novelVol. 2 - Ep. 23
| ← Ch.047 | Ch.049 → |
The rumors of the mad king who killed mercilessly with a reign of monsters spread like wildfire within the capital. The extras who had already been fleeing under Sungjin's advice ran even further away.
The heroes who were edging away from the king started to refrain from entering the capital. Yet even in solitude, the king was their land's owner.
There were still subordinates who decided to bet on the king's victory over Sungjin's. At the same time, monsters, instead of people, became the new military force of the imperial might.
He did not become 'weak' in any way.
And...
Count Satirus, who had handed him the ring, was smiling.
His solution was indeed on the mark.
If they themselves had used the ring, it would have been hard to harmonize with it as perfectly as the king had.
Even if the ring was called the Forbidden Evil due to the ending it would bring to both the tyrant and itself, the power it held was real. And because he had turned mad, Seyzo II could bring out the power in its entirety.
Sungjin's provocation was to be his own grave.
No one could stop the king.
Those who were ignorant were weary of the Kingdom of Sevrantina's recent victory, but he was sure of the next result.
Seyzo II and the two allied countries were to claim victory. And afterwards, Seyzo II was to die by his own powers after spiraling out of control, therefore leaving the four-country alliance in ruins.
The new king of Sevrantina decided to save a young girl and some multitude of extras. As a consequence, he brought upon himself a threat that he could not handle. He overlooked the destruction that a cornered, mad king could bring.
He was a foolish man. Although others may call him noble.
But that's how a fool self-destructs.
Rightly so, his master's plan was perfect.
* * *
Chapter 16
Upon arrival back to the Kingdom of Sevrantina, Sungjin turned to stare at Eustasia.
"I'll receive you as a refugee and prepare your quarters."
Eustasia faced him without a word of gratitude.
"Why did you save me? I was prepared."
"I know."
Sungjin knew she was prepared for death.
A king spiraling to madness.
A rank of nobility out for their own gains.
A group of people defeated without any means of defense.
Within those limits, she had truly tried her best.
He could not have done any better than what she had done if he was born in her place and with her power.
He was not confident enough to say that he could have.
She had given all her loyalty, even giving her loyal advice through a close shave with death as her country abandoned her.
That would have been a death no less honorable for a person of the sword.
And just because the endeavor had failed, that did not mean one's will and work towards it was unworthy.
But...
"I found your life too valuable to give up."
Eustasia could only sigh before the person who had decided to pick her life up where she had left it.
"You're annoying."
"That's how you can overturn a game that's unfavorable."
"Undertaking the risk of defeat to save me and some extras. Is that the way you rule?"
One general, a part of the population. Throwing that much away to slowly secure the lands of the four kingdoms seemed more advantageous.
Before those silver eyes imploring the truth, Sungjin only smirked.
"Nah, that was my personal greed."
"What? The risks are much larger than what you've gained."
"Ha. If you see this as the arena of Valhalla in which the gods held, then I suppose so. Normal contestants would be in a fervor trying to win.
It was only after a win that rewards and others were given, after all.
"But I'm aiming to become an Arc Master."
The champion of champions. The star of stars.
"If it's not a fair victory to my liking, it won't be satisfactory enough."
Leaving a girl he wanted to walk with, a loyal girl to die, and ignoring the masses who would die under the reign of a madman—he was not the type to calculate the gains and losses of a victory.
To become an Arc Master in that manner, he would not be able to face himself.
"The danger of a preemptive strike? The danger of the Forbidden Evil? Ha. I'll claim victory while crushing those underfoot. I don't need a victory without grandeur."
Eustasia was at a loss for words.
This man... truly...
His ambition was beyond overflowing. It was not as if she had not known, but for it to be to this extent...
"His Highness had grasped the Forbidden Evil. There may be someone working in the background. Even if there isn't, as the situation has turned this dire, there will be an attempt at mutual decimation. I told you before, did I not? Even if you win, the higher society will rebel devastatingly. That is bound to happen. And you're willing to shoulder all the responsibility?"
"Obviously. I'm aiming to be an Arc Master, after all."
Sungjin's eyes shone dangerously, and the tips of Eustasia's fingers trembled. At the feeling of being oppressed, her entire body eventually trembled.
Even if the ruling class was to seek a destructive end, he was aiming to surpass it head-on.
He was to be ruthless until the very end.
"Rest for now and think of ways to stop Seyzo II with me for your people."
"And if I refuse until the very end?"
"I mean it when I asked you to rest. I will not make you do anything by force and was simply offering."
He was very interested in having her as his team-mate.
But loyalty is also the most valuable trait to her.
He had said it was for the people, but if she refused, he had no thoughts of forcing the matter. He could forcibly stop crime, but a noble will was something he could not force to his standards.
Eustasia sighed.
As a visiting general, her position was obviously not of a hostage. It was of a guest.
"I refuse. As someone who has been captured by the enemy, I cannot be in any other position than that of a hostage."
Eustasia firmly closed her mouth.
Truthfully, she wished to be held in the man's arms—how her heart had been beaten when they were escaping the pit of death—but she could not.
She could not abandon her loyalty to the king, who had abandoned her.
"I have no cell to hold you in."
"Then I shall slave. I will slave at the lowest maids work there is."
Sungjin did not force his opinion any further on the stubborn Eustasia. Even if his body rejected the idea, he knew the mind's will had to be followed sometimes.
"Very well. Do so. Jenna, take care of her."
"Yes, Oppa!"
Jenna agreed coyly, but her insides were twisting with jealousy.
Tch. Oppa's still trying to help her until the very end.
It would have been wiser to leave this stubborn girl alone. To think he would leave the queen to take care of this woman.
No, well I suppose it's obvious that Oppa will have several consorts once he becomes king but...
She did not think she could stop that. But she hoped he would at least give the queen some official title before gathering his own harem.
Yet beside him, Ereka remained smiling. It was not a forced smile and was one of relief and happiness, even though it wasn't the time to be smiling like that.
Ugh. At least I should be wary. But how? Oppa's interest seems fixated solely on her.
She couldn't show any wariness too obviously, as the smart oppa would notice.
Ah, fine. I'll give her the hardest jobs so that she will wish to flee the empire and live in the plains of her own violation!
One of the hardest jobs a newly hired maid would work. Jenna silently called for the most experienced maids.
Soon after, Eustasia was given the jobs of moving around heavy blankets and curtains and peeling onions that would make one cry.
And she was also tasked to clean the toilets.
Jenna hid far away and waited for Eustasia to scream indignant, demanding who they thought she was.
But...
Eustasia was unresponsive.
Even if the toilets were full of stench and excretions or she had to peel a bucketful of onions, she did every one determinedly.
She was not talented, but she was devoted.
What... what exactly is that heart of steel!?
Jenna could not understand.
She was a grand commander, and even before that, she was the daughter of a duke.
She may have found the lowest rung of the ladder pitiful, but she never would have tried their jobs before.
Yet, she was not disheartened at the unfamiliarity. Instead, she faithfully fulfilled each and every one of her maid duties.
Ughh.
It was to the point where Jenna lost her strength to bully her.
It is usually unnerving to have people around to help only for them to disappear, but how is she so calm? Should she not start sighing and despairing or something?
When Jenna could not help herself anymore, she asked one of the maids to go ask.
And...
The reply came.
"I am living to the utmost as my fate requires. I have long abandoned any heart of blame and pointing out wrongs."
Eustasia looked up at the skies.
Why was her king so evil, and why did her country's heroes only look after themselves?
If she had felt wronged at their actions, she would have given up a long time ago.
"It's not hard to do my best at a maid's work."
Arghhh. It's not working.
Jenna wrung her tail.
She tried to bring out the crying, tired face of a pathetic girl but failed.
She was the enemy, but was she really the type of person Sungjin would be interested in? She kept getting the uncomfortable feeling that this woman would reappear.
My Queen. I don't think it will be easy. But at least we've got time from now on.
* * *
At the same time, Ereka was talking to Sungjin.
"Sungjin. Thank you."
"Hm? For what?"
"For saving Miss Eustasia."
"It was nothing. I only did so because I was interested in her as a teammate."
"But she's also my friend."
"Are you not worried about her being made to stay as a maid?"
"I'm deeply reassured that at least she has not sacrificed herself. The future can always change if one stays alive."
"Yes. That alone is reassuring."
"I will try to convince her further on the idea of being teammates."
"Please. But do not force it on her."
"Yes. Of course."
Ereka smiled peacefully.
It was unfortunate that Sungjin's entire attention was on Eustasia, but she was satisfied with her friend being alive for now.
And if she changed her mind and came with us, it would be great for Sungjin and the people in all four countries.
Pushing down the tiny spark of jealousy, she simply smiled.
* * *
Chapter 17
The next day, Sungjin was eating his breakfast when Eustasia as mixed within the maids who were serving the dishes. She was not in the attire of a commander nor the attire of a lady, but simply the attire of a maid.
"Hmm."
Sungjin's eyes naturally slid towards her. Even if there was no special interest, it was the natural reaction of a man.
The clean and simple maid's clothes revealed little and were efficient in the way the front apron was wrapped around her waist.
It was the type of clothing that enhanced the feeling of a servant's position. But now that Eustasia was wearing it, he felt weird.
There was her inner strength and abilities that could not be restricted by the clothes, yet she was standing there in them in silence, mannerly submission.
It was a weird contrast that came with the rejection of having such a talented woman being lowered to such a position.
But the confidence that she could do her job with "diligence and politeness, " as required by the clothes, was there.
"I think you're pretty in these."
Sungjin praised innocently.
Eustasia flinched.
"Is... that surprising sir."
It was the mannerly speech of the maids, yet her words were shaky.
Ereka dropped the spoon she was holding.
"You... you do."
At their violent reactions, Sungjin showed confusion.
Were my words that shocking?
He was simply handing out a compliment to the new clothes a female wore.
Of course, they weren't empty words as he was being truly honest of her beauty. But to see everyone become so shaken by what he had said was strange.
Or did neither receive such compliments before?
Both were beauties in their own right, and therefore, it would be surprising if that was the truth, but he supposed it could be possible.
"Hm hm. Let's just continue the meal."
Sungjin changed the subject at the awkward silence.
"Yes, Sungjin."
Ereka answered with a low voice.
"I will prepare new food."
Eustasia turned with shaky legs.
* * *
That night.
Sungjin opened his bedroom door after a long, leisurely bath.
If one had spent the day efficiently, it was also important to spend the night with enough rest.
But his peaceful mind was shattered upon opening the door.
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