Chapter 147. Dog Father, Dog Son (2)

'My own blood.'

Even though these words no longer held meaning for the monstrosity he had become, Zahard finally felt a sense of relief, thinking he had given his son peace at last.

― This, this, this..."

Blood, akin to a one-armed demon's viscous fluid, trickled down the end of the staff sword.

The one-armed demon ran its hand down the 'staff sword'. It did not seem to be an attempt to pull the sword out despite the struggle.

― See, I told you, this is comfortable.

The words were not clear to hear, but it seemed the one-armed demon was saying just that.

"Yes, it seems that way."

Muttering in response, Zahard twisted his arm once more.

Crunch.

There was a sound of something being crushed inside the one-armed demon.

The sound of a core breaking.

This was the sound signaling the end of the demon.

Starting with its solitary remaining arm, the one-armed demon slowly began to collapse.

Crumble.

Like sand clumped together and then falling apart.

Thus, the one-armed demon died.

Initially, it was hard to accept this truth, but picking up the 'Soul Stone' left alone on the ground made the true demise of the creature obvious.

"It's unexpectedly cold."

Muttering, Zahard lifted the ice-cold Soul Stone, thinking that it was finally over.

"It is not over yet, Sir Zahard."

As if reading Zahard's inner thoughts, Yulian's voice echoed with a tone resembling a monologue.

Bing—!

In that moment, Zahard's body spun once in the air and then slammed into the ground.

Fortunately, Zahard managed to spread the impact across his body, thanks to his relentless training, allowing him to break his fall as he landed.

"Ugh...!"

Taken aback by Yulian's sudden action, Zahard was confused.

Though the one-armed demon was defeated, the other demons had not yet been dealt with.

"Since the major issue seems resolved, I should get to my job, which is subduing the criminal. Heh, heh."

Yulian's laughter pierced Zahard's ear.

Having sent off the one-armed demon, or rather, Razid, Zahard thought there was still time for cleanup.

However, it was not a time to be relaxed.

'The demons are still...'

Feeling perplexed, Zahard's expression soon changed to one of bewilderment as he looked around.

Whether it was a stroke of fortune or misfortune, the demons attacking with the one-armed demon began to flee.

The demons to be dealt with were disappearing...but why was Yulian acting this way?

'Hmm.'

Zahard let out a soft groan within.

Due to his status, Yulian could not act hastily.

Of course, stepping forward to boost the soldiers' morale was necessary under the circumstances, especially when innocent lives were at stake.

'Suddenly, me? Even if I've committed a crime.'

Zahard could not understand.

"Sir Yulian... Since we have won the battle, there's no need to resort to such coercive behavior towards Sir Zahard, right?"

"Yes, Sir Yulian!"

The surrounding soldiers tried to dissuade Yulian.

Regardless of whether it was sincere or not, Yulian's apparent reason for appearing on the 'Northern Front' was to capture the 'deserter Zahard'.Zahard understood this well.

Even without resorting to such coercion, taking him away quietly would suffice.

Perhaps the reason Yulian was behaving this way...

'Is it a play?'

Upon repetitive contemplation, this was the conclusion reached.

At that very moment, Yulian approached Zahard and whispered quietly.

"Get the Soul Stone, Sir Zahard. It is yours."

Upon hearing Yulian's words, Zahard was convinced that this was a 'play' orchestrated by Yulian.

'By any means...'

Considering the potential dangers ahead, it was an understandable action.

"How about ending it there, Sir Yulian."

A voice, calm enough to make one forget the recent fierce battle with the demons, emerged.

With a slight haughtiness mixed in, everyone's gaze turned to it.

It was the Wedge Knights and the Third Prince Kaldrach de Adratan.

They had descended.

Swoosh.

Hearing the voice, Zahard clenched the soul stone firmly.

Along with his determination to not let it go.

Feeling a strangely warm sensation from the once-cold Soul Stone, he was briefly surprised but realized it was not the time for such sentiments.

"The situation... seems to be under control for now."

"I cannot allow it, prince Kaldrach. This one is a deserter who violated the Empire's rules and betrayed the Imperial expectations."

Although denying Kaldrach's words, Yulian slyly continued.

"I must uphold discipline as someone affiliated with a dedicated Imperial institution."

"Despite what you said, didn't you unlawfully enter North Pole, breaching the law?"

He was right.

Having observed Yulian's route to this place from the side, Zahard could not deny it.

Yet, seeing Kaldrach appear nonchalantly after the situation had ended left a bad taste in his mouth.

"... Kuheum."

The other soldiers seemed to share Zahard's sentiment. Their faces were filled with distrust.

Doubts and suspicions about Kaldrach, who had been accumulating merits on the Northern Front until now.

It was only natural.

He had been a 'fugitive' who withdrew and fled to the second gate during a sudden attack by barbarians and demons.

Even considering any hidden intentions, what significance would that have to the soldiers?

Abandoning the soldiers was an undeniable truth.

"If Prince Kaldrach insists, there seems to be no choice."

As if anticipating this situation, Yulian gently released Zahard.

Simultaneously, Yulian's gaze and whisper rose once more.

"Run among the soldiers. Escape. Even if it's just a 'Soul Stone', isn't it enough to hold a funeral for your son?"

Startled.

For a moment, Zahard's halted gaze turned towards Yulian.

Was this a thing to be spoken by the 'Smiling Executioner'?

From that ruthless man known for his monstrous reputation?

Yet, brief thoughts were best kept that way.

For spurs appeared to be approaching him.

Zahard, as if enthralled, kicked off the ground and began running towards the first gate.

Though the Northern Front was filled with soldiers, not one tried to stop Zahard.

He was a companion who fought against the demons and also their commander. No one stood in his way.

'Thank you, I will surely repay this debt!'

Thinking such, Zahard clenched 'Razid's' Soul Stone tightly.

He escaped North Pole, but no pursuers followed.

From the start, Kaldrach's intent seemed not to be him, but Yulian.

***

As expected. Just as intended.

Zahard quickly fled through the Northern Front's gate.

The life of his kin was fully ended.

The depth of such emotions was not for me to easily measure, but this did seem to ease his steps.

'Yes, flee.'

Your escape allows me a chance to leave here as well.

"This... You should have held on tighter. Didn't the criminal just escape?"

Kaldrach muttered aimlessly watching Zahard fade away.

You vile dog.

With not the slightest intent to capture, yet you prattle needlessly.

"Besides that, Sir Yulian. As you've committed offenses as well, I shall have to restrict your person. Discontent..."

Kaldrach spoke words akin to a death sentence.

I too knew that refuting his words would serve no high purpose.

Yet for now, I must accept it.

"W-Wait. Prince Kaldrach!"

Then suddenly, Rinne dared to cut off Kaldrach and interjected.

Though she was visibly exhausted from fighting demons, Kaldrach didn't seem to care and shifted his gaze towards her.

"Sir Yulian has endeavored to protect the Northern Front. At least considering the merit, he shouldn't be incarcerated..."

"There's no exception in the rules. Can you take responsibility for the cracks starting from that exception?"

Rinne's face darkened at Kaldrach's words.

As she seemed on the verge of continuing her plea, I cut in swiftly.

"Naturally spoken. There's no exception in the rules. Everything done till now was to uphold that very 'rule'."

Exactly as stated.

What I've executed thus far was to guard the Imperial rules.

"Speaking of such precious rules, I wish to ask you, why did you break them?"

Kaldrach asked with scoffing sarcasm.

Why, indeed. It was to prevent the one-armed demon from transforming into a horned demon, getting X'd, and destroy it before then.

Of course, mentioning that wouldn't really light a bulb for you lot, though....

Naturally, I didn't verbalize that.

Instead, I opened my mouth while looking at the soldiers who fought together in this battle.

"At times, one must act with the heart instead of the head."

***

There doesn't seem to be such a thing as a 'must' in the world.

No matter how I disliked and despised the character named 'Yulian', could I have imagined this character would end up in jail?

A character solely existing for, by, and to serve the Imperial family.

Had someone else spoken of such a storyline, I would have definitively denied it.

"3-1A, you have been assigned here, Sir Yulian."

Yet now, 'Yulian' was imprisoned in one of the Northern Front's cells.

Were it the actual 'Yulian', such circumstances would not have arisen.

As I, taking Yulian's place, portrayed him, such a situation was likely.

"You will be released soon. Because Sir Yulian took actions to protect North Pole!"

One of the soldiers guiding me to the room stated firmly.

The merit accumulated by 'Yulian' on the Northern Front was said to be tremendous.

Moreover, these voices were only hearing the rumors from the capital without personally witnessing anything.

Besides, hadn't significant contributions been made in this battle as well?

Apparently, there's dissatisfaction with the treatment I received.

"It's all right, it's for the sake of discipline, after all."

I responded with a smile.

To him, I appeared as an ally.

A knight resisting injustice.

An unfairly treated hero.

'Certainly not as grandiose, yet, perhaps in a similar light?'

Yeah. I do know.

Not quite as extravagant.

'Yulian's' fundamental disposition was 'evil.'

Even without seeing 'me' favorably under current circumstances, their opposition to Kaldrach and Swaeco was undeniable.

"We, the northern soldiers, are preparing an appeal. We'll strive to get Sir Yulian out of here!"

That's appreciated.

Do put in the effort, would you?

Once I offered him a smile, the soldier departed, and uneasy silence began to settle in the cell.

'Oh, truly... Tsk.'

The hygiene here wasn't overly poor. Or rather, it wasn't 'good' enough to even be called bad.

The frigid cold pierced through the bricks like daggers, preventing the buildup of what could be termed 'filth.'

'It's lively.'

Outside, soldiers were bustling around dealing with the post-chaos.

Kaldrach likely didn't place me here merely to imprison me.

Certainly, reaching out would be imperative.

When that would be, I couldn't predict, but ideally, the sooner, the better.

There was much to do, and this place didn't suit me....

"Kekeke... Heh heh heh."

Then, a derisive voice slipped through the cracks in the cell.

'It seems to be from across.'

"That noble 'Smiling Executioner' and 'Demon Slayer' being imprisoned with us, who could have imagined?"

As if reciting lines from a play, the criminal imprisoned across muttered theatrically.

I gave him no attention and turned back towards the window showing the scenery outside.

The biting cold outside already felt like an absence I would miss.

"Hey, noble Blind Eyes! How about spouting about those damn rules, just like when you threw me in here?"

Hahaha!

Laughter mixed with ridicule started resonating from some corner of the eerie northern prison.

"Yeah, yeah! Sprout about those damn rules again! You, locked up with us... Ugh!"

Thump! Crash—!

There was a loud thud from the cell across, where the loud-jeering criminal resided, followed by utter silence.

'... This works too.'

An application of the 'Moonlit Sword Energy'.

The curiosity about whether an aura could be transformed into a 'stone' and flung, without employing a sword, led to this.

The answer: 'It was possible.'

"... What was that just now?"

"I don't, don't know... But something flew from where Yulian is held...."

"It seems many here recognize me, but unfortunately, I might not stay long enough to properly greet you all."

And being imprisoned with criminals, it's laughably absurd.

"Whether a few days or a few hours, I kindly ask for your indulgence during this brief period."

You all are imprisoned with me.

"I prefer silence."

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