NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25
Episode 25: The Marquis Wields the Blade of Revenge (Part 3)
“Honestly, I thought things had gotten a bit better until just now, but how did you manage to regress so much in intelligence in such a short time?”
“Huh? What?”
“Hey, Leon… Why do I have to be lectured by someone like you about how to handle those two?”
It seemed like Leon finally realized he had messed up. Or rather, he had already messed up in the cell, so it was a bit late for that.
“Leon, since you seem to be misunderstanding, let me enlighten you. I’m not just killing those two for the sake of my subordinates.”
“Huh?”
“I’m eliminating them because they’re unpleasant. That’s all. If you see feces on the road, wouldn’t you find it unpleasant? It’s dirty and stressful to look at. So you clean it up. That’s all there is to it. Do you need some complicated reasoning to deal with feces?”
Leon couldn’t respond to my words. He had sensed, without any reasoning, that my declaration of Gazel and Almada being equivalent to feces was genuine.
“And Leon, there’s one thing I want to ask you.”
“……”
Leon didn’t answer. No, he probably couldn’t. I could feel the trembling of his fear through the hand gripping his head, and that fear likely rendered him unable to respond.
“Why should I be addressed so casually by someone like you?”
“Huh…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Wh-why?”
“You’re asking why I know? Did you really think there wouldn’t be any surveillance during a meeting with a death row prisoner?”
“Huh?”
“You might try to help them escape. With that possibility, why wouldn’t you assume you’re being watched?”
Leon’s face turned pale at my words.
“You thought acting humble might get you a reduced sentence… huh? When did I ever mention reducing your sentence? Show me the basis for your assumption that your wishes take precedence over mine… huh?”
“N-no, that’s not it!!”
“Oh? What’s not it? Go on, tell me.”
“Th-that was… to encourage reflection.”
“So, you’re saying you can fool me by putting on a superficial act. You really have no respect, do you?”
“N-no, that’s not it!!”
“Shut up… It’s exactly that.”
CRACK!
“AAAAAAHHHH!!”
Leon’s scream erupted because I had dislocated his left elbow. I ignored his cries and continued speaking.
“Leon, what’s going on in your head? Why do you think I’d have any consideration for your family? It’s truly baffling.”
“Hiii!!”
“You’re just as unpleasant as feces.”
“Hiii!! Please forgive me!! Please forgive me!! Please forgive me!!”
CRACK!
“AAAAAAHHHH!!”
This time, I dislocated his right elbow, and another scream tore from Leon’s throat.
“Walter.”
Ignoring Leon’s screams, I called out, and a butler silently appeared in the office.
“How are those two idiots doing?”
“They seem to have taken Leon’s words to heart and are acting quite humble.”
“Oh… So they fell for this fool’s sweet talk?”
“Yes. They genuinely believe that you are hesitating, my lord.”
I couldn’t suppress the sneer that naturally rose to my lips. I had sent Leon in to make them think there was a chance they might survive until the execution, only to deepen their despair at the last moment. The fact that it worked so effortlessly was thanks to Leon’s efforts.
“Leon, you’re really a lucky man.”
“Huh?”
“You managed to manipulate those two exactly as planned. It’s your achievement.”
“Manipulate?”
“I’m saying you were used to guide their thoughts.”
“Huh? What?”
Leon seemed unable to grasp the meaning of my words, his face blank with confusion.
“Those two must die steeped in as much despair as possible.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t you get it? They need to cry and wail miserably on the execution platform.”
“Wh-why?”
“There are two reasons, but I have no intention of telling you. You’ll remain useful to me as a pawn until the very end.”
I cut the conversation short there, and Walter grabbed Leon’s shoulders, forcing him to stand before resetting both dislocated elbows.
“Guh…!!”
Leon’s face twisted in pain, but it soon subsided. He looked at me with eyes full of terror.
“Walter, take him away. If he steps out of line again, deal with him as you see fit.”
“Understood.”
“Hiii…”
“Let’s go.”
“W-wait, please…”
Walter whispered something to Leon, and his face turned pale. Leon staggered like a ghost, following Walter out of the room.
Those two have no idea that Leon, their so-called hope, was utterly useless. That’s why they’ll be plunged into despair on the day of their execution.
“At least be useful in your final moments… Father, Stepmother.”
I sneered wickedly and muttered to myself.
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