Chapter 79

Anriette was engrossed in organizing documents in her room.

It was inevitable, given her position as a general, but lately the amount of work had been particularly heavy, and to be honest, she couldn't keep up.

The reconstruction of the capital, assisting the new king, taking over tasks from the executed cardinals and ministers, and preparations for the Second Human-Demon War.

In addition, there were issues such as handling hostages and negotiating with the Church Knights—problems were piled up.

“Sigh…”

She stopped her work, leaned back in her chair, and let out a deep sigh.

It was a very rare sight, even when she was alone.

The burden placed on Anriette by the series of events was indeed enormous.

“But… finally, the beloved humans have reclaimed the kingdom.”

The general indulged in the victory alone.

She was tired, but she didn't feel bitter.

It was a long-held wish.

The kingdom had been taken over by Origin, a creature of unknown nature, for a long time.

Origin, whose functions were mostly sealed, didn't have the power to whisper to all humans.

However, by targeting a select few, it gradually corrupted their hearts from a young age.

Anriette loved humanity.

It was a kind of self-love derived from her talent, and also a sign of her broad-mindedness.

Therefore, since she learned that the kingdom was not for humans, she had always wished to eliminate those who had been brainwashed by “the proclamation.”

This finally came true by teaming up with Satouki.

The sacrifices were many, and it was frustrating that they still had to rely on the mysterious power of Chimera—but—

“If they insist it's a tool, there's no choice but to accept it.”

She glanced out the window.

The half-ruined streets of the capital, with people working hard to rebuild.

However, today, the number of people was sparse.

That was because a major event was taking place outside.

As she focused on the outside, there was a knock on the door.

“Sister, are you there?”

The visitor seemed to be Otilie.

“Yes, I'm here.”

Anriette replied in a gentle voice, and the door immediately opened.

Otilie entered the room with a melting smile, her twin tails swaying cheerfully as she approached Anriette.

“Mmm, Sister, you look beautiful as always.”

She leaned in with a lustful expression.

“Thank you, Otilie, but I feel like I hear that every time we meet. What's the matter?”

But Anriette didn't take it seriously.

She brushed it off lightly and got straight to the point.

Otilie, blushing, admitted, “A dry Sister is also charming,” but then honestly stated her business.

“Flam Apricot has woken up.”

Hearing this, Anriette let out a sigh of relief.

She had been worried that Flam might never wake up.

Theoretically, it was possible to interfere with the human body using the slaughter rule, but—

“I see, finally… It would be unpleasant if she died, I'm relieved.”

“You, Sister, would never fail.”

“Everyone gets nervous on their first try, especially with something as delicate as the brain.”

Given that the kingdom's best practitioner said this, it was easy to imagine how unreasonable Satouki's request had been.

“But Sister, there's one thing that concerns me… That girl Flam asked me about a hairpin.”

“The treatment was incomplete, then.”

“No, but the discomfort she felt was only slight!”

“Ha, I doubt anyone would cry over something so trivial. It was a first attempt, and I consider this level of failure acceptable.”

It would be a lie to say she wasn't frustrated, but if she succeeded next time, it would be fine.

Moreover, “flooding the brain with blood to block memories” was not to Anriette's liking.

Even if she learned it, it was questionable whether she would use it again.

“But the hairpin, I remember it was among the equipment we recovered from her.”

“It didn't have any particular enchantments, I believe.”

“In other words, it must have been a very meaningful item to her.”

It wasn't something that could be called well-made.

If she showed it to a professional, like Deputy General Hermann, he would probably criticize it as “a mess, with chaotic wavelengths, not a good piece.”

But if someone said it was warm and handmade, she wouldn't deny it.

“The treatment was based on the measures against Kiril Svitica and the request from Echidna, but I don't feel good about it.”

“Just a girl, Sister, not worth your concern.”

“Perhaps, but I respect her.”

“…Why, such a thing?”

Otilie asked in a toneless voice.

Her expression and eyes lost their warmth, and the room's atmosphere froze.

However, Anriette continued speaking without flinching.

“Regardless of whose hand it was, the fact that she risked her life to save someone remains unchanged. Respecting her as a warrior who fought to the end is a natural act for a warrior.”

Anriette looked straight into Otilie's eyes as she spoke.

Otilie, who had admired Anriette as her sister since childhood, copied her room, and slept wrapped in her used clothes every night, could not defy her gaze.

Although it was very unpleasant for Otilie that her revered sister showed interest in a mere insect like Flam Apricot, the most important thing was to respect her will.

She had to suppress her resentment.

“By the way, Otilie, you're not going to the festival, are you?”

“Festival…?”

Anriette turned her gaze to a different window.

“Yes, the execution.”

On the stage set up in the square, a huge guillotine was installed.

A crowd had gathered around it, creating a festival-like atmosphere.

“Compared to that, I find it much more fulfilling to see Sister’s face.”

“Ha, it’s not a fair comparison.”

“Oh, how could I say such a thing.”

“But I understand your feelings, I also—don’t want to see the death of innocent people.”

Anriette genuinely worried.

Because she loved humanity, she chose the same path as Satouki.

But because she loved humanity, she couldn't fully accept Satouki's ideology, which easily trampled on others for the sake of his goals.

If Satouki heard this, he would probably smirk and say, “That’s why it had to be you.”

◇◇◇

Gadio and Linus looked down at the crowd from the stage.

They had no taste for enjoying executions, but as hostages, they couldn't refuse the order to “participate.”

Not that they were asked to behead the criminals or anything.

Satouki had promised to pay them, and the job was relatively easy.

“What a huge turnout, huh?”

Linus looked at the packed crowd and said with a hint of exasperation.

“It shows how much the people are seeking scapegoats to blame.”

It had been a week since the battle with Mother.

In other words, it had been six days since Gadio and the others were taken hostage and forced to follow Satouki’s orders.

On that day, the king and the pope gathered the people of the capital, who had been hit by an unprecedented disaster, and gave a speech.

During the speech, they both collapsed and, due to the implanted Origin cores, transformed into spiral monsters.

The chaos in the capital was even greater than the attack by the Children, but then Kiril and the heroes appeared.

They defeated the monsters, and Satouki promptly revealed the truth.

“The king and the pope were turned into monsters by the demons! The monsters that destroyed the capital were also part of the demons' scheme!”

Of course, it was a convenient lie for him, but to the people of the kingdom, demons were evil.

Moreover, the exhausted people were seeking a heroic tale to boost their morale.

Their interests aligned.

Satouki continued:

“I have been secretly fighting the monsters alongside the heroes and the brave.”

“The queen, who consorted with the prince and the king born from the monsters, also carries tainted blood.”

“In other words, unfortunately, there is no legitimate heir. But rest assured, there were other humans who carried the blood of the previous king besides the current one!”

The absurd and forceful flow of events was made believable by the existence of the heroes, who had saved the people's lives many times.

From that point on, Satouki became the new pope.

With immense power, he quickly captured the prince and the queen.

The next day, they were executed, and Slow Vladness, now renamed Slow Carol, was crowned the new king.

As a relief measure for the disaster, temporary tax cuts were implemented, and the circulation of herbs was legalized for a select few approved merchants.

With many injured, there was a shortage of healers in the capital.

The legalization of herbs was expected to improve the situation, and most people, except for the fanatical followers of the Origin religion, welcomed the policy.

Still, Satouki's momentum didn't stop there.

Surprisingly, he openly revealed the existence of the Chimera.

He announced that, as a first step, two dragon-type, ten lion-type, and thirty wolf-type Chimeras would be introduced to remove debris and assist in rescue operations.

Although he claimed they were originally created to combat the monsters, the sight of these clearly abnormal creatures roaming the capital frightened many people—yet within a week, they had changed their minds.

The Chimeras were simply too useful.

The work efficiency before and after their introduction differed by tens of times, and the number of lives saved was more than ten or twenty.

Now, when Chimeras work in the town, almost no one is afraid.

Occasionally, children can be seen waving at them innocently.

The abnormal has become the norm.

Despite being the same as the Children, whom they once feared, the Chimeras are now seen as convenient tools.

The person who found this most unpleasant was undoubtedly Gadio.

He glared at the dragon-type Chimera working on the debris without realizing it.

“Hey, Gadio, that face is not good.”

Heroes' fans were monitoring their every move.

They had to be careful not to make any rash actions.

“…Sorry.”

“No need to apologize, I understand how you feel.”

The creatures that killed his beloved, his best friend, and his comrades were now accepted as “good.”

It was unacceptable.

To avenge Tia's frustration, the only way was to destroy those abominations and Echidna.

“Someday, I will destroy them.”

“When that time comes, I'll be with you… Oh, the commander is approaching.”

Two men in white plate armor approached them.

Hue Pagnan, the commander of the Origin Church Knights, and his companion, the bearded and sinister-looking deputy commander, Jack Murray.

“Did you know? He’s apparently Satouki’s son.”

“I’ve heard of him. He’s the son of a mistress and was playing around until a few years ago.”

“Yeah, he was arrested multiple times for rape. But apparently, Satouki himself didn’t even know of his existence.”

“What does that mean?”

“He was just born, and back then, Satouki was quite a troublemaker.”

In a way, Hue and Satouki might be similar.

However, Satouki never resorted to illegal means to get women.

“But for some reason, he suddenly changed his heart and is now the commander.”

No one knew what happened to him except himself.

But Linus and Gadio knew he was skilled with a sword.

With such power and a reformed heart, it was easy to join the knights.

Hue stopped and faced them, standing straight.

“It’s an honor to meet you! I am Hue Pagnan, a wretched and filthy soul, yet appointed as the commander of the knights!”

“H, huh…”

It was an unexpected and dramatic greeting.

Linus was taken aback, and Gadio was speechless.

“Oh, to be allowed to share the same air as the noble Linus Radianz and Gadio Laskart, it is the greatest happiness!”

Hue shook Linus and Gadio’s hands, tears in his eyes, showing that his words were genuine.

“Even if you say that, your role is to monitor us, right?”

“I have no such right. Just being in your presence is overwhelming! To even speak to you is beyond my worth, I am deeply grateful to you, Gadio!”

Gadio had intended to provoke him, but it had no effect on Hue.

He didn’t seem to be lying—probably, when ordered by Satouki to “monitor them,” he might have replied, “I am too overwhelmed to do anything but watch.”

“I should be guiding you to a higher level, but unfortunately, I have no time now. Please forgive me for leaving!”

After saying this, Hue left.

“Oh, ugh…!”

The two watched him leave, crying, in a daze.

The deputy commander, Jack, scratched his head and yawned, looking bored.

“…What a weird guy.”

“Creepy.”

Being the commander of the Origin Church Knights, he was probably not a normal person.

After staring at his back for a while, Gadio let out a sigh, relaxed his expression, and returned his gaze to the crowd.

The execution was about to begin, and the number of spectators was increasing.

Linus, glancing at the countless faces, noticed a familiar one.

“Hey, Gadio, that…”

“What is it?”

Gadio also looked in the same direction and recognized the person.

The person seemed to notice they were being watched, and for a moment their eyes met. Then, Leach quickly left the execution site.

◇◇◇

Thump, his heart skipped a beat.

Their eyes met.

It wasn’t just awkward; he couldn’t understand why he had the nerve to come here—his presence could have been lethal.

Unable to bear the self-reproach, Leach hurriedly left the execution site.

Leach walked through the broken streets with a dark expression.

The “confidence” he once had was completely gone.

He had betrayed Flam and the others.

Even while arranging their escape, he had already been targeted by Satouki.

He was threatened with the placement of Chimeras to attack his wife at any time.

He was also told he could be prosecuted for illegal drug use, leaving him cornered.

Leach knew that Satouki would follow through if he resisted.

“So, I had no choice…”

He muttered an excuse and bit his lip.

He felt wretched.

No matter how dire the situation, he never wanted to cross the line of humanity.

But he accepted Satouki’s demands.

As a result, Milkit, Ink, Kerena, and Harom became hostages, and Flam and the others had no choice but to follow him.

In return, the Manchessi store gained the exclusive right to handle herbs.

The company would surely become even richer and larger.

It was the right choice.

There was no other path.

But—Leach had lost something important in the process.

Lost in thought, he found himself in front of his mansion in the eastern district.

The guard bowed and opened the gate.

He walked through the long garden, opened the large front door, and looked up at the spacious entrance.

Everything was built through his efforts, but now it felt hollow.

He stood there, staring blankly at the ceiling, when a woman approached him.

“Welcome home, dear.”

It was Leach’s wife, Foye Manchessi.

She approached him, her long hair swaying, and embraced him without a word.

“Foye…”

“You look like you’re about to break. I couldn’t help but hug you.”

“I’m a failure as a husband.”

“Don’t say that. I’m here because you worked hard.”

His wife didn’t blame him.

Her kindness was cruel.

Wrapped in Foye’s warmth, he closed his eyes and recalled a few days ago.

“You disappointed me, I thought you’d never do something like that… You’re the worst, I