Kays Translations

Chapter 57: Night of Atrocities

Ten years ago, on a fateful night.

"Please, Commander Yu, we can't bear it anymore..."

Yu, who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, listened to the desperate pleas of the worn-out townspeople gathered at his private residence under the moonlight.

"My daughter was taken by that monster... her life was snatched away," one person said.

"Yeah, such a small and adorable child, crying and screaming!"

"My son, too! I can't take it anymore! Please kill that demon!"

Yu endured the voices of the distressed citizens. Their suffering was painfully evident, and deep furrows formed between Yu's brows.

In recent days, there had been a series of arson attacks on government buildings in villages and towns within the domain. It was only a matter of time before the angry mob made their way to Viscount Clark's estate.

"I understand. I will go and meet with Viscount Clark," Yu said, leaving the townspeople behind and venturing outside.

The usually bustling main street was eerily silent despite the late hour. Instead of laughter, the air was filled with the sound of parents weeping for their lost children, and small coffins were frequently seen.

Yu arrived at the Viscount's mansion and was greeted by a young guard, Reuel, with dark circles under his eyes.

"Commander Yu!"

The other guards patrolling the gates and the garden saluted Yu in unison.

Their faces were marked with exhaustion and anxiety. Some might have reeked of alcohol, but their expressions were still somber.

Yu apologized for his late visit, but Viscount Clark reassured him, saying that their relationship allowed Yu to visit anytime.

Yu then conveyed the pleas of the townspeople to Viscount Clark.

"... Is it about this again?" the Viscount replied with a somewhat self-deprecating smile.

"Today, the townsfolk came to my house again. They want you dead. Lately, people have been coming every day," Yu said.

Viscount Clark let out a bitter chuckle. "Even without you pleading with me, if they want to kill me, they can come. I won't hide or run away. If they kill me, so be it. I'm prepared for that."

"It's becoming unbearable. Lord Lilinths also issued orders to stop this. If it continues like this..."

Yu hesitated, unsure if he should speak his mind to the Viscount.

"Today, I received a notice from His Majesty."

Ignoring Yu's wide-eyed expression, Viscount Clark continued.

"If we continue sacrificing the people, they will seize our territory and charge us with crimes."

"At least for now, I might be able to take the blame. I can claim that I acted on my own as a commander and accept the punishment. That way, the Clark family might be spared."

"I made up my mind to bear all the responsibility since I sacrificed my own child," the Viscount said.

"But..."

Yu was interrupted by the Viscount.

"I've told you many times already. I won't back down. Lord Lilinths may not take me seriously now, but I have seen it with my own eyes. The Empire is trying to revive the weapons from the Red Era."

"The Kuron Mountains stand between the Kingdom and the Empire. Even a small elite force can't pass through the demon territory," Yu argued.

To wage war, securing supply routes was crucial. They needed logistics to maintain the frontline, including retreat routes, medical supplies, weapons, food, and daily necessities.

Even if a small vanguard managed to traverse the monster-infested forest, it wouldn't be a real battle.

That's why the Kuron Mountains had long served as a natural barrier, making them an inviolable territory separating the Kingdom and the Empire.

"No, with that weapon, it's possible. They were already using unscrupulous magic tools, but that one goes beyond everything. A single soldier smashed a massive boulder, and gigantic ships were flying through the sky. With that, they can bypass the Kuron Mountains," Viscount Clark asserted.

"Even if that's the case... we will show them that we can win."

"It's impossible. The fact remains that the most elite soldiers of this domain died. They died while trying to protect me from that weapon. Their bodies... didn't even leave a trace."

Several months ago, Viscount Clark crossed the Kuron Mountains with only a few skilled individuals to gather intelligence on the Empire. Despite going with six seasoned experts, only the Viscount returned. Conflicts with the Empire happened periodically.

Initially, Lord Lilinths didn't dismiss Clark's claim of witnessing a new weapon. She sent numerous scouts, hoping to find something, but there was no sign of such a weapon.

The existence of the weapon had only been witnessed by the Viscount.

Although Yu wanted to believe it too, doubts lingered. Was there really such a weapon, or was it just a rumor?

As a nation, they couldn't deploy knights to deal with something they couldn't verify.

Magicians were a valuable resource, and knights were a financial burden. Ultimately, it was the people who bore the brunt of it all.

"If Lord Lilinths won't dispatch the knights, then we have no choice but to do it ourselves. To counter that, we need a Triad. No, a Quartet," Viscount Clark declared.

"It's impossible," Yu objected. Historical records stated that it took sacrificing over a thousand children just to produce two Triads. And even those two couldn't survive the fourth Initiation.

"Yu, do you understand why a Triad's strength is invaluable?"

"...Because they possess an immense amount of magical power and can master multiple combat spells, making them adaptable to any situation."

"Exactly. If we can't assemble their numbers, we must enhance their quality. We need that hope, that light – the Triads – in this domain."

Yu's clenched fist trembled. Even if the Empire came with an army, a few Triads wouldn't make any difference in the battle. Wars were decided by numbers and resources, not individual strength. At best, they could delay the enemy to allow the people to escape.

"Are you willing to sacrifice all the children of this domain for that?" Yu asked.

"It's a race against time. Whether the Empire attacks first or a Quartet is born first. But if the latter happens, more of the people will be saved. As the lord, my duty is to choose a path where as many of my subjects as possible survive."

The determination in the Viscount's eyes was unwavering.

"Please, stop this," Yu pleaded while prostrating.

But Yu couldn't give up either. He had received a letter from the king. If they continued down this path, Viscount Clark's future would be nothing but dishonor and tragedy.

"Let's start. Create the Triad right now. My daughter, please survive."

Viscount Clark gave the signal to begin the ceremony.

A man wearing a deep hood held the still-infant child. It was apparent that he was channeling magic into her tiny body.

"Please, stop this!"

Yu's angry voice momentarily halted the man conducting the ritual.

"Continue," the Viscount commanded.

Confused, the man resumed channeling magic into the baby.

"Please, I beg you! Please stop!"

Viscount Clark ignored Yu's pleas.

Yu summoned a sword in his hand.

"You've changed. You're being possessed by obsession! Despite loving the people, despite loving your family! Your wife's legacy, weren't there four children? Now, only Lauren is left, isn't she?"

"Nothing has changed. I'm just doing what's best. To give birth to a Quartet and bring hope and light to this land," Viscount Clark replied.

The cries of the magically-charged baby intensified.

Blood dripped from Yu's bitten lips.

Despite manifesting a sword in front of him, Viscount Clark's expression remained unchanged as he focused on crying Lauren.

"If you won't stop, then I will."

Yu gathered all his determination, empowered his legs, closed the distance, and approached the Viscount.

Then, gripping the sword in his right hand, Yu used his left hand to pull the Viscount close.

"Please stop... For the babies you killed, I will go and apologize with you."

"I won't stop. I can't stop myself anymore. If you insist on pushing forward, then use that sword," Viscount Clark said.

Yu's left hand clenched with force, and his nails dug into the Viscount's back.

"I'm sorry!"

Yu thrust the sword into the Viscount's back.

"Ugh!"

The Orleans family member performing the Initiation ritual fled from the room.

Only the baby's cries echoed within the room.

Yu tightened his grip, pushing the blade further into the Viscount's body.

Blood warmed Yu's right hand.

Then, he attempted to pierce his own chest with the sword still within the Viscount.

But the blade suddenly stopped moving.

"Why...?" Yu muttered in disbelief.

The Viscount was using both hands to prevent the blade from reaching Yu.

"I will bear the responsibility... myself," Viscount Clark said.

Yu couldn't find the right words to say.

"T... Tac... to Lord... and Lauren... I entrust them to you, Yu."

With that, the Viscount's life and strength left his body.

His lifeless body fell upon Yu.

Normally, Yu would have been able to carry it with ease, but now it felt too heavy for him to bear.

Yu collapsed to his knees along with the Viscount.

Ten seconds or perhaps an hour passed.

Regardless, Yu couldn't look at the Viscount's face.

He couldn't bear to imagine the expression on it.

But Yu distinctly heard the last words spoken.

Those words clung to Yu like a curse.

"...As you wish."

Mixed with hope, blood, and tears, something spilled onto the Viscount's lifeless body.

And so, Yu and Lauren moved to a town at the foot of the Kuron Mountains.

To prepare for an event that should never occur.

Life wasn't going smoothly.

Every time Yu saw Lauren grow, the memory of the Viscount, whom he had killed, haunted him.

He didn't know how to handle the situation.

Then, one day, a young boy arrived.

The Quartet the Viscount had desperately hoped for in his lifetime.

Moreover, the boy controlled a first-class magical creature as his Familiar.

However, he didn't resemble the hero the Viscount had described. He was gentle yet vulnerable, strong but fragile.

Even after witnessing his triumph against Chi You, Yu's impression of the boy didn't change.

If a Quartet had been miraculously born at that time, the Viscount would have wholeheartedly supported the child and trained him with all his might.

Yu felt a sense of duty.

"If I don't inherit his wish..."

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