Chapter 85

Leord stood with his eyes closed, bathed in the blinding light of the magic circle. Once the light had subsided, Leord slowly opened his eyes and found that the three figures were gone, and he was no longer in the room he had been in just moments ago.

It seemed that the transfer had been successful. Leord heaved a sigh of relief. However, it wasn’t over yet. If this place was the same as in Jin's memories, it was likely the interior of an ancient ruin near the capital. The ancient ruins near the capital had already been ransacked by treasure hunters and were being investigated by the government, turning them into mere cultural heritage sites.

However, the ancient ruin Leord had discovered was connected to the transfer magic circle, leading to a place that neither the treasure hunters nor the government’s investigation team had found.

Leord immediately stepped down from the magic circle to check and try to leave the ancient ruin. But then, a thought crossed his mind.

Should he just run away?

Although it seemed like a bad idea, when he thought about everything that had happened, it didn’t seem so bad. With Jin's memories residing in him and forming a new personality, Leord felt tormented by the evil deeds of his past self. Many people despised him, and even his younger siblings, who were close to him, looked at him with hatred and hurled cruel words at him. Although he was gradually regaining trust, there were still many who mocked and despised him. In fact, despite being one of the key figures in ending the Monster Panic, Leord had faced a lot of hardship in the capital.

Moreover, if he stayed in the country, Leord would die. Although it wasn’t certain yet, if he wanted to survive, it wouldn’t matter where he went, as long as it was far away. If he fled to a place where no one knew him, he wouldn’t have to suffer or feel sad anymore. He could abandon everything—his position as a duke, his name, Leord Harvest.

The more he thought about it, the more the benefits of running away outweighed the drawbacks.

Leord stopped and stared at the magic circle. Somewhere deep inside him, a voice was screaming that if he destroyed the magic circle and fled, he would be free.

That’s right. There was no need to resist fate using Jin's memories. If the goal was to survive, it would be better to flee from a place with a high probability of death and live quietly somewhere far away until the end of his days. With the knowledge from Jin's memories and the power Leord possessed, living in an unknown land would be no problem.

The more he thought about it, the more appealing it seemed. The weak part of him was screaming to run away. Leord reached out to destroy the magic circle.

But then, Leord stopped.

Don’t run, resist!

He thought he heard someone shouting.

Just be free—

The weak part of him lamented.

Aren’t you ashamed? Is it okay to be mocked?

Someone roared.

I don’t want to suffer, feel sad, or be in pain—

The defeated part of him mourned.

Is it enough just to live?

Someone asked.

I don’t want to die—

The cowardly part of him wished.

Do you have no regrets?

Someone pitied him.

Leord clenched his teeth and tightened his fist, slowly pulling his hand away from the magic circle he was about to destroy. He slammed his fist into the floor.

“Am I an idiot…!

Ah, that’s right… I made a vow. To resist fate and survive. And to become a son my mother, who has always loved me despite my mistakes, can be proud of!

I’ve decided…!

I will show those who mocked me, those who looked down on me, that I can do it!!!

Just wait… Not just fate, but everyone who has been involved with me, I will overcome them all!!!”

There was no more doubt. His heart was clear. Now, he would show them. The way of life of Leord Harvest.

He would definitely show this world.

It might be a childish thought. But Leord thought it was fine. It was also a part of him.

Leord walked proudly, chest out, and opened the door to the room. The light streaming in made him want to cover his eyes, but it felt like the path he should take, and he took a step forward.

Leord confirmed that the ancient ruin was as Jin's memories described and returned inside to reactivate the transfer magic circle. When he returned, he would be busy, but so what? He would show the world and fate.

Leord had no time to complain about being busy. He should quickly compile the documents about the ancient ruin and report to the king.

Leord smiled sardonically and activated the magic circle, returning to the three others. Gilbert and Barbarot were delighted to see Leord return safely, and Isabelle was relieved that her subject of observation had returned.

After that, the four left the ancient ruin. Leord returned to Zeato, compiled the documents about the ancient ruin, and submitted them to the king.

A few days later, a messenger from the king appeared at Leord’s place, and Leord was to return to the capital once again.