Chapter 269: Resonance (1)
APbAfter annihilating the imperial army on the eastern front, Yuri gathered the prisoners and tied them up.3HDBRa
EO6lyHernando, Maryrose, and the Mage Corps, summoned from the rear, attempted to extract the trace of black magic energy dwelling in the prisoners’ marrow, but it was not easy.Gx1ic
65ks8CsAt that moment, an idea occurred to Yuri.FTR
4g54g“What if we use this?”SVJF
XDsYtt“What is that?”n4OU
WipM“It’s a tool for expelling evil energies. It’s called Bokmajubal.”jSpR
39n“Huh?”n5D6
SOulIt was an artifact of unknown origin that Yuri had obtained from some Eastern merchants.WJfu
LEMwIt consisted of a metal bowl and a wooden mallet. When the mallet was rubbed against the rim, it produced a strange sound that had the effect of calming the spirit. In addition, it was said to drive away impurity.7mpAYEk
e15RFxuHernando mocked Yuri.4OU
twJ“So His Majesty also believes in those things. We call that pseudo-magic.”oYclXf
OTjE“Pseudo-magic?”QoGiu
tte“It has no real basis, but they tricked Your Majesty into believing it had magical properties. Those merchants swindled you good, hahahaha…”fKF
LirZ0OyYuri replied.Xlq26
39rtkq“What are you talking about? I’ve seen it work.”pmh
ABE“Sure, sure… That’s called the placebo effect. It’s not real magic, but due to psychological factors one believes it really works. How naïve our lord is.”T6f
2M6TeQAt Hernando’s continued mockery, Yuri’s gaze turned cold.EWx2b
vi94Jared nudged Hernando.kKFVHEC
Isj“Sir Hernando, it seems you’ve lost your survival instinct.”aOF
K2CBxP“Ah, yes. After this great victory I got carried away. But come on, are you going to tell me rubbing that bowl will dispel black magic energy? Hahahaha…”WI1
CpJYuri restrained himself. If he reacted violently to such a cheap taunt, it would be like admitting Hernando was right.ndr
EJf“Come. I’ll show you in person.”MOLJ
NKPO79Yuri stood before the group of prisoners that had been giving Hernando a headache.11ltVno
u1sdegThey sat with expressionless faces, showing none of the desperation normally seen in captives.vaCZ
GUQkHernando commented.RVpGxbr
QUNd“With those faces they look like they’re wearing masks. We’ve managed to purify some, but with little efficiency. Also, many lose almost all their memories. Black magic is incredibly persistent.”pikezy
c6t6N“Darkness will never be able to overcome light. Remember that, Hernando.”qgqt
Qe9twF“Huh?”J3iIPz
JzIYuri’s hand moved.2PyS
s9rNjWmUnlike before, after studying the technique to play the Bokmajubal, now he did it without clumsiness. With his eyes closed, he moved his hands as if caressing the bowl, with an almost sensual touch.RX2o8HA
Awo5xThe mallet slid along the rim as if licking it.VKy
9c0T7ycUuuuuuuung…HNqx
gTT8poCA faint yet clearly defined vibration spread out.VLb
bbDHernando’s eyes widened. He knew it as soon as he heard it.
It was different.ogE3
n5DM“Huh…?”5MaIh
r7DrqThe others present also changed their expressions and looked at Yuri.s7OcBA
L3xNJThey were all masters, whether in swordsmanship or magic, experts in handling mana.eiObBCD
rBttP54They realized that Yuri was applying a level of technique as precise as in swordplay, and that this finesse was amplifying the Bokmajubal’s resonance.Cmo5gBV
dCE6ObLOne wave overlapped another, and on top of that, yet another.PUL
QI2dUuuuuuuuuung…cTRQ
oxHCThe air rippled, and everyone’s heads seemed to sway.Pry6
31AwMAt first, those listening felt uneasy as they noticed the vibration penetrating without resistance into their deepest selves.zTrjKLN
PB37IJBut little by little, the resonance caressed their entire being, undoing emotional knots they hadn’t even known they had.xmViGWJ
pksrhWTThe negative energy began to dissipate.p0DRO
6Zl2TlxHernando, absorbed in the performance, looked at the prisoners. Something was crossing their faces.tpVoH
aqfAn emotion.CXqA
XNtCSurprised by the unexpected effectiveness of the Bokmajubal, Hernando was speechless, and at that moment Yuri recited:WVh2o9
Zb5L“The Heart Sutra of the Perfection of Wisdom — when the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara was practicing deeply the perfection of wisdom, he contemplated that the five aggregates are empty, and thus overcame all suffering. Oh, Shariputra! Form is no different from emptiness, emptiness is no different from form; form is, in itself, emptiness, and emptiness, in itself, is form…”MQUrz
mq7fIt was an Eastern chant he had heard from a ronin.C6PpS7
3caThe man had told him that if he recited it while playing the Bokmajubal, the effect would be multiplied, and had given him the phonetic transcription.7ZaM
Z8ONCYuri read it while playing even more majestically. The sound filled the entire area.mAPu3
ORj3LQXThe resonance grew more and more, rising as if preparing to leap toward a peak.5XXx
3plXPQAnd then, Yuri struck the bowl’s resonance point.2sSp3PC
6IeBiDeeeeeeng.kjJTH
m6hgUIt was neither too strong nor too weak—the exact force to make the center vibrate.ggPL
qkhFkrLThe Bokmajubal trembled as if there were an earthquake, producing a pure sound that seemed to break and scatter tribulations.WPjqXoK
ovGkEven Hernando had to admit it.5DfvuZS
XRyjn2bIt was real.uztv
Yi9dESw“It’s… it’s real.”JqI9WvQ
k9LTxxPYuri, with a gentle smile and a compassionate face, nodded.Nsh4R5c
kiy“That’s right.”vf8By
1mPWB“Ah…”WpTgGYP
qDMMOf course, the Bokmajubal did not completely remove black magic. But its vibration noticeably neutralized it.Gf0z501
0awo9While savoring the echo, Yuri commented.QQgPH
ySMr1“The sages of the East created a truly magnificent tool.”aIOVYH
HnOC“No way…”XsG5Z
P8PdUGv“We must use the Bokmajubal against the Empire.”6sNHcM
AByGF0Yuri placed a hand on Hernando’s shoulder and made him look at the prisoners.fic
G09QBx“Look at them.”pEK
QPJYdKIt wasn’t that the situation had completely changed, but the effect was there.uib
9hyGThe proof was right before their eyes.JWPr2
6RmQm60One of the prisoners, still with a vacant expression, was crying.6i1ZWM
u7R284“They can also be considered victims of black magic.”XHZ
SiVs“Yes.”BcA3h
axNUn1l“Hernando, make good use of it.”lD7bg
hom“Understood.”XjualRz
eo4Yuri handed him the Bokmajubal and turned around.Kq7
AjZ“Where are you going, Your Majesty?”TwKOp5W
OOxw9h“I’m going to interrogate.”8xw
6Y1D“Ah, yes.”7Q0Y4nQ
f6TcCtSYuri had an unresolved matter.ZiR2aFg
sMhnOHe headed to a tent covered with several layers of cloth, guarded by several knights of the Order of Vengeance.SAB
G384After receiving the guards’ salute, he went inside.muYnth
zlBVkAsana was tied up.oyU
H0E4IrqYuri took a chair, turned it around, and sat astride it, resting his chin on the backrest as he looked at her.7969q6
czMP2T“Hmm…”lak
VWYShe was asleep, her head completely drooped forward, but soon she sensed Yuri’s presence and slowly lifted her head.qXDE
9k5AWAsana looked at him in silence for a moment before speaking.MUfIq
HNUGT“Aren’t you going to say anything?”uAgep
rfTz6X“I’m at a loss for words.”xmUF1Q
PeuAt that, she gave a faint smile.GaElfAD
pviNlE“Well, actually it’s not necessary for Your Majesty to speak. I’m the one who should speak.”MSjUG
Nc4yMx“And what are you going to say?”FQ9t
YS8EkQw“An apology.”BC24e
o5Pc“I don’t know…”O1vPNz
r6QYuri shrugged.Yb3DIOK
oWaD“I don’t think there’s any need.”uBUP
6WdyAH6“Won’t you accept it?”KwevVB7
TmFD6n“Try.”mqe
tAlWs1lAsana was still under the influence of black magic. But in her case, it wasn’t like with the other imperial soldiers, whose reason was controlled or whose emotions were erased.Xa97CM
6oo1AEIIn her case, they had only stimulated the negative emotions she already harbored in her heart.dVV4
C9XSK“Sorry for betraying you.”yZE9ZOF
7xlAsana spoke.64Z
bZyNormally, she barely showed any expression, but that day she kept a faint smile on her face.5CjEtm
iJmp“But I had no other choice. I met him.”YKuu
iVkg“Who?”L5vzm
NwJEP“Lord Cedric.”BrQ7
euVOp“Ah, of course.”yUIJNwZ
G4Zv“He showed me the power of black magic. Your Majesty, we cannot win. Even if you fight with all your strength, in the end, the Empire will prevail.”EVq
pvwgIaYuri could imagine how the Empire had recruited her.RU0o
Db9RCedric must have used black magic to crush her will and plant despair in her, striking at the weak points in her heart.blHc
VzN6bSIt was just as he had anticipated.P5bo
sf77feYuri nodded.oCx9i
UDhe8u“I see.”IHk
rOm“To stop Lord Cedric, it would take a being like a god. But such a thing doesn’t exist. That’s why I betrayed you. I’m sorry.”cesoC
6pQ“No.”BLRImI
ym0noWhen Asana finished speaking, it was Yuri who uttered words of apology.M5sDB
a4w“I’m the one who’s sorry, Asana.”Knw
gLuhPShe looked at him, not understanding.hI0
Qhb“Forgive me, Asana.”N0MJ3qs
3WY0wm4“Why?”tLhRM
2vzOLlA“Because I used you.”XbLJ6z
kBn3“If you mean investigating the imperial palace, I did that of my own will. You don’t have to apologize.”UlJLqwM
uI4js“That’s not what I mean.”xgXHYJ
xonejYuri pulled the chair a little closer to Asana and, lowering his voice, whispered.mlD
4bFBA3“Asana, do you know how I found out you had betrayed me?”iCgsh9
yDh“From the letter you received…”tGMXJ
BPKw3“I already told you it didn’t say anything important.”v86UA1
SGaqEYuri was telling the truth.VymOn
3NvUThe letter he received right when Asana returned contained nothing significant, just a routine report on the situation in Briol.Z2C
nYhw58FHis conclusion that she had betrayed him was his own judgment.72Kl6jN
UJES3jp“Then how did you know?”3DuOZ
zir3q3“Just by looking at you. Especially your eyes.”WxINMB2
7xl3VjAsana tilted her head, not understanding.vX6V
7P6KTTJ“You always had a look of nostalgia or regret. But the last time we met, it wasn’t like that. Even though you tried to hide it, you seemed happy. To me, it was clear you were excited.”j8p
w33liD“And what does that have to do with anything?”5hm
ydL“That I caused it on purpose.”QMTZ3qR
rzN5“What?”enqbX1d
GQ5jm6Yuri gave a bitter smile. And then he confessed what he had kept hidden.RjTs
yDD“I made you fall in love with me.”6etTj0
OC7Asana’s eyes widened.jUt
mxg“What do you mean?”8XEWQE
9ytsR99“Asana, you were a very talented assassin. To be able to use your skills, and to easily notice if you betrayed me, I deliberately won your favor. It wasn’t difficult. I knew that, raised in an order of assassins, you were actually starved for affection. So I was careful with how I treated you.”H2u3SZ
l0gpSAL“…”FT2
1iaWYcF“Did you know from the start?”9RwA
OAE“Of course. For quite some time.”WAZva
ej113vi“…”Vlq
4H4qQ“But since we were never going to be together, you always had that melancholic look. And yet, the last time we met you seemed happy. I suppose Cedric made you a promise.”JPn7aaz
ecuFYuri touched his chin.INQdcOt
9ko2“If you betrayed me and I was captured, he would give me to you, right?”2v1Yp
v4BEG“…”YdQIQ
Dqin9g“I always thought this moment might come. So, Asana, you have nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who used you from the start.”7btZgXT
3YlHaving said that, Yuri stood up.UBn
GcDjAlthough there was some exaggeration in his words, most of it was true.pD5T
mgNAfter earning her trust, Yuri had bound Asana to him with full awareness of her feelings, without feeling the slightest guilt.HuT
YgqMicAfter all, he had returned to the past to win the war against the Empire, and if using someone else’s emotions could help him, he would accept it without hesitation.gbpi9
W167His eyes glimmered.JZD
vH1P3VAsana looked at him, unable to say anything, her lips slightly parted.mtVh
yPDRz“Asana, so the apology is mine to make.”aETnC
NZdeQ“I… I…”XLAmhQP
qcL1“Your role ends here.”BlDzHK
vSDHWYuri straightened up.PB2uH
sszf“When the war is over, then I’ll accept a slap or a stab. But not yet. So until then, rest. Once you’re free from the black magic, you’ll be fine.”7D6h4lZ
GlBAsana called out to him, but he ignored her and left the tent.PsdYG
ehnKN9The dry wind rushed in.wJbYp
CVMwXXxYuri scratched his head.I2EPS
IG5y“Hmm…”3G5Aom1
AwP4uyyAll around stretched the landscape devastated by war.osnH
Q5dAYdHe had reclaimed the eastern front and annihilated much of the imperial army. His counterintelligence operation using Asana had been a success; it was time to advance into the Empire in earnest.3Oo
94UOHe had no time to worry about trivial matters.OPCOe
8RT“Phew…”uxxUaXU
BJYyPwYuri let out a long sigh.Il4i
j0iUoThen, suddenly, someone spoke behind him.mDdLj
11Yr“That when the war is over you’ll accept a slap or a stab?”BsP
KKd66Turning, he saw Laurent.pUI4O6
56dYLyHe had been healed by Inariel and had regained his handsome face from before, though his expression remained cold and cynical.UE6
XkkEI“Were you listening?”bH8H
xIDiIY“By chance. I was passing by and overheard.”6yP5
wWmYg“Oh, really?”2BAhPe
Zhj“…”vg8BkU
1vrLaurent stared at him intently before twisting a smile.mlpk
pmrc“Save one for me too. And just so you know, I wouldn’t stop at a slap.”UoUL
XAld“Huh?”gIKJ6
8Ef“Keep that in mind.”pT3N9s
4iQ7REAnd, turning away, Laurent walked off.QIz0
hzGYuri watched him go and couldn’t help but smile.XdN
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