Chapter 315: Let’s Slaughter a Pig!
- Crack...!
"Ugh..."
Following the crushing blow to his head, Count Justiano's right arm also shattered into pieces, his blood trickled to the floor.
"Ugh..."
The count could only groan and squirm in pain on the ground, his swollen black eyes soon turning towards Frey.
- Shaaa...
And then, dark mana started to swirl around his body.
Count Justiano finally revealed the hidden artificial dark mana that had been passed down in his family.
- Shaaaah...!
In the blink of an eye, the dark mana filled the room.“If I were to die like this and lose both my family and daughter, it would be better to at least try to resist.”
The count murmured with a lifeless tone and gazed at Frey with his dark, swollen eyes.
"I thought getting hit would sober you up, but it seems like your brain cells have died. Next time I beat someone, I'll avoid touching their head."
Seeing the state of the Count, Frey chuckled and reached out his hand.
"Count, have you forgotten who I am?"
At the same time, the dazzling stellar mana spread in all directions.
- Crackle...!
Like stars scattered in the night sky, the stellar mana sparkled around the room. Soon, they burst all at once, emitting starlight throughout the room.
- Bzzzzzz...
A dazzling light that dispelled all negativity, abnormality, and darkness.
It was not the fake divine power widely spread by the Church propaganda, but rather the sacred stellar mana bestowed by God and passed down through generations to those of the Starlight bloodline.
Weaker than the solar mana and less enduring than the lunar mana.
But if one burned their own life force…
For a moment, it emitted a light more dazzling than anything else, akin to a supernova—a sacred power more noble and divine than any other in the world.
"...Damn."
Hence, despite Count Justiano's proficiency with the dark mana obtained through experiments, there was no way he could fight back.
"...I’m outclassed."
To think that the dark mana that he used at the expense of permanently damaging his own body could be dissipated so easily… The count looked at the scene with a disappointed expression.
"I didn't know you could handle stellar mana so well."
"..."
“Was the rumor about the stellar mana wrong after all?”
All the past heads of the Starlight family were good people. There was not a single evil person.
Whether it was due to the noblest mana, the stellar mana, or the lineage of heroes flowing in their blood, it was not clear.
In a way, it was natural since the Starlight family could only harness the true power of the stellar mana, which was regarded as the power of a hero, by ‘sacrificing’ their own life force sincerely for others.
"I wonder if it’s a mutation."
Remembering the prophecy written in the 'settings' section of the prophecy when he was young, Frey chuckled and replied.
"Anyway, do you know? Count?"
Then, with a curious expression, he approached the count.
"That I killed my own mother by smashing her head with a club."
"..."
Watching the blood flow from the shattered head of the count, Frey whispered in a subdued voice.
"But the system didn't count that as murder. It just treated it as hunting down a monster, didn't it?"
"What... are you saying... now… Keuheuk…!"
When he was startled by Frey's sudden words, Frey suddenly broke the Count’s trembling fingers one by one.
"So I had to commit another atrocity in the previous cycle. That time was really..."
Looking down at him with cold eyes, Frey quietly leaned in, and muttered to the count.
"What on earth are you talking about..."
"Well, it's not like it would make sense to tell someone who knows nothing about it. Sorry, my bad. As you've noticed, I've been having delusions lately. Sometimes I blurt out nonsense like this."
Frey burst out laughing and muttered. Then, his expression changed abruptly to a cold one, and he asked.
"So, how will you pay the price for tearing apart my family?"
Only then did the count tightly close his eyes.
"There's a perfect solution for times like this."
Whispering in his ear, Frey murmured softly.
"Just as you did, I will also ruin your precious family."
"No, you can't!"
"Why can't I? This is rather strange. You did such things solely for the benefit of your family, yet I'm not allowed to do the same?"
As Frey tilted his head with a puzzled expression, Count Justiano pulled his body from the brink of unconsciousness and grabbed his leg.
"Please, just torture me... Torture me for a hundred or a thousand years!!"
"Why should I? It would be better to ruin your family and take your daughter as a slave, wouldn't it?"
"Ugh..."
Upon hearing those words, the Count gritted his teeth and reached out towards Frey, but suddenly—
- Thud...!
Frey struck him hard on the back of his head.
"Ugh..."
Count Justiano slowly closed his eyes due to the impact.
"I will raze your family to the ground and torment your daughter to the brink of death."
"Ah..."
The words Frey whispered in his ear before he lost consciousness echoed vividly in his mind.
"That's why you shouldn't have done something you'll regret."
"Ah..."
The Count, who had lost everything and couldn't even protect his daughter, slowly lost his consciousness, consumed by fear for the first time in his life.
Karma... Is it?
All the evil deeds he had committed for the sake of his family and daughter flashed through his mind before he lost his consciousness.
Eurelia…
Filled with regret, lament, and despair, the gaunt old man fell unconscious in the faculty office.
"..."
Quietly observing the Count, Frey began to poke him with his foot.
"Young master."
"Oh my god!"
Suddenly, another figure appeared beside Frey, startling him.
"Haaa, okay. Did you hear everything?"
Kania, who had been lurking in Frey's shadow all day in anticipation of a situation like this, now stood beside him.
"Get rid of him. Take him to where the nobles from the Crown Prince faction are imprisoned."
"...Yes."
Frey spoke with no expression as he continued to poke Count Justiano with his foot, and Kania quietly nodded her head.
“Well, now I have to go and do what I just said.”
"...?"
Kania's eyes widened in surprise as she heard what Frey said next.
"Oh. When Count Justiano regains his senses, continue to remind him what I just said, whether through words or delusion. Keep him struggling with his own sins."
"..."
"I'm busy, so I'll take my leave."
Frey patted her shoulder cheerfully before leaving the office, leaving silence in his wake.
"...Sigh."
In that silence, Kania, with a pale and distressed expression, murmured quietly while looking at the unconscious Count Justiano.
"I can't deceive you, young master."
Her melancholic voice filled the quiet room.
"...Even when I, the culprit, are perfectly alive and well."
Tears welled up in Kania's eyes as she continued.
"Even after all of that, you still don't hate me, young master."
.
.
.
.
.
"...So, do you have something to say before you leave?"
Several hours later.
"Eurelia, are you listening?"
Frey was smiling and asking a question to Eurelia, who came to the faculty office.
"..."
However, Eurelia simply kept her head down in front of him, maintaining her silence.
"Countess Eurelia von Justiano, you do know this is an urgent situation? You must leave immediately and lead the troops…”
- Swoosh...!
Suddenly, she pulled out a dagger from her bosom and swung it at Frey.
"Whoops."
But Frey easily caught her arm with his right hand.
"...I just tried to assassinate you."
"Yes, I guess so."
Eurelia, looking at Frey, spoke in a low voice.
"Then, are you going to crush my arm too?"
"..."
"Are you going to make me a cripple, like my father?"
To her question, which sounded even more lifeless, Frey quietly shook his head with a smile.
"Why."
Then, Eurelia asked with tears in her eyes.
"Why."
"You are my student."
Upon hearing that, Eurelia stopped speaking.
"I told you before, your father used dark mana against me in defiance. That got me angry, so I knocked him down."
As Frey said this to Eurelia, her arm began to tremble slightly.
"But I set you up as a puppet because you resisted. Now you are the lord of the family. If you succeed in the rebellion, you will monopolize the wealth and power. So..."
"I respected you."
"...Hm?"
Then, she quietly closed her mouth and started mumbling to herself.
I respected you for your strength and knowledge, which I couldn't see in other professors, and for sharing it without expecting anything in return.
"...?"
I was grateful to you for saving me from being killed in a trap due to my own arrogance, for making me realize my own foolishness.
"..."
You were cool, Professor, for beating up the scum of the Empire who solely relied on their authority and could not be touched by anyone.
With that thought in mind, Eurelia quietly regarded Frey with eyes devoid of life.
Somewhere along the way, I found myself attracted to you, Professor.
"..."
Not to you who everyone calls a villain, not to the real you who is the actual villain, but to the Professor who is worthy of respect more than anyone else.
At the same time, Frey's eyes were slightly shaking without anyone noticing.
It's troublesome.
The mind reading skill he activated while dealing with Count Justiano allowed him to perceive her thoughts and emotions clearly.
It was the first time in my life. Feeling this way towards a person, towards a man. So I was curious and oddly thrilled.
Frey, hearing that, frowned deeply and scratched his head.
Maybe it's okay to open my heart, once? I had such a foolish thought.
He looked visibly troubled.
"Professor."
Eurelia asked Frey in a low voice.
"How do you see me, Professor?"
Then, without hesitation, Frey answered.
"You’re my student."
"More specifically."
Hearing that, Frey quietly opened the system window and began mumbling to himself.
[Eurelia von Justiano]
[Abilities: Strength 3 / Mana 7 / Intelligence 9.1 / Mental Strength 3.1]
High in mana and intelligence, but low in mental strength. She's hiding that from everyone.
[Passive Status: White Mage Talent / Warlock Talent]
[Disposition: Hero of Troubled Times / Cunning Hero of Troubled Times]
Depending on who leads her, she can either save the world or set it ablaze.
[Goodness Stat: 0]
And yet, she hasn't leaned in any direction, a child with endless potential.
"Professor?"
Just like a pawn, she can become anything. A child with endless possibilities.
After evaluating her with his eyes closed, Frey asked in a low voice.
"Do you want to kill me?"
"...Yes."
With a single tear streaming down her eye, Eurelia replied.
“I hate you for taking away my only family. I detest you.”
But, at the same time, I like you.
Though she only spoke one sentence, Frey heard both of them.
"So, I must kill you."
I want to surpass you.
Watching her blankly, Frey couldn't help but smirk.
- Thud...!
"Ah."
Suddenly, as the dagger pierced his left arm, both Frey and Eurelia widened their eyes in surprise.
- Tremble...
His right arm, still wearing the white glove, trembled uncontrollably as it lost hold of the dagger.
"Why...aren't you attacking me?"
"..."
"Why… Why? Why!?"
Even with his arm pierced, Frey just stared blankly, causing Eurelia to sob as tears streamed down her face.
"If I beat you here too, there will be no one to raise the army for rebellion."
- Snap!
"So, hurry up and go."
Looking at Eurelia, Frey snapped his finger, activating the stigma of slavery on her abdomen.
"I will fulfill my mission and return."
Eurelia said with a trembling voice.
"...From now on, I will do my best to kill you."
Those were the words she left behind before leaving.
"From now on... I will... do my best... to kill you… memo..."
“What the-!”
Discovering Roswyn, who was squatting next to the office door writing something, Frey exclaimed in surprise.
"..."
Then, as the office door closed, Frey was left alone again in the dark office.
"Young Master."
"Yes."
Lost in thought for a moment, Frey responded as he heard Kania's voice from behind, her eyes lit up as she spoke.
"When have you ever been scared?"
"I’m just kidding. There are too many scum in the world who do things like that to children... They need to be killed."
Frey grumbled, putting his feet up on the desk, then opened his drawer and took out a bottle of alcohol.
"I've cast an illusion on Count Justiano. Until his last breath, he will suffocate, buried in his own sins in the world of illusion, just like you ordered me to."
“Okay, good job.”
Frey took another sip of the strong alcohol, then nodded at Kania’s report.
"So, why did you make this decision?"
"Hmm."
Responding to Kania's question, Frey smiled and began his explanation.
"Kania, I decided to change my perspective when the Fourth Ordeal was about to start abruptly."
"...Yes."
With a solemn expression, Kania nodded, and Frey continued speaking while drinking.
"So, I decided to go crazy."
"Why would that happen..."
"But going crazy doesn't mean I'm being corrupted."
"..."
Thinking of the corrupted quest that had been suppressed, Frey continued with an unpleasant look in his eyes.
“It was Count Justinian who was at fault, not his daughter Eurelia.”
"..."
“There is no punishment more barbaric than collective punishment, right?”
At that, Kania's eyes trembled slightly.
"She grew up not knowing anything about her family's heinous and disgusting crimes, she just thought of her father as a cold-blooded enforcer of the law. It's not right to punish her for what her father did."
"..."
"She's a child who could become good or evil depending on who leads her. So, the future is more important."
"Young Master."
"Sometimes, the truth is too harsh. A child with only 3.1 mental strength would collapse the moment she realizes the truth."
The look in Frey's eyes as he said that was one she was familiar with.
"She also has the right to know the truth, so I won't stop her from investigating. But until she can handle that truth, it might be good to return her anger."
"..."
"And she's still just a child."
This year's first-year students included children who were a few years younger than the usual recruitment age.
Of course, extreme cases like Glare and Aria, who were significantly younger, were rare, but due to the emergency conscription issued worldwide, there were many children who applied to the academy at an early age.
And Eurelia was one of them.
"Don't touch the kids."
Frey muttered his own principles, which he considered as important as his beliefs as the Hero, and then quietly turned his gaze to Kania.
"Young Master, you haven't changed after all."
"Really? I'm not sure."
And then, just as he was about to respond to her soft smile with his cheeky smile…
"So, I have something to tell you."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Kania opened her mouth with a relieved expression.
"Right now, Prince Killian has arrived at the Academy gate."
And at that moment...
"What?!"
Frey, who had been relaxed, jumped up from his seat.
- Swoshh...!
"That fat pig really came? Did he lose his mind? Where are his advisors?"
"Y-Young Master."
Withdrawing his sword hanging on the wall, Frey spoke with excitement.
"Kania, let's hunt a pig!"
"..."
As Kania began to wear a blank expression...
- Thud...
Suddenly, Frey lowered his sword to the ground.
"Hmm~"
He then hummed a tune and headed for the exit of the office.
"Young Master? Are you going like that?"
"Oh, that's right."
With a sunny smile, he began to answer Kania's question.
"Isolet said so. She said she uses the sword to protect people. But I haven’t been able to do that lately.”
"Y-Yes. You should be a little more careful..."
As Kania spoke with cold sweat, Frey began to clench and unclench his fists with a bright smile.
“So, what if I just beat him until he dies? Is that okay? Isn’t that fine?”
"While you've changed..."
As Kania looked at him urgently and took out a communication crystal, she muttered quietly.
"Kania, I'll teach you how to stir fried-pork today! It's a popular dish in the Eastern Continent..."
"...You've completely lost your mind."
It was the sharp judgment of an experienced butler.
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.
.
Meanwhile, at that moment...
"Hurry up and open the gate!!"
"Your Highness, please calm down! First, let us explain...!"
"The handwriting of the letter is the same, the voice of the Marquis is the same. I even confirmed his appearance reflected in the crystal. What's the problem!"
Prince Killian, accompanied by his attendants, was shouting fiercely in front of the tightly closed gate of the academy.
"Why can't you open it?!"
"Your Highness!!"
"Shut up, who do you think I am?!!"
His face was so red that he really looked like a pig.
"I am now the Emperor of this Empire!!"
***
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