pitch black so he couldn’t see an inch ahead. Darion turned his head this way and that to breathe a little more easily, but finding himself ridiculous, he stopped. Darion climbed the stairs slowly. In the distance the sound of the iron door closing echoed in his ears.

***

“Haa.”

Markel, just out of prison, breathed in the fresh air deeply. In only a few days the wind had turned cold.

After days of interrogation but with no special charges found, Markel was released two days after Darion’s death. The mood in the army that had lost its commander was nothing but grim. And it was lax. Even a soldier just out of prison could find a gap to send off a carrier pigeon.

Markel, who watched the bird fly off, whistled. Everything had gone according to his plan. The prince was dead, and Darion was framed. Now he only had to find a gap during the next battle to slip away. He would hide himself in the West for a while, then when Reginald became Emperor he would return and receive a title.

Although his childhood had been miserable, now only a bright future awaited him. A rich and noble life. Markel had no doubt he would live such a life.