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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 195: Miruam Elizabeth El Rath (7)

Chapter 195: Miruam Elizabeth El Rath (7)

The⁠ army returned.

Now​ that their original‌​‍ justification of punishing⁠ the ones behind​ the attempted assassination⁠ of the princess‌ was of no‍‍ use, the united‌​ army of the⁠‌‌ Kingdom, the Old‍‍‌ Faith, and the⁠​ Guardian Alliance had​ no choice but​​‍ to disperse.

The‍‌ first to go⁠‍ were the guardians⁠ of the Alliance,‌ followed by the‌‌ soldiers of the‍ Kingdom. The believers​​ of the Old‍ Faith scowled and‍​‍ gritted their teeth​⁠‌ but couldn’t do‍ anything by themselves‍​‌ when the Kingdom‌ had already shown⁠ their position by⁠​‍ retreating their army.​‌

“Korin.‌⁠ They all left.”‌​​

“Wow.‍ We can finally⁠⁠ come out~”

Marie​ and Estelle hopped⁠‌ out towards me.⁠ Because of their⁠⁠ social positions, the⁠‌‍ two of them⁠​‍ couldn’t openly show​ their support, so‍‍‌ they had been⁠​​ hiding from the‌⁠‌ eyes of the⁠‌​ army the entire​‌⁠ time.

“Thanks⁠​ for your hard‍​ work. On another​​ note…”

Next‍ was the core⁠ of our plan,‍‌⁠ Lady Josephine, who⁠⁠⁠ tapped on my⁠​ shoulder a few‍‍ times before looking⁠⁠ around the surroundings.⁠‍

“Quite‌ the… damage you⁠ have done to‌‌ the environment.”

Josephine​⁠ clicked her tongue⁠ as she gazed‌ at the completely‍​‍ ravaged canyon. On‍⁠‍ the other hand,​​​ Marie and Estelle‌‌‍ seemed amazed by‍​ the change done​‌‌ to the landscape‌⁠​ and looked around‌ in curiosity.

“It​⁠‍ might be safe‌​ for now, but‍​ there will be‌⁠ follow-ups that need‍⁠⁠ to be dealt‌ with.”

“Yes.​‍ I’m aware.”

The‍​​ army had retreated,⁠​‍ so it was‌ time to deal‍ with Dana Shee‌⁠‌ now. We went⁠ back into Dana‍⁠⁠ Shee and came​ across countless demi-humans.⁠‍‌

“Fair​ King…”

“Korin​ Lork…”

Their​⁠ eyes were all⁠ on me, which‍‌ Estelle explained in‍ a soft voice.⁠​‍

“Most‍​‍ of them should​ be very friendly.⁠ I spread the‍‍ news while helping⁠‍ them as a volunteer.”

“You⁠​⁠ did?”

“Un⁠​‍ un. They need‌ to know who‍​​ it was that‍‍‌ was fighting for⁠‌⁠ them, right?”

She​‌⁠ replied with a wide smile on‌ her face.

“The​ Order will send‌‍ essential supplies after​ this is over.⁠⁠ Of course, it​ will be in​ the name of​⁠ our Fairy King,‍​‌ Finvarra. A job‌‍‍ well done, right?”‌​

“You‌⁠‌ know, I needed​ them to call‍ me a King⁠ here to provide‍​‍ justification behind my‌ actions, but if⁠ they do that‍ elsewhere, that will‌‍‍ be an actual​​​ crime of treason,⁠​‌ okay?”

“It’s‍⁠ just an honorific​‍‌ title~. And a public propagandized image‌​‍ or two is⁠​ a must to⁠‌⁠ rule them properly~.⁠ So it’s a job well done,⁠​​ yes? Yes?”

Well…‍‌⁠ To be fair,‌‌​ ruling them directly‍‍⁠ would be the‍⁠​ best way to⁠​⁠ guide Dana Shee‍‍⁠ down the right​‌‍ path in the⁠​ future. I wasn’t​‍‌ interested in becoming⁠ a leader but…‍‌

“Yeah.​‌⁠ Well done. It‍‍ will be a lot easier thanks‌‌ to that.”

“Right?‌‌ Give me a kiss then.”

“Ehk?”​​

“A⁠ kiss on my​​ cheek~”

“Ah,​​⁠ please! What is⁠‌⁠ wrong with you!”​‌

I shouted in disgust​ but Estelle kept‍‍‌ on clinging with⁠⁠⁠ a smile for‍‌ some reason.

“Noona,‍‌⁠ can you please⁠ save this for​‍​ when it’s just⁠⁠ the two of​ us?”

“Korin?”‍⁠

“Uhmm…​‌ Senior Marie.”

“W,⁠ why am I ‘Senior’, and why​ is Her Highness‌‍‌ ‘Noona’? Is this​⁠ discrimination?”

“What’s‌⁠ wrong with you‍‍‍ now, Senior…”

“…This‍ is making me​⁠ sad.”

“Come‍‍ on, Senior. You’re‍​ not a baby.”​

What‌‌​ is wrong with‍‌‌ these two ladies‌ all of a sudden?

Turning‌ around, I found​​‌ Lady Josephine slowly​​‍ shaking her head.‌‍​

The‌​‌ little quarrel only​ came to an⁠ end once we​⁠ arrived at the‍ conference room of‍ Mound, the Temple‍ of Dagda, with​‌ the intervention of‍‍ another person.

“Look⁠ who it is~‌ it’s our hero.‌‌​ Fairy King, Finvarra.”‍⁠⁠

The‌⁠⁠ Queen of Cats,‌‍‌ Ednar Illusan, walked​​ straight towards us​‌​ before suddenly whispering⁠​ in my ears.‌​

“I⁠ pledged to myself​‌ once again after‍ seeing you this⁠‍‍ time around, that​ I want to​⁠​ tie your limbs,‍‌‌ and eat you‍ up until you‌‍‍ beg and beg‍​‌ for mercy.”

“Umm…”‌​⁠

“You‍‌ know I’m still​‌ waiting for my‌ one-night reward, yeah?‍ I’m looking forward​​​ to it.”

You⁠ mean the… SM‌​ right? Yes, I do remember but‍‍ did you have​‌‌ to say that⁠‌​ here?

“Korin?”⁠​​

“Dongsaeng?”⁠‍

“Student​‌ Korin. Don’t forget⁠‍ you’re still a student.”

“…This​ isn’t what it‍ looks looks like!”‍

Their‍‌ eyes were very​​ cold. Fuu… This‌‌‌ reminded me of⁠‌‍ the pranks and⁠‌‍ jokes Misha used⁠⁠ to make back​‍​ when I was⁠‌⁠ on Earth.

It‍⁠⁠ was a problem⁠ because she kept​​ on making sexual‍ jokes even in‍ front of my​⁠ friends. Both Fujiwara⁠ and Seyoung were‌ giving her a serious look, but‌ Misha never paused​ her tongue of⁠​ destruction.

She⁠​​ was a very‍‌ nice girl but‌⁠ was much more‌‌ open due to⁠‌‌ her upbringing in​ the land of‍ grizzly bears. Despite⁠ how beautiful she‌‌​ appeared when doing⁠⁠ gymnastics, she was‌‍ very different around‍​​ her friends.[mfn]EDMin Note:⁠‍ So after a quick Google search⁠ of “Land of‍​ Grizzly Bears.” I didn’t find much.​ I initially thought‍‍⁠ it was either⁠⁠ Russia or California‍ and then another​ Google search later⁠​ I found out‍ Russia doesn’t have‍ grizzled bears. (You‌⁠ learn something new​ every day, huh?)‍​⁠ So this is⁠ either California, the‍ Northern U.S. including‌​‌ Alaska, or Canada.‌​⁠ But considering that‌ he says she‌ did Gymnastics and‌ Canada has a total of 0 Olympic medals in⁠​ Gymnastics I’m leaning⁠‌‍ towards Korin talking‌‌⁠ about the Northern‌​⁠ U.S. or California.⁠‍​ Anyway, enough rambling‌⁠ about my curiosity‌ on this throwaway​‍‍ line, go enjoy⁠⁠ the rest of​⁠ the chapter.[/mfn]

“Now…‍‌ Let’s go in.”‌‍⁠

Looking‌​ away from the⁠ cold gazes pointing⁠⁠ at me, I entered the conference⁠ hall and saw⁠ the demi-human leaders.​‍‍

Ednar⁠⁠‍ welcomed me with⁠‍ an exaggerated set‍​‍ of movements before‌ asking the crowd.‌⁠​

“Is​‍‌ there anyone who⁠⁠ still refuses Korin‍‍​ Lork as the​⁠ leader of Mound?”‍‍‍

“…”​

“…”‌

None⁠‌ of them could‍​⁠ say anything. They‌ all knew that​⁠‌ I was the‍⁠ one who single-handedly⁠⁠ stopped the army​ and saved them.⁠

“Fairy⁠​ King Finvarra…”

Unlike‌ the first time‌ we met, their​‌‌ eyes were filled‍​ with goodwill and​ awe. Some of⁠‌ them, however, were​ different.

“I⁠ assume it would‍‌ be difficult for‍‍ Sir Ku Shee…‍⁠⁠ to make it​‌ out alive. Is⁠‌ that correct?”

Voiced⁠‌⁠ out one of⁠‍​ the beastmen that‍​‌ used to follow‍ Ku Shee. They‍ could not stop‍ their leader from‌ being dragged away⁠​ from them, but‍⁠​ that was what​​​ Ku Shee himself​‍​ wanted as well.​‌

“He’ll​‌​ probably die.”

He⁠ had killed too‍⁠​ many people. Regardless‌‍‌ of how the⁠‍‍ beastmen thought of⁠​​ him, he was⁠‍ a great sinner‍‍‍ in the eyes‌‌ of the Kingdom.‍

Considering​​ how the future​⁠ of Miruam’s subjugation‍​‍ of Mound was‌‍‌ the set of‍ guerrilla battles led‍‌ by werewolves against‌‌​ the Kingdom, I had to get⁠ rid of any‍‌​ of their questions‌ and dissatisfaction here.⁠‍‌

“The​‍ golden wolves will‍ now be the‌‍‍ ones leading the⁠ beastmen. Ren and‍ Ron – they‍⁠ are pure-blooded descendants‍⁠⁠ of the Wolf‍ King.”

They‍ had been the⁠‌‌ leaders of wolves‍⁠ even in the‌ game and beastmen‌‌ had the tendency⁠‍‌ of assigning a lot of meaning​‍ to bloodlines, so⁠‍​ it shouldn’t be‍​⁠ too big of‌​⁠ a problem.

“Speak​‍ up right now⁠ if you have‍ anything you want​​ to say. I will not allow⁠‌‍ anyone to carry​​ out hostile actions‍ against the Kingdom‍‌ from today onwards.”‍‍⁠

“…”​

Some⁠‍‍ understood Ku Shee’s​​ sacrifice while others⁠ could not, but⁠ regardless of their‌ personal take on‍‌ it, Dana Shee​‌‌ had to obey‌⁠‍ the laws of‌⁠ the Kingdom from​​‌ now on.

“Don’t‌ worry. I will​‍⁠ make sure to​ drive it into​‍ the minds of‍‌ the young ones.”‌⁠⁠

Saying⁠‍ that was the⁠⁠⁠ Chief Elder of‌​‍ Mound, Leprechaun. He​‌‍ was a kind-hearted​‍ shoe-making fairy and‍​ was one of​⁠‌ my supporters from​‍ the very start.‍‍‍

“Beastmen…‌​ To be precise,​‍ the ones that‍‍‍ had been following‍ Ku Shee carrying​⁠ out fights will‌ leave Dana Shee‌ and join my‍ guild.”

“Are⁠​ you… telling us⁠‌⁠ to leave our‍‍​ homeland?”

“It’s​‍ just going to⁠⁠​ be for one⁠‍‌ year. After that,‍‌ you can do‌ whatever you want.‍⁠⁠ I can introduce‌‌ our golden wolves⁠​​ to you in​‍‍ the meantime as​⁠ well.”

Ku‌‌ Shee was from​‌‍ a very noble⁠‍⁠ status for beastmen.‌⁠‌ He was like‍​​ a descendent of⁠⁠ a duke, but⁠​ golden wolves were‌ literally descendants of‍⁠⁠ the King. As⁠‍ soon as I mentioned them, the⁠⁠‍ beastmen also turned‍ quiet and swallowed​⁠⁠ any of their​​‌ frustrations for the‌​ time being.

“Putting‍ that aside, what’s​‌‍ going to be⁠ happening now?”

“There⁠‍ will be an​ official group of‌ messengers coming from​ the Kingdom. They​​ will check the‌⁠ state of the‌ city and talk‍ about taxation.”

“We‌​⁠ are poor. Frankly‍​ speaking, most of⁠ our income comes​​ from working as​‌ mercenaries or through‌ Illusan’s business.”

“Don’t⁠‌​ worry about that.‌‌ We will be​ supporting you for​​​ the time being.”‌

As​ soon as I said that, Marie‌⁠ and Estelle took​​‌ a step forward.⁠

“Firstly,‌​ we will be‌ providing you with​ food. When I had a look,‌ I saw there⁠​‍ was a severe‌​‍ shortage of food,‍ which is probably‍‌ because of how‍‌⁠ hard it is⁠​ to farm underground.”‍

“Hmm?‍⁠ How much are⁠⁠ you thinking of…?”​‌⁠

Leprechaun,⁠‌⁠ who had always​‍‍ been greatly concerned​‌⁠ about the food‌ shortage of Dana‍​‍ Shee, flickered his‍ eyes after hearing‍ that.

“Hmm~.‍ Let’s start off‌​ with 100,000 tonnes‍‌ of potatoes.”

“Hukk!”‌

“H,‍‌⁠ hundred thousand tonnes?”‍

“T,⁠‍​ that much?”

“I‍⁠‌ can find jobs⁠⁠⁠ for you as‍‍‌ well. We are⁠‍‌ always looking for‍⁠ helpers for agriculture,⁠⁠ animal husbandry, mining…​ and also physical⁠‌ jobs like bodyguards​​ for businesses or⁠​ roads.”

Next‍ up was Estelle.‌​‌

“There‍ will also be‌‍ supplies and volunteers‍‍​ coming from the​ New Faith. You​⁠ would know because​ of our previous​‍‌ interactions, but the‍⁠‌ believers of New‌ Faith don’t have‍‌​ a prejudice against‍‍ you guys, so‌ don’t worry about‍ that.”

“Mhmm…‌ If you say​⁠‌ so, Saintess.”

“But‌ Saintess. Remember that​‌ the god we‌⁠ serve is Dagda,​ who has built​​ these underground cities.​‍⁠ We have no‍‍ plans of following‍⁠‍ the god you⁠‍⁠ serve.”

“Ah…‌⁠ Don’t worry about‍ that either.”

Estelle⁠‍⁠ then took out‌⁠‌ the large cauldron​‌​ from behind her‌‌​ back. It was‍⁠‍ the divine artifact‌‌‍ which the world⁠​ knew as the‌ Holy Grail. She​​‌ also took out‌‌​ a large club‌​​ along with it.‌

“T,⁠‌⁠ that’s…!”

Leprechaun⁠​‌ was astonished. Not⁠⁠ only that, but⁠⁠​ the old fairies‍‍ who had lived​ through the era​⁠‍ of gods all​​‍ recognized the cauldron‍ and her club.‌

“That’s⁠⁠ Lord Dagda’s club!”‌​​

“Even‌​ Undry…”

Some​ of them even⁠ got down on⁠ their knees after‌‌​ seeing Undry.

“I⁠‌⁠ met him in​ Mag Mell. I am his descendant,​ and Undry has⁠‌‌ acknowledged me as⁠⁠ its master as⁠ well.”

“Ohh…⁠⁠ So the Saintess⁠ was—”

“A​​ descendant of Lord‍‌ Dagda…”

They‌​‌ were already fond⁠‌ of Estelle, the⁠⁠ Saintess of the⁠ New Faith, but⁠​ now they were‍⁠⁠ even on the‌ verge of worshiping⁠⁠​ her. Estelle grinned⁠​⁠ before locking her​⁠​ arms around mine.​

“And⁠‍ Korin-dongsaeng is the‍⁠ official inheritor of‍‌ Lord Nuada the​‌​ God of the​⁠ Sun, so~ I look forward to​ your missionary work⁠ in the future~!”⁠‌

“Like‍ I said, I’m‍‍​ not going to​⁠ act as a god, okay?”

Things​ went pretty well‌ in Mound.

When⁠‍‌ I went back​​ there after some‍‍‍ time, I found​⁠​ them worshiping me​‍​ as the new​⁠‍ God of the‍⁠ Sun and Estelle⁠ as the Goddess‍​ of the Earth.‌​

***⁠​​

After‍‍⁠ the huge storm‌‌ of demi-human subjugation​ died down without‌​ leading to much‍⁠ of anything, the⁠ capital city was‌ in an uproar⁠‌ for quite a while.

The​⁠‍ resident registration of‌‌ demi-humans, the sudden‍‌​ act of betrayal‌‌ from a hero,​‌⁠ and his trial​ as a Justice‍​ of the Peace.​​‍ There were many​​‌ talks about it,‌ and some voiced⁠ out how my⁠‍ Legal Immunity shouldn’t‌ be permitted and‌​ how the trial​ should therefore be‍‌‍ nullified, however…

‘They’re‌​‌ missing the core‌‌⁠ now.’

Everything‍‍ went wishy-washy since⁠ Miruam, the head‍ of the greatest⁠​ faction of the‍ Kingdom, wasn’t making‌ a move. Seeing‌ Deputy Minister Gorgol‌‍‍ of the Administration‌ department vehemently speaking⁠‍ for the rights‌​​ of demi-humans at‍‌ the royal conference…⁠‌ was rather bizarre.‌

You⁠​​ weren’t that kind‌‌​ of person before,​ were you?

Since‌ Princess Miruam’s faction‌⁠‌ was keeping their‍⁠⁠ silence, everything ended​ peacefully.

The‌‌ royal court was​ satisfied by the​‌‍ fact that they​ could punish Ku‌‍ Shee, the culprit‍‌‍ behind the incident,‌⁠​ and was content‍ without bothering to‍ delve into the⁠ beehive, that was​ Dana Shee.

‘King​‌ David seemed relieved⁠​ as well.’

I had to have‍‌‍ an audience with​‍ King David and​‌​ Queen Asher to‌‍ officially use my‍‌​ Legal Immunity.

『Thank‌‍​ you.』

That‌​​ was what he‍​ said to me‍⁠ back then. He​​⁠ also confessed the‍ truth about what‌⁠‍ happened after Queen​‍ Maria’s death, just​ like he did​ in the last⁠‍ iteration.

『She‌‌⁠ was a rather​‍ extreme believer of⁠⁠‍ the Old Faith.‌ She wasn’t a bad person but…⁠ when she was​‍‍ young, her older​ cousin was killed​‌ by a vampire.』‌

Even​‍ Queen Maria was‌‌‍ also just a part of the‌⁠​ endless cycle of⁠‌‌ hatred.

『Back‌ then, demi-human rights⁠⁠‌ and harmony with⁠‍ them were coming​ to the surface.​ Afterward, Estelle was‍ revealed to be‌ the Saintess of‍​‍ the New Faith​‌ and their harmonious‌ approach to demi-humans‍‌​ only accelerated the​ process…』

『If⁠ I publicized what‌ happened to her⁠ back then… The‌‌ Old Faith would​‌‌ have still had‌⁠ the upper hand‍‌‍ to this date.』‌

As​⁠ a King, he‍‍ was trying his⁠⁠‍ hardest for a harmonious Kingdom with‌ demi-humans and a brighter future for⁠​‍ everyone. What happened‌‌‌ 10 years ago,⁠⁠ was a crucial‍ event that could‍​⁠ render all of‍​‍ his hard work‌‍​ useless.

And‌‍⁠ because of that,​​ he glossed over​⁠​ the incident. Despite‍‌ fully knowing that‌ it would greatly‌ hurt Miruam, he‌ chose not as‍​ a father or‌‌ a husband, but​⁠‍ as a King.‍​‌

After​ an audience with​​ the King, I asked the attendant⁠ to lead me‌‌‌ to the basement.‍⁠⁠

“Can‌​⁠ I visit the⁠ underground prison?”

“Certainly.‌ Let me guide‌ you.”

Following⁠​⁠ his lead, I headed to the​‍ prison located in‌‌ the basement of​ the palace. It​‌ was to send‍‌‍ off Ku Shee​‍‍ one last time‌⁠ before his execution.‌

“Hmm?”‌⁠

When​​‌ I got there,​ I realized there‌‌​ was already a guest.

“Your​​‍ Highness Miruam?”

“…”‍​‍

It‍‌​ was Miruam.

“You‌‌ are here. Fairy⁠‍‌ King.”

Ku‍ Shee greeted me‌ inside the prison‍‌ cell with his⁠​⁠ arms bound in⁠‌ ropes. I glanced‌ at Miruam, who‍⁠ said while glaring‌⁠ at the prisoner‌ with a cold‍ gaze.

“You⁠‍ will die.”

“I⁠‌ know.”

“Your‌ limbs will be‍‍ pulled apart until‍⁠‌ you die.”

“Hanging⁠ was the only⁠ method of execution⁠⁠ permitted in the⁠⁠⁠ Kingdom, was it​‍ not?”

“…”‍

“I’m‌​ just joking. Princess.”⁠‍‌

“You…!”‌

“I’m⁠‍⁠ sorry.”

His⁠⁠​ sudden apology made​‍​ Miruam shut her​ mouth. She wanted‌‍⁠ to speak curses‍⁠‍ and spout about‌​‍ her desire for⁠ revenge but swallowed⁠‌ those words because‍‍ she knew she⁠‌‍ couldn’t do that‍‍​ anymore.

Looking‌⁠ at her, Ku⁠‍‍ Shee continued with​​​ a confession.

“My​ daughter died. She​​ was brutally murdered⁠⁠ and I couldn’t‌ save a single‌​ bone.

“I‌​‍ wanted to take⁠‍ my revenge. I hated the world‌​ and cursed the​⁠‍ humans.

“The‍​‍ priests of the⁠ Deadlands that killed‌ my daughter; those​‍ pigs; the believers‍​ that followed them;‍​ the politicians supporting⁠​ them; and the​‌‍ royal family turning​‌‌ a blind eye…‍‍ I wanted to​ kill everyone – all of them.‌​​ Every day, my‌ only dream and‍⁠ thought was how⁠ I could rip‍​ them to pieces​ and burn their​‌⁠ flesh.

“It⁠​ didn’t even hit​ me that the​​ only thing we‍​​ had accomplished was…​​ spreading the pain​‌‍ and agony to⁠‍ their spouses and‌​⁠ kids. We turned‍⁠⁠ a blind eye​ to it and​ scoffed at them,​ thinking they were‍​ getting what they​‌ deserved.

“I‌ must have passed‌‌ the end at​​⁠ one point. I had crossed the‍‍‌ line.”

Everyone‍ was the same.‍⁠

The‌‍‍ future was non-existent​ to the parent⁠​‍ who lost their‌ child and he⁠‌‍ continued the unending⁠⁠‌ chain of revenge​⁠‌ and hatred.

“All‍⁠ of your anger‍‍ towards me is⁠‍⁠ valid. Sorry. But⁠‌ please… do not‌ harm the innocent⁠ like I did.‍ Do not make⁠‍⁠ the same mistakes‌ I’ve made.”

“…”​⁠

Miruam​ turned around without‌‍⁠ replying to him.​ She probably wouldn’t​ come back anymore.⁠‌

That⁠⁠⁠ left behind Ku‍‌⁠ Shee and me⁠⁠ in this old‌​ prison cell.

“Thanks.”​

“For⁠‍‍ what?”

“Everything.​​ The devotion, love,​​ and mercy that‍⁠​ you have shown.”​

“Sure.”⁠‍

We‍‍​ remained silent for⁠‌​ a while, as⁠​ if both of⁠​​ us had something​​ we wanted to‌ tell each other.‍

“This‌‌ will be our‌​ last time having‌ a chat.”

I was the one​‌‍ who started it​‌ off first.

“That’s⁠‍‌ right. It will‌‍⁠ end with just‍‍ myself, so that’s​​‌ a lot of‍‍‍ spare change on⁠ our end.”

An​‌⁠ attempted assassination of​‍ the princess alone‌‌ was enough to⁠​​ warrant an execution.​​‌ Besides, the incident‍ from 10 years‍‍​ ago was also⁠⁠⁠ being investigated again‌⁠⁠ so after a few more trials,‌‍‌ Ku Shee would⁠ most certainly be‌‌‍ hanged.

I didn’t feel bad‍⁠​ about that because‍ it was the‍⁠⁠ price he had⁠⁠​ to pay for​ his sins. But…‍

“This⁠ was only possible​ because you voluntarily⁠ put yourself on⁠​‌ the line. I will have to‍​‌ thank you for⁠‍​ that.”

“It⁠ is nothing compared‌⁠‍ to the devotion​​ you have shown.”​‌⁠

“The⁠ golden wolves, Ren​​ and Ron, will‌​ be taking your​‍ lead. You’ve seen⁠​‍ them once haven’t​ you?”

“Right.​‌⁠ Even my men‍​‌ would follow them‌‌ without a complaint.”​

“Yeah.”‌​⁠

“I‌​​ have something else‍⁠ that needs to‌⁠ be said.”

He‌‌ collected his breath​ for a bit⁠ before revealing the‌ past.

“Dumnorix.‌⁠ That man came​ to us and‌‌ gave us an​⁠ offer.”

***⁠​⁠

I couldn’t find Miruam⁠ anywhere after leaving⁠​ the prison. She⁠⁠ didn’t even wait‍⁠ for me!

“Looks‌‍ like I’ll have‍ to go looking‍‍​ for her myself.”⁠‌

Since⁠​ I didn’t have‍​ an official invitation,‍‌​ I climbed up​​‍ the walls and‌ tried my best⁠ to avoid the‌‌​ defensive spells of​‌​ the palace.

-Beep!⁠

Unfortunately,​​ I accidentally activated‍​⁠ one of the‌ alarms.

Kuhum,​⁠ it seems that⁠‍⁠ I can’t do‌‍ it like Sihu.​​

In‌​ any case, I continued before landing​⁠‌ on the terrace​⁠​ of the 2nd‍‌⁠ Princess’s palace and⁠‌‍ encountered Miruam, who​ happened to be‍​ on the terrace‌​ for a breather.​

“You‌‌ are looking better​⁠​ than I expected.”‍

“…You’re​‍​ trespassing illegally.”

Perhaps‍ due to the‌⁠‌ sincere apology from‍‍‍ Ku Shee, her​ voice sounded rather‍​⁠ empty and venomless.‌‍⁠

“I’ve​‍​ already committed treason,‌ so they’ll let​​ me off the‍‌‍ hook for this.”‍​

“Hmph…”​‍‌

She​‌⁠ powerlessly leaned on⁠‍ the terrace before​ turning her head​‌⁠ towards me.

“So‌ what is it‍ that you wanted‌​‍ to achieve in​‌ the end? Are​⁠ you just a good-natured person? After‌‌‌ making such a thorough set of‍ plans?”

“I’m​⁠ just a man​⁠⁠ acting out of​​ goodwill.”

“Hah.​‌​ Says someone stopping⁠ an army of‍⁠‍ a dozen thousand.”⁠​

I do admit that‍‌‍ it was rather‍​ risky. It probably‌​ would have failed‍​ if even one⁠ thing went wrong.‍‌

However,​‌ it worked. I believed in myself‌‌ and it worked.⁠‍‌

“It⁠⁠ all began with‍‌​ me saving a girl called Marie.”⁠⁠⁠

I saved Marie Dunareff.‍⁠‍ The reason for⁠​ that was simple;‌ she was a good person and⁠‍‍ I wanted her‌‍​ to be happy.‍

“That​‌‌ was the beginning,​‍​ and I realized​ that helping people⁠‍ made the good​ things come back‌ to me.”

Only‍ because I saved‍ Marie, helped Alicia,‍‍ and protected Hua‍ Ran… that everything‌‌‌ leading up to​‌ today was possible.​⁠‌

Master,‌ Estelle, Lunia, and‌‍‍ Lady Josephine saw‌ what I did,​​ believed in my​ goodwill, and gave​⁠⁠ their whole-hearted support.‌‌⁠

It​‌ was thanks to‍‌ the reputation I built up that​‌ Mound did not​‍ refuse my help.‍⁠ They too would‍⁠⁠ most certainly help‍​‌ me down the‌​‍ line if something‌‌‍ went wrong.

Like​‌⁠ how my way‍‍‍ of life in‌‌ this iteration and​‌‌ the origin of⁠ my goodwill… stemmed‌⁠‌ from Master, who‍⁠‍ protected me with‍ her life on‌‍ the line, I was simply doing​‍ the same.

All‍ this was what​​​ goodwill could do⁠⁠‍ instead of hatred.⁠

“People⁠​‍ are more drawn​‌‍ into provocative and⁠‌ stimulating things like‍ revenge, murder, and‍ hatred. But those‍​ hostile feelings are​⁠ not as commonplace‌‍ as they appear.‌‌

“The​⁠​ case with most​‌‍ people is that‌​​ they act more​⁠​ out of goodwill‍ than hostility. I’m⁠ sure this world⁠​ is full of‍​ countless cycles of‌ goodwill.”

I won’t say every‌​ good deed will​⁠ see a return‍⁠ but…

“It⁠ would still make⁠‌ the world a slightly better place.‍ That’s why.”

“…”​‌‍

Miruam‍⁠ looked at me​ funny. It seemed⁠​ like she was​⁠‌ finding me beyond⁠ help, and looked​⁠⁠ quite lethargic at⁠​⁠ the same time.⁠​

“You…‌ are seriously as​ good-natured as an​⁠ oaf. You are‍​‍ the type of‍ person to kill⁠‍​ an enemy and​⁠ cry.”

“Umm…⁠‌ I’m not that‍ much of a dimwit, okay? I think I’m quite‍ firm.”

“No,​‍⁠ you’re an oaf.‌‍‌ If you view‍‍ someone as your⁠ enemy, you need⁠‌‌ to make sure⁠ they’re dead and​​ throw their corpse​⁠‍ on the streets.”‌​

“Surely‍​ not that much.”⁠‌​

“That’s​⁠‌ what I would‌ have done.”

She​​ grinned before chasing‌‍ me out with‌‍ her hands.

“Looking⁠‍ at you makes​ me question myself.⁠⁠ Go away. I don’t even want‌⁠⁠ to see you.”‍

“Well…‌⁠ the alarm’s going​​‍ off and the‌‍‍ knights are about‌ to come in​‍ so I do​ need to run​ away but… there​‍ is something I need to receive​​ from you before‌‍⁠ I go, Your​ Highness.”

“…What‌⁠‌ is it?”

“I‌‌‌ need my reward‍​‌ for this week’s‍​ mentoring.”

“…Reward?”⁠‍⁠

She​​ asked with a clueless look on​‍‌ her face, and⁠​‌ her expression went‍ through a rapid​ change after realizing‌⁠ what I meant.‌ She dropped her⁠⁠‍ chin as if‌‍ she couldn’t believe​ what she just‌​‌ heard.

“Smile.”‌⁠

“You…!”‍

“I’ve⁠​ worked this hard,‍ so you need​‌ to give me‌ something in return.‌ And a smile​​​ is all I need.”

In⁠‌‌ this iteration; at⁠ least in this⁠‍ iteration.

“Haa…‌‌‍ You really are‌ an oaf. I heard there’s no​​‍ cure for being‌ an idiot.”

I want you to‌ smile.

I want you to‌ smile brightly like​ a fool.

I want you to⁠‍ drop your hatred;‍‌ your revenge and⁠​ show me an​‌‍ innocent smile.

“Stop‍⁠‌ being stupid.”

She⁠‌ was about to​‍‍ go back into‌ her room until​​ her feet came​‌ to a stop.​‍ She then said‍ in a voice⁠‌​ that was evidently‌ much softer than⁠‍⁠ before.

“Right.‍​‌ You were quite‍‍ cool. If I wasn’t the villain,​⁠‌ I might have⁠‌‍ seen you as‍ a cool knight‌ from a heroic​​‌ tale.”

For‌⁠ a while.

For‌ quite some time,‍​​ she had her‌⁠ back towards me‍⁠​ while fidgeting with‌‌⁠ her fingers. She‍​‌ even brought her⁠ fingers to her​ mouth to raise⁠ the corners of⁠‌ her lips.

And,​‍

After‍ being done with‍​ the preparation,

She​⁠‍ turned around.

She⁠​​ smiled brightly like⁠ the most innocent‌ person in the⁠ world.

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