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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 194: Miruam Elizabeth El Rath (6)

Chapter 194: Miruam Elizabeth El Rath (6)

Our​ continent full of⁠⁠ demonic beasts and​ demonic spirits was​ so wide that‌ many areas were‌‌‍ out of the⁠‍ legal reach of‍ the central law​‍ system.

The⁠ tyrannical reign of​‍ local authorities in​ small societies was​ very commonplace and⁠ the role of‍ JPs was to‌‍ be the legal‍​ authority in areas​‍‌ like that.

They‍⁠ had tremendous power.​⁠⁠ Like the secret​⁠ royal inspectors of​ the Joseon dynasty,​ they had the‍​​ right to carry‌ out private investigations,‌​ revise, and give‌ out punishment on​‌‌ the spot.

And‌⁠ thanks to that⁠ authority, the narrow‌‍ canyon had quickly​‍​ shifted from a battlefield to a court.

No‌​ one could deny‌‌ Korin’s right as‌⁠​ the Justice of⁠‌ the Peace to⁠‌⁠ carry out a trial with enough⁠ justifications in place.‌⁠

“Defendant,⁠‌ Ku Shee. Step​ forward.”

He,⁠⁠ who had been⁠ watching everything unfold⁠ from behind while‍ I was stopping‍‍ the army, obediently​‌ followed my command‌​‌ as the judge.⁠​

The‌ name of his⁠ crime was the⁠‌ attempted assassination of​​‍ the princess. Previously,​⁠ it was the‌⁠​ entirety of Dana‌ Shee that had⁠ been charged for​‌ this, but it‍⁠ was now limited‌ to one single‍‍ werewolf.

“I‍​⁠ am not going‌ to beat around⁠⁠‌ the bush, because‌​ I prefer trials⁠⁠ to be short​ and concise as‍⁠⁠ the Justice of‍ the Peace. ‘Citizen’‍ Ku Shee. You​ have attempted an‌​ assassination of the⁠‍​ 2nd Princess of​⁠‍ the El Rath⁠ Kingdom, Miruam Elizabeth‍​​ El Rath. We‍‌ also have a witness.”

Right‍​⁠ now, I was​ the prosecutor getting‌ Ku Shee to‍‍⁠ admit his crime.‍⁠⁠

“Witness!‌​ Korin Lork!”

The‌⁠‍ prosecutor called for​ a witness, who​‌‌ happened to be‍ the prosecutor himself.⁠​ It might be⁠‌ weird, but no⁠‍ one could say‍​ anything about it,⁠ because it was​ widely known that​ I was the‍​​ one who saved‍‌‌ the princess.

“I,​‌‌ as the witness,⁠​​ saw the scene​ of the defendant​‍⁠ trying to inflict⁠‌⁠ harm on Her‌ Highness the princess.​ Do you admit⁠ this, defendant?”

“…I​ do.”

“That​ solves things then.​‌ Now that the​‍​ defendant has admitted‍ his guiltiness, I as the judge—”​‍

“What⁠ kind of… skit​⁠‍ is this?”

I turned to Miruam,‍ the victim who‍‍ walked forward while‍ gritting her teeth.⁠​

The⁠⁠ man who had⁠‍⁠ been trying to⁠ protect demi-humans until​‍ then was now⁠​‍ on trial with​‌ one of those​ demi-humans. Yes; it‌​‍ was true that​ it might be​‌ a bit questionable⁠‍‌ – if this⁠​​ was in the​⁠ modern-day court, I would have been⁠ accused by the‌‌​ lawyers of conflict​​ of interest and‍⁠‌ whatnot.

“I‍⁠ am the only‍ judge here at‌ this moment and‍⁠⁠ am accurately adhering‌ to the legal‌⁠‌ procedures. Your Highness.⁠‍⁠ I ask you‌‌⁠ to respect the⁠‌ formality of the‌‌ Kingdom’s law.”

Miruam​ shivered in fury,‌⁠‍ swallowing words of‌⁠ criticism against me.‌ However, she was‍‌ probably aware logically‌⁠​ that this seemingly‌‌‌ pathetic justification was​ in fact a checkmate for her.‌⁠

Now‌ that I was​​ pushing forth the‍‍ legality of things,‌‌ there was only⁠ one option left‍ for the army⁠‌‌ which had gathered⁠ to annihilate Dana​⁠ Shee and Mound‌⁠⁠ for the attempted‌​​ assassination of the‍​⁠ princess.

“Your‍ Highness… Korin Lork’s‌⁠ actions… are very​ lawful as a Justice of the​ Peace.”

They⁠​ had no option⁠ but to stop.​

The⁠ ‘attempted assassination of​⁠⁠ the princess’ was‌⁠‌ the only justification‌‌⁠ the army had⁠⁠​ for annihilating the‌ demi-human union. Now⁠‌​ that the suspect⁠ admitted his own​⁠ crime, it was​ impossible for them​‌ to directly attack‌⁠‍ the demi-humans of​⁠‌ Dana Shee.

In‌ the last iteration,​‍‌ Miruam was able‌‍​ to wipe out‌⁠⁠ Dana Shee because⁠⁠ Mound wasn’t able‌ to go through‌​ those procedures. They​‌ had been non-citizens,‍⁠ without the right‍⁠ to even ask​​ for a trial.‍‍⁠

However,‍‍​ the 3,000 demi-humans​‌ of Dana Shee‌​ were now officially​ citizens of the​‍⁠ Kingdom who had​‍‌ the right to⁠ defend themselves in‍ a trial. Killing‌ 3,000 citizens of​⁠⁠ the Kingdom without‌ a rightful cause‌​​ or legal procedures?​‌ That was impossible​ even for the⁠‍⁠ King himself.

“He’s​ a traitor… Korin‍‍ Lork has committed⁠ treason.”

“He…​​​ has Legal Immunity,​⁠ Your Highness.”

Right.⁠ Everything was a part of my⁠ plan.

Buying‌ time, we had⁠ to pass the​​ bill for the⁠‌​ demi-humans to become​‌ official residents of‍ the Kingdom, after‌‍‍ which I could⁠‌⁠ hold a trial‌‍‌ for them.

The‌ army was comprised⁠‍​ solely of soldiers,⁠ so I was​⁠‍ the only one⁠⁠⁠ with the right⁠ to hold a trial. I was​‌‍ the prosecutor, the‌ witness, and the⁠‍ judge. Not to‌‌‌ mention the suspect,​ Ku Shee, had​‌ no plans of⁠⁠⁠ defending himself on​ top of that.‌⁠⁠

And​⁠‌ to those that⁠⁠ might say I didn’t have the​‍​ qualification to act​ as a JP⁠‌​ as a traitor…‍ Unfortunately for them,⁠‌ I had Legal‌‌ Immunity and an‌‌ official proclamation from‌ the King that‍⁠ he would pardon⁠‌ any sin I may commit.

The‍⁠​ justification was purely⁠ on my side.⁠‍⁠ In this war​ of justification, a small victory was‌⁠ all that was‍‍‌ needed.

“I,​ the judge, announce⁠⁠‍ the confinement of​‌⁠ Ku Shee, for​​⁠ an attempted assassination⁠ of Her Highness,‍⁠ Princess Miruam.”

That⁠‍‌ small victory was​ what led to​‍ a great difference.‌‌​

“Also,​⁠​ the private organization‍ of Mound is‍‌‌ to head to‌⁠‍ the federal court⁠ and defend themselves‍⁠‍ against the charge⁠⁠ of being the​⁠‍ power behind the‍‌⁠ attempted assassination.”

It‌​‍ was a checkmate.‌‍‍

“…”​‍⁠

The‍‍⁠ trial was over.⁠ Ku Shee would‍ be sent to‍‍ the royal capital​⁠ and would receive‌⁠​ his punishment for​​ the attempted assassination⁠⁠ of the princess,‍​ and what he‌ committed 10 years‍​ ago.

That‌ was the end​​ of the official⁠⁠‌ account of this​​ incident.

There‌ were, however, some⁠ unofficial things happening​ in secret.

***‌‍

That⁠‍ night after the‌ marriage was decided,⁠⁠ she confessed her‍‍ situation.

“Revenge.​ That’s been my​‌ sole desire from​⁠⁠ that day 10‌ years ago.”

The‌‌ motive behind her‌‍​ revenge was a simple one that‌ anyone could understand.‍‌‌ Her mother was‍ murdered; her nanny⁠⁠ and all the⁠ maids of the⁠ palace that had‌‍ been next to​ her as a big family were​‍‍ all killed, and⁠⁠​ she became crippled.​​‍

Because‍​​ they were killed‌⁠⁠ and because she‌​⁠ had to live‍ her entire life‌ as a cripple.‌‍

Her⁠ revenge was therefore​‍‌ extremely valid and‌​ reasonable.

“Will⁠‍‌ you help me,‍ Knight Korin?”

“Well…‍ I would like‌⁠‍ to help out⁠‌ as the husband.”⁠⁠

I misjudged it.

I should have talked​‌ about it with‍ her then.

Little⁠ did I know‌ the extent she⁠ would go, all‍‍ for the sake​​‌ of her revenge.‌

………⁠

……⁠‍

“Fuck.”‌⁠

The‌‌ survival of Dana​ Shee and Mound⁠⁠ was an important⁠‍ element of the‌ end game because⁠‍⁠ their survival was⁠ linked to another⁠⁠​ group being added​⁠‌ to the player’s​ allied factions.

Their⁠‍‍ survival and putting‍​ a stop to‌ Princess Miruam’s revenge‌⁠‌ were important not‌ only for Princess‌ Miruam and the‌‍ innocent demi-humans but​​ also for the​​ ending.

“How…‌‍‌ did she find⁠​ out?”

Miruam​ suddenly attacked Mound.‌⁠​ It was much​⁠⁠ faster than the‌‌‍ original storyline; she‍ made up her⁠ justification in the⁠ blink of an​‍‍ eye while ‘we’‌ were gone and⁠ carried out her‌ actions.

After‍‌ dealing with what​‍ we had to‌⁠‌ do at the​‌‌ time, we quickly⁠ came back upon​‌‌ hearing the sudden‌⁠ news about the‍⁠⁠ war against Mound‌‌ but… by that‍​‍ point, it was‍‌‌ already too late.​‌​

“Bro.‍‍‍ This is already‍‍​ over.”

I was overwhelmed in‌‍ helplessness at the‌‌ sight of Dana⁠ Shee reduced to​​​ ashes.

“Why…‍⁠​ did this happen?”⁠

“Well.​​ Princess Miruam doesn’t‌‌ know who the‌ culprit was.”

We‍‌‍ didn’t know who​​ the culprit was⁠​ either because Miruam’s⁠ target for revenge⁠​ in the game⁠‍ was just lumped‌ up as demi-humans.⁠⁠‌

Apparently,​ she started off‌‍ by telling Mound‍ to hand over⁠⁠‍ the culprit behind‍‌ the tragedy 10‍​‌ years ago. However,​⁠⁠ Mound retaliated against‌ the princess and⁠‌ the army. None⁠​ of them trusted‍‌​ the Serpent Princess,​ who had been‌⁠​ hunting them for​ 10 years, enough​‌ to hand over⁠⁠​ one of their​⁠ allies.

“Ha…⁠ Haha… Fuck. Fuck.”‍​‌

But​ did she have⁠⁠ to kill everyone‍​‌ because of that?​⁠⁠ Simply because one​ of them must⁠ have been the‌‍‌ culprit?

She​‍⁠ was crazy.

She⁠ ended up going‌‍ crazy.

She​⁠ was already too‌‍ encroached in hatred‌⁠ and revenge.

My⁠‌‌ legs almost failed‌​ me, but what‌ kept me standing⁠‍ was the sight⁠​‌ of a young‌‍ werewolf child quarreling‌⁠‌ with a soldier⁠‍‍ of the Kingdom.​​⁠

“Huh?​‌⁠ There was a survivor. Bro? Where⁠ are you going!?”‌‌

Ignoring​​ Park Sihu, I walked towards the‌‌ child.

“Go⁠ away…! Go away…!”⁠‌

The‍⁠‌ little boy who​⁠ was half my‍ size was hugging​⁠​ something wrapped up‌​ in a towel⁠ that was even‍ smaller than himself.​ The soldier was⁠ looking at him⁠ as if the‍ little boy was‍⁠ a nuisance.

“This‍⁠ disgusting little wolf.⁠‌ How dare you…!”‍‍

“Enough.”‌​‌

“Huh?‌‌​ Prince Consort? What⁠​‌ brings you…”

I stopped the soldier​‍ and made him‌ step away from⁠⁠ the boy, but‌ the boy appeared⁠ to have sensed⁠ that I was‌ the husband of‌‍‌ the princess who⁠ destroyed this place.‍‌‍

“You…!​ You are also‌​‍ on that serpent’s‌⁠ side! I will‍‌⁠ kill you! I will kill all‌​ of you!”

His‌​ burning eyes reminded‍⁠⁠ me of Miruam.‍⁠‍

How​ similar were the⁠‍‌ hateful eyes of‌⁠⁠ those who lost⁠⁠ their loved ones?​⁠ And why hadn’t​‍ I sensed the‌‍⁠ deep sense of​‌⁠ hatred lying within?‌

This‌ boy perhaps wouldn’t‍ be able to​⁠ forget his goal‍​​ of revenge for​‌⁠ the rest of‍‌‌ his life, just‍‍ like how Miruam‌‌‍ was. He might​ even put his‌ life on the⁠‍‌ line, and carry‌⁠ out revenge even​​⁠ if he had⁠​​ to lose his​​⁠ life in the⁠​​ process.

Taking⁠⁠​ revenge against a murderer and a nemesis was a very natural thing‍⁠‌ to do, so​​‍ this hatred would‍‍ again lead to⁠ more hatred in‍⁠ an unending cycle‍​ of revenge like‌⁠ a plague.

“Fuck.”‍‍‌

“Prince​​ Consort?”

“Not‍⁠‍ anymore.”

I had to cut⁠ the line of‍ revenge.

I should have done⁠‌ so.

***⁠​⁠

That‍‍‍ night, after the‌ army against Mound‌ and Dana Shee​‌ became pointless just‍‍ from a single‌​‌ person, I went‌‌‍ to visit Ku‍​⁠ Shee, who was⁠ bound with a rope for formality’s‌ sake.

“Fairy​⁠⁠ King.”

“You​ look more relaxed​⁠ than I thought.”‌

“Is​​ that so.”

The‍ silver wolf… the⁠​⁠ leader of werewolves‌ blankly gazed up‌ at the moon.⁠

“I‌‍⁠ wasn’t expecting a day like this‍⁠ to arrive.”

What‌​⁠ stood out to⁠ me the most‌‍ ever since our⁠‌ first encounter was‍‍ the empty light⁠​ in his eyes.‍‍ He was a werewolf who hated⁠‌ humans, the Kingdom,‌‌ and the Old​​ Faith. He was‌‌⁠ by no means​‍‌ a good person;‌⁠‌ he couldn’t be⁠‍‌ considered one.

“You⁠‍ are most definitely‍⁠⁠ evil and you’re‌ a damn son​‌ of a bitch⁠⁠ but…”

“Not‍​⁠ a nice thing‌‌‌ to say.”

“…But​ it’s not like‌ I don’t understand⁠‍ it. I know⁠ someone similar.”

“The​ Serpent Princess, huh?”​​

I admitted it through‌‍‌ silence.

“The‌ start of your​‍ revenge must have​​​ been due to‌‌ something valid as⁠⁠ well. You lost​‍⁠ your daughter, was‍ it?”

“Yes.‍ The shitheads of⁠‍ the Deadlands kidnapped⁠ my daughter. They‍ tortured her, experimented⁠⁠ with her, and‌‌ skinned her.”

“And‌ is that why⁠​ you killed the‍ previous Queen for‌​‍ being a helper‌​ of the Old‍⁠‌ Faith?”

“…”‍‌

“How⁠ many people did‌‍ you kill based‌‍ on that logic?​ Whether it be‍⁠ the priests of‍‌ Xeruem or their‌‌​ helpers, you saw⁠ them as one⁠‍​ of a kind,⁠​ didn’t you?”

“Is‌​‍ that wrong?”

“Yes.​​⁠ They would have‍‌ had some level⁠ of responsibility but…”‌⁠‍

Why⁠⁠ were demi-humans being‍ ostracized?

It‌‍ was because people​‌ pointed the arrowhead​⁠ of hatred at‌ the entirety of⁠‌ demi-humans after losing​‍ their family or‍‌ friends to one​‌​ of them.

If‍‌​ Marie Dunareff,

Or⁠‌‌ Hua Ran,

If​‌​ they killed someone⁠​ in the process‌‌‍ of becoming a demi-human, would the​ family of the​‌‌ murdered one have‌ forgiven Marie and​‍ Hua Ran?

No.​

Those⁠‌ bricks of hatred‍‍⁠ built up history;⁠ it became a principle of the​ Old Faith that‌‌​ turned itself into‍⁠⁠ a monster. Their‍ hatred became a monster that persecuted‌ demi-humans, who must​ have gritted their‍‌ teeth in resentment​ and retaliated as​ the true monsters‌‌ that humans had​‌⁠ feared them as.⁠‍

It⁠ began with innocent‍ victims, but revenge​ and hatred were‍‍⁠ easy causes of‌​‌ further cycles of‌‌‍ hatred. The things‌​⁠ that had been‌‍ done in the‌⁠‍ memory of their‌ lost family members‍​‌ ended up leading​‌⁠ to evil and⁠ violent actions.

“Then⁠⁠‍ what was I supposed to do?‍​‍ What were we⁠⁠‌ supposed to do?‌‍​ What could we‍ do apart from‍ killing our enemies?”​

“I‌‌ don’t know. I would be a god if I knew that. But…”‌

A serpent slithered in‍‍‌ the darkness. The‌​‍ snakes, who couldn’t⁠ accept this as​‌ the ending, were‌​⁠ moving under the​‍ night sky.

“I‌​ can tell you​ one thing.”

From‌ the veil of‍ darkness appeared a snake wearing a reddish-black dress.

“This‍‍‌ is the place​⁠ where it will⁠‍​ all come to⁠‍⁠ an end.”

………‍​‍

……⁠‌​

Miruam​ stared at me​‍​ with a cold‍⁠⁠ pair of eyes.​‌

“You​​⁠ knew we were​ coming.”

She​​​ had a group​‍‌ of troops behind​⁠‍ her.

“Is⁠ that everyone? That’s⁠‍​ a lot less‍ than I expected.”​‍

“…”⁠‍‌

I knew who these‍ people were.

Kalatin‌ and his three‌​‌ daughters, Rojo, Persia,​‌​ as well as‍​‌ soldiers whose names‌​⁠ I did not‌‌‌ know and priests‍⁠‌ of the Xeruem⁠ Order.

They‌‍‌ were followers of‍ Miruam both in‍‌⁠ the game and⁠⁠ the past iteration​‍⁠ – a group⁠‌‌ that shared the‌ same objective as​‌ her.

All‌‍ of them were‌‌‌ willing to put‍ their lives on⁠​ the line…

“I’m⁠‍ sure you know​⁠ already, but a group that small‌‍ won’t be able‌‌‍ to wipe out‍‍ Mound.”

“I‍‍ know,” she replied.​​ “But that’s not​‌‍ the important part.‌⁠ We don’t care⁠ about our own​‍ lives.”

Kalatin‌‌ the mage once‌​ had a son.‍​ His three daughters⁠ had an older‌​ brother whom they⁠⁠ were proud of‍ – a talented​⁠ young man who‌‌ became a royal​ mage and a teacher of the​ princess at a young age.

Rojo​ once had a younger brother who‍ took care of​⁠‍ the horses of‌ the royal stable.‍​⁠ He used to‍‌ follow the royal‍‌ family around and‌ cater for the​ horses.

Persia‌‌‌ once had a lover. A maid​‌⁠ of the palace,‌‌ who used to‍⁠ talk about the‍⁠ toddling princess as⁠‌ if she were​​‍ her own little‍​ daughter.

Many‍‍⁠ of their lives‍⁠ had been crushed⁠​ apart when Ku​‍ Shee killed Queen​‍‍ Maria and her​ group. And… all‌ of them were‍​⁠ here to finish⁠‍ their goal of​ vengeance.

“Move‍‌ aside, Champion of‍‍‌ the Sun. You‍ know we are‍ going to fail,‍ so let us‍ be. Just watch⁠‍‍ us burn ourselves‍​‍ down.”

“We‍⁠‌ can’t beat you.​ We know that.​⁠ All of us‍⁠‍ do.”

“But⁠ we still have⁠ to do it.​ Because that’s what⁠ revenge is.”

[The‍‍ chimera monster I bring around is⁠‍⁠ something I made​​ using my son’s‌ blood… I know.⁠ I don’t put‍ unnecessary meaning on⁠ it but… Right.​​ It’s just an‍ empty wish of⁠ a stubborn old‌ man.]

[Yo.​⁠ Prince Consort. Did‍‌ you spend a good night with‌ Her Highness?]

[You’re‍ strong. The company​​ of a strong​⁠‌ powerhouse is always⁠​ most welcome.]

Side​⁠ characters whose role​‍ was to simply​ be defeated in‍‍​ the game. It⁠‍ was only in‌​⁠ the last iteration​‍ that I was​​ able to hear‍​​ about their stories.​

I understood their reasons.‌ It was valid‍ for them to​‌‌ aim for revenge.​‌ But precisely because​ their reasons were⁠‍​ right, they had​‍ to end it‌‌ where it was‍ right without going⁠⁠⁠ too far.

“I⁠‌​ won’t let you⁠ activate the ‘Infinity‍‍ Serpent’.”

““…!!””‍

All​ of them were‍⁠‌ shocked by my⁠ words, wondering how‍‍ I even knew‌ about it.

Just⁠ like how the‌⁠ Danann left behind‍‌ countless mysteries on​‍ this continent, there​ were other omens⁠​ of great destruction‌⁠ that could even‌‍​ destroy whole myths.⁠⁠⁠

What⁠⁠ Miruam received from‍​ the Frost Giant,​‍​ through Tates Valtazar,⁠​ was one of‌⁠ those omens. The‌ awakening of the⁠​​ Infinity Serpent, Jormungandr.⁠

Using⁠‍ that world-ending power‍⁠ in the depths⁠ of Dana Shee‍‌‍ would certainly allow⁠⁠ them to crush‍‌​ it to pieces.‌‍

They‌‍⁠ were risking their‌ lives all for⁠‍⁠ the sake of⁠⁠ that one opportunity.‍

Through⁠‌ my marriage with⁠‌⁠ Miruam, I was​⁠ able to hear‌‍‍ more about their⁠ stories. I was⁠‌ convinced that their‍‌‍ hope of vengeance​​ was justified, and​​⁠ I still think‍ that way.

Their​‌ call for justice‍⁠ was very natural.⁠​

And‌⁠ that’s why…

“Stop​⁠​ here. I won’t‌ let you take‍ another step forward.”⁠

“Don’t‍ make me laugh!”​

Unable‌‌ to hold herself‍ back, Miruam yelled‍​ out loud. She⁠​‌ glared at me‌​⁠ with such anger​​ that her eyes‍‍‌ were about to⁠ burst out in​ fury.

“Something⁠​ like this… A skit like this‍⁠ can’t be the⁠⁠⁠ end of my‌‌‍ revenge!”

Ku‌‌ Shee stepped forward‌‌ as if to⁠‌​ fill her vision‌‌ of hatred.

“I​ was the one​⁠ who decided to⁠‌ do it, and​‍‌ I was the‌ one who carried‍‍ it out. I am the one‌‍‍ responsible for it.‌⁠ Princess, kill me⁠‍⁠ and…”

“Shut‍ your mouth! Who​‌ do you think⁠‍‍ you are!? Who​‌ do you think‌ you are to‍ take the responsibility⁠‌ for it all⁠⁠ by yourself!!”

A snake pounced out‍ of her dress.‌⁠ Her snake slithered‌​ through the air‍ and dug into⁠⁠ Ku Shee’s shoulder.‍​

“You⁠ are just the⁠ tail of a snake. This is⁠‌‍ just the beginning…!”‌⁠‌

“Kuhk…!”⁠​

There‍‌ was more than​ just one snake.‌⁠ Another snake rapidly​‍ became enormous after‍​ eating up her‌ mana and pounced‌​ at the werewolf,​⁠‌ trying to swallow‍ him whole.

“Stop.”‍

I cut off the‌‌​ snake’s head to‍ save Ku Shee.​ He couldn’t die​‌ just yet; instead‍‍ of dying in‌ a place like⁠‌ this, he had⁠ to pay for⁠​‌ his sins and⁠⁠‌ receive his punishment.​​

“Korin‌‌‍ Lork…!”

“You‍​ said this was‍‍ the beginning, didn’t⁠ you?”

“Move!”⁠‌‍

“This⁠‍ guy here is‍‍ the son of​ a bitch that​⁠⁠ killed your mother⁠⁠‌ and your family‌ 10 years ago.‍‍‌ You probably don’t⁠ care too much​⁠‍ about the reason.”‍

Even⁠ in the last‌​ iteration, Miruam had‌ killed Ku Shee;⁠ all of his​⁠ subordinates and… And…‍‌​

“And‌⁠⁠ who’s next? The​​ beastmen that support‌ Ku Shee? Or‌ the other elders​​⁠ of Mound? The​⁠ other related personnel?‌‌‍ And what about​⁠ after that? The‌‌‍ citizens of Dana​‍ Shee that benefited‍‍ from the event‍ 10 years ago?​ The followers of‍⁠ New Faith that‍⁠ concealed information about‍‌ Dana Shee? How‌​‍ far will you​⁠‌ go?”

“Everything.⁠​​ I will crush‌ everyone. Only then‌ will this end.”‍

No.‍ It won’t end.​‌

People⁠​‌ who benefited directly,⁠ benefited politically, survived,‍‌ cooperated, and condoned…‍ There was no‌‌ end to it.‌⁠

Miruam​ Elizabeth El Rath⁠‌ would keep moving‍ forward without an‌‌ endpoint just like⁠‍ a runaway engine‌‍​ on a rampage.‍‍‍

All​⁠ the way until⁠​ her own body‍‌‌ was reduced to‍ ashes.

“You⁠ have to choose‌⁠ an endpoint, Miruam.”⁠

“Why‍ should I?”

“Because⁠⁠ otherwise, it will​ create another cycle‌​ of revenge.”

I still remembered that⁠‌​ young wolf boy​ – that child‍​‍ who lost his​ family and had​‌ the same glare‍ as Miruam. Ku‍‍ Shee’s hatred was‌‍ passed onto Miruam,‍‌ and from Miruam​‌ down to the‌ young wolf.

There​‌ was no end⁠ in sight.

“I’m‌​ not trying to⁠​ tell you that​​ revenge is futile​ and you shouldn’t​‌​ do it. Of‍ course, you should‍‌⁠ take revenge. Of‍​ course, you need‌⁠ to punish those‌‌‍ that need to‍ be punished. However,​‍⁠ you need to⁠ follow the rightful​‌ procedures instead of⁠​ swinging your weapon‌ around, hoping to‌‍​ crush everyone it⁠ hits.”

“Hah…‍⁠​ What a saint‍‍ we have.”

Miruam⁠ walked forward with‍ a sneer, and​ stood face-to-face with‍​⁠ me, who was​​​ standing before Ku⁠ Shee.

“My⁠ family was killed.‌​‍ These guys killed​‌⁠ them. Why would⁠‍ I need to​​‍ think about anything​‍ else?”

Squeezing‍ her chest with​ empty yet sorrowful⁠‍ eyes that could‍​ break out into‍‍‍ tears, she asked.​

“Why‍ should I?”

– Shaaa!

A snake jumped out‌‌ of her dress⁠ and wrapped itself⁠​ around my neck.⁠⁠​ It hissed and‌​ showed off its⁠ venomous fangs that‍​ were dripping with‍​⁠ poison.

“Move.”​​‌

“…”⁠‍

“Are⁠​ you… really saying‌‍‍ you will protect‍‌​ the demi-humans? Even⁠‌‍ now…?”

“What⁠​‍ I want to⁠⁠‍ protect is…”

I raised my spear.⁠⁠

A persuasion with words⁠‍​ wasn’t going to​⁠ be enough.

What‍‌‌ I had to‍‍ do was simple.‍‌

“You​‌ are not going‌‌ past me.”

I will crush everything​⁠​ they can do.‌⁠ Trample on all‍‍‍ of their plans‍ and coerce them​​​ into the future⁠‍ I want.

“Get‌‍ rid of him!”​​

I charged towards the‍ marching soldiers. A group this small‍​​ couldn’t do anything.‍⁠

Soldiers‌⁠ flew with every‍⁠​ punch I threw,⁠ and the knights⁠​ couldn’t advance past‌⁠‌ me. Illusion spells⁠ tried to mislead‌‌ me but did​ not work due‍ to my blessing⁠⁠‌ of the Sun.​‌‌

“Just…‌ go away!”

Rojo,‍ who had lost⁠⁠‍ his demonic beasts,‍​ raced forward with⁠​ a single sword⁠‍⁠ in hand, but‍ I used the​ Silver Spear brimming‍​ with dark aura‍‍⁠ to cut off‌ his sword into⁠ two.

Appearing‍​‍ from behind the​​⁠ flabbergasted Rojo, Persia⁠​​ swung his ax‍ but I parried‍‌‌ it with Lan⁠​ Na.

“Kuhk…!”​​

I then pushed him⁠‌ aside. Being a Grade 1 knight,⁠‍ he was also⁠‍​ a tough foe‌‌‌ that wasn’t pushed‌ back that easily⁠⁠​ but…

“Miruam…!”‍⁠‍

In‌ that small gap​⁠ that was created,‍⁠ I ran forward‍‌ to the core​⁠ of their suicide​ plan – the⁠‌‌ snake mage that⁠​ could hatch the‌⁠ Infinity Serpent.

“Korin‍ Lork…!”

Her⁠​‍ vicious eyes of‌‌⁠ hatred were looking‌⁠ straight into my⁠ face. All her‍​‌ snakes that had​⁠ been hiding under‍‌ her dress and⁠ as her hairpin‍ reared their heads‌‍⁠ but… poison didn’t‌‌ work on me.‌​

“Kuuh…!”​‍

Miruam’s⁠ walking stick which​‌ had been supporting‍ her leg turned‌‍‍ into a snake.​⁠

That‌ was her last⁠ resort – the⁠‍‍ ‘Baby Serpent of​⁠‍ Jormungandr’. It was‍‍​ a snake that⁠‌‌ could kill even⁠​‍ gods after becoming‌ big enough.

However,⁠ I was faster.‍‍​ Before that walking​​‍ stick could become‌⁠ a proper snake‌‍ to bite me,‌⁠‍ I could easily​ stab her and‍ neutralize the snake.​

The‌ Silver Spear gleamed⁠ under the moon.‌⁠‍

[Korin.​‍‍ I love you.]‍

“…”‍⁠

But⁠ naturally, I couldn’t⁠​‍ stab her.

I knew from the‍‌‌ start that I couldn’t.

***‌⁠​

Indomitable.​​‌

Korin⁠⁠ Lork closed the‌‌​ distance all too​ easily and could‌ thrust the spear‍‍⁠ in his hands​‍ at her at‍ any time.

No​ one could beat​⁠‍ him.

In‍‌ the end, her⁠ wishes had been​‍​ stopped by this‍​‌ man. Her destiny‌​⁠ and Lia Fail⁠⁠⁠ had shown a future where she​ would be with​⁠​ him so why…‍‌‍

“Huh?”⁠‍

Miruam‌​⁠ let out a stupid mutter, unlike⁠​‌ her usual self.​‍

The​⁠ pain she had⁠⁠ been waiting for⁠‍ didn’t strike her,⁠‌​ and her body‌ was instead wrapped‍ up in warmth.‌​​ The warmth of⁠​ the human body‌‌⁠ was stopping the​ cold night breeze.⁠​

She​ slowly opened her​‍​ tightly sealed eyes.​​‍

“…Knight,⁠⁠⁠ Korin?”

He⁠‍ was hugging her.‍‍ As if his‌⁠ goal wasn’t to​‌ stab with the‌​​ spear in the‍ first place, his​ hands were no‌‌⁠ longer holding onto⁠‌ a spear.

However,⁠ the snake – with venom that‌ could even kill​‍‌ gods – was​‍ biting him.

“…Why?”⁠​

He‍ could have definitely‌‍‍ stabbed her, much⁠‍ quicker than the‌‌ snake could bite​‍ him, so why…‍‌

“I…​​ I can do‍ everything for you…”‌‍‍

The⁠⁠ voice of the⁠ proud knight who​‍⁠ had been standing‍‌ against her as‍ an enemy until⁠‍ now, confident that‍​⁠ he would trample‍⁠‌ on all of⁠ her plans…

“Let’s‍‌‌ stop here. This,‌⁠ this just doesn’t‍ seem right…”

His‌​ voice was unprecedentedly‌​‌ powerless and lacking​ in confidence.

“Let’s…⁠‌​ just end it​‌ here. Please?”

“Why,‍‍​ why…?”

This‍​​ time, her question​‍‌ of, ‘Why?’ Was⁠‍ directed not at⁠‍ herself but towards​⁠‍ him.

Why‍‍ was he going‌​ so far as⁠​‍ to…

[You⁠‍‍ stupid woman… I,⁠⁠‌ I told you​‌⁠ to wait.]

The‍‍⁠ future shown by⁠‍ Lia Fail – in that future,⁠ she saw the‍ back of the​‌​ man filled with​⁠ remorse and regret.‌⁠ What did I tell him in‍‌ response back then,​‌ she wondered.

“Miru…‍​ Miru… Let’s stop‍​‌ here… We can⁠⁠⁠ still stop. We​‍‌ can… end it​⁠ here.”

Despite​‍‌ forming such intricately​⁠ designed strategies, at‍ the very end‌ of everything, this‌ stupid man was‍‌ relying on the‌⁠‍ goodness of her‌ heart.

“Let…‍⁠ go.”

She,‍​​ however, couldn’t push​‌⁠ him away.

As​‌ if she was‍‍‍ broken, she could‌‍ not escape from‍​‍ his warm hug.​‌

However,​‍ she had to​ escape. She had⁠ to quickly get​‌⁠ away from this‍ warm and peaceful‍‌ embrace. Since she⁠ couldn’t do so⁠‍‍ herself… she decided⁠ to rely on​ Lia Fail!

“‘This​‍ is not what​‌⁠ my fate is‍‍ supposed to’—!?”

[Cough…‍‍‍ Fufu, you’re right.​ You’re right but…⁠‌​ I couldn’t. I really… wanted to​​⁠ bear our children.​ I’m… sorry. Blame‌ your mommy…]

“Huh?”‍‌​

Chi…⁠‌ ldren?

[…I‌​​ love you.]

She⁠‍ saw herself in​‌‌ a short glimpse‍ of the future,‌‍

[You​ were my destiny.⁠ Now it’s already​​‍ too late though…]‌‌‍

She​‌​ saw herself confessing‌ her regret after‍ completing her lifelong⁠‍ objective; after losing‍ everything.

It⁠​ was as if​​‌ Lia Fail was⁠ warning her through​​‍ the image of​ the teary man‍ hugging a cold‍‍ corpse, that this⁠ was going to‌‍ be her ‘fate’‌ if she were⁠ to go any‍ further.

A future ever so‌​⁠ cold and heartrending.‌

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