Chapter 134: AOTG Battle: Miwen's Side

It has been a long time since I've done something like this. I understand how reckless my actions are tonight, just to get here I had to break a few rules, and with the decision to kill everyone involved, the odds of this making news are high.

I've been trying not to gain unnecessary attention, but...

In this situation, it's hard for me to care about it.

Hurting himself to protect his own sister was a sacrifice I would have gladly made in the past without thinking twice about it.

While I have no intention of backing down tonight... I can't say things are the same as they were back then.

I can't help feeling sad about what I'm risking this night.

I thought I was doing good... the home and the peace I built with the girls, our everyday life filled with joy... I was proud that I had achieved these things with them.

I wanted to protect their image of me, and the fun and warm that we had.

But deep inside I knew this couldn't last forever. I tried my best not to lie to them, and every step of the way I warned them about who I truly am.

That the person they see is just one side of the whole, and in my best wishes to them, I made sure not to hide the other side.

It was not something I was going to use against them, but I felt like they should know about it.

It's who I am, so I knew that one day I would bring it out... I wasn't expecting it to be for my sister, but... sometimes, we don't choose the battles we fight, instead, they choose us.

The option to abandon my sister in favor of the girls... never existed.

As much as I can try to promise them that everything will be alright, I'm not a superhero, there's just a few tricks I can try to pull... if they work, we might be safe, but it's up to luck most of all.

The plans for the future, however, had to wait. First, my duty was to defeat the man in front of me.

Elizabeth came prepared, understanding from a single look what I was going to do tonight, and with her by my side, I thought that victory was guaranteed.

I was thinking that it would make for a good test of how far she's willing to go for me, but...

She started levitating from the ground and releasing her lightning and did the whole little show she likes to use to intimidate her enemies...

But to our combined surprise, as soon as she said that she had it covered and that I could relax and enjoy the breeze... her Gift was taken away.

Against anyone this would be a big blow, surprisingly, the one where it would be the least efficient in our group would be me, so her opponent chose well.

Not that he had any choice either... if he could take away a Gift, he needed to take hers or he would lose.

It also explains how just ten guys managed to get one over Maya...

Still, this was a problem for Elizabeth. You can't get a bigger mana pool than unlimited, so... even though she uses so much magic, hers never got bigger, and without her Gift... she had no mana to use.

In one move, she was completely defeated.

There was no point in her fighting anymore, but, either due to her pride, or a desire to prove herself to me, she didn't back down, and tried to fight using just her high level.

This... was a gruesome sight from start to finish.

She didn't have any points invested in physical attributes, so she was incredibly weak. She also doesn't know how to fight with her fists and move her body.

Much like Beatrice, she has little coordination and can't keep up with an opponent in close quarters.

In her current state, even I could take her on and win easily.

Still... she "fought" until the end.

Hit after hit, punch after punch... it was a disgusting scene.

She looked like a defenseless little girl taking a beating from a random guy...

And her opponent never stopped, even while she had tears in her eyes, or when the cuts started to bleed...

If anything, he seemed like he was having fun beating her.

In the beginning, I thought it would be nice to get Elizabeth's ego down a little, but it was revolting to see what was happening.

The girl was still trying her best to put up a measly guard in this unilateral beating. In a fight she could not win, the only reason that made her still fight, was me.

It became clear that she was ready to sacrifice herself, even if meaninglessly, just for the sake of keeping her words to me.

Considering that this girl has faced death before, I couldn't imagine how much determination it takes to risk it again like this.

I knew the image of the girl in front of me wasn't lying.

So... I decided to trust Elizabeth a little more from now on.

And I took her under my wing.

It was the least I could do for someone so willing to sacrifice even her own life in my name.

I didn't understand where this resolve of hers came from, and it could just be her pride, but... I chose to respect it.

My assistant did a fine job gathering information about the enemy's fighting style.

Miwen: "So much for having it covered, eh?"

Liz: "I am....sorry..."

Miwen: "Hm... I'll give you a chance Liz. In the spirit of the Infinite Hotel, if you can guess what I'm thinking about, I won't punish you."

Liz: "You... thought that... you could use this... that you could let him kill me, and blame it all on their organization... so that the Merchant... killed them....

for you..."

Haah... that's what I get for not correcting them and letting them think whatever they want about me.

Bea and Liz's opinions of me are still quite misguided.

Sure, she's thinking logically, and the idea did cross my mind. But... that would be underestimating the Merchant as much as they are doing me.

Elizabeth is well-liked by him and Priscilla. And there is simply no way those two would be satisfied with just destroying the AOTG.

If she dies under my watch, this world is done for. As much as she was a gift, she's a rope to tie me down.

Since I don't want to have Earth destroyed, I can't allow her to fall, or use her death in any strategy.

More importantly, there is now a bigger reason why I cannot let her die.

Miwen: "Haah... You and Bea really underestimate me... this guy too, it seems.... I guess I'll have to punish you all, after all."

What was passing through my mind right now...

After having one of my girls getting beaten... by the guy who gave my sister that injury?

The answer is obvious.

Miwen: "...any of the other girls should be able to answer correctly, thus, I'll have to teach you, Liz. Sit down until the effects of his Gift pass, I'll have work for you by then."

For the first time, I called her Liz. And as expected of the girl I chose as my assistant, this was clue enough for her to figure out that the situation had changed.

Liz: "Thank you, Your... thanks, Miwen. I'll do my best to make it up to you."

So even a demon can be a good girl when she wants to, huh...

In the end, I had to carry the faith of yet another one, as her eyes, still painted in red due to all the blood, now looked more alive than when we started this...

Being the target of her admiration and expectation... seriously, I can't trust you guys precisely because you waste your potential depositing such wishes in a guy like me.

But... if it's just defeating a guy like him... then yeah, I can do it easily.

Lance: "Finally coming out to fight, eh?"

Miwen: "Oh, did the defenseless girls you've been beating up not suit your taste?"

Lance: "They don't make for a great game, but you on the other hand...."

Charging at an opponent like a monster... no trace of reason in him as his eyes were sharp and focused on where he was going to hit next.

Jab and straights came flying one after the other, the interval between each punch was minimal, as befitting of an animal acting solely on instinct.

His footwork was good, and he fought without leaving openings.

He just saw prey in front of him, no considerations for me as a fellow human were to be seen.

Grabbing his arm did nothing to make him less relentless either, as he struggled with all his might, eventually kicking me away to release himself.

Lance: "Those eyes... you're like me... you have no concern for anyone else."

Miwen: "You're wrong. I'm here now precisely because I care about someone else."

Lance: "I can tell this is just an excuse. Even now, you're desperately fighting to control your urge to kill me. Well, why don't you let go of the leash? It's going to be fun for the both of us."

Same mistake Elizabeth made. I've tried correcting Beatrice about this as well, but... I guess I've not been explicit enough to them.

Fighting to control the urge to kill him... that's not happening.

Right now, all I can think about is how to guarantee that he is going to suffer until death comes and releases him from me.

Miwen: "I don't understand you guys... how come you fear the leashed beast more than the man carrying the leash?"

Lance: "That's obvious. One look at you and I can tell that you would be way more dangerous if you weren't holding yourself back. If you let it go, your instincts will be on par with mine."

...I see, I understand now how it looks for them.

They think I'm not operating at full capacity because I'm fighting against myself, preventing me from fully surrendering to my desires and fully realizing my potential for the fight.

That's... a misconception.

My opponent is a dangerous guy who has surrendered himself to his inner beast, allowing himself to fully drown in his desires, and letting his instinct guide him.

Like a good animal, he bites even the hand that feeds him. He's self-centered and only goes after what he thinks is interesting, consequences be damned.

That's also something that exists within me, and he seems keen on bringing it out so that two animals can hunt each other to their hearts' desire.

This makes him dangerous alright... but it doesn't make him strong.

Miwen: "You seem to think that you're strong because you can unleash your inner demons against the world. But a piece of advice. Between the girl who never had a demon to begin with and a man who keeps his under control... the weakest is you, who cedes the control to yours..."

I used to believe that every man carries within him an inner demon. That second side that he keeps under control and only lets go when in desperate situations.

A legacy of our time as animals, a side that seeks only to hurt others with ruthless violence.

But I was proven wrong. There's at least one exception in this world... maybe two...

Genuine good... a blinding light... the very same thing that makes Maya the strongest, also makes her weak against a man like him.

An animal cannot be convinced about his inner good, the concept doesn't exist for him.

In the world, there are a lot of guys who lost to the animal inside of them, giving them control, believing that it makes them strong and more capable.

A weak man becoming weaker... becoming worse...

Is fine, if it means protecting those who are truly good.

Thus, cut after cut, I dilacerated his arms.

Then his legs as he screamed for me to stop.

Calling me a monster, a beast.

This animal finally realized what happens when you're not civil.

What happens when you mess with someone ready to focus and throw everything away for the single objective of hurting someone else...

It's much more cruel than what a beast could be.

Hell, even the demon by my side might not be able to be so inhumane.

It was hard to contain myself... I needed him to remain awake, so I ended up using healing magic so that he didn't bleed out to death.

Once he tried his best to run from me with his severed limbs... he finally showed his back.

The one thing I wanted to attack more than anything.

Thus, I gave him a taste of his relentless attacks, not even using Cassandra this time.

I just wanted him to have a taste of what he made my sister go through.

Licia: "...I think this is enough Miwen."

She was right.

He wasn't responding anymore.

There was no more fun to be had.

There was never an ounce of it, to begin with.

I knew this was how it was going to end, and I still pursued it anyway.

The looks on the faces of the girls... they were hurt by them, absolutely... but the one who inflicted more pain on them tonight was none other than me.

Thus, I proved my words to them.

That I wasn't a good person... that they shouldn't trust me too much...

Miwen: "Sorry about this, Licia."

At least look at her in the eye. Own up to it.

You only became worse, Miwen.

You deserve nothing of what you have built, and if it crumbles due to your actions, blame only yourself, for they don't have to live with a mistake like you.

Licia: "...We can talk later... for now... good job. I'm glad you're safe."

I couldn't understand her words.

I didn't think Licia would praise me for a shameful display like this.

When I asked... her reasoning made me feel a little bit better about it... but it also made me afraid...

That I might one day fool myself into thinking that I'm always this justified.

The truth is that... if I cared for these guys even one bit, I wouldn't have gone this far.

Any person who believes in justice or ethics or any of the made-up concepts that allow people to live in society wouldn't have done all this either.

Thus... I remain in this existence where I'm not good enough to be a man, nor do I allow myself to become a beast.

I'm still treading my path, and while I'd love nothing more than to become a good man... the benefits of being ruthless are too much for me to pass on.

I can justify it all I want saying that, between lambs, a wolf that only bites other wolves is necessary, to prevent a disaster.

But truth be told... I'm just not strong enough to fully commit. I'm a greedy man trying to reap the benefits of both sides.

And my pride won't allow me to give up on either of them.

To those under my responsibility, I'll show only the best of times, and to those against us, only a nightmare awaits.

These people just ended up on the wrong side. As is whoever is behind them.

But I'll take care of the AOTG at a later date, for now, this guy...

I had only one use left for him.

Angelica: "Hm... I got his Gift... do you want it?"

Miwen: "I can only have one until level 100, right?"

Angelica: "Yes... and bear in mind that it will be a weaker version depending on your compatibility..."

Miwen: "That's fine."

If she ends up acquiring a better Gift, I can just ask her to change the orbs and give this one to someone else.

But the ability to cancel the Gift of someone else is invaluable. With it, even a threat like Elizabeth can be easily defeated.

[Hollow Destiny

You can disable another person's Gift.

At level 100 you can select two targets.

Currently, a Gift can only be disabled for 62 seconds.]

Miwen: "Liz... how long until you can use your Gift again?"

Liz: "30 minutes..."

His version was way stronger, but I think I can make good use of it even this way.

He also managed to keep both Liz and my sister without their Gifts, so he probably had easier requirements for unlocking more targets.

Still, this is a good power-up. Thanks a lot, animal.

Miwen: "Alright. We'll wait a bit until you recover your powers. I'll assign a special role for you so that we can communicate over long distances, and... I'll have you burn this block. Do you think you can do it?"

Liz: "Yes..."

The only way to hide ourselves might be to start a bigger fire.

The disappearance of 7 members of the AOTG is bound to become news, but... not as much as the burning of an entire city block.

If the investigation links the two, their deaths may be taken as the result of the fire.

By eliminating their corpses, the only thing investigators will have to go on from is the fire, and any attempt to reconstruct it will lead directly to Elizabeth, a demon who is not registered anywhere.

If I can grab an alibi for the exact time that she starts her fire... I'll at least have a case, albeit not a very strong one.

It should buy me enough time to flee the world though...

And in case they preventively arrest me... I'll have to own the Merchant a favor...

The most important is that no one else is around when she starts this diversion, so after Liz's [infinite Mana] came back, I gave her a role as [Queen].

I still had to test everything regarding this new system, but for now, I just wanted the telepathic link so that we could coordinate well without leaving any trace to be followed.

As for the alibi, something simple might work best...

I went back to the kingdom and cleaned myself quickly. I also got a new change of clothes using the Kingdom Points. They were the exact same I was wearing before. If any cameras had caught me, I didn't want to be seen in different clothes as that would be too suspicious and impossible to explain.

Still, with a fresh set, I didn't have to worry about any blood stains and managed to order something in a fast food inside a shopping mall.

This place was the only one that had a specific candy store around my home, and I could justify my behavior by saying that I craved them and couldn't find them anywhere until I remembered this store.

It was a very weak story, but there wasn't much I could do. I wasn't expecting that I'd have to create a fake alibi and story to hide 7 murders, and while I'm not a good person, I'm also not thinking about committing crimes all the time.

Still, at least for today, I managed to go back home and summoned the girls back so that we could talk.

I was tired as hell but... I also wanted to say a few things to them... there was a lot on my head, and while I knew that asking for more of them was unfair... I knew I could count on them.

I just needed to get things off of my system, most of all, and I thought they would also want to talk.

Still, the first topic that came to my mind was...

Miwen: "It would be a shame to leave this world but... I can come back to reclaim it later."

Anna: "Oh, spoken like a true king..."

Liz: "Quite. I bring news, Your Majesty."

So she went back to that, huh...

Elizabeth had run into a small problem while destroying the evidence.

A level 120 monster... the boss that had escaped from the last dungeon rampage in the area.

Liz: "He was capable of understanding my language, but I didn't manage to make him understand his place... I promise to try harder next time."

The way she said it makes it look like she tried to recruit the guy...

Well, after my last display, it would only be the second monster that lives in this house.

Still, since she killed this boss... the boss room in the dungeon should be closed again, and since they ended up fighting... the investigations might pick up on this and see her as an adventurer who tried to get rid of the boss.

They might also link the disappearance of the members of the AOTG to this fight... and believe that they just ended up as random victims due to being in the vicinity.

With the defeat of the boss, people will probably start going back to the area too, which might bury the news of the AOTG members' deaths...

She might've not planned any of this, but damn my assistant does a good job.

Miwen: "Fuh... I think this is it for today, then... I kind of want to rest, but-"

??????: "Hm... are you sure this is the right place?"

Alex: "Yeah, I'm sure... oh... uh... hi?"

??????: "Uh... do you ladies know of a boy called Miwen?"

?????: "Hm? Ladies? Get out of my way, I want to see too."

...Shit.