Chapter 119: Sacrifice
Several days later, at the Academy.
The rumor that Ryu was an executive of some shadowy underworld organization had lost much of its initial momentum. The frenzy had cooled; students no longer buzzed about it with the same feverish excitement. Interest had dulled, replaced by the Academy’s usual preoccupations—grades, status, rivalries, romance.
And yet—
Whenever he actually passed before them in the flesh, their faces still twisted ever so slightly.
Ryu himself did not care what was said about him. Insults slid off him like rain off stone.
But he could almost hear it—the faint, grating sound of House Arden’s prestige being shaved down bit by bit. Worse still was the knowledge that Lena would be looked at the same way.
That, more than anything, was unforgivable.
Today as well, he made his way from the faculty room toward Classroom 1-A for his lightning magic lecture.
To reach the first-year building, one had to pass through the fountain plaza—a wide, open space where voices echoed easily.
“Look, it’s that rumored new instructor…” whisper whisper
“Why hasn’t he been fired yet?” whisper whisper
“I always thought House Arden was suspicious ever since they beat House Mantester.” whisper whisper
“What if they were part of an underworld organization even back then?” whisper whisper
(Hm. Arden fought earnestly for the Empire on the Western Front and during the Hinomaru expedition… But I suppose such information doesn’t reach their ears.)
There were hundreds upon hundreds of noble houses within the Empire, large and small.
Why would students know the deeds of a single viscount house among them?
(Though one might argue that those belonging to noble families ought to know… well. A student’s duty is study. I suppose I can let that slide.)
The Western Front was one thing. But the Hinomaru expedition—an achievement not seen in a thousand years.
Still, it had been accomplished only two months prior. It was hardly surprising that noble youths residing far from their family estates in the capital remained ignorant.
And yet—
The day would likely come soon when they learned the full details of Hinomaru… and felt their faces burn with shame.
As he pondered this, a group of noble youths approached from the opposite direction.
At their center walked a boy bearing the crest of the House of Blake upon his chest.
Klim.
They noticed Ryu as well.
“Klim-sama, that’s—”
“Hm?”
As they passed, Ryu and Klim locked eyes.
Klim’s lips curled into a vulgar sneer.
“Heh heh heh… Go rot in hell, you insignificant Arden wretch…”
“…………”
His lackeys snickered behind him.
Ryu stopped walking.
Then he turned.
“Wait a moment, gentlemen.”
“Huh?”
Klim and his entourage turned back—
And in that instant—
“““““???????”””””
The universe fell upon them.
They had taken Ryu’s killing intent head-on.
It was not fear they felt. Nor shock.
It was the annihilation of thought itself.
As though they stood alone in an endless white void, stripped of context, of identity, of time.
Ryu approached slowly and lightly placed a hand on Klim’s shoulder.
“Enjoy the rest of your Academy life… thoroughly.”
“H-Huh…?”
Klim and his entire group collapsed backward onto their rears.
Ryu looked down at them, snorted faintly through his nose, and turned on his heel.
“What was that?”
“No idea, but that was pathetic…”
When Klim and the others regained their senses, their faces were burning red. Without a word, they scrambled toward the third-year building.
Some students might think Ryu childish for such behavior.
But let it not be forgotten—
Ryu was fifteen years old.
The same age as Klim.
“Alright. Let’s begin today’s lightning magic lecture. Today we’ll focus on incantation structure…”
(Ryu-sama looks so cool today…)
(Lena is an archangel today… no, a goddess.)
Once again, the blackboard of Class 1-A was filled with fierce strokes of lightning magic theory.
The bell signaling the end of classes rang throughout the Academy.
Those with club activities headed for their clubrooms. Committee members to their offices. Others toward the dormitories or the main gate.
Klim, flanked by his lackeys, walked toward the main gate.
Upon arrival—
“Klim-sama, we’ll be taking our leave.”
“Apologies, but I must as well…”
One by one, they boarded their respective carriages and departed at once.
Normally, the carriage of the House of Blake would already be waiting at this hour.
But today—
It was nowhere to be seen.
“Tch. Making me wait? When I get home, I’ll educate those servants properly.”
Ordinarily, only the one at fault would be punished.
Klim, however, delighted in collective responsibility—punishing even those uninvolved.
Several minutes passed.
Just as his fury neared its breaking point, the carriage finally arrived.
“Our deepest apologies for the delay. We were unfortunately caught in traffic—”
“Your punishment will be decided at home. Open the door at once!!!”
(I’ll kill this driver for sure…!)
“…………”
The driver silently opened the carriage door.
At that very moment—
Something appeared behind Klim.
“Huh?”
In the blink of an eye, he was shoved inside.
A strange chemical was pressed to his nose.
Darkness swallowed him instantly.
“The first phase is complete. Sebas, take us out.”
“At once.”
The carriage of the House of Blake rolled away—
In the opposite direction from the noble district.
Beside Ryu now lay Klim, sprawled foolishly, fast asleep.
“Incredible efficacy. As expected of Esther. To perfect even illegal substances like this… no, to refine them beyond perfection.”
In most nations, including the Empire, manufacturing fast-acting sleep agents for use against humans was strictly illegal.
“The Empire’s foremost apothecary does not hold that title lightly,” Sebas replied. “Ryu-sama, I sincerely hope you will cherish your bond with Esther-sama.”
“Rest assured, Sebas. I will absolutely make Esther my wife.”
“…………V-Very well.”
Sebas’ eyes widened briefly at the sudden declaration.
(At last… spring has come for Ryu-sama…! This humble Sebas is overwhelmed with gratitude beyond words!!!)
Ever the meddlesome old man.
That night.
Klim awoke.
(Nn… It’s hot… And why do my limbs hurt…?)
“…Huh?”
He slowly opened his eyes.
Before him, goblins danced joyfully in a grotesque celebration.
(W-What…? What’s going on…?!!!)
He was crucified at the center of a goblin nest.
On nights of the full moon, goblins crucified a sacrifice and held a clan-wide festival.
At its conclusion, they would cook and devour the offering.
Ryu had exploited that instinct, casting Klim into their nest on a full-moon night.
Klim finally realized—
His four limbs had been nailed down.
“!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Raised as a pampered ducal son, he had scarcely bled before. He had never known true agony.
He could not endure it.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Ggya?”
“Gegya…?”
“Gyagyagyagya!!”
The goblins noticed their prey still lived.
The festival paused.
They began throwing stones. Jabbing spears.
“S-Stop…! Stop it—pleaseeeee!!!!”
He struggled to flee, but the large nails through his limbs tore flesh wider with every movement.
The pain intensified, flooding his body.
The goblins piled firewood beneath him, feeding the flames higher and higher.
“Hot—hottttttt!!! Help me! Someone—anyone—save me!!!”
Crucified. Nailed. Stoned. Speared. Burned alive.
There was little greater torment.
“Gegya!!”
“Gugya!!”
The goblins’ revelry continued.
Minutes passed.
At last—
“S-Save… me… save…”
Klim’s strength left him.
His head lolled to one side.
His face was a ruin of blood and tears.
Two men watched from a distance.
“…He’s finally dead.”
“I am surprised a ducal son lasted even that long.”
“That’s what happens when you lay hands on Arden.”
“Indeed.”
“Let’s go, Sebas. Thanks for the help today.”
“Not at all. I am honored to have been invited to a purge.”
“You exaggerate.”
“Every word is sincere.”
The two mounted Axel and rode back toward the capital beneath the full moon’s indifferent gaze.