Chapter 256: Heart
hWFPCory admitted it.iHUW
gkpHe felt joy when looking at Laurent’s face.8HYmz
XD8aDkrSometimes, seeing him, he would smile.UXaf
KvPwz03He felt bad for Laurent, but he couldn’t help it. Emotions did not move according to one’s will.irB3z
1hnLsIQAt the corner of Cedric’s lips appeared a crooked smile. That expression resembled Yuri’s, but it was far more wicked.aMCsL0s
8CPmCedric spoke with a voice laced with a light laugh.NEdEsz
E8tyao“I understand you. Rejoicing at seeing someone fall to the same level as oneself is a very human feeling.”uyKxZ
F3Vh4u“Isn’t it rather the heart of a monster?”H2dC
eOAy0q“No, it’s the heart of a human. Cory, you are more human than anyone.”kZT
mPLPmAWhen Cedric extended his hand, Cory unconsciously closed his eyes. However, nothing happened.2vZl
2GaCedric simply caressed his face.GyAC93D
NypDPy“You must have realized it by now, but the world Yuri lives in and the world you live in are different.”w0b
udSgywJThere was no warmth in his touch, but neither was there hostility. With a nearly hypnotic voice, Cedric continued speaking.4LBnhF2
IoZIsk“I intend to change that. Transform the world to make it more complete. So, Cory, would you lend me your strength?”kgag
jcGQ“What do you mean?”m8tJgJF
gSDaE3W“The Power of the Voice of Authority is an interesting ability. If you help me, it will be of great use.”Y1LyM33
roMujCImages passed through Cory’s mind. They were landscapes of the new world Cedric sought to create.cQDrr
tx77f“If you’re with me, you won’t need to become a burly mercenary with a great scar for everyone to respect you. I know you are far more valuable than the useless things in this village.”Wh2gjj8
sFShCory looked at Cedric. In his pupils, something was stirring.mTVeV
8Yli“Doesn’t it seem strange to you? You, who use the Language of the Dragons, and yet, in this reality, those pathetic humans who only know how to plow fields and catch rabbits despise you.”kg68CQB
HCEv“I…”x2r4jZ
ErJyiF“I will recreate this inefficient and unjust world.”NCkIeM
6lgQ“That’s impossible.”KP7Vq
RD3Xi“No, it is possible.”DV9RzI
kwY4pCedric’s pupils widened.CNoN3z
cQxn0DvFacing them, Cory forgot even to breathe. Inside was an unfathomable darkness.ylEub
U9VTtIt was a passage.I7oJ6P
H8zcM3Through Cedric’s eyes, Cory could glimpse the darkness that inhabited his mind. Just looking at it for an instant, it was so heavy and dark he felt his head would be corrupted.vRllPF
H9xCory understood.x4o
XHoFighting an enemy like that was impossible from the start. Yuri could never defeat Cedric.zXZ
Oc8“Now you understand, don’t you?”xUbe
XhwiFcCory wanted to avert his gaze from those eyes, but the dark landscape would not release him.L06FGI
vyUGYkHis body shuddered.xDixE
88K“Come now, answer me.”j9eH3
IyVCedric smiled, closed his eyes, and then opened them. Only then could Cory free himself from the darkness.RYfKcpk
LF53YZ“Join me, Cory.”BB1
rlieCory took a deep breath.Vkw4
pxAIt was a dark night in which the clouds covered the moon.wlX8
67aDnCedric’s clothes blended with the very darkness, as if they were part of it, to the point his silhouette could not be distinguished.S26
ut6XfUOnly his pale face floated in the gloom, urging him to respond.BCN
MTVVFCory could not comprehend his own feelings. That’s why, instead of answering, he returned the question.YnllrW
1DsxSCC“You say you can read minds, but I suppose that’s not always the case, is it?”4J0
eTlX2z“Hmm?”vFwIpov
Mj0kiUY“If it really were, you wouldn’t have to ask—you would already know my answer.”sKsx
pWw9K0“You’re perceptive.”jli
UlldCedric smiled.3aVUh
KLPFJqm“You’re right. I can’t read all of a person’s thoughts. What I can read are their emotions. But just that is enough to see into the heart.”ppL
LArmvE“And what is my heart like now?”7l2o
qUlFHM“The more intense emotions are, the redder they become. Be it joy, anger, hatred—even sadness.”8C6
1eECedric placed his hand on Cory’s chest. He closed his eyes as if savoring something, with a faint smile.0mzfN
dAj“Right now, you’re very red.”vWwQNx
usj“Really…?”69QPk
53hc“I always knew that one day you would be on my side.”39bLZz
qPP“What do you mean?”wmzJCE
5CQc“You are a half-orc. That half of you being orc means you inevitably belong to darkness. Even if water mixes with blood, the blood does not disappear. Believe me, that’s what a master of black magic says.”0mKeQ
ULrNTCedric spread his arms. He embraced him and patted him on the back.QZbWyyJ
VZxu7w“But I want to hear your answer directly, Cory.”NfEep
mLok6GC“I… I…”NYdi
sMXPUN“If you still find it hard to be honest, I’ll repeat the question I asked you earlier.”1cSXe
xHdSIn Cedric’s pupils, Cory could see his own reflection.egMqmOG
eU5Gww“Cory. You felt joy when you saw Laurent transformed into something horrible. Didn’t you?”o7bgFx
xxpIn Cory’s mind, two words tangled chaotically.yc7H2ra
nwRtETYes.ef3
DbGAnd no.l1M8FX
OK1EUICory looked at Cedric. He could read his emotions.yjj
RQMySo a lie would not work.CWA4
91PygCory’s eyes shone for an instant and then darkened. His pupils, which trembled with unease, gradually grew still.yBAAvOH
2BuhBnhA moment passed that felt eternal.gFFk
d8WlB2Finally, Cory opened his mouth.68227tT
ZRaGcHT“Yes.”TKcI9
Vk9bHQ***ieegQn
jCfv9ip“Hey, Laurent!”YfMrA
ZREZYuri called out to Laurent, but he didn’t turn around. Yuri stood up abruptly and ran out.PtD
wY6gK“Stop for a moment.”t2k
O4SC1Y“I have nothing to say.”yu6a
XIZRS“We have to talk.”VgV
8SZCztFor some reason, the more he spoke, the more pathetic he felt he sounded, but Yuri kept chasing Laurent, who walked without looking at him.vjJ
fQJIeJ“Hey, Laurent.”owEymXX
h49MF2v“Don’t come closer.”jszIQ
fYi“This bastard…”iERj
4hnThe tone with which he spoke his name changed. As Laurent did not stop, Yuri began to speak with a hint of annoyance.PzT
g8Uq9“I told you to stop.”6fkc
bAsQc“How shameless.”PMo1Nj
X843LGn“Huff…”I63
h5I7jHtOf course, Yuri felt remorse toward Laurent.n0s
QaRMQrBut he could not accept that it was all his fault.Tn3lz
u7eCXnThe one who had committed the act itself was Cedric. Deep down, Yuri was also a victim.f5Q
pJPkL“I told you to get lost…”Mk3kq9I
cC5BZnKSuddenly, Yuri roughly grabbed Laurent by the collar from behind, yanked him back toward him, and hooked his foot to trip him.BV3gS
dVtLaurent, who had been striding forward, fell heavily to the ground in an instant.oDeI3er
icWy“Ugh!”J6GtuA
GvfT5LThe fallen Laurent shot him a glare full of anger.id43N2
3SJmjT“What the hell…?”M4Ox
VI9MQOk“Are you going to run away now?”cGpo
MZZK“What?”ABuYhk
OrwcHxH“I’m asking if you’re going to run away. What happened to the sharp Laurent from before?”EI8CrI
ITqu“Watch your words.”7Ei
vUXV3“Do you hate me?”ty8
cN5j8M“No.”6YPs2xM
DAdnbLf“Then?”UNfWrb
DQALFiD“I simply dislike you.”YIX
r1Cyem“And what about Cedric?”Gami
SCbaHYuri lifted his foot and let it fall next to Laurent’s face. Dust rose from the ground.PV0WAe
7XiWUj“With me, you lashed out without a problem, but Cedric you leave alone?”LBpAp
Dnn4“That’s none of your business. I’ll take care of it.”snCZE
6Ir“Take care of what? Anyone can see you’re living like a damn useless man.”btE
GLG“Shut up!”zExtYQ4
fLMvYLaurent swung his sword and stood up. But it was useless.ULrEn
g28ABefore, Yuri had taken his attacks without countering, but his skill surpassed Laurent’s.y7RYBp
gfsAfter several exchanges, Laurent ended up on the ground again. When, panting, he began to get up, Yuri spoke.ixxHt
kz0oUV“Come back.”A8o9
56qzws“What?”75lXq
foOdb“Whether you hold a grudge against me or are tormented, first kill Cedric and then do it.”TR1z
c1E“Why should I?”RZw
FM47“For revenge. What, are you afraid of Cedric?”BU0A
WdZ“No.”Slup
fM4h“Then?”rkKO
GzqVpLz“I’m simply tired of everything. Of you, of Cedric.”ECjq
dpsP“Why?”CPi
9WWwjB“I just am. Why should I explain it to you?”TgBWJpA
5H6xRt“You’re completely twisted.”LiyBa
CmyYuri smiled wryly.dHHytE
eidB2“If I were you, just thinking about your family and Française would make me want to kill Cedric.”ejQwU
b3voLaurent clenched his fist.mY19wx
3dG5X8The grinding of teeth could be heard from beneath the bandages covering his face.lMaq
UbBkaYuri continued.DGLsuO6
1XSKnj“After killing Cedric, you can do whatever you want with me.”saMDh
TbMP9“What?”z9d
2sFkX“When you kill him, you can kill me or beat me all you want. At that moment, I’ll do exactly what you want. If you want to kill me, you’ll be able to.”X92kM5F
eJx7RqtYuri approached Laurent and placed his hand on his cheek.4ll0ZT
eG27iZ“So let’s go together.”w0AwcwZ
mLg“I don’t want to…”qHidHjk
POBP“Of course, if you say no, I’ll throw you to the ground again.”xzPDXdz
2N1o“Damn bully.”iaCI
z0e“And why do you say it like it’s news? You already know what kind of guy I am.”cKT7
H02C7F8Laurent stayed silent for a while. The bandages fell over his eyes, keeping Yuri from seeing what expression he had or what look he was hiding beneath.X85rn
vGCUFinally, Laurent spoke.Ta1Ts6
80v“Yuri Briol.”9wn4pT
Z7Fv“That’s right, Laurent.”7W0Jr
24j1Jd“It’s too late to go back.”yhgpO0
W5TrHis voice sounded heavy.UcrbjHc
nWl3Yuri let out a small laugh.ALXU
yYH4t7“Who said we were going back?”Zn9pbr2
owD“…”saL6D6
IVNOC8“Besides, I’ve already come back from further away. Much further.”mdj
0JCJmYuri briefly recalled the past.iDNVD
pOeOn5Laurent didn’t know, but in his previous life, he had lived a life full of regret, wandering in search of death.CsTY2s
bmqJyRqThat’s why he could sense how Laurent felt.jQa1NUy
ekkSF“Do you think I’m different from you? Why, because my face is intact? Don’t talk nonsense. If I can kill Cedric and stop the Empire, I don’t care if I lose everything. So, at that moment, do whatever you want with me. Just help me until then.”G5Twy7
ReovYuri stared intently at Laurent.noKD
Yr56VcThe two looked at each other in silence for a long time. Neither made the first move.pgwRbq
19ZOThen, a voice interrupted the moment.M5Nk
lkwWA“Are you Laurent, by any chance?”Sq96IW
beyIt was Inariel.2Hd8wa
gtK2diLaurent froze, as if surprised to see him appear suddenly.0bJ
VGOl“It’s been a long time, Laurent.”OYEC
sBLoBwS“…Yes, that’s right.”aoyvMop
5g5KHe spoke without reservation to Yuri, but to Inariel he answered with the respect from before.9kv
3C8Yuri shot him a reproachful look, but Laurent ignored it.mfKe
9nYdXInariel looked him up and down and waved his staff.YY1MC
amqI“It seems a lot has happened.”2vn8Rd
9TrrUe“Not so much.”53F
K1x8Laurent shook his head.bqa
AjTe“Not that much has happened. Only a tragedy occurred.”sxxCq
YliDrV“From the way you answer me, I’d say you were better off before.”xF9BmJ6
nXBTInariel clicked his tongue and looked at Yuri.ewR8yD8
Le5IWaG“From what I see, you’re trying to convince this guy. Is it really necessary?”djX5Gm
r71“Yes. He’ll be a great asset to us.”imLD
fLnvT“An asset…?”tqtZNM
FuUPwDInariel smiled with mockery.qDdkfA
tK3J“Well, for being that, you knocked him down quite easily.”0mVhxP
2gT3iUy“I was lucky.”H0RS
HHxem1F“Oh, really?”fppGqB0
UCvE“Yes.”W1ZCoFM
kdXAYuri knew Laurent’s physical condition wasn’t normal. If he recovered fully, it wouldn’t be so easy to knock him down as before.6Zdo
tFjUlL“I see.”zVaT
RS17CInariel nodded.rIw87
GU338C“Since you’re trying so hard, I suppose I’ll help too. Laurent. If you follow this boy’s will, I’ll heal you with magic.”9OnxaV
ubgAAt those unexpected words, Yuri and Laurent looked at him.iAsGPJ
Sdvf7“Pardon?”RrlX
xvRF“I said I’ll heal you.”FRW8o
Ia2T“Really?”amcPSfG
ih5CWOjInariel raised his staff.Apun
c5a“Surprised? I’m the great mage Inariel. Even if it’s troublesome, I can return your body to its original state.”G86
M1YSWith his face lighting up, Yuri was the first to thank him.mWAbQ
wElXpW“Thank you!”QSAtIPY
U836I“You don’t have to thank me.”x1rhz
xwNlxw9“That’s great, Laurent!”syUvKI
3wisInariel smiled at Laurent, who remained still.d8XMscG
fFx“What do you say, Laurent? With my offer added to Yuri’s, do you accept? If you don’t answer, I’ll take it as a yes.”MAT
CAl“…”rINU1
imrpU“Good. I’ll heal you.”J77
WTkLaurent, who had remained silent, suddenly lifted his head and looked around.c39m
P3FnUN“By the way, where’s Cory?”dYg
og0mD“Cory?”s47h89N
mfk“He was following me…”EO7GU6q
JczUJ3“Cory is here?”csUwNz
xhalEYuri frowned.Z1IFZ
m6o1U“I don’t sense anything.”OKXwNyw
lFjQjM***YdTk
mjmknyAfter finishing his conversation with Cedric, Cory watched alongside him, from a distance, the fight between Yuri and Laurent.um9X0s
PJgICNCedric let out a laugh when he saw Yuri knock Laurent down.Zzurgok
DyCgXC“Yuri is still the same. Truly amusing.”cpMI9
yJmWhile the two argued, Inariel appeared. He made Laurent the proposal.BIka
uTx“Laurent. If you follow this boy’s will, I’ll heal you with magic.”ib5IoJ
K03Cory opened his eyes wide.o3r
5CG1That meant Laurent would return to his former state.2Ng
jOn4d7Cory asked Cedric.Y4Kl5
GK9YX“That… that’s possible?”rKoHYO
VyS“It’s difficult, but not entirely impossible. A skilled mage could do it.”XeO
5rD“I see…”3y0CVi
UR3ZL“What is it, do you feel sorry?”nA5
uD0“No. That’s not it.”1FZA
3TY“You can be honest, Cory.”FZRuW
k5HDKCedric smiled.hMbo
euv0g“But don’t worry. Even if he does that, nothing will change.”r1zu
ZUbcNYCedric placed a hand on Cory’s shoulder.yXC
CTN93“In the new world, you’ll be a valuable being.”eABaH
bWcH2“…”qH92CTH
5r4“It seems they’re finished there. Let’s go to the Empire.”oAwl
Lqmq2Cory, still watching Yuri and Laurent, finally nodded.rZ9rC5c
TDqZy“Yes.”2WedwHk
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