Chapter 109 – People Can Change

Lucius manifested the evil dragon and mounted it.

The surrounding gun monsters reacted to the evil dragon, and their vigilance seemed to increase, feeling as if magic was clinging to them.

“I’ve healed you. Well then, later.”

The three-headed evil dragon flew up into the sky.

“Wait! Wait! Wait!”

The four of them raised their hands simultaneously, appealing desperately.

“We apologize for what happened! We’ll show a little consideration for the peasants from now on.”

“We couldn’t go against Adelaide-sama’s orders!”

“And there was a strong reminder from his highness Dion! Understand, please!”

“We’re from the same hometown, right!?”

Even at this point, they continued to say insincere things.

“It’s probably better not to get too close to the shore.”

From the boiling magma emerged a red blade, slicing through the surface of the sea. Beneath the blade swam a large fish-like shadow.

It was a gun monster resembling a shark that lived in the magma of the fourth layer, possessing superior strength even among the second class.

Two, three of them gathered and began swimming around the small island, likely drawn by the voices and smells of humans.

“Huh!”

Viscount Girard crawled toward the center of the small island and clung to the central rock.

“Y-you guys! Do something!”

The island was about five meters in radius. If a large man knelt in the center, the others would be pushed toward the magma sea.

The three looked at each other’s faces and then their gaze fell on one person.

“Sextus… you do something!”

“Indeed! Among us, only you are from the north.”

The two tutors pushed Sextus toward the sea side.

“Don’t be ridiculous! A large sum of money has been paid by my Gaeden family! Show the dignity of a tutor!”

“Can life be bought with money?”

“That’s right.”

Lucius watched from a distance in a rocky shadow, observing the situation unfold.

He felt dizzy.

He had never expected that a shoving match would break out in front of the gun monsters, who were agitated by the evil dragon’s presence.

Even in this situation… they still don’t change.

Many had openly shown hostility towards Lucius before.

Olivia, one of the daughters of the four major nobles, burned with hostility under the pretext of saving the north.

Count O’Malley of Honogura clung to the mausoleum, disregarding everything.

Knight Brusen overlapped his deteriorating self with Lucius’s, staking his life to test his abilities.

Brigade Commander Shaolia took on the unquenchable feelings of the families and friends of the deceased knights and challenged Lucius.

King candidate Lucial of the south attempted to kill Lucius to save the southern people.

Everyone had their own reasons.

Even if Lucius couldn’t understand their feelings, they were adamant, protective, wanting something.

But Lucius was more confused than ever.

“I am a viscount! The younger brother of the western alliance leader Adelaide, a member of the Arcanorum Trading Company. Furthermore, I am the uncle of the next king Dion! I can’t die in a place like this!”

“That’s right! You from the north, Sextus.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I will inherit the viscountcy in the future! There’s a difference in status between you bastards and me.”

“Even if I’m a bastard, I’m a noble from the west! Don’t lump me with other provinces.”

What is it that these people want to protect?

The four rushed toward the center of the small island, grappling and dragging each other’s legs. As a result, they tumbled toward the side where the boiling lava was.

At that moment, a shadow crept stealthily, as if seizing the opportunity. A dorsal fin, larger than the others, peeked out of the red sea surface.

Is it the master of magma?

Looking at the island, the four were still engrossed in their quarrel.

Recognizing the danger, Lucius silently commanded the evil dragon.

With the three heads resting in front paws as if lying down, the evil dragon lightly breathed out a mass of flames.

The magic power and the blazing mass carved through the sea of magma, incinerating the great shark. Flames erupted from within the lava, creating a massive column of fire.

Yet, the four continued to argue about who would stay at the center, oblivious to the danger.

“Don’t they understand the current situation?”

With such a question in mind, Lucius continued to watch over them.

Viscount Girard specializes in second-class cold-based spells.

The remaining three specialize in third-class rapid attack spells.

If Viscount Girard could cool the magma to create a foothold, and the other three could prepare for the shark’s attack, they should be able to handle it adequately.

That’s why Lucius chose such a place.

It might be hard to see from the small island, but the magic circle to descend is not far away. If the four cooperate and search, they could find it in as little as two hours, at most half a day.

As for the gun monsters that pose a threat to life, Lucius would deal with them behind the scenes, so as long as they moved on their own, they could descend.

Lucius’s purpose is not revenge or vigilante justice.

In the first place, Lucius, who doesn’t even know the names of those who drove him to death, has no qualifications for such things.

The goal is to make them understand the situation of the Kyrgyz people and change their hearts.

If the use of force is unavoidable to rescue Melania, then he also created an opportunity to forcibly make them understand the Kyrgyz people.

Watching over them continuously, Lucius sweated profusely, soaking the collar of his shirt.

Before he knew it, two hours had passed.

Why don’t they try to leave the island?

The four sat silently on the ground, heated by the heat, without even stepping out of the small island. They must have used up all their strength for quarreling, but Lucius wished they had used it for something else.

With this, they hardly experience the hardships of the Kyrgyz people.

“I’m sorry. We still haven’t found Sol, Lucius-sama’s puppet.”

Melania appeared silently from behind.

After rescuing her, Lucius had asked her to search the castle while he watched over Viscount Girard and the others.

Sol’s presence can be sensed through the connection of magic threads, but the exact location and situation are unknown.

It’s probably because there’s only one thread of magic.

“Thank you, even though something terrible just happened.”

“No, it’s nothing. I think she’s probably restrained somewhere in the castle, but it’s taking time because the underground rooms in the tower buildings are more complicated than I imagined.”

“I’m worried. Sol doesn’t have any combat capabilities since she’s a curse-breaking puppet. And I can’t even undo the curse on the soldiers who were foolish enough to be among Girard’s troops.” 

Viscount Girard foolishly cast the curse of weakness on his own men.

They are now nothing but wandering around the castle with vacant eyes.

Lucius returned his gaze to the four people in the distance who were still doing nothing.

They’re still not doing anything, aside from arguing.

“Lucius-sama… that’s enough.”

“They haven’t done anything yet except yell at each other. Nothing really.”

Lucius stared at them with a stern expression.

“If you go any further, your honor will be damaged.”

Indeed, if they were left in the heat of the magma like this, they might die of dehydration. In that case, it would be far more serious than a squabble between nobles.

With resignation, Lucius let out a deep sigh.

“…Alright, when I apologize to His Majesty, I’ll ask for improvements in the treatment of the Kyrgyz people and the dispatch of competent aides. At the very least, I won’t let people die meaninglessly.”

Although he had just tried to show off without relying on the king, he would have to swallow his pride and bow his head.

Still, if innocent lives could be saved, then mediating disputes between nobles was a much more valuable use of his head.

“I sincerely appreciate it.”

Melania bowed deeply.

“I’ll work to bring about change, even if it takes time. But if things don’t change, you guys can come to my territory. It’s much better than dying.”

“Yes.”

Reluctantly, Lucius manifested the evil dragon again and took off into the sky with Melania, leaving the four below.

“Lucius-sama… I believed in you.”

“It’s hot… I’m so thirsty… there’s nothing we can do.”

“Water… water…”

Viscount Girard, in a daze, seemed to catch sight of Melania riding the evil dragon’s back.

“You… are… a… shape… shifter… help me… this is… an order from… the master.”

It seemed he didn’t notice the contradiction of ordering the person he had tried to execute for his own convenience just a few hours ago to save his life.

“Here’s water.”

Melania tossed a waterskin she had brought.

Viscount Girard immediately grabbed it and, without wasting a second, drank it greedily.

The other three stared at the water with bloodshot eyes, waiting for their turn.

But Viscount Girard didn’t pass the water, instead pouring it over his head.

“Ahh… revived.”

The three were momentarily stunned, but then eagerly opened their mouths to drink the spilled water.

――Are they not even going to share?

One person indulges in gulping down water while others eagerly lick up the spilled drops. It seemed to represent the western region.

I don’t expect everything to be equal, but this is too much bias.

“…Why don’t you go outside the island?”

“If we move recklessly here, we might get lost and die!”

“Sitting here is the same. Isn’t this your territory? Don’t you have some familiarity with it?”

“Of course not! Why should I, of all people, have to know about the territory of monsters? Instead of that, hurry up and help us!”

Viscount Girard raised his hand again.

The other three also received a little water and began to seek help again.

“I’ll give you money, just help me!”

“If you help me, I’ll keep quiet about this.”

“This is hell! Hurry up!”

Don’t they question the nobles who should be managing this hell, pushing difficulties onto others?

“I’ll help, but you don’t have to do anything special. I’ll go to the Ministry of Justice to report the situation myself. In return, please reconsider the treatment of the Kyrgyz people.”

“Understood! I promise.”

Viscount Girard smiled broadly.

“Is that true?”

“Of course! Absolutely!”

I know.

It’s just a makeshift solution.

A genuine person would exude a more intense atmosphere, but that was completely absent.

Lucius’s expression was tinged with sadness.

◆ ◆ ◆

That night.

A banquet was held at Viscount Girard’s mansion.

The four people who were drinking heavily.

Viscount Girardo, Sextus, and two tutors.

Even though he was underage, Sextus was also drinking.

“…Did you see Lucius’s face!? He looked like the world was ending. Hahaha.”

Viscount Girard quickly drank his liquor to quench his thirst from the daytime.

“What’s with ‘Is that true?’! Who’s going to keep such a promise! Before that brat gets hunted by the [Hunters], I’ll send about ten heads of those puppeteers. He’ll surely regret it.”

“As expected of Viscount Girard’s cunning plan. It seems that what nobles need is not magic or rituals, but here.”

Sextus, the son of the Gaeden family, tapped his own head.

“That’s right! You understand well, even though you’re from the north.”

Viscount Girard pointed his finger with a satisfied expression.

The four of them laughed together as if the quarrels during the day had been a lie.

“Ha! My father told me to pledge allegiance to the western region.”

“Not to the west, but to me, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

This time, he perfectly executed the instructions given to him by his sister, Lady Adelaide.

His sister had never failed in her schemes before.

After guiding the Kyrgyz girl to the tower, he framed her with a serious crime.

The charges could have been anything. Just behead her, and Lucius would definitely resort to force, following his sister’s words.

And everything went exactly as planned.

If there was any difference, it was that Lucius acted before her head was severed, but that was just a minor detail.

The plan ahead is bound to succeed.

As a result, it is certain that my nephew Dion will inherit the throne. When that happens, I will gain even greater power, both in name and in reality, as the king’s uncle.

“Our sister is truly our goddess.”

Jara…

His sister Adelaide, who was called the Rose that Bloomed in the Tower and renowned as a peerless beauty, became the third consort of the current king’s brother.

Immediately winning the king’s brother’s favor, she steadily expanded her influence, manipulating the Four Great Nobles behind the scenes, and relentlessly ousting her political rivals.

It didn’t take long for everyone to fear her, whispering that if she set her sights on you, your only choices were death or a menial position.

After the suspicious death of the king’s brother, my sister, who wasn’t of the Four Great Nobles’ bloodline, was recommended to become the head of the Four Great Nobles.

Jara…

“After the kingdom becomes a vassal state of the empire, I will be a count. No, a grand count. Not managing a place where such monsters roam and commoners dwell, but obtaining a glorious position befitting me.”

Viscount Girard raised his goblet. Sextus and the teachers followed suit, raising their cups in response.

Jara…

“Hey. Haven’t you been hearing some dragging sound for a while now?”

“Really?”

“Now that you mention it, I do hear something.”

“I’ve been a bit concerned about it too.”

As the four of them started to take notice, the doors of the hall quietly opened.

A person stood beyond the doors.

“A… woman?”

A girl clad in an overly ornate black dress, the likes of which they’d never seen, stood there. A petite girl with a face so beautiful it seemed inhuman.

But there was something even more captivating than her appearance.

Thick chains wrapped around her entire body.

“Are those monster restraints?”

They are rare relics occasionally found, with a special effect that distorts the flow of magic and hinders the use of spells, and are made from a material incomparably harder than steel.

It is said that they can even restrain a second-class monster when fully secured.

However, those chains were cruelly torn apart.

“Who are you?”

Viscount Girard asked.

“I am… Sol. People… can change…”

The beautiful girl gave an emotionless smile.

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