Chapter 240: Men of Purgatory Part 2

Inside the freezing tent, the vice-captain screamed with bloodshot eyes.

“Why did you use me as bait? Why did you try to burn us all alive, Leonard, answer me!”

Anyone would think that way and be angry if they were almost killed by someone they had grown up with like a brother. There’s also resentment towards seeing not only oneself but also their subordinates being burned alive in front of them.

Although they were childhood friends, calling Leonard by his first name in public, being a baron while the vice-captain was a commoner, wasn’t appropriate. But the situation probably didn’t allow for such considerations.

Leonard slowly stood up and faced the vice-captain.

“If you weren’t such a man, the enemy wouldn’t have taken the bait.”

The moment he heard those words, the vice-captain drew his sword and attacked Leonard.

…He probably didn’t want to hear those words. I don’t know what he should have said instead.

Even if one is a master swordsman, their movements become predictable when they’re hot-headed. In contrast, Leonard remained calm, and his right fist pierced the vice-captain’s side, causing him to collapse on the spot.

For a commoner to attack a noble, a vice-captain to attack a superior, no matter the circumstances, it warrants death. It’s only natural.

However, the vice-captain remained imprisoned, and his sentence was not carried out for some time.

No one knew how to handle the situation. Even though the death penalty was inevitable, nobody wanted to be the one to suggest it or discuss the method of execution.

The vice-captain’s presence symbolized everyone’s guilt. No one wanted to touch it unnecessarily.

I once went to the makeshift prison to deliver food, but I couldn’t even meet his gaze out of guilt. I hastily placed the food and fled.

Leonard neither ordered the vice-captain to be killed nor saved him. Perhaps he couldn’t say it. In the end, three days passed, and the vice-captain escaped from his cell. Whether it was his own doing or someone helped him, it’s not something worth digging into now.

I wonder what the vice-captain is doing now. He has no place in the kingdom or the Allied Nations. Maybe he’s turned to banditry.

After the war, the royal family treated Leonard as a hero of the nation, but for him, honor isn’t much different from imprisonment.

Don’t ask if there was any other way besides using him as bait. Maybe if we thought about it carefully, there might have been, but we didn’t have the time for that, and there was no military strategist present. Leonard was the only one who could act in that situation.

I can understand Leonard’s belief that he should be killed by an avenger.

I can understand it, but it’s a little sad.

“…And that’s the story of Leonard, the death god, as I know it. You’re a benefactor to me and the princess, so I’ve told you this much, but if you try to ask someone else, you’ll either be scowled at or ignored.”

The scenery around us hasn’t changed before and after hearing the story. But for some reason, the sound of the axe seemed distant all along. Reality hasn’t quite caught up yet.

“So, is Leonard doing well?”

When Neros asked, Lutz looked up at the sky with a slightly troubled expression.

“It depends on how you define ‘well.’ He’s not sick, so in that sense, he’s healthy. But whether it’s appropriate to call him ‘well’ when he always looks like he’s about to hang himself…”

“Don’t worry, that’s his usual self.”

“Is it always like that…”

The two tried to smile at each other, but they couldn’t quite manage it.

“According to the stories Claudia gathered in the capital, the Thirteenth Knight Order seems to be composed of people who willingly throw themselves into dangerous missions. They recently responded immediately to a request from the citizens to exterminate monsters.”

“I see, that sounds like him.”

Neros got up with a wry smile and patted his butt.

“So, did my story help with making the sword?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve decided on the direction.”

“That’s good.”

Honestly, I still haven’t grasped the image of this man named Leonard completely. No, it might be impossible to perfectly understand his struggles and humanity.

What Lutz decided was what he wanted Leonard to do from now on. He wanted him to live, and he intended to put that desire into the sword.

If Leonard believes he should be killed by an avenger, then he should make a sword that will never be defeated. It should be easy to draw for surprise attacks and easy to handle indoors.

In terms of image, it’s similar to the “Night Killer” that he gave to the high-ranking knight Josel.

…Alright, here it comes! The creative inspiration is bubbling up!

Lutz felt a surge of energy throughout his body. It was a completely different force from the arrogance he had felt before setting out on the journey, the false creative impulse.

“Alright, let’s go!”

As Lutz stood up with determination, Neros looked at him with a slightly puzzled expression and stopped him.

“Hey, hold on. Does that mean you’re taking Claudia back with you too?”

“Well, yeah. I’m her husband and escort, and her pack mule. What’s the point of not going back together?”

“Listille-sama is really pleased that Claudia came. It’s like, ‘Now that you’re done with your business, let’s go home.’ It’s like a woman putting on her pants as soon as she’s done with something.”

“That certainly lacks elegance…”

“Right? Stay for a couple of days.”

Listille is fond of Claudia, and Claudia always cares about her. They must have a lot to catch up on.

I don’t know what the ideal husband and wife relationship looks like, but it doesn’t seem right to force them apart.

There’s still plenty of time in the schedule. The only problem is that Lutz is feeling overwhelmed with creative inspiration. He’s itching to get started.

“…Neros, can you guide me to those idiots using that ridiculous axe?”

“Huh?”

“I’m going to sharpen every single one of their axes! Yes, every single one! I can do it now!”

“R-right, I see. That’s appreciated.”

“Geez, isn’t there anyone here who’s the son of a blacksmith or responsible for managing weapons?”

“I thought I was doing some maintenance, but…”

“But you’re not! The sound of chopping wood is clearly off!”

Lutz walked off indignantly, taking long strides. Neros followed him, pondering as he led the way. Craftspeople sure are a peculiar bunch.

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