Father, I Won’t Do Anything

“The expedition force headed towards the valley and had to confront the endless hordes of demons filling the narrow passages. Countless lives were lost to break through that path. So many people perished…”

Elia continued in a hushed voice.

“And as Diamid silently witnessed the carnage, he resolutely stated…”

-It’s not yet complete, but I’ll try combining three formulas.

-Do you wish to die? I’ve already warned you about the countless magicians who perished from such reckless attempts!

-Yes, this is nothing but a gamble, Diamid. The demons were undoubtedly aware of our movements because of an infiltrator within our ranks. It’s not your fault.

-You must all think clearly. This is the only way for us to break through with the least sacrifice.

“Everyone tried to dissuade him, but Diamid forcibly used the incomplete magic and suffered the full brunt of its backlash, nearly losing his life. He sacrificed himself to save the others.”

Elia added that despite being well aware of the dangers of a failed spell’s backlash, he had taken the risk out of a sense of responsibility.

“Diamid’s expression as he prepared the magic was utterly complex. He seemed enraged by his comrades’ betrayal, yet also anguished at his failure to fulfill his duty. But he never blamed others. Instead, he castigated himself for his own lack of prudence. How could such a person be called a coward…”

After the expedition force narrowly escaped the valley, Elia mentioned there were those who condemned Diamid, much like Professor Peyron.

-If Diamid Bellafanian hadn’t dillydallied by asking for more time, we wouldn’t have fallen victim to the infiltrator, nor needed to stain that valley crimson with our blood!

-Your words are too much! Why do you blame him for the infiltrator’s actions?

“Even as his white robe was soaked in his own blood, people failed to see it. No, they chose not to see it. They needed someone to blame.”

Thus, the once sensitive and altruistic youth Diamid’s heart rapidly hardened, the account stated.

And before the final battle against the Demon King…

-This will be the first and last request I make of you all.

…Diamid made a single request to his comrades: to never speak of what they witnessed there to anyone else.

“So if you could all step aside for a moment, except for Jaina.”

At Elia’s words, Izren and Rosian silently withdrew without protest.

Observing their departure, Jaina hesitantly spoke up.

“Am I permitted to hear this story?”

“You are Diamid’s daughter, are you not? If not you, who else could understand his heart? Diamid would understand as well.”

‘Diamid’s daughter…?’

Those words resonated strangely within Jaina. Though she had heard them countless times before, for some inexplicable reason…

Jaina parted her lips. She felt compelled to say something.

That she had never considered him a father.

That she wasn’t deserving of being called his daughter…

But as if perceiving Jaina’s tumultuous emotions, Elia gently smiled before speaking first.

“The heavens brought forth dark clouds, unleashing a furious downpour. For a while, a raging storm ravaged that place. An intense battle ensued. And some time later, a great bolt of lightning struck from the sky. Where the ground had been scorched, a demon in human form lay dead.”

“…So the Demon King’s avatar perished.”

“Yes, as it’s impossible to kill the Demon King’s true form, a fatal wound was inflicted to seal it away. And the one who accomplished this was neither me nor Seiden, but your father alone.”

“…!”

As Jaina’s eyes widened in surprise, Elia smiled knowingly before continuing her explanation.

“After the prolonged battle and various injuries, none of us could properly exert our full strength. We could only cling to our fading consciousness and relentlessly press on. Just as we thought we would perish, that bolt of lightning struck from the sky. Everyone could only gape in awe at Diamid, the sky-attribute mage.”

“Then could it be…?”

“Yes, Jaina. While not certain, I believe that was the day he completed the combination of three formulas.”

“Then why did the Tower Lord conceal that fact until now?”

“Perhaps he grew weary of humans. No, he had every reason to feel that way…”

As Jaina gazed at Elia with a puzzled expression, the latter seemed lost in reminiscence before continuing her account.

“The moment we felt relieved that everything was over, a rainbow appeared in the sky. It was as if consoling us for the sacrifices we had endured. I thought everything would return to how it was before. But… nothing had changed.”

“Nothing changed?”

“The nobles began exploiting the citizens, and the ministers were eager to diminish the heroes’ achievements. Moreover…”

Lowering her head as if bearing guilt, Elia continued.

“Individual sacrifices were ignored, and merits were divided according to vested interests. In that process, Diamid faced countless condemnations. They claimed the unnecessary sacrifices were his fault. And it was my father who stood by and allowed it.”

The imperial nobles had wished to gloss over their failure to properly participate in the expedition, while the Emperor, prioritizing the imperial family’s honor above all else, had wanted his daughter Elia to shine the brightest.

“My father’s obstinacy was so deep that even I, his daughter, couldn’t dissuade him. I apologize for offering such a pitiful excuse.”

Ultimately, their aligned interests led to Diamid’s immense contributions being diminished far below what he had truly achieved.

“In addition to his comrades’ betrayal, having the world point fingers at him as well, he must have been unable to remain sane. For the world he had devoted everything to protect was no different from the era when demons had run rampant.”

This was the reason Diamid had sealed his heart and secluded himself in the Magic Tower immediately after the Demon King’s sealing.

“Initially, Diamid refused to meet even his former comrades when they came seeking him. But that changed at some point – after you arrived at the Magic Tower, Jaina.”

“After I arrived at the Magic Tower?”

“Yes, didn’t you know that Diamid had requested your societal debut from me?”

This was news to Jaina.

Seeing her astonished expression, Elia smiled before adding that Diamid seemed to care deeply for his daughter. Then, with a serious demeanor, she continued.

“Jaina, I can’t express how grateful I am to you. For I had harbored guilt towards Diamid.”

“Guilt?”

“Yes, for I felt responsible for his plight. I worried he might live out his life with his heart sealed away. But thanks to you, I can put those concerns to rest, and I’m truly glad.”

“Your Highness Princess Elia…”

“I wish to express my gratitude once more, Jaina. For finding my former comrade again.”

As Elia bowed her head in appreciation, Jaina found her mouth drying up and throat constricting.

She felt she could somewhat understand Diamid now.

He hadn’t stopped loving her. He had simply been incapable of loving anyone.

Though Jaina had known this, experiencing it firsthand through Elia’s account was profoundly different.

Despite only hearing it secondhand, considering the anguish and suffering Diamid must have endured left Jaina’s heart heavy.

‘Perhaps he had no choice.’

Like how the dragons claimed she had no father.

Like how she had resolved not to harbor expectations, having been fated to die, only to be disconcerted by his sudden change in demeanor, prompting her to flee to the academy.

Perhaps he, too, lacking courage, had constructed the wall of ‘others’ around himself, feigning ignorance as if it were someone else’s concern.

So he had spoken those cruel words – that she could never be his daughter, that she should never appear before him again – while still concerning himself with her debutante, sending her gifts, and even saving her life.

Just as she couldn’t let go of her thoughts about him now.

-Allow me to watch over her.

Realizing this, Jaina found herself unable to control her emotions any longer.

‘But first, I need to focus on restoring the Tower Lord’s honor. My relationship with Diamid can wait.’

Jaina shook her head vigorously, striving to clear her mind of such ruminations.

Based on Elia’s provided information, drafting the report would require considerable time.

After bidding Princess Elia farewell, with Izren and Rosian’s assistance, Jaina began composing the report draft, drawing from the library’s books and Elia’s testimony.

And finally, the day of reckoning arrived.

* * *

Having completed her report, Jaina confidently approached Professor Peyron as soon as the history class began.

“Heh, so you actually wrote a report as instructed, instead of simply copying passages.”

He nonchalantly accepted the report from Jaina. However, as he read through it, his expression gradually darkened.

Despite being a draft, Jaina’s report logically refuted his claims with supporting evidence.

“This, this is preposterous…”

“The sources are listed separately on the last page.”

“How could someone like you…”

As Professor Peyron sputtered in bewilderment, Jaina stood before the classroom lectern.

“The reason I stand here today is to refute the content of your previous lecture regarding the Tower Lord.”

“Student Jaina!”

“Surely you won’t stop me from presenting after instructing me to study the matter? It’s merely a student’s opinion.”

Jaina’s words piqued the students’ interest one by one.

“Jaina, do you believe there were inaccuracies in Professor Peyron’s previous lecture?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Professor Peyron had stated that many lives were lost in the ‘Crimson Valley’ due to the Tower Lord, but that is not the truth.”

“Not the truth? Are you saying I spoke falsehoods?!”

As Professor Peyron shouted in agitation, Jaina smiled with a refreshing lack of hesitation.

“Of course, they were falsehoods.”

“Do you have evidence? Evidence!”

“While I cannot provide definitive evidence for such an ancient event, there are accounts of an infiltrator being present at the time.”

“…What? An infiltrator? That was a matter of divided opinions within the expedition force itself. Are you stating a mere hypothesis as fact, without clear evidence?”

“No, it seems you haven’t properly read my report, Professor. I merely stated there might have been an infiltrator. …However, don’t you also lack evidence? Isn’t it wrong to present conjecture as certainty?”

“In the case of hypotheses, we discuss the most plausible possibility! It’s the academic consensus that the ‘Crimson Valley’ battle resulted in severe casualties due to the Tower Lord!”

Though unable to properly refute Jaina’s arguments, Professor Peyron stubbornly clung to his stance, unwilling to concede to a student.

Finally, heaving a deep sigh, Jaina met Professor Peyron’s gaze as she spoke.

“It seems you haven’t read the section containing Princess Elia’s testimony at the end of the report.”

“…Th-that is…”

Upon Jaina mentioning Princess Elia, Professor Peyron’s face flushed with consternation.

He seemed to have been unaware of Jaina’s connection to the Princess, hailed as the future Empress.

“How dare a student insult a professor like this! This is a matter I must report to the headmaster!”

Unable to maintain his composure, the reddened Professor Peyron stormed out of the classroom, threatening to propose disciplinary action.

“Jaina?”

And Jaina followed after him.