"Ugh, ughh."
Dark Mage Rupellan staggered backward.
His chest pounded wildly.
Fear surged up within him.
He wanted to run away right now.
But that was impossible.
Step, step.
It was because of the silver-haired knight, Haviel, slowly approaching before his eyes.
His gaze showed no openings whatsoever.
'If I try anything at all, he'll cut me down immediately.'
The dark mage sensed it instinctively.
The moment he tried to flee, the sword would come flying.
He absolutely couldn't dodge or block that sword.
Not to mention counterattacking.
Because his mana was depleted.
'To think he'd handle the enhanced ghouls like that....'
He'd never dreamed of it.
They were ghouls created using all sorts of reagents and black magic.
They'd undergone special processing over a hundred days and nights in a custom-made magic circle.
The enhanced ghouls boasted strength on a completely different level from ordinary undead ghouls.
Their steel-hard skin repelled even axes.
Their movements were swift and quick like the wind.
They even possessed a degree of intelligence on their own.
The ferocity based on that intelligence was so chilling that even he, their master, often felt uneasy.
In other words, the enhanced ghouls were perfect murder weapons and his ultimate weapons.
But what was this silver-haired knight in front of him?
What kind of being could slice through fifty enhanced ghouls with a single sword stroke, reducing them to rotten chunks of meat?
"You! What the hell are you!"
It was infuriating.
Veins bulged on the dark mage's neck.
"What kind of bastard are you to come here causing trouble!"
Fear, injustice, and desperation mixed together, spilling out in random shouts.
At the same time, it was a cry of despair.
He sensed it too.
That he would die soon.
'I don't want to die.'
He wanted to live.
There was research he desperately wanted to succeed in.
He had to see it through to the end.
Only then could he revive his lost family.
Only then could he reclaim his once-happy past life.
That was what the dark mage had steadfastly believed as he endured.
In his eyes, the slowly approaching silver-haired knight looked like the grim reaper himself.
Step, step.
Haviel's footsteps closed the distance one step at a time, steadily.
There was no hole to escape through, no room to counterattack.
He didn't even speak a word.
There was no sign of negotiation possible.
That fact drove the dark mage into panic.
"Stop! Don't come closer! Don't come closer!"
He shouted desperately, but it was useless.
Killing intent rose in the silver-haired knight's blue eyes.
His sword gleamed as it sliced through the air.
Swoooosh!
"...Hiiik!"
The dark mage squeezed his eyes shut.
It was at that moment.
"Haviel, stop."
An unexpected voice rang out.
At the same time, a light breeze brushed his nape.
Whoosh.
"...!"
Had his head been severed?
The dark mage cautiously opened his tightly shut eyes.
And he gasped once more.
He belatedly realized the silver-haired knight's longsword had stopped just an inch from his nape.
"Huh, huup!"
His legs trembled.
His knees buckled.
Then, a voice like a lifeline came again.
"Don't kill him yet, Haviel. We have business first."
Who was that?
The dark mage's gaze shifted toward the voice.
Soon, he spotted a black-haired man.
Lloyd smirked as he met the dark mage's eyes.
"I've got business with this guy, so put the sword away first."
"Understood."
Haviel's sword withdrew.
The dark mage let out a belated heavy breath.
Lloyd approached the dark mage.
"Hey. You okay?"
"...."
They'd been trading sword strikes and curse magic just moments ago, and now he asked if he was okay.
But the dark mage didn't find Lloyd brazen.
After all, this man had spared his life.
The dark mage answered cautiously.
"Phew, phew... I-I'm fine. In any case, thank you for showing mercy."
"Mercy, my ass."
Lloyd smirked.
It wasn't because he liked him or anything.
He'd kept him alive because there was something to squeeze out of him down to the bone.
Simple as that.
What had come before was time for punishment.
Now would be time for exploitation.
A feast of fishing and toying would begin.
Recalling his cunning plan ahead, Lloyd said,
"Mercy. I'm not that nice a guy."
"...."
"Anyway, you kidnapped my soldiers. Stole all the construction materials too. Right?"
"Mm, you mean the ones brought here a few days ago?"
"Yeah. They still alive?"
"Of course."
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"Good thing. I was gonna kill you if even one was harmed."
Lloyd grinned.
The dark mage's eye twitched slightly.
"Uh, um... Sorry about that."
"Sorry? With words only?"
"Of course not."
The dark mage hurriedly shook his head.
"I'll release them right now. Mind if I move a bit?"
"Go ahead."
Lloyd gave permission.
The dark mage cautiously stood.
He went to one side of the lab and pulled a lever.
Clank! Clunk!
Several metallic sounds rang out.
Then, the wooden wall on one side of the lab opened entirely.
The prison facility hidden in the space behind it was revealed.
"Tsk tsk."
Lloyd frowned as soon as he saw inside the prison.
He had reason to.
"Our guys are all skin and bones."
And indeed, the soldiers looked in poor shape.
The ten sent back to the territory for insulation materials.
Another ten who seemed to have been sent additionally from the territory.
All twenty had apparently been starved properly, with sunken eyes and hollow cheeks.
"S... Sorry."
"You know you're sorry? What if one of them died like that."
"...."
"Now I'm getting curious. You a pervert or something? What were you planning to do locking them up like that."
"T-That's...."
"Be honest. Looks like there's a story behind it."
"...."
Lloyd's tone pressed while strangely soothing.
Was it because of that?
After hesitating several times and licking his lips, the dark mage slowly opened his mouth.
"The truth is... mm, I... was conducting research to revive the dead."
"Revive the dead? Undead?"
Lloyd glanced at the shredded enhanced ghouls.
The dark mage shook his head.
"No, not that. I wasn't researching undead. It's different."
"Different? How."
"My research was truly about bringing the dead back to life. Literally."
"The dead? You mean resurrection?"
"Resurrection... yes. Similar."
The dark mage nodded quickly.
"I wanted to save my family. My wife and children... that's what it was."
"Why? What happened?"
"Yes."
Sorrow entered the dark mage's tone for the first time.
"I was originally just a mage from some ordinary territory. A normal family man living with my wife and kids. I was happy. No, I would have stayed happy. If not for that unfortunate accident...."
"Stop. If you're about to drone on with the details of the accident, cut it."
"...Uh, anyway, I wanted to get my lost family back. That's why."
"You were researching magic here?"
"Yes."
"You're not sacrificing living people as offerings to revive the dead, right?"
"Well...."
"You are."
Lloyd's eyes narrowed.
"And you've already tried it a few times. Right?"
"...."
The dark mage fell silent.
Lloyd's voice grew sharp.
"So you were researching forbidden magic. Must've offered up at least dozens as sacrifices."
"That's...."
"Shut it. Do you even know what you've done?"
Lloyd's voice turned rough beyond sharp.
"Reviving the dead? You think that's possible? Think about it logically, you idiot."
"I...."
"Whatever. Fine. Say, hypothetically. Say your crazy attempt actually succeeded. You revived your wife and kids. Would they go, 'Wow, thanks for saving us'? Hmm, maybe. Birds of a feather, right? At least your wife might."
"Don't insult my wife and children."
"You made them open to insult."
"...."
"Why? Mad? Angry? But you've got nothing to say, right?"
"...."
"Now do you get what you almost did? You idiot. The dead are the dead. If you've sent them off, let them rest in peace. That's the polite thing."
Was it because his parents suddenly came to mind?
Lloyd wrinkled his nose.
The dark mage bit his lip.
"Of course I... know that. But I couldn't forget my beloved wife, my even more lovable children who were dearer than my own life, not even for a moment. How could I send them off so easily? Even closing my eyes or opening them, they keep appearing before me. I can't bear it."
"So you couldn't let them go?"
"My fault. I know. My greed and attachment."
"So, what now?"
"...I'll forget. No choice."
By now, hot tears streamed down the dark mage's face.
Instead of wiping them, he looked at Lloyd with reddened eyes.
"I'll quit this research."
"You will? For real?"
"Yes. Truth is, I... I'm tired too."
"Tsk. Should've gotten tired sooner."
"...I've got no words, even ten mouths wouldn't help. But instead—"
The dark mage turned his head.
Where his gaze landed.
There was a large iron box.
He pointed at it and said,
"I'll give you everything in that box."
"That? What's in it?"
"All sorts of magic reagents and items I gathered for my research."
"Hmm, that stuff's gotta be pricey."
"But I don't need them anymore."
"...Looks like you've really made up your mind."
"Only right, isn't it? Here, I'll open the box for you."
The dark mage approached the box.
In front of it, he bit his index finger.
He pressed the bleeding fingertip to the keyhole.
Blood seeped into the keyhole.
"This is a magically made lock. Only opens with my blood. And only fresh blood from a living state. Any external shock, and everything inside melts away."
As if proving his words, the box clicked open.
Indeed, it was packed tight with various magic reagents, materials, and items.
"This is also compensation for kidnapping your soldiers. Please accept it."
"If you say it like that, gladly."
Lloyd smiled contentedly.
The dark mage gave a wistful smile too.
Only then did he raise his hand to wipe the tears from his eyes.
Behind the sleeve covering his face, his lips curled up.
'Idiot.'
The dark mage laughed inwardly.
To trust him like this.
Truly fortunate.
'Good thing the young master likes acting smart.'
And he was greedily kind too.
Thanks to that, he'd earned forgiveness by pretending to truly repent.
'Fine. I can gather magic items again. Make reagents again. Surviving and escaping here is what matters.'
As long as he lived, he could give up anything.
Then he could start research elsewhere.
Dedicate himself more fervently and complete the theory.
'Then I can revive them. Honey, kids. We'll meet again for sure.'
Just thinking about it made his chest swell.
His heart trembled with longing.
He wanted to leave this place immediately and resume research.
'On an even grander scale. Bolder. Not dozens, but hundreds as offerings. Success rate will rise. After that? I can reclaim happiness. Return to those warm days.'
The dark mage clenched his fist.
And resolved.
He'd fooled the young master enough; time to escape.
Leave naturally with a touching, heartwarming image.
"Then... I'll be going."
"Where to?"
"Not sure yet. Wander aimlessly, maybe farm wherever I end up."
"Yeah. Not a bad idea."
"Thanks. Well then."
The dark mage slightly bowed to Lloyd.
He turned with a wistful, sincere expression.
Or tried to.
It was at that moment.
"Haviel. One question."
Lloyd's chilling words rang out.
"What's the penalty for serial killers as stated in the kingdom's legal code?"
"In cases of repeated killings with clear intent, backed by objective evidence, testimony, or confession, and with ten or more witnesses, summary execution is permitted under the authority of kingdom nobles."
Haviel's sharp reply rang out too.
The dark mage flinched in shock.
"W-What? What does that mean?"
Goosebumps erupted.
Summary execution?
What did that mean?
The atmosphere had been warm just moments ago.
Why had their attitudes flipped so suddenly?
Shing.
Haviel drew his sword.
This was no joke.
The dark mage spoke urgently.
"Why? Why?"
He stumbled back hastily.
He asked Lloyd.
"You're really gonna kill me? Why? Why?"
"Why? Isn't it obvious?"
"Obvious? What do you...."
"Didn't you hear? You're a serial killer."
"...."
Lloyd's gaze upon him.
No trace of the earlier naivety or warmth.
Bitter yet cold.
His heart raced desperately.
"B-But I repented enough... and admitted my wrongs...."
"So?"
"And I shed tears! I cried repenting my sins!"
"Crying ends it? Repenting erases crimes?"
"That's...."
"Hey. Stop with the nonsense."
An incredulous smile appeared on Lloyd's lips.
"I told you earlier. For your family? To revive your beloved wife and kids? Then what about the people you killed? Don't they have families? Lives?"
"...."
"Don't wrap your crimes in fake sob stories. Don't pretend to repent. You think I'd fall for that? You think I haven't seen your type before?"
Lloyd's voice sharpened.
Suddenly, South Korea came to mind.
The news of brutal criminals that popped up every day.
Kidnapping, raping, killing—things not even worthy of being called human.
'But hardly any of them paid properly for their crimes.'
Because of South Korea's trials.
It was bizarre.
Brutal criminals got lenient sentences every time.
Some said they were drunk and it was a mistake.
Others claimed mental illness for diminished capacity.
Or that they were truly remorseful.
All sorts of infuriating excuses for merciful rulings.
He'd wondered every time if they were insane.
Lloyd had seen it dozens of times.
Naturally, he saw right through the dark mage's tricks.
He'd been playing him from the start.
'To get those magic materials.'
Lloyd's gaze flicked to the box.
Truth was, he'd spared the dark mage briefly to obtain that.
That's why he'd come all the way here with Haviel.
So now?
Purpose achieved; the dark mage was no longer needed.
No, he wanted to deal with this scum properly.
'Forgiving him won't change him. In the novel too. He got forgiven by Haviel once, then messed up again and got his head chopped off.'
It happened that way.
So sparing him here?
He'd surely massacre hundreds more elsewhere under the guise of research.
"So, to sum up. No matter how you spin your tale or squeeze out fake tears, some facts don't change. Your nature. Know what that is?"
"I-I...."
"You're a serial killer."
"...."
"And serial killers get punished accordingly. That's justice."
"W-Wait a second!"
"Haviel, do it by the book."
Lloyd turned away.
The dark mage pleaded desperately.
Haviel stepped forward, drawing his sword.
"Knight Haviel Asrahan, by order of Lord Lloyd Frontera, son of my liege, hereby enforces the kingdom's strict law."
Shing.
The sword gleamed mercilessly.
(End of Chapter 39)
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