Chapter 89

In the morning, while waiting for an important person, news of a death arrived.

"Boss, the old man has passed away. They say he showed a smile for the first time at the end and even expressed his gratitude to you."

"Is that so. Let's pray for his soul. What do we do with the dead here?"

"Until now, we've had new arrivals bury them casually."

"We should create a communal cemetery in the new space in the East Area. This will be a shared task. Also, the hot spring should be officially named 'Old Man Hot Spring.' It's a tribute to his contribution."

"Sure, I'll let everyone know!!"

I wonder if it's just my imagination, but lately my followers seem to be more lively.

What did the old man do to end up in this underground prison? It's unknown now, but the face he showed when we last bathed together didn't seem like that of a prisoner. He felt more like a kind old man... I hope he lives a proper life in the next world.

"Boss, I've brought Galdumira and Shinshin!"

Perhaps because they were suddenly called, the followers gathered, sensing something amiss. They seemed to understand how important their presence was to me.

"Are we going to be killed?"

Galdumira couldn't hide her unease.

"Yeah, probably."

'Shark' looked resigned.

"I won't do anything so terrible. I've never given such an order."

"Is that so... I always thought you were a great guy, but you really are. You've taken complete control of this hellish prison in just two weeks. In a place full of troublemakers."

"Alright. Do you understand what I want to know?"

Perhaps my slight irritation was conveyed, as both of them were sweating, even in the dry space, as if they had just moved.

"Can I start?"

It seems Galdumira will speak.

"Sure."

"I feel bad about it. I'm not trying to prove my innocence, but I'll state the facts. I don't know if you'll believe me."

"Go ahead."

Surrounded by such intimidating people, even he seems hesitant to speak, but I have to endure it. I'm here because of their actions.

"I was put in here for the crime of killing a fellow hunter with the sword you gave me. That's the official story, but I didn't do it. I was forced to confess that I killed my colleague under the influence of the sword after three days of torture. I had no choice..."

"What really happened?"

"Of course, my mind wasn't controlled. At first, I denied it, but I was treated terribly until I confessed to being controlled. The truth is, when I entered my colleague's room, he was already stabbed in the back. As soon as I embraced him, the guards burst in and captured me. We were both set up."

"Set up... I see."

"Sorry, but I had no other choice... I had to give that testimony..."

If he was tortured, it couldn't be helped. Everything was to frame me... What a complicated setup.

"So, Boss, you're here for a crime you didn't commit!?"

One of my overly devoted followers is furious. Calm down.

"'Shark,' I want to hear your story too. You killed an important disciple, right?"

"..."

He looks down, unwilling to speak. That's why he looked resigned.

"Boss, I'll make him talk."

"No, it's fine. My sword doesn't have the ability to control people. I already know that. What I want to know is why you killed your disciple. There are many eyewitness accounts, aren't there?"

"..."

He remains silent.

"It seems he doesn't want to talk. Galdumira, if you're innocent, you'll be able to leave eventually. I plan to prove my innocence and get out of here too."

"Is that so? I appreciate it. I'll look forward to seeing you up there."

"Sure. I'll let you go for now. 'Shark,' I have the right to know the reason for your actions. After all, it was your testimony that brought me here. The past is the past. What matters is the future. If you want to start over, so do I..."

In the end, he left the room without saying anything, led away by the tough-looking followers. If he doesn't want to talk, that's fine. I'll look elsewhere.

In the afternoon, the work on the communal cemetery progressed. It seems many people were grateful to the old man. The cemetery was simple, but he probably didn't want a flashy place. Rest in peace...

After all, a bath after work is the best.

I wanted to be alone, so I took a bath in the middle of the night when everyone was asleep.

The slightly warm water is just right for this dry land. The moon looks beautiful tonight.

The water made a splashing sound.

'Shark' was there too. He must have come for a late bath.

"Good water."

"Yeah, it's as comfortable as being outside."

"The only thing I miss is not being able to forge."

"That's a big complaint. For both of us."

I have a lot of questions, but if he won't talk, there's nothing I can do. Let's enjoy the bath. The moon is clear tonight.

"Why a cemetery in this prison? It's full of hopeless scum like me."

"Better than nothing."

"Is that so? When I arrived, it was hell, but since you became the boss, life has been comfortable. I'm grateful."

"You don't need to be grateful. It's the result of everyone's work. I couldn't have dug this hot spring alone."

"You always take things in stride. You don't even realize how great what you're doing is."

"I'm not doing anything great. I'm just doing what I can."

"...I have something I want to talk about. I don't think it will change anything now, but..."

"Hmm? I'll listen. I'm in a good mood."

'Shark' hesitated many times but finally decided to speak. He started talking about the sword I forged, the truth he had been hesitant to share.

"Your sword was perfect. I always thought it would be taken someday, but I never thought it would be taken in just one day. Who would think that? One day! It's ridiculous!"

...I'm sorry. Really sorry.

"I couldn't accept it. I shouldn't have. Seeing such perfection made me question what I had done for four years."

...I have no words to respond.

"I ran away from reality. I pretended not to see your sword. I erased it from my mind. But my disciple... when we were alone, he told me that reaching this level was impossible. He said Kurri Helan was undoubtedly the best blacksmith. At that moment, uncontrollable anger exploded. I cut my disciple with the sword I held. It was a rage I couldn't control... intense jealousy. To hide this shameful feeling, I accepted the sweet and dark invitation of the Dataner family. I claimed that my mind was controlled by your sword to hide my jealousy. Fortunately, my disciple survived... but I piled one mistake on top of another."

"...I see."

"Your sword was perfect. You can aim even higher. When you get out, I hope you aim even higher. I want to see where you reach someday. I don't think I'll be getting out anytime soon..."

"I'm glad to hear the truth. From now on, I'll have more confidence in my skills. Maybe this won't happen again."

"You don't need to think about it. This is entirely my fault. It's the result of my weak heart. You just need to aim straight for the top."

Today's bath feels like it washed away many things.

It seems 'Shark' felt the same way, looking much more relaxed.

"I think I can work more energetically from tomorrow."

His words sounded very pleasant.

I no longer feel angry or deceived by him. I know the truth about my innocence.

Now I can finally fight the Dataner family. Well, let's not overdo the bath.